Daaave wrote:I was driving tractors by the time I was 11. I had been riding along with my Dad and as soon as I was big enough to press the pedals that was it, we didn't have much choice as extra hands on the farm were always useful.
In that circumstance I was missing a lot of the hazards you will find on the road, but this was probably balanced to an extent by the other hazards that were specific to the farm and the fact that the tractor was a massive lumbering beast with lots of power. The responsibility of this massive machine was constantly impressed on me by my parents.
I also drove pick up trucks and cars around and the day I was allowed out on the road I couldn't wait. My Dad made sure that my enthusiasm didn't get the better of me and I only needed about 5 lessons before I was ready for the test. I did fail first time around though for bad habits, but I was glad of all the experience I'd had on the farm.
jcochrane wrote:Daaave wrote:I was driving tractors by the time I was 11. I had been riding along with my Dad and as soon as I was big enough to press the pedals that was it, we didn't have much choice as extra hands on the farm were always useful.
In that circumstance I was missing a lot of the hazards you will find on the road, but this was probably balanced to an extent by the other hazards that were specific to the farm and the fact that the tractor was a massive lumbering beast with lots of power. The responsibility of this massive machine was constantly impressed on me by my parents.
I also drove pick up trucks and cars around and the day I was allowed out on the road I couldn't wait. My Dad made sure that my enthusiasm didn't get the better of me and I only needed about 5 lessons before I was ready for the test. I did fail first time around though for bad habits, but I was glad of all the experience I'd had on the farm.
My experience was similar. Even before I was 4 I was allowed to cycle wherever I wanted unsupervised. I also had the advantage of riding motor bikes and tractors off road and if I'm honest on the lanes just as soon as I could reach the controls. Prior to that, as a toddler, I would sit on the farmers lap and steer the tractor. Later to shift gear on command as the clutch was depressed for me. As soon as I was old enough for a car licence my father bought me driving lessons as a present. After the first of these the instructor informed my father that further lessons were a waste of money and that I should put in for the test immediately. Which I did and passed first time and the test was even shortened.
Do I think you can start to learn too early? Definitely not . The earlier the better is my experience.
44 Tonnes wrote:I absolutely consider it was my early learning of car control, then getting used to on road driving at the heady maximum speed of 18 mph! that has led to this.
Jonathan
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