weepej wrote:
I actually got a couple of marks on my driving test for changing gear whilst going round a corner, the examiner said he'd like to be able to fail people on it but wasn't able to.
I'm not suggesting people shouldn't change gear when driving, it's a necessary part of it for those with manual cars, but is is a distraction and should be done as quickly as possible as to free that hand up, and only when you're not manoeuvring the vehicle.
Yes, I remember this from my test too Weepej; about not changing on a bend. I can see the thinking behind it but, just my theory, it may well have been before PAS became commonplace and steering became easy. (I think it's standard on kids cars from Toys R Us now).
One can easily forget what cars are like without PAS. I confess I had before I bought my latest car; a 22 year-old Micra. If you had to steer with one hand while going around a bend in mine it would be quite difficult; and without PAS the steering tends to move back to a more central position of course which resists what you want it to do. I remember my ex girlfriend’s Volvo 343 from yonks ago and when I drove it I swear I stopped and got out to check one or both of the front tyres weren’t flat!
weepej wrote:
Smoking, playing with the radio, using a phone, doing make up whilst driving are unnecessary distractions.
I completely agree with you. The emphasis on “unnecessary” as you, and me, both say.