Satnav use in the new driving test
46 replies
Wherenext replied on 15/04/2017 20:55
Posted on 15/04/2017 20:55
Had a test run with a new TomTom. Programmed it for a route we knew well. Me and Mrs.WN fell about laughing as we were instructed to "Take the A505 to Beachy Head". Bit of a long way from North Wales as A505 goes to Birkenhead!
So we won't be ditching the map just yet.
1 person likes this
ABM replied on 15/04/2017 21:08
EmilysDad replied on 15/04/2017 21:11
Posted on 15/04/2017 14:58 by NavigateurIt is just dumbing down the test to what those who expect driving to be a right and not a privilege are able to do.
Without the three-point-turn and reverse-round-corner there will be no reversing in the test at all. So there will be drivers who expect never to reverse - and that is how they will drive. Only park in the car-park when there are two vacant bays in-line and they can drive through; no turning back even when the sat-nav tells them to turn round.
Navigating with a map is not about looking at the map all the time. It is about working out the route and committing it to memory by using the brain. Turning the map around is a clear sign of no spatial awareness, which is where doing nothing but responding to instructions from an electronic voice takes one as well.
Bring on the driverless cars as that is where this is taking us!
EmilysDad replied on 15/04/2017 21:14
Posted on 15/04/2017 15:41 by IanHI can still remember asking my instructor "How come we never drive around the set driving test routes, like everyone else whose learning does?"
He replied "Because I'm teaching you how to drive, not how to pass a test".
So true......
Heethers replied on 21/04/2017 09:02
JohnM20 replied on 21/04/2017 09:30
Posted on 21/04/2017 09:30
My sat-nav warns me every time I switch it on that it is for guidance only and words to the effect that it shouldn't necessarily be followed slavishly. Possibly a cop-out by Garmin but is actually a fair comment. They will not always take you along the same route twice if there is an alternative of a similar distance. A sat-nav is only really any use when driving somewhere unknown so will, in reality, probably only be needed once in a while.
On the subject of reversing, my next door neighbour takes her test next Thursday and even now she has great difficulty in steering correctly when reversing out of their drive when having a lesson. I hope she passes OK but if not, my bet will be that she failed on reversing.
Driving tests should be more stringent these days with the amount of traffic on the road, not dumbed down. The number of people with the apparent inability to drive correctly and safely seems to be ever increasing. "Treat every other driver as an idiot", I was told by my driving instructor over 50 years ago! A point well remembered.
replied on 21/04/2017 21:11
Rocky 2 buckets replied on 22/04/2017 09:38
Posted on 22/04/2017 09:38
Is it illegal to reverse onto a main road UK?
It is not illegal to reverse into a main road but it is not advisable - this is for safety reasons. ... If an accident occurred due to you reversing onto a main road from a minor road then there may be the possibility of you being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.
This is from 'ask the Police' website.
replied on 22/04/2017 21:25
Posted on 22/04/2017 09:38 by Rocky 2 bucketsIs it illegal to reverse onto a main road UK?
It is not illegal to reverse into a main road but it is not advisable - this is for safety reasons. ... If an accident occurred due to you reversing onto a main road from a minor road then there may be the possibility of you being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.This is from 'ask the Police' website.
brue
Motorhomer