Another rant on licensing.....!

[Lucy]

Got a few spare minutes at work so thought I'd get this off my chest....sorry if it's already been done to death.

Restricted licence (car and bike): Should be a 'maximum' length, not a minimum. If people are too scared to sit the full test (or sit it and fail), they shouldn't be on the road.

Automatic gearboxes: Only disabled people should be allowed to drive these.

If people are too lazy (or unco-ordinated) to learn to drive a manual, then they shouldn't be allowed on the road.

So when I become transport minister, watch out!

[V4ME]

Hi Lucy,

My angle on this 'auto' vs manual thing is that for me, a car is simply a mode of transport not something to be enjoyed - I mean how can you compare it to riding a bike. Therefore (for me - and since it is a company owned car) an automatic is far more convenient (call me lazy). Mind you I still believe that licensing in an auto is a bad idea unless, as you say you are disabled etc.

Good luck in your applying for the Transport Ministers job - PS once you get it please raise the speed limit (even if it is only for bikes)!!

[Lucy]

Hi Lucy,

My angle on this 'auto' vs manual thing is that for me, a car is simply a mode of transport not something to be enjoyed - I mean how can you compare it to riding a bike. Therefore (for me - and since it is a company owned car) an automatic is far more convenient (call me lazy). Mind you I still believe that licensing in an auto is a bad idea unless, as you say you are disabled etc.

Good luck in your applying for the Transport Ministers job - PS once you get it please raise the speed limit (even if it is only for bikes)!!

Hi V4ME,

That is exactly my point, as a 'convenient mode of transport', it's too easy to get slack, lazy, and before you know it you are drinking coffee, talking or texting, basically too comfortable to be fully aware of your surroundings, and therefore a danger to others (esp bikes). Distracted and unfocussed drivers are apparent every single day on my commuting. And they dont only endanger bikes, but themselves and everyone else.

[avgas]

dont blame the cars. thats like blaming guns or dogs.
and some food for thought - how many manuals are involved in crashes every year, compare that to the population of auto's on the road? You will find an interesting statistic.
I drive an auto for a very good reason - it slows me down.

[Spuds1234]

Ever try sitting in heavy traffic (such as the LA rush hour) in a manual. You wont have a clutch in a week with a manual.

On..Off..On..Off..On..Oh we made second..Back to first..On..Off..

Its a pain and just to hard.

And to be honest, I think that NZ's roads will one day be like that, once our population grows a bit more. Well a lot depending on where you are.

[V4ME]

hmm - Thanks avgas I agree - it slows me down too. By the way I've heard rumours that some big bikes are heading the auto route - Now that would be a real pity - I certainly hope they don't head that way - Mind you I would not be surprised with the likes of some of the big tourers. - I mean everything about them smacks of cars on two wheels anyhow. Oops I may have shown my predujice for sports bikes.

[Drum]

Hi V4ME,

That is exactly my point, as a 'convenient mode of transport', it's too easy to get slack, lazy, and before you know it you are drinking coffee, talking or texting, basically too comfortable to be fully aware of your surroundings, and therefore a danger to others (esp bikes). Distracted and unfocussed drivers are apparent every single day on my commuting. And they dont only endanger bikes, but themselves and everyone else.

True, but no licensing system will ever change that!

There are less and less manual cars on the road, and some people will never drive one in their whole lives. I have no problem with people sitting license tests in auto cars. Driving a manual doesn't make you any more aware of your surroundings.

[Drunken Monkey]

blah, blah, blah

What a load of twaddle.

[V4ME]

Hey Lucy - here is another worthless bit of ranting, How bout once you are transport minister making it compulsory for all new car licence holders to have a pillion ride on a motorcycle, maybe through Auckland etc. - This may scare some sense into them.
Drunken Monkey - you are correct - it is a lot of twaddle but it beats sitting in the traffic.

[GR81]

the minimum time is so that you gain more experience on the road i guess.
some people could pass their test after 1 month of driving... it doesn't mean they have experience tho.

[V4ME]

GR81 - you are absolutely correct - you simply cannot beat experience.

[avgas]

I've heard rumours that some big bikes are heading the auto route

Dont worry, looks like they will have either push button gearing or a special clutch system where you can switch from auto to manual. New suzuki Katana will have it (its not called a katana anymore though).
Also experience is the key, i have no respect for drivers that do not know the limits of their vehicles, when the tyres slide, how hard the brakes work, how fast it can corner, how to accelerate out of corners etc.....whether they change the gear or not i couldnt give a toss. There is alot more to driving then changing gears.

[crashe]

well a bit of useless info for you Lucy....

When you sit your car license in a AUTOMATIC then that is what is written on your license. You can not drive a manual car..... yep if you get stopped by that nice police officer...... you can get a ticket if you are behind the wheel of a manual car if you are meant to be driving a automatic.


But if you got your car license driving a manual car.... then you can drive either a manual or a automatic.


So I always encourage people to go for their car license in a manual car.


Oh and it seems to be getting harder and harder to buy manual cars now....
car dealers seems to be only importing in automatic's these days.

I personally prefer a manual car.


Lucy - If and when you get to be Transport Minister...... can you do away with the 70km limit on Learners for motorbike riders...... cheers.

[V4ME]

Dont worry, looks like they will have either push button gearing or a special clutch system where you can switch from auto to manual. New suzuki Katana will have it (its not called a katana anymore though).
Also experience is the key, i have no respect for drivers that do not know the limits of their vehicles, when the tyres slide, how hard the brakes work, how fast it can corner, how to accelerate out of corners etc.....whether they change the gear or not i couldnt give a toss. There is alot more to driving then changing gears.

MMM - as long as they do not go digital - eg microwave ovens - also it may be confusing with buttons for gears and buttons for nitrous and a starter button and a hooter button .... (did I say nitrous - do you know where I can get it done for my SV? -would it not be great if we could simply buy more HorsePower like you can buy RAM for a PC)
- maybe you're right it would not be too bad to have a first gear that could hit 250k's who would need the other gears!

[Roj]

Got a few spare minutes at work so thought I'd get this off my chest....sorry if it's already been done to death.

Restricted licence (car and bike): Should be a 'maximum' length, not a minimum. If people are too scared to sit the full test (or sit it and fail), they shouldn't be on the road.

I would have to agree with this, way back when I got my bike license the "provisional license" was for 6 weeks then you went in to sit the restricted test...

Automatic gearboxes: Only disabled people should be allowed to drive these.

I disagree with this one, what a person drives in the way of a car is personal choice just as much as what I ride is my choice, there are always many factors that will influence the desision