Satnav use in the new driving test
Comments
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Had a test run with a new TomTom. Programmed it for a route we knew well. Me and Mrs.WN fell about laughing as we were instructed to "Take the A505 to Beachy Head". Bit of a long way from North Wales as A505 goes to Birkenhead!
So we won't be ditching the map just yet.
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My sat-nav warns me every time I switch it on that it is for guidance only and words to the effect that it shouldn't necessarily be followed slavishly. Possibly a cop-out by Garmin but is actually a fair comment. They will not always take you along the same route twice if there is an alternative of a similar distance. A sat-nav is only really any use when driving somewhere unknown so will, in reality, probably only be needed once in a while.
On the subject of reversing, my next door neighbour takes her test next Thursday and even now she has great difficulty in steering correctly when reversing out of their drive when having a lesson. I hope she passes OK but if not, my bet will be that she failed on reversing.
Driving tests should be more stringent these days with the amount of traffic on the road, not dumbed down. The number of people with the apparent inability to drive correctly and safely seems to be ever increasing. "Treat every other driver as an idiot", I was told by my driving instructor over 50 years ago! A point well remembered.
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Is it illegal to reverse onto a main road UK?
It is not illegal to reverse into a main road but it is not advisable - this is for safety reasons. ... If an accident occurred due to you reversing onto a main road from a minor road then there may be the possibility of you being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.This is from 'ask the Police' website.
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But the Highway Code is not law in all instances, DD.
In the case you quote the woman was clearly at fault, law or no law.
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Wording of The Highway Code
Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. See an explanation of the abbreviations.
Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see The road user and the law) to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’.
Rule 201
Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.0 -
I agree with both Steve and Ian, I really think the caravan mover is the top caravaning invention ever, closely followed by EHU, service pitches and the aquaroll!
But going back to the OP, isn't this just a case of moving forward with the times and technology? Are hand signals still tested in the driving test. I remember being asked during my test. I've just asked my two daughters and they can't remember that being in the practical part at all.
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wow, just done some online research and on a web site for driving instructors it says:
However, hand signals are so infrequently used or needed in real-life driving that many driving instructors do in fact not even cover this part of the training process for their learner drivers.
DRIVING TEST AND HAND SIGNALS
Although you may be taught hand signals during driving lessons, it’s highly unlikely you will need to demonstrate them during the actual practical driving test. The driving examiner will not ask you to demonstrate hand signals but in the event of an indicator bulb failure, the use of hand signals may be important.http://www.drivingtesttips.biz/driving-hand-signals.html
(as always be careful what you read on the net)
Bonus questions: 1) how do you show you're slowing down with hand signals? 2) turning left?
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Recent investigations have shown using a sat nav isn't always a good idea, especially if totally reliant upon them. Brain switches off........
Combined with some pre planning and a few decent map reading skills, basic common sense and spatial/hazard awareness, then great bit of kit. But if you rely wholeheartedly on one..........
classic car drivers here..... slowing down is use right arm and move up and down, turning left, use right arm out of window in circular motion! Seldom used though, seldom seen even on classic rallies. 99% of today's drivers would think you were giving them the bird!
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