Defensive driving in its essence is an advanced instruction course that trains a driver to make informed decisions and practice safe driving, and it is usually taken after obtaining a driver’s license. In these classes students learn to take notice of environmental conditions and take according measures to protect themselves and other people involved in traffic. Additionally, in many states, defensive driving courses reduce the points on your driver’s license and provide benefits in terms of reduced car insurance costs.
Going beyond the instruction of basic traffic laws, defensive driving courses offer in-depth training in assessing possible threats on the road and proper ways to avert them. Although the specific course set varies from state to state, there are some general things discussed in almost all defensive driving classes. The goal, however, remains the same – to reduce the possibility of a traffic accident by educating students to exercise caution and make proper decisions while driving.
Some of the information included in a defensive driving course is about how alcohol and drugs affect drivers and threatens the safety of traffic participants. Important medical information is also provided on how the judgment and reflexes of a motorist are affected by consumption of alcohol and drugs, strongly emphasizing that trying to drive while intoxicated is never a good idea. Topics revolving around actions a person should and should not take before or during driving are called “human factors”.
A defensive driving course also provides information on the dynamics of the car, the traffic and crashes. Being aware of things like the stopping distance of your vehicle or the various forces affecting the vehicle on the road are essential in order to prevent accidents from happening. Students are taught to take appropriate actions while driving in inconvenient situations, such as heavy rain or fog, insuring safe driving even in atypical conditions.
The key of the defensive driving revolves around the ability to assess threats and take proper measures to prevent them. In addition to the state laws, this also includes some peculiarities about speed limiting and right of way, as well as information about the suggested safety equipment. It is common knowledge that knowing only the traffic laws set by the state is not enough for safe driving, and defensive driving courses are the most efficient way to become a safe, responsible driver.
You don’t have to learn with a driving instructor in the UK, but it will certainly help! Most people learn to drive with an instructor or driving school that has been recommended to them by family or friends. You can start your driving lessons before you take your theory test but you need to pass your theory test before you can apply for your practical test.
At the theory test centre, you firstly get 50 multichoice questions. The score required to pass is 43 out of 50. When you’ve done the questions, you then need to do the hazard perception test. This involves a number of film clip, each of which lasts for about ½ minute. Altogether there are 15 hazards that you can score for and the sooner you see the hazard and click your mouse, the higher your score.
At the end of the test you will be told whether you have passed. You have to pass both parts at the same sitting. If you have failed one part you will need to take both parts of the theory test again. If you have passed you can then apply for your practical test. However, you shouldn’t apply before your actually ready for the test. Your driving instructor will be able to advise you when to apply for the test and he will probably give you a mock test a few weeks before the real thing.
The driving test takes around 37 minutes and involves one manoeuvre, possibly an emergency stop and a short period of independent driving. This involves either the examiner telling you to follow road signs to a given destination, or he will give you several instructions in one gor involving several junctions which you will need to remember.
The UK pass rate for the driving test is below 50% so it’s definitely worth making sure that you are well prepared before you sit the test.
Most speeding tickets in the UK are issued as a result of the driver being caught by a static speed camera. This differs from other countries where speeding tickets are predominantly issued directly by a police officer at the side of the road.
Because the alleged speeding offence is caught on a carefully calibrated camera, there is little doubt as to whether the driver has in fact exceeded the speed limit (although on rare occasions speed cameras have been shown to be faulty). The most likely way to avoid a speeding fine in such instances, is where there is a procedural failure on the part of the authorities. A Notice of Intended Prosecution has to be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the alleged offence. However if the owner of the vehicle has changed and DVLA not notified, the failure to send the NIP to the owner of the vehicle is no defence.
If there is a major error in the NIP or subsequent summons, then this may prove to be a defence. For instance if the make and model of the vehicle is entirely incorrect. However a minor error such as a spelling error can be amended by the court with impunity under the “slip rules”.
Most speed cameras are set to be triggered by a speed of 10% or more above the speed limit. However, you cannot rely on this. It is an absolute offence to drive at even only 1 mile per hour over the limit.
Most motorists who are caught by a speed camera, pay the speeding fine as they know that they have no defence. A speeding offence normally carries a penalty of £60 and 3 penalty points. Under the New Driver Act, if you get 6 points within the first two years of obtaining your driving licence, you have to take your driving test again. This may involve you taking further driving lessons.
