On 13 Oct 2004 "Bob" wrote:

"Dave Liquorice" wrote:

So not far short of 10 people *per day* are killed on UK roads. I
don't see any new regulations coming in to enforce higher driving
standards or banning the general public from driving completely,
allowing only those who are members of a closed shop body to drive.

But how long before you aren't allowed to do your own vehicle
maintenance?

At least 9 of the 10 are killed because of road user error at the time,
not by mechanical failure, poor maintenance or other causes. I get my car
maintenance skills tested twice a year by the MoT test, but my driving
skills were mandatorily tested once when I was 17 and that was over 40
years ago. I have since passed the IAM test and will be retested every
three years if I join the qualified observer scheme, but that's entirely
voluntary.

Kit car and classic car insurance is relatively cheap because people
who put a lot of effort into building, restoring and maintaining their
own cars tend to drive them more carefully and don't have more claims
because their vehicles are unroadworthy. In fact they're more likely to
spot problems before they become serious.

We need to do something about maintaining driving standards and updating
people on the latest techniques, changes to the law, etc. How many
drivers have even bothered to get the 2004 edition of the Highway Code?
How many even know it was revised this year? How many have looked at any
edition since passing their basic driving tests?

--
Richard Porter
Mail to username ricp at domain minijem.plus.com
"You can't have Windows without pains."