Fail-Pass or distinction

[vetran]

Fail, pass... distinction? Minister calls for L-test shake-up to improve road safety | Mail Online

Sorry Wail was the only one on Google.

Driving tests should have a distinction grade to improve road safety, a Tory minister has said.

Skills minister Matthew Hancock said it is wrong that would-be drivers can only pass or fail.

He said that if there was a higher level to aspire to, insurance firms would be able to offer cheaper premiums to the best drivers – which could make the country’s roads safer.

Obviously the congregation would all get distinctions because the driving test isn't what it was etc. But do you think this is the best way to fix accidents? If not how?

[Halo Jones]

I thought that there was an advance driving lesson / test that you can take already & if you passed some insurance companies offered discounts.

[NigelJK]

Pass+, and it's only a few ins co's that will honor it (and they tend to be the expensive ones).

[d000hg]

If you're not safe enough to be on the road, you shouldn't be on the road. The main thing that improves your safety is experience, and you already get discounts as you gain experience.

[vetran]

yes but gaining experience requires you to be on the road. how do we make people safe to get experience?

[northernladuk]

I thought that there was an advance driving lesson / test that you can take already & if you passed some insurance companies offered discounts.

You can do the IAM advanced course but only a very few will offer a discount with it as it private course not a govt one. Years ago Cornhill used to offer 5% off but they were 15% more expensive for anyone under 40 with a clean record anyway so was really worth it for most drivers. It will however improve your driving significantly so will pay for itself over time.

[Ticktock]

yes but gaining experience requires you to be on the road. how do we make people safe to get experience?

Lots of countries have restricted priviledges for new-passers for the first year or so.
These can include daylight only driving, only being allowed on major roads when accompanied by a 5+ year experienced driver, restrictions on the number or age of passengers, and so on.
These can be accompanied by stiffer penalties for offences during that period.

Sort of a ramped approach towards being let loose solo.

[northernladuk]

If you're not safe enough to be on the road, you shouldn't be on the road. The main thing that improves your safety is experience, and you already get discounts as you gain experience.

I agree with the first bit but I don't quite agree with the experience element .If you drive badly experience will only allow you to drive badly better if you get my meaning. Many people have basic flaws in their driving that won't allow them to progress any further. For example, the IAM test teaches you to look at the driver not the car when you are approaching a roundabout for example. The car may slow so you think you are safe to go but if you watch the driver you will see if he has looked at you or not. He slows, hasn't seen you and then sets off unexpectedly and you have an accident.

The IAM course also teaches you to look a lot further forward for risks than normal. Apply these two fundamentals and you will immediately become a better driver. Some people may do this out of habit and experience but many won't.

[MyUserName]

The only difference would be that the insurance companies would charge those who have distinctions what they charge standard beginners now and then charge those who just get a 'pass' a higher premium.

[Benny]

Test: Almost a quarter of the road accidents resulting in death or serious injury last year involved a driver under 24.

Oi be a bit fick but doesn't that mean that 75% of accidents resulting in death or serious injury are not caused by young drivers?