Motorway Lessons For Learner Drivers Confirmed For 2018

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40905632

I am not sure if I support this or not. Whilst its a good idea for Learners to have some experience on Motorways, I can help but be nervous of them wobbling all over the road in front of me.

[mikey4444]

bhg....no, of course not....where have I said that ?

[bhg481]

Mikey //I too am scared of young, newly qualified drivers but this won't help them all. //
You don't think it will help - I do.

[murraymints]

good idea for advanced drivers if the cars are dual control and highly visible... A11 in Norfolk is quite scary !

[murraymints]

advanced learners ^

[mikey4444]

bhg...how will it help those learner drivers that have no access to Motorways ?

[bhg481]

Mikey - it won't; it can't. Because it won't help some learners doesn't mean that others should be denied the opportunity.

[waterboatman]

Motorway driving should be part of learning, but only come in towards the end, when the instructor is confident the learner is ready to handle it. The trainee not put in for the test until instructor is happy.

[ummmm]

Maybe they should pass their test first but have to have motorway driving before they can get their licence.

Although I don't understand what is so hard about motorway driving. It's harder getting to the motorway than actually driving on it.

[mikey4444]

bhg....but I haven't said that they should be denied the opportunity ?

[bhg481]

ummmm //It's harder getting to the motorway than actually driving on it.//

Presumably that's one of the things they'll be taught.

[waterboatman]

You're right ummmm, but some clowns think the motorway is a race track. Driving at high speed is a different animal to toddling around town.

[murraymints]

how to merge..safe speeds..overtaking ...dealing with HGV convoys...how to get off...allowing others on from slips....

[waterboatman]

Exactly minty.

[Cloverjo]

Yes, minty. I can count the number of times I've driven on the Mway on my fingers. I'm so terrified of it. I only feel vaguely happy on it when my dad is with me to talk me through things that you mentioned. Can't be with OH. He's far too impatient.

I did have a motorway lesson after I passed my test, but perhaps I should have had a few more.

[mikey4444]

Not all Motorways are straight stretches of relatively safe roads. Close by where I live is a 1960's stretch of the M4, an elevated section, over the top of Port Talbot.

Its a well known accident black spot, with a permanent 50mph limit. Its narrow and twisty, with all the entries and exits very short and steep. There have been average speed cameras on this section for a number of years, and yet people are caught exceeding the speed limit every day.

I use it most days and its probably the scariest road for miles !

[naomi24]

No wobbling. Instructors wouldn't take people on to motorways until they were competent. An eminently sensible plan.

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps the learners could stick to the hard shoulder while the rest of us use the middle and right hand lanes. In principle getting motorway experience is a good thing, but pre or post test, a first time is still a first time, and I can see getting confident driving in normal roads first, can be seen as a better option. Perhaps two tests are the better answer ? I know when I first went on a motorway I stayed in the left hand lane, and suspect stuck to 50mph until I got confidence. Wasn't an issue, most there were pottering along.

[murraymints]

clover..a wee aside if I may..did you send me FB request ?

[Cloverjo]

No, minty.

[murraymints]

ta... someone I don't know then..strange.. excuseMikey xx