Now ye're talking - to a driving instructor

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

How many hours a week do you usually work?

funkey_monkey wrote: »

1. Do you think advanced driving cert is worth it?

It's not for everyone but I'm heading towards doing an Advanced Diploma. Time is my biggest enemy at the moment.

2. Why are emergency stops only done at low speeds? There is a massive difference between standing on the brakes at 30 and 100.

Emergency Stops aren't carried out as part of the Irish Driving Test. They are in the UK and I can only imagine it's for the reason that if the candidate makes a balls of it the consequences will be less severe

3. Have you ever had a pupil who you knew in your heart would be a 'racer' when on their own and did any of them 'exceed their talent'?

You get to see signs, yeah. You also know the ones who are driving their own way between lesson as it takes 15 mins to crack them back into shape each time. Fortunately I haven't heard of any of my pupils having serious RTCs

4. Have you ever heard of a pupil who passed their test having a serious accident?

As above


5. We hear on the news with depressing frequency about the number of serious and fatal accidents on the roads. However, rarely do we ever get to hear the investigators report into what actually was the cause of the crash. so everyone carries on regardless. Do you think that there should be some improved methods of communication informing us of how and why these collisions occur - even if it means the blame being assigned to a deceased person?
How can we learn/improve if we are not being made aware of the root cause analysis?

You won't hear about these things in the news as there's always something going on somewhere else. Information can, however,be found in this link https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/RSA-Statistics/

6. Are you living in fear of driverless cars making your job redundant?

NOPE

7. Are you a petrolhead?

I've always loved cars. From about 8 years old I was mad to learn to drive and I passed my test 2.5 months after turning 17. I've never had flashing high end cars or anything like that. I couldn't fix one mechanically either so maybe that rules me out from being a petrolhead

8. Do you think that all newly qualified drivers should have those sensors on the cars which monitor their driving? Indeed - should all drivers have it?

Good question. I don't think I'd be for a carte blanche approach where everyone has to have GPS boxes fitted after passing. I suppose I'd prefer newly qualified drivers to just be responsible on their own accord.

9. Is the standard of driving on our roads getting worse?

As traffic numbers increase people are definitely becoming more impatient and that can impact on driving habits. However, the levels of training for new drivers have never been higher in this country.

10. With the plethora of gadgets and infotainment systems on modern cars are they becoming more dangerous - have you any stories to back up this if you agree?

The obvious distraction is the phone. Most cars these days have integrated help like Apple CarPlay etc. this makes it easier to keep your eyes on the road. My car will read my texts out and allow me to dictate a reply. I still see people holding the phone in their hand at least 1 hour a day.

11. What is worse - overconfidence or underconfidence?

It can depend entirely on the circumstances and the decisions that are made/not made.

12. Have you ever encountered an ex-pupil driving and thought 'WTF!?!'

Once or twice and yes, I did text them afterwards!

13. What car do you currently use for lessons?

Kia Cee'd

14. Does it get frustrating when your lesson encounters heavy traffic? Does the pupil pay for the time regardless of the traffic conditions or if it was abysmal would you discount for them next lesson?