Changing Gears - Learning to drive

29/02/2024

Great positioning☹️

04/01/2023

I managed to find some more Pohutukawa trees in flower on my way back from my early morning beach shoot - Taranaki
Just a little bit about this image. It is a single shot image shot with a 600mm lens on a canon 5div. The lens isn't 100% compatible with the camera, so the live view doesn't work.....the only way of seeing what you are shooting is to look through the view finder. The photo was taken with the camera hand held slightly above the ground and all the settings had to be guessed as there wasn't any way of seeing through the view finder.....I couldn't even see where I had the camera pointing. After about the 6th shot, I finally got the image I was after.

06/12/2022

Three of my learners passed their restricted test today. Two of them went to a test area they had never been to before.
They've proved, that if you learn and consistently apply good Roadcraft knowledge and skills, you don't need to be shown the test route.
Congratulations to all three. Enjoy your freedom👍

24/11/2022

23/11/2022

Reflections at the Port of Greymouth, three days ago on Thursday evening.

13/10/2018

The Auckland mayor Phil Goff has expressed concern that only 6 of the 12 red light cameras in the Auckland area are working at any one time (article below) With todays technology, surely we can have red light cameras at every traffic light controlled junction? Red light running in Auckland is rife and I don't mean by drivers riders who see amber lights as the challenge to put their foot to the boards, but particularly those drivers who completely disregard red lights and can't be bothered to obey the rules. In my view, blatant red light running is DANGEROUS DRIVING and should BE prosecuted as such. Amber means prepare to stop, NOT put your foot to the boards.

The Auckland Mayor says its 'not good enough' six new red light cameras can't be enforced.

04/10/2018

The weekends Herald article in the Driven supplement by Kate Hawkesby says that the restricted test is a 'rort', as more learners are failing their restricted test (see below).https://www.driven.co.nz/news/lifestyle/opinion-driver-licence-testing-system-a-money-making-exercise/
She is correct, as the test is much harder than the test prior to 2007; which to be honest, was joke. Kate stated they had four teenagers go through the test and fail first time for 'trivial reasons. It will be interesting to know what she considers 'trivial reasons'! So many adults do not even understand some of the basics of good driving practice or the road code! And as such, they pass this poor level of driving standard on to their young learners. Many times I have been asked to conduct 1 or 2 lessons just prior to the restricted test at the request of parents / learners. Often the standard of the driving and knowledge of what is required to be a good driver and past the restricted test is woefully inadequate. If learners want to be a safe and knowledgeable driver; use the services of professional instructor. The days of 'can do' and 'she'll be right' are long gone.

COMMENT: I see the restricted driver testing system... – Driven