500 too dangerous for novice drivers in Italy

[KevinB]

Il paradosso dei neopatentati vietate le Cinquecento, s

Reported in La Repubblica today:

In Italy from it could be illegal for novice drivers who pass their test after 1 July to immediately drive a new 500, an Aygo, 107, Matiz, MINI, Smart car etc, etc.but perfectly acceptable for them to be let loose on the road in a big Nissan Patrol, Land Rover Discovery Hummer2, Lambo Murcielago etc.

It's intended to keep new drivers out of more powerful cars, which sounds sensible.
Unfortunately they are measuring 'power' as the power:weight ratio of the car <limit 50kw per 100 kg>
so small cars like the 500 would be 'forbidden' to new drivers in Italy


Maybe common sense will prevail before 1st July and the Italian powers-that-be will change the rules,but
It's nice to know its not the UK which come up with daft laws without thinking them through!

[Paul]

Good spot, you're famous (again)... Fiat 500 not suitable for new Italian drivers. Land Rovers OK…

[KevinB]

Crikey I'm good

Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads the rubbish I post, but
I see this thread has already had 40-odd views. Fame indeed.

[tonywalk]

Originally Posted by KevinB

Crikey I'm good

Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads the rubbish I post, but
I see this thread has already had 40-odd views. Fame indeed.

You'll have to buy two 500s to fit your head in now

[Simon Bell]

I think there is a certain amount of logic in basing it on power to weight as it is that ratio which will ultimately determine how fast a car is.

For example many lightweight sportscars like Caterham, Lotus etc are relatively low powered, but due to their lightweight they are bloody fast.

The new Caterham 500 has 263bhp and weighs half a ton, the Bugatti Veyron has 1000bhp but weighs closer to 2 tonnes. Power to weight is almost exactly the same. Acceleration will be similar. The Bugatti will ultimately march on to a higher top speed but that is more to do with its better aerodynamics.

I don't think it can be based on power alone, in terms of finding a way to base it on the cars performance power to weight figures are probably the best method.

[Paul]

You're making the assumption that faster = more dangerous. Stopping distance, and pedestrian impact (as well as vehicle occupant safety) have at least as much to do with overall safety of driver and pedestrians as a car's theoretical top speed. A 500 may have a higher bhp/tonne than a hummer, but I imagine it takes less distance and time to stop a 500 from 30 than it would a Hummer, and I know which I'd rather be hit by (well, neither ideall, but you get the idea).

[Simon Bell]

I don't equate speed with being more dangerous. I am into performance cars and like to drive fast.........accidents are caused by stupidity, inexperience, negligence etc......but speed will be a big factor in the severity of the accident even though it may not have been the cause.......this is an important point which our government won't grasp. It is perfectly possible to drive safely at speed.......you simply need to know your limits, the cars limits, be aware of the conditions, and above all be extremely observant of the road ahead

The issue shouldn't really be in towns though as everything should be travelling at 30mph. I take your point a small car will stop quicker and likely do less damage but there are other factors at work here like design of the car.......from memory the ncap rating on the 500 for pedestrian safety wasn't too hot either.

I think I'm correct in saying that this legislation (certainly in the UK) will be aimed at reducing accidents involving young drivers. the majority of these accidents are at night on rural roads.......remembering back to my early driving days I can understand this as you were typically hammering down a country road seeing how fast you could go........in that instance it makes sense for you to be in a less powerful car.In our day it was usually a 1 litre family hatch as that was all we could afford to buy or insure.......so probably did 90mph tops and took a long straight to get anywhere near that.

If the driving test actually taught people car control then this may not be necessary, however, it doesn't so people learn to drive around the town and are then sent out onto the roads including motorways with no idea about high speed car control.

In Northern Ireland, all drivers are restricted to 45mph for 12 months after passing their test. They need to display 'R' plates to identify them and if caught over that limit the penalties are pretty tough......so they now get a years driving experience before being allowed to really put their foot down so to speak.......

My personal opinion is that people should be taught to drive properly with a huge emphasis on car control, ie what to do when the car gets out of control..........or perhaps more usefully giving people an understanding of how the car feels when approaching its limits. We live in the playstation generation and I think some people assume they are invincible in a car which as we all know is not true.

[Paul]

It's a tough call, I do feel something has to be done, certainly in our country, to stop such a large percentage of young drivers (and a large number of those male) having accidents. It has an affect on everyone on the roads, but it's hard to classify on the 'kind of car' you can own.

I think driver education, training, and maybe even continuous evaluation are the key factors to safer streets.

[Miss Bentley]

If the driving test actually taught people car control then this may not be necessary, however, it doesn't so people learn to drive around the town and are then sent out onto the roads including motorways with no idea about high speed car control.

I fully agree - both my daughters did the Pass Plus scheme, both have National Kart licences and are competant karters in the wet and dry. My eldest has completed a full day rally course at Silverstone and done a skid pan course. Both of them have been in a skid situation (conditions rather than ignorance) and both have the skill and knowledge to correct it.

They are both experienced and good drivers - yet they are still penalised by high insurance.

Isn't it time we rewarded youngsters for enhancing their driving skills. Don't just teach them to pass their test and then let them loose, encourage them to do more!