The Irish Driving Scene.An Instructors Perspective.
The Irish Driving Scene.An Instructors Perspective
The Driving Environment
Today’s motoring environment is very different to that of thirty or even fifteen years ago for a number of key reasons and we will examine these to get an idea of the kind of skills needed to survive in today’s world and stay accident free.
For the first time in over one hundred and fifty years our population has exceeded 4 million and continues to increase steadily.
Demographics
The age of our population is quite unique and according to the 2002 census there are approximately 640,200 people in the 15 – 24 age bracket who are in, or approaching, the age at which they will want to drive. Lets be clear on this point …every person in today’s Ireland will aspire to drive and own a car in this prosperity environment, for career, family and social reasons .In the past until you had the potential to be able to own a car it was quite common not to bother to learn to drive. Those that needed to get to work from a distance tended to rely on neighbours and friends or relatives to be the ever present chauffeur. It’s very common today for an exodus from the city limits out to the open country to live, with huge numbers of houses, sorry mansions; being constructed at seemingly breakneck speed. The draw of the country air and the sweet sounds of birds in the morning seems to be an irresistible magnet for the city dweller. A car or three is taken for granted. Of course , we are a nation of keen gardeners now and the regular trip to the garden centre could not be undertaken by public transport because it doesn’t exist in most rural areas. All of this means that we have a far greater number of cars and drivers on the road than thirty years ago and at different times of day due to many variations in working hours. So there is hardly a time when you are unlikely to meet another vehicle. Six am during the working week can be just as dangerous as five thirty rush hour.
Learner Drivers
Current numbers of learner Drivers are estimated at 350,000 and this continues to be swelled by the increase in our immigrant population, both expatriates and non-nationals setting up home here for the first time. The waiting list for a Driving Test has reached an all time high due mainly to these demographics, but also to the relatively small number of Driving Examiners
. This situation is being addressed at the moment with the probability of an outside agency being drafted in to undertake a further 40,000 Driving Tests over the course of a year .While it is unfortunate that all drivers have to wait such a long time in order to sit their Test it is an opportunity for them to learn some very essential skills and to prepare well for the Test.
It is very common for candidates to leave their lessons to the last moment which very often produces a negative result. Worse still, is the mistaken belief that the longer one is driving the greater chance of passing the Driving Test. Without professional lessons the chances of passing the Test are pretty remote; but more crucial will be the lack of basic skills leading to accidents which can and should be preventable .Passing the Driving Test, while certainly a milestone in a person’s driving career, is only the beginning of a life –long process not the end.
Categories: Car Tips Tags: Demographics, driving, Ireland, Irish Driving, Irish Driving Test, Learner Driver, lessons, Tuition
Non Nationals Driving in Ireland
It is extremely important for all non – national Drivers or all those who are contemplating taking up Driving in Ireland for the first time to acquaint themselves with all the regulations before starting off! Ireland, as a member of the European Union, has strict standards which are evolving continuously and ignorance of the rules, regulations, and legislation is no excuse in breaking the Law! It is worth pointing out that because of many insurance breaches and the incessant rate of accidents on the roads ,that we are all paying an excessive rate for our Car insurance .When this situation continues to improve we will all benefit .
In the next few lines we will summarise under headings the steps that a new aspiring Driver must take in order to legally drive on the road.
(1) License Requirements
(2) Theory Test
(3) Provisional license
(4) Road Tax for vehicle
(5) Insurance
(6) National Car Test (NCT)
(7) Tyres
(8) The Driving Test
(9) Foreign License Transfer
Categories: Car Tips Tags: Driver Theory Test, driving, Driving in Ireland, Driving School, Driving Test, Learner Drivers, Non-Nationals
Are You Tyred-Out? or just Plain Lazy!
Tyres and How to look after them by the Tyre Pressure Professor.
Tyres are the one aspect of a Car that are often overlooked until disaster strikes and in this article we are going to examine all the aspects of tyre care and maintenance so that you will stay safe and arrive alive.
1. Tyres wear out… Just like any other component in a car, only more so. You need to keep a constant eye on your tyres since they are the one thing that keeps you on the road, apart of course, from your observation!
2. Legal limit 1.6mm… At this point your tread is over 80% worn….So they should be replaced before this tread depth is reached!
Categories: Car Tips Tags: driving, Driving Instructor, Ireland, Tyre Pressure Professor, Tyre Pressures, Tyre Shop, Tyres
NASCAR on Driving Day
Have you dreamed of a time you could drive a racing car at high speed in a NASCAR racing circuit? Maybe you’ve dreamed it, but never thought would be able to drive a race car in NASCAR racing circuit. Is not driving a race car in a NASCAR racing circuit only enjoyed by a professional NASCAR racer?
Your thought about driving a race car in NASCAR racing circuit is not all true. Nowadays, not only must be a professional NASCAR racer to feel an atmosphere of NASCAR racing. You have opportunity to be able feel an atmosphere of NASCAR racing by following a Driving Day.
Driving Day is a package that gives you an opportunity to drive various types of vehicles with real atmosphere. One of them, you can drive a racing car and drive at high speed in a NASCAR racing circuit.
Boost adrenaline in your holiday with a driving day
If you as a tourist who loves to boost your adrenaline and are now being confused to fill your holiday. You can try to boost your adrenaline by trying a driving day in your holiday. With a driving day, you can boost your adrenaline with a speed experience.
Maybe you’re still confused what a day driving? Driving day is a package offered by a company that gives you chance to try driving a vehicle like a car racing, motocross and more, certainly with a real atmosphere. So you will feel a certain experience on your holiday. You can feel like a speed experience in Indy Car or NASCAR racing.
Very interesting to fill your holiday with a driving day, is it right? Boost adrenaline in your holiday with a driving day.
Categories: Travel Info Tags: adrenaline, Boost, driving, Holiday