Road safety issues

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:33AM #1

A few friends and I were discussing road safety in work and the lads and girls had some input into improvements that could be made. I've posted them here to see what the boardsies think. Now bear in mind we do work for a large motor insurance company (not quinn)

1. Zero tolerance for drink drivers.
2. If you are convicted of drink driving then its a permanent ban from driving (driving is a privilege not a right)
3. Maximum driving age of 70 or 75 with an age restriction for drivers on the motorway of 65.
4. Teach basic driving skills in second level education.
5. From 17 to 21 you must have a full licence driver over 21 in the car with you regardless of what kinda licence you have.
6. Taxi drivers must have a car max of 10 years old.'t get
7. If you fail your driving test 3 times or don't have it by the time your 50 that's it you shouldn't be on the road

Now I must say I agree totally with the drink driving ones and I am quite fond of the Taxi idea.
Also I can understand the one about the age limit on driving but that's not to say I agree with it but I do understand.
The one about no full licence by 50 or 3 strike rule I think is kinda harsh.

Gophur · 23-06-2011 09:35AM

For a start your suggestions are ageist. (Surely' it's one's driving ability that should determine one's right to drive, not the number on your birth cert?)

FatherLen · 23-06-2011 09:37AM

no some of them are crazy.
if i was a twenty year old who has had a full license for two years i would still need a baby sitter in the car??

and the perma ban is unrealistic

jester77 · 23-06-2011 09:37AM

Getting rid of the provisional license would be a start. The most ridiculous system I've ever come across. Just go in, get a license and start driving with zero knowledge. Sit your test, fail and drive home. Bloody joke

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:38AM

Gophur wrote: »

For a start your suggestions are ageist. (Surely' it's one's driving ability that should determine one's right to drive, not the number on your birth cert?)

For read the whole post I said they were ideas from a group. and at the bottom i said that I didn't agree with the max age on a driver but i do understand. I'm not condoning it i just get it from a drivers perspective.

NothingMan · 23-06-2011 09:40AM

Is there an IQ test you have to fail before working in that company?

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:40AM

Gophur wrote: »

For a start your suggestions are ageist. (Surely' it's one's driving ability that should determine one's right to drive, not the number on your birth cert?)

Age sometimes affects ones ability to drive.

With youth comes inexperience and certain older drivers face the added risk of health issues hindering their ability (70 to 75 year olds as mentioned)

MarkR · 23-06-2011 09:41AM

Women. Don't forget women. Let's put them off the road. And men with BMW's. And people with mobile phones. And left handed people. Sumo wrestlers probably shouldn't get a licence either.

/sweeping generalization.

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:42AM

jester77 wrote: »

Getting rid of the provisional license would be a start. The most ridiculous system I've ever come across. Just go in, get a license and start driving with zero knowledge. Sit your test, fail and drive home. Bloody joke

There are thousands of drivers with full licences that are as great a risk to the drivers arounds them than some provisional licence holders

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:42AM

FatherLen wrote: »

and the perma ban is unrealistic

no its not a perma ban on someones life is unrealistic. accidents happen and thats going to be navoidable but GROSS NEGLIGENCE isn't. We are all very aware on the effects drink has on a persons ability to drive. Its like taking up smoking the info is there now so there's no excuse anymore (btw i am a smoker). I have never drank even one beer and driven so i don't see why everyone that drives should not do the same.

23-06-2011 09:43AM

I would prefer something like retesting for everyone every 10 years or something like that
most of the OP suggestions are, eh, thick

oh and proper enforcement of current driving rules by gardai

GrizzlyMan · 23-06-2011 09:44AM

not a realistic list but it might have been if you added:

anyone with an exhaust which was stolen from an aeroplane and makes my ears bleed when they drive by should be banned for life!

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:44AM

NothingMan wrote: »

Is there an IQ test you have to fail before working in that company?

I honestly think that is an excellent idea.. the mental and intellectual capacity to be allowed to drive.

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:44AM

MarkR wrote: »

Women. Don't forget women. Let's put them off the road. And men with BMW's. And people with mobile phones. And left handed people. Sumo wrestlers probably shouldn't get a licence either.

/sweeping generalization.

Or anyone who cant drive properly

NothingMan · 23-06-2011 09:47AM

NothingMan wrote: »

Is there an IQ test you have to fail before working in that company?

Big Steve wrote: »

I honestly think that is an excellent idea.. the mental and intellectual capacity to be allowed to drive.

Eh........ never mind.

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:47AM

MarkR wrote: »

Women. Don't forget women. Let's put them off the road.

Not really. Women are involved in more accidents in general (scrapes, fenders benders etc) but men are involved in more road fatalities.

MarkR · 23-06-2011 09:48AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Or anyone who cant drive properly

Knew I forgot something.

jester77 · 23-06-2011 09:48AM

orourkeda wrote: »

There are thousands of drivers with full licences that are as great a risk to the drivers arounds them than some provisional licence holders

And that is because they also started on provisionals. Joke of a system. If everyone had to go to driving school and take professional lessons (instead of their dad with his bad habits), then those on full licenses would be better drivers.

EverEvolving · 23-06-2011 09:52AM

1. Zero tolerance for drink drivers.

It fairly zero tolerance as it is, tiny amount of leeway for extenuating circumstances.

2. If you are convicted of drink driving then its a permanent ban from driving (driving is a privilege not a right)

While drink driving is wrong one mistake shouldn't hang over you for the rest of your life, you can get out in 7 for murder. Plus insurance costs make it damn near impossible to drive after a conviction anyway.

3. Maximum driving age of 70 or 75 with an age restriction for drivers on the motorway of 65.

Seriously, you already know this is ridiculous.

4. Teach basic driving skills in second level education.

Transition year would be good for this possibly.

5. From 17 to 21 you must have a full licence driver over 21 in the car with you regardless of what kinda licence you have.

Why? Apart from some irresponsible younger drivers why should they all be tarred with the same brush? It would kind of defeat the purpose of learning to drive if you have to have someone with you and would be hard to enforce.

6. Taxi drivers must have a car max of 10 years old.'t get

Again, why? If the car is kept well and in good condition there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to taxi in it. Some cars were built to last much longer than that and with proper care they do.

7. If you fail your driving test 3 times or don't have it by the time your 50 that's it you shouldn't be on the road

No. Just no.

NothingMan · 23-06-2011 09:52AM

jester77 wrote: »

And that is because they also started on provisionals. Joke of a system. If everyone had to go to driving school and take professional lessons (instead of their dad with his bad habits), then those on full licenses would be better drivers.

Hasn't that just been brought in? You now need 20 hours or so with an approved instructor before applying for your test.

I started on a moped when I was 17 so when I was 21 and started driving a car I got my 2nd provisional and legally didn't even need a full licensed driver with me. That was crazy, I'd never driven a car and I had free reign.

My Dad, many moons ago, just applied for a license, no test or anything just a small fee and away you go for life. Crazy.

They are reforming the prerequisites now so no need to get all panicky, I think they're going in the right direction.

Then again, I drive a bmw so the rules of the road don't apply to me anymore.

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:53AM

jester77 wrote: »

And that is because they also started on provisionals. Joke of a system. If everyone had to go to driving school and take professional lessons (instead of their dad with his bad habits), then those on full licenses would be better drivers.

Not necessarily.

Surely the whole point of obtaining a full licence is that you've demonstrated your ability to drive to the appropriate standard.

Gophur · 23-06-2011 09:54AM

orourkeda wrote: »

There are thousands of drivers with full licences that are as great a risk to the drivers arounds them than some provisional licence holders

A statement of the bleeding obvious!

Was this nugget a result of some research? Or just an opinion plucked from the ether?

23-06-2011 09:55AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Not necessarily.

Surely the whole point of obtaining a full licence is that you've demonstrated your ability to drive to the appropriate standard.

And then they go off driving in the middle lanes of motorways and refusing to move

Anyway it's true that you need a minimum of hours with an approved driving instructor now, no more driving around a field on your own then applying for the test...

Cookie_Monster · 23-06-2011 09:55AM

Big Steve wrote: »

1. Zero tolerance for drink drivers.
in what regard, 0 blood level, impractical and unfair, mouthwash, morning after etc
2. If you are convicted of drink driving then its a permanent ban from driving (driving is a privilege not a right)
don't agree with permanent, too much effect on a person, 10 years plus attending traffic school. If cause a death or serious accident then maybe permanent bans as well as custodial sentence for murder / assault
3. Maximum driving age of 70 or 75 with an age restriction for drivers on the motorway of 65.
ridiculous and discriminatory. the motorway bit is absurd. I'm all for more frequent tests once at the age to ensure people are still competent but a blanket ban is not on
4. Teach basic driving skills in second level education.
agree

5. From 17 to 21 you must have a full licence driver over 21 in the car with you regardless of what kinda licence you have.
what possible reason do you have for this, it's absurd

6. Taxi drivers must have a car max of 10 years old.
9 year rule already in place, should really have a standard fleet and colour too

7. If you fail your driving test 3 times or don't have it by the time your 50 that's it you shouldn't be on the road[/B] harsh, fail 5+ maybe and once again ageist

see above

Liam Byrne · 23-06-2011 09:56AM

The one I've never understood - for all the red tape and opt-outs that are in an insurance contract - there's no obligation on the driver to be obeying the law at the time!

If you're exceeding the limit (or being an idiotic prick making black rubber circles on motorways) then you should not be covered.

I remember doing a radio show with opinions of young people who supposedly just wanted lower insurance prices to get from a to b, but NONE of them would have accepted a speed limiter even if it brought their insurance price down from €4,000 to €2,000

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:56AM

I did put in my O/P that they weren't my ideas they were collective but I whole-heartedly agree with the drink driving thing. I've seen the results of it (a drunk friend of mine killed someone; his brother) so I guess I'm just hard line on that issue.

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:56AM

Gophur wrote: »

A statement of the bleeding obvious!

Was this nugget a result of some research? Or just an opinion plucked from the ether?

It is a statement of the obvious because if youve ever driven a car in Ireland you dont need researchers to tell you how shyte the standard of driving is.

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 09:58AM

bluewolf wrote: »

And then they go off driving in the middle lanes of motorways and refusing to move

Anyway it's true that you need a minimum of hours with an approved driving instructor now, no more driving around a field on your own then applying for the test...

Every has annoying habits as drivers.

Some more annoying than others.

Gannicus · 23-06-2011 09:59AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

standard fleet and colour

That is one idea I whole heatedly endorse

orourkeda · 23-06-2011 10:00AM

Liam Byrne wrote: »

The one I've never understood - for all the red tape and opt-outs that are in an insurance contract - there's no obligation on the driver to be obeying the law at the time!

If you're exceeding the limit (or being an idiotic prick making black rubber circles on motorways) then you should not be covered.

I remember doing a radio show with opinions of young people who supposedly just wanted lower insurance prices to get from a to b, but NONE of them would have accepted a speed limiter even if it brought their insurance price down from €4,000 to €2,000

But driving offences affect insurance premiums. While the driver may be breaking the law, any infringement will have consequences in accordance with the seriousness of the offence committed.

Dyr · 23-06-2011 10:01AM

Big Steve wrote: »

A few friends and I were discussing road safety in work and the lads and girls had some input into improvements that could be made. I've posted them here to see what the boardsies think. Now bear in mind we do work for a large motor insurance company (not quinn)

1. Zero tolerance for drink drivers.
2. If you are convicted of drink driving then its a permanent ban from driving (driving is a privilege not a right)
3. Maximum driving age of 70 or 75 with an age restriction for drivers on the motorway of 65.
4. Teach basic driving skills in second level education.
5. From 17 to 21 you must have a full licence driver over 21 in the car with you regardless of what kinda licence you have.
6. Taxi drivers must have a car max of 10 years old.'t get
7. If you fail your driving test 3 times or don't have it by the time your 50 that's it you shouldn't be on the road

Now I must say I agree totally with the drink driving ones and I am quite fond of the Taxi idea.
Also I can understand the one about the age limit on driving but that's not to say I agree with it but I do understand.
The one about no full licence by 50 or 3 strike rule I think is kinda harsh.

zero tolerance for insurance companies would be good too.

Road safety issues

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