Grumbles from the Gearbox
Horses hate start stop engines!!
Horses don't like the stop-start on the new car engines.
Horses and the start stop
Did you know that horses really dislike the start stop facility on modern cars?
When we drive down a country lane and see a horse with rider coming towards us, if we are in any way decent we will slow right down and if the road is narrow enough we will stop to let the rider and horse pass safely. Well according to one of my pupils, now an ex-pupil since passing the test, who is a rider and the owner of 2 ponies this is a scary moment for many horses.
Imagine the scene:
They, the rider and the horse, both approaching from the narrow road ahead appreciate us slowing down gently, being so careful and considerate towards them. The problem is with the newer cars and the engine switching off when idling, – it all goes silent in the country lane and all you can hear is the sound of the horse’s hooves clip clopping along past the car with a blackbird singing away in the trees with the sun streaming down in shimmering rays between the branches all around us as the warm, gentle breeze ruffles the leaves in the hedgerows. A beautiful country scene and all is well with the world as the thoughtful driver even reduces the sound of the music playing on the car’s infotainment system so as not to upset the horse and spooking it putting rider and horse in danger as they go steadily by.
Driver, rider and pony all at one with nature and the world for a moment of idyllic peace and tranquillity. Then.........
Brrrmmmm....right behind the horse’s tail as the driver’s foot goes down again on the gas pedal and the engine bursts back into life.
Now if the driver is gentle and the engine nice and small, say 1000cc it may not be too bad except that the horse has better hearing than us. But imagine the effect of maybe a 2.0 litre diesel engine bursting back into life just behind the lovely calm pony we just fell in love with and pleasant rider who gave us a grateful smile and wave for our consideration. All the good work and best intentions have been ruined in a flash of ignition and the rider may be hanging on for dear life trying to calm an animal that we have unintentionally scared the wits out of.
So, next time you meet a rider and a pony in a country lane, when you stop to let them pass you safely – as I know you would – please just give them another second or two to get safely clear.
Cheers and thanks for taking the time to read..
The DVsA response to recent media criticism about the current test waiting times is to throw in the kitchen sink - but, is this the right solution?
Are the DvSA morally bankrupt?
Why bother, the job is not what it used to be?
Where on earth does the dvsa thinking come from, we know where it belongs?
The AADI is offering to help the dvsa with its poor public image to help clear up some confusing issues on the driving test for driving instructors and learners in the UK and make their lives easier.
AADI advising the dvsa, and they are at last listening.
Did the dvsa go too far opening new theory centres when tests are not available?
We are all Ambassadors for our chosen profession
Dear dvsa,
DVSA thanks for all the recent emails,... keeping us ADIs up to date. I should like to discuss with you a few of the points that you have raised.
"It is all our fault (the ADI) that the booking system is in chaos and our fault that candidates are not turning up for the test".
how the dvsa fails its customers on a daily basis
