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- Have you taken part in the trial of the new test, in the capacity of an ADI (answers only requested from ADIs)?
We have not answered this question as we are responding on behalf of an organisation.
- Have you taken part in the trial of the new test, in the capacity of a learner/ accompanying driver (answers only requested from learner/newly qualified/accompanying drivers)?
We have not answered this question as we are responding on behalf of an organisation.
- Do you agree with the proposal to increase the independent driving section of the test from 10 to 20 minutes?
Yes, as that would increase the time that instructors have to view the natural behaviours of the driver as they negotiate a route they have chosen to get from one location to another.
- Have you any comments on the proposal to increase the independent driving section in the test from 10 to 20 minutes?
Increasing the driving element gives the instructor more time to observe behaviours; however, the classroom element of the test should be a very important part of the process of learning to drive.
Results from Northumbria Police prove that classroom training for speed awareness courses improves awareness of road safety issues, with 78% of drivers who attended saying they are more likely to keep to the speed limit and 91% learning something new.
96% said these courses should be offered to more drivers to make roads safer. BIBA and our Motor Panel, including the AA which has enormous experience of providing driver education courses on behalf of the police as well as driving schools, believe improving access to road safety education will dramatically improve the preparedness and ultimate safety of young drivers. These drivers are currently the highest risk element of the driving community, with more than five times the propensity to be involved in an accident than an over 35-year-old driver.
As such, BIBA believe that the learning provided in these types of courses should be provided to learner drivers to help prevent speeding, therefore reducing the number of accidents on the roads. The driving test provides an obvious opportunity for this to happen.
As insurance premiums are risk based and young drivers often have the highest premiums because of their increased rate and severity of accidents, another benefit of this approach may be more competitive insurance premiums.
Fewer accidents will mean the risk profile of young drivers would lessen, enabling the insurance industry to reflect this in terms of premiums.
- Do you agree with the proposal to include the use of sat navs in the independent driving section?
As satellite navigations systems are used on a regular basis, it seems sensible to include their use in the driving test as it reflects normal driving experiences. However, this part of the test should be careful not to take anything away from the important independent part of the test which involves navigating to a particular location as reading directional road signs is an important part of driving.
Members also raised the point that sat navs vary in their presentation and functionality and can also contain map errors. This should be taken into consideration.
- Have you any comments on the proposal to include the use of sat navs in the independent driving section?
Extreme care should be given to avoid the unintended consequence of encouraging people to use mobile phones behind the wheel. Many smartphones now contain the functionality to act as navigation devices, similar to sat navs. There is a concern from our members that encouraging the use of sat navs in the test may also encourage people to use mobile phones – an offence which was recently consulted on by the DFT.
During driving instruction and the test itself however, it must be strongly emphasised that these devices should need to be fixed to the vehicle in a cradle or similar and only programmed when the vehicle is stationary. It is not uncommon for drivers to either programme these or hold the device whilst driving – inhibiting their ability to use both hands and react to hazards in an appropriate way.
The final concern we have is regarding those that use a mobile phone as a sat nav device. These devices will continue to display notifications of messages or social media updates whilst in operation. We have concerns that this may distract the driver and tempt them to read the message or notification which would be both dangerous and distracting.
- How often do you replace your sat nav?
We have not answered this question as we are responding on behalf of an organisation.
- Do you agree with the proposal to modify manoeuvres so they take place during the natural course of the drive and augmenting them with new, realistic exercises?
Yes.
- Have you any comments on the proposal to modify manoeuvres so they take place during the natural course of the drive and augmenting them with new, realistic exercises?
This seems like a common sense approach which would replicate real-world driving, so long as the manoeuvres continued to form an integral part of the driving test.
- Do you agree with the proposal to change the format of the vehicle safety questions so that one of the two questions is asked while on the move?
Yes.
- Do you have any comments on the proposal to change the format of the vehicle safety questions so that one of the two questions is asked while on the move?
This seems like a common sense approach which would replicate real-world driving, as well as providing the most efficient use of time during the test.
The post BIBA responded to the DVSA Improving the Car Driving Test consultation appeared first on British Insurance Brokers' Association.
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