Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Automotive News & Views Photo Radar
1788 messages, Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 3:43 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
|
Replying to: vcheng (Feb 25, 2009 6:29 am) The general principles laid down for the process of instruction are that it should move "from the known to the unknown" and "from the straightforward to the difficult." The value of stimulating the direct participation of the learners through questions and discussion is stressed. Driving schools are encouraged to move away from the traditional "chalk and talk" approach towards more modern methods of teaching (e.g. group discussions). Theoretical instruction The following areas are covered by the theoretical teaching: Regulations related to licensing of individuals and vehicles for road traffic. Regulations relating to behavior in road traffic and the operation of motor vehicles; environmental protection. In addition to this, the question of hazards on the road is extensively covered. The topic is divided into traffic observation and behavior, considerate behavior, accident risks through incapability to drive (including fatigue, alcohol); driving techniques, brakes and their function, tires. In addition to the above, there are specific contents related to the individual classes of licence. A program of instruction divided into double teaching periods (90 minutes) must be drawn up as a basis for instruction and this may not exceed two double periods per day. The filling in of practice multiple-choice tests does not qualify as instruction and may not be counted towards fulfillment of the minimum period of instruction, even though it is by no means "forbidden" and indeed may well be useful with regard to the multiple-choice type test eventually to be taken by learners. The minimum number of hours instruction for theoretical instruction are laid down-for example 12 double periods for Class 3 (B). Practical instruction Practical instruction consists of basic instruction, extended driving sessions, advanced exercises and test preparation. The basic instruction constitutes the largest element in the practical instruction. The location and timing of this part of the training is largely up to the individual instructor, but it is usually carried out on private or little-frequented roads. Although there are no specific time requirements, the extended driving sessions may only be carried out towards the end of the practical instruction. These extended driving sessions are an important addition to the initial practical instruction and serve to familiarize the learner with the specific problems of driving outside built-up areas. Minimum durations are laid down for these, and are specified as follows: at least 225 minutes must be spent driving on trunk roads or country roads with a distance of at least 50 km being travelled in any one session; at least 135 minutes just be spent driving on motorways or dual carriageways with each journey lasting at least 45 minutes; and a minimum of 90 minutes should be reserved for driving in twilight or darkness, half of this on trunk roads or country roads. Further exercises These extended driving sessions are followed by the so-called advanced, test-preparation phase, containing further exercises and preparation for the test itself. In all cases, the instructor may only terminate instruction when he is convinced that the learner driver involved has actually acquired the knowledge and skills required to pass the test. The goal of driving instruction is no longer just to impart knowledge and techniques, but also to put across the social and ethical values, in other words to inculcate behavioral patterns and attitudes which are no less significant in reducing accident risks than the actual driving skills themselves. During the process of instruction, the learner driver is made aware that he carries a high degree of responsibility towards his fellow human beings and his environment. The success of driving instruction in Germany can be seen particularly in the declining number of fatal accidents - despite a continued increase in traffic volume. The German driving schools do not claim the sole credit for this positive development, but they have undoubtedly played a significant role in bringing it about. Nevertheless, the specific accident risk which novice drivers represent cannot be completely eradicated, whatever the quality of the instruction they have received. This has, however, been reduced further since the introduction of the probationary driving licence in 1986. The driving test The driving test consists of a theoretical and a practical part. An officially recognized expert or examiner for motor vehicle traffic is responsible for the entire test. If a candidate fails, the test can be repeated. Candidates are only admitted to the practical test when they have passed the theoretical part. The theoretical test uses multiple-choice questions to establish whether the candidate has the necessary knowledge. A candidate passes the test if he does not exceed the permissible number of errors laid down in the test statutes. The theoretical tests should, in principle, be carried out in German, but the basic material may also be examined in various foreign languages. The practical test consists of a test drive which includes certain basic driving tasks. The tasks, which are laid down in the test statues for each class of licence, are intended to demonstrate that the candidate is capable of properly operating and controlling the vehicle. The test drive is, above all, intended to demonstrate that even in difficult traffic situations the candidate is capable of safely driving the vehicle and adapting his driving to the situation. The driving test is also carried out on country roads and motorways. A candidate passes the practical test if the basic driving tasks are accomplished without error and during the test drive he does not commit any grave errors or accumulate an excess of minor errors. In summary In 1992 there were some 16,000 driving schools operating in Germany. Eighteen autonomous Land associations with a total of some 18,000 members (including driving instructors employed) look after the interests of their members in each federal Land. Their umbrella organization is the National Driving School Association Inc. of Germany, which has its official seat in Bonn. The organs of the National Driving Schools are: the Assembly of Members (delegates); the overall Board, made up of the chairpersons of the Land associations; the Executive Board. The main goal of the National Driving School is to further the cause of traffic safety and protection of the environment by assuring professional initial and further training of vehicle drivers. It also works to support a modern pedagogically conceived profession of driving instructor and to support and preserve private driving schools. Had it not been for the united efforts of the driving instructors' associations and the man
|
|
|
That's great and all, but STILL - even the Autobahn has crashes and death. No amount of driver training can avoid every single instance of crash possibility. Even NASCAR drivers have wrecks in their personal vehicles sometimes: The 45-year-old Waltrip is starting his third season in the dual role of driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, an endeavor he said mentally drained him and affected his on-track performance. He's not won a race since 2003 when he still drove for Dale Earnhardt Inc., and he's had just four top-10 finishes since leaving DEI at the end of the 2005 season to start his own team. But building from the ground up was an enormous undertaking, and Waltrip had plenty of bumps along the way. He embarrassed himself and new manufacturer Toyota with a cheating scandal during the 2007 Daytona 500, and was later involved in a bizarre incident where he wrecked his personal car and a neighbor saw him climb from the overturned vehicle before walking home through the woods in his socks.
|
|
|
Replying to: larsb (Feb 25, 2009 6:35 am) That is why I bolded this section, in addition to others: Nevertheless, the specific accident risk which novice drivers represent cannot be completely eradicated, whatever the quality of the instruction they have received. This has, however, been reduced further since the introduction of the probationary driving licence in 1986. larsb wrote: "That's great and all, but STILL - even the Autobahn has crashes and death. " That is correct. In despite of the huge effort in training, maintenance and enforcement, there are still deaths and injuries on the autobahn. The rate is LESS than on our highways, as I posted earlier, but if we were to make autobahn speeds applicable on our highways, I would be willing to bet that our death rates would be much much higher still, given our present drivers, roads and vehicles. |
|
|
Replying to: vcheng (Feb 24, 2009 8:48 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: xrunner2 (Feb 25, 2009 6:41 am) 
|
|
|
Replying to: grbeck (Feb 24, 2009 9:28 am) Complainers of photo radar might list their efforts beyond just whinning.
|
|
|
Replying to: xrunner2 (Feb 25, 2009 7:08 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: larsb (Feb 24, 2009 1:41 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: vcheng (Feb 25, 2009 7:12 am)
|
|
|
Some interesting facts about the business aspects of photo radar: from: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/26/2697.asp Redflex Missteps Hit the Bottom Line Redflex photo enforcement profit up, but less than it should have been, because of legal blunders. While most companies are struggling to hold losses to a minimum in the current economic environment, the leading Australian provider of red light cameras and speed cameras yesterday reported explosive growth in its US operations. Redflex Traffic Systems collected 49.3 percent more in revenue from American motorists than it had pocketed six months ago. This strong performance, however, was offset by a series of blunders that converted what should have been a 26 percent increase in net profits after tax into a net decrease of 11 percent. A nationwide traffic decline has cut into the number of expected tickets and, the company noted, more of those who receive tickets are simply refusing to pay -- costing the company A$1.1 million in revenue. "We are starting to see a significant reduction in collection rates on many of our programs where we are remunerated on a per-ticket basis," the Redflex half-yearly report to Australian investors stated. "We believe the economic downturn in the USA is a major contributing factor to this." Other losses can be attributed to avoidable missteps. Lawsuits filed by Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions (ATS) over its Australian rival's illegal use of uncertified radar equipment cost A$616,000 in legal fees, fines and compliance costs. The company lost another A$1.1 million after it failed to mail a contract renewal application on time to the city of Knoxville, Tennessee and after El Monte, California dumped Redflex cameras because they created a documented increase in collisions. Redflex spent A$155,000 in an unsuccessful effort to promote itself to larger companies that had expressed interest in buying the photo ticketing operation. Redflex spent another A$365,000 in moving its US offices to a luxurious new complex at the Pinnacle Peak Commerce Center in Phoenix, Arizona. On the positive side, Redflex cited a number of developments favorable to its bottom line. An 88 percent boost in the number of cities signing up for speed cameras over the past half-year helped revenue growth. Each speed camera ticket paid in US dollars was converted into ten percent more Australian dollars thanks to the strengthening of the US dollar over the past six months. Redflex also cited promising new technologies that would keep cities interested deploying the company's cameras. For example, new license plate recognition features can now be used in "identifying vehicles of interest" by tracking and identifying every vehicle that passes a Redflex camera, regardless of whether any traffic infraction has been committed or not. Redflex will also offer tickets using black and white photography to save money. It will offer "Remote adjudication processing" to allow idle operators sitting in the fully automated speed camera vans to process citations. The Australian company is also extending its offerings with Noise Ticket Cameras and cameras to automatically ticket any vehicle deemed too heavy. "We expect to see the growth in the USA market continue," the Redflex report stated. "As the clear leader in that potential multi-billion dollar market which is less than 10 percent penetrated at this stage, the opportunities for growth are enormous, and Redflex is well positioned and equipped to capitalize on the continued expansion of the market." Overall, the market was not impressed by the Redflex announcement. Shares plunged 25 cents from $3.05 to $2.80 upon its release. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views Photo Radar
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
