Digga Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I will hold my hands up and say, yes I was blasting round country lanes in my Mini when I was 17. Driving was and still is so very important and enjoyable to me, but now I shudder when I drive up a stretch of road at 40 mph, and remember doing over 100 when I was a lad thinking I was invincble, and the best driver in the world. I was not, but I am not that old not to remember exactly what my mindset was as a new driver. hey you never lost your licence now there is a steep learning curve I suspect the problem is that unless you've actually got a speed camera recording someone's velocity, there's no proof of what speed they were driving at. In this day and age there are many ways to track a vehicles speed take a look at something like the 'Tracker' it will tell you a lot of imformation about the cars position, direction and speed could this not be utilised in some way maybe, like when you pass your driving test you pay a deposit when you collect your full licence to cover the unit cost of the tracker device. Now if you are caught driving without the tracker in your vehicle while displaying the R plate you lose your licence for 1 month call it a first strike if you like, then when you get the licence back if you are back to square one as in you need to display the R plate for a full 12 months ok, if you are then caught again with out the tracker you then lose the licence for 3 months after which time you get the licence back again the R plate needs to be displayed again for 12 months ,follow , caught again lose the licence 6 months after that lose licence and retake test, then once the R plate period over you hand the tracker unit back and get your money back . Remember a licence is a privilaged NOT a right. Then at any time the police could look on a computer for a vehicle registration look to its 'history' and then if they have been naughty they firstly get a phonecall, if they do it again they get a visit , again a caution, then points/fined, it would only take one quick look at the list to spot the repeat offenders. edited for being a muppet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3v0 Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 In this day and age there are many ways to track a vehicles speed take a look at something like the 'Tracker' it will tell you a lot of imformation about the cars position, direction and speed could this not be utilised in some way maybe, like when you pass your driving test you pay a deposit when you collect your full licence to cover the unit cost of the tracker device. Now if you are caught driving without the tracker in your vehicle while displaying the R plate you lose your licence for 1 month call it a first strike if you like, then when you get the licence back if you are back to square one as in you need to display the R plate for a full 12 months ok, if you are then caught again with out the tracker you then lose the licence for 3 months after which time you get the licence back again the R plate needs to be displayed again for 12 months ,follow , caught again lose the licence 6 months after that lose licence and retake test. Remember a licence is a privilaged NOT a right. Then at any time the police could look on a computer for a vehicle registration look to its 'history' and then if they have been naughty they firstly get a phonecall, if they do it again they get a visit , again a caution, then points/fined, it would only take one quick look at the list to spot the repeat offenders. We could also all get microchipped and the police could watch everything we do at all times! What absolute genius! There wouldn't be any crime because you could be monitored 24x7, no accidents because someone could tell you that what you were about to do was dangerous, what an amazing world that would be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 In this day and age there are many ways to track a vehicles speed take a look at something like the 'Tracker' it will tell you a lot of imformation about the cars position, direction and speed could this not be utilised in some way maybe, like when you pass your driving test you pay a deposit when you collect your full licence to cover the unit cost of the tracker device.Then at any time the police could look on a computer for a vehicle registration look to its 'history' and then if they have been naughty they firstly get a phonecall, if they do it again they get a visit , again a caution, then points/fined, it would only take one quick look at the list to spot the repeat offenders. No thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digga Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Sorry, i've been a muppet i missed a bit off the original post, that once the R plate period over you hand the unit back and get your money back , dont you just hate it when customers come in and expect to be served it really throws me off my stride Doh my bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3v0 Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Sorry, i've been a muppet i missed a bit off the original post, that once the R plate period over you hand the unit back and get your money back , dont you just hate it when customers come in and expect to be served it really throws me off my stride Doh my bad I see what your saying, however it's still a bit scary suggesting that just because you are a novice driver you should be watched at all times, the theory behind passing your test is that the examiner is saying whether or not you are capable of driving on your own. Unfortunatly people (more often young ones) are going to do stupid things whether it's in cars or anything else they can get their hands on / in / near to. I know we used to enjoy a spot of car surfing out at langness at about 4 in the morning, someone falls off, if they're not injured we all had a good laugh, that's what happens unfortunatly the story is different if someone is hurt / killed but we were all very lucky / rubbery! It's tragic and i'm not trying to say it isn't but it is nothing new, people have and will always find ways to kill themselves whether they are 20 or 90. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silentbob Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I see what your saying, however it's still a bit scary suggesting that just because you are a novice driver you should be watched at all times, the theory behind passing your test is that the examiner is saying whether or not you are capable of driving on your own. Driving on your own is one thing, I still enjoy a quick drive now and again, but only when I am on my own, with nobody about to prove myself to. A lot of excessive speed is caused by peer pressure, and the subconscious urge to show off and/or scare your passengers. Unfortunately for a newish driver, scaring your passengers is usually driving beyond your own capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cret Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 All this crap about speed and youngsters is total bollox imo. It's not new at all. When i was that age, the same was done. Rightly or Wrongly, it happened. In my day not many people had a car to let their kids loose in. Now they do. And powerful cars at that. Accidents happens, that's life. But most off these are some young fuck-wit, showiing off in a car which they can't handle. Not a flame as such as you made a couple of points I agree with but clearly from your own comments and well known stats, saying that the 'speed & youngsters' thing is bollox, is in fact itself 'bollox'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambon Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 All this crap about speed and youngsters is total bollox imo. It's not new at all. When i was that age, the same was done. Rightly or Wrongly, it happened. In my day not many people had a car to let their kids loose in. Now they do. And powerful cars at that. Accidents happens, that's life. But most off these are some young fuck-wit, showiing off in a car which they can't handle. Celt has a lot of interesting points. The part about parents is very true, not only on the car front but also on the insurance front. How many Scoobies, VTIs GTis Cooper Ss etc do you see with "R" plates? It is not possible for a new driver to get insurance for these cars, and for good reasons. Yet, a parent would not only have to agree to it but also arrange the insurance for the kid. That is downright irresponsible. Personally, I am for upping the age at which you can take your test to 18, but allow learning (with a qualified examiner) from 16, plus display "R" plates for one year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
%age Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 . . . . the theory behind passing your test is that the examiner is saying whether or not you are capable of driving on your own. I wonder when some speeding kid gets wrapped around a tree or caught mega speeding etc., the Driving Examiners having a tea break up at the depot and reading the local newspaper say "Hey Bob (or whoever), he was one of yours. wasne?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celt Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I find it strange how there is so many restrictions put on someone who wants to pass their bike test, before they get their R plate, yet there isn't similar restrictions put in place for a car, where you cannot only kill you but up to about 5 off you m8s as well. At least if you get it wrong on a bike the total fatality is hopefully an unfortunate 2 but with a car it's so much more. I've read these Forums so much on this and as i and any parent would not like that knock on the door, it still needs addressed. However, it beggers belief that people on here can come up with some ideas which can help but yet the people who are paid to do it , can't. If anything comes from this forum to spare any family the grief involved in RTA's, we've at least made the effort. I hope some off the powers that be read this forum and take note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cret Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 I hope some off the powers that be read this forum and take note. Unlikely as common sense/logic and 'powers that be' seldom go together. I'd love to be proven wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 . . . . the theory behind passing your test is that the examiner is saying whether or not you are capable of driving on your own. I wonder when some speeding kid gets wrapped around a tree or caught mega speeding etc., the Driving Examiners having a tea break up at the depot and reading the local newspaper say "Hey Bob (or whoever), he was one of yours. wasne?" just because you get your test passed and are entitle to drive on your own on R plates it doesn't turn you into nigel mansel in terms of abillity. on R plates your supposed to be restricted to 50 mph. i don't really see how you can mega speed or wrap your car round something IF you actually obey the laws and conditions associated with the R plates. motorcycles are limited on cc and power for learners and a power level for R plates. if R plate drivers cars were PROPERLY restricted it could only help in general. these days nearly all kids are afforded a car as soon as they passed their test, in my day, your first car was likely to be an 850 mini or a mk1 or 2, 1100 escort. neither of which on the average available budget posed much of a threat to reaching 70 mph without feeling very unsafe, let alone 3 figures!!. most modern cars, even the bottom of the range spam cans can sit at 70 mph no problem and feel glued to the road. on the status symbol side of things it has to have spoilers, wide wheels, tinted windows, GTi or turbo written somewhere and so on. for most new male drivers their car is testosterone enhancement to be displayed like a peacocks tail in full look at me mode. the parents who give their kids anything exuding performance are contributary to the problems. BUT parents want their kids to be happy and happy kid cars means show n go. on a side note, you never grow out of wanting fast and the top of the line model of car, there seem to be loads of pensioners with with cars that have the biggest motor possible that only travel at upto 30 mph ANYWHERE.. what you DO realise and appreciate as you age and mature are the dangers associated with fast driving and you notice the risks and know your own vulnerabillity and in the main slow things down. how i ever made 21 with the speeds i rode oround on my motorcycle is quite amazing. i did have enough near misses and actual slides down the road to realise my mortallity and probably wised up just in time. you can't teach kids experience and wisdom, i bet every kid who's daddy bought them a GTi said i'll drive steady and i won't be stupid...... yeah right R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digga Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 I was lucky when i was a nipper we did not have computers or fancy games consoles we lived in the country and drove tractors and cars from about age 8 and bikes about a year later, i raced bangers up at onchan from the age of 15 which taught me a great many lessons about what happens when car meet at high speed and gave me alot of confidence but the down side was when i learnt to drive properly i had many Bad habits taking me 4 attempts to pass my test, i believe racing games on game consoles give the youth of today a false sense of confidence when driving which doesn't help as i real life you just dont another chance to have another go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanxfella Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 The stupid thing about the Island is that we thrive on all the external bullsh*t publicity about our dangerous TT, and have people like Clarkson going on about how fantastic it is to have unrestricted roads and no cameras etc, but secretly those in charge of the roads are bricking it about road safety and threatening to bring in all Island limits and other restrictions because of various high profile incidents. It seems that its fine for us to have a reputation for fast roads, and no holds barred motorsport but we don't really want to deal with the reality of that so at some time the roads are going to be locked down here just because of a minority of road users and an unwillingness of anyone to do anything proactive about it. I don't envy the police when you have to turn up on a doorstep and deliver bad news to parents, but the roads here are quite easy to control. I have only very rarely seen a squad car out at peak times doing traffic patrols, and I saw my first speed trap in about 2 years a few weeks ago and that was in a 30 mph zone. Many of the abusers are easy to spot (as Celt says - cars with stupid wheels, tinted windows, big wings having the ass chased out of them by dickheads), and a huge proportion of them are "R" plate drivers very few of whom ever get a ticket or a caution. The rest are just bad drivers who are easy to ticket if you run proper traffic controls. I love the Islands roads they are by far some of the best and most enjoyable roads in Europe. Its nice to go out on a great day and, depending on conditions, have some good quick runs through familiar scenery. But I worry that due to a lack of ideas, and a lack of finding solutions to obvious problems, were all going to end up restricted and the only enjoyment we will have is watching other people use our highways for bike racing, rallying, and other forms or motorport when were all forced to drive around in Smart cars with crash helmets on at 30 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 I agree with oldmmanxfella to a degree. The Tourism Dept web site promotes the IOM as "The Road Racing Capital of the World", yet we wonder why we have an appalling road safety record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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