DVLA urges motorists to update logbook
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has completed automatic roll out of the red vehicle registration certificate and is urging anyone who still has an old style blue V5C to replace it free of charge.
The new certificate was introduced following the theft of a number of defective blank certificates in 2006 after they had been rejected by DVLA and returned to the supplier. The aim was to reduce the risks to motorists of buying a stolen or cloned vehicle.
DVLA recommended that any buyer offered a second hand vehicle with a blue V5C gets the seller to replace the document with a red one from DVLA before they part with any money for the vehicle and that buyers ask to see proof of ownership of a vehicle - such as a bill of sale - and check the vehicle’s service records and a MOT certificate to assure themselves that the sale is legal.
DVLA completed the automatic roll out in 2012. The new style red document was automatically issued when:
- a vehicle was registered for the first time
- an application was made for changes to an existing registration, such as a change of keeper or address
- a vehicle was taxed or declared off the road
Replacements can be ordered by sending the original blue V5C with a covering letter to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Or by telephoning 0300 790 6802, you will need to have the registration number, make and model of the vehicle and the document reference number of the blue V5C (this is the 11 digit number on the front of the V5C). You must be the registered keeper and there must be no changes needed to the V5 and existing V5Cs will remain valid until they are replaced.
DIA criticises BBC learner coverage
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
The Driving Instructors Association has criticised the BBC over its recent media coverage about learning to drive both online and in its BBC3 series Barely Legal Drivers.
In a recent online article, Learning to drive: 7 ways to keep costs down, the BBC noted that to keep costs down, pupils should be able to learn to drive in half as many hours as the government and driver education experts advise, and take their theory and practical tests in isolation. These suggestions are at odds with the official guidance on driver education and are particularly worrying in a context of the still too high road death and injury statistics, particularly amongst novice drivers.
While the DIA understands the concerns of parents and pupils over the cost of learning to drive, the Association’s chief driving examiner Mike Frisby said learners should not be focusing on passing the test in the least amount of hours, for the least cost – as they risk incurring a bigger cost post test, in terms of their own safety, road accident and repair, and rising insurance costs.
“It is not simply about passing your test and reaching that initial level of driving competence, learners should invest correctly when learning to drive and then continue to improve their driving ability throughout your life, so they become and remain a safe and responsible driver for life,” said Frisby.
He added: “Every year we see the UK falling behind its peers when it comes to road safety and driver education and the importance of road death and injury reduction cannot be underestimated and undervalued. The media needs to support road safety by promoting more responsible attitudes to learning to drive and a better understanding of what makes a safer driver.”
‘”Pupils and parents need to focus more on investing in the best programme of learning to make that individual a competent independent driver once they get their licence, as well as how important it is to develop their driving post test, and not just getting past the test by the shortest and cheapest route.,” commented Frisby.
He noted that, according to statistics, most young drivers have a road traffic collision within 6 months of passing, which could be the legacy of too cheap, too soon, and not enough training both pre and post-test.
Frisby continued: “When we see media coverage which perpetuates the idea that learning to drive carries unnecessary costs (time and money wise) and how to short cut that, we have to question the responsibility of such articles – as they are designed to guide the consumer, and unfortunately do so – in the wrong direction.”
The DIA has also criticised the BBC for the same lack of responsibility in giving the right messages and advice to young drivers and their parents in its ongoing Barely Legal Drivers series.
The association claimed that the programme focuses more on the sensational entertainment value of watching young drivers behave and drive irresponsibly, than it does on tackling the issues these drivers (and viewers) have.
In addition, the programme, on average, spends three-quarters of each episode focusing on showing all the bad driving habits with no real informative or constructive commentary from the assembled experts to guide the viewer on how to correct and develop these issues to become a better driver.
He noted that exploring learner needs was always important, and that the media is a valuable platform for disseminating crucial information and advice on this subject .
Frisby commented: “Lots of ‘oooh that was close’ does not make a better driver. As the BBC ‘s oft quoted goal for programme making is ‘educate, inform, entertain’, unfortunately, it seems that BBC3 has edited to entertain at the expense of the first two elements”.Share this page
Warning over 'flash-for-cash' car accident insurance scam
Be careful when joining traffic queues
Motorists are being warned about a new insurance scam where criminals flash their lights to let other drivers out of a junction, then crash into them on purpose.
Anti-fraud experts are calling it "flash-for-cash".
The gangs tend to target new, smarter vehicles or vulnerable road users, including older people and women with children in the car.
The scam is costing insurers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
It is a new tactic for an already well established crime, called "crash for cash", where criminals slam on the brakes for no reason so that the victim drives into the back of their car.
Police investigators said the criminals will often remove the bulbs in their brake lights so other road users don't know they're stopping.
However, "flash-for-cash" is more crafty, because it is harder to prove in court, often coming down to the innocent driver's word against the criminal's that they flashed their lights to let them out.
Fake claims
Each "accident" can net the gangs tens of thousands of pounds in a variety of ways.
Firstly, they put in false personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes including claims for people who were not even in the car. Added to that, they might charge the insurance company for loss of earnings, then they put in fake bills for vehicle storage, recovery, repairs, and replacement car hire.
Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police is an expert at catching them out. He says this kind of crime costs the industry a fortune and, as ever, it's the honest, insurance-paying motorist who is footing the bill,
"The problem is a growing problem. Financially it costs insurers £392m a year - that impacts on motorists as it's an extra £50 to £100 on every person's premium so that's a financial cost.
"[There are] emotional costs [as] if you're involved in a crash you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed."
This latest "flash-for-cash" warning has come from Asset Protection Unit (APU), a company which helps the police and the insurance industry investigate fraud. Neil Thomas at APU says the criminals pick on people who are not going to put up a fight,
"Perhaps single females in the car with children in the back, perhaps doing the school run. Where they know there's going to be no resistance, no real argument at the scene. The children are going to be upset".
Good intentions
Generally speaking, drivers are not meant to flash their lights to let people out onto busy roads. It is meant to be used as a warning.
The Highway Code says: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
However, the reality is that most people do use it as a friendly gesture, and law-abiding motorists feel it's a shame that something that is meant to be so positive, a rare show of good manners on the road, is now being abused by criminals.
The police and fraud experts believe that by raising awareness, and making people more wary, there is a good chance many drivers won't take the bait when the criminals lay a trap.
Has it happened to you? Tweet me @richardwestcott
The Driving Instructors Association has criticised the BBC over its recent media coverage about learning to drive both online and in its BBC3 series Barely Legal Drivers.
In a recent online article, Learning to drive: 7 ways to keep costs down, the BBC noted that to keep costs down, pupils should be able to learn to drive in half as many hours as the government and driver education experts advise, and take their theory and practical tests in isolation. These suggestions are at odds with the official guidance on driver education and are particularly worrying in a context of the still too high road death and injury statistics, particularly amongst novice drivers.
While the DIA understands the concerns of parents and pupils over the cost of learning to drive, the Association’s chief driving examiner Mike Frisby said learners should not be focusing on passing the test in the least amount of hours, for the least cost – as they risk incurring a bigger cost post test, in terms of their own safety, road accident and repair, and rising insurance costs.
“It is not simply about passing your test and reaching that initial level of driving competence, learners should invest correctly when learning to drive and then continue to improve their driving ability throughout your life, so they become and remain a safe and responsible driver for life,” said Frisby.
He added: “Every year we see the UK falling behind its peers when it comes to road safety and driver education and the importance of road death and injury reduction cannot be underestimated and undervalued. The media needs to support road safety by promoting more responsible attitudes to learning to drive and a better understanding of what makes a safer driver.”
‘”Pupils and parents need to focus more on investing in the best programme of learning to make that individual a competent independent driver once they get their licence, as well as how important it is to develop their driving post test, and not just getting past the test by the shortest and cheapest route.,” commented Frisby.
He noted that, according to statistics, most young drivers have a road traffic collision within 6 months of passing, which could be the legacy of too cheap, too soon, and not enough training both pre and post-test.
Frisby continued: “When we see media coverage which perpetuates the idea that learning to drive carries unnecessary costs (time and money wise) and how to short cut that, we have to question the responsibility of such articles – as they are designed to guide the consumer, and unfortunately do so – in the wrong direction.”
The DIA has also criticised the BBC for the same lack of responsibility in giving the right messages and advice to young drivers and their parents in its ongoing Barely Legal Drivers series.
The association claimed that the programme focuses more on the sensational entertainment value of watching young drivers behave and drive irresponsibly, than it does on tackling the issues these drivers (and viewers) have.
In addition, the programme, on average, spends three-quarters of each episode focusing on showing all the bad driving habits with no real informative or constructive commentary from the assembled experts to guide the viewer on how to correct and develop these issues to become a better driver.
He noted that exploring learner needs was always important, and that the media is a valuable platform for disseminating crucial information and advice on this subject .
Frisby commented: “Lots of ‘oooh that was close’ does not make a better driver. As the BBC ‘s oft quoted goal for programme making is ‘educate, inform, entertain’, unfortunately, it seems that BBC3 has edited to entertain at the expense of the first two elements”.Share this pageWarning over 'flash-for-cash' car accident insurance scam
Be careful when joining traffic queues
Motorists are being warned about a new insurance scam where criminals flash their lights to let other drivers out of a junction, then crash into them on purpose.
Anti-fraud experts are calling it "flash-for-cash".
The gangs tend to target new, smarter vehicles or vulnerable road users, including older people and women with children in the car.
The scam is costing insurers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
It is a new tactic for an already well established crime, called "crash for cash", where criminals slam on the brakes for no reason so that the victim drives into the back of their car.
Police investigators said the criminals will often remove the bulbs in their brake lights so other road users don't know they're stopping.
However, "flash-for-cash" is more crafty, because it is harder to prove in court, often coming down to the innocent driver's word against the criminal's that they flashed their lights to let them out.
Fake claims
Each "accident" can net the gangs tens of thousands of pounds in a variety of ways.
Firstly, they put in false personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes including claims for people who were not even in the car. Added to that, they might charge the insurance company for loss of earnings, then they put in fake bills for vehicle storage, recovery, repairs, and replacement car hire.
Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police is an expert at catching them out. He says this kind of crime costs the industry a fortune and, as ever, it's the honest, insurance-paying motorist who is footing the bill,
"The problem is a growing problem. Financially it costs insurers £392m a year - that impacts on motorists as it's an extra £50 to £100 on every person's premium so that's a financial cost.
"[There are] emotional costs [as] if you're involved in a crash you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed."
This latest "flash-for-cash" warning has come from Asset Protection Unit (APU), a company which helps the police and the insurance industry investigate fraud. Neil Thomas at APU says the criminals pick on people who are not going to put up a fight,
"Perhaps single females in the car with children in the back, perhaps doing the school run. Where they know there's going to be no resistance, no real argument at the scene. The children are going to be upset".
Good intentions
Generally speaking, drivers are not meant to flash their lights to let people out onto busy roads. It is meant to be used as a warning.
The Highway Code says: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
However, the reality is that most people do use it as a friendly gesture, and law-abiding motorists feel it's a shame that something that is meant to be so positive, a rare show of good manners on the road, is now being abused by criminals.
The police and fraud experts believe that by raising awareness, and making people more wary, there is a good chance many drivers won't take the bait when the criminals lay a trap.
Has it happened to you? Tweet me @richardwestcott
2,500 hours spent looking for parking
Thursday, 20 June 2013
British drivers will spend an average of 2,549 hours of their lifetime looking for parking, according to new research.
The polling, conducted for parking company ParkatmyHouse, revealed that more than 45% of drivers thought parking was their biggest headache, following by rudeness (22%) and middle lane hogs (17%).
The research coincides (funny that) with the release of the free ParkatmyHouse iPhone app, where users can search for, book in advance and pay for a parking space at their destination using their mobile phone. The firm offers driveways, schools, churches and other locations where parking spaces are at a premium.
Top 10 worst cities for finding parking:
1. London – 20m 30s
2. Manchester – 15m 45s
3. Bristol – 13m 15s
4. Southampton – 12m 15s
5. Wolverhampton – 10m 35s
6. Liverpool – 9m 20s
7. Norwich – 9m 10s
8. Leeds – 8m 15s
9. Cardiff – 8m 10s
10. York – 8m
ParkatmyHouse CEO Alex Stephany said: ‘As if motorists haven’t had enough to contend with as fuel and motor insurance costs have risen over recent years, they now spend precious time waiting to park when they reach their destination.
‘We’re hoping to be at the forefront of that change with our app, creating a platform that allows anyone to book parking spaces as easily as buying goods on Amazon.’
2,500 hours spent looking for parking
Thursday, 20 June 2013
British drivers will spend an average of 2,549 hours of their lifetime looking for parking, according to new research.
The polling, conducted for parking company ParkatmyHouse, revealed that more than 45% of drivers thought parking was their biggest headache, following by rudeness (22%) and middle lane hogs (17%).
The research coincides (funny that) with the release of the free ParkatmyHouse iPhone app, where users can search for, book in advance and pay for a parking space at their destination using their mobile phone. The firm offers driveways, schools, churches and other locations where parking spaces are at a premium.
Top 10 worst cities for finding parking:
1. London – 20m 30s
2. Manchester – 15m 45s
3. Bristol – 13m 15s
4. Southampton – 12m 15s
5. Wolverhampton – 10m 35s
6. Liverpool – 9m 20s
7. Norwich – 9m 10s
8. Leeds – 8m 15s
9. Cardiff – 8m 10s
10. York – 8m
1. London – 20m 30s
2. Manchester – 15m 45s
3. Bristol – 13m 15s
4. Southampton – 12m 15s
5. Wolverhampton – 10m 35s
6. Liverpool – 9m 20s
7. Norwich – 9m 10s
8. Leeds – 8m 15s
9. Cardiff – 8m 10s
10. York – 8m
ParkatmyHouse CEO Alex Stephany said: ‘As if motorists haven’t had enough to contend with as fuel and motor insurance costs have risen over recent years, they now spend precious time waiting to park when they reach their destination.
‘We’re hoping to be at the forefront of that change with our app, creating a platform that allows anyone to book parking spaces as easily as buying goods on Amazon.’
16 August 2013 Last updated at 00:02
Warning over 'flash-for-cash' car accident insurance scam
Be careful when joining traffic queues
Motorists are being warned about a new insurance scam where criminals flash their lights to let other drivers out of a junction, then crash into them on purpose.
Anti-fraud experts are calling it "flash-for-cash".
The gangs tend to target new, smarter vehicles or vulnerable road users, including older people and women with children in the car.
The scam is costing insurers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
It is a new tactic for an already well established crime, called "crash for cash", where criminals slam on the brakes for no reason so that the victim drives into the back of their car.
Police investigators said the criminals will often remove the bulbs in their brake lights so other road users don't know they're stopping.
However, "flash-for-cash" is more crafty, because it is harder to prove in court, often coming down to the innocent driver's word against the criminal's that they flashed their lights to let them out.
Fake claims
Each "accident" can net the gangs tens of thousands of pounds in a variety of ways.
Firstly, they put in false personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes including claims for people who were not even in the car. Added to that, they might charge the insurance company for loss of earnings, then they put in fake bills for vehicle storage, recovery, repairs, and replacement car hire.
Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police is an expert at catching them out. He says this kind of crime costs the industry a fortune and, as ever, it's the honest, insurance-paying motorist who is footing the bill,
"The problem is a growing problem. Financially it costs insurers £392m a year - that impacts on motorists as it's an extra £50 to £100 on every person's premium so that's a financial cost.
"[There are] emotional costs [as] if you're involved in a crash you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed."
This latest "flash-for-cash" warning has come from Asset Protection Unit (APU), a company which helps the police and the insurance industry investigate fraud. Neil Thomas at APU says the criminals pick on people who are not going to put up a fight,
"Perhaps single females in the car with children in the back, perhaps doing the school run. Where they know there's going to be no resistance, no real argument at the scene. The children are going to be upset".
Good intentions
Generally speaking, drivers are not meant to flash their lights to let people out onto busy roads. It is meant to be used as a warning.
The Highway Code says: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
However, the reality is that most people do use it as a friendly gesture, and law-abiding motorists feel it's a shame that something that is meant to be so positive, a rare show of good manners on the road, is now being abused by criminals.
The police and fraud experts believe that by raising awareness, and making people more wary, there is a good chance many drivers won't take the bait when the criminals lay a trap.
Has it happened to you? Tweet me @richardwestcott
Children hand out tickets to parents
Monday, 10 June 2013
A team of ‘junior traffic wardens’ in the Wirral has been out handing tickets to parents parking irresponsibly close to their primary school.The tickets, handed out by pupils from Black Horse Hill infant school in West Kirby, asked drivers to be more thoughtful when pulling up their cars. The children were accompanied officers from the local road safety team and Merseyside Police.Councillor Harry Smith said: ‘Some parents were leaving their cars parked on double yellow lines while they walked their children into school.‘Where they were parked meant that drivers were having to pull out with little or no visibility in an area where many children and parents cross the road and an area that gets very busy with buses and other vehicles at the beginning and end of the school day.‘By using these ‘parking tickets’, the pupils are urging mums and dads to set a good example and park safely when they take their children to school and pick them up again later.’
16 August 2013 Last updated at 00:02
Warning over 'flash-for-cash' car accident insurance scam
Be careful when joining traffic queues
Motorists are being warned about a new insurance scam where criminals flash their lights to let other drivers out of a junction, then crash into them on purpose.
Anti-fraud experts are calling it "flash-for-cash".
The gangs tend to target new, smarter vehicles or vulnerable road users, including older people and women with children in the car.
The scam is costing insurers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
It is a new tactic for an already well established crime, called "crash for cash", where criminals slam on the brakes for no reason so that the victim drives into the back of their car.
Police investigators said the criminals will often remove the bulbs in their brake lights so other road users don't know they're stopping.
However, "flash-for-cash" is more crafty, because it is harder to prove in court, often coming down to the innocent driver's word against the criminal's that they flashed their lights to let them out.
Fake claims
Each "accident" can net the gangs tens of thousands of pounds in a variety of ways.
Firstly, they put in false personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes including claims for people who were not even in the car. Added to that, they might charge the insurance company for loss of earnings, then they put in fake bills for vehicle storage, recovery, repairs, and replacement car hire.
Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police is an expert at catching them out. He says this kind of crime costs the industry a fortune and, as ever, it's the honest, insurance-paying motorist who is footing the bill,
"The problem is a growing problem. Financially it costs insurers £392m a year - that impacts on motorists as it's an extra £50 to £100 on every person's premium so that's a financial cost.
"[There are] emotional costs [as] if you're involved in a crash you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed."
This latest "flash-for-cash" warning has come from Asset Protection Unit (APU), a company which helps the police and the insurance industry investigate fraud. Neil Thomas at APU says the criminals pick on people who are not going to put up a fight,
"Perhaps single females in the car with children in the back, perhaps doing the school run. Where they know there's going to be no resistance, no real argument at the scene. The children are going to be upset".
Good intentions
Generally speaking, drivers are not meant to flash their lights to let people out onto busy roads. It is meant to be used as a warning.
The Highway Code says: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
However, the reality is that most people do use it as a friendly gesture, and law-abiding motorists feel it's a shame that something that is meant to be so positive, a rare show of good manners on the road, is now being abused by criminals.
The police and fraud experts believe that by raising awareness, and making people more wary, there is a good chance many drivers won't take the bait when the criminals lay a trap.
Has it happened to you? Tweet me @richardwestcott
Warning over 'flash-for-cash' car accident insurance scam
Be careful when joining traffic queues
Motorists are being warned about a new insurance scam where criminals flash their lights to let other drivers out of a junction, then crash into them on purpose.
Anti-fraud experts are calling it "flash-for-cash".
The gangs tend to target new, smarter vehicles or vulnerable road users, including older people and women with children in the car.
The scam is costing insurers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
It is a new tactic for an already well established crime, called "crash for cash", where criminals slam on the brakes for no reason so that the victim drives into the back of their car.
Police investigators said the criminals will often remove the bulbs in their brake lights so other road users don't know they're stopping.
However, "flash-for-cash" is more crafty, because it is harder to prove in court, often coming down to the innocent driver's word against the criminal's that they flashed their lights to let them out.
Fake claims
Each "accident" can net the gangs tens of thousands of pounds in a variety of ways.
Firstly, they put in false personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes including claims for people who were not even in the car. Added to that, they might charge the insurance company for loss of earnings, then they put in fake bills for vehicle storage, recovery, repairs, and replacement car hire.
Detective Inspector Dave Hindmarsh from the Metropolitan Police is an expert at catching them out. He says this kind of crime costs the industry a fortune and, as ever, it's the honest, insurance-paying motorist who is footing the bill,
"The problem is a growing problem. Financially it costs insurers £392m a year - that impacts on motorists as it's an extra £50 to £100 on every person's premium so that's a financial cost.
"[There are] emotional costs [as] if you're involved in a crash you could well lose your confidence, and if your passengers are children they may well become wary of being passengers in cars, and of course you may get injured or killed."
This latest "flash-for-cash" warning has come from Asset Protection Unit (APU), a company which helps the police and the insurance industry investigate fraud. Neil Thomas at APU says the criminals pick on people who are not going to put up a fight,
"Perhaps single females in the car with children in the back, perhaps doing the school run. Where they know there's going to be no resistance, no real argument at the scene. The children are going to be upset".
Good intentions
Generally speaking, drivers are not meant to flash their lights to let people out onto busy roads. It is meant to be used as a warning.
The Highway Code says: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
However, the reality is that most people do use it as a friendly gesture, and law-abiding motorists feel it's a shame that something that is meant to be so positive, a rare show of good manners on the road, is now being abused by criminals.
The police and fraud experts believe that by raising awareness, and making people more wary, there is a good chance many drivers won't take the bait when the criminals lay a trap.
Has it happened to you? Tweet me @richardwestcott
Children hand out tickets to parents
Monday, 10 June 2013
A team of ‘junior traffic wardens’ in the Wirral has been out handing tickets to parents parking irresponsibly close to their primary school.The tickets, handed out by pupils from Black Horse Hill infant school in West Kirby, asked drivers to be more thoughtful when pulling up their cars. The children were accompanied officers from the local road safety team and Merseyside Police.Councillor Harry Smith said: ‘Some parents were leaving their cars parked on double yellow lines while they walked their children into school.‘Where they were parked meant that drivers were having to pull out with little or no visibility in an area where many children and parents cross the road and an area that gets very busy with buses and other vehicles at the beginning and end of the school day.‘By using these ‘parking tickets’, the pupils are urging mums and dads to set a good example and park safely when they take their children to school and pick them up again later.’
Texting fine to double
Wednesday, 05 June 2013
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced that fines levied on drivers caught texting behind the wheel will double to £90.
The number of penalty points associated with the conviction will remain at three, despite calls from the Metropolitan Police commissioner for an increase. McLoughlin likened the use of a mobile phone to drink-driving, which he said had become socially unacceptable as times changed.
RAC Foundation director, Professor Stephen Glaister, said that the higher fine had to come with better enforcement: ‘With both texting and hand-held use of mobile phones at the wheel causing more impairment than being at the drink-drive limit or under the influence of cannabis, the police need to target the large number of motorists continuing to flout the law.’
Making the announcement, the transport secretary admitted that he had once used his mobile phone to make a call while driving, but that he would never do it again.
UK set to miss the mark on electric vehicles
Friday, 03 May 2013
The UK is set to miss its target of 1.7m electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2020, according to a new report from the RAC Foundation.
The Committee on Climate Change said it would be ‘feasible and desirable’ to meet the target, but take-up of the government’s electric car grant has been low so far, with only 3,500 subsidies handed out. Purchases of plug-in hybrids have been stifled by a lack of reasonably priced choices on the market. However, experts do say that the UK is still likely to meet the EU target of a 95g/km CO2 fleet average by 2020, thanks to improvements in internal combustion engine cars.
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: ‘Estimating future sales of electric cars is not quite like sticking the tail on the donkey, but not far from it. There are so many variables to factor in that even those paid to predict the future of low-carbon vehicles cannot agree on what is in store. The only common ground among experts is that we are unlikely to see as many electric cars sold as politicians might like.’
60 years of lollipop ladies
Thursday, 02 May 2013
Lollipop ladies are 60 years old this year – the school crossing patrol service is celebrating its diamond jubilee since it was created by the School Crossing Patrol Act 1953.
The idea for the service came about when road safety officers in Dagenham and Barking noted a growing safety problem among children on the roads, with an ever-increasing volume of traffic.
Around 90% of children at the time made their own way to school, and the official line was to find an adult to help you cross the road, Dagenham road safety officer Jock Brining came up with the idea of official adults who could help children get to school when traffic was at its worst.
The remit of the crossing patrol has changed – they now have the authority to stop traffic for any pedestrian, whether they are an adult or a child – and so has the uniform, which used to consist of white coats and peaked hats.
Richard Hall of Road Safety GB is a specialist advisor to the school crossing patrol service: ‘While recent budget cuts have affected many SCP services, the need for patrols will remain as long as children walk to school and cross busy roads. Here's to another 60 years of the service!’
60 years of lollipop ladies
Thursday, 02 May 2013
Lollipop ladies are 60 years old this year – the school crossing patrol service is celebrating its diamond jubilee since it was created by the School Crossing Patrol Act 1953.
The idea for the service came about when road safety officers in Dagenham and Barking noted a growing safety problem among children on the roads, with an ever-increasing volume of traffic.
Around 90% of children at the time made their own way to school, and the official line was to find an adult to help you cross the road, Dagenham road safety officer Jock Brining came up with the idea of official adults who could help children get to school when traffic was at its worst.
The remit of the crossing patrol has changed – they now have the authority to stop traffic for any pedestrian, whether they are an adult or a child – and so has the uniform, which used to consist of white coats and peaked hats.
Richard Hall of Road Safety GB is a specialist advisor to the school crossing patrol service: ‘While recent budget cuts have affected many SCP services, the need for patrols will remain as long as children walk to school and cross busy roads. Here's to another 60 years of the service!’
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Some vehicles are being recalled by manufacturers and can't be used for driving tests until they've been checked and fixed if necessary.
A vehicle can be recalled by the manufacturer if it has a known safety fault.
There has been a worldwide recall of some vehicles because of concerns about potentially faulty passenger airbags.
Recalled vehicles
Your vehicle will need to be checked and may need to be fixed before you can use it for the driving test if it’s on the list below.
Vehicles registered from 2000 to 2004 are affected - these have the following registrations:
Mazda
Honda
Toyota
Nissan
What you’ll need to take to your test
You’ll need to take proof to your test that the vehicle has been checked and, if necessary, fixed.
The proof you bring has to be one of the following:
Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don’t bring the right proof.
Tests booked for 15, 16 or 17 April
If your test is booked for 15, 16 or 17 April 2013 and your vehicle is listed above and hasn’t been checked, your test will be cancelled. However, you’ll be offered another test free of charge.
You still need to turn up for your test as planned to show your vehicle is affected by the recall.
Car insurance starting to fall says AAFriday, 26 April 2013From BBC News
The cost of motor insurance has fallen by 4.1% over the last year, according to an AA survey of the cheapest deals on the market.
A typical premium among the most competitive products dropped by 1.4% in the first three months of the year, it found.
It said that changes in the law and competition among insurers had pushed down prices.
And it expects further falls as new reforms come into force.
The AA Insurance Shoparound survey takes an average premium for a standard set of risks from the five cheapest quotes from insurers and price comparison websites.
This has shown large rises in insurance costs over a three year period, but has now started to register a fall.
The average premium among the cheapest deals stood at £746.75, the survey found.
The AA said that controlling personal injury claims was key to keeping premiums down.
At the start of April, a ban was enforced on referral fees, which are paid by lawyers and claims management firms to breakdown firms, brokers and the insurers themselves - in exchange for providing information about accident victims. The government is also limiting legal fees.
In February, Aviva - the UK's biggest insurer - called for reforms to go further.
It wants to see a new process that would force whiplash victims to put their claims directly to the insurer of the driver who caused the crash. This would cut motorists' premiums by an average of £60 a year, it said.
Whiplash claims were a major factor behind the rapid rise in the price of motor cover. They account for 80% of injury claims, and with most going through lawyers, Aviva suggested that all this accounted for £118 of a typical motor insurance premium.
Meanwhile, the AA said that the cheapest home insurance deals were also falling in cost, down by just under 2% over the last year.
Government announces young driver green paperMonday, 25 March 2013
The government has officially announced that it will publish a green paper on young drivers, intended to improve training and lower insurance premiums.
The proposals were revealed as the Department for Transport entertained a summit for the motor insurance industry.
The green paper is expected to cover:
The government says it is also considering the possibility of imposing temporary restrictions on newly qualified drivers.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘It is alarming that a fifth of people killed or seriously injured on our roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged 17-24.
‘Improving the safety of our young drivers is therefore a real priority and will not only reduce casualties but should also mean a reduction in the sky-high insurance premiums they pay. I have been clear that I want to see insurance premiums reflecting conditions, performance and risks on the road.’
The green paper is expected to be launched before the summer.
Drivers clocking up detour miles
Friday, 08 March 2013
Avoiding roadworks means an extra 43 minutes behind the wheel every week according to an FOI request by a breakdown firm.
Britannia Rescue found that UK roadworks at the end of January stretched 1,434 miles, nearly twice the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats.
The research showed that drivers clock up 240 miles extra every year avoiding roadworks or following diversions. Despite all of the roadworks, 61% of drivers think that road quality is getting worse.
The FOI data showed more than 2m projects in the last five years, with Essex county council currently the worst culprit, with 6,000 roadworks currently underway.
AA spokesman Paul Watters said: ‘Drivers loathe roadworks even though many may be destined to makes roads better by fixing defective surfaces and improving the layout. There’s always the feeling that the work is done to minimise inconvenience to the contractor and maximise it for the road user.’
Roads minister Norman Baker defended the disruption, saying that the government was improving things for motorists: ‘We have made it easier for councils to coordinate and manage roadworks and dramatically increased the charges for companies who do not finish work on time.’
Half of drivers couldn't pass retestThursday, 21 February 2013
Half of all drivers say they would struggle with at least one part of the driving test if they had to re-sit it, and 10% wouldn’t pass at all according to a new survey from the AA.
Respondents were most nervous about parallel parking, with nearly a third of women saying so. Around 9% of men said that they would struggle with driving at an appropriate speed.
The AA said that driving should be seen as a skill for life. Edmund King, director of the AA charitable trust, said: ‘It is alarming that so many drivers think there is at least one aspect of driving that they would struggle to do to the standard required to pass a driving test.
‘Driving is a skill for life and, although it is easy to let bad habits form after your test, drivers should make sure their skills are kept polished.’
UK petrol market working well, says OFTWednesday, 30 January 2013
The Office of Fair Trading has released details of its investigation into fuel pricing, stating that high prices are down to the market cost of crude oil and tax increases, not a lack of competition.
The agency looked at the last 10 years of fuel price increases, and found that competition is ‘working well’ in the UK market, but signalled that lack of price information on motorways is a concern. It also said that it would be prepared to take action in specific local areas where anti-competitive activity was taking place.
The OFT said that pre-tax, the UK has some of the cheapest fuel prices in Europe, stating that in the 10 years between 2003 and 2012, pump prices increased from 76 pence per litre (ppl) to 136ppl for petrol, and from 78ppl to 142ppl for diesel, caused largely by an increase of nearly 24ppl in tax and duty and 33ppl in the cost of crude oil.
The report also sought to dispel the widely held belief that prices are quick to rise on petrol station forecourts, but slow to fall when the wholesale cost of crude oil drops.
OFT chief executive Clive Maxwell said: ‘We recognise that there has been widespread mistrust in how this market is operating. However, our analysis suggests that competition is working well, and rises in pump prices over the past decade or so have largely been down to increases in tax and the cost of crude oil.
’Our call for information has not identified any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in the fuel market at a national level, where competition appears to be strong. There may be some issues at a local level. Where we receive evidence of potential anti-competitive behaviour we will consider taking action. For example, we have recently opened an investigation into the supply of road fuel in the Western Isles of Scotland.'
The report comes as motoring groups have signalled a warning to motorists that further rises in the cost of fuel are on the way.
Drivers not looking at the road 18 percent of the timeThursday, 03 January 2013From the Telegraph
We all know it's impossible to keep your eyes on the road all of the time, but a new study employing eye-monitoring equipment has revealed that drivers spend 18 per cent of their time behind the wheel not watching the road at all.
The study, which utilises the latest eye-tracking technology to record drivers' eye movements, found motorists using satellite navigation devices were even more distracted, with 22 per cent of their time focused away from the road.
Participants in the experiment wore special glasses that monitor the exact focus of the eye by tracking microscopic movements in the cornea. The experiment was captured on film and enabled researchers to establish exactly where drivers focus their vision.
It found that when not looking at the road ahead, drivers tend to gaze at clouds, scenery, adverts and other non-driving related distractions, on average taking their eyes off the road every nine seconds.
The study into driver behaviour commissioned by insurer Direct Line shows that drivers with a satnav have their eyes fixed on the display for 12 per cent of their total journey time. Drivers using satnav also spend six times longer watching their device than oncoming traffic.
The average driver spends only 3.2 per cent of the total journey time checking their mirrors while, on average, drivers spend seven per cent of their time gazing at clouds and scenery and 0.8 per cent of their time observing adverts. Two per cent of their time is spent actually looking at oncoming vehicles and 0.6 per cent observing road signs.
Motorists spend the same amount of time (three per cent) watching pedestrians (who were neither on or crossing the road) as they did checking their mirrors. And while both men and women appear to have been distracted by good looking pedestrians, only men turned their heads completely away from the road as a result.
Simon Henrick, spokesperson for Direct Line, said, "For the first time we know exactly where people focus their eyes when driving and the results are frightening. Even when drivers appear to be watching the road, by tracking movements in the cornea we now know they are often watching clouds or shop window displays."
Video evidence also reveals drivers engaging in dangerous behaviours, such as changing between two satnav devices and gazing down at a mobile phone held in their lap to navigate.
The findings are backed up by the results of another survey, carried out on behalf of moneysupermarket.com, in which three quarters of motorists admit to being distracted behind the wheel and that one in 10 driving convictions is for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.
More than half of those surveyed (54 per cent) admitted to changing music while driving; 47% eat, 47% drink and 16% send texts from a mobile phone. Six per cent admitted to using apps on a smartphone or tablet, updating their Facebook status or tweeting.
The research also found that motorists, as well as distracting themselves, are easily distracted by others. More than a third of people (35 per cent) admitted to being distracted by children or other passengers and one in five (20 per cent) said a good-looking person made them take their eyes off the road.
Kevin Pratt of moneysupermarket.com said, "We all lead busy lives and find ourselves trying to multi-task, but taking your eyes off the road for only a second could have disastrous consequences for yourself and other motorists and pedestrians. Using a mobile phone to text, call or tweet when behind the wheel is not only very dangerous but also illegal."
Driving Home for Christmas? |
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Young drivers don't know drink-drive limitWednesday, 19 December 2012 From the Telegraph
The majority of drivers aged 17-24 do not know the legal drink drive limit in the UK, according to new research.
Of 1,000 young people questioned, 79 per cent failed to identify the drink drive limit in the UK as being 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Red Driving School, which carried out the research, said that it highlighted shocking gaps in education and young driver awareness, and describes it as "one of the main reasons" that, according to recent statistics, more drivers aged 20-24 are failing breath tests than any other age group.
The research also revealed that a third of young people have witnessed their parents drive following the consumpion of alcohol, and that one in five claim they would never plan to drink drive but sometime do so when the unexpected happens.
Red Driving School's research also cites drinkaware.co.uk's findings that alcohol consumption in Britain increases by 40 per cent in December, and says that its own survey showed that reasons young motorists might drink and drive include the expense of taxis and the convenience of driving.
The study also found that 40 per cent of young people would not travel as a passenger alongside somebody who had consumed alcohol, and 62 per cent would not let the fact that their parents drink and drive influence their own decision.
"While the research has revealed a serious need for more young driver education around drink driving and what the legal drink drive limit is, it has highlighted some positive statistics that show that young people are responsible drivers and consider their safety on the road," said Ian McIntosh, CEO at RED Driving School.
"It is promising to learn that the majority of young people have safe attitudes towards drink driving. However, it is vital that they are informed of simple facts such as the drink driving limit," he added.
New driving licences in JanuaryTuesday, 18 December 2012
The DSA has announced that changes will be introduced to the driving licence from 19 January 2013.
The changes are being introduced because of European Union rules, which are aiming to introduce a single European driving licence by 2015.
The agency said:
'The new style licence will look different to the current one. All vehicle categories will be listed on the back of the licence with the dates against the relevant entitlements.
Below are some of the main changes that will be on the new licence:
Shocking video shows people helping drunk into carFriday, 14 December 2012
A shocking video has been released by a leading insurance comparison website to highlight the dangers of drink driving.
The 90-second video released by Confused shows an actor pretending to be drunk and asking passers-by to help him into his car.
Of 50 people stopped by the man, just eight refused to help him, and only one confiscated his keys and called the police. More than two-thirds of people actually helped the man into his car, and yet more people walked by despite him obviously attempting to get in and drive his car while drunk.
Sharon Flaherty of Confused said: 'Our video highlights just how many people are willing to permit drink driving, or turn a blind eye to it. The video is a hopefully shocking way to remind people that drink driving kills and that in many cases, it can be stopped. By preventing friends and family from driving under the influence of alcohol, you could save a life.'
Government considering scrapping tax discsFriday, 14 December 2012 From the Telegraph
Ministers believe scrapping the discs, which have adorned windscreens for almost a century, would save money and streamline services.
A government consultation, published by the Department for Transport yesterday, suggested the discs could become digitised.
Officials admitted that police could now instantly tell by accessing Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) computers as to whether a car is taxed. This will mean there is no longer a need to show proof on a car windscreen.
It is estimated that tax discs are currently displayed on up to 36 million vehicles as proof that road tax has been paid.
Motoring groups described the changes as “the end of a motoring era” and would divide opinion among Britain’s 44 million drivers and police.
Under the new plans, even tax disc reminders may soon come as emails or texts rather than paperwork through the post, the Daily Mail reported.
The paper element of the driving licence, which accompanies the credit card size photo-card, is also due to be axed by 2015.
The plans are set out in a Government consultation paper published yesterday by Dft, which is investigating reforming the DVLA, the Driving Standards Agency, the Vehicle Certification Agency and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
“We will remove the need for unnecessary paper, including abolishing the driving licence counterpart and consider the continuing need for the tax disc,” concluded the report from Stephen Hammond, a Roads Minister.
The government has previously denied plans to scrap the discs.
AA President Edmund King said “traditionalists will mourn the tax disc’s passing” but added: “Motoring and vehicle information is increasingly going online.
“The police use number-plate reading camera technology to check car details on their own or on the DVLA’s database.”
Top tips on finding a quality instructorYou should be asking these questions and additionally finding out what you will learn and how you will be taught, before you even ask questions around price.
A good instructor will cover all these topics willingly and will not talk about how quickly you will be entered for your test until they have the opportunity to assess your driving skills and knowledge across the suitable number of lessons for that individual.
Commuters resort to sleeping in their carsThursday, 06 December 2012From the Telegraph
The details emerged as George Osborne faced pressure to scrap a 3p hike in fuel duty next month, in his autumn statement tomorrow.
Figures from the RAC and FairFuel UK showed that one in 16 had slept in their cars, while 3% said they had camped near work to save on filling up, The Sun reported.
FairFuel UK spokesman Quentin Wilson said: "This proves that unless the Chancellor acts he'll be delivering a cruel Christmas and an impoverished New Year to millions of families."
Another survey, by MoneySavingExpert.com, found that fuel prices were the issue that people most wanted David Cameron to tackle, with 68% placing the issue at the top of their list.
AA figures published earlier this week showed that road fuel duty taxes were still pouring into the Treasury despite the high petrol prices.
The motoring organisation argued that the high tax take should be enough to persuade the Chancellor to postpone the 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise planned for January, the AA said.
Its figures showed Treasury receipts from fuel duty are on course to match last year's total despite the 20-month freeze on fuel duty.
The AA said that in the financial year 2011/12, Revenue and Customs statistics showed that the Treasury received £26.80 billion from fuel duty.
This was 1.7% below the record of £27.26 billion set the year before and was nearly three times the 1990/91 figure when the Treasury received £9.63 billion from fuel duty.
AA president Edmund King said: "The Chancellor should announce a fuel duty freeze. A freeze will not undermine Treasury tax receipts as the previous above-inflation increases in duty and higher VAT have more than compensated.
"Arguably, the Government would rake in more revenue if it tackled the causes of stubbornly-high fuel prices in the UK - allowing cash-tight businesses, lower-income families and the 28% who restrict their spend on road fuel to use their vehicles as they need rather than as they can afford."
Chancellor cancels January fuel duty riseWednesday, 05 December 2012
Chancellor George Osborne has announced he intends to scrap the 3p rise in fuel duty the government had planned for January.
The move means that the only increase in fuel duty planned for 2013 will be an inflation-linked rise in September. Osborne told the House of Commons: 'Some have suggested we delay it until April. I disagree. I suggest we cancel it altogether – there will be no 3 pence fuel tax rise this January.'
There had been strenuous campaigns by lobby groups and motoring organisations to delay the increase.
The AA 'very much welcomed' the decision. President Edmund King said: 'In 20 years, UK motoring has cut its fuel consumption by 20% (12.8bn litres), but contributes 144% more (£15.81bn) in fuel duty tax. In the last financial year, the Treasury collected its second highest-ever haul of fuel duty from UK drivers – a whopping £26.8bn. That is two and a half times more than what is spent on UK roads (£9.8bn), even before receipts from vehicle excise duty, VAT, company car tax and new car tax are added.'
Driving in snow or ice
If you find yourself driving in snow or on icy or snow covered roads, adapt your driving to these conditions:
If you get stuck in snow:
If you get caught in a snow drift:
Squirrel in £5,000 insurance claimWednesday, 05 December 2012From the Telegraph
The incident was one of the more spectacular encounters involving motorists and animals recorded by AA insurance.
In this case the woman motorist was so startled by the sudden and unannounced arrival of a bushy-tailed furry passenger that she lost control of the car and ploughed into a tree.
The AA alone dealt with 112 “animal strike” cases in October and November. This would be equivalent to 4,000 incidents in which the encounter was sufficient to trigger an insurance claim.
In November alone, there were 30 claims relating to incidents with deer, five involving foxes, three badger encounters and 11 dog-linked crashes.
“Deer are by far the biggest culprit and this time of the year is the rutting season.” said an AA spokesman.
“Also deer tend to move at dusk or very early in the morning and, during the winter, this puts their movements right in the time when people are commuting."
Only last week the Department for Transport disclosed that there had been a sharp rise in fatal accidents involving animals, with eight people being killed last year compared with only one in 2010.
It is also estimated that 450 people are injured in accidents involving deer a year, while more than 40,000 of the animals are killed after being hit by cars.
It has led to North Yorkshire County Council posting signs to warn motorists of the dangers of wandering sheep on the moors.
The danger posed by animals is acknowledged in the Highway Code, which advises shepherds and those herding cattle not to do so after dusk.
Three-figure speeders to face extended testMonday, 26 November 2012From the Telegraph
Ministers are ready to to take tough action on the country’s most reckless speeders and dangerous drivers by keeping them off the road while the pose a threat.
This will be done by increasing the number of offences where the courts can require a motorist to take an extended test – lasting twice as long as that faced by learner drivers.
Currently extended tests are required for motorists banned for more than 56 days for dangerous driving, drink driving and other serious offences such as causing death by dangerous driving.
In the last financial year 5,299 motorists had to take extended car tests before being having their licences restored.
The proposals unveiled by the DfT, earlier this week, would extend this to a range of other offences such as serious cases of careless driving and speeding significantly over the posted limit – where the court has imposed an immediate driving ban of at least 56 days.
According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice more than 9,000 motorists were banned from driving for a single speeding offence by the courts last year.
Around a third of these drivers, motoring groups believe, could be hit by the proposals which are intended to act against the worst offenders.
They could be joined by around 1,000 more motorists who are banned by the courts for the worst cases of careless driving.
Under current sentencing guidelines issued to the courts, motorists caught driving at 30mph over the post speed limit should be given an immediate ban.
This is because it is believed that breaking the speed limit by such a margin poses a serious threat to other road users.
“Driving at 100mph is not a minor slip,” said Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety. “Everyone knows the national speed limit”.
“This means the worst drivers will be properly tested being allowed back on the road.”
An extended test lasts up to 85 minutes – double the length of that faced by normal learner – and costs £124 rather than the normal fee of £62.
The extended tests themselves are likely to be overhauled to take into account the offence which led to disqualification in the first place.
The initiative was welcomed by Robert Gifford, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety.
“This is a timely move to ensure that the requirement to take an extended driving test also has an educational dimension,” he said.
“Carrying a driving licence is a significant responsibility and drivers need to be reminded of that.
“This should ensure that the extended driving test for serious offenders is fit for purpose.”
The proposals to increase the number of motorists being forced to take an extended test are included in a consultation unveiled by the Department for Transport intended to tighten the law on a range of motoring offences.
They are included in a package of measures which include a move to close the loophole that gives drivers marginally over the limit enough time to sober up and avoid a ban.
This will be done by removing their right to demand a second blood or urine test which, especially in rural areas, can take up to two hours to perform.
As reported in The Daily Telegraph earlier this month, the Government is not only ready to close the drink drive loophole but also confiscate the cars of habitual offenders.
This follows an alarming rise in the number of motorists receiving a second drink-drive ban.
According to the latest figures nearly one in four motorists banned for drink or drug driving will have at least one previous conviction for the same offence.
Motorists being ripped off says the AAWednesday, 21 November 2012From the Telegraph
The motoring group said that the wholesale price of petrol has fallen by around 9 pence a litre over the past month. However, average prices on UK forecourts have fallen by less than 4 pence a litre.
Edmund King, the AA’s president, said it “beggars belief” that motorists are paying over the odds. He called on George Osborne to take action to help struggling drivers. The Chancellor is under increasing pressure to drop January’s planned increase in fuel duty, which will add a further 3 pence to a litre of petrol.
The AA said that across Europe, the wholesale price of petrol – which is the price that retailers pay for fuel - fell from around 54 pence a litre at the beginning of October to around 45 pence a litre by the end.
With VAT, this should have knocked average UK petrol prices down by 10p to 11p a litre, the AA said.
However the group’s analysis found that petrol pump prices fell by less than 4p a litre between mid-October and the start of this week.
While average petrol prices have gone down from 139 pence a litre in mid October to 135 pence now, diesel prices have dropped from 144 pence a litre to 142 pence.
High petrol prices have become an increasingly political issue in recent months.
In the summer The Daily Telegraph revealed that motorists may have been paying too much for their petrol because banks and other traders are likely to have tried to manipulate oil prices in the same way they rigged the Libor interest rate. Concerns about the reliability of oil prices came to light after a report for the G20 found the market is wide open to “manipulation or distortion”.
Mr Osborne has come under growing pressure to drop the forthcoming increase in fuel duty, which will add a further 3 pence to a litre. On Monday business leaders said that the rise should be ditched to save “more pain” being piled on consumers.
The AA’s Mr King said that urgent action is needed.
“It should beggar belief that, after the trauma of high fuel prices in the spring, the same thing should happen again six months later.
“Recent political focus has been on January’s 3.02 pence-a-litre fuel duty increase, either ignoring or unaware that duty’s ugly sister – unrestrained wholesale prices – has been running rampant in the fuel market.”
Mr King said that the Government “momentarily had a grip of this monster” when Justine Greening, the previous Transport Minister, called for the petrol industry to increase transparency about wholesale prices.
“The Government said it was going to tackle high gas and electricity bills, yet it lets drivers and businesses down by not reacting swiftly to runaway wholesale and pump prices,” said Mr King.
He added that the average domestic energy bill in the UK is over £1,200 a year but the cost of fuel for the average car consuming 1,200 litres of petrol a year is over £1,500.
Regionally, the AA said that drivers in the North and the Midlands have seen the greatest cuts in the price of petrol over the last month, with drops of “at least 4 pence a litre”.
In the South and East-Anglia, however, average prices have been cut by between 3.3 pence and 3.6 pence a litre.
The AA’s findings come despite a supermarket price war over petrol. Experts have argued that while large supermarkets can afford to cut prices, independent forecourt retailers in rural areas are not able to. Higher prices at independent petrol stations are likely to have dragged the AA’s average figures up.
Young drivers face non-family passenger banMonday, 19 November 2012From the Telegraph
Young drivers face a ban on carrying anyone other than family members as passengers under proposals being considered by the Government to cut the number of road accidents involving teenagers.
Other options include banning novice drivers from carrying passengers altogether.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary said he was ready to look at measures which could reduce the the number of accidents involving novice motorists and cut the cost of providing them insurance cover.
According to the Association of British Insurers, which submitted the proposals to the Department for Transport, one in eight drivers is under 25, but they account for one third of the number of people who die on the country’s roads.
It estimates that an 18-year old driver is three times more likely to be involved in a crash than a motorist 30 years older. In 2011, drivers between 17 and 19 were involved in 12,000 crashes of which more than half resulted in serious or fatal injuries.
DSA to propose new code for ADIsTuesday, 13 November 2012
The DSA is set to announce a new voluntary code of practice for ADIs and a host of other changes on disciplinary issues. A draft document was circulated to instructor associations in early November by DSA registrar Mark Magee.
Magee has indicated he intends to crack down on ADIs who don’t meet the agency’s fit and proper criteria, which includes striking off instructors who consistently don’t turn up for check tests. Magee cites alarming statistics that show despite 30,000 check test invites sent out last year, only 16,000 tests were actually taken.
ADIs who live abroad will have to do their check tests every four years whether they have been operating in the UK in that period or not. The current setup involves an informal arrangement where ADIs returning to the country contact the DSA to set up a check test at their convenience.
Other changes to the fit and proper standards include incidents where ADIs have been using their training cars as taxis or haven’t had proper insurance.
The biggest change to the voluntary code of practice is that instructors would be expected to hand out copies of the DSA code of practice to new clients, but the proposed code has already attracted criticism for not going far enough. Many industry watchers want to see a compulsory code of practice introduced that will promote professionalism among ADIs.
SPACE AND SPEED
Space and speed are inseparable. You constantly have to balance one against the other. Your speed determines how much clear space you need to be safe. And how much space you have available determines your maximum safe speed. It's when space and speed get out of balance that collisions occur.
Two points are worth remembering:
Personal space
You're usually aware of the "personal space" around you. Probably, you feel threatened and defensive when it's invaded. You can use the space around you on the road to enhance and protect your safety and personal comfort.
Notice how the space around you changes with speed.
Notice how you feel when other drivers get close to you. What is it about the way they approach that makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes?
When you enter someone else's personal space be aware of how you do it. What effect do you appear to be having on the other driver? What could you do differently?
Separation distance
Most drivers leave far too little space between their cars and other vehicles. Why? Often it's because they have no idea of how much space they need to be safe.
How much is enough?
You may get away with leaving just enough room to react to brake lights. But what if the vehicle ahead stops dead - as it may do if it runs into an obstruction? Then you need at least the full stopping distance from that speed.
Judgement
Simply being able to recite the table of stopping distances in The Highway Code is of little practical use. What matters is being able to judge a safe separation distance.
Rules of thumb
Most people find it easier to estimate time than distance. You may already use the well-known "two second rule." That is, you make sure that your car passes any point at least two seconds after the car ahead has passed it. But beware; this rule of thumb only covers your stopping distance at low speeds on dry roads. Once you go over 50mph you need a three-second gap to be safe. When it's wet you need to double the size of the gap (i.e. to at least four or six seconds, depending on speed) and at least double it again on an icy road.
Gut feeling
You may not try to measure your separation gap but rely instead on some sort of "gut feeling." Perhaps you base your judgement on balancing conflicting feelings - on one hand, the feeling that you're wasting space and, on the other hand, the feeling that you need space. This is a method that many drivers use (often without realising it) but it tends to be stressful and is unreliable.
"Wasting" space
Often the feeling that space is being wasted gets the upper hand and the driver closes up to the vehicle ahead and leaves an unsafe separation gap. Where do these feelings come from? Feeling that space can be wasted is a belief. It follows that to feel comfortable about using space safely you may need to change some beliefs.
Do you believe you shouldn't waste road space? If so, consider this: Can there be any better use of road space than as a means of preserving safety?
"Wasting" time
But hanging back wastes time, right? Wrong. The separation distance between your car and the one ahead makes no practical difference to your journey time. What would you do with the couple of seconds you save by tailgating? That's all the saving amounts to - a couple of seconds. And how long would it take you to recover from the strain of driving in such close proximity to other vehicles? Longer than two seconds, that's for sure.
The "fill the gap" muyth
In defence of their reluctance to hang back, many drivers raise the objection that other drivers will overtake, perhaps on the left on a motorway, and fill the gap. If this happens repeatedly, the journey will take much longer - or so they believe.
Like many of the distorted beliefs that contribute directly to road collisions, this one doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Suppose you were to undertake a long journey that you expected to take six hours or so. Even if other drivers filled your forward gap twenty times during the journey (it's very unlikely to happen that many times) and you dropped back to a three-second gap each time, that would add only one minute to your total journey time. Over six hours, does that make any real difference?
The safety bubble
If you perceive space to be something tangible and desirable (rather than an empty vacuum to be filled), you'll feel comfortable when you have it and uncomfortable when you haven't. You may find it helpful to visualise your car travelling inside a bubble of open space - a safety bubble. Whenever other vehicles in close proximity threaten to burst your safety bubble, adjust your speed and position to allow the bubble to expand freely again.
Next time you're driving, visualise a safety bubble around your car. How do your feelings change as you move closer to and away from other vehicles, and the bubble is squeezed and expands?
Dealing with tailgaters
It's all well and good keeping plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead, but what about drivers who insist on following you far too closely? How can you reduce the risk of being shunted from behind?
One thing's for certain - you can't control what they do. You're only in control of your own behaviour. There's a number of options you might consider, such as:
Maintain your speed and position
Consider what would happen if the car ahead stopped suddenly, assuming you're following it at a safe distance. By braking hard you'd stop without hitting it. But the car behind is so close it's bound to hit you, perhaps even before its driver has started braking. So doing nothing is not a valid option if you want to stay safe.
Increase your speed
You may feel a natural inclination to increase your speed, to try to move away from the car behind and open up the space. This inclination is best resisted; it'll only make matters worse. As you speed up you'll move forward and reduce your forward safety gap. The driver behind will almost certainly move forward with you, matching your speed and maintaining his insufficient forward gap. Then, if the car in front should suddenly stop, you'll have too little space to avoid hitting it. And the following car won't be able to stop either. By taking this option you run the risk of being the meat in the sandwich.
Touch the brake pedal lightly to illuminate your brake lights
You may feel tempted to do this, to "frighten off the aggressor" behind. Chances are you'll succeed only in irritating him (especially if you do it more than once), which may provoke him into some sort of retaliation. There is also the danger - if the driver behind is not aggressive but merely inattentive - that he may overreact to your brake lights and hit his brakes in a panic. He may then collide with the vehicle behind him - especially if that vehicle is also following too closely. So your action could spark off a crash.
Slow down gently and double your forward gap
There is a danger here of being overly defensive in your response, which could put you at risk in other ways. Certainly, by extending your gap so much, you'd be able to cope with any emergency ahead and still give the driver behind plenty of time to respond. The problem is that tailgating drivers tend to be impatient people. Such pronounced pulling back on your part might provoke an impatient driver into acting rashly - for example by overtaking where it's unsafe.
Slow down gently and add a second to your forward gap
This is the wisest choice, doing what's sometimes called "driving on the brakes of the driver behind." If you should need to pull up in a hurry, that extra second added to your forward gap allows you time to warn the tailgater with your brake lights (with a light touch on the brake pedal) just before you brake firmly. Then the tailgater can brake before you do or at the same time, thus maintaining his forward gap as you both stop safely.
CPD set to remain voluntaryThursday, 25 October 2012
The DSA has revealed that it is dropping plans to make continuing professional development mandatory for ADIs, saying that it wants the check test to remain the standard by which instructors are judged.
DSA chief executive Rosemary Thew said: 'A mandatory scheme would incur enforcement costs for DSA, which would ultimately have to be recovered through ADI registration fees. In addition, the check test process already exists to ensure ADIs are maintaining their standards of instruction.
'Any attempt to take an ADI off the register because they had failed to undertake mandatory CPD would be hard to justify without them failing a check test - and it‘s on that basis that we’re keeping the scheme voluntary.
'I know that many in the industry will be disappointed, but the regulatory environment has changed significantly since the mandatory scheme was first raised. We will be working to ensure that the check test process remains an effective test of ADI competence.'
Drivers admit texting, emailing and tweeting on the moveTuesday, 23 October 2012
An AA survey has revealed that 42% of drivers admit to texting, emailing tweeting and updating social media via their mobile phones. Of those who admitted to using their phones on the move, an astonishing 40% didn’t think it was distracting.
Nearly 60% of drivers said they have never used their phone while driving, but the AA has raised concerns about the growing acceptability of using handheld devices on the move.
AA president Edmund King said: “Drivers need to concentrate on driving rather than be distracted by their digital technology. Our research shows that some drivers are now using their smartphones for more than talking on the move. It is really not smart to talk, text or tweet on the move.”
Driving offences involving death
The main types of driving offences involving fatalities are 'dangerous driving' and 'careless or inconsiderate driving'. The driver's behaviour is what is important, not what the driver believes. Someone may be committing a dangerous driving offence even though they believe they are driving safely.
What is 'Dangerous driving'?
A person drives dangerously when:
Some typical examples from court cases of dangerous driving are:
What is 'Careless or inconsiderate driving'?
A person drives carelessly or inconsiderately when the way they drive falls below the minimum acceptable standard expected of a competent and careful driver.
Some examples of careless driving are:
Examples of inconsiderate driving include:
What other driving offences apply in cases involving death?
Other driving offences causing death include:
How heavy are the penalties?
The penalties depend on which of the following offences may have been committed:
Who brings the charges?
When a death occurs on the road and an offence may have been committed, the police will investigate. Police or CPS will normally bring charges if there is sufficient supporting evidence. Charges are likely to be brought even if it is members of the driver's family who were killed.
Advice for driving in Autumn
Driving in autumn can be as treacherous as a dodgy car salesman. As such, Simon Elstow from the Institute of Advanced Motorists has revealed his top tips for staying out of trouble:
- As it gets further into autumn and the temperature drops, clear your windscreens of condensation or ice before setting off. Always give yourself extra time to ensure you can see though your windows clearly before starting your journey.
- A patch of wet leaves can be as dangerous as hitting standing water. Take care and reduce your speed before driving onto them.
- As the days get shorter, remember to turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for drivers to see you in twilight.
- Autumn can take its toll on car batteries, keep the top of the battery clean and dry and make sure the terminals are tight and free from corrosion.
- If a battery is more than three years old, check it now you might save yourself many a frustrating start to a morning.
- Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. If they squeak as they wipe, they probably need replacing, and always make sure they are turned off before starting the ignition to save the blades and the risk of a blown motor fuse when the first frost hits.
Elstow said: “Remember that leaves can be slippery, especially when wet so avoid hard acceleration or braking as it can cause skidding. Be aware that there may be a dip, pothole or other road hazard hiding under the leaves covering the road, and hold the wheel firmly if you must drive over them.”
By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk
Drivers delaying costly repairsThursday, 04 October 2012Via the Daily Telegraph
Motorists are putting off essential maintenance on their cars because of the rising cost of driving, a survey has discovered.
The poll of 2,000 drivers by Halfords found that 84 per cent described their vehicles as essential to daily life, with 42 per cent driving for two hours or longer every day.
Many car owners said that the increasing cost of running a car forced them to cut back on nights out or leisure activities, as well as cancelling visits to family or friends, or only visiting people close to where they lived. Ten per cent of those in the poll also said they had taken up sharing lifts with collegues on the daily commute.
Eight per cent of people admitted to delaying essential car maintenance, and 37 per cent to ignoring strange engine noises and dashboard warning lights. Even more alarming are the 47 per cent who delay tyre replacement until the tread is at or below the legal minimum, and the 22 per cent who do not replace brake pads. The result, if taken across total car ownership, is about one million cars on the road with unsafe tyres and brakes, said Halfords.
The survey also revealed that in order to save money 27 per cent of people said they had switched from main dealerships to independent garages.
"It is clear that families cannot give up their car," said Paul McClenaghan, Halfords commercial director.
"It is an essential part of their everyday lives. The cost of motoring is having a painful impact on people's pockets, but putting off maintenance really is a false economy.
"By choosing to ignore obvious faults drivers are only delaying the inevitable and increasing the likely cost when something eventually fails, as well as potentially putting themselves and other road users at risk."
The study also found that young drivers (aged 18-34) struggle with the cost of motoring, with 48 per cent unable to pay for lessons and 20 per cent roping in their parents to teach them how to drive. Even when they pass their test, 30 per cent of people can't afford to buy a vehicle.
UK Drink Driving Statistics |
Drink Driving Statistics
• On average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions.
• Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
• Drinking and driving occurs across a wide range of age groups but particularly among young men aged 17-29 in both casualties and positive breath tests following a collision. The Government's most recent drink drive campaigns aims to target this group.
• The latest provisional figures from 2004, show that some 590 people were killed in crashes in which a driver was over the legal limit, 2,350 were seriously injured and 14,050 were slightly injured.
• And if you think you won't get caught, more than half a million breath tests are carried out each year and on average 100,000 are found to be positive.
Drinking and Driving Don't Mix
• The legal limit in the UK is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. However, any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive safely. The effects can include:
o slower reactions
o increased stopping distance
o poorer judgement of speed and distance
o reduced field of vision
• Alcohol also tends to make you feel over-confident and more likely to take risks when driving, which increases the danger to all road users, including yourself.
• There is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely. It depends on:
o your weight, sex, age, metabolism
o stress levels
o an empty stomach
o the amount and type of alcohol
• The only safe option is not to drink if you plan to drive. Never offer a drink to someone else who is driving.
The Morning After
• If you've been out drinking you may still be affected by alcohol the next day. You may feel OK, but you may still be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit.
• You could still lose your licence if you drive the next day when you're still over the legal alcohol level.
• It's impossible to get rid of alcohol any faster. A shower, a cup of coffee or other ways of 'sobering up' will not help. It just takes time.
The Law
• Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum penalty of 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 months driving ban.
• An endorsement for a drink-driving offence remains on a driving licence for 11 years, so it is 11 years before a convicted driver will have a "clean" licence again.
• Being in charge of a vehicle whilst over the legal limit or unfit through drink could result in 3 months' imprisonment plus a fine of up to £2,500 and a driving ban.
• The penalty for refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis is a maximum 6 months' imprisonment, up to £5000 fine and a driving ban of at least 12 months.
• Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, a minimum 2 year driving ban and a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.
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Men refuse to ask for directions out of 'blind panic'
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
From the Daily Telegraph
It is a scenario familiar to long-suffering wives everywhere. Hopelessly lost on a country road, the man behind the wheel refuses to ask directions, grits his teeth and drives even faster into unknown territory.
But while the reluctance of male drivers to accept any outside help certainly seems like pig-headedness, it may actually stem from a less macho cause: blind panic.
While women are more than happy to use all available resources to help them reach a goal, men will rigidly stick to their original "system" – such as a map or set of directions – even though it has clearly led them astray.
Being forced to confront the fact that their system does not work makes men flustered and usually results in them putting the pedal to the floor in a desperate bid to avoid the reality of the situation, experts said.
Tristan Gooley, an explorer and expert in "natural navigation", said he had noticed the difference between men and women while running courses in the use of cues like the position of the sun, moon and stars for orientation.
When shown a picture of a house with a low sun beside it men struggled to tell whether the sun rising or setting, but women realised it must be setting because the lights in the house were on, he explained.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "I was testing the things that I taught people – the sun, the moon, the stars, the wind, the weather, plants, animals, all these sorts of things.
"I put this test in front of groups, and men would stick within the system I had taught whereas the women would quite often say, 'never mind all that, I can tell the lights are on in the house and nobody puts all the lights on at the start of the day'.
"I think women have less comfort with and faith in a system ... men like systems so they stay within the system even if it isn't working all the way."
In the context of a car journey, men may refuse to ask directions because doing so would be tantamount to admitting that their system was not working, he added.
"If you admit a system doesn't work once, the fear creeps in that it doesn't work at all and so there is a panic. Men won't admit it, but that is my theory why men don't ask for directions."
The suggestion was backed up by Dee Cafari, the solo round-the-world sailor, who added: "I think maybe our outlook and our view is different. I would say that women are more open to alternative suggestions.
"It is a little like creating something from a box – the women will read the instructions to find out how it should be done and the men will just go forth and see what bits are left over."
Learning to drive a car
Find a driving instructor
Choosing your instructor is an investment that can save you time, money and a lot of a disappointment in failed driving tests. Choosing the cheapest does not mean value for money. Before making your enquiries we recommend that you obtain the publication DSA Official Guide to Learning to Drive which will provide you with a wealth of information about the steps you need to take about applying for your provisional driving licence and the questions you need to ask of a prospective driving instructor.
To help you get started we have provided a few additional pointers to help you on your road to success.
Are they fully qualified?
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) must pass three examinations and pay a registration fee to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) before they can advertise themselves as an Approved Driving Instructor. In addition they must undergo periodic tests of continued fitness to teach (known as a check test) in order to remain on the DSA Register of ADIs. Every ADI is graded from 1 to 6. Grade 1 is the lowest grade and Grade 6 is the highest. Only those ADIs who are graded as a 4 and above are considered to be fit to teach. Therefore, you should consider the grade of your instructor before parting with any money!
An ADI MUST, by law, display their green octagon-shaped licence in their training vehicle. You may still learn to drive with a Potential Driving Instructor (PDI), however you should be aware that they have yet to take their final assessment, which is their ability to teach. A PDI MUST display their pink triangular-shaped licence in their training vehicle. The ADI/PDI licence MUST be displayed on the bottom left hand side of the instructor’s windscreen, just by the tax disc.
Why choose a DIA member?
All DIA members have signed the DIA code of conduct. This should give you peace of mind that you are choosing an instructor who operates their business to a professional standard.
In addition to the Code of Conduct, your instructor should make you aware of their business terms and conditions. Make sure you read them thoroughly and ask any questions you may have before you sign; always ask for your own copy. Terms and conditions are important as they make clear how the business operates and what is expected of both ADI and pupil. OurFind a driving instructor only lists qualified ADIs who have signed the Code of Conduct. This facility will also help you choose an instructor with additional qualifications and specific services (automatics, teaching disabled drivers, speakers of other languages etc) to help you find value for money. Those instructors with the initials DipDI after their name denotes that they have passed the Diploma in Driving Instruction.
Is the tuition car suitable for you?
A good question. You will be spending a few hours learning in it so you will need to be able to operate all of the controls with comfort and ease. Traditionally, instructors’ cars are small, but nowadays, there is quite a range to pick from. It is important you pick a vehicle that doesn’t force you to sit with your knees around your ears or at the other end of the scale, having to stretch to reach the clutch pedal properly.
Compatibility
During your initial phone call or contact with an instructor, do ask a few questions such as;
- Do you cover my home/work/school area and what days of the week do you work?Never assume this, always ask as not all instructors work evenings and weekends.
- What hours of the day do you work? Important if you want very early or late evening lesson times as not all instructors work those hours.
- Can I be picked up from school and dropped off at home? If there is a fair distance between pick up and drop off points, or if the instructor’s next lesson is miles away, it could make an awkward situation later on if this is not established first, remember they are not a taxi service!
- Will I be trained on a variety of road and traffic conditions? Once you have passed your test you are on your own! Make sure that your instructor is registered for Pass Plus to enable them to do this.
How much do I pay for lessons?
The average price for a driving lesson in the UK ranges from £20 - £28 depending on what part of the country you are in. Some instructors will offer block-booking discounts, and if you need to take a fair few lessons, this may work out cheaper for you and it shows your commitment to the course. Some people find it better to learn via an intensive course.
If you intend paying cash per lesson, then make sure the instructor issues you with a receipt, so both parties know what date and how much cash was handed over so there are no embarrassing discrepancies later on.
Communication
At the first meeting, establish means of communication between you and the instructor such as, phone numbers – certainly one should be a mobile for text messages, and email if possible. Think about establishing boundaries with regards to how late of an evening to call each other. Not everyone appreciates being called at midnight!
Recommended reading
Instructors want bike safety in driving test
Monday, 10 September 2012
From The Times
Driving instructors are pressing for cycle awareness to become part of the practical driving test as a way of slowing a rise in collisions with cyclists.
Official figures show that the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured rose by 13 per cent in the first quarter of 2012, at a time when the number of car occupants killed or seriously injured fell by 4 per cent. The number of casualties among cyclists has risen in 10 out of the last 13 quarters.
While cycling remains a relatively safe mode of transport, there are fears that the success of Team GB cyclists this summer will encourage novice riders onto the roads and raise the risk of a continued rise in casualties.
Campaigners are urging Government and highways agencies to do more to protect the growing body of cyclists.
As the number of collisions continues to grow, driving instructors are now pressing for a separate module on cycle awareness in the driving test. Seventy-five per cent of instructors think this would help road safety, according to a survey by RED Driving School. A poll of 600 instructors across the UK found that most were in favour its inclusion in the practical driving test.
“With more people taking to their bikes as a result of the ‘Bradley Wiggins effect’ since the Olympics, it’s likely that road accidents could increase. Now, more than ever, we need to crack down on careless, dangerous driving, focusing on education and training to improve road safety,” said Ian McIntosh, the company’s chief executive. The poll showed that 88 per cent of instructors believe that cyclists should also take some formal training.
Martin Gibbs, British Cycling’s Policy and Legal Affairs Director, said: “We want to see learner drivers educated to see cyclists as legitimate road users who have a right to be treated with respect and consideration. We are also calling for drivers to learn safe overtaking manoeuvres.”
The cities fit for cycling campaign calls for improved training of cyclists and drivers and recommends that cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test. Learner drivers already take a hazard perception test, including bicycles, as part of the driving theory test. The Driving Standards Agency is cautious about including a specific cycle safety module in the practical test. A spokesman said that if the focus was put on cyclists, it would inevitably exclude other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or horse riders.
The AA and prominent cycle groups want cycle safety to become part of the national schools curriculum to instil road-safety training from an early age. Last year fewer than 200,000 children took a cycle training course funded by their local authority, according to the national training body.
Elderly motorists unfairly penalised?
Tuesday, 04 September 2012
From the Telegraph
Gordon Crowder is 89 and drives his car nearly every day. The retired teacher from Hook in Hampshire says his Honda Accord is a lifeline because it guarantees continued mobility for himself and his wife Muriel, 90.
"I mostly drive local journeys. To the shops, village church or Winchester Cathedral," says Mr Crowder, who learnt to drive at 17 with the RAF.
"We also like to go out for lunch and visit friends. As you get older, the car becomes more important. It would be much more difficult if we had to rely on public transport or the goodwill of friends and family."
There are more than 3.8 million full licence holders aged 70 and over in the UK, according to the DVLA. But driving in your more advanced years isn't always straightforward and motorists can sometimes feel discriminated against.
This was recently highlighted by Telegraph columnist Joan Bakewell. The 79-year old had hired a car with Hertz for a holiday to Malta – but things didn't go to plan.
She says: "I'd booked the car online in the UK but when I arrived in Malta they took one look at my licence and told me I couldn't drive the car because I was over 75. It was left to my friend, who's in her sixties, to do all the driving.
"I was furious because people age at different speeds. It's seriously discriminatory; there shouldn't be an age limit. I have no problem having a medical or driving test to prove I'm a competent driver."
According to a spokeswoman, Hertz has no upper age limit as a general policy, as long as drivers have a valid licence. However, age restrictions can be country specific, which includes Malta, where the limit is 75. Hertz advises drivers to check for restrictions when booking a car or call 08708 448844 for information.
Avis doesn't have a maximum age limit provided the driver has held a clean licence for 12 months, although some surcharges may apply.
Europcar has an upper age of 75 but warns some franchisees operate their own rules.
Alamo Rent A Car and sister company National Car Rental have no age limit in the UK, except when hiring from franchisees in Aberystwyth, Pembroke, Carmarthen and Llanelli, where it's 75, and European countries vary.
Saga Group spokesman Paul Green says the age limits are unnecessary: "There's quite a lot of needless discrimination against older drivers in the hire car business. I think the limits in place are completely arbitrary – insurance is available."
There are also other ways age affects how motorists are treated. At 70 a driver must renew his or her licence with the DVLA for a maximum of three years at a time, declaring any relevant medical condition.
A DVLA spokesman explains: "The increased frequency of renewals enables older drivers to consider more carefully their ongoing fitness to drive. We receive 70,000 notifications of a medical condition from older drivers each year on renewal."
Age doesn't seem to be an issue with breakdown cover but it can affect insurance.
A spokesman for the AA says the company doesn't provide any age-specific policies, although one or two of its panel of insurers might do.
He adds: "We won't take a customer on cover off as they get older unless there are very good reasons for doing so, such as a catastrophic accident that can be put down to an issue such as poor eyesight or other medical problem."
Saga's insurance policy has no upper limit – it has about 6,000 policies where the main driver is 91 or over, and about a dozen over 100.
Green adds: "When drivers get into their seventies and eighties they will statistically have more accidents per mile but they drive fewer miles. The typical accident will be manoeuvring at low speed, reversing into a bollard."
However, drivers will usually see old age push up premiums.
Mr Crowder saw his premium with AA Insurance fall on his latest renewal but, on the whole, says his premiums have risen steadily with age, with fewer insurers willing to offer cover.
"With an exemplary driving record that can be irritating," he says. "But I'm aware there will come a time when I should hang up my car keys, and that many people my age come to grief behind the wheel."
Premiums generally rise faster for women once drivers reach their mid to late seventies. One reason can be the illness of a spouse, which recently happened to Sandra Moss, 69. "I hadn't driven for 30 years," says the retired topographer from near Sittingbourne in Kent. "But without a car we wouldn't be able to get to the shops, see our two daughters or play bowls."
Mrs Moss signed up for the AA's Charitable Trust's Drive Confident course that offers two hours of free tuition with an AA driving instructor.
She says: "Because I hadn't driven for so long I was even nervous at roundabouts – there weren't so many around 30 years ago.
Telematics help to make young drivers safer
Monday, 03 September 2012
From Young Marmalade
Young drivers who insure themselves through schemes incorporating in-car telematics are a third less likely to have an accident in their first year of driving than the national average.
Young Marmalade, which specialises in keeping young drivers safe, is predicting less than 6% of new drivers insured under their Intelligent Marmalade scheme (which is still in the first year of its existence) will be involved in an accident whereas according to government statistics 20% of drivers nationally suffer some sort of crash within their first year of driving.
“We are now using sophisticated, modern in-car ‘telematics’ to monitor driver’s acceleration, braking, cornering and speed,” said Nigel Lacy –Young Marmalade’s Director of Marketing.
“The information we collect from our ‘Orange Box’ is reflected in the cost of the driver’s premium but it also gives young people the opportunity to prove exactly how safe they are as drivers.
“All the indications are that telematics significantly improves the way youngsters drive and, more importantly, their safety on the road,” said Mr Lacy. Young Marmalade receives significant discounts from car manufacturers through bulk purchasing and they pass on these discounts back to the young driver to help with overall affordability.
“Reducing premiums is about managing the insurance company’s exposure to risk,” said Mr Lacy. “The more information we can build up about the driver, the more we can reward safer driving with reduced premiums.”
Young Marmalade also runs a ‘most improved driver of the month’ scheme with the winner receiving £100.
Quarter of motorists led astray by holiday satnavs
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
A survey by windscreen repairer Autoglass has revealed the many ways in which holidaymakers have been led astray by their satnavs.
The research found that two-thirds of drivers rely on GPS devices when on trips, while a fifth of respondents said that they prefer to stick with a good old map.
Of the people who said they depended on the satnavs, nearly half said that they had got into difficulty because of the devices.
The top ten incidences were:
1. Driving into a dead end or closed road
2. Going the wrong way up a one-way street
3. Heading into a field
4. Directions causing an accident
5. Driving into a forest
6. Heading into open water
7. Driving into someone’s house or front garden
8. Going round in circles
9. Driving over speed humps in a housing estate
10. Turning off a motorway despite there being no exit
Despite the problems, 19% of motorists couldn’t live without their satnavs. Autoglass managing director Matthew Mycock said: “We would always urge drivers to exercise a degree of common sense when using technology on the roads.
“Motorists should always ensure they are prepared for a long drive before jumping into the car. This means, checking the route before setting off, checking tyre pressure is correct, as well as keeping the windscreen clean and free from debris to ensure clear visibility.”
Older drivers getting someone else to DIY
Monday, 27 August 2012
The number of people carrying out basic car maintenance has almost halved over the last five years according to research by Saga.
Almost 1,000 motorists over the age of 50 were surveyed by the company, and it found that only one in 10 would attempt basic repairs to their car.
The research has shown that as cars have become more complex, over 50s have become less confident with car maintenance. People who own a car that is more than 10 years old are almost twice as likely to attempt to repair their car themselves than someone who owns a car that is under a year old.
Only 2% of women are likely to lift the bonnet and make repairs to their car compared with 15% of men. However, this could be a wise move as one in six (16%) men take their car to a garage after failing to make basic repairs themselves.
Saga Services chief executive Roger Ramsden said: “Peering under the bonnet of a car can be daunting. But learning how to do minor repairs could save a lot of money – as long as you know what you’re doing. Just changing the windscreen wipers yourself could save around £30.”
Top Gear presenters give advice to young drivers
Friday, 24 August 2012
James May and Richard Hammond have warned young drivers in an interview with Rev, an online magazine aimed at new motorists.
Richard Hammond warned: “You can get a little cocky when driving, especially when you do it for a day job as I do. Cars are super-powered machines - they need to be respected!
“Kids don't need to impress others by driving fast - you've got your whole life to get that energy out, and there are much better ways of doing it. Choose your battles, because one of them shouldn't be with an accelerator!
“I’m always telling kids not to believe they have control of the car. We all go through that phase of feeling as if the car is in control of them. Then, one day, you feel as if you've mastered it. Well that's the most dangerous time because, trust me, you haven't!
“And a car can choose to go out of control very quickly and quite alarmingly. I think the driving test should contain some training in loss of control of the car.”
James May advised new drivers to take special care of their cars: "I’m the 'custodian' of my vehicles, because that's what I am. As a motorist, you never really own a car; it's just in your care for a while. That's why we all owe it to ourselves and our metal friends to treat cars with the respect they deserve, because the chances are they'll belong to someone else further down the road!"
Workmen paint 30mph limit on road next to 40 sign
Thursday, 23 August 2012
From the Daily Mail
Baffled motorists have been forced to do a double take after bungling workmen painted a 30mph speed limit - just feet away from a 40mph sign.
The workmen in Upminster, Essex, painted the 30mph speed limit on the road to signal to drivers to slow down as they entered a reduced speed zone.
But they failed to notice that there was already a 40mph sign erected on the side of the road, bewildering any motorist entering the town.
The mixed signals were spotted on St. Mary's Lane, a busy A road, entering the centre of the town of Upminster.
Driving instructor Chris Bancroft, of Romford, regularly takes students out on the stretch of road.
Mr Bancroft said: 'The first time I noticed it I was doing a lesson and the student didn't know what the speed limit was and had to ask me.
'It totally confuses them and it must confuse drivers who aren't learners too.
'I don't really understand it.
'Who would actually look at a 40-sign and think I'll paint 30 on the road?'
The mixed-up road markings are now to be changed by the contractors, Carillion.
The 30mph road signs were painted after the firm carried out work for electricity giant UK Power Networks.
Councillor Michael White, leader of Havering Council, said: 'This was a mistake made by Carillion Plc, working on behalf of UK Power Networks.
'We have told Carillion to correct the markings as soon as possible, otherwise we will put them right and charge them accordingly.'
A Carillion spokesman admitted the mistake and said the 30mph sign would be corrected this week.
Engineers call for longer crossing times
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
The Institute of Highway Engineers has called for green times on pedestrian crossings to be made longer so that the elderly and less mobile aren’t left in the road as the lights change, and for greater use to be made of Puffin crossings.
The call has come in response to a UCL study that claimed most older pedestrians are unable to cross the road in time. Scientists worked out that people needed to move at an average of 1.2m per second to cross the road in time, but discovered that the average pace for over-65s was 0.9m per second for men and 0.8m per second for women.
President of the IHE, Steve Spender, said: “Pelican crossings have been part of the UK highway scene for more than 40 years and have proved their worth in road safety terms, [but] Puffin crossings address concerns and have been shown to be safer than Pelicans. They use above-ground detectors to see pedestrians on the crossing when the traffic lights turn red and the green man shows. These detectors only allow the traffic light to go green when there are no pedestrians on the crossing.”
Parents waiting 2.5 days a year for their kids
Monday, 20 August 2012
Parents spend an average of two-and-a-half days each year just sitting in their cars waiting for their children, according to new research.
The survey, by Sainsbury’s car insurance, showed that parents were racking up hours every week waiting for their kids to finish sporting and social events. More than 330,000 parents are said to spend more than five hours each week waiting around.
Despite the apparent waste of time, parents say the time they spend with their children is valuable. Around a third of parents who drive children to events claim it is one of the few opportunities they have to talk to them without being distracted by televisions, iPods and computer games. Nearly one in five say it is some of the best quality time they spend with their children.
Head of Sainsbury's car insurance, Ben Tyte, said: “Parents often claim their children expect them to wait on them hand and foot and our research confirms that for many, this is the case, only they are also waiting behind the wheel for them.
“Parents devote significant time from their busy lives driving children to events and waiting while they finish. Far from being a bind however, millions of parents feel they spend valuable time with their children in the car, free from the myriad of electronic distractions in the home.”
Police shame 80 drivers caught snapping crash scene
Friday, 17 August 2012
From the Daily Mail
Police officers attending the 'horrific' accident on the M1 in Northamptonshire were shocked to see drivers crawling along the to get a better look at the scene and take pictures.
The quick-thinking officers set up their own camera and recorded all the motorists on the opposite carriageway who used their phones while driving - itself an offence.
As the police caught the careless drivers, the 21-year-old female trucker lay trapped inside her wagon for four-and-a-half hours battling to stay alive.
A staggering 80 people were seen using their camera phones to get a picture of the smash.
Police have now released some of the images and sent letters to the owners of the cars warning them that they were committing an offence and highlighting the dangers of their behaviour.
It is believed to be the first time in the country a force has carried out such an operation.
Sergeant Nick Gray, from the Collision Investigation Unit said: 'After completing our investigations at the scene of the collision, we were astonished to see so many motorists using their mobile phones to capture an image of what was a horrific collision.
'Because of how badly the driver was trapped, we had a period of four hours before we could continue with our work and after witnessing the number of people using mobile phones decided to use a camera to film motorists travelling on the opposite carriageway.
'During those four hours we filmed 80 motorists using their phones to capture images of the collision.'
The lorry crashed between junctions 15 and 16 on the southbound stretch of the busy motorway at 6.20am.
It was reported at the time that the crash happened when a blue Suzuki Ingnis was stationary on the hard shoulder.
The was closed for 11 hours as emergency services battled to save the woman's life. It eventually reopened at 5.20pm.
Sgt Gray said that in a number of cases the motorists who were caught taking pictures were using a company vehicle.
The employers received the letters from the police.
He added: 'The employers have contacted us requesting more information so they can take internal disciplinary action'.
He said the Force had taken the decision not to prosecute the motorists in a bid to educate them about the consequences of using a mobile phone while behind the wheel.
He added: 'Using your mobile phone while driving can and does lead to serious injury, and sometimes fatal, road traffic collisions.
'The drivers photographed showed a total disregard for the law and the devastation which would be caused to their own or another family in a fatal road traffic collision.
'Many of the drivers photographed would class themselves as ''professional drivers''.
'I am astounded that people not only use their mobile phones to talk on while driving, but would also use them to take pictures, especially at the scene of such a serious road traffic collision.
'It is every motorists responsibility to make sure they follow the law and no phone call, picture or text message is important than risking your own, or other road users lives.'
TfL video shows dangerous LGV blindspots
Monday, 13 August 2012
Transport for London has released a hard-hitting video aimed at showing cyclists the dangers of LGV blindspots.
Clearly it's not just cyclists who can benefit from an increased awareness of what fellow road users can see out of their vehicles though...
Cost of insurance over £1,000
Monday, 06 August 2012
From the Daily Telegraph
The cost of car insurance has soared to an average of more than £1,000 a year, a study has found.
Some providers are raising their prices as they tackle “crash for cash” scams and “excessive” numbers of whiplash claims.
The average cheapest premium for comprehensive cover sold directly jumped by 8.5pc year-on-year to £1,034, the AA British insurance premium index found. Young drivers bore the brunt of the rises, with premiums for men aged 17 to 22 at £2,792 in the second quarter of this year. Premiums also increased for women in this age group to an average of £1,995.
Greater Manchester and Liverpool were the most expensive regions for buying policies, with average quotes of £1,648. But some providers have been slashing their prices to build up their customer base.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said the market was "in turmoil". He said "significant inroads" were being made to tackle fraudulent claims such as "crash for cash", although insurers were still handling "excessive" numbers of whiplash claims, which push up premiums.
Whiplash injury claims are said to cost insurers more than £2 billion last year, adding around £90 to the cost of a typical car insurance policy. The AA has said that over the past two years, claims for whiplash injury contributed to the biggest car insurance premium increases ever recorded.
Application fraud, where buyers withhold or change information to reduce premiums, was also being targeted by insurers.
"We expect the industry eventually to have routine access to DVLA data and the sooner this happens the better," Mr Douglas said. "It will allow fraudulent applications to be weeded out. Insurance companies are already exchanging information about people who appear to be manipulating data in order to cut the price quoted."
While companies making big premium cuts on price comparison sites to draw in customers was “great news for consumers,” he warned they needed to ensure they were getting “good cover, not just a good price."
Scotland remains the cheapest region to buy car insurance, with an average lowest quote of £727.
Tyre labels to be rolled out
Monday, 30 July 2012
The tyre industry has begun a five-month campaign to educate consumers about new tyre labels set to be introduced in November.
The European Union scheme closely follows the format of labels that can be found on new white consumer goods such as washing machines and tumble dryers, and aims to give consumers information on fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise.
Tyre retailers must display the labels from 1 November, but many have already begun to introduce them. Around 35m tyres are sold in the UK each year, but up to now it has been very difficult for consumers to compare the different products available.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Pail Everitt said: “"There are more than 150 million tyres currently on UK roads, so any information to help motorists understand crucial safety and performance characteristics is valuable, particularly given the safety improvements and fuel efficiency savings that can be gained from choosing the right tyre.
“Before this tyre label, customers only had price and brand to distinguish between more than 300 different types of tyres; now motorists have a set of comparable factors to make buying decisions easier."
Young drivers still the most vulnerable says the AA
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
From the Telegraph
A report released by the AA reveals that a almost quarter of young drivers crash in the first six months after passing their test.
Furthermore, nearly 40 per cent of drivers have a crash by the time they are 23. That's according to Young Drivers at Risk, which is based on the findings of a survey of more than 14,000 drivers in the AA/Populus panel, which is being launched today by Nigel Mansell at the Silverstone Classic racing event.
An analysis of the drivers' first crashes revealed that they were most likely to happen in the daytime (only 13 per cent happen at night) and that bad weather was only a factor in 15 per cent of cases. Sixty-three per cent of people have their first crash without passengers in the car.
Mansell, a Member of the Commission for Global Road Safety, said: "This is a vitally important issue which doesn't get enough attention. Too many of our young people are still being killed or injured on the roads. These are preventable tragedies."
The report was compiled by the AA and the Make Roads Safer Campaign and calls for young drivers to be given more opportunities to drive in a safe, off-road environment before they turn 17 and are able to take their driving test.
Edmund King, director of the AA, said: "Road safety education must be a life skill that starts at the age of three but is continually refreshed throughout life. It needs to begin many years before someone is old enough to apply for their provisional licence.
"If teenagers have had interesting and practical road safety education they are less likely to take dangerous risks when they get behind the wheel alone. Road crashes are not only the leading cause of death and injury for young people in the UK, but also across the world. We need safer drivers in safer cars on safer roads, to reduce these preventable deaths in the UK and across the globe."
The report has been endorsed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: "Young male drivers especially suffer from a deadly combination of overconfidence and inexperience. Post-test training is without doubt the best way to address this.
"A focus on road safety in the national curriculum is currently non-existent - this needs to change. Driver training for under 17-year olds can be a fun way of introducing young people to safe driving."
In order to assist new motorists, the AA is offering 1,000 free driver improvement courses for those who have recently passed their test. Details can be found on the AA website.
Olympic games lanes have arrived
The ‘Games Lanes’ for Olympic Vehicles are starting to appear around London.
They will come in to operation from 25th July, 6am to midnight. After some events are completed, Games Lanes and any road alterations will start to disappear and returned to their original state. Games Lanes will finish on 11th September, (A couple of days after the Paralympics end. Games Lanes will not be in operation between the end of the Olympics and beginning of the Paralympics.
However, best advice is to check Transport for London and local signs.
During this time, DSA will continue to conduct driving tests. Some of the test centres will have less tests during the day, to allow for candidates who may get delayed on their way to the test centres, and during the test. However, candidates and Instructors are advised to plan their route and arrive early.
The Test Centres most likely to be affected are:
Barking
Belvedere
Chingford
Dorchester
Enfield MPTC
Erith
Goodmayes
Hayes
Hornchurch
Hendon
Hither Green
Loughton
Mill Hill
Slough
Southall
Wanstead
Wood Green
Essexdrive wins first award
Congratulations to Tim who managed to bag a 2nd place for Essexdrive at the Witham carnival on14th July i n 'Best of British - Decorated Trade Vehicle' Category
Drivers say no to self-driving cars
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
UK drivers would not feel comfortable in a self-driving car, according to a new survey.
Almost 60% of 2,000 motorists surveyed by car supermarket Motorpoint said they weren’t keen on a computer taking control of the car. The survey comes after Nevada granted the first permit for a self-driving car to internet firm Google.
Motorpoint managing director David Shelton said: “In today’s cars, there is more technology than ever before. However, it seems that people still love the thrill of the drive, and in sunny weather there isn’t much that beats a winding country road.”
Volvo recently tested a convoy of self-driving cars wirelessly linked to a lorry helmed by a professional driver, which ran for over 125 miles along a motorway in Spain. The technology is not currently legal in the UK.
Halfords to host driving tests
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
From BBC News
Learner drivers look set to be heading to Halfords or a fire station to take their test, under plans being finalised by ministers.
Transport minister Mike Penning told MPs the aim was to provide a "more local service for candidates". Tests will continue to be carried out by Driving Standards Agency examiners and the deals are not exclusive.
Cheshire-based Mantra Learning and "several universities" are also in the running to host tests, he said.
Mr Penning said in a written parliamentary statement there had been "real progress" with Halfords and Mantra.
"Subject to working agreements being finalised and suitable premises with driving test routes being identified, driving tests should be delivered... from premises of these organisations in the near future," he added.
"Local agreements with the Fire and Rescue Service, particularly in areas not otherwise covered, are also being explored and there have also been discussions with several universities."
Mr Penning said it was "a great example of how working with partners in the public and private sectors can help to ensure that we offer people the best possible service wherever they live".
Initially the tests will take place in parts of Glasgow, Kettering, Manchester, Watford and Worcestershire, starting this autumn at the earliest.
These arrangements will apply for practical driving tests, not other types of test or the theory test.
Read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news
UK Speed Limits - A Guide To Driving At The Correct Speed
You should always keep your speed below the maximum speed limit for the road you are driving on. Although you are not legally obliged to drive at the maximum speed limit, if it is safe to do, you should try and drive at a speed that at least approaches it, for instance, in a 40mph zone your speed should be between 35 and 40mph.
Driving too slowly can be as dangerous as driving too fast. The driver who toddles along a 60mph road at 40mph causes tailbacks and frustration. This can lead to dangerous overtaking manoeuvres and other road safety issues.
Speed in itself is not that dangerous, inappropriate speed is. Always take into account the weather and road conditions. Driving at 60mph, even though you are legally entitled to do so, when there is ice on the road is dangerous and inappropriate, as is driving at 40mph on a dual carriageway when the weather is fine.
The general speed limit rules for cars are:
- For built-up urban roads with street lighting the speed limit is 30 mph.
- For single carriageway roads the national speed limit is 60mph.
- For dual carriageways and motorways the speed limit is 70mph.
These speed limits apply at all times, whether during the rush hour or the dead of night and are overridden only if a road sign indicates a different speed limit for instance it is not uncommon to have a speed limit of 40mph on a road with street lighting.
Minimum Speed Limits
You won't often encounter a minimum speed limit however they are sometimes put in place where it is important to keep traffic moving smoothly.
The table below shows the national speed limits for different vehicles on different types of road.
The Correct Gears You Should Use
Different gears are used to reach and maintain different speeds. The general guideline is as follows:
- 1st gear - for speeds between 0 and 10mph
- 2nd gear - for speeds between 10 and 20mph
- 3rd gear - for speeds between 20 and 30mph
- 4th gear - for speeds between 30 and 40mph
- 5th gear - for speeds over 40mph
Stopping Distances
The distance, over which you can bring a car to a stop, the stopping distance, depends on four factors.
- The speed at which you are traveling
- The thinking distance - the time it takes you to think about stopping and hit the brakes
- The braking distance - the time it takes for the car to come to a stop after you have applied the brakes. As a general rule, on a good dry road, you can work out the braking distance by using this formula - take your speed, multiply it by the first digit then divide by two. The answer is the braking distance in feet. For example, you are driving at 70mph, so 70 x 7 equals 490 then 490 divided by 2, which equals a braking distance is 245 feet.
- The weather conditions - dry roads mean shorter braking distances, wet and icy mean longer braking distances
The following diagram shows overall stopping distances at a variety of speeds when the road surface is dry. If the road were wet the stopping distance would be twice the distance, on icy roads the stopping distance would be ten times as great.
 |
 |  |  |  |
| Maximum speed limit (could also show 20, 30 or 50mph) | National speed limit of 60mph applies | Minimum speed limit | End of minimum speed limit |
 |  |  |
| End of 20mph zone | Max speed limit within traffic calming zone | Speed cameras |
Damon Hill Speaks Out Against 80mph Limit
Former F1 champ says lack of concentration at high speeds for ordinary drivers means it is safer to drive slower.
Former world champion
racing driver Damon Hill has spoken out against Government proposals to
increase the motorway speed limit to 80mph.
Hill,
who won 22 Grand Prix and a Formula One world championship, said he
hardly ever drives above 70mph because "it's too stressful".
The Government is consulting on raising the speed limit from 70mph to 80mph on English and Welsh motorways.
The F1 champ, who retired in 1999, told the Radio Times: "Most people aren't safe to drive over 55.
"Honestly, the speed limit going up to 80mph makes me shudder...
"Because people drive too fast on the motorway. Mostly they drive too
fast, too close to the car in front, and they think they know what
they're doing. And they don't."
Hill added: "I used to drive like that and I had a few near misses. My
kids have learned to drive and they're out on the roads and it's
dangerous.
"You don't want to spoil people's fun. It's a fantastic day when you
get your driving licence, but it is also for some people the worst day
of their life.
"I escaped by the skin of my teeth when I was younger because I was a good driver, but that didn't make it okay."
Hill said driving at 200mph on a racetrack does not compare to driving at high speed on a motorway.
"The concentration level you are at in a race situation, you're in a totally different state of mind," he said.
"What happens when people drive on the roads is that they don't concentrate, they just think about something else.
"So they're relying on their unconscious to respond to things. That's why it's better to drive at a sensible pace."
Hill said that today's drivers had "learned to behave", adding "that's
got to be better than a load of spoilt kids throwing tantrums in racing
cars".
How to find driving instructors
DSA does not recommend individual instructors. To find and choose a driving instructor you can:
- use the 'find your nearest driving instructors' tool on Directgov to find your nearest fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI)
- ask your friends and relatives to recommend someone
- look online or in a local business directory
ADIs: the basics
Why use an ADI?
Nine out of ten learners who passed the practical test on their first attempt were taught by an ADI
If you're going to pay someone to teach you to drive, they must be an ADI or hold a trainee licence.
It's unlikely that anyone except an ADI would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly.
Nine
out of ten learners who passed the practical test on their first
attempt were taught by an ADI rather than a friend or relative.
Fully qualified ADIs and trainees
Examples of the green and pink badges
A fully qualified ADI must display a green badge on the windscreen of the car while teaching you.
Some
trainee driving instructors are given a trainee licence so they can get
experience before their qualifying test. They must display a pink badge
on the windscreen.
If your driving instructor is not displaying
either a green or pink badge in their car's windscreen, ask them to show
it to you. If they cannot show you their badge, you should report this
to DSA.
If you need to report illegal driving instruction to DSA,
see the section 'How to report illegal driving and riding instruction'.
How DSA maintains and checks standards of ADIs
DSA is responsible for maintaining and checking the standards of all ADIs. To qualify, they must:
- be registered with DSA
- have passed a criminal record check
- pass a much tougher theory and practical driving test, and pass a test of their ability to give instruction
- display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle
- maintain a high standard of instruction - DSA checks this standard regularly
How to choose your approved driving instructor
Top tip
Make sure that the instructor you choose is right for you
Once you have found an instructor, you need to make sure that they are right for you. Try to choose an instructor who:
- has a good reputation
- is reliable and punctual
- has a car that suits you
Checking your ADI's instruction standard
DSA regularly checks the standard of instruction of all ADIs. The instructor is then given a grade:
- '4' is satisfactory
- '5' is a good overall standard
- '6' is the highest
To find out which grade your instructor has been given, you can ask them to show you their last grade report.
Once you have started taking driving lessons
Top tip
It's important that you get on well with whoever is teaching you to drive
You should take advice from your ADI on:
- all aspects of driving
- what books to read
- when to take your test
- how to practice
If you don't like your instructor
If
you don't like your instructor after you start lessons, you can always
find a new instructor. It's important that you get on well with whoever
is teaching you to drive. Different people prefer different teaching
styles. You should try to find someone that suits you.
If you want to complain about your instructor
If
you want to complain about the non-supply of goods and services from
your ADI, contact Trading Standards or your local Citizens Advice
Bureau.
How to complain about the attitude of your instructor
If your complaint is about the attitude of your ADI, you can:
- send an email to
- adireg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
- send a letter to: ADI Section, DSA, The Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LP
You will need to give as much information as possible in your complaint.
Leicester learner driver fails theory test 92 times
A
learner driver in Leicester has spent nearly £3,000 trying to pass his
theory test, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.
The unnamed 28-year-old male has visited the Halford Street test centre 92 times.
He has failed the exam on each occasion, according to existing records.
But the number of fails may be even higher as documents only go back to April 2004.
David Hage, a qualified driving instructor who represents the
Institute of Advanced Motorists in Leicestershire, said: "I've come
across cases of five or 10 fails but 92 is a hell of a lot."
He said the theory tests were only going to get harder for
the unnamed man as the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) was no longer
going to publish the questions.
The 28-year-old was not the only person to have spent a lot
of time and effort learning how to drive in Leicester, the Driving
Standards Agency revealed.
A 33-year-old male took 22 attempts to finally pass his
practical test at the Gipsy Lane test centre. Neither of the drivers
were named by the DSA due to data protection laws.
Source: BBC news
Apply online for a first provisional driving licence
You can apply for your first British provisional driving licence online if you:
- are a resident of Great Britain
- can meet the minimum age requirement
- can meet the minimum eyesight requirement
- are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
- can pay £50.00 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card
- have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
- can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years
Do it online - do it quicker
Please have the following to hand:
- a valid debit or credit card
- your UK passport if you have one
- your National Insurance number if you have one
- details of previous addresses
DVLA will aim to send your driving licence within two weeks of you submitting your application.
Chancellor abandons August fuel duty hike
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Chancellor George Osborne has told the House of Commons that he is to suspend August's planned fuel duty increase.
The move comes after the prime minister tried earlier this week to
address the outcry from people who said the rise would be too much for
hard-pressed families. David Cameron said that there was no 'bottomless
pit of money' for the government to easily cancel the rise.
It is expected that the move will cost the Treasury around £550m, but
the chancellor has said that it can be paid for by
greater-than-expected cuts in departmental budgets.
He told the Commons: "This means that fuel duty will be 10p a litre
lower than planned by the last Labour government. We are on the side of
working families and businesses and this will fuel our recovery at this
very difficult economic time for the world. The one-off cost of this
change will be fully paid for by the larger than forecast savings in
departmental budgets and we will set out details of those as usual in
the autumn."
As the prime minister had sought to play down any expectations of a
cut there was increasing outcry from campaigners to ditch the rise.
Petrol Retailers Association chairman Brian Madderson had said that
cancelling the rise would be the right thing to do: “David Cameron knows
it is right to scrap this increase while the country struggles with a
second recession. The decision to do so would not be a U-turn, but
common sense prevailing as the economic outlook deteriorates."
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