If you fly a plane, you go through a series of licences starting with only being allowed to Fly on sunny, warm days in daytime; through bad weather, night, then fog and so on until you are a REAL pilot. Outside those conditions, if you do NOT have the licence for those conditions you simply CANNOT fly!
I'd make it EXACTLY the same for road usage! You pass your test for decent days and take an extra test for Night Time, slippery conditions (ice and snow) and then FOG! Outside those conditions.... TOUGH..... you stay where you ARE or you get someone who CAN drive to TAKE you!
The alternative is KNOWING that we allow those who CANNOT drive in those conditions out-there IN the conditions in which they CANNOT drive! That's EXACTLY what we have today!
It all fits in nicely with my idea of graded licences (bronze, silver, gold!). The concept of those is that you NEED a 'higher' licence for faster (more difficult) cars just like you need a 'higher' licence for bigger bikes!
The tests would COST you more for higher licences and the speed limits (etc.) would be HIGHER of higher licences...... but so would the penalties for BREAKING the laws be.... including being demoted from a GOLD licence down to a bronze licence and thus not being allowed to drive your Porsche, FIAt, Lambo. etc., if you lose you GOLD licence!
You'd have 'slot' behind your windscreen in which to insert you approriate licence so it is visible, with your photo, at all times you drive! Forget to display your GOLD and you are immediately reduced to the rules for a 'BRONZE' licence. You'd still be ALLOWED to drive but in slower, easier cars ONLY!
I'd make 5 yearly or even THREE yearly re-tests compulsory.... certainly for silver and gold licence holders and the test would be charged at a REALISTIC rate (paying a proper price for it).
The ownership of quick cars would be reduced to only those who CAN drive them and they would have to PROVE their abilities every few years! The scheme would be self financing.
It's a cracker!
Ian
|
|