I'm sorry, I don't think I can back this, it's sticking plaster not a solution..... The issues faced by learner vehicles are very real, but they are not limited to learner vehicles. After a summer of cycling to work, I feel there is a much wider problem that needs to be addressed and it has to do with one of your recent videos, the social hierarchy of driving and the sense of self-entitlement that an increasing number of drivers are taking onto the roads. My GFs grandfather recently sold his car and stopped driving, not because he couldn't drive anymore (he was quite a good driver, not slow or dithery), he quit because of the levels of aggression on the roads and the way he was being treated by other road users (driving a Suzuki Splash probably didn't help). If this lead to something being put in place to protect all road users, I might be more enthusiastic about it.
I understand your view and agree to a certain extent, but we have to start somewhere. Learner drivers are placed at the bottom of the driving hierarchy by most people, and the abuse they suffer makes the learners think this is the norm. They then probably go on to dish it out when they have passed, and the cycle continues. This is the root cause of the problem and will take a generation to change attitude. Thanks, Ashley.
@@ashley_neal Not wanting to be judge and jury or discredit your efforts Ashley but.....and it's a BIG humongous but.... what experience do you have with riding cycles? Yes, of course your point is valid...all except your definition of "Learner drivers are placed at the bottom of the driving hierarchy by most people" for me that's a personal/professional perspective. I've been (until ill health screwed it up) a keen cyclist (non lycra) since 1975ish I've driven since 1990 (although I passed a driving test in the army 1982 then did something stupid that had that licence "revoked" but that's another story) And now I'm two wheels again but powered by a 745cc engine because car insurance is a rip off/too expensive for my situation Yes IMHO some learners are punished by irresponsible drivers but far more cyclists are punished by far more irresponsible drivers whereas there's been video evidence recently of a driving instructors vehicle (unsure who was driving) did a punishment pass IIRC on a cyclist. But that's my opinion - I'd love to see official stats etc but doubt they will be accurate because like Nottingham dashcam evidence unless injury or death is not acted upon. Hope you (and others) understand the reason for my question ... I'll repeat ... what experience do you have with riding cycles?
@@philhunt9297 It's something that will make people think, it's better than nothing. But totally agreed, cyclists are the absolute bottom as I cyclist I have seen far worse on myself than in any of these videos Ashley puts out about learners. Ashley is a nice bloke, maybe he could try cycling for a few hours, and report back. Would make a great video! Some impatient people hate getting held up and cyclists are slower than learners, so those impatient drivers are far more desperate to get past us. And we are more vulnerable. Also, we get disliked as they see us as not paying towards the upkeep of the roads. You are right, the biggest issues is with cyclists not learners. But I can see how starting with learners it could make those impatient drivers think more. I don't think the new generation of drivers are any better - may even beworse. It's worse at rush hour and in cities - people always in a rush.
I didn't mean to derail this with talk of cyclists, but there is a useful link between them and learners, it's the fact that's socially acceptable to hate them, and fast becoming socially acceptable to hate on learners too. I can go on social media and openly promote the killing of cyclists by practically any violent means, I wouldn't even get a slap on the wrist, but imagine I said the exact same about practically any other minority group, i'd be banned on social media, interviewed by the Police, likely gain a criminal record and probably end up on an article in the local rag. From what i've seen on social media, it's quickly reaching a point where people speak of learners in the same sort of hateful way and it's this sort of bravado talk which leads to it being seen as "normal".
How would that work when they are supposed to be removed or covered when no learner is present....Maybe Ashley can answer if this is true for driving schools too 🤔
Shame many other people do not do this, I go out my way to ensure I give the extra space and time that I know they might need. I always say to people you were a learner at one point as well.
Passed my test 53 years ago. I always give learner drivers space, we all had to learn once. The Ford focus driver is a total fool and should be made to take his test again and to learn some patience.
On the Blue Focus. Maybe you should have driven up a bit. Letting him drive across the pavement, and then sent the video to the police. Nothing like a Traffic Officer and a Court case to change their driving. Send the video of the lorry to his company. The Fleet manager should have something to say. As he was driving while at work health & safety rules mean the company have a responsibility to maintain safe driving. This applies to everyone driving a vehicle for work
"...do it as you would to a police car..." wise words and a good motto for everyone on the road. It's nice to be nice, we all have been in the learner car. Lots of unmarked police cars in London, so quite entertaining from time to time.
Not all police cars are well driven , and many police drivers have no special training whatsoever . Many are not at all interested in traffic matters either .
DeceptionCXV Don’t consider it a test and just consider it as you are going on a drive with someone who is highly critical 😂 just drive your best and be positive. Good luck 😉
Abuse of learners on the road is getting worse as I have several videos on my channel of it happening. A couple of weeks ago I had a taxi driver passed my car using the bus lane and break checked my student and then He called up the driving school that I work for to complain and try and get me to lose my job. It’s now getting to the stage where I’m thinking about quitting as an instructor as I am fed up with the abuse I am getting for trying to do my job
Police weren’t interested as there was no collision and driving school didn’t care as They care more for their public image then standing up for their instructors
BRM Driving School Oxford , I had a similar situations when I worked for BSM I was the driver and the person in passenger seat was a trainee instructor, due to the incident he stopped his training and didn’t qualify.
@@BRMdrivingschool Agree with you there. Lack of Police resources and way too much paperwork to complete (by the Police) means that people are not getting prosecuted. I am just as passionate as you and Ashley to re-educate other road users and stamp out this aggression. Stay safe. Regards. Graham.
It just had to be a taxi, the most dangerous drivers on the road. All they care about is getting them pennies rolling in fast as possible, and they’ll do whatever it takes for that to happen.
Can't agree enough. The job of instructing is getting harder by the day. Too much traffic. Pressure from the dvsa. Pressure from pupils who think they know it all and who want to run before they can walk. No wonder the number of qualified instructors in the country is on the decline. The type of clientele is changing, basic common sense of average 17 Yr olds beggers belief sometimes.
3:35 🤣🤣🤣 “I don't want no scrub A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me Hangin' out the passenger side Of his best friend's ride Trying to holla at me”
Hi.. I'm an avid fan of your channel. This thread is so relevant to me. I had to pull up on side of road on my test today and a driver wanted to pull into drive behind. He gave me such a look. Made me think I'd failed.Examiner said "don't know what his problem is. He's got plenty of room." Put me at ease. And the rest of my drive was great after that. And I PASSED. Luckily my examiner was really nice & chatty. Or it could've affected rest of my test.
It truly amazes me that people can be in the wrong lane and then blame others. As we all know, strange lane layouts that don't quite match signage, or even totally rubbed out road markings aren't that uncommon. Whenever I've found myself in a wrong lane situation I'll do my best to ask for a lane change, but if it doesn't happen I've seen me taking a slight detour to get back on track. After all it was my mistake. When stopped at lights and I realise I need another lane, I find the best way to ask is to throw the indicator on, slightly turn my wheels, and if intending to move to the right, wind the window down and/or make clear over the shoulder eye contact. I can probably count on one hand the times I've not been let in and just had to proceed in my lane, but that's the way it goes. If you ask nicely, most people are very forgiving.
If the poor lane markings misdirect you , you are not in the wrong and you are not obliged to follow them . lane markings are advisory , not obligatory and you can proceed with caution to where you wish to go . No need to be subservient to others , just proceed carefully .
I was looking for one of your videos that I watched recently but can't find it. It was where you stopped and gave way to an oncoming cyclist, who was clearly grateful that you gave him the respect he deserved as another road user. Anyway, the same thing happened to me today - driving down a winding narrow-ish street and came to a bit where there were cars parked on both sides and a cyclist coming towards me. They were closer to the parked cars so I stopped and let them through. Just as I was doing so, another car came and stopped to let me through first once the cyclist had passed. As I drove through the gap I realised the car that was waiting was... a driving instructor's! I hope they used my giving way to the cyclist as a learning point and that I was a good example!! Thanks for the videos Ashley, I still watch even though I passed my test almost a year ago.
I 100% agree with this, but I feel that with the lack of police on the roads, nothing will change. I reported 4 mopeds (2 had knives, none of them had number plates). Followed them for 15 minutes whilst on the phone to the police. Ended up on the M25 at the dartford crossing - but they couldn’t find any units. I’ve also had to wait 45 minutes for police because I was trapped in a car due to a crash.
If you are trapped in a car because of a crash , you need the Fire and Rescue Service , not the Police . FRS always respond quicker and are there to rescue people trapped in vehicles . You asked for the wrong service . Also if you need multiple services , always ask for Fire and Rescue - our control rooms will send on other services , the others don't .
Yeah he's nothing but an angry brexiteer blaming everyone else for all his problems just like he does with all the immigrants who are " taking all the jobs " He just a sad idiot who probably milking the system, got sick note for this that and everything and who's costing the NHS taxypayer loads. Unfortunely Britan full of these types.
There is NOTHING in the video to suggest that he would have behaved any differently towards any other vehicle . The notion that it is because the camera vehicle may have been a driving school vehicle could simply be a delusion . Do civilian driving instructors imagine that they are somehow singled out and that no other road users experience the same behaviour from bad drivers ? There is absolutely no way this ludicrous assertion would hold up in a court of law .
Well done Ashley Neal its about time someone has done this because there are way too manu ignoran drivers on the road who forget that they too at one point in time had to learn how to drive.
Hi Ashley, What are the requirements for a left turn to be mandatory? Surely with only a half worn left arrow on the ground, no standing signpost, no continuous white line dividing lanes doesn't make it a legal requirement.
Driving in the middle lane of that road, after passing the lights following the white line to your right means that you move over to the left, Road then narrows to become two Lanes
Petition signed, I am in total agreement with you, if I ever end up behind/in front/or generally around a learner when commuting or just out and about on my motorbike I want them to learn: 1. that not all motorcyclists are idiots 2. what to expect from a decent motorcyclist 3. how to watch out for a motorcyclist
Passed my test on 14/10 with 3 minors and will certainly be signing this petition. I will still be watching your vids to keep up to scratch and yes your vids were a help towards me passing! Thanks!
Passed 3 months ago and i when i see a leaner on the road, i treat them like i was learner. No need for aggression and all that garbage. Just be safe on the road. Hope this Petition goes much further.
Signed. It’s not just learner drivers that some road users feel the need to hate. That’s why I use front and rear facing cameras in my car and bicycle. I guess the only way to remind road users in cars that they are "LICENSED" to use the roads.
i signed it because when i was learning to drive, lorry used to tailgate and beep at me on dual carriageway and try to push in front of me, and a bicycle guy got mad at me for apparently nearly hitting him which i didn't do that and he told me to learn the highway code which i know really well. i didn't let it bother me though and still passed, but other drivers need to be more patient and kinder to learners.
Some lorry drivers ( not all ) will tailgate other road users regardless ; this is NOT unique to L drivers . Best way to deal with these ones is just to gradually slow down , and down , and down , until almost stopped , hen you can accelerate away from them leaving them far behind . If they try it again , just repeat , they will eventually get the message .
Hi Ashley, I have signed it mate. I would love to think it will achieve something, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Keep up the good work!! It was good to see you on TV!! 😃
Love the work you do for us learners Ashley I've been quite fortunate that I've only had 1 person harrasing me in my 10 lessons so far and they couldn't get past me fast enough to the point they overtook on double white lines immediately after a roundabout exit
I always make sure to give learner and new drivers extra space and am more attentive to their driving, you never know if they might stall or react unusually to situations - nobody wants to have to make an insurance claim it's a pain in the bum.
If theres a vehicle stopped or moving slowly on top of a left turn sign there is no way the driver behind could possibly know it's a left only sign. This is very common at traffic lights as in video. Legally the trucker didn't break any rule.
@@mini1298aj64 I didn't see a regulatory blue standing signpost with a white left turn arrow. Read up on the signs required for it to be mandatory. The poorly fading white ground painted arrow in video is only a guidance.
@@mini1298aj64 Mandatory signs are used to let drivers know that they are under obligation to obey that particular sign. In this case there must be a standing circular blue surrounded with a white border and a left pointing arrow. Without this sign clearly visible to all road users it is not a legal requirement to make a left turn. Every driver should know this.
I don't know if you ever watched Harry Hill's TV Burp but that last clip were the Ford cut through the shops to try and overtake would be my choice for "Epic fail of the weeeeeeeeeek!"
I will sign that one Ashley as a HGV driver between us we are both somewhere near the bottom of the list and like you I see some down right dangerous driving out there on the roads ..... Love your vids as well even I still pick things up from some of them so please keep them coming :D
I’ll definitely be signing this petition because I whole heartily agree learner drivers get treated unfairly. That last clip especially had my blood boiling. 🤬
Why do you think that ? What makes you think that driver in the last clip would have behaved any differently to any other road user ? There is NOTHING to suggest this is experienced ONLY by L drivers .
About time someone started a petition because it’s getting beyond a joke now. I get tailgated by dickhead drivers whenever I give learner drivers space on the road. So they direct all the aggression at me just because I gave the learner vehicle the respect they’re due. I will continue to give time, and space to learner drivers because I’d rather take all the aggression than learner driver taking it. I really do hope something gets done about this because no learner driver should have to experience this poor treatment.
So true. I live in Spain and I got my licence a few months ago. In Spain by law you have to have an L plate at the back of the car for 1 from when you get your licence. Since then there have been so many people that have deliberately been difficult. More notable on one incident I was driving at night on a single carriageway road. The limit was 90km/h and I had 93 in on the cruise control. This person got within 10 feet of me and tailgated me with his full beam lights on for about 30 seconds. I tried to ignore it as I didn't want an accident by brake testing him. He eventually crossed the solid line and overtook me, but instead of speeding off then decided to brake test me! He went all the way down to 30km/h. Thankfully I was able to slow down in time, but it's extremely dangerous. Especially if there had been any other traffic on the road at the time. I absolutely HATE people like that 😤😤😡😡 should have their licences revoked for life. Thoughts on what I can do to avoid things like these?
Slow down gradually to force him to reduce his own speed or pass , also get a dash cam - send footage of any such incidents to the police . It is not only learners who experience this behaviour .
3:30 - you MUST allow overtaking traffic to return safely to the nearside - slow down , or stop if necessary , to allow them to do this , therefore you were obliged to let them in anyway , and this applies to all road users .
The amount of people I have seen go straight on in that lane from the first clip is crazy. Most annoying thing is I get beeped because I didn't move over
I couldn't sign the petition fast enough! I know I'm lucky that my years as a learner where calm and quiet, but I still remember how it felt to be aggressively passed by others (admittedly that was my fault but at the time i only had 2 days driving experience on public roads) as bullied because I refused to go over the speed limit (which I still do, it's the limit for a reason). Even since passing my test, it's still not nice to be bullied by others ESPECIALLY if it's a lorry considering the danger they could be putting *you* in with their braking distance.
I'm signing this. Just yesterday I saw a learner car get treated in an aggressive manner. They were just waiting at a side street, wanting to turn left at a junction. There were already three cars waiting patiently behind, when a big shot in a BMW shoots up the lane at 40mph (in a 20 school zone) and drives on the wrong side of the road to overtake/cut in front. It was an apalling piece of driving. Not only did the impatient driver impacted 4 drivers journeys. The driving instructor had to slam on and grab the steering wheel. The poor lady learning looked terrified. I'm even considering not returning to my own driving lessons after seeing that. (I took a break when I went to university)
20 mph limits are advisory ; there is no specification for vehicle speedometers at that speed ; the vehicle could have been an emergency responder , or commandeered for an emergency . Please do not make assumptions when you are not in possession of the facts .
On my second lesson ever, it was a Sunday morning, wide 2 lane road, that was as wide as four standard lanes. A van tail-gated me for a mile, to the point I couldn't see anything out my back window except the van. The road was a very gentle curve, so he could have easily overtaken me, I could only for 45, and he could go 60. Only one car passed us on the opposite side for the entire time. He did it purely out of spite. When I got to the round about, my instructor put his foot on the brake, turned around and just stared at the van driver for about 10 seconds, even though I was clear to move onto the round about. When on my test, a taxi tail-gated me for a mile on a narrow, winding, country road, with lots of slopes and hills. I wasn't going to break the speed limit, and because they were dangerously close, I had to keep my speed lower than 45 in case of an issue up ahead, as I had already had to move around a tractor on a slope. I didn't get a single fault for that part of my test.
I was in shock when a lorry came too close to me from behind on my lesson today, and a shocking mini cooper came so fast when I creeped out of a junction. Luckily I breaked in time, even though my instructor nearly had to use pedals. He said I wouldn't have failed if on test, but it's just people in mini coopers think they can go fast. I said 'In a busy road with parked cars?!' and we laughed. It was in Ipswich, so lots of learners, like me, and instructors have troubles
Another feature on the One Show regarding harassment towards learner drivers. They put the reporter in a car with L plates to monitor other drivers' reactions and on a few occasions other drivers took advantage of the situation when confronted with the learner.
Us bus drivers get a lot of abuse too, mostly due to impatience, but also down to a lack of understanding in what is involved with how a bus physically operates, and what the bus driver has to concentrate on for safety reasons on the inside of the bus (passengers) as well as the outside
Hi Ashley, I spotted you on the BBC about 10 days ago. I think this form of targeted harassment is symptomatic of a problem that I've noticed over the past decade or so, however I see it from a cyclists point of view. We have had a large increase in people using the roads, but not an increase in road infrastructure to go with it... at best you get the odd bypass, but the majority of work councils have put into roads, has been increasing the amount of traffic that can be moved within the infrastructure that already exists by redesigning junctions, or timing of traffic lights. As a result, there are some drivers who lose their minds when it comes to being to held up by anyone, and because learner drivers are more likely to be hesitant by erring on the side of caution, they'll be considered as one of those groups that 'cause congestion', because the aggressive driver pushes a situation where they become a danger. These are also the drivers who complain if you're not following the exact speed limit, so if you're only doing 35mph in a 40, "you're holding up traffic!". This is a nonsense argument of course. The speed limit is the MAXIMUM speed allowed, and the highway code itself says not to treat speed limits as a goal. Is it any surprise that when the police do speed checks on a road, they get an average of 1 speeding offense per minute, and usually one driver doing almost double the speed limit?!
"it's a limit, not a target" is the best advice I was given after I had an angry driver behind me, furiously sounding his horn behind me on a very wet road.
Signed. I agree with this completely, I always keep a wider gap between me and the learner but this is abused as others jump in between and tailgate the learner. I only passed one year ago and I have to admit my love for driving has slightly became less enjoyable as am waiting for the next angry person to ruin my commute.
I was once teaching a lesson. My pupil was in the bus lane and waiting at lights. Car came next to us and the guy said your a good driving instructor. Implying that I shouldn’t be in the bus lane. I had great pleasure in pointing out that if my pupil didn’t use the bus lane they would have failed there driving test and wasted almost £80. Instructors really do get treated like dirt.
Upon watching this, honestly can’t believe how bad people can be. I’m a bus driver and people are exactly the same, trying to cut you up and overtake dangerously. Being a learner bus driver was even worse as people saw the L plates on the bus and were immediately frustrated. The thing they don’t realise is that my bus can do a lot more damage to their car than they will to me!
Just as you say this I was 2 cars behind a learner doing an indicated 30mph (27mph GPS) on a 30 zone and Mr Chav in his Corsa decides he wants to do 40mph despite a build up of developing hazards ahead 🤷♂️
I will sign it.. I think bullying a learner vehicle should be a driving offence that gets you points on your license.. we was all learners once and need to show a little patience with them
Careless and dangerous driving is already an offence ; Learner drivers do not have a monopoly on this : these drivers will try to bully any other road users , it is not a problem experienced only by learners , and perceptions that it is are just a delusion .
I was doing one of my first few lessons a while back, and I was doing the speed limit, and a moped rider of all things gets frustrated and when he finally does overtake he knocks the wing mirror all the way back
Doesnt just occur to learners. Large vehicle drivers (buses in particular) also experience this, as I do on an almost daily basis people not wanting to let you out, rusbing to get past etc etc. This includes lorries as well, which is quite frankly even more dangerous to me, one large vehicle pulling a dangerous manoeuvre to overtake another larte vehicle is asking for trouble. Best thing to do with that clip of the lorry is send it to the company, they should be able to work out from date time and vehicle reg who was driving and call them up on it.
This is exactly why I am terrified to drive. These people tailgating me gives me so much anxiety pressuring me to go faster that most of the time I forget to slowdown early enough on junctions causing me to lose control of the vehicle, or releasing the clutch too fast resulting to a stall because they honk if I don't move off quicker.
Excellent, signed and forwarded! It's about time these people were removed from our roads, or educated.... our roads are becoming a battleground. You wouldn't expect a cashier to take verbal abuse without being banned from a shop, why should a qualified driving instructor be any different? The roads are a place of work and teaching this skill is hard enough without selfish pig headed idiots venting their frustration.
Why do you think this is unique to driving school vehicles ? Don't you realise these sorts of drivers behave just as badly towards others . To think otherwise is simply delusional .
There really needs to be penalties for people pulling this. I was in a nasty car wreck as a teenager due to a reckless driver, as a result have always been terrified of driving. A few months ago at now 28 I decided it was time and how people behaved towards me on the road, accidents I had to manoeuvre to avoid resulted in the stress being too much, having panic attacks whilst driving ( I have a very good instructor who spotted somewhere safe to pull over for me) which i haven't had in a car for years. I've decided to take a break from my lessons due to this as the stress effected my health. I'd like to add that even my instructor thinks I'm an excellent driver when people aren't putting me in situations like that.
The guy in the last clip, I had the exact same situation today. Driving a bus and stopped at a red light, I had a Jewson lorry behind me wanting to turn left. He started beeping his horn and edging closer to the back of my bus, I obviously had nowhere to go, there was another bus in front of me. Eventually, he decided to mount the kerb to squeeze up the left hand side of me so he could shout a load of abuse at me. Happened at the junction of Duke Street Gorsey Lane if you know it. What an absolute clown!
I've signed. Since I learned to drive in the late 1960's (taught by and *examiner* for the advanced driving test) I feel I know a fair bit about driving. At that time the worst a learner driver could expect was a loud "tut". Sadly not so much these days. My HGV and PSV licenses have lapsed now, but I still drive as though I have many tonnes or passengers behind me - even in the Jaaag! But I'm selling off my bikes now. I wish I had the nerve to continue, but having been nearly knocked into tomorrow by a ... lady ... (not what I called her at the time) who overtook me at a pinch point, I doubt my fragile old body could take it any more. If only I could emulate my hero, the late Len Vale-Onslow.
To be fair I see this sort of driving on a daily basis driving a normal car. People think they are safe but wouldn't behave like this outside of a car.
Supporter of this, however here (NZ) those displaying L plates are often the parents / guardians / teachers, who themselves have bad habits. If the L plates only designated for only learner drivers then you'll have full support.
I can't sign the petition because I'm from Australia 😢 but i would of 100% supported you 🚗 I really hope they get tougher with more police & big fines ✌
This thing happens where I live too but not just to learner cars also to new drivers (we have to put a sign to show we are new drivers for two years after we got the license) and so many times I had people pass me and then drive slower the me or pass me from a lane that's ending so they drive faster even though their behind me and we drive about the same speed. It's so frustrating to know you can't stop those people from doing these reckless things
When I was a learner, a car drove the wrong way around a roundabout. I was going the speed limit on the approach and slowed down to use second gear as the view was clear and nothing was coming from the right. What is wrong with some people.
Lots of junctions have poor lane markings like the one shown circa 2:30 , but do remember that strangers unfamiliar with an area who find themselves in that situation through no fault of their own are under no obligation to follow the markings , because they are only advisory , they are NOT obligatory , and it is simply incumbent on road users to exercise care and courtesy towards others ; it is not an offence to go straight ahead from a lane with an advisory left turn marking ( the only time it becomes obligatory is when the left turning lane is bounded by a solid line , which prohibits people from crossing it , although emergency vehicles have exemptions ) , particularly where it was shown as being marked as also for straight ahead just before . This is a failing of the council highways department and not the drivers . That one of the cars is being driven by a learner is entirely irrelevant to this matter . If anything , the learner should be taught to look out for strangers to the area who may have been caught out by poor signage or road markings , and to allow for them . At 2:50 it is entirely wrong to say "he's in the wrong' when it was the road engineer who was incompetent and needs to be educated to do a better job . The lesson for the camera car is to be more observant of others around him , and to be more co-operative . The lorry driver did nothing wrong .
In that last clip just imagine if you were actually an undercover police vehicle. But of course something like won't happen because actually enforcing road traffic law isn't a priority.
Anyone else feel that all road rage punishments should be stronger? For too long people go out of their way to cause a scene out of nothing (a small mistake if anything) and it always ends up with everyone else getting involved as their journeys are interrupted. 90% of the time it is the aggressors fault and just out of embarrassment, they just hurl abuse at another road user (not just learners) because they feel small. We are human and we all make mistakes, no-one is perfect, if you were I'm sure Ashley would like to meet you. These roads were built hundreds of years ago and especially in central London, not built for the sheer volume of traffic they experience today, stick to the rules of the road, if you make a mistake, don't say "I'm turning now, good luck everybody else!" just follow it through and correct later and things will become a lot easier for everyone. This is not a learn for an exam and forget once you passed, keep refreshing this and keep updated with the highway code, it could mean the difference between life and death
Signed. 3743 & counting 🙂👍 Many drivers of all kinds of vehicles have a 'Me, I & Myself' attitude. I've spent many years living and working in South Africa. Vehicles there are often in very poor condition (read death traps) and levels of incompetence are often astonishing but through all of this, there's mostly highly visible levels of courtesy & co-operation. Lots of give and take. Something I really miss on UK roads.
3740 signatures including mine 😜😜 But until this(hopeful new policy) happens they should be named and shamed There are a few sites (like rate-driver / dodgy drivers ) etc where individuals can upload evidence and people can comment/rate
As an ADI for 15years I've seen z rapide decline in driver attitudes towards Learner drivers , yes we know we're going to drive at the speed limit and be slower to move away , but now on the roads have hit new limits of stupidity and ots putting off new potential Learners from starting driving lessons , we need protection
I'm from Portugal and I've never seen such abuse to learner cars. People normally are patient enough and overtake only when possibly. After you pass your test you don't need to use any kind of plates which I think it's a great idea as no one knows if you've been driving for years or only got your license 1 month ago.
I have signed, being a learner myself, drivers forget that they were once learners themselves. We all have to start from the bottom and work our way up. If I’m being honest I don’t let other drivers intimidate me , I have an equal right to be out on the road as much as the other driver. Very simple
I found it satisfying to see that focus driver get nowhere, Road users in general have gotten worse though, I’m a bus driver and you see this every minute of the day,
Everyone was a learner at some point, i myself haveonly held a full licence for half a year, if i ever see a learner i am always extra patient, i remember how hard it was when i was learning, thing s happen whilst learning and that is the only way to learn, so just let them do their thing, 2 minutes waiting if the learner in fromt of you is going a little slow or has stalled will never hurt you.
The only solution is for dash-cams to be fitted as standard and enable submissions by the public to the DVSA / Police for remedial action to be taken, and for insurers to take out their vengeance. I had an issue similar to your learner driver with the HGV on Dunningsbridge Road a few years back. I had only been driving a few years, and as approaching the Netherton Arms junction from the M57 it has that left hand only situation requiring all carrying straight on to move over. I know most HGV's heading down that road are going straight on to the port, so have usually given them chance to get over - but this day the first I am aware of a HGV is when this big yellow Canute vehicle pulls its cab parallel to me. Out of the corner of my eye I just see this thing move and realise he's indicating - but I have pretty much nowhere to go. The traffic is nose to tail, proceeding at 40mph, and my colleague is in the vehicle directly behind me. That's when he turns into my lane. Now I am able to move over by an inch or two, blow my horn (as does my colleague as the HGV's trailer is now drifting into the lane) but he keeps pulling over. Fortunately my colleague does an E-Stop enabling me to also slam my brakes on as the HGV just inserts itself into the gap made, missing me by centimetres as the tail of his trailer swings over the nose of my car. It was a genuine moment of fear and confusion, with both my colleague and I communicating through frantic hand gestures and glances in the mirrors as we tried to work out whether the HGV would have ever actually stopped, or just ploughed clean through both of us. He can't have been unaware that there were at least 4 vehicles the length of his vehicle that would need to stop dead for the HGV to filter into the gap.
Ashley if you think learner drivers are treated badly you should try driving a bus lol The other day I’m approaching a set of traffic lights I need to turn right as the road opens to two lanes I started to indicate and move right at the exact same time an oncoming van driver decided he didn’t want to wait in traffic and overtake in my lane! except I couldn’t go anywhere due to vehicles along my inside. He got stuck and went absolutely mental telling me i was in the wrong and should have waited and turned 500 yards down the road? I told him that if I turned 500 yards down the road I wouldn’t need this lane, he obviously thought i was getting smart with him and really didn’t understand that the turning I needed was less than a 100 yards away and he proceeded to abuse me calling me all sorts! He knew he was on camera as he stated that he hopes it recorded him calling me a C##t! Cameras don’t seem to be a deterrent towards some road users anymore. I’ve also had drivers follow me for miles saying I cut them up as the road is merging even though I’m ahead? I’ve been followed by a female driver who decided to overtake me with oncoming traffic and approaching a traffic island ahead she came out of her way to tell me i was in the wrong and I needed to act professional? I asked her to wait while my passengers were getting on and off my vehicle as I couldn’t here her so she waited blocking oncoming traffic for a few minutes, all to tell me that it wasn’t very clever and that i saw her indicating! I told her that it wasn’t very clever to overtake when it’s not safe to do so with oncoming vehicles and a traffic island ahead she went ballistic I told her that she was blocking traffic and she didn’t care she needed to vent her frustration out with me this was directly opposite a police station not even the police are a deterrent with some road users! I could go on and on all day about how bad drivers are, in four years I’ve had about 15 drivers drive into my vehicle and blame me except the accidents are always their fault. I just laugh when I tell them it’s all on cctv.
Petition signed. I've been a learner four times over the past 40 years ... bike, car, bus and lorry. Even though a bus or lorry with L-plates has a full car licence holder at the wheel, they still get abused.
This was the main reason I took my first test in my own car as in my instructors car I was verbally abused heavily for not going through a box Junction…
this heirarchy of road users is grim. I never really noticed it until we traded our mercedes estate for a little ford fusion. Shocking the perception some people have of someone who chooses to drive a smaller car for commuting.
Signed petition, see this self-entitled behavior all too often when on 2 wheels. Strangely never have problems with learner drivers & often give them a thumbs up when they pass me safely.
4:50 . once again there is nothing to suggest this is because it is a driving school car - such people will behave that way towards any other vehicles , including marked emergency vehicles . They are best ignored .
Signed. I am a driver. I am a cyclist. I am a human. I am open minded and understanding enough to give other road users (all kinds) the time and space required to travel safely. And expect to be treated the same. Its just common sense right? Then WHY is it that 90% of road users I encounter are psychotic, literally. Its so prevalent that it is a MASSIVE problem. These people : The second that an otherwise normal human being gets into a motorised vehicle, they lose all their human traits drop 100 IQ and devolve back to hyper aggressive chimpanzees. It baffles me that SO MANY people become psychotic behind the wheel. Why is that?? Not when they walk, not when they cycle, not when they swim, not when they fly. But when they DRIVE.
Truly shocking maneuvers there..... I always look at the fact I was once that learner in the kangarooing car.... we all have to learn I always try to give space, time and courtesy to learners as I was once shown.
I agree that driving schools are treated badly, but the experience I just had said otherwise! I watched an instructor force a learner to merger dangerously into my lane, when there was clearly a safe gap to move into with no cars behind me. I gave a quick beep to let them know I was there, however I was greeted by swearing, them refusing to move and when I eventually got past them, tailgating, flashing and more swearing. I hope it was just a one off and they were just having a bad day!
The level of driving tuition sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Some large driving schools are only interested in income. Instructors themselves are often lazy and do little extra training to improve their skills. I personally think it’s disgraceful.
@@ashley_neal Very true. I always find that independent driving instructors are always far better, having experience with both. Annoyingly, the name of the driving school was on the bonnet and very small, and couldn't make out who it was, even with the tailgating!
Even if I’m going way under the speed limit, I’ll still hang back, and not overtake learners. I hated it when I was on my lessons, and always ended up speeding, just so people wouldn’t sit up my arse (obviously my driving instructor would remind me to slow down). People will do anything to get past a learner, including overtaking on dangerous bends. I’m confident with my driving, but hate being in busy situations, as people are so unpredictable and dangerous.
Im a learner motorcyclist and I get this nearly all the time! does the petition include the motorcycle learners? I have some dodgey experiences on the road nearly every day!
I always try to hold back and give plenty of room when i see a learner driver, as you don't know how experienced they are and if they will make a mistake that needs you to take avoiding action. Hoolding back and giving them room allows for this and is less dangerous for all involved. Did this when I cycled, and when I was learning myself, and do so now as a qualified driver.
It's about time that instructors dash cam footage was uploaded for each incident to the Police. Those who can be educated will be but the minority who have no self-control (particularly those in the video) need taking off the road. Mistakes are one thing but dangerous or aggressive driving is inexcusable. Driving is a privilege not a right.
I think the petition for Dangerous Driving around cars displaying L-Plates is a bit misconceived. Yes there is a problem but the successful prosecution rate against "Dangerous Driving" is pretty low because the offence of "Dangerous" is too extreme for most abuse cases. If they brought in legislation of this type for "Careless or Inconsiderate" driving it would be more relevant and more like that successful prosecutions would result. Inconsiderate as a legal case would be a lot easier to prove with CCTV as many school cars have would make such a law more effective, the higher probability of one being found guilty. The Driving Test fail because of a Dangerous Fault would not equate to a prosecution for Dangerous Driving for example but I think this is where the petition organisers have kind of drawn their term.
I'm sorry, I don't think I can back this, it's sticking plaster not a solution..... The issues faced by learner vehicles are very real, but they are not limited to learner vehicles.
After a summer of cycling to work, I feel there is a much wider problem that needs to be addressed and it has to do with one of your recent videos, the social hierarchy of driving and the sense of self-entitlement that an increasing number of drivers are taking onto the roads.
My GFs grandfather recently sold his car and stopped driving, not because he couldn't drive anymore (he was quite a good driver, not slow or dithery), he quit because of the levels of aggression on the roads and the way he was being treated by other road users (driving a Suzuki Splash probably didn't help).
If this lead to something being put in place to protect all road users, I might be more enthusiastic about it.
I understand your view and agree to a certain extent, but we have to start somewhere. Learner drivers are placed at the bottom of the driving hierarchy by most people, and the abuse they suffer makes the learners think this is the norm. They then probably go on to dish it out when they have passed, and the cycle continues. This is the root cause of the problem and will take a generation to change attitude. Thanks, Ashley.
Well that makes no sense..its got to start somewhere! This is the first step.
@@ashley_neal Not wanting to be judge and jury or discredit your efforts Ashley but.....and it's a BIG humongous but.... what experience do you have with riding cycles?
Yes, of course your point is valid...all except your definition of "Learner drivers are placed at the bottom of the driving hierarchy by most people" for me that's a personal/professional perspective.
I've been (until ill health screwed it up) a keen cyclist (non lycra) since 1975ish
I've driven since 1990 (although I passed a driving test in the army 1982 then did something stupid that had that licence "revoked" but that's another story)
And now I'm two wheels again but powered by a 745cc engine because car insurance is a rip off/too expensive for my situation
Yes IMHO some learners are punished by irresponsible drivers but far more cyclists are punished by far more irresponsible drivers whereas there's been video evidence recently of a driving instructors vehicle (unsure who was driving) did a punishment pass IIRC on a cyclist. But that's my opinion - I'd love to see official stats etc but doubt they will be accurate because like Nottingham dashcam evidence unless injury or death is not acted upon.
Hope you (and others) understand the reason for my question ... I'll repeat ... what experience do you have with riding cycles?
@@philhunt9297 It's something that will make people think, it's better than nothing. But totally agreed, cyclists are the absolute bottom as I cyclist I have seen far worse on myself than in any of these videos Ashley puts out about learners. Ashley is a nice bloke, maybe he could try cycling for a few hours, and report back. Would make a great video! Some impatient people hate getting held up and cyclists are slower than learners, so those impatient drivers are far more desperate to get past us. And we are more vulnerable. Also, we get disliked as they see us as not paying towards the upkeep of the roads. You are right, the biggest issues is with cyclists not learners. But I can see how starting with learners it could make those impatient drivers think more. I don't think the new generation of drivers are any better - may even beworse. It's worse at rush hour and in cities - people always in a rush.
I didn't mean to derail this with talk of cyclists, but there is a useful link between them and learners, it's the fact that's socially acceptable to hate them, and fast becoming socially acceptable to hate on learners too.
I can go on social media and openly promote the killing of cyclists by practically any violent means, I wouldn't even get a slap on the wrist, but imagine I said the exact same about practically any other minority group, i'd be banned on social media, interviewed by the Police, likely gain a criminal record and probably end up on an article in the local rag.
From what i've seen on social media, it's quickly reaching a point where people speak of learners in the same sort of hateful way and it's this sort of bravado talk which leads to it being seen as "normal".
Do you think we should have unmarked police cars with L plates on to try to catch these people?
That's genuinely a brilliant idea.
How would that work when they are supposed to be removed or covered when no learner is present....Maybe Ashley can answer if this is true for driving schools too 🤔
Dodu Hunt that’s not a bad idea,
Best Answer I've Seen 👏👏👏
Brigette Tame lol apart from the fact its contrary to highway code 🧐 The police have to follow same rules on the road as the rest of us mere mortals.
Being nearly 3 years of driving this year, I always give leaner drivers so much care as we were all one once.
Shame many other people do not do this, I go out my way to ensure I give the extra space and time that I know they might need. I always say to people you were a learner at one point as well.
you've been driving for 3 years just this year? impressive!
@@Normandy-e8i Yh, 3 years of driving in November. I love driving
I don't treat learner drivers any different from anyone else.
Not all learner cars are driven by learners.
Passed my test 53 years ago. I always give learner drivers space, we all had to learn once. The Ford focus driver is a total fool and should be made to take his test again and to learn some patience.
On the Blue Focus. Maybe you should have driven up a bit. Letting him drive across the pavement, and then sent the video to the police. Nothing like a Traffic Officer and a Court case to change their driving. Send the video of the lorry to his company. The Fleet manager should have something to say. As he was driving while at work health & safety rules mean the company have a responsibility to maintain safe driving. This applies to everyone driving a vehicle for work
Robert Willis you fucking grass mate you would get sliced up up here mate if you grassed
@@robertwillis4061 Na, you can't drive on the pavement, he can keep his frustration to himself
@@nestheaog5734 grow up
Most people do , but some instructors seem to have a bee in their bonnets about it .
"...do it as you would to a police car..." wise words and a good motto for everyone on the road. It's nice to be nice, we all have been in the learner car. Lots of unmarked police cars in London, so quite entertaining from time to time.
unmarked police cars... you are very lucky - in Nottingham I haven't seen a marked traffic car since around the time a Prince married a horse
Not all police cars are well driven , and many police drivers have no special training whatsoever . Many are not at all interested in traffic matters either .
Gonna be signing this! Passed my driving test last Wednesday with no minor's and your channel helped with that so thank you 😀
TheRetroGamingKid well done I also passed last Wednesday. 👍
I passed on 14/10 3 minors! well done! keep those wheels rolling!
Well done on passing I'm currently doing my lessons and Ashley's videos are helping me a lot as well
Tell me! How did you do it?! I got my test coming up very soon and I'm stressed to the bone
DeceptionCXV Don’t consider it a test and just consider it as you are going on a drive with someone who is highly critical 😂 just drive your best and be positive. Good luck 😉
Abuse of learners on the road is getting worse as I have several videos on my channel of it happening. A couple of weeks ago I had a taxi driver passed my car using the bus lane and break checked my student and then He called up the driving school that I work for to complain and try and get me to lose my job. It’s now getting to the stage where I’m thinking about quitting as an instructor as I am fed up with the abuse I am getting for trying to do my job
Police weren’t interested as there was no collision and driving school didn’t care as They care more for their public image then standing up for their instructors
BRM Driving School Oxford , I had a similar situations when I worked for BSM I was the driver and the person in passenger seat was a trainee instructor, due to the incident he stopped his training and didn’t qualify.
@@BRMdrivingschool Agree with you there. Lack of Police resources and way too much paperwork to complete (by the Police) means that people are not getting prosecuted. I am just as passionate as you and Ashley to re-educate other road users and stamp out this aggression. Stay safe. Regards. Graham.
It just had to be a taxi, the most dangerous drivers on the road. All they care about is getting them pennies rolling in fast as possible, and they’ll do whatever it takes for that to happen.
Can't agree enough. The job of instructing is getting harder by the day. Too much traffic. Pressure from the dvsa. Pressure from pupils who think they know it all and who want to run before they can walk. No wonder the number of qualified instructors in the country is on the decline. The type of clientele is changing, basic common sense of average 17 Yr olds beggers belief sometimes.
3:35 🤣🤣🤣
“I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hangin' out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holla at me”
Hi.. I'm an avid fan of your channel. This thread is so relevant to me. I had to pull up on side of road on my test today and a driver wanted to pull into drive behind. He gave me such a look. Made me think I'd failed.Examiner said "don't know what his problem is. He's got plenty of room." Put me at ease. And the rest of my drive was great after that. And I PASSED. Luckily my examiner was really nice & chatty. Or it could've affected rest of my test.
Great job 👏 Congratulations
It truly amazes me that people can be in the wrong lane and then blame others. As we all know, strange lane layouts that don't quite match signage, or even totally rubbed out road markings aren't that uncommon. Whenever I've found myself in a wrong lane situation I'll do my best to ask for a lane change, but if it doesn't happen I've seen me taking a slight detour to get back on track. After all it was my mistake. When stopped at lights and I realise I need another lane, I find the best way to ask is to throw the indicator on, slightly turn my wheels, and if intending to move to the right, wind the window down and/or make clear over the shoulder eye contact. I can probably count on one hand the times I've not been let in and just had to proceed in my lane, but that's the way it goes. If you ask nicely, most people are very forgiving.
If the poor lane markings misdirect you , you are not in the wrong and you are not obliged to follow them . lane markings are advisory , not obligatory and you can proceed with caution to where you wish to go . No need to be subservient to others , just proceed carefully .
I was looking for one of your videos that I watched recently but can't find it. It was where you stopped and gave way to an oncoming cyclist, who was clearly grateful that you gave him the respect he deserved as another road user. Anyway, the same thing happened to me today - driving down a winding narrow-ish street and came to a bit where there were cars parked on both sides and a cyclist coming towards me. They were closer to the parked cars so I stopped and let them through. Just as I was doing so, another car came and stopped to let me through first once the cyclist had passed. As I drove through the gap I realised the car that was waiting was... a driving instructor's! I hope they used my giving way to the cyclist as a learning point and that I was a good example!! Thanks for the videos Ashley, I still watch even though I passed my test almost a year ago.
Edit: just realised it was within the social hierarchy video! Oh well, I've posted here now!
I 100% agree with this, but I feel that with the lack of police on the roads, nothing will change.
I reported 4 mopeds (2 had knives, none of them had number plates). Followed them for 15 minutes whilst on the phone to the police. Ended up on the M25 at the dartford crossing - but they couldn’t find any units.
I’ve also had to wait 45 minutes for police because I was trapped in a car due to a crash.
you fucking grass mate lucky u never got stabbed you freak, u got nothing better to do then go grassing people in you weird fuck
If you are trapped in a car because of a crash , you need the Fire and Rescue Service , not the Police . FRS always respond quicker and are there to rescue people trapped in vehicles . You asked for the wrong service . Also if you need multiple services , always ask for Fire and Rescue - our control rooms will send on other services , the others don't .
I don’t understand how any of the drivers shown here can rationalize their behavior. Like, what actually goes through their mind to defend this??
The Focus driver is clearly just an Inadequate person in general.
Dash Cam Das yeh he’s a full on bellend, he’s probably about 5’2 that’ll explain it all.
Yeah he's nothing but an angry brexiteer blaming everyone else for all his problems just like he does with all the immigrants who are " taking all the jobs " He just a sad idiot who probably milking the system, got sick note for this that and everything and who's costing the NHS taxypayer loads. Unfortunely Britan full of these types.
There is NOTHING in the video to suggest that he would have behaved any differently towards any other vehicle . The notion that it is because the camera vehicle may have been a driving school vehicle could simply be a delusion . Do civilian driving instructors imagine that they are somehow singled out and that no other road users experience the same behaviour from bad drivers ? There is absolutely no way this ludicrous assertion would hold up in a court of law .
Well done Ashley Neal its about time someone has done this because there are way too manu ignoran drivers on the road who forget that they too at one point in time had to learn how to drive.
Nothing here suggests this is an issue experienced only by learner drivers .
Hi Ashley, What are the requirements for a left turn to be mandatory? Surely with only a half worn left arrow on the ground, no standing signpost, no continuous white line dividing lanes doesn't make it a legal requirement.
That's irrelevant.
If it's irrelevant then what the truck done wasn't illegal. Did he break any law?
Driving in the middle lane of that road, after passing the lights following the white line to your right means that you move over to the left, Road then narrows to become two Lanes
Petition signed, I am in total agreement with you, if I ever end up behind/in front/or generally around a learner when commuting or just out and about on my motorbike I want them to learn:
1. that not all motorcyclists are idiots
2. what to expect from a decent motorcyclist
3. how to watch out for a motorcyclist
Passed my test on 14/10 with 3 minors and will certainly be signing this petition. I will still be watching your vids to keep up to scratch and yes your vids were a help towards me passing! Thanks!
Passed 3 months ago and i when i see a leaner on the road, i treat them like i was learner.
No need for aggression and all that garbage. Just be safe on the road.
Hope this Petition goes much further.
Signed. It’s not just learner drivers that some road users feel the need to hate. That’s why I use front and rear facing cameras in my car and bicycle. I guess the only way to remind road users in cars that they are "LICENSED" to use the roads.
So do I when cycling
The word is licenced . And bicyclists are unlicenced and unqualified when it comes to comparisons .
i signed it because when i was learning to drive, lorry used to tailgate and beep at me on dual carriageway and try to push in front of me, and a bicycle guy got mad at me for apparently nearly hitting him which i didn't do that and he told me to learn the highway code which i know really well. i didn't let it bother me though and still passed, but other drivers need to be more patient and kinder to learners.
Some lorry drivers ( not all ) will tailgate other road users regardless ; this is NOT unique to L drivers . Best way to deal with these ones is just to gradually slow down , and down , and down , until almost stopped , hen you can accelerate away from them leaving them far behind . If they try it again , just repeat , they will eventually get the message .
Hi Ashley, I have signed it mate. I would love to think it will achieve something, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Keep up the good work!! It was good to see you on TV!! 😃
Love the work you do for us learners Ashley I've been quite fortunate that I've only had 1 person harrasing me in my 10 lessons so far and they couldn't get past me fast enough to the point they overtook on double white lines immediately after a roundabout exit
I always make sure to give learner and new drivers extra space and am more attentive to their driving, you never know if they might stall or react unusually to situations - nobody wants to have to make an insurance claim it's a pain in the bum.
Signed the petition Ashley, keep up the great work!
If theres a vehicle stopped or moving slowly on top of a left turn sign there is no way the driver behind could possibly know it's a left only sign. This is very common at traffic lights as in video. Legally the trucker didn't break any rule.
It's a left turning Lane clearly marked
@@mini1298aj64 I didn't see a regulatory blue standing signpost with a white left turn arrow. Read up on the signs required for it to be mandatory. The poorly fading white ground painted arrow in video is only a guidance.
I live around there I know the layout of the road
@@mini1298aj64 Mandatory signs are used to let drivers know that they are under obligation to obey that particular sign. In this case there must be a standing circular blue surrounded with a white border and a left pointing arrow. Without this sign clearly visible to all road users it is not a legal requirement to make a left turn. Every driver should know this.
@@Seanmcdhuibhne it's people like you that would cause accidents then
I don't know if you ever watched Harry Hill's TV Burp but that last clip were the Ford cut through the shops to try and overtake would be my choice for "Epic fail of the weeeeeeeeeek!"
Collins LFC It was good to see him with a ton of egg on his face :)
I will sign that one Ashley as a HGV driver between us we are both somewhere near the bottom of the list and like you I see some down right dangerous driving out there on the roads ..... Love your vids as well even I still pick things up from some of them so please keep them coming :D
I’ll definitely be signing this petition because I whole heartily agree learner drivers get treated unfairly. That last clip especially had my blood boiling. 🤬
Why do you think that ? What makes you think that driver in the last clip would have behaved any differently to any other road user ? There is NOTHING to suggest this is experienced ONLY by L drivers .
About time someone started a petition because it’s getting beyond a joke now.
I get tailgated by dickhead drivers whenever I give learner drivers space on the road. So they direct all the aggression at me just because I gave the learner vehicle the respect they’re due.
I will continue to give time, and space to learner drivers because I’d rather take all the aggression than learner driver taking it.
I really do hope something gets done about this because no learner driver should have to experience this poor treatment.
So true. I live in Spain and I got my licence a few months ago. In Spain by law you have to have an L plate at the back of the car for 1 from when you get your licence. Since then there have been so many people that have deliberately been difficult. More notable on one incident I was driving at night on a single carriageway road. The limit was 90km/h and I had 93 in on the cruise control. This person got within 10 feet of me and tailgated me with his full beam lights on for about 30 seconds. I tried to ignore it as I didn't want an accident by brake testing him. He eventually crossed the solid line and overtook me, but instead of speeding off then decided to brake test me! He went all the way down to 30km/h. Thankfully I was able to slow down in time, but it's extremely dangerous. Especially if there had been any other traffic on the road at the time. I absolutely HATE people like that 😤😤😡😡 should have their licences revoked for life. Thoughts on what I can do to avoid things like these?
Slow down gradually to force him to reduce his own speed or pass , also get a dash cam - send footage of any such incidents to the police . It is not only learners who experience this behaviour .
3:30 - you MUST allow overtaking traffic to return safely to the nearside - slow down , or stop if necessary , to allow them to do this , therefore you were obliged to let them in anyway , and this applies to all road users .
Its genuinely amazing how many people forgot they were once learners themselves
The amount of people I have seen go straight on in that lane from the first clip is crazy. Most annoying thing is I get beeped because I didn't move over
Signed with absolutely no hesitation.
We all had to start somewhere and this shouldn't be happening at all
I couldn't sign the petition fast enough! I know I'm lucky that my years as a learner where calm and quiet, but I still remember how it felt to be aggressively passed by others (admittedly that was my fault but at the time i only had 2 days driving experience on public roads) as bullied because I refused to go over the speed limit (which I still do, it's the limit for a reason).
Even since passing my test, it's still not nice to be bullied by others ESPECIALLY if it's a lorry considering the danger they could be putting *you* in with their braking distance.
@Sharon Reilly yeah, sadly patience isn't something that's easily taught. You don't need me to tell you just how important patiences is when driving.
I'm signing this. Just yesterday I saw a learner car get treated in an aggressive manner. They were just waiting at a side street, wanting to turn left at a junction. There were already three cars waiting patiently behind, when a big shot in a BMW shoots up the lane at 40mph (in a 20 school zone) and drives on the wrong side of the road to overtake/cut in front.
It was an apalling piece of driving. Not only did the impatient driver impacted 4 drivers journeys. The driving instructor had to slam on and grab the steering wheel. The poor lady learning looked terrified.
I'm even considering not returning to my own driving lessons after seeing that. (I took a break when I went to university)
20 mph limits are advisory ; there is no specification for vehicle speedometers at that speed ; the vehicle could have been an emergency responder , or commandeered for an emergency . Please do not make assumptions when you are not in possession of the facts .
On my second lesson ever, it was a Sunday morning, wide 2 lane road, that was as wide as four standard lanes. A van tail-gated me for a mile, to the point I couldn't see anything out my back window except the van. The road was a very gentle curve, so he could have easily overtaken me, I could only for 45, and he could go 60. Only one car passed us on the opposite side for the entire time. He did it purely out of spite.
When I got to the round about, my instructor put his foot on the brake, turned around and just stared at the van driver for about 10 seconds, even though I was clear to move onto the round about.
When on my test, a taxi tail-gated me for a mile on a narrow, winding, country road, with lots of slopes and hills. I wasn't going to break the speed limit, and because they were dangerously close, I had to keep my speed lower than 45 in case of an issue up ahead, as I had already had to move around a tractor on a slope.
I didn't get a single fault for that part of my test.
Hi Ashley great and informative video I agree 😀
I was in shock when a lorry came too close to me from behind on my lesson today, and a shocking mini cooper came so fast when I creeped out of a junction. Luckily I breaked in time, even though my instructor nearly had to use pedals. He said I wouldn't have failed if on test, but it's just people in mini coopers think they can go fast. I said 'In a busy road with parked cars?!' and we laughed. It was in Ipswich, so lots of learners, like me, and instructors have troubles
Another feature on the One Show regarding harassment towards learner drivers. They put the reporter in a car with L plates to monitor other drivers' reactions and on a few occasions other drivers took advantage of the situation when confronted with the learner.
Us bus drivers get a lot of abuse too, mostly due to impatience, but also down to a lack of understanding in what is involved with how a bus physically operates, and what the bus driver has to concentrate on for safety reasons on the inside of the bus (passengers) as well as the outside
Hi Ashley, I spotted you on the BBC about 10 days ago.
I think this form of targeted harassment is symptomatic of a problem that I've noticed over the past decade or so, however I see it from a cyclists point of view.
We have had a large increase in people using the roads, but not an increase in road infrastructure to go with it... at best you get the odd bypass, but the majority of work councils have put into roads, has been increasing the amount of traffic that can be moved within the infrastructure that already exists by redesigning junctions, or timing of traffic lights.
As a result, there are some drivers who lose their minds when it comes to being to held up by anyone, and because learner drivers are more likely to be hesitant by erring on the side of caution, they'll be considered as one of those groups that 'cause congestion', because the aggressive driver pushes a situation where they become a danger.
These are also the drivers who complain if you're not following the exact speed limit, so if you're only doing 35mph in a 40, "you're holding up traffic!".
This is a nonsense argument of course. The speed limit is the MAXIMUM speed allowed, and the highway code itself says not to treat speed limits as a goal.
Is it any surprise that when the police do speed checks on a road, they get an average of 1 speeding offense per minute, and usually one driver doing almost double the speed limit?!
"it's a limit, not a target" is the best advice I was given after I had an angry driver behind me, furiously sounding his horn behind me on a very wet road.
Signed. I agree with this completely, I always keep a wider gap between me and the learner but this is abused as others jump in between and tailgate the learner. I only passed one year ago and I have to admit my love for driving has slightly became less enjoyable as am waiting for the next angry person to ruin my commute.
I was once teaching a lesson. My pupil was in the bus lane and waiting at lights. Car came next to us and the guy said your a good driving instructor. Implying that I shouldn’t be in the bus lane. I had great pleasure in pointing out that if my pupil didn’t use the bus lane they would have failed there driving test and wasted almost £80. Instructors really do get treated like dirt.
Was it a part time bus lane with posted times of use/enforcement ?
Upon watching this, honestly can’t believe how bad people can be. I’m a bus driver and people are exactly the same, trying to cut you up and overtake dangerously. Being a learner bus driver was even worse as people saw the L plates on the bus and were immediately frustrated. The thing they don’t realise is that my bus can do a lot more damage to their car than they will to me!
Just as you say this I was 2 cars behind a learner doing an indicated 30mph (27mph GPS) on a 30 zone and Mr Chav in his Corsa decides he wants to do 40mph despite a build up of developing hazards ahead 🤷♂️
I will sign it.. I think bullying a learner vehicle should be a driving offence that gets you points on your license.. we was all learners once and need to show a little patience with them
Careless and dangerous driving is already an offence ; Learner drivers do not have a monopoly on this : these drivers will try to bully any other road users , it is not a problem experienced only by learners , and perceptions that it is are just a delusion .
I was doing one of my first few lessons a while back, and I was doing the speed limit, and a moped rider of all things gets frustrated and when he finally does overtake he knocks the wing mirror all the way back
Signed it. Just passed my test last week and definitely experienced this as a learner.
Doesnt just occur to learners. Large vehicle drivers (buses in particular) also experience this, as I do on an almost daily basis people not wanting to let you out, rusbing to get past etc etc. This includes lorries as well, which is quite frankly even more dangerous to me, one large vehicle pulling a dangerous manoeuvre to overtake another larte vehicle is asking for trouble.
Best thing to do with that clip of the lorry is send it to the company, they should be able to work out from date time and vehicle reg who was driving and call them up on it.
This is exactly why I am terrified to drive. These people tailgating me gives me so much anxiety pressuring me to go faster that most of the time I forget to slowdown early enough on junctions causing me to lose control of the vehicle, or releasing the clutch too fast resulting to a stall because they honk if I don't move off quicker.
What a bunch of pathetic drivers, glad their license plates are not blurred out
You mean number plates - this is NOT the USA .
3:40 Baby on board sticker, well they're not wrong!
Petition signed. Keep up the good work 👌
It’s so unfair to do that just because it’s a learner car, we all started there.
It happens to any driver , not just learners .
Excellent, signed and forwarded! It's about time these people were removed from our roads, or educated.... our roads are becoming a battleground. You wouldn't expect a cashier to take verbal abuse without being banned from a shop, why should a qualified driving instructor be any different? The roads are a place of work and teaching this skill is hard enough without selfish pig headed idiots venting their frustration.
Why do you think this is unique to driving school vehicles ? Don't you realise these sorts of drivers behave just as badly towards others . To think otherwise is simply delusional .
I just dont get why people have to be like this to learners. They were once one aswell
There really needs to be penalties for people pulling this. I was in a nasty car wreck as a teenager due to a reckless driver, as a result have always been terrified of driving. A few months ago at now 28 I decided it was time and how people behaved towards me on the road, accidents I had to manoeuvre to avoid resulted in the stress being too much, having panic attacks whilst driving ( I have a very good instructor who spotted somewhere safe to pull over for me) which i haven't had in a car for years. I've decided to take a break from my lessons due to this as the stress effected my health.
I'd like to add that even my instructor thinks I'm an excellent driver when people aren't putting me in situations like that.
The guy in the last clip, I had the exact same situation today. Driving a bus and stopped at a red light, I had a Jewson lorry behind me wanting to turn left. He started beeping his horn and edging closer to the back of my bus, I obviously had nowhere to go, there was another bus in front of me. Eventually, he decided to mount the kerb to squeeze up the left hand side of me so he could shout a load of abuse at me. Happened at the junction of Duke Street Gorsey Lane if you know it. What an absolute clown!
I've signed. Since I learned to drive in the late 1960's (taught by and *examiner* for the advanced driving test) I feel I know a fair bit about driving. At that time the worst a learner driver could expect was a loud "tut". Sadly not so much these days. My HGV and PSV licenses have lapsed now, but I still drive as though I have many tonnes or passengers behind me - even in the Jaaag!
But I'm selling off my bikes now. I wish I had the nerve to continue, but having been nearly knocked into tomorrow by a ... lady ... (not what I called her at the time) who overtook me at a pinch point, I doubt my fragile old body could take it any more. If only I could emulate my hero, the late Len Vale-Onslow.
To be fair I see this sort of driving on a daily basis driving a normal car. People think they are safe but wouldn't behave like this outside of a car.
Supporter of this, however here (NZ) those displaying L plates are often the parents / guardians / teachers, who themselves have bad habits. If the L plates only designated for only learner drivers then you'll have full support.
I can't sign the petition because I'm from Australia 😢 but i would of 100% supported you 🚗 I really hope they get tougher with more police & big fines ✌
I've seldom seen such actions towards learner drivers in the Netherlands. Is it perhaps something of the UK drivers?
This thing happens where I live too but not just to learner cars also to new drivers (we have to put a sign to show we are new drivers for two years after we got the license) and so many times I had people pass me and then drive slower the me or pass me from a lane that's ending so they drive faster even though their behind me and we drive about the same speed. It's so frustrating to know you can't stop those people from doing these reckless things
When I was a learner, a car drove the wrong way around a roundabout. I was going the speed limit on the approach and slowed down to use second gear as the view was clear and nothing was coming from the right. What is wrong with some people.
Lots of junctions have poor lane markings like the one shown circa 2:30 , but do remember that strangers unfamiliar with an area who find themselves in that situation through no fault of their own are under no obligation to follow the markings , because they are only advisory , they are NOT obligatory , and it is simply incumbent on road users to exercise care and courtesy towards others ; it is not an offence to go straight ahead from a lane with an advisory left turn marking ( the only time it becomes obligatory is when the left turning lane is bounded by a solid line , which prohibits people from crossing it , although emergency vehicles have exemptions ) , particularly where it was shown as being marked as also for straight ahead just before . This is a failing of the council highways department and not the drivers . That one of the cars is being driven by a learner is entirely irrelevant to this matter . If anything , the learner should be taught to look out for strangers to the area who may have been caught out by poor signage or road markings , and to allow for them . At 2:50 it is entirely wrong to say "he's in the wrong' when it was the road engineer who was incompetent and needs to be educated to do a better job . The lesson for the camera car is to be more observant of others around him , and to be more co-operative . The lorry driver did nothing wrong .
In that last clip just imagine if you were actually an undercover police vehicle.
But of course something like won't happen because actually enforcing road traffic law isn't a priority.
Anyone else feel that all road rage punishments should be stronger? For too long people go out of their way to cause a scene out of nothing (a small mistake if anything) and it always ends up with everyone else getting involved as their journeys are interrupted. 90% of the time it is the aggressors fault and just out of embarrassment, they just hurl abuse at another road user (not just learners) because they feel small. We are human and we all make mistakes, no-one is perfect, if you were I'm sure Ashley would like to meet you.
These roads were built hundreds of years ago and especially in central London, not built for the sheer volume of traffic they experience today, stick to the rules of the road, if you make a mistake, don't say "I'm turning now, good luck everybody else!" just follow it through and correct later and things will become a lot easier for everyone. This is not a learn for an exam and forget once you passed, keep refreshing this and keep updated with the highway code, it could mean the difference between life and death
Signed. 3743 & counting 🙂👍 Many drivers of all kinds of vehicles have a 'Me, I & Myself' attitude. I've spent many years living and working in South Africa. Vehicles there are often in very poor condition (read death traps) and levels of incompetence are often astonishing but through all of this, there's mostly highly visible levels of courtesy & co-operation. Lots of give and take. Something I really miss on UK roads.
3740 signatures including mine 😜😜
But until this(hopeful new policy) happens they should be named and shamed
There are a few sites (like rate-driver / dodgy drivers ) etc where individuals can upload evidence and people can comment/rate
As an ADI for 15years I've seen z rapide decline in driver attitudes towards Learner drivers , yes we know we're going to drive at the speed limit and be slower to move away , but now on the roads have hit new limits of stupidity and ots putting off new potential Learners from starting driving lessons , we need protection
I'm from Portugal and I've never seen such abuse to learner cars. People normally are patient enough and overtake only when possibly. After you pass your test you don't need to use any kind of plates which I think it's a great idea as no one knows if you've been driving for years or only got your license 1 month ago.
I have signed, being a learner myself, drivers forget that they were once learners themselves. We all have to start from the bottom and work our way up. If I’m being honest I don’t let other drivers intimidate me , I have an equal right to be out on the road as much as the other driver. Very simple
I found it satisfying to see that focus driver get nowhere, Road users in general have gotten worse though, I’m a bus driver and you see this every minute of the day,
Everyone was a learner at some point, i myself haveonly held a full licence for half a year, if i ever see a learner i am always extra patient, i remember how hard it was when i was learning, thing s happen whilst learning and that is the only way to learn, so just let them do their thing, 2 minutes waiting if the learner in fromt of you is going a little slow or has stalled will never hurt you.
Shame the police can't have undercover learner cars!
I’ve signed this petition as someone who experienced a lot of this on my driving lessons recently
The only solution is for dash-cams to be fitted as standard and enable submissions by the public to the DVSA / Police for remedial action to be taken, and for insurers to take out their vengeance.
I had an issue similar to your learner driver with the HGV on Dunningsbridge Road a few years back. I had only been driving a few years, and as approaching the Netherton Arms junction from the M57 it has that left hand only situation requiring all carrying straight on to move over. I know most HGV's heading down that road are going straight on to the port, so have usually given them chance to get over - but this day the first I am aware of a HGV is when this big yellow Canute vehicle pulls its cab parallel to me. Out of the corner of my eye I just see this thing move and realise he's indicating - but I have pretty much nowhere to go. The traffic is nose to tail, proceeding at 40mph, and my colleague is in the vehicle directly behind me. That's when he turns into my lane.
Now I am able to move over by an inch or two, blow my horn (as does my colleague as the HGV's trailer is now drifting into the lane) but he keeps pulling over. Fortunately my colleague does an E-Stop enabling me to also slam my brakes on as the HGV just inserts itself into the gap made, missing me by centimetres as the tail of his trailer swings over the nose of my car.
It was a genuine moment of fear and confusion, with both my colleague and I communicating through frantic hand gestures and glances in the mirrors as we tried to work out whether the HGV would have ever actually stopped, or just ploughed clean through both of us.
He can't have been unaware that there were at least 4 vehicles the length of his vehicle that would need to stop dead for the HGV to filter into the gap.
Ashley if you think learner drivers are treated badly you should try driving a bus lol
The other day I’m approaching a set of traffic lights I need to turn right as the road opens to two lanes I started to indicate and move right at the exact same time an oncoming van driver decided he didn’t want to wait in traffic and overtake in my lane! except I couldn’t go anywhere due to vehicles along my inside. He got stuck and went absolutely mental telling me i was in the wrong and should have waited and turned 500 yards down the road? I told him that if I turned 500 yards down the road I wouldn’t need this lane, he obviously thought i was getting smart with him and really didn’t understand that the turning I needed was less than a 100 yards away and he proceeded to abuse me calling me all sorts! He knew he was on camera as he stated that he hopes it recorded him calling me a C##t! Cameras don’t seem to be a deterrent towards some road users anymore.
I’ve also had drivers follow me for miles saying I cut them up as the road is merging even though I’m ahead?
I’ve been followed by a female driver who decided to overtake me with oncoming traffic and approaching a traffic island ahead she came out of her way to tell me i was in the wrong and I needed to act professional? I asked her to wait while my passengers were getting on and off my vehicle as I couldn’t here her so she waited blocking oncoming traffic for a few minutes, all to tell me that it wasn’t very clever and that i saw her indicating! I told her that it wasn’t very clever to overtake when it’s not safe to do so with oncoming vehicles and a traffic island ahead she went ballistic I told her that she was blocking traffic and she didn’t care she needed to vent her frustration out with me this was directly opposite a police station not even the police are a deterrent with some road users!
I could go on and on all day about how bad drivers are, in four years I’ve had about 15 drivers drive into my vehicle and blame me except the accidents are always their fault. I just laugh when I tell them it’s all on cctv.
Petition signed. I've been a learner four times over the past 40 years ... bike, car, bus and lorry. Even though a bus or lorry with L-plates has a full car licence holder at the wheel, they still get abused.
This was the main reason I took my first test in my own car as in my instructors car I was verbally abused heavily for not going through a box Junction…
this heirarchy of road users is grim. I never really noticed it until we traded our mercedes estate for a little ford fusion. Shocking the perception some people have of someone who chooses to drive a smaller car for commuting.
Signed petition, see this self-entitled behavior all too often when on 2 wheels. Strangely never have problems with learner drivers & often give them a thumbs up when they pass me safely.
4:50 . once again there is nothing to suggest this is because it is a driving school car - such people will behave that way towards any other vehicles , including marked emergency vehicles . They are best ignored .
Signed. I am a driver. I am a cyclist. I am a human. I am open minded and understanding enough to give other road users (all kinds) the time and space required to travel safely. And expect to be treated the same. Its just common sense right? Then WHY is it that 90% of road users I encounter are psychotic, literally. Its so prevalent that it is a MASSIVE problem. These people : The second that an otherwise normal human being gets into a motorised vehicle, they lose all their human traits drop 100 IQ and devolve back to hyper aggressive chimpanzees. It baffles me that SO MANY people become psychotic behind the wheel. Why is that?? Not when they walk, not when they cycle, not when they swim, not when they fly. But when they DRIVE.
Signed the petition! Great video
Truly shocking maneuvers there..... I always look at the fact I was once that learner in the kangarooing car.... we all have to learn I always try to give space, time and courtesy to learners as I was once shown.
I agree that driving schools are treated badly, but the experience I just had said otherwise! I watched an instructor force a learner to merger dangerously into my lane, when there was clearly a safe gap to move into with no cars behind me. I gave a quick beep to let them know I was there, however I was greeted by swearing, them refusing to move and when I eventually got past them, tailgating, flashing and more swearing. I hope it was just a one off and they were just having a bad day!
The level of driving tuition sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Some large driving schools are only interested in income. Instructors themselves are often lazy and do little extra training to improve their skills. I personally think it’s disgraceful.
@@ashley_neal Very true. I always find that independent driving instructors are always far better, having experience with both. Annoyingly, the name of the driving school was on the bonnet and very small, and couldn't make out who it was, even with the tailgating!
This is why I have a dash cam
Could been a great clip for this channel
Parliament can't even define emergency vehicles responding with flashing blue lights, this will never happen.
Even if I’m going way under the speed limit, I’ll still hang back, and not overtake learners. I hated it when I was on my lessons, and always ended up speeding, just so people wouldn’t sit up my arse (obviously my driving instructor would remind me to slow down). People will do anything to get past a learner, including overtaking on dangerous bends. I’m confident with my driving, but hate being in busy situations, as people are so unpredictable and dangerous.
Im a learner motorcyclist and I get this nearly all the time! does the petition include the motorcycle learners? I have some dodgey experiences on the road nearly every day!
After his cut through to get ahead he must have completely forgot about the giveaway to the right at the end 😂
I always try to hold back and give plenty of room when i see a learner driver, as you don't know how experienced they are and if they will make a mistake that needs you to take avoiding action. Hoolding back and giving them room allows for this and is less dangerous for all involved. Did this when I cycled, and when I was learning myself, and do so now as a qualified driver.
TRUTH! Thumbs up...
It's about time that instructors dash cam footage was uploaded for each incident to the Police. Those who can be educated will be but the minority who have no self-control (particularly those in the video) need taking off the road. Mistakes are one thing but dangerous or aggressive driving is inexcusable. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Shocking.... petition signed 👍
I think the petition for Dangerous Driving around cars displaying L-Plates is a bit misconceived. Yes there is a problem but the successful prosecution rate against "Dangerous Driving" is pretty low because the offence of "Dangerous" is too extreme for most abuse cases. If they brought in legislation of this type for "Careless or Inconsiderate" driving it would be more relevant and more like that successful prosecutions would result. Inconsiderate as a legal case would be a lot easier to prove with CCTV as many school cars have would make such a law more effective, the higher probability of one being found guilty. The Driving Test fail because of a Dangerous Fault would not equate to a prosecution for Dangerous Driving for example but I think this is where the petition organisers have kind of drawn their term.
Signed n shared. I always give Lerner drivers space and time