Londoners 'Worst at Driving Tests'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8621668.stm

People in London and south-east England take more attempts to pass driving tests than candidates in any other UK region, a survey has suggested.

The AA/Populus survey of 20,109 AA members found people from the area took an average of 2.1 attempts to pass - compared with a UK average of two.

Surely this has to be due to the sheer nature of driving in the south-east? It very busy and all built up. When I did my test it was very busy, even small side roads had cars often enough to make perform parallel parking and reversing around a corner more difficult.

[Peter_]

Probably because you all drive like minicab drivers as well.

Originally Posted by Moldova

Probably because you all drive like minicab drivers as well.

We're busy people!

Not sure what it's like up north but I presume it's:

• Get up when the cockerel sounds
• Chat with Milkman
• Yonder up t' ol Mill
• Go t' Post Office
• Chat to local bobby
• Go downt pub
• Home?

You don't even need a car!

[Peter_]

No mills in Liverpool, thats Manchester way.

Oh come on have any of you seen the traffic in London let alone driven through it?The signposting is the worst ever..you only ever see a sign at the junction you need when it's too late and you've driven right past it by then..

I'm never ever driving in London again.

I also wouldn't drive in Paris or Rome..they are even crazier there.

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Oh come on have any of you seen the traffic in London let alone driven through it?The signposting is the worst ever..you only ever see a sign at the junction you need when it's too late and you've driven right past it by then..

I'm never ever driving in London again.

I also wouldn't drive in Paris or Rome..they are even crazier there.

Exactly! Think that's it like for us to do our tests in London/Outer London. You have to be in the state of mind that every other driver in your enemy and about to do something stupid, especially if I am that other driver.

[joglynne]

So all Londoner's take their tests in Central London rather than the outskirts. No wonder they find it harder to pass the test than us sensible folk up north who normally take our tests in the suburbs where it's a bit less congested.

Originally Posted by joglynne

So all Londoner's take their tests in Central London rather than the outskirts. No wonder they find it harder to pass the test than us sensible folk up north who normally take our tests in the suburbs where it's a bit less congested.

While the South East, anywhere inside the m25 is pretty bad.

[Spectato]

2.1 against an average of.... 2!!
That's shocking!
Stop the press!!
Break out the emergency exclamation marks, we're running low!!!

London also has some really crazy road junctions,roundabouts and one way systems and so much paint work on the roads to cover the Forth Bridge.

When I think back to when I was kid living in Woolwich I can't remember seeing much traffic at all.My sister passed her driving test in London in the 60s and she won't drive in London now.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Spectato

2.1 against an average of.... 2!!
That's shocking!
Stop the press!!
Break out the emergency exclamation marks, we're running low!!!

Indeed, it represents a difference of five per cent. Not bad considering the driving conditions in London, compared with everywhere else. It could also mean that London has more critical driving examiners.

[Jules]

After travelling in London I am amazed that anyone gets above 10 mph, and as for doing manoeuvres, Forget it!

[Hom3r]

I supprised by that as my mum and dad said that drivers in Paris drive with their shut as it's madness on the roads.

Plus they insult your driving by said that "You drive like a 59'er" (59 is a number on the plate that was designated to drivers in paris)

Plus when they park on flat ground they don't put on handbrakes so other drivers can squeeze in gaps in parallel parking bays.

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Plus they insult your driving by said that "You drive like a 59'er" (59 is a number on the plate that was designated to drivers in paris)
.

I believe 75 is the Paris Number...

[superbiatch]

Driving in London is a walk in the park once you've driven in Amsterdam, trying to avoid cyclists and trams