'N for novice' plate in new learner driver laws

marcsignal

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

From next summer newly qualified drivers will be termed novice drivers and as such will have to display N plates on the car for 2 years after passing the driving test.

*cue Rosanna Flynn coming out of the woodwork to put spin on this...

Local-womanizer

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

From next summer newly qualified drivers will be termed novice drivers and as such will have to display N plates on the car for 2 years after passing the driving test.

They will be put off the road after gaining 6 penalty points and each offence carries higher points:

speeding 4 points
using the mobile 4 points
no seatbelt 3 points

Now while I dont have much of a problem with the penalty points I do think they are slightly harsh as its over a 3 year period and you could easily do 2km over the limit in a 30km/h zone and be put off the road.

My particular grivance is the N plate. Having to do my test later in life I will feel like a complete numpty with this N on my car for 2 years. I can't see any benefit to it as it won't make things safer so whats the point of it? If you don't display it you get penalty points.

The N plate only takes a few minutes to put up.

Also it is not there to make you feel cool or a numpty, it's there so other non learner drivers know to give you a bit more space a patience.

And you won't get penalty points for being 2 k/m over the limit. The penalty point system is a good idea and if you lose your licence you should have to resit all tests again, same with any driver who loses their licence.

Spread

I'd go along with this initiative. Out here DRIVER'S EDUCATION is mandatory in school for 15/16 year olds.

dodderangler

This country is so fcukin pathetic
They must just get bored and think of ridiculous laws knowing how annoyed we will get bout it and then sick back relax and allow us to complain bout it
Sh1t I just complained bout it

phoenix0250

While i absolutely agree that those N plates will be futile, please be aware that some have it worse (motorcyclists have to be restricted for 2 years) hence, these draconian measures are nothing new, nor will they help in any way.

kneemos

Boy racers are just pissed off that they'll have to put N plates on thier ****boxes.

IvySlayer

N is for n00b.

fasttalkerchat

In the North the R is to show that you are limited to 45 mph. Not sure what the point is if there is no limit imposed.

HeyThereDeliah

It is going in the right direction with driver awareness and the N will let other drivers know you have passed your test and to show some consideration.
For the new driver it will make them realise how important it is to continue driving the way the instructor has shown them.

I think insurance companies should compensate these drivers with reductions in their policies for good driver behaviour.

dodderangler

kneemos wrote: »

Boy racers are just pissed off that they'll have to put N plates on thier ****boxes.

Havint seen many boy racers anymore
But instead a load of fcukin clowns driving golfs and Audi's with stupid stickers on them and GTTDI on the back of a 1.4 blaring Florence and the fcukin machine and 4 other idiots in the car wearin duffer crap And smokin a john player blue between them

saiint

dodderangler wrote: »

Havint seen many boy racers anymore
But instead a load of fcukin clowns driving golfs and Audi's with stupid stickers on them and GTTDI on the back of a 1.4 blaring Florence and the fcukin machine and 4 other idiots in the car wearin duffer crap And smokin a john player blue between them

hard man you are bet you dont even bat an eye lid at them haha

dodderangler

saiint wrote: »

hard man you are bet you dont even bat an eye lid at them haha

Bet ya drive a golf?
An no not a hard man
I was a boy racer when the cars were at least fast and everyone drove Japanese cars
Now they all drive golfs and Audi's

scudzilla

I think that all new drivers must be limited to an engine size of 1.1 for the first year after they've passed their test, would soon slow the fcukers down and learn them how to drive

Jimoslimos

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

Now while I dont have much of a problem with the penalty points I do think they are slightly harsh as its over a 3 year period and you could easily do 2km over the limit in a 30km/h zone and be put off the road.

I do have a problem with the higher penalty points. What it does is excessively penalise newer drivers who are more prone to making errors compared to those who should know better.

If you're still breaking the law after 20 years of driving do you really deserve to be on the road any more than a newly qualified 20yo who has slipped up perhaps twice?

kneemos

Jimoslimos wrote: »

I do have a problem with the higher penalty points. What it does is excessively penalise newer drivers who are more prone to making errors compared to those who should know better.

If you're still breaking the law after 20 years of driving do you really deserve to be on the road any more than a newly qualified 20yo who has slipped up perhaps twice?

The rules are simple.It's not a challenge for anyone to fasten thier belt or stick to the limit.

Jimoslimos

kneemos wrote: »

The rules are simple.It's not a challenge for anyone to fasten thier belt or stick to the limit.

But why should experience be an excuse to flout those rules, or at least receive half the punishment?

monkeypants

dodderangler wrote: »

Now they all drive golfs and Audi's

Diesel Golfs and Audis at that, oil burners everywhere.

Jimo makes a good point though, why should the poor chap who's still learning, prone to mistakes and probably trying harder than the more experienced driver to get it right be penalised more harshly than the experienced driver who performs most manoeuvres automatically.

kneemos

monkeypants wrote: »

Diesel Golfs and Audis at that, oil burners everywhere.

Jimo makes a good point though, why should the poor chap who's still learning, prone to mistakes and probably trying harder than the more experienced driver to get it right be penalised more harshly than the experienced driver who performs most manoeuvres automatically.

Because so many young people have died from speeding,I'd say that's the reasoning behind it.

Death and Taxes

Jimoslimos wrote: »

I do have a problem with the higher penalty points. What it does is excessively penalise newer drivers who are more prone to making errors driving like lunatics and killing themselves and others in single car collisions,compared to those who should know better.

If you're still breaking the law after 20 years of driving do you really deserve to be on the road any more than a newly qualified 20yo who has slipped up perhaps twice?

Post fixed

Jimoslimos

kneemos wrote: »

Because so many young people have died from speeding,I'd say that's the reasoning behind it.

WileyCoyote wrote: »

Post fixed

So what you're trying to say is that speeding and reckless driving is ok, or perhaps half as bad...just as long as you do it when older.

I'm all for appropriate punishments, etc for dangerous driving, I just don't think singling out a section of the population out for double that punishment is the correct message to send out. It basically says the longer you are on the road, the more leeway you'll be afforded.

kneemos

Jimoslimos wrote: »

So what you're trying to say is that speeding and reckless driving is ok, or perhaps half as bad...just as long as you do it when older.

I'm all for appropriate punishments, etc for dangerous driving, I just don't think singling out a section of the population out for double that punishment is the correct message to send out. It basically says the longer you are on the road, the more leeway you'll be afforded.

Or impose good habits at a young age is another way to look at it.

2 stroke

What we need next is a plate for those drivers that got free licenses without passing any test. I suggest an L with an X drew accross it to designate drivers that never learned to drive.

Son Of A Vidic

Pity they aren't bringing in M for all the muppets I've met on the road over the years. Most of whom weren't learners.

Death and Taxes

Jimoslimos wrote: »

So what you're trying to say is that speeding and reckless driving is ok, or perhaps half as bad...just as long as you do it when older.

I'm all for appropriate punishments, etc for dangerous driving, I just don't think singling out a section of the population out for double that punishment is the correct message to send out. It basically says the longer you are on the road, the more leeway you'll be afforded.

NO, what the stastics show is thet reckless driving leading to Road Traffic Incidents are far more likely to involve young , predominantley male, drivers, usually driving at speed and hitting walls, trees, ditches, etc.

emul8ter25

kneemos wrote: »

Because so many young people have died from speeding,I'd say that's the reasoning behind it.

People have died in plane crashes, time to ban air travel!

It's just another pointless measure. It's what our government does best.

charlietheminxx

Do you know what? I seriously think they are trying to discourage people from learning to drive.

And if anything, I bet insurance will increase for those with an "N" plate, as it will be viewed as the next transitional driving phase rather than just someone with a new license.

I passed my test a few years back so it won't affect me, but I still think it's a load of rubbish.

kneemos

emul8ter25 wrote: »

People have died in plane crashes, time to ban air travel!

It's just another pointless measure. It's what our government does best.

If it's a pointless measure what are you complaining about?

emul8ter25

kneemos wrote: »

If it's a pointless measure what are you complaining about?

The time and resources on this could have been used elsewhere.

Death and Taxes

emul8ter25 wrote: »

People have died in plane crashes, time to ban air travel!

It's just another pointless measure. It's what our government does best.

Strawman arguement!

kneemos

emul8ter25 wrote: »

The time and resources on this could have been used elsewhere.

There was no time or resources spent on it,they just changed a ruling.