Why aren't drivers more stringently tested?

I read that the annual slaughter on our roads has bottomed out at fewer than 2000 lives per year. This still represents a cull in human life somewhere between terrorism and full-scale war. Doctors, welders, plumbers, electricians and others have to take and retake tests to ensure ongoing competence. To qualify as a driver, I took a daylight spin round the block entirely in a 30mph zone with an examiner, lasting all of ten minutes, and answered three questions about now-defunct road signs. This was back in 1968.

Until we properly and regularly test driving skills and run compulsory courses, similar to speed awareness courses, this annual cull will continue.

Asked on 22 September 2012 by PKO, Penrith

Answered by Honest John

Join ROSPA or the IAM then. The fact is that retraining 30,000,000 drivers cannot happen because of the sheer numbers involved. Half the population of the UK have driving licences. That said, if the retests were charged at £150 a time, it might be a sensible and beneficial way of re-employing the thousands of police officers made redundant after the Olympics.

Tags: driving test driving licence advanced driving driving techniques

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