Glories of L Plates

ha-ya-said-what

Now this I do not get, both myself & the oh (who's a fully licensed driver for 10yrs) cannot get over the behaviour of other drivers when they see L plates

We both have drove the cars short trips before we had the L plates on went on them ... no problems at all from other motorists

L plates go up

On a road where the limit is 80 or 100, doing the limit, the other cars drive up behind me put the full lights on, then flick to dips as the over take, cut in right infront of me & then drive slower to me

Green light gone to Amber & about to go red, I stop at the line as it's turning to red, they drive right up behind me & keep flashing the light cos I didn't drive right on through the light

On a straight with right of way, they pull right out infront of me

On a straight where over taking is permitted, they drive behind you right up the back of the car, you pull over to allow them to pass, they refuse to pass you & some actually stay in line with me as I pull over... to the stage where they are so rude that I have to come to a complete stop before the pass when they have oceans of space to pass to begin with!!

Now dare I ask what makes them think they are such great drivers when to me driving is two parts - Knowledge of rules of the road & being able to drive the vehicle correctly ... yet they proceed to neglect every rule of the road towards the L plate cars!


Oh yeah & it's not cos of my driving, they've done all the same to my OH when he's drivin either of the cars & the plates are still up!

MascotDec85

ha-ya-said-what wrote: »

Now this I do not get, both myself & the oh (who's a fully licensed driver for 10yrs) cannot get over the behaviour of other drivers when they see L plates

We both have drove the cars short trips before we had the L plates on went on them ... no problems at all from other motorists

L plates go up

On a road where the limit is 80 or 100, doing the limit, the other cars drive up behind me put the full lights on, then flick to dips as the over take, cut in right infront of me & then drive slower to me

Green light gone to Amber & about to go red, I stop at the line as it's turning to red, they drive right up behind me & keep flashing the light cos I didn't drive right on through the light

On a straight with right of way, they pull right out infront of me

On a straight where over taking is permitted, they drive behind you right up the back of the car, you pull over to allow them to pass, they refuse to pass you & some actually stay in line with me as I pull over... to the stage where they are so rude that I have to come to a complete stop before the pass when they have oceans of space to pass to begin with!!

Now dare I ask what makes them think they are such great drivers when to me driving is two parts - Knowledge of rules of the road & being able to drive the vehicle correctly ... yet they proceed to neglect every rule of the road towards the L plate cars!

The general standard of driving here isn't great.

Some people drive aggressively and without any forethought for other drivers in general. They should afford more courtesy to Learner's but don't.

This is, imo, as a direct result of the lack of proper driving standards in Ireland over the years. Hopefully attitudes are changing for the better. There are still drivers out there who think they can and try to scrape through their driving test by doing the bare minimum. Proper lessons by qualified people will not only get learners through their test but also teach then driving skills that can and should be used for life.
A lack of enforcement by Gardai is also to blame eg. Each Bank Holiday Weekend we hear the Gardai are out in force breath testing. In all honesty, over the last number of years I've yet to see one checkpoint.

The best thing you can do when faced with these people is not to react. Observe well, checking your mirrors regularly. Try to anticipate what people are going to do (as best you can). Drivers pulling out from junctions in front of learners is a common problem. They have no patience and think they are going to get stuck behind the learner so it's panic, panic, panic to get out there :rolleyes: Be prepared for this on the approach to junctions and you should be ok.

Just keep as calm as you can and drive defensively. Take care and good luck

ha-ya-said-what

Ohh my lessons were & are with an ADI instructor and they've done it when I'm out with him to, but I'd never seen the extent of their disrespect to Learner drivers until I was out at night.

As for the check-points, they're a regular set up around here but never at great times, it's when people are heading home from work or when the pubs are well past closing time and everyone is gone home & the pub is dead quite. Back in the hometown the guards if their drivin past will stop and fine you for drivin beyond the white line at the light, warn you for blocking the junctions... here they do not care, they just drive on past, I bloody met the garda car last nite sure driving with no headlights on, after that I just shook my head & thought right I really have seen it all now!

SherryD

It really is unbelievable how some some drivers behave when they see L plates. I was on a pretest yesterday in pretty much bumper to bumper traffic, was stuck for about 2 mins trying to get out onto a main road, first opportunity to get out I went, instructor agreed there was no way I or any other driver could have gotten out before then. Guy in car behind kept beeping continuously, which had I of been on an early lesson would have been more off putting and would probably had made me cut out. With same car still behind me I then had to take a right turn, got into position, again there still being bumper to bumper traffic the cars did not leave a gap for anyone to turn, car behind starts beeping and then drives up onto the path, causing some pedestrians he obviously didn't notice to jump to the side, pulls down his window so he can hurl some abuse at me.

Like the OP its not just when its me, the same car with the L plates is driven by people with full licenses and they too have noticed more abuse from other drivers when in the car.

MascotDec85

SherryD wrote: »

It really is unbelievable how some some drivers behave when they see L plates. I was on a pretest yesterday in pretty much bumper to bumper traffic, was stuck for about 2 mins trying to get out onto a main road, first opportunity to get out I went, instructor agreed there was no way I or any other driver could have gotten out before then. Guy in car behind kept beeping continuously, which had I of been on an early lesson would have been more off putting and would probably had made me cut out. With same car still behind me I then had to take a right turn, got into position, again there still being bumper to bumper traffic the cars did not leave a gap for anyone to turn, car behind starts beeping and then drives up onto the path, causing some pedestrians he obviously didn't notice to jump to the side, pulls down his window so he can hurl some abuse at me.

Like the OP its not just when its me, the same car with the L plates is driven by people with full licenses and they too have noticed more abuse from other drivers when in the car.

One word for that guy: Ignoramus

RobertM

MascotDec85 wrote: »

One word for that guy: Ignoramus

Better one, Retardatus ?

greenie

I can think of a few better words but I'll keep them to myself for now!!;)

I also noticed a huge difference when driving with and without plates..with the L plates drivers used to suddenly develop a crazy need to overtake me in situations where there was absolutely no need. I'm not a slow driver at all and cars overtaking me meant they were driving well over the speed limit. It really is unfair and adds more stress to learners. Without the plates is just a whole different story...like suddenly you're respected! I don't think this will change either..I guess on the bright side it's just an added incentive to study & practise extra hard fort the test.
I cringe at the amount of bad drivers I see. More and more everyday with obvious lack of knowledge (could be just laziness) of the rules. No-one indicates on roundabouts anymore..giving way to traffic on your right is gone..u-turns in the middle of the road without checking for oncoming cars seems to be a growing trend and lately, after 3 experiences, a green light does not mean go, it means wait a second because some nutter might just ignore his red light and keep going. And that's just my family!!:p No but seriously it's scary seeing things like this so often.

daveharnett

SherryD wrote: »

It really is unbelievable how some some drivers behave when they see L plates. I was on a pretest yesterday in pretty much bumper to bumper traffic, was stuck for about 2 mins trying to get out onto a main road, first opportunity to get out I went, instructor agreed there was no way I or any other driver could have gotten out before then. Guy in car behind kept beeping continuously, which had I of been on an early lesson would have been more off putting and would probably had made me cut out.

I'm reminded of this: (4:00).

Nasty_Girl

I had some stuck up chav behind me the other night.
I stopped at the amber light and she was pulling all kinds of faces and failling her arms because I didn't drive through it.

Uhm hello?
It was orange, you're behind me.
Even if I had had to go through it, you should not have followed me as you had loads of time to see it and stop. It didn't change suddenly like, it was orange!!

Just because once you get your licence you think its ok to break the law all you want ....

Jaden

There is a huge difference between driving with L plates on and off. People see them and automatically assume that the driver needs to be taught a lesson and/or bullied. It's like some kind of hazing mentality.

I've started riding a bike, and wore the compulsory L plate tabbard ONCE. The reaction was so perverse by other motorists that it's safer to ride without it. Being in a relatively safe car is one thing, being bullied by cars while on two wheels is a genuinely scary experience. You may as well have a target painted in you.

Stark

Many drivers feel they have a right to bully anyone who they feel is doing something "wrong" without even bothering to think or check if that's actually the case. You see it in their attitudes towards motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians as well.

gary_bre

Ive recently started driving myself. I recieved 10 lessons (7 in the instructors car and 3 in my own car). Been driving for about 2 months now and Im getting better no major incidents at all.

I have to say though that if I didnt have to learn how to drive I probably wouldnt , some ass holes out there behind the wheel.

L plates seem to really p*ss people off for some reason. Not sure why cos everyone has them on at some stage.

af_thefragile

I see this everytime I take a driving lesson.

Now I'ld consider myself a reasonable driver, I'm not too slow or anything, neither do I keep stalling or do things people do on their first lesson.

I'm usually travelling at just below the speed limit when there has to be a couple of people who have to overtake me although there is a traffic light or a junction just 500meters ahead. Its stupid as they achieve nothing by overtaking me as very soon at the lights or the junction, I end up pulling up besides them.

This literally happens everytime I'm in my instructors car.
Patience really is a virtue!!

MascotDec85

af_thefragile wrote: »

I see this everytime I take a driving lesson.

Now I'ld consider myself a reasonable driver, I'm not too slow or anything, neither do I keep stalling or do things people do on their first lesson.

I'm usually travelling at just below the speed limit when there has to be a couple of people who have to overtake me although there is a traffic light or a junction just 500meters ahead. Its stupid as they achieve nothing by overtaking me as very soon at the lights or the junction, I end up pulling up besides them.

This literally happens everytime I'm in my instructors car.
Patience really is a virtue!!

On your test on Saturday drive AT the speed limit when you can, not below it.

af_thefragile

MascotDec85 wrote: »

On your test on Saturday drive AT the speed limit when you can, not below it.

Yeah, like just below, I mean, like if the limit is 60, I'm hovering around 57-62kmph... I don't drive too slow either.

Stark

I'd keep it to about 60-62. Many people (including the testers) are used to the days when the speed limit was 40mph or 65km/hr and 57 will feel interminably slow by comparison. I did my test in a car with a mph speedometer, drove at 40mph in the 60km/hr speed limit areas and passed.

MascotDec85

af_thefragile wrote: »

Yeah, like just below, I mean, like if the limit is 60, I'm hovering around 57-62kmph... I don't drive too slow either.

I mean if it's 60 and the traffic and other conditions allow you to drive at 60 - 63 do so. Not 57. Seriously. If there's cars following you and you are below the limit you could get marked for "Progress"

af_thefragile

MascotDec85 wrote: »

I mean if it's 60 and the traffic and other conditions allow you to drive at 60 - 63 do so. Not 57. Seriously. If there's cars following you and you are below the limit you could get marked for "Progress"

Right. Thanks.
I'll remember to stay on or slightly above the speed limit while doing my test. I always thought going above the speed limit was bad, but it does seem very impossible and tiring to keep the car below the limit while driving and everyone is overtaking you from all the sides!

ha-ya-said-what

Nasty_Girl wrote: »

I had some stuck up chav behind me the other night.
I stopped at the amber light and she was pulling all kinds of faces and failling her arms because I didn't drive through it.

Uhm hello?
It was orange, you're behind me.
Even if I had had to go through it, you should not have followed me as you had loads of time to see it and stop. It didn't change suddenly like, it was orange!!

Just because once you get your licence you think its ok to break the law all you want ....

I get that allllllllllllllllllllllllll the time!! I just sit there thinkin "F OFF, it's my license on the line here, if you wanna go on then over take me and do so"

Gitb1

I notice this often then driving my OH's car because she has her plates up. I admit im far from a defensive driver and if I see a gap I take it even at times I know it's probably best not to. But even at times like that people see the plate and still try to cut me off/pull out in front of me whereas doing the same thing in my car without plates they give way and room to maneuvre. Drivers in this country are incredibly inconsiderate

longhalloween

I've always had the impression that learner drivers were more careful and observant than others around them. Since anyone doing their test now learns the latest rules of the road with regards to motorways and roundabouts we're better equipped than people who did the test back in the 80's and 90's who have no idea how to indicate on a roundabout or that the overtake lane is purely for overtaking and not 'the lane where the speed limit doesn't apply'.

The amount of times I've seen people indicate incorrectly at a roundabout is atrocious. If I ever need some quick cash I could easily stage an accident where the other party was at fault (although I'm far too honest for that).

Stark

And their cars are made of solid gold too, they're wonderful! The best way to prove you're a competent driver is by passing the test.

af_thefragile

Was driving in my new car today, which now has L plates on.
And the amount of people overtaking me was hilarious!!
At one point I had 2 people overtaking me at once!
It was a road with 60kmph speed limit and there was a roundabout 500mts ahead!
I might had been doing something around 60kmph and was in no rush to accelerate cuz well, I like driving economically and I had to brake soon for the roundabout anyway...

I wasn't driving slow or anything. I was sticking to the speed limit, slowing down before roundabouts to shift to 2nd and such, doing things the proper way like I'ld do for the test.
People have absolutely no patience!!!
They want you to be driving at 80kmph everywhere and if you're not they start flashing at you, honking at you and give you that look when they overtake you.

And if this wasn't enough, I also had a van tailgating me half the time!

I'm sure they wouldn't do this if I didn't have the L plates on.
Anyway, I don't really care cuz I was driving the proper way and its not like I'm gonna see them again. They all can bugger off whatever they're in a rush for!

Stark

What did your accompanying driver say about it?

af_thefragile

Stark wrote: »

What did your accompanying driver say about it?

nothing really...
people have no patience...

I've kinda gotten used to this by this stage as I mentioned before, this thing pretty much always happen everytime I'm taking a lesson in my instructor's car. Now that I'm in my own car, things haven't changed much either...

greenie

Lol I think Stark may have thought you were driving alone!!

It's worse when the speed limit is 80km+...cars fly by at 20/30kms over the limit. It really is quite dangerous in my opinion especially on certain windy roads where I believe a speed limit of 80 is already way too high. All because of an L plate..reckless,impatient,selfish & dangerous. You're in the right Fragile, doing great..keep it up:)

I'm a Learner driver myself. Was driving today by myself when another Learner ended up infront of me. I gave him/her loads of space in the back, even at stop points, as I could see that they were nervous. It's how regular drivers should act.

I was driving along an urban road when I signalled left to turn into a busy car park. I slowed down in good time, changed to second gear and made the turn gracefully. Person behind me honked the horn. Their 8-10 year old daughter was shouting out the the window at me (I seen this from my rear-view mirror after I made the turn). It's as if they expected me to belt into a carpark full of people with shopping trolleys. I know I was in the right so it didn't matter. It's just that some of these people didn't have to undergo rigorous tests. They were around when you could win your licence in a lucky bag. A few think that because they're so experienced, that they're world class drivers and that everyone should drive like a F1 racer.

greenie

Damian Green Stock-still wrote: »

I know I was in the right so it didn't matter. It's just that some of these people didn't have to undergo rigorous tests. They were around when you could win your licence in a lucky bag. A few think that because they're so experienced, that they're world class drivers and that everyone should drive like a F1 racer.

Very true...I know a couple of people like this..Great people but think they're fantastic drivers simply because they've been driving years. I know 100% for sure they would not pass the test today. It seems like in order to be a respected driver you must break the speed limit..it's dangerous to stick to the limit sometimes (especially learners) because this causes 'experienced' drivers behind you to get all hot & bothered & impatient and God help you if there's no room to overtake! I find myself going faster than the limit on some roads but I would never get annoyed at a car in front of me for simply doing the limit, after all I am the one in the wrong!

HydeRoad

I think part of the problem is that far, far too many learner drivers are getting little or no proper education at all. Most people will respect a learner driver who is learning correctly, and causing little delay under proper instruction. But most learners are getting very few professional lessons, and are basically teaching themselves to drive, or getting assistance from woefully inadequate family members or friends. As a result, all learners are viewed as a public nuisance, which is unfair to those who make a proper effort.

Until learner drivers are obliged to take a full course of professional instruction, and perhaps some group classwork as well, and family members are banned from passing on incorrect driving habits, I am afraid learners as a group will benefit little from the respect of others. The best you can do, while displaying L plates, is try to demonstrate to other road users, by your positioning, progress, reactions, and the 'body language' of your car, that you are not going to cause undue delay. That comes with practice and proper education.

greenie

HydeRoad wrote: »

I think part of the problem is that far, far too many learner drivers are getting little or no proper education at all. Most people will respect a learner driver who is learning correctly, and causing little delay under proper instruction. But most learners are getting very few professional lessons, and are basically teaching themselves to drive, or getting assistance from woefully inadequate family members or friends. As a result, all learners are viewed as a public nuisance, which is unfair to those who make a proper effort.

Until learner drivers are obliged to take a full course of professional instruction, and perhaps some group classwork as well, and family members are banned from passing on incorrect driving habits, I am afraid learners as a group will benefit little from the respect of others. The best you can do, while displaying L plates, is try to demonstrate to other road users, by your positioning, progress, reactions, and the 'body language' of your car, that you are not going to cause undue delay. That comes with practice and proper education.

LOL
IMO a lot of this is c**p..sorry Hyde!
Firstly the 'most learners' part is rubbish. A lot more learners than not are doing things the correct way. These days it's pretty hard to pass a test without a certain amount of 'professional' driving lessons under your belt.
The reason learners do not have respect has nothing at all to do with incorrect driving habits...that bit made me laugh because it's actually the opposite. People get annoyed at learners because they ARE abiding by the speed limit!
I think maybe the thing to do is introduce refresher courses for people who haven't done the test in a very long time after all they've missed an awful lot of changes and updates to the rules. I myself rarely see a non learner take up correct position for going straight at traffic lights and using indicators on roudabouts is rare. You basically said it yourself though when you mentioned family members (experienced drivers I presume) passing on incorrect habits!
I also disagree about learners not benefiting from respect...Learners will definitely benefit...confidence will grow if other drivers cut out the honking and overall impatient & annoyed behaviour they develop when in the vicinity of an L plate!!
So what I mean is no it's not Learners' faults that experienced drivers find them a nuisance. I'd love you to stick up a couple of L plates for the day & report back with your experience!