Learner drivers 'lack respect' - Bridges

17/01/2013 2:26:28 p.m.

Jane wrote:

Perhaps if the licensing tests weren't so unreasonably expensive, people wouldn't stay on their learners or restricted so long! I would have gone for my full two years ago if cost hadn't been such a barrier.

16/01/2013 7:56:01 p.m.

Maria wrote:

of course we don't respect the conditions - for those of us who have to work for a living and weren't given driven lessons by our parents the cost is a serious barrier and the only alternative to breaking the conditions at times is to go on the dole since a private car is a requirement for employment these days.

16/01/2013 12:53:38 p.m.

Alex wrote:

We have a pretty good system, however not everyone chooses to obey it. Part of the problem was the government thought it would solve the problem by making minimum license times longer before sitting exams and also increasing the driving license age. People need to get around somehow, the options are far too limited without a private motor car. They should make driving more accessible but make the exams more intense and advocate the need for practical driving education - so we have only competent/skilled drivers on the road.

16/01/2013 8:26:16 a.m.

Jonno wrote:

Good move. Some people here need to re-read the article.

14/01/2013 1:56:20 p.m.

Matty wrote:

Driving is probably the most dangerous activity most people partake in. It is NOT a right of passage, and the government should have the right to re-test people at reasonable intervals. People see it as another everyday mundane task, like doing their washing. I'm a motorcyclist, and while riding you tend to notice peoples driving behavior much more than whilst driving, mostly because the consequences are far worse. New Zealand driving in general is appalling, and worst in the cities.. I felt much safer riding in London than I ever have in Auckland.

12/01/2013 12:44:30 p.m.

Mike wrote:

Going behind the logic of the restricted licence it would appear that the longer people stayed on a restricted licence the safer they will be!! I agree that inexperience will be a factor in accidents however it seems to me that all young people are paying the price for some young people who genuinely have no respect for the law. I think a system whereby obtaining a licence was easier but so would be losing it if you turn out to be a drongo behind the wheel.The current system is drawn out, complicated, and inconvenient. In addition I'm not convinced the current process is the best way of weeding out those that shouldn't be driving.

12/01/2013 8:47:46 a.m.

ZK wrote:

Everyone should have to do a practical driving test every 10 years when renewing their licence and a Road Coode theory test every 2 -5 years. The appalling, immature and blantant disregard for the road rules by people out there who THINK they are good drivers is astounding. Running amber and red lights, failing to stop at stop signs, not signalling (how hard is to move your finger one bloody inch?) speeding (especially throught road works) failing to look properly, are problems that plague this country's driving population. People who bleat about a private company using driver licensing as a money making tool should do their homework before making such ill informed accusations. The tests are not deliberately designed for failure! They are not hard to pass if you drive properly, apply the road rules, and do your homework. i.e. prepare thoroughly. The number of people who think they can wing their way through the tests is unbelievable.As for cost, NZ must have the cheapest driving tests in the world. Go to somewhere like Japan or any of the European countries and see how much it would cost you there. What you pay here is peanuts. It used to be too easy to get a licence in NZ and now that it's a bit tougher everyone's crying about it. Grow up and take some repsonsibility!

12/01/2013 12:20:45 a.m.

Sam wrote:

I've had my full for 4years now, now for when I got it. I was 15 for learners, 18 for restricted and 17'n'half for full, if I was not living at my parent at those ages at the time, I would struggle to get there now, especially when you do have some testing whose aim is to fail people, one example a lady about 35 at the time failed her full license twice because she could not identify to the colour of every hazard she identified correct, it like saying a lime green car was a green car. now identifying the hazard is their is a car to my right and a bus on the left, not their a lime car green to my right and a intercity bus heading to auckland on my left.

11/01/2013 11:23:40 p.m.

Roy Stuart wrote:

I passed the test for my 'lifetime licence' in 1978, the government have reneged on this proving once again that they can't be trusted.

11/01/2013 9:34:20 p.m.

AJ wrote:

Howi is it that a learner driver is aloud to drive on the roads unsupervised. surely they should be qualified and capeable to drive in all conditions or not be on the roads at all.
Bring back the old system where you dont get your licence until you are capeable of driving properly and safely and your test is conducted by the police not some trumped up high paid expert.
It seems learning these days is about the money and not about what people can actually do.