Summer arrives in Ireland …Briefly! So Get out the L Plates!

Summer has a habit of deciding not to put in an appearance rather too frequently here in the Mid West of Ireland. To be more specific we could focus on Limerick where we have been based for 28 years. However as drivers we must be grateful for small mercies and today the Sun is doing a sterling job for a change.

Many dramatic changes have taken place here in Shannonside over the years particularly in the area of Motoring, Road Development and Learning to Drive. The changes in the area of Learning to Drive have been at the lower end of the dramatic scale …in other words very limited!

 The inability of the Government to implement the changes necessary to reduce the carnage on the roads continues to puzzle those of us who have spent a lifetime behind the wheel and who Teach Driving skills for a living. However changes are on the way as we write .How often have we said this in the past!

It was taken for granted in the past that a Parent would take up the challenge of teaching a son or daughter and would prepare them for the road. This was always a daunting task for both parent and child alike. Especially if the Parent happened to be Dad! Dads were not renowned for their patience in the passenger seat and many a first Driving Lesson ended in tears. This is still the same today but let’s be clear about this.

 Parents on their own do not have the necessary information that is needed today to successfully pass the Driving Test. The Driving Test is changing steadily as Transport Departments and Agencies battle with the Road Safety issues that stare us in the face. In addition there is the ever present Big Brother of EU fame who regularly adds further rules and regulations governing Driving Test standards.

What is the answer? Well practise with Parents is very beneficial but only after a certain standard of competence has been reached with a Professional Driving School.This is likely to be in the region of 20 hours of Tuition. After this level has been reached then additional practise with a supervising Parent or other experienced driver is a great asset .and this usually means a different car as well which is all good experience for the Learner.

The introduction of mandatory Tuition is around the corner for both Motorcyclists and Car drivers so it is about time that we all faced up to the need for Professional Tuition and just got on with it. It’s not just about passing the Driving Test…it is about skills for life and frankly many so called experienced drivers who are also Parents, could do with a serious look at their own perceived skills which are below the standard of today’s Driving Test.

On a lighter note a very good article in the Daily Telegraph by one of its motoring correspondents is worth a read.

Here is the link:-