The Daily Mail of 9th Feb.2007 reports on a development of the driving test where the learners knowledge of ?green issues? is tested.
The Driving Standards Agency (Who are they ?) spokesperson said, ?This should lead to a group of drivers who from Day One drive in an environmentally-friendly way.?
Learners, among other things, will need to show that they understand :
1. how motoring affects the environmwent,
2. what speeds are best for driving and braking ??
3. route planning to minimise fuel consumption.
They will be penalised for
4. excessive use of the accelerator when starting the engine
5. consistently failing to use engine braking.
It looks as though the self appointed experts are going to change their instructions again. My son reprimanded me for going down through the gears as I was approaching red traffic lights so that I wouldn?t need to stop. ?Brakes to Stop?, he said, ?Gears to Go?.
Will they bring back ?Imagine that an eggshell is between your foot and the throttle?
|
They will be penalised for 4. excessive use of the accelerator when starting the engine
IIRC unlike the old days now one just turns the key and the computer sorts out the revs / mixture etc.
5. consistently failing to use engine braking.
Does this mean staying on the gas until you need the brakes or not changing down to increase engine braking.
What does that do for fuel use?
If drving an auto does it mean taking it out of D ?
What I can work out is that with a lower level of traffic police and a harder test , as one who tries to be legal, the cost of my insurance will rise to cover the increase in non- insured drivers who do not even take the test.
My offspring popped into take there written test, emerged in no time flat, commenting on the ease of the test and their amazement at how so many others were still struggling with it.
Any guesses on what the next inspired idea will be ? Traffic police?
|
|
|
So what speed is best for braking? You have to do lots of it if you're approaching a roundabout at 120...
Personally, I'd like to see a proper written test, with handwriting analysis thrown in. That would sort out the congestion!
|
Personally, I'd like to see a proper written test, with handwriting analysis thrown in.
That would sort out the congestion!
>>
But it might be against your human writes :-(
Did you forget the need to demonstrate changing the bulbs ?
But that might not be allowed re H&S.
|
"But that might not be allowed re H&S"
I'm surprised driving is, really!
|
|
|
|
5. consistently failing to use engine braking.
When I was learning to drive a car (been on bikes for a while) back in the 90s. I was discouraged from using engine braking and changing down through the gears. I can still hear the instructor saying "Use the brakes to slow you until you need 2nd gear (was in 4th), change down to 2nd and proceed around the corner" and "Slow down using the brakes".
I did follow his advice for the test and passed, but ever since I reverted to using engine braking and saved a fortune in brake pads/shoes!
|
|
Go down a steep hill and see what difference in speed there is between 5,4,and 3rd hardly any due to modern engines having such light cranks,your instuctor was correct then and correct now.Brakes are for stopping the car, if you drive in a smooth non agressive manner you need to use little of either method.
|
>>due to modern engines having such light cranks,
Tell me, what does the weight of the crank have to do with engine braking?
Number_Cruncher
|
Of all the components in an engine, the last thing I would expect to have got significantly lighter over the decades is the crankshaft. They are also still connected to a flywheel which is pretty heavy for a reason. Both big lumps of solid metal.
I'm glad they are going back to using the engine and gears to regulate speed. As I currently teaching SWMBO to drive, it at least means I'll be teaching her in the newly accepted manner. BTW, she just breezed through the theory test (35/35 on the multiple choice bit, so she was happy); I just wish her actual driving could get near that!
|
">>due to modern engines having such light cranks,
Tell me, what does the weight of the crank have to do with engine braking?"
In the 1950s motorcycle enthusiasts were reputed to lighten the pistons and conn rods by drilling holes. The lighter the moving parts the less inertia and the faster the response, but I can't see that it would have a marked effect on braking. That would be down to the compressions, and the number of them per unit time. I notice that when I change to manual on going downhill, in 4th and 3rd there is not much effect. 2nd is better, but 1st is the only one to have any real effect on a proper hill..
|
|
|
|
