This week the government announced it was no longer considering selling off the UK forests. Some would say this is just the latest in a string of U turns from the Government, however I’m not here to enter that particular political debate. After all, depending on who you speak to its either a sign of weakness or it’s an example of the Government listening to the public. The problem when applied to road safety is that there are not enough people who care enough to voice an opinion. This means any policy that will really make a difference is highly unlikely to happen.
So what changes would I make if I was prime minister? The list could be endless, because like everything driving changes: vehicles, road design and volumes of traffic are constantly changing, not to mention other factors such as environmental issues. So why is it you can pass the driving test at 17 years old and drive till you are in your 90s without having any further training, let alone any other test? Unless you hold a vocational licence such as an LGV category you don’t even need a medical.
I would keep the initial driving test as it is, but have a second test to be taken after 1 year. This second test would be at a more advanced level. This would ensure new drivers improved the basic skills learnt during their initial lessons. The current system results in too many new drivers allowing their skill levels to fall.
I would also like to see a programme of continued development of all drivers; this would mean drivers would have to attend formal driver training at least every 5 years. This formal training wouldn’t necessarily be on road training, it could be an online assessment / training or classroom such as the IAM or RoSPA advanced drivers local groups, which would be free or at a minimal cost to the public. Business drivers, due to the high mileage and additional demands on them, would be required to complete some Continued Development in driving every three years.
Medicals and eye sight checks should be compulsory for all drivers every five years after the age of 45 years old. This would potentially save UK plc money, because far too many people avoid going to their GP. By insisting drivers have regular medicals would surely result in more illnesses being detected before they become a real problem?
The extra cost to the public and business, could be recouped by the lower insurance premiums and the lowers costs related to fewer accidents plus the improved fuel consumption etc.
These are just a few of the things I would like to see, but I am just one voice. As I said at the start of this blog not enough people will shout loud enough for it to be heard in Westminster and I don’t hear much shouting from our road safety charities. Maybe because some of them receive funding from the Government they are simply walking the political tightrope themselves.
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