According to the research carried out by Young Driver, the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving lessons, there were a number of driving situations that critics felt were inadequately covered in the learning process. Many people thought that motorway lessons should be compulsory, with a similar number (43%) hoping that middle lane hogs would be reduced. Night-time driving should also be taught and neither aspects are a current legal requirement of learning to drive in the UK, although, since June 2018, qualified instructors can take learners for lessons on motorways, if they choose to do so.
Yet, a lack of driver etiquette, lessons on driving with passengers but avoiding distractions, bad parking and failing to use indicators were also habits demanding education.
The Top 10 training demands:
- Not using a mobile-phone when driving
- Speed management
- Avoiding tailgating
- Displaying good manners
- Motorway driving
- Nocturnal driving
- Avoiding middle-lane hogging
- Parking manoeuvres
- Operating indicators
- Use of lighting.
Laura White from Young Driver stated: “It is perhaps strange that motorway, or night time driving, skills needed by all UK drivers, are not an essential part of the learning process. Learners are not being taught in a successful manner. Yet, possessing a greater awareness of other road users and being courteous, a lot of which is gained through experience and not slipping into bad habits, are equally vital and attitudinal aims. Our intentions at Young Driver have always been that of safety and increasing the level of experience before new drivers get anywhere near a public road.
“We encourage youngsters aged 10 and upwards to get experience behind the wheel in a controlled, responsible manner, where there is no pressure to pass a test as quickly as possible. Pupils are encouraged to try different venues and different times of year to experience a variety of driving conditions and can even try driving on a motorway. Then, when they start lessons at 17 on the road, they already know how to drive the car physically and can give more mental attention to the wider driving experience. Less time worrying what their feet should be doing means more time spent with an instructor being able to learn how to read the road and other road users.”
Young Driver has given almost 600,000 lessons to 10-to-17-year olds at more than 60 venues around the UK. Lessons take place on specially created road systems at private locations, with traffic lights, junctions and roundabouts to negotiate. Tuition is given by Approved Driving Instructors in dual-controlled Vauxhall Corsas. Advanced Skills Days, offering motorway training, are also available for under-17s.
For further information about Young Driver visit www.youngdriver.com
