Back from Hols( Read Motorway Training) Friday 11th August 2006

We have had a few days off in the UK brushing up our Motorway skills and have been away from the computer so here is today’s observation.

Nice clear Road Markings which we could do with in Ireland!

We are not alone in Ireland in our quest to become the World’s most non compliant Nation in respect of Driving Speed Limits.

 Yes in the UK adhering to Motorway speed limits is not a favourite occupation although it has to be said that in approximately 1000 miles over the five days we were away, we didn’t experience too many totally mad pilots trying to emulate Harrier Jets!

Motorways in Britain are so heavily trafficked, at all times of the day and night, particularly near major cities, and of course during rush hours, that the opportunities for Formula One – Style practise are rather limited most of the time.

What we have observed is a general standard of Driving that is adequate most of the time with not that many drivers weaving in and out of lanes to gain a few metres of advantage. On occasion we have noticed Drivers changing lanes without signalling but in general the standard has been what you would expect from a Country with a good road network that has been built up over many years but that has a good level of Road and Driving Regulation that is enforced by the Police.

The United Kingdom pioneered Driving Test Standards and continues to expand and improve the Driving Test to meet modern conditions which are very different to twenty years ago. We can’t let the opportunity go by without mentioning European Standards of Road and Driving Regulation and Learner Driver procedures which are far higher than in Ireland at present.

In fact we are at the bottom of the table in respect of Driving Standards of all pre accession EU States. The Accession States have a long way to go before they reach the bottom rung of the ladder which is firmly occupied by Ireland as this article is written!

Since most European countries have much larger populations and a more developed road and driving infrastructure that has been refined over many years, it is not surprising that we are lagging far behind here in Ireland.

 Ireland’s meteoric growth in vehicle numbers has put a strain on the system that no country could have dealt with adequately. So while we lag behind currently with suitable Learner Driver Regulation and Law Enforcement there are many changes in the pipeline which will bring us to a level of compliance and hopefully a better standard of driving in the near future.

 When this takes place, and it’s not a one off solution, but an ongoing development, we will see a reduction in accidents both fatal and non fatal which will save the Exchequer Millions of Euro currently being thrown away!

Waiting To Board the Car Ferry For Dublin

Security  will  be getting tighter from now on so make sure you arrive in really    good time for flights and ferries!