Driving has become such an everyday occurrence that we (drivers and passengers) have all become complacent. But some are more complacent then others. Some think they are sitting in front of their telly at home. They do all the same things; eat, drink, smoke, answer the phone, change channels, change the CD, turn and talk to passenger, shout at the kids, and day dream. If we found the pilot of an aircraft doing any of these we would want them sacked. Yet the aircraft has many features that prevent the pilot making mistakes, there is a strict pre-flight check list to run through and there is a co-pilot.
So complacent have some people got that they think their car is an arm chair, they never check the tyres or tyre pressure, they never look under the bonnet and check the oil, they treat it at best the same as their washing machine, switch it on and it works until it doesn’t. At worst they treat it like their arm chair, where they can fall asleep without any danger.
I believe that to drive should be a natural progression from pedal cycle, to motorcycle, to car and I some experience of HGV or PSV.
Why can cyclists drive without any proven knowledge of road craft? Why do they not need to have passed a test, obtained insurance? They can easily attain speeds above urban limits and cause extensive both physical and property damage, even death. These “green” people with their responsibility to the “earth” lack any responsibility to their fellow road users.
Motorcycling, a way to travel moderate distances cost effectively. Often the first vehicle of the young, as it’s cheaper than a car. New to driving they ride beyond the capabilities of themselves, their machines and the road conditions. At least if they had to have a cycle licence for a year they would have some experience. As well as an appreciation for the lot that is the cyclist.
Sitting in your car, even if you have done come cycling and motorcycling, it’s easy to forget how cold it is in the winter, how unstable the road or weather conditions can make travelling on these vehicles, but you at least have some memory over those that have never done it.
Van, coach and bus drivers that stop to let cars turn right across them, think they are doing a good turn, being knights of the road. But seem unable to open their window and hand signal a passing cyclist or motorcyclist of the impending roadblock that is about to appear in front of them.
Driving an HGV and or a PSV is surely the only way to appreciate what rear and side visibility restrictions. Even if this was an off road “experience” type training it has to be a plus in road safety.
Testing at various stages and compulsory stages will make it more expensive for the driver. But will increase sales of pushbikes motorbikes, create employment not only in manufacture but in training and testing, reduce road accidents.
More people die on the roads every day, on average, than die in air accidents in a year. So why are politicians afraid of doing something about it?
