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The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is campaigning for changes to be implemented nationwide which will see a complete overhaul of the current UK driving test, making it more relevant to today’s roads, today’s drivers, and today’s environment.
The motoring charity argues that many common driving issues and conditions are not currently included on the practical driving test – most notably because the standard test set up does not allow for these aspects to be tested thoroughly. The charity are proposing that pre-test training is expanded to cover these driving conditions, with the ultimate intent of improving driver knowledge and experience and making the roads safer. IAM claim that three distinct aspects should be incorporated into new driver training: night time driving; country road driving; and poor weather driving.
1. Night Time Driving
Studies show that just 25 percent of car travel takes places between 7pm and 8pm – times when road conditions are likely to be dark – and yet 40 percent of serious and fatal road traffic injuries occur during this period. When driving at night, reaction times can be impaired due to fatigue, obstacles and dangers on the road become more difficult to see in advance, and poor driving behaviours, such as using full beams when there is oncoming traffic – can increase risk for others.
2. Country Road Driving
Shocking statistics from the UK government suggest that 3 people die each and every day on Britain’s narrow and winding country lanes, and many drivers – particularly those accustomed to driving on urban highways – are not prepared for the additional dangers of driving on country roads. Unexpected hazards such as animals or crossing livestock can increase risk, along with sharp corners and slow moving farm vehicles that encourage some drivers to overtake irresponsibly – even on blind bends.
3. Poor Weather Driving
In 2012 alone, 38 people were killed in icy conditions on the UK roads, while 544 were seriously injured and an additional 4584 suffered mild injuries. Poor weather conditions such as snow, fog, ice, rain, or even bright sunshine can affect driving behaviour, with sun blindness, skidding, poor visibility, and longer stopping distances perhaps being the most deadly.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists is also campaigning for road safety knowledge to be delivered to the younger generation, and are campaigning for this information to be compulsory on all school curriculums across the country. The charity are already involved in sharing knowledge with pre-drivers, implementing the Young Driver Challenge which aims to educate under 17s about good driving behaviours in a safe and controlled environment.
The British Government has already confirmed plans to shake up the current UK driving test, removing ‘redundant’ manoeuvres such as the three-point turn and introducing more modern aspects such as sat nav direction skills. However, IAM want to see this taken a step further, bringing the UK driving test up to similar standards seen across Europe. “The driving test needs to become a much more integrated part of a graduated licensing system that picks up on best practice from around the world”, according to IAM director Neil Greig.
