New driver stalls THIRTEEN times trying to negotiate busy roundabout in painful dashcam footage
A new driver stalled THIRTEEN times while trying to negotiate a busy roundabout in painful new dashcam footage.
The newly-qualified motorist 's mortifying baby steps were captured on the on board camera of a driver sitting behind her in his car.
Council worker James Johnston, 27, was travelling home from work on Tuesday when he came to a sudden halt behind the young female driver.
The footage shows how after coming to a standstill at traffic lights, she immediately stalled when they turned green and she attempted to set off.
Mercury PressNew driver stalls THIRTEEN times while trying to get around a roundaboutA recently qualified driver stalled 13 times while trying to negotiate a roundabout
James from Bathgate, in Scotland, waited patiently behind the driver - who has a green ‘P’ plate clearly displayed in the rear of her Citroen C1.
She put her hazard lights on and incredibly stalled yet another 12 times in less than TWO MINUTES – forcing other vehicles to overtake as the lights changed THREE times.
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James eventually resorted to abandoning his own car to offer a word of advice, which appeared to give her the confidence to drive off.
Mercury PressNew driver stalls THIRTEEN times while trying to get around a roundaboutThe unknown driver correctly put her hazard lights on as she struggled
Dad-of-two James said: “I felt really sorry for her. I approached the Deer Park roundabout and came up behind her.
"Because she had the P plate displayed I could see she was a new driver.
“I waited behind her but I could see she couldn’t find the balance between the clutch and the gas.
"Every time she tried to set off she stalled. It seemed as though she was stressed.
Mercury PressvNew driver stalls THIRTEEN times while trying to get around a roundaboutEventually James Johnston got out of his car to see if he could help
“Eventually I decided to just get out and speak to her. She was really embarrassed.
"I just told her to take her time, take a deep breath and try and feel her biting point before giving it plenty of gas. She seemed to get her confidence back after that.
“I’d say she was only around 18 or 19 and she had clearly only recently passed her test. She had a pal in the car with her.
Mercury PressNew driver stalls THIRTEEN times while trying to get around a roundaboutApparently inspired by James' words the driver managed to pull away - after stalling 13 times
“I could have driven round her and left her there but she would have been there all day.”
After using a dashboard camera for two years, Paul believes new drivers should be forced to display the ‘P’ plates for a minimum of six months after passing their driving test.
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Paul added: “I think the P plates should be mandatory for six months after passing.
"In this case people were able to see that she was a new driver. If the car is new to her she is probably still getting used to it.
"I’m sure she will be fine in future.”
