Licence losers kick up stink
A driver who turned up to sit their licence with not enough fuel in the car turned violent towards the examiner, while a dad was so angry his daughter failed he shoved the tester.
The incidents are among the physical and verbal threats directed at those taking the tests and are a prime example of what one motoring expert says is one of Kiwis’ biggest faults behind the wheel – a reluctance to take criticism.
Between May 2015 and October 2017 there were ten complaints of physical or verbal threats made to licence examiners during restricted and full driving tests.
In one case a churlish Wellingtonbased learner driver who realised they had failed immediately kicked the tester out of their car miles from home base.
Clive Mathew-Wilson, editor of the car review website dogandlemon.com, said Kiwis tended to not take criticism of their driving very well.
‘‘Many New Zealand drivers have a greatly inflated view of their own ability.
‘‘Because they assume that the problems on the roads are caused by everyone else.
‘‘They’re also often hypocrites, who toot angrily at double parked drivers then double park themselves,’’ Mathew-Wilson said.
He also believes that the level of aggression when driving differs around the country.
‘‘The worst drivers seem to be in Auckland and above.
‘‘They combine appalling incompetence with impatience and aggression. It’s a miracle that there aren’t 100 deaths a day in Auckland. In fact, the only reason there aren’t... is because the traffic is usually moving too slowly to have a serious collision.’’
Mathew-Wilson wants people to get over the idea that the road is just for them.
‘‘More and more, we’re going to have to share our roads. That means reducing our expectations, planning our trips better, and also looking for alternatives to driving.
‘‘That’s the harsh reality of commuting in the 21st century.’’
Kiwi drivers can get behind the wheel of a vehicle from the age of 16 when they apply for their learner licence which is a theory test.
This is an age that Mathew-Wilson thinks is far too young.
‘‘Multiple studies have shown that teenage brain development lags behind physical maturity.
‘‘That’s why teenagers have so many accidents. The adult brain doesn’t start developing properly till about 19 in females and 21 in men. Yet we let much younger drivers behind the wheel of a lethal machine – it’s madness.’’
VTNZ driving testing officer Layne Saywell has been taking learner drivers for their practical test for seven years and said the common thread was nerves.
‘‘I tend to think of a driving test like a blind date, you just never know what you’re going to get.
‘‘We are getting into cars with strangers all day; we have no idea how many hours they’ve spent on the road, whether they can drive, park or even make it out of the car park.’’
While it is the highlight of Saywell’s day to congratulate a driver on passing their test, telling someone they failed isn’t always the easiest job.
‘‘You do get the odd customer who doesn’t take things well; they might swear, be abusive, throw things or damage property.
‘‘These customers can be the most challenging. Whilst they aren’t upset at you, they are upset at the outcome and we just try to remember to not take it personally,’’ Saywell said.