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Change to driving lessons on its way
5:43pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly has announced plans to change the way people learn to drive and are tested.
The Transport Secretary was prompted to overhaul the system after figures revealed that while road deaths and serious injuries have fallen by a third since the mid-1990s, the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed.
One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, with another 70 per cent reporting near-misss in the same period.
Newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for 20 per cent all car deaths in Britain.
A foundation course in safe road use for people under the age of 17 will be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from September, leading to the development of a qualification that will be available across the UK.
Ms Kelly said: "Every year more than 750,000 people pass their driving test. New drivers are keen to gain the freedom driving offers them to access further education, jobs or keep in touch with family and friends.
"But too many drivers are involved in road accidents and are not properly prepared for driving alone. It's time for a new approach to learning to drive. We must make sure novice drivers are safe drivers."
Learner drivers will embark on a training course to teach them to be safe drivers.
A new driving test, which requires the driver to demonstrate independent driving skills and clear understanding of different situations on the road, will also be introduced.
Your Say Yourtheboltonnews
VM User, Bolton says...
6:26pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu, says...
6:42pm Wed 7 May 08
chas, suffolk says...
7:10pm Wed 7 May 08
Is that because they are always looking eastwards?
buglerboy, swinton says...
7:24pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:racist dork.
The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.
andrew, Bolton says...
7:34pm Wed 7 May 08
But we never seem to get a solution in that area.
Let's have re-tests every few years, after all cars have to pass an MOT every year. Link insurance premiums to the grade you get in your qualification (have say 3 levels of pass, merit and distinction) and then we might see some improvements.
VM User, Sun & Chas... your comments are just plain wrong. Men used to say women were the worst drivers. The stats show something different, and now they get better insurance rates as a result.
Sun Tzu, says...
7:41pm Wed 7 May 08
chas, suffolk says...
7:53pm Wed 7 May 08
VM User, Sun & Chas... your comments are just plain wrong. Men used to say women were the worst drivers. The stats show something different, and now they get better insurance rates as a result.Where did I say that men were better drivers than women?
I am not a sexist like you.
chas, suffolk says...
8:06pm Wed 7 May 08
Let's have re-tests every few years, after all cars have to pass an MOT every year. Link insurance premiums to the grade you get in your qualification (have say 3 levels of pass, merit and distinction) and then we might see some improvements
I've a better idea. Why not have a no claims bonus, where if you don't have an accident, you get a discount.
BoltonDave, Tonge Moor says...
8:25pm Wed 7 May 08
Sexism is like racism, it only works one way.
andrew, Bolton says...
8:34pm Wed 7 May 08
chas wrote:Because Chas, no claims bonuses are irrelevant to the quality of your driving. It just means you haven't made a claim.
Andrew wroteLet's have re-tests every few years, after all cars have to pass an MOT every year. Link insurance premiums to the grade you get in your qualification (have say 3 levels of pass, merit and distinction) and then we might see some improvements
I've a better idea. Why not have a no claims bonus, where if you don't have an accident, you get a discount.
Sun talks about quality of driving. I would bet most of the people considered bad drivers by Sun won't have made claims.
andrew, Bolton says...
8:35pm Wed 7 May 08
chas wrote:I was giving the sexist comments of the past as an example of why racist comments of today are no better.
Andrew wrote.VM User, Sun & Chas... your comments are just plain wrong. Men used to say women were the worst drivers. The stats show something different, and now they get better insurance rates as a result.Where did I say that men were better drivers than women?
I am not a sexist like you.
Phil, Bolton says...
8:36pm Wed 7 May 08
Anti-PC, Bury says...
8:43pm Wed 7 May 08
And Sun Tzu is right, I drive in Bolton a lot and the d!ckhead swerving in front of you from the wrong lane at any traffic light in Daubhill is invariably asian. Insurance companies already discriminate between men and women, so why don't they introduce appropriately weighted premiums for asian drivers based on their accident rate?
MICK, BOLTON says...
8:54pm Wed 7 May 08
A foundation course in safe road use for people under the age of 17 will be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from September, leading to the development of a qualification that will be available across the UK.
I didn't go to smithills but some of my mates did in the late 70's early 80's and they did a lesson called 'step' that involved learning to drive cars and ride motorbikes also the highway code so this is not a new idea and maybe never should of been stopped.
Sun Tzu, says...
8:58pm Wed 7 May 08
Andrew Bolton wrote
Sun talks about quality of driving. I would bet most of the people considered bad drivers by Sun won't have made claims.
I doubt many of them have insurance or a driving licence.
I believe the manoeuvre which Anti-PC describes, is now know as an Amir Khan.
David Lonsdale, Spain says...
9:02pm Wed 7 May 08
I do not expect Kelly to understand but the reason that young lads crash is testosterone and no amount of training will cure that.
Anti-PC, Bury says...
9:14pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:
I believe the manoeuvre which Anti-PC describes, is now know as an Amir Khan.
Abso-blinkin-lutely.
Of course, his insurance record will be whiter than white because of 'celebrity justice'. Celebrity lawyers got him off with only 'careless driving' whereas you or me would be charged with dangerous driving for the same thing.
That's why we can't trust claim statistics; it's what we see day in, day out with our own eyes that counts.
stripeypaw, the sunny side says...
9:23pm Wed 7 May 08
stripeypaw, the sunny side says...
9:24pm Wed 7 May 08
don060541, devon says...
9:25pm Wed 7 May 08
Common sense says the more cars on the road the more accidents you will get,
Its not rocket sceince,
spice, bolton says...
9:35pm Wed 7 May 08
Alice, Through the Looking Glass says...
9:50pm Wed 7 May 08
In Canada good drivers get an accident free discount (not a claim free!)
In other words, if you have an accident and the police determine it was your fault then it goes on your record and your premiums lose the discount.
Seems to work
Marty, London says...
10:15pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:Why do you turn everything around to be about race or immigration? And then, when the comments are wiped and locked, you blame it on someone else. You are boring and predictable. If you have got nothing else to say please just keep it to yourself.
The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.
bwfc season ticket holder, gt lever says...
10:23pm Wed 7 May 08
why do 17-18 yr old asians drive around in super charged sports cars surely uninsured
drivers with less than 10 yrs accident free driving should be limited to no more than 1.4 cars
BoltonDave, Tonge Moor says...
10:25pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty wrote:Sun is just stating a fact. Or is that not allowed in this poxy PC state we exist in?
Sun Tzu wrote: The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.Why do you turn everything around to be about race or immigration? And then, when the comments are wiped and locked, you blame it on someone else. You are boring and predictable. If you have got nothing else to say please just keep it to yourself.
You don't have to read the comments that people make, if a person has something to say, until such a time that the comments get deleted, then free speech is still an option.
Marty, London says...
10:26pm Wed 7 May 08
BoltonDave wrote:I was talking to the organ grinder, not the monkey
Marty wrote:Sun is just stating a fact. Or is that not allowed in this poxy PC state we exist in? You don't have to read the comments that people make, if a person has something to say, until such a time that the comments get deleted, then free speech is still an option.Sun Tzu wrote: The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.Why do you turn everything around to be about race or immigration? And then, when the comments are wiped and locked, you blame it on someone else. You are boring and predictable. If you have got nothing else to say please just keep it to yourself.
BoltonDave, Tonge Moor says...
10:31pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty wrote:Not taken you long to pick up the art of being a cockney w@nker has it?
BoltonDave wrote:I was talking to the organ grinder, not the monkeyMarty wrote:Sun is just stating a fact. Or is that not allowed in this poxy PC state we exist in? You don't have to read the comments that people make, if a person has something to say, until such a time that the comments get deleted, then free speech is still an option.Sun Tzu wrote: The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.Why do you turn everything around to be about race or immigration? And then, when the comments are wiped and locked, you blame it on someone else. You are boring and predictable. If you have got nothing else to say please just keep it to yourself.
Sun Tzu, says...
10:36pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty, London says...
10:41pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:That is not the point and you know it. Why are you so insecure? Not everything is about race. Why is it always your default reaction to everthing?
Marty - While you are poncing about down in London, I'm actualy driving on Bolton roads and the Asians are the worst drivers.
gordon bennett, says...
10:50pm Wed 7 May 08
bwfc season ticket holder wrote:Their super charged cars will be bought with their drug dealing profits and benefit fiddles.
talking about asians drivers why do 17-18 yr old asians drive around in super charged sports cars surely uninsured drivers with less than 10 yrs accident free driving should be limited to no more than 1.4 cars
Sun Tzu, says...
10:58pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty wrote:Why are you such a tool?
Sun Tzu wrote:That is not the point and you know it. Why are you so insecure? Not everything is about race. Why is it always your default reaction to everthing?
Marty - While you are poncing about down in London, I'm actualy driving on Bolton roads and the Asians are the worst drivers.
I comment on plenty subjects beside immigration and race issues but if it's relevant then I'll say it. If you don't like it don't come here and besides the only time you seem to have anything to say is on race and immigration.
Marty, London says...
11:09pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:I shouldn't need to remind you that this story is entitled 'Change to driving lessons on its way'. You were not commenting about a race issue, you turned it into a race issue. Your comment says nothing about the story and everything about you. I only chip in on the odd day I look in. Every single time I do you are talking nonsense about race and immigration.
Marty wrote:Why are you such a tool? I comment on plenty subjects beside immigration and race issues but if it's relevant then I'll say it. If you don't like it don't come here and besides the only time you seem to have anything to say is on race and immigration.Sun Tzu wrote: Marty - While you are poncing about down in London, I'm actualy driving on Bolton roads and the Asians are the worst drivers.That is not the point and you know it. Why are you so insecure? Not everything is about race. Why is it always your default reaction to everthing?
Sun Tzu, says...
11:18pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty wrote:Give over. You are lurking awaiting your chance to jump on anyone who mentions your hobby horse - race & immigration.
Sun Tzu wrote:I shouldn't need to remind you that this story is entitled 'Change to driving lessons on its way'. You were not commenting about a race issue, you turned it into a race issue. Your comment says nothing about the story and everything about you. I only chip in on the odd day I look in. Every single time I do you are talking nonsense about race and immigration.
Marty wrote:Why are you such a tool? I comment on plenty subjects beside immigration and race issues but if it's relevant then I'll say it. If you don't like it don't come here and besides the only time you seem to have anything to say is on race and immigration.Sun Tzu wrote: Marty - While you are poncing about down in London, I'm actualy driving on Bolton roads and the Asians are the worst drivers.That is not the point and you know it. Why are you so insecure? Not everything is about race. Why is it always your default reaction to everthing?
The thread had drifted onto bad driving and I metioned Asians are the worst drivers. If others concur and they choose to pick up the ball and run with it, well I'm afraid that's just the nature of the beast.
You have a problem. You don't want others to discuss things which you don't want discussed. Well that's just tough because people will talk about what they will and as long as we live in a free society you might as well get used to it.
Marty, London says...
11:26pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu, says...
11:39pm Wed 7 May 08
Marty wrote:I'm not looking to fool anyone, least of all you. After all where's the challenge in fooling a fool?
Yes Sun Tzu - 'The thread had drifted onto bad driving'. The first comment was about 'P' plates. The second appears to be from a nutter and the third was your first comment about Asian drivers. And yet race and immigration are my hobby horse, and I have a problem?? You may be able to fool some people, pal, but not me.
Marty, London says...
11:46pm Wed 7 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:You really do have nothing to say do you. That was just a childish rant. You have said nothing that justifies the way you turned this thread on to race and immigration - I guess because there is no justification for it.
Marty wrote: Yes Sun Tzu - 'The thread had drifted onto bad driving'. The first comment was about 'P' plates. The second appears to be from a nutter and the third was your first comment about Asian drivers. And yet race and immigration are my hobby horse, and I have a problem?? You may be able to fool some people, pal, but not me.I'm not looking to fool anyone, least of all you. After all where's the challenge in fooling a fool?
Bolton Chronicle, Bolton says...
11:57pm Wed 7 May 08
Now tell me I am either racist, ageist or even sexist with ïndependent"states like that!!!!
The old addage of white men between ages 17 and 30 is long gone - the groups to watch out for are women and asians between 17 and 40.
Where are Sheila's Wheeels with these stats (oh and bte Sheila's Wheels are actually part of Esure/Halifax-Bank of Scotland Group!!!!!)
Sun Tzu, says...
12:20am Thu 8 May 08
Marty wrote:Look Marty, I have had this argument dozens of times with your mate Andrew from Bury and I have no wish to go over it all again for your benefit.
Sun Tzu wrote:You really do have nothing to say do you. That was just a childish rant. You have said nothing that justifies the way you turned this thread on to race and immigration - I guess because there is no justification for it.
Marty wrote: Yes Sun Tzu - 'The thread had drifted onto bad driving'. The first comment was about 'P' plates. The second appears to be from a nutter and the third was your first comment about Asian drivers. And yet race and immigration are my hobby horse, and I have a problem?? You may be able to fool some people, pal, but not me.I'm not looking to fool anyone, least of all you. After all where's the challenge in fooling a fool?
In my opinion Asians are the worst drivers in Bolton and that is all I have to say on the subject at present. If you find it hard to accept that others have opinions that you don't agree with then that's your problem.
For what it's worth. In my opinion your crusade would win more followers if you tried to argue the case from a number of different angles, rather than rolling out the tired old "It's racist" line.
That's me done for the night.
Marty, London says...
12:24am Thu 8 May 08
Bolton Chronicle wrote:I may have missed something but:
Firstly the m ost up to date stats via Esure sow that most accidents involve women drivers. SZecond mosgt astounding facy via esure is that many drivers involved in accidents are also asian between the ages of 17 and 40!!!!!!! Now tell me I am either racist, ageist or even sexist with ïndependent"states like that!!!! The old addage of white men between ages 17 and 30 is long gone - the groups to watch out for are women and asians between 17 and 40. Where are Sheila's Wheeels with these stats (oh and bte Sheila's Wheels are actually part of Esure/Halifax-Bank of Scotland Group!!!!!)
"More young men are being convicted of causing death or bodily harm on UK roads than ever before, the Government has revealed in the annual Motoring Offences and Breath Test statistics (2005) released by the Ministry of Justice, with men aged 17 to 20 being responsible for 107 of the 413 convictions.
According to an analysis of the statistics by esure, over 60 times more young men than young women were convicted of the UK's two most serious driving offences in 2005 ('causing death or bodily harm' and 'dangerous driving'). Male drivers aged 17-20 were responsible for 1,993 of the 6,177 total convictions representing nearly a third (32.2%) of such convictions despite only representing around 3% of the UK driving population. By contrast, the proportion for women of the same age was just 0.5%" http://www.esure.com
/news_item.jsp?nId=1
9088
Where are your stats from?
Marty, London says...
12:31am Thu 8 May 08
don060541, devon says...
7:49am Thu 8 May 08
Would comenting on this be classed as racist,
Ly Tran, aged 27, Tu Nguyen, aged 35, Anh Nguyen, aged 20, and Tai Lam, aged 33, all of Weaver Chase, Stoneclough, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis along with Huong Nguyen, aged 22, of no fixed address, at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.
Son Nguyen, aged 38, of no fixed address, had admitted his role at a hearing in February
If so we have no free speech
Sun Tzu, says...
8:47am Thu 8 May 08
Marty wrote:My observation that Asians are the worst drivers in Bolton is not racist.
Look, Sun Tzu, you are deliberately missing the point - yet again. You brought up race not me. This is your tactic time and again. You turn things round to race then accuse the people who pick you up on this of "rolling out the tired old "It's racist" line". Its not good enough Sun Tzu. You can fool some of the the people etc...
If the subjects of race and immigration are raised in every topic, then that's because they are big issues and should be debated.
Why don't you try to put forward your arguments instead of saying "It's racist and we shouldn't speak of it" or maybe I'm right and you just don't have any valid arguments.
Grow up and stop hiding behind "It's racist"
Tubby Scruff, says...
9:04am Thu 8 May 08
s.
However, they were prosecuted for having no insurance as the vehicle was parked on a public road. (and yes, there were 90% provable paint marks on their car which matched the colour of my sisters car.)
Kellys statement is simply another rouse to extract more money from us. When did you last see a Traffic Cop on active patrol ?
don060541, devon says...
9:15am Thu 8 May 08
If whites confront asians its classed as racial yet if its the other way round its not,
Can anyone explain this please
BoltonGirly, halliwell says...
9:44am Thu 8 May 08
don060541 wrote:Its coz this county has forgot about there own don i spose and no im not a racist b4 any decides to say
What i cant get my head round, If whites confront asians its classed as racial yet if its the other way round its not, Can anyone explain this please
inigo, smithfield says...
10:50am Thu 8 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:from my own observations young Asian males are the worst, followed by young white males, old people and all women. I suspect you only mentioned that to be mischievous though.
The worst drivers on the roads of Bolton are Asians.
inigo, smithfield says...
10:52am Thu 8 May 08
Tubby Scruff wrote:why do i suspect this is a fairy tale???
Just to chip in. My sister had her car scraped down one side by an Asian woman, fortunately caught on Supermarket camera. It showed also the 2 women in the car laughing as they drove away, then when confronted with the "evidence" denied it to the Police, who said they couldn't prove who was driving as they were wearing.......burkah s. However, they were prosecuted for having no insurance as the vehicle was parked on a public road. (and yes, there were 90% provable paint marks on their car which matched the colour of my sisters car.) Kellys statement is simply another rouse to extract more money from us. When did you last see a Traffic Cop on active patrol ?
Sun Tzu, says...
11:03am Thu 8 May 08
inigo, smithfield says...
11:22am Thu 8 May 08
Sun Tzu wrote:It may be true! but you have to admit it sounds like something from the pen of Richard Littlejohn.
Inigo - I agree with your list of most dangerous but I don't see why you are throwing doubt on Tubbys tale of woe.
Libby H, Horwich says...
12:02pm Thu 8 May 08
Whether we like it or not we live in a multi-cutural society and as such we have to deal with the various issues and problems that arise from that. I do understand and agree that there are certain elements of our society that leave a lot to be desired in their behaviour but tarring everyone of a particular culture with the same brush is silly and narrow minded.
This article is about driving tests and not a racial debate please let's not try and turn it into one.
Also for what it's worth I think the only reason that tougher tests are being considered is because they want to try and reduce the number of people on the roads, with all the traffic congestion tougher tests will probably mean a higher failure rate and less new drivers on the road.
Tubby Scruff, says...
3:41pm Thu 8 May 08
from the pen of Richard Littlejohn
Why ?
My pen name is Aloysius Ponsonby Smyth , resident of Ponsonby Hall in the hamlet of Much Humping.
BWFC-SAVE-OUR-CLUB, Bolton says...
5:24pm Wed 14 May 08
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chas, suffolk says...
6:13pm Wed 7 May 08
What ever happened to the idea of newly qualified drivers using a 'P' plate for a year after passing their test?