That's exactly right. Not near enough time behind the wheel is required of drivers these days. And how to avoid an accident/evasive maneuvering is hardly ever mentioned, let alone practiced. Nor is driving in the dark. The system in Finland at least addresses some of these situations:
"The training for B class license requires 18 hours of instructed driving, including a spell on a slippery driving course, and 19 theory lessons. After this, the person must pass a computerized theory test and a driving test in city traffic with a minimum length of 30 minutes. C class training is similar, but longer, including time spent driving in nighttime and adverse weather conditions."
We definitely need some serious changes in driver training, for sure. And a way to minimize distractions!
The standards required in the UK for the driving test are LOW. you could in theory take your theory test on your 17th birthday and go and take your practical driving test the next day if you wanted to. Personally I chose to do my normal driving test and then I did a advanced drivers course, a poor weather driving course (i did mine in snow and ice) and I did a blue light and siren course so I can volunteer as a blood runner or volunteer as a emergency vehicle driver when there are strikes etc. When i did my normal driving test, the instructor didn't care about me knowing how to drive, just knowing how to pass the test.
Fortunately my motorcycle instructor is actually teaching me to RIDE and ride safely instead of just passing a test. Ive got 40 hours in with him so far, fairly close to going for test actually.
Good to hear you're covered. Nothing's worse than being left high and dry. In some states, or cities in the US, if someone cuts in front of you, or cuts you off in a lane change, and your crash the police often rule the fault as yours as they cite failure on your part to operate your bike. As horrible as it sounds you have to be hit for the other guy to be at fault.
Ride safe,
Wolf
Yep, Ive heard about that a few times from a family member who lives in Salem. Fortunately for me, over here at least the police will actually blame the person at fault even if contact isnt made and so will my insurance. I have better cover than most though as I use my scooters for work and business insurance works ALOT faster than standard insurance to minimise losses.
Update on the whole situation too -
The driver's insurance who came into my lane has accepted liability and will be paying out the vehicles full value brand new, which means I can go ahead and replace the brand new scooter with another brand new scooter. All of my gear is also being paid for at brand new value so I can go ahead and replace my helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and kevlar jeans. Im investing in a good helmet camera and might upload a few clips to youtube occasionally just for fun. Still cant post vids/pics due to legal reasons etc etc.
Ride safe.
