Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Martin Coyle:
Ian Noctor's recent article headed "Driving test delay five times longer than UK" (Motors March 24th) highlighted the terrible state of our driving test. My daughter failed the test after waiting for nearly 10 months. Understandably, she was nervous about taking the test in the first place but, when it was pointed out to her that she would probably have to wait another year to get a second chance at it, her nerves were all the worse.
However, my main problem is with the approach by driving instructors these days. My daughter was not taught to drive, she was taught to pass the test (and it didn't work). With over 40 years experience on the road - some as a professional driver - I speak from experience when I say there's a difference between the two. There's too much emphasis on the technicalities of the test and not enough on ability to drive in a controlled and confident manner. Is it not time to change the test?
I'm afraid that you've spotted the fatal flaw with all forms of tests. When you create a set of criteria to judge someone by - be it a school exam or the driving test - many teachers and pupils concentrate on mastering the test system rather than the subject.
Many instructors seem to fall into the test trap. Back when I took the test, I paid for several lessons just before the test specifically because, while I could already drive, I was advised that I needed to know "how to work the system for the test".
Of course, I learned some valuable lessons, but most of the time was spent driving around the "potential" test route near the test centre and discussing points to impress the tester. In the end I passed first time, but I attribute that more to my instructor's ability to train me to "play the game", rather than any advances in my driving skills.
In fairness to the instructors, they are constantly judged by their pass rates. To improve the situation you have to change the test.
Among the many failings of the current test is the lack of motorway examination. With the rapid expansion of our motorway network, it seems ridiculous that the test ignores specific motorway skills. The result is what we see today on our roads: drivers ignorant of the common lane manners and rules when it comes to driving on these higher speed roads, failing to signal when moving between lanes, while others weave through the traffic like they are on a slalom course.
Sadly, the only advice is that, until they change the test, your daughter has to learn to play the system. But once she has mastered that and got the test, get her a few extra lessons from an instructor who will show her the real world of motoring - from road positioning and awareness to proper control at speed. These can save lives and are arguably more important than three-point turns.
From David Murphy, Limerick:
Why do car firms all seem to choose 155mph as the limited top speed. A friend says it's because speed cameras can't snap you above that speed.
Your last point first - it's an urban myth about the speed cameras. They can just as easily shoot you at 160mph as at 62 mph. I've no conclusive reason for the 155mph limit other than the fact that 150mph was always the target speed and, once that was achieved, some wanted to better it. Mercedes was first to introduce the 155mph limited top speed, on its 500 E.
Of course some high performance cars would be capable of a significantly higher speed. Last year we got the chance to test a particular sports coupé on a race track - while it was claimed to be limited to 155mph, we managed to top 163mph on a long straight.
It seems the reason to call time on the speed race was a fear that if the manufacturers continued to compete on top speed figures, we would one day have sales reps in regular saloon cars capable of 200mph. It seems to have been a collective decision to move the performance competition away from top speed and on to acceleration. In fairness, that's a much more important everyday tool - a good 0-60mph or 50-70mph time will benefit you more (in overtaking for example) than the ability to hit 170mph on an autobahn.
From P. Bennett
Congratulations to the owner of the new Ford GT, who already seems to have an impressive collection (Motors, March 24th). But I can't help wondering how he sleeps at night with all that valuable metal in his garage. I've also noticed a couple of Bentley Continental GTs around Dublin. Good to see there's still a few car fanatics around.
We'll pass on your message. It's a mouth-watering thought to be able to head out for milk and choose between an Aston Martin DB5 and a Ferrari 360.
Personally, I'd prefer to build up my own car pool than buy the Bentley. For the €250,000 tag, you could have a pretty grand selection in your driveway. It's the stuff of every pub conversation between car fans, but one combination for the money would be: Mercedes SL 350, Porsche Boxster S and Mini Cooper S. Or how about a BMW M3, Mitsubishi Evo VIII and a Range Rover TD6 SE? My list changes on an hourly basis, but I'd rather get more for my money than the Bentley has to offer.
- Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie