My answer for reducing traffic. What do you think?

PAUL C

a very intresting thought

Go Bears!

You would need to incorporate an increase in public transportation in this plan - People need to get around, even if they are bad drivers.

JoeIQ

The only problem is the cost it would take to have all those employees driving with everybdoy to get their license. The recently started making less people drive because they didn't have enough money or employees.

People are also willing to risk it and drive anyway when they dont' have a license.

It sounds like you don't want to drive less, you just want other people to drive less.

Steven N

Hmm, interesting but ultimately flawed.

I do about 20,000 miles a year, it is my business lifeline. If I lose my license, i lose my house, my job, and undoubtably go into bankruptcy.

I'm sure 90% of us would fail a test if we took it now due to minor things. But I also know from years of experience that I can handle a car better than any fresh faced 18 year old, and statistically, 17 to 21 is the highest accident rate zone, so maybe they should be tested every year.

However, think it would be a good idea to have people take a mandatory refresher course every few years to brush up on skills.

I still believe the way to make britains roads safer is education, not totalitarian laws. Little bit like condoms really, preventions better than cure........

Lou

like it, especially the retesting part and showing them what can happen because of bad driving.

malibugirl

In theory great idea, but in practice it will never happen! How will driving schools etc. be able to deal with the extra courses/lessons/tests? Besides, the majority of the pratts that are on the road are invariably driving without licenses anyway so it wont stop them.

Geeza Sooka Yerlips

Excellent idea,with the added bonus that by the time they had went through all these tests they would be too old to drive.

veito da costa

Like it. especially taking a test every 5 years. Maybe EVERY year after you reach 65..................

Dave E

I am a Senior Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists and Observer/Gold driver for RoSPA. All RoSPA Advanced driving qualifications must be renewed regularly; Bronze passes every year and Silver/Gold every 3 years. So far I've achieved 6 Golds.

Your suggestion has been proposed before and discussed within the Advanced Driving groups. I totally agree with your view that Driving Licenses must be a privilege and not a right because people currently drive so badly / dangerously.

Unfortunately when this has been suggested to Government in the past, the stock answer is that it would cause huge economic impact (cost of tests, lots of people who drive for a living who would loose their jobs etc).

However, I think there is a good compromise. Suppose people have to take an automatic retest for most driving offenses? If people knew that they would suffer loss of mobility, inconvenience and expense through bad driving, then they would be much more careful. Plus, the really bad drivers would get much overdue refreshers of their skills and the really bad ones wouldn't get back on the road.

billybus

does this mean that the Sunshine's out of ya ***
when it comes to driving.would you have passed if what you are suggesting was implemented b4 you became an eligible car driving scroat?
sorry but what you are imposing is categorically impossible because everyone has the right to be treated the same thus ,the test is fair for all,but i do agree there should be regular 5 or 10 yearly recaps to determine safety of competent driving skills,meaning that we should undergo a test of character and common sense.to be able to keep driving in our later years.what i do find hard to understand is why does'nt anything get done before some one gets hurt,spot the dodgy driver with his bad eyesite or aggressive behaviour behind the wheel,take away their licence,"dont use the handheld,your be in the clink"attitude is what we want ,

would take time and money. Would have a back-log of people on applications list. Good idea though.

enaz

i think if everyone had flying cars there would be less traffic.

michelebaruch

Yes I agree with you. It is a priviledge not a right if you dont obey the rules.

WelshLad

Good in theroy but sounds expensive

styce

then noone would pass

angel

I totally agree with you.

elwood blues

I agree with you, but while this would mean more careful, responsible drivers - and that's good - it won't necessarily reduce traffic.

The only way this could be done is to make public transport more accessible, more reliable, and extremely cheap, so that people are tempted away from using the car for short trips - most car journeys are 2 miles or under. Also make it much safer for people to use bikes, with more dedicated cycle tracks as they have in many European countries.

It's not impossible - it has been done in many European countries. It's not impossible in the UK either but one thing is missing and that's the political will.

ELIZABETH M

I agree with your ideas. Unfortunately most of them will not be put into place, but at least they could make everyone resit their driving test every 5 years or so, including the written test. How many drivers have looked at the Highway code once they have passed their test. Their bad habits would be picked up and if they amount to dangerous bad habits they should have to go back and resit again to show they have overcome them before being given a full licence again.

jack_lunt

totaly agree

green cat

I agree with you on the rage issue but have you any idea how expensive it is to take lessons and do your test, its just putting people off so u get more maniacs on the road who don't even bother getting their license. Cost should come down to allow people to gain a more comprehensive knowledge of driving, safety, etc, i'm still learning and i've held a license for 4 years!!!

musonic

Great idea, but no chance of being adopted.

It's all about economics rather than safety, and getting people to work by ANY means is considered more important than getting people to their destinations SAFELY.

pauleypfan

if this wasn't the 4th most densely populated country in the world
it wouldn't be such a big problem!

William R

I basically agree with your thought that TOO MANY people have drivers licenses. This country is based on subsidizing the auto and oil industries. Those two would scream bloody murder if there was any attempt to limit licenses.

all_wheel_driven

Germany (home of the Autobahn) uses several of the methods you just mentioned. It costs about $3000 american to take all the tests, lessons, and aquire all the permits required. All this over a period of 2-3 years. The Germans take driving SERIOUSLY. So should we.

lisy_rox

i totally agree!!!!
too many people driving on open ended international licences too which means although they have passed the test in another country they have not technically passed UK standards, annoys the hell out of me.
too many people die on the roads for people to be so dismissive of bad driving.

uncle fester

You're an idiot.

DanRSN

Surely there are no poor drivers? If you're poor you can't afford a a car.
As for you other points: Driving test should be last a little longer and cover different types of driving. Anger level does not impeded competence of driving. Maybe the questions at the end of the test could incorporate questions about vehicle safety.

Re-test? No, no, no, no, no and no again. Maybe sight tests every 5 or 10 years and every year after a certain age.

The advanced test compulsory? The greatest improvements in driving will come with experience. Including speed of response, due to better potential risk assessment

The use of a car is already a privilege, hard earned by many.

seaturtle36

Are you a Communist?

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