I was mulling over the bikers thread, and the fact that in my work I have to undergo CPD (Continuous Professional Development) or I get struck off and/or fined. And my day job doesn't put people's lives at risk like my driving does.
When a train or and aircraft has an incident, or near incident, there is often an investigation where they trace back to the root cause(s) of the problem and attempt to fix them. We're (quite rightly) outraged when a similar incident occurs.
Yet we're all making the same mistakes time after time on the roads - It seems to me that we're missing that vital feedback loop on what mistakes we and others are making and what we can do to put them right.
Once upon a time you might have been pulled over by a policeman which might serve as a wakeup call. Now its likely to be a speed camera - which is leading more and more of the people I know to regard exceeding the speed limit as the single most dangerous thing they can do.
If we're serious about cutting road death, I believe it can be done. But I think we need to do more than just put up speed cameras. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not pro-speeding. But I am in favour of getting a balance.
Do you think its time that we moved to something like 5-year mandatory top-up training? Not necessarily retaking a test. Just having an accompanied drive with a pro pointing out bad habits we're getting into, updating us on local blackspots, etc.
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Forgot to say ... the thing which prompted my message was a conversation at work where someone was proclaiming that they could not have been at fault in the accident "because they were under the speed limit for the road" - completely ignoring the fact that they regularly drive too close, talk on their phone, fail to indicate, etc.
I drive on a piece of motorway with the 'keep apart two chevrons' message - completely ignored by the majority of the drivers. I think we have to assume that such passive ways of giving feedback are failing and we need to move to a more active method.
I know the costs are high. But so are the costs of the deaths.
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sounds like a good idea but its open to abuse by the tax man as per usual
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With reservations, I agree.
What would be useful would be being taught to drive in the first place by a keen, skilled driver, rather than being taught by rote to pass a largely outdated, pointless test.
Following on from this, if I was to receive an accompanied drive, I wouldn't want it to be from some numpty who feeds the wheel and starts braking for a roundabout 14 miles from it.
: )
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Interestingly, we've done something similar to this locally.
Some people in the local car club organised a 'shake out the mental cobwebs' driving day, where we swop cars with other members, and drive the other members' daily routes.
Interesting to see reactions from the owner (in passenger seat) when a 'new' driver is in the car, following "their" route.
It is fascinating to see the incredibly bad habits that people get into as they bowl along on autopilot.
In fact, the guy said to me 'you can go, I never stop here' as we approached a stop sign!!!
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Interestingly we've done something similar to this locally. Some people in the local car club organised a 'shake out the mental cobwebs' driving day where we swop cars with other members and drive the other members' daily routes.
what a tremendous idea...........as long as i can pair myself with someone who drives an AC Cobra with the big block V8 in it
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Ferrari Daytona in my case Westpig, since the 275GTB4 is so rare and expensive to maintain...
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As an IAM member (and 'lapsed' Observer) I have to 'butt in' here and say that your local IAM group would be only too please to arrange a trial observed run for you. Most IAM groups also do an occasional promotional event, when the general public can pick up a leaflet and talk to members about improving their driving.
There is also a 'fleet' arm of the IAM which seeks to promote the improvement of driving skills to fleet drivers and their employers.
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If you think a skilled review of driving (or riding) would be useful then start with yourself.
I did - and found it very useful, more so on the bike
Don't sit there and think everyone should do it, but you may be OK - even a skilled driver will benefit from a review.
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Where I work we have regular refresher courses to keep us up to standard with driving... conducted by pro drivers. Very worthwhile, and relevant to the real world unlike training with a "push me pull you" type. I honestly think our driving test exacerbates the terrible standards of driving you see: OK accident stats might be down, but a lot of people drive round in a haze. "I am driving at the limit so I must be OK" and all that.
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That's the speed limit, not the outer reaches of their ability.... although to be honest the speed limit is probably way beyond that for many!
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