South Meath Driving School

Making Irish Roads Safer

We use a 1.4 litre Toyota Yaris.

    Dual control means the tutor has a clutch and brake pedal on the passenger side for demonstration or emergency purposes.
    This car is very easy to drive and allows good vision in all directions.
    Diesel engine and manual gears.
    Seats are adjustable to suit small or tall people. Wing mirrors electronically adjustable
    Perfect for learning to drive.

Posted by Louis on July 22, 2009

Is the Driving Test Adequate?

You may have seen my piece on the proposed graduated driving licence (GDL) where, for the younger drivers, supervision will be a must, zero alcohol levels, one passenger only, night curfew, two driving tests, accelerated penalty points etc etc. Does all that go far enough?
The greatest criticism I find with the current system here and even that of the GDL is that a 17 year old can acquire a Learner Permit and drive on the public road. ‘L’ Plate or no ‘L’ plate, being accompanied or not, such driver makes all the big decisions when the emergency arises ( or is created) The accompanying person has no physical control of speed, position on road, slowing or stopping. The horrific crash in the USA recently in which the Irish father and mother were killed in a single vehicle collision is a case in point: press reports state their teenage daughter was driving. Only in a dual controlled vehicle has the supervisor control: yes, verbal guidance can be given by the parent and he sees to it that his teenage son is sober, drug free and he’s not plugged in to an MP3 Player; but when his three friends become his ‘supervision’ the scene changes dramatically – spoiler fitted, turbocharged engine, alloy wheels and the Ford 150 SVT Lighting, is ready to create new records. In some European countries, a driver must pass a driving test before going on the public road (except with a driving instructor.)
While compulsory driving lessons are mooted here, at present it’s irrelevant. A Road Safety Authority official stated to me recently that the standard of driving in the actual test has deteriorated because drivers are, apparently, taking fewer driving lessons and hoping to pass, instead of undergoing a proper course. Some money saved, definitely maybe or might it be throwing good money after bad? The standard of the test in Ireland is very high, its foolhardy to take the shortcut. Expensive it is, but what price a life?
A candidate who fails the test can drive home and drive on until the next test. There’s no input or report from the test centre as to the dangers of such person continuing to drive ; Gaybo is very silent on the aspect particularly.

Where an instructor spends 5, 10 or maybe more hours with a learner, s/he is in an excellent position to give an assessment of that student. In a driving test situation, the better performance isn’t always forthcoming, therefore, in many instances it wont be a true reflection of the quality of that driver. A tester observes them for a half hour. Why not then adopt a new report form detailing the strengths and weaknesses of a learner as seen by the instructor and presented to the test supervisor or the RSA.
Also, the instructor should accompany the candidate during the test.

At present a driving test involves a daytime drive through a town, maybe the outskirts of the town and partly through a housing estate. If traffic is heavy, it’s like winning a slow bicycle race.

Where does the test address the following situations?

  • Driving on narrow country roads where a large volume of crashes occur.
  • Many drivers opt to stay behind slowmoving vehicles for long distances because they haven’t the confidence or maybe the ability to overtake even when it’s safe to do so. Such situation creates frustration for those who find themselves in a lengthening line of traffic.
  • Night time driving is a sea change from daytime : its difficult to judge distance ; there’s a glow or maybe dazzle from headlights of approaching vehicles; there’s illuminated and reflective signs; advertising signs.
  • How to deal with accidents (crashes) knowledge of First Aid, the carrying of a First Aid Kit.
  • Breakdown – What to do, the simple changing of a wheel: probably 50% of drivers have to get assistance
  • The leaving of children alone in a car at any time, never mind the mid day sun. Leaving animals in a car.
  • The dangers of electric windows, getting locked inside.
  • Driving on motorways, 2 & 3 lane traffic. Surely a driving instructor should be permitted to take an advanced learner onto the motorway and show him how to cope with overtaking , speed and when to keep in the left lane.
  • Effects of loud music and earphones
  • No refresher courses. After each 5 year period, I believe every driver with a full licence should undergo further driving lessons, updating their knowledge on new regulations and legislation.
  • Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, slippery roads, different road surfaces, coping with a skid.
  • Reverse parking – the simple reversing into a parking bay in a shopping centre. One may find a hefty scratch along the front wing after such trip, for it does take some skill and practice and such scrapes aren’t all down to long-sightedness.

    • I am not looking to make a driving test more difficult for anyone, rather to improve efficiency, alertness to danger, greater ability to deal with emergencies, ultimately preventing crashes and saving lives. So, I don’t see the test (Class B) matching the challenge that our roads present. Every change costs a little more but no change can be more costly.

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