New driver licencing (as suggested by a biker).

[Swoop]

Thank goodness Eric Thompson has the right idea!
Why isn't he the Minister of Transport?


Kiwis expert on how not to drive.

When listening to the government's big, earth shattering and momentous statement on how they're going to resolve the problem of young driver deaths, an advert came to mind. "Well McCain, you've done it again."

The incumbent rulers of this country had the best chance in lord knows how long to rip up the current driving licence legislation and deliver something really worthwhile. But oh no. All we got was a soggy chip, namby pamby, poke around the edge approach that will achieve nothing.

Yet again, an opportunity to actually fix something has been put in too hard basket. I have now come to the conclusion that to become a politician, not only is there a requirement to have a slightly wonky moral compass, but you also have to be neutered before heading to Wellington. Tinkering with a problem only highlights how inefficient the lawmakers are.

I have been lucky enough to have lived, and driven, in many countries over many years and New Zealanders are by far the very worst of drivers. I'm not singling women, old people or boy racers out - I'm tarring you all with the same brush.

I'm not overly surprised really. Why on worth a 15-year-old would be allowed to be in charge of a tonne of killing machine I have no idea. They can barely string two words together coherently, let alone navigate a road at 100km/h.

Passing a test here is a joke. To be allowed to drive on a public road at 15, all you have to do is pass a multi-guess test and away you go. After a bit you get a restricted licence, which really restricts nothing, and after a drive with an instructor you're handed a full license. If you think that's bad, right from day one the 15-year-old can go out and buy some nutter-bastard, turbochanged rocket ship and be allowed to use it in public.

Before someone comments about how I've got it wrong, I've yet to see Joe Averages' car with dual controls in it for the required learner/restricted driver's fully-licenced passenger to take over when junior stuffs up.

Over the years I have been on two Institute of Advanced Motorists course in Europe, a skid pan course, two defensive driving courses, the AA Driver training course, and a BMW level two driving instructing course.

I'm also an ex-motorcycle racer and have had lessons from V8 Supercar and Porsche GT3 Cup drivers. I still don't think I've totally got the hang of driving yet. I treat all other cars on the road as if they're great white sharks and I'm swimming naked in the ocean with them with a cut on my leg.

Maybe that's why I've never had an accident in 30-plus years -but I've seen some doozies.

I think arrogance and an over-inflated belief in one's driving abilities are to blame through a lack of training.

An example. Recently I had a meeting in Ponsonby and lucked on a parking space just off the main road. I pulled in and as I was getting out, noticed the driver of the car in front was getting into their car.

I offered to reverse back to give her more room. The reply was not to bother as she had been driving in the city for years and could get out of the space easily.

I got out and locked the driver's door but had forgotten to get my brief case out. I went around to passenger door and as I went to put my key in the door, my car moved about three feet backwards and the key ended up scratching the door. The driver in the car in front had fired straight back into my front bumper. After much graunching of the gearbox, the woman found first and roared off without a word, leaving me dumb struck on the pavement.

That attitude to driving just about sums it all up to me - can't drive.

What Stephen Joyce should have tabled was -

• The test before you get in a car is NOT multi guess, it has to have written answers.

• Raising the driving age to 17 for a learner's plate and then only for a car up to 1300cc. And the driver must have had at least three driving lessons from a qualified driving instructor before they are allowed to actually drive the car.

• To get a restricted licence the driver must show proof of at least one defensive driving lessons from an approved training organisation over a minimum 12 months prior.

• If any traffic infringement occurs during that 12 months the driver starts from day one again.

• Full licence granted only after being assessed by a traffic officer sitting in the car during a test.

• Only on gaining a full licence, can the driver buy any car they want.

• Compulsory third party insurance for everyone.

Introduce the above and two things will happen. Boy racers will almost disappear and road deaths will be significantly reduced.

I'll tell you how sad it is that nothing ever changes with New Zealand's inability to look at the bigger picture.

I was listening to a certain radio talkback show and the host, who on occasion has prided himself on looking at the big picture, was banging on about the change to the turning left rule.

Talk about naval gazing and counting the amount of fluff in there.

Who cares about turning rules, they're small change compared to the overall standard of driving skill. What should have been being discussed, was the lost opportunity of improving driving standards for a whole new generation.

By Eric Thompson.

[avgas]

I wonder if the lady who backed into his car had her full. I noticed he did no state.
Just some food for thought. Presumption can be a mother-fucker some times.
I have ridden with few so called 'racers' on some group rides. And sometimes the talk is not worth the walk - other times they have been the nicest people to ride with.
I am safe through my own eyes. I am unsure on others perspectives of me. However I can only guarantee myself. Sounds like Eric (whom I imagine got his license in the age of when they were the an 'option' with a new BSA) is trying to change the world.
I truly hope he succeeds - but human nature doesn't work that way.

[porky]

Nice work Eric. Unlike you i had to kiss the tarmac to knock some sense into me. However i dis agree on one point and that is the turning rule. Yes it is a relatively small issue but highlights a bigger problem. It changed in 1977, so most of us grew up with this rule. If people lack the mental capacity to follow, and understand what is a simple rule, what are they doing behind the wheel????? How many other simple rules do they not understand???? Why do we continue to have issues with filtering/ lane splitting, when if people understood the concept of keeping to the left, this would simply be an overtaking manouvre. I think that maybe we expect to much from a learner driver in that we lump together the skills required to pilot a lethal weapon around in a public place with the "law and rules" to take that said weapon into that enviroment. The big tick is as you said the multi guess sheet, followed by a quick blast round the block. Once obtained it is the licence to create havoc, once youve got it its yours for life. Maybe we need to ask if it should mandatory to upskill prior to the renewal of the "lifetime licence". i too did the advanced rider programme, but for all the wrong reasons. It fast tracked me on to a bigger bike without the other restrictions. Not a smart move. If you are young and stupid, it merely assists in helping you to push those limits further. Any way my thoughts based on my experiences, and i accept others will have a different spin on things. A positive out of this is that at least this Govt is attempting to move forward. Have they got it right? Only time will tell.

[swbarnett]

A positive out of this is that at least this Govt is attempting to move forward.

Movement for movement's sake is a very dangerous thing.

[Genie]

I'm just wondering if you could add on.....

Driver Education in Schools......like you say these young 15 year old get in the car on their own and the ony instruction the majority have had is with mum or dad. Don't think mum or dad would be that qualified (I know I'm not) to be able to equip this ditzy young thing with the right skills to handle everyday situations on the road, let alone if they get into trouble.

[FJRider]

AND ... if was added, that if you lose your licence ... even for 3 months, you have to RESIT it again ... from day ONE ... ATTITUDES MAY CHANGE ...

[davereid]

• Compulsory third party insurance for everyone.

Some good ideas in there, but not that one.

NZ has it pretty good with third party insurance. Id suggest we dont mess with it. Heres why:

1) Our third party insurance rates (the number of people who insure) are as high as countries where it is compulsory.
2) Our third party insurance prices are very very cheap compared to countries where it is compulsory.
3) NZ third party insurance actually gives you first party cover as well. That is to say, if you have an accident, and its the other chaps fault, your insurer will repair your car. (So, as long as you are insured, who gives a toss about the other guy.)
4) Because of (3) NZ third party cover is great. But if we make 3rd party cover compulsory, you can be assured that specialist 3rd party insurance companies will arrive that won't play the knock-for-knock game. You will lose the cover you had under (3) and you will have to fight the other chaps dodgy american third party specialist insurer for a payout.
5) You will need to buy first party cover, just to stand still.
6) Specialist third party insurers will fight every claim. For example, even if the other fellow is convicted of an illegal right turn, they will argue that you should have been able to stop in half the distance of clear road, and that you were therefore responsible for your own crash.
7) Even if the boyracer that knocks you off your bike is licensed, registered, and has a WOF when he knocks you off, specialist insurers will decline cover if they can. They will seek to prove that the boyracer was over the legal driving limit, was outside the terms of his licence because of the time of night, or the passengers in his car etc.

It will be a sad day when we get compulsory third party insurance.

[Spearfish]

Nothing wrong with 15-17 year old riding an Aprilia RS250 is there?

Wobbling round cones at 20kph gives a young rider all the road craft they need to safely navigate Auckland traffic at the 4pm-7pm pub rush on Fridays, anyway as the Green party said, raising the driving age isnt fair on the good kids and because the frontal lobe isn't developed you cant really blame them them for riding/driving badly in fact its probably unfair to charge them at all....
I know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.....

[Hawkeye]

It should also be compulsary that Motorbike questions are standard for ALL drivers taking tests. Why should car drivers only learn the road rules that apply to them and totally ignore the rules for other road users.

[Ixion]

Same reason as we don't have to learn the rules that are specific to trucks.

[Slyer]

Some good ideas in there, but not that one.

NZ has it pretty good with third party insurance. Id suggest we dont mess with it. Heres why:

1) Our third party insurance rates (the number of people who insure) are as high as countries where it is compulsory.
2) Our third party insurance prices are very very cheap compared to countries where it is compulsory.
3) NZ third party insurance actually gives you first party cover as well. That is to say, if you have an accident, and its the other chaps fault, your insurer will repair your car. (So, as long as you are insured, who gives a toss about the other guy.)
4) Because of (3) NZ third party cover is great. But if we make 3rd party cover compulsory, you can be assured that specialist 3rd party insurance companies will arrive that won't play the knock-for-knock game. You will lose the cover you had under (3) and you will have to fight the other chaps dodgy american third party specialist insurer for a payout.
5) You will need to buy first party cover, just to stand still.
6) Specialist third party insurers will fight every claim. For example, even if the other fellow is convicted of an illegal right turn, they will argue that you should have been able to stop in half the distance of clear road, and that you were therefore responsible for your own crash.
7) Even if the boyracer that knocks you off your bike is licensed, registered, and has a WOF when he knocks you off, specialist insurers will decline cover if they can. They will seek to prove that the boyracer was over the legal driving limit, was outside the terms of his licence because of the time of night, or the passengers in his car etc.

It will be a sad day when we get compulsory third party insurance.

All very good points. You've changed my mind on this issue.

[motor_mayhem]

Thank goodness Eric Thompson has the right idea!
Why isn't he the Minister of Transport?


Kiwis expert on how not to drive.

Funny thing is I gather the road toll was as bad years ago yet I didn't hear Eric Thompson or any of these politicians crying that the test is too easy and they should raise the standard. Perhaps because when a harsher system is not going to affect them personally well then it's fine to "clamp down on these renegade youngsters". Wow Eric, you've had no crashes, I am sure vehicle population density, how much time you've spent on the roads, and in what circumstances you drove/rode, particularly in your early years are not relevant to a clean record at all which is why you haven't mentioned them. I wonder if Eric Thompson or anyone else would be jumping up and down about this would be willing to have their licence revoked and go through this new system (if it comes in) as a testament to prove how good it is.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for extra driver education, but I think some of the raves I have read recently, about what hoops young drivers should have to jump through, are a bit hypocritical considering how easy the system was when said ravers were getting their licence and the govt then saw fit to allow them to have one then.

[Ixion]

That's a fair point. but there are other considerations. Years ago, cars were slower. A LOT slower. My first car was flat out at 50mph, and you better not keep flogging it like that for more than a few minutes. Not so much ability to end up in a high speed crash

Then again, young people just did not own cars. Out of twenty or so mates when I was a teenager, amybe one owned a car. We had to borrow dad's .

Which had an effect of sort of pushing up the effective driving age. You had to be in your twenties before you could afford your own car (and even then, it would be crazy slow by today's standards)

So, yes, the test was as easy, or easier, back in the day. But the risk factor for young people was a lot lower. Want to own a fast car at 18? Then you need to be a better driver than I was , puttering along at 45 mph in dad's Hillman 10.

[allycatz]

i'd like to see 'R' plates after 'L' plates

[CookMySock]

Ugh, thats just a big angry rant about nothing. After reading the first paragraph, I thought there would be some useful contribution, but all that followed was an angry dump.

Typical fucking media windup bullshit.

Steve