How can we as a population be better drivers on our roads?

[Monaro6]

I was listening to Neil Mitchell on 3AW this morning and someone on air claimed that Aussies were the worst drivers in the world.

Mmm I thought. I’m sure in Bejing China they wouldn’t or couldn’t be better than drivers in our country…..

Anyway, this led me onto thinking…..

How can we as a population be better drivers on our roads?

In another post I mentioned some of my observations while myself driving on highways and in the cities of our beautiful country.

Link provided –
Warning graphic!!

But really, what’s wrong out there and why so many crashes, near death experiences and poor behavior on our roads?

One thing for sure, the cars today are much better & safer than in yester year.

They’re full of distractions too, CD/DVD players, GPS systems, integrated mobile phones, elaborate menu systems for all the cars features and settings…..the list goes on. This all takes our eyes off the road! Combined with all the mired of buttons switches and adjustments one has at their figure tips,
I ponder where do we get the time to look at the road?

I cast my mind back to my first car…… a ’63 EJ Holden.

Nice and simple, no trip computers…….e.t.c. One was lucky to have the optional factory heater fan console and radio fitted!

Yeah them were the days…………………. No only kidding. Cars today are much safer and fuel efficient.

Those old cars couldn’t do a real burn out, and very few could do the honest ton!

Now it’s a very different world. The 138 grey produced/ developed a whopping 90 BHP. Buy the same size displacement engine now and find 200HP and more.

These old cars would roll if you’d put’em in a slide, the new cars now need to “trip” before they’d roll. Much safer!

So what am I suggesting?

Today we have more powerful cars. Better handling cars which include better brakes, tyres, suspension, visibility and a better driving position.

We have cars now with a whole swag of safety features which is a good thing!

Our license system really hasn’t changed with the times. Ok yes, a few little changes, but really?

Is the testing enough to prepare a new driver for the road?

My opinion is no!

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

Some of us as kids were driving on the farm at an early age and this gave us some experience for when we reached the age of obtaining a drivers license.

Many kids of today don’t get that opportunity.

We need much more education before we’re allowed to be set free on our roads.

A mandatory Advanced driving course to teach the theory and physics of what’s going on and the practical approach combined with braking on uneven surfaces, skid pan driving, judgment, how to approach a corner, negotiate and execute the turn. Most of all, to look ahead and prepare! The list goes on.

My top suggestions. (Leave the present system in place plus the below.)

A learner needs to attend an advanced driving course. (1 week)

Double the amount of driving hours logged on a learners permit.

A licensed instructor only to sit beside a learners permit holder, not just a full license holder. (Not all of us can teach correctly & often pass on bad habbits!)

Learners permit holders only to drive a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder car.

Probationary license holders restricted to a naturally aspirated 1.5 litre 4 cylinder car. (3 years)

Probationary license holders no passenger rule for the first 12 months. After12 months limited to one passenger.

Probationary license holder caught speeding (10km’s or over) or careless driving automatic cancellation of license.

Full license holders only to tow a 6x4 trailer or equivalent, larger trailers need a light endorsement license. (Light ridged)

Full license holder driving any vehicle with a gross weight of 2 tonne or more, needs a light endorsement license. (Light Ridged)
Ie: Landcruiser , Patrol e.t.c.

Full license holder found driving any vehicle with blood alcohol reading greater than .00, or illegal prohibited drugs, automatic cancellation of license.

Full license holder found driving any vehicle 10km’s above the speed limit, cancellation of license.

Re testing of a Full License Holder. Both Theory & Practical. Every 5 years under the age of 50. 50-65 every 3 years. 65+ every 12 months.
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I know they’re tough, but it may just help.

Can you think of others?

Interested in your thoughts and feedback.

[kane88]

I'm not gonna lie, I was too busy looking at your avatar pic to read your post...




Ok, so yes, most of those are pretty harsh, but I can see where you are coming from, some good points here. Have you thought about sending something similar to this to your local MP?

[aidannn]

A learner needs to attend an advanced driving course. (1 week)

Double the amount of driving hours logged on a learners permit.

A licensed instructor only to sit beside a learners permit holder, not just a full license holder. (Not all of us can teach correctly & often pass on bad habbits!)

only a driving instructor can teach a learner?

Seriously, that would cost a ton just to get your p's. Im sorry, but spending thousands (literally) on getting your P's is not worth it. This is considering you want to DOUBLE the required hours on your L's.

[Philthy]

I think I disagree with too many of those suggestions to even single a few out to quote.
What we need as a population to be better drivers is a bit of respect for the road users around us. Stick to the furtherst left hand lane possible, give room for others to change lanes, leave AT LEAST a 2 sec gap from the car in front, and slow down when someone merges into that gap.

I do agree with you on the advanced drivers course thing to get your license though.
But mostly, a bit of respect would go a long way to making our roads a safer and more pleasant place to be

[Jesterarts]

All I have to say about this thread is... DUDE! Awesome avatar.

[minux]

I honestly think (along with many studies) that concentration is the biggest issue on our roads. Mix this with poor driver education and training and you have a deadly mix.

When governments start training people to drive and not pass a test, we will see things change, until this time, it will just keep getting worse.

[Jezza]

ok well i think aussie drivers are bad but not the worst but i agree with the advanced drivers coarse but doubling the amount of hour for L's that would put alot of people of getting a licence because its alot of hours and if you made it ONLY with a driving instructor then that would stop even more people

[Jesterarts]

I think that the testing is a joke.

WORST case in a test, you are made to do it in peak hour in the rain.

Most cases, it's a 15min drive during which you have to simply not break any road rules.

So it's not a test to see if you can drive, just a "practical" test of road rules.

I think that the government should invest ALOT more in driver education, as in hands on driver education rather than trying to get through to people once they are on the roads.

Prevention rather than a cure.

I've always said it, it's much to easy to get a license, it MUCH too easy to keep your license even if your a below average driver and people just take driving for granted.

Driving is not a simple thing to do when you think how many inputs infuence your decisions on the roads and some people should simply not be allowed to drive because they don't have the mental capacity for it.

Simple.

[D-Man]

My top suggestions. (Leave the present system in place plus the below.)

A learner needs to attend an advanced driving course. (1 week)

Probationary license holder caught speeding (20km’s or over) or careless driving automatic suspension of license. (1 month first offence, 3 second, 6 third and fourth is cancellation)

Full license holder found driving any vehicle with blood alcohol reading greater than .05, or illegal prohibited drugs, automatic suspension of license for 6 months. and for those caught over .07 mandatory attendance of advanced driving course and driver re-education course (payable by ofender with alcohol interlock fitted at cost of offender for 6months min after receiving license back)

Re testing of a Full License Holder. Both Theory & Practical. Every 5 years under the age of 50. 50-65 every 3 years. 65+ every 12 months.
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the rest i think are too harsh.

10k's and auto cancellation? sorry but that is way to harsh, i'll be honest sometimes i find myself over the limit by almost 10 k's, i back off every time but cancellation for a small mistake like that? i dont think so... hence 20k's and suspension not cancellation

also with the L's people will just cheat on them like they do now. i had around 40 hours max on my L's i barely drove cause i had my license for about 7 months. but now i know or learners just cheating on their books with their parents signing off on it!..

there is no way to tell wether that person has had the experience or not until they have the test, even then it's hard.

I've always said it, it's much to easy to get a license, it MUCH too easy to keep your license even if your a below average driver and people just take driving for granted.

Driving is not a simple thing to do when you think how many inputs infuence your decisions on the roads and some people should simply not be allowed to drive because they don't have the mental capacity for it.

Simple.

Agreed, there are far too many people on the road without mental capacity to think of other drivers safety, their own safety and with no regard for the law (wantd6 as an example)... but then if the government were to pick out people for bad driving and say that they can't drive, human rights would be all over them like a fat kid on a cupcake.... (not good.)

regardless of wether driving is a right or not.

my 2 cents

[VN_chris]

I think its pretty strict as it is in NSW. 120hrs to get your p's is hard and annoying. By the end if you cant drive safely there is no hope for you wat so ever. If it gets any stricter it would just be unreasonable. Australian roads are the safest I have ever travelled on compared to Malaysia and the length if Italy. Our drivers here are better than Italians and Asians. On any road system there will aways be a number of deaths we cant prevent. I dont think our nationl toll it to far above that number.

[Philthy]

My top suggestions. (Leave the present system in place plus the below.)

A learner needs to attend an advanced driving course. (1 week)

Probationary license holder caught speeding (20km’s or over) or careless driving automatic suspension of license. (1 month first offence, 3 second, 6 third and fourth is cancellation)

Full license holder found driving any vehicle with blood alcohol reading greater than .05, or illegal prohibited drugs, automatic suspension of license for 6 months. and for those caught over .07 mandatory attendance of advanced driving course and driver re-education course (payable by ofender with alcohol interlock fitted at cost of offender for 6months min after receiving license back)

Re testing of a Full License Holder. Both Theory & Practical. Every 5 years under the age of 50. 50-65 every 3 years. 65+ every 12 months.

I agree with those ones as well. Although I'm fairly sure the drink driving one is already in effect, although what you said may be one level of penalty higher than whats already the law.
I do know that every young driver caught drink driving has to do a course as soon as they are over the limit

[PaRaDoX]

lol 3AW, they're a bunch of idiots... they think you can unlock cars transmitting the radio frequency over a phone...

[shiftySLE]

when it comes down to it, experience is the best teacher. That mixed with 'COMMON SENSE'. I got a semi trailer license in 2 days and now I am allowed to drive with 50tonne in a vehicle that takes a hell of a lot longer to pull up. Stuff training and longer learning hours, if your an idiot on the road you are dangerous, thats it! And its not always (which I am not and therefore not trying to defend) a 'P-Platers fault. When you are young you think you are invincible, but the older crowds have issues too. What about taxi drivers, they drive 'All Day'. Thats a lot of experinece AND they are mostly middle aged. They should be the best drivers. I'll bet my left *$#@ that nobody thinks taxi drivers are the best, the opposite. Anybodys a risk if they are stupid.

[GetToDaChopa]

I also think that putting in a compulsory advance driving course will go a long way. Not only will it be fun but also beneficial to the driver who is on L's or P plates.

I for example admit i do not have the skills needed to act appropriately in a life threatening situation on the road. If the road conditions are wet or if its dark it makes it even worse. For example if for some reason i loose control of the car in the wet i honestly do not have the skills to avoid an accident. That just never happened to me so when it does, i'll have little knowledge of what to do and how to correct the vehicle.

[D-Man]

ok PLEASE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG..

in 2008.

China = 1,330,044,544 people (est july 2008)
(Figures from here ----> http://tinyurl.com/2p9gkq)

Australia = 21,007,310 people (est july 2008)
(Figures from here ---> http://tinyurl.com/ndewrc)


Road Deaths
China = 73,484
(Figures from here ----> China's road deaths fall to 200 per day - Monsters and Critics)

Australia = 1,463
(Figures from here -----> ROAD DEATHS IN 2008 THE LOWEST IN ALMOST 60 YEARS)

China's Population divided by Australia's population = 66.3
1,330,044,544 divided by 21,007,310 = 63.3

now times Australias death toll 1,463 by 63.3 you will get = 92,607

now if im correct. this means that if Australia had the same amount of people as China, then out road toll would be almost the worst in the world.

so i think it is correct that we have a SHOCKING road toll.

if im wrong please correct me on it... it's math i didnt do so well at so im probably wrong.

[greenfoam]

You forgot that hardly any of the population of China own a car (bet it''s like 5% MAX)

[VN_chris]

I also think that putting in a compulsory advance driving course will go a long way. Not only will it be fun but also beneficial to the driver who is on L's or P plates.

I for example admit i do not have the skills needed to act appropriately in a life threatening situation on the road. If the road conditions are wet or if its dark it makes it even worse. For example if for some reason i loose control of the car in the wet i honestly do not have the skills to avoid an accident. That just never happened to me so when it does, i'll have little knowledge of what to do and how to correct he vehicle.

Find an open place of gravl or dirt and pratice, a car out of control on gravle or dirt responds pretty close to a car out of control on bitumen just at much lower speeds. It makes it way easier to learn what your cars limits are and what works and what dosent. Its helped me out of some hairy situations.

[shiftySLE]

Also, road conditions are a massive factor, china is so poulated as you say, how could you even get to 100Kms

[Junny]

i dont know whats up with some people looking at chinese straight away for no reason at all.
even if 5% of the population had a car. it probably be more cars then aus.
and also most of the times they dont get up to speeds where anyone will be killed (its packed)

[GetToDaChopa]

You guys should see the roads in India now thats packed.

[greenfoam]

And most of them would be pedestrians and bikes getting run over, Anyway Australians are fairly retarded as a race, so we are allways going to be a bit behind most places. It's strange since we are for the most parts straight up Europeans yet Europe is light years into the future

[Philthy]

Find an open place of gravl or dirt and pratice, a car out of control on gravle or dirt responds pretty close to a car out of control on bitumen just at much lower speeds. It makes it way easier to learn what your cars limits are and what works and what dosent. Its helped me out of some hairy situations.

I couldn't agree more.
Doing a driving course would be ideal, but if for whatever reason that's not an option, find an open paddock or gravel yard on private property and get into spins, understeer, oversteer, just do whatever you can to lose control so you at least get to see what it feels like

[GetToDaChopa]

Unfortunatly where i live, finding an opnen gravel area is not easy but it does give me an idea thank you. I'll try and find somewhere isolated to try it out.

[VN_chris]

in every city thers always a place were thats ideal for it, in Wollongong my mates found a gravle patch a bit smaler than a foot ball field with perfect real fine gravel, its surrunded by trees and the enterance can be covered with branches to make it look like it dosent even exist form the road. try looking around industrial areas and aresas where there are no residence to complain.

[D-Man]

i dont know whats up with some people looking at chinese straight away for no reason at all.
even if 5% of the population had a car. it probably be more cars then aus.
and also most of the times they dont get up to speeds where anyone will be killed (its packed)

Junny..read first post the reason we used china as the example is because the intial post has used china as the comparison..hence we look at china. And do you have proof that they don't get to high speeds in china...? Got a link I can check it out at? I dont think that's correct, in saying that I haven't been there either