Upgraded Driving Skills Can Help Keep Bicyclists Safer

When a motorist first passes his driving test and obtains a driving license, it marks the beginning of a long hiatus from any testing or upgrades of his driving skills. According to a new report, it’s important for motorists to be subject to the same kind of testing upgrades over the course of their motoring life that fleet drivers are.

According to the report, based on a survey of approximately 1,500 drivers, a majority of motorists lack correct driving knowledge. For instance, most motorists underestimated the stopping distance that they need to maintain between their vehicle and another vehicle. California bicycle accident lawyers find that such lack of motorist knowledge is one of the reasons why bicyclists in California are at such risk of accidents.

According to the report, many drivers simply lose touch with safe driving practices and driving laws, once they have cleared a driving test. A general motorist driving a passenger vehicle simply is not held to the same standards as a fleet driver or a commercial motor vehicle driver. In these industries, drivers are encouraged to keep up with the latest changes in the law, and upgrade their driving knowledge. In fact, some companies require employees to take regular refresher courses. Drivers of buses and trucks may be required to undertake periodic training to build their professional competence and ability.

However, there are no such laws in place for motorists. This is even though automobile design, speed and their power continue to keep changing. Modern automobiles are not just vehicles for people to drive around in, but allow people to communicate it with others, entertain themselves, surf the Internet and perform a number of other activities. Even so, years go by without a motorist bothering to update his driving abilities or driving skills in any manner.