'What's wrong with K53?': News24: MyNews24: Letters

Anon1 9/10/2009 2:14:51 PM

The problem is that most of the accidents do not happen at a stop street or while doing parking where K53 focusses a lot, to many silly things to do that actually do not prevent accidents. They must place more emphasis on driving skills and not just safety checks. How about passing a more advanced driving test where they teach you how to avoid an accident, i.e. how to brake properly in an emergency situation, how to swerve out of harm's way, etc. Not just that you need to pull up the handbrake at every single flippen stop you make!!

Agree 9/10/2009 2:22:02 PM

I totally agree!

Ot 9/10/2009 2:25:32 PM

Werner, each time you come to a stop in your car, do you put the handbrake up?

Commander A 9/10/2009 2:26:40 PM

The K53 system is the most idiotic system ever invented. How can you justify having to pay more attention around and behind your car then what's happening right in front of you? And checking the left blindspot when you're in the furthest left lane? Ridiculous.
There should rather be a system that teach people to drive practically and defensively. If your K53 system is as good as you claim, I think it would reflect on our roads.... but it doesn't.

CI 9/10/2009 2:39:19 PM

The K53 has its pro's, but maybe drivers should be taught to stop at stop street's robots and just generally obey the basic rules of the road. Only then will you notice a reduction in fatal accidents. SA drivers have NO regard for the rules of the road. Its got nothing to do with the K53 test!

James 9/10/2009 2:53:47 PM

Stating that you learn all you need to be on the road is a very naive statement.

If you have to drive like that on the road I will gaurentee that an accident will occur. Plus you will get everyone else on the road very frustrated with your painstaking procedures.

What Anon1 has said is pure logic, going for a more advanced driving class will be far more beneficial, also there are two parts to driving, the K53 way teaches you defensive techniques but nothing instinctive, advanced driving courses assists in avoiding accidents rather then preventing one.

Wim 9/10/2009 2:54:19 PM

I agree...nothing wrong with the test.That is if you really did it!!

Sarah 9/10/2009 3:17:31 PM

I think they should attach grenade launchers to robot cameras and at stop streets with a sensor - if you don't stop, you get a small rocket up your a$$. Pardon me for being a bit excessive, but I don't think the K53 is the problem. I think the problem is 75% of the population drive like thugs and there is very little recourse for their actions. Try having metro police drive up and down the highways giving moving violation tickets - that might be a start to pulling people in the right direction!

Ace 9/10/2009 3:17:42 PM

The biggest problem these days is to many people are buying their licences.....

ethne 9/10/2009 3:18:04 PM

k53 whatever. good drivers adhere to road rules. keeping within speed limits, using indicators to warn others of your intentions, being considerate of others which includes respecting their right to safe travel on our roads. aggresive speedsters who duck and dive between cars and lanes sound systems loud enough to wake the dead, jumping robots and stop streets - they show their stupidity and arrogance. not the k53 or any other test will change them. they are the killers on the road and should simply have their licences cancelled, forever!! then maybe our roads will become safer. attitude and respect are the criteria for a good driver and not test teaches you these qualities. ethne

Lusani 9/10/2009 3:18:42 PM

I have to agree with Werner, Ther's nothing wrong with K53.You are saying that people should pass a more advanced driving test, but then my problem with that is, how do you teach all those things to someone who is still unconfortable behind the wheel. U must remeber that most people who get tested under K53 are new drivers.Don't you think that advanced driving lessons should be for people who are comfortable and actually can drive without the vehicle going off at a steep hill or robbot?How do you teach someone difficult things when they can't even park their vehicle striaght as a parking lot?

Kabelo 9/10/2009 3:23:13 PM

The only people who have issues against it are those who bought their way through the test.

jd 9/10/2009 3:24:08 PM

the saftey aspect of K53 is all and well, but putting the car in neutral, free wheeling and only use the brakes to stop is stupid to say the least, and then pull up handbrake, put down handbrake over & over again ...who thought this out. nobody, but nobody drives like this. i'm sure no inspector does it. also, i know of so many kids failing the test because of their parking. how many seasoned drivers can park??? once you have your licence one can learn to park. another joke is, you fail your motorbike licnece on say a 1300cc, but drive away, and on your way from ct to jhb. replace the mb l/licence with a d/licence.

jd 9/10/2009 3:24:23 PM

the saftey aspect of K53 is all and well, but putting the car in neutral, free wheeling and only use the brakes to stop is stupid to say the least, and then pull up handbrake, put down handbrake over & over again ...who thought this out. nobody, but nobody drives like this. i'm sure no inspector does it. also, i know of so many kids failing the test because of their parking. how many seasoned drivers can park??? once you have your licence one can learn to park. another joke is, you fail your motorbike licnece on say a 1300cc, but drive away, and on your way from ct to jhb. replace the mb l/licence with a d/licence.

Kabelo 9/10/2009 3:24:54 PM

I agree. The only people who don't see the need for K53 are those who bought their way through the test!!! Nuff said.

k_m 9/10/2009 3:25:08 PM

It can be K53 or Z53 but the damn moron of taxi drivers have not got their drivers licences. You have to keep a looking out for them to avoid an accident. Waiting for the BRT...

Dave 9/10/2009 3:39:41 PM

The problem isn't the K53. It's the insane waiting period you have to endure to attempt the next driver's exam, should you fail. If you didn't have to wait so long, failing the insanely difficult k53 wouldn't be so bad, be cause you could have another crack at it without waiting another 4 or 5 months.

KOBUS 9/10/2009 3:40:00 PM

What should be included in the driving test is testing at speed on the highway. I think the traffic cops who have to observe the test might be a little scared to do it, though - couldn't blame them!
Also, they need to include some accident-avoidance in the tests. Some elements of the "advanced driving courses" that private facilities provide.
Oh, and could they please just change the STUPID way of formulating the rules about a traffic circle. Simply say: "The cars that are already in the circle do not have to yield to anyone waiting to enter the circle. Cars waiting to enter the circle have to yield to those already in the circle." I find that people are confused by the "yield to cars coming from the right" thing. They think this means you have to wait until the guys entering the circle in the street to your right have entered the circle before you can do so. It's a CIRCLE, ffs! If you did that, nobody would ever enter a busy circle, because everyone would be busy yielding. The actual way of doing it is so simple, but it seems that nobody understands it because of the stupid way it's described in the textbook for the learners' exam.
OK, enough ranting!

SimonP 9/10/2009 3:41:09 PM

Now that JZ has introduced his monitoring Ministers have to look like they are doing something. The fact that they dont have the ability to do so means they will change a perfectly good system at great expense as they cant think of anything else to do to prove their worth.

Mcfly 9/10/2009 3:41:15 PM

@Anon1, I think you will be very suprised by how many accidents actually do occur in the areas you mentioned though most do not result in injury. That said K53 does not place any more emphasis on these areas than on actual driving. What it was developed for was to instill situational awareness in drivers as well as offering a standard method of testing competency. No system of training will prevent one from breaking the law and that is ultimately where the issue is on our roads.

Bonny 9/10/2009 3:48:39 PM

I assume that this new test will teach people how to read as well ie. STOP means stop. Also classes for colour blind people (I am not talking about liberals here :-) ie. RED also means stop.
Other than that, any further improvement in driving will be gratefully accepted.

Joe 9/10/2009 3:49:15 PM

Well said Werner. You should be a driving instructor. That's excellent.

Stuart 9/10/2009 3:58:08 PM

K53 is not a good way to drive! The driving test should be based on weather you are a good driver or not but that leaves it open to interpretation therefore the only option is to have a rules based test i.e. K53 test.

Bonny 9/10/2009 4:01:47 PM

I assume that this new test will teach people how to read as well ie. STOP means stop. Also classes for colour blind people (I am not talking about liberals here :-) ie. RED also means stop.
Other than that, any further improvement in driving will be gratefully accepted.

Jacques 9/10/2009 4:12:28 PM

There's nothing wrong or right with K53, its the mindset of motorists.
Why is it so impossible to just remember: "keep left, pass right"

Gore 9/10/2009 4:12:56 PM

Fine lets have K53 as first step - how to control a vehicle?
Thereafter, let’s design a more advanced course that teaches how to drive - at night, defensively, avoiding taxis etc. Make 2nd one compulsory after 1 year of obtaining a K53 licence.

Jacques 9/10/2009 4:13:23 PM

There's nothing wrong or right with K53, its the mindset of motorists.
Why is it so impossible to just remember: "keep left, pass right"

Jann 9/10/2009 4:21:19 PM

@Sarah - Totally agree with you. I've come to the conclusion that indicators and brakes are optional extras in vehicles these days - you don't have to buy them if you have no intention of using them. Drivers in EC are diabolical. They are totally undisciplined so it wouldn't matter what system you implemented they would still drive like idiots.

Jann 9/10/2009 4:21:30 PM

@Sarah - Totally agree with you. I've come to the conclusion that indicators and brakes are optional extras in vehicles these days - you don't have to buy them if you have no intention of using them. Drivers in EC are diabolical. They are totally undisciplined so it wouldn't matter what system you implemented they would still drive like idiots.

Nicked 9/10/2009 4:57:45 PM

I think K53 is a load of S*#t.
I learned to drive one way for my license and another way for every other day. Only thing a make a point of doing that came from K53 is to check my blindspot when changing lanes. The push-pull method of steering and the 'car-in-neutral-handbrake-up-then-do-your-observations' every time I stopped would surely subject me to a lot of road rage from other drivers if I had to adhere to it every time. K53 is silly and impractical.

JackP 9/10/2009 7:30:38 PM

True, very true. There is nothing wrong with the K53 system, the problem is that no one adheres to the rules of the roads. Another big big problem in SA is drunk driver's, they cause most of the accidents. Typical ANC, try change something that is working, Idiots!!

Pat 9/10/2009 9:09:09 PM

Law enforcement, plus the correct application of a revised K53 test, plus comprehensive training and testing for all sectors of the Transport industry are what are needed to reduce the road deaths rapidly. Places to practise and train new drivers in every town are also needed.Provide adequate examining officers, testing centres and test appointments and we would be in 7th heaven! No more excuses for driving illegally. Cut fly-by-night instructors out and make some lessons compulsory.

classof2006 9/11/2009 7:49:41 AM

THE PROBLEM, to many Currently Advantaged people are driving, they sit up right, against the steering wheel, drive nervously,never no where they are going, stop any where , drive in the fast lane, slowly, IN MY NEW KAR LOOK AT ME

anne 9/11/2009 7:56:30 AM

I don't the driving test is the problem. I see too many learners out on the road in brandnew cars going 50km/h in a 100km/h zone. learner drivers are not supposed to dive on their own, and definitely not on a highway. the other problem is that truckdrivers are not trained properly. I see them on the N1 between JHB and PTA everyday. I think one should look at who causes the most accidents, and give the drivers in that segment advanced driving courses. you will find the culprits are probably taxidrivers, truckdrivers and novice drivers under the age of 25

Jd 9/11/2009 8:07:26 AM

I did an advanced driving course with Mercedes a while back and do think the K53 is completely of the ball. The advanced driving focuses on how to not get into accidents and then if you do end up in a situation how to get out of it. It teaches you how to correct over and under steer, say for instance you are coming round a bend and you hit a patch of oil. It shows you how to handle a car if you brake and aquaplane.

Jd 9/11/2009 8:10:07 AM

I did an advanced driving course with Mercedes a while back and do think the K53 is completely of the ball. The advanced driving focuses on how to not get into accidents and then if you do end up in a situation how to get out of it. It teaches you how to correct over and under steer, say for instance you are coming round a bend and you hit a patch of oil. It shows you how to handle a car if you brake and aquaplane.

martin 9/11/2009 8:32:13 AM

Werner, tell me one thing, do you drive like nearly every other motorbike driver, ctting through traffic between cars?

GeorGe 9/11/2009 8:47:55 AM

To K53 or not to K53 - there is a problem as the majority of road users steer the vehicle and have not got the foggiest idea of how to drive a vehicle - there-in lies the difference. Question: why do the majority of mini bus taxi drivers drive with their parking lights on after dark - have they been taught that this saves the battery?

Ace 9/11/2009 8:59:22 AM

If we realy think about it... how many accidents are caused by people that are either drunk/dont have a legal licence...there should be a way to stop them...its not about the K53 at all

GeorGe 9/11/2009 9:01:58 AM

To K53 or not to K53 - there is a problem as the majority of road users steer the vehicle and have not got the foggiest idea of how to drive a vehicle - there-in lies the difference. Question: why do the majority of mini bus taxi drivers drive with their parking lights on after dark - have they been taught that this saves the battery?

Beaver 9/11/2009 9:12:33 AM

The company that I work for organised an advanced driving course for all staff members earlier this year. They were worried about the number of accidents on company vehicles. As I got into that car the first thing the instructor told me was, "leave all you K53/driving school mannerism outside and let me teach you how to drive a car". By the end of the course the blind spot is the only thing (other than how to park) that I had retained from K53.

Beaver 9/11/2009 9:14:49 AM

The company that I work for organised an advanced driving course for all staff members earlier this year. They were worried about the number of accidents on company vehicles. As I got into that car the first thing the instructor told me was, "leave all you K53/driving school mannerism outside and let me teach you how to drive a car". By the end of the course the blind spot is the only thing (other than how to park) that I had retained from K53.

M 9/11/2009 10:04:17 AM

We can debate about this as much as we want, but the Taxi's and criminals(including those that buy their licence) in SA gets away with everything.....

Lusani 9/11/2009 10:29:40 AM

@Gore...agree with you completely

Kim 9/11/2009 10:45:12 AM

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the K53. The problem lies in the integrity of the instructors and his/her colleagues. Both my sons and my daughter passed their licenses after refusing to pay a bribe. The K53 is useful and not as easy as certain individuals make it out to be. The K53 only works for those who actually earn their licenses and remains a problem for those who don't.

eugene 9/11/2009 8:40:43 PM

There is nothing wrong with he K53 however, like some of the readers did point out, there has to be some focus on defensive driving. I think they should make the test harder, at the same time make it more difficult to get a fake license. As a extra they should also do a IQ test on individuals and if you fall below a certain score, you dont get a license, but thats just me.

eugene 9/11/2009 8:49:29 PM

PS: if you drive your bike like most bike drivers do, and "snake" your way through the traffic, its your problem if you crash. I think bike like that new bumper sticker states, but I think its more important for the bike to think car. If I do see a bike making its way through bumper to bumper traffic I always try to make some space for the bike, but bloody hell, I don’t keep checking my mirrors in traffic. So bike, think car its for your own good.

Anon1 9/14/2009 12:03:26 PM

@Mcfly - I actually will be surprised, I worked in the SAPS for 5 years, not once was there an accident in those areas that K53 focusses a lot on. When I was in school (a learner driver) our school taught advanced driving courses. Advanced driving course does not always mean at high speed. It focusses on real life incidents on the road and teaches you how to react in order to avoid it. Most accidents are caused by "stupid" drivers on the road and not in parking bays and definately not because you did not pull up your handbrake at each stop. Yes K53 has some good, i.e. blind spot checking, but more emphasis should be placed on "can this person actually drive"!