Why can't we try to improve the quality of Driving in Ireland

Zascar

Seeing the thread on "What Pisses you off while Driving?" made me realise just how many bad many Irish drivers are. We all get annoyed when we see bad driving, but what bothers me is that little effort is made to combat it or try to improve the overall quality of driving from Irish Motorists.

Huge efforts go into speeding and Drink Driving, however they are not the only things that cause accidents. If we were all brilliant perfect drivers then we could drive faster with fewer accidents. But very little policing actually goes into bad driving that we all see every day! Because of this people continue with their bad habits and it almost becomes ok to drive badly.

OK there are a few ads on the TV showing correct roundabout procedure and 10 seconds saying "for normal driving, stay in the left hand lane, unless overtaking" - however this is what annoys me most - every journey I make on dual carriageways and motorways people still sit in the right lane. I usually just undertake them - wrong I know but less rude than flashing them until they move. Other countries have signs saying "Stay left unless overtaking" - why can't we do the same??? Give out 2 points and make it a revenue generating operation! Is there any reason why this cannot happne, and is there anyone who can make this happen?

I also hate to see is really show drivers or people driving in the hard shoulder cause they are too scared to drive anywhere near the speed limit. If you are not confident enough to drive at normal speeds you should not be allowed on the roads! The cops should be looking out for this as much as speeders - cause slow drivers force people to overtake and that is where the real danger is.

Surely there is more we can do to promote good driving and minimise bad driving etc...

aoibhebree

I definitely think people should have to retake their driving tests every ten years or so, that would make such a massive difference.

I find that, while younger drivers are often more likely to speed, older drivers are less likely to know how to use roundabouts or dual carriageways correctly. They're also usually the ones who drive dangerously slowly (would be done for lack-of-progress in a test.)

Mr Benevolent

Like Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step to admit you have a problem. Very few drivers will admit that they could be better, and even fewer will admit that they're crap at it.

Mena

aoibhebree wrote: »

I definitely think people should have to retake their driving tests every ten years or so, that would make such a massive difference.

I find that, while younger drivers are often more likely to speed, older drivers are less likely to know how to use roundabouts or dual carriageways correctly. They're also usually the ones who drive dangerously slowly (would be done for lack-of-progress in a test.)

I don't see any point in having to retake the current test at all. It's pathetic. I got my driving license 17 years ago under a system called K 52 ( or 51... hmm, I am that old), but had to assist my wife through the Irish test. It's ridiculous. No motorway testing for a start. No parking at all... the most complex thing on the test was reversing around a corner... uhm... what the hell is the purpose of that?

For a start, we need to implement a proper test, then we can look at re-testing every X number of years.

Edit: At least it's not as bad as India here though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfLNqjh4j0
(unable to embed this video)

Mingey

Constant year round ad campaigns with road rules. I remember there was one on a while ago about how to approach a roundabout. We need more of these and slot them in between the News, Fair City and Late Late show.

aoibhebree

Mingey wrote: »

Constant year round ad campaigns with road rules. I remember there was one on a while ago about how to approach a roundabout. We need more of these and slot them in between the News, Fair City and Late Late show.

Agreed, the problem with a lot of people who can't use roundabouts etc., is that either they're completely unaware that they're doing it wrong, or they're too proud to seek assistance.

ecodub

aoibhebree wrote: »

I definitely think people should have to retake their driving tests every ten years or so, that would make such a massive difference.

I find that, while younger drivers are often more likely to speed, older drivers are less likely to know how to use roundabouts or dual carriageways correctly. They're also usually the ones who drive dangerously slowly (would be done for lack-of-progress in a test.)

I completely agree with this post.

A re-test every 10 years for everybody. There are some dangerous people out there and they are not necessarily the boy races.

Zube

Zascar wrote: »

Huge efforts go into speeding and Drink Driving

Not on planet Westmeath. I've been an inveterate speeder for 20 years, never had a ticket. I've been breathalysed once, in Dublin.

I think that before trying anything new, we should try enforcing the existing rules.

jhegarty

the RSA need to stop telling us that young male drivers cause 100% of the problems on the road.

aoibhebree

Zube wrote: »

Not on planet Westmeath. I've been an inveterate speeder for 20 years, never had a ticket. I've been breathalysed once, in Dublin.

I think that before trying anything new, we should try enforcing the existing rules.

I used to drive my parents' cars (a Toyota Avensis and Audi A4.) Any time I came to a checkpoint, they'd wave me through and just breathalyse all the drivers in boy-racer type cars.

Since I got my Mitsubishi Colt six months ago, I've been breathalysed four times, as well as getting my insurance, tax etc checked a few times.

It's ridiculous, since I think it's pretty common knowlege that it's the older generation who are more likely to be driving after a couple of pints!

Voodoomelon

jhegarty wrote: »

the RSA need to stop telling us that young male drivers cause 100% of the problems on the road.

Well that's more to tackle the deaths on the road, which makes sense to an extent. As for bad driving, not having the motorway as part of your test is a laugh. And we all wonder why people hog the overtaking lane, the fact is, people aren't thought how to use it, apart from their friends of family who tell them there's a slow lane and a fast lane.

andrewh5

We could start be recalling all those licenses issued during the 'amnesty' and making those drivers take a test.

You could also impose the same as they have in Germany where the only person who can accompany a learner is a qualified driving instructor, thus preventing 'Uncle Sean' from passing on all his bad habits.

Also, the introduction of MANDATORY professional lessons (again as in Germany).

Treble (at least) the size of the AGS Traffic Corps and use them for traffic duties NOT other AGS jobs.

markpb

The only way to improve road use standards is by enforcement. If the chance of getting caught is low, you'll risk it. There's also the negative feedback loop - if you don't know you've done something wrong, you'll think you're a great driver and take more risks / be more ignorant.

Zascar

I agree with aoibhebree and think the Dirver testing should be privitised and everyone should have to retake it every 5-10 years depending. Maybe instroduce a second test - an advanced standard of driving - make it so that tax and insuracne go down if you have it. That would motivate people.

Now that I think of it my parents friends / generation drink drive way more than any of my freinds.

Enforecement is definitely the key, but how, the cops will say they are stretched as it is...

Yakult

The only way I would even be up for the test every 10 years is by changing the damn thing. Any fool out there can just get 2-3 lessons (if even) before a test and kick out old habbits for 30 minutes. Then they pass it and more than likely back to what they were doing before hand. Might be slight improvements but not alot.