Friday, 25 June 2010

Drink-Driving Laws Should Be Tougher, Says Report

Sir Peter North recommends cutting legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

A government-commissioned report [pdf] has called for Britain's drink-driving laws to be toughened to a level that would put some people over the limit after one drink.

In the first review of drink-driving laws for 34 years, Sir Peter North recommends cutting the maximum legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg. Drivers found with this lower level in their blood, which for some people would represent a single glass of wine or a pint of strong beer, would face a 12-month driving ban, as they do now.

North stressed that most drivers could still have a drink without infringing the new limit. The government said it would consider all of his 51 recommendations.


The report cites figures from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, which estimates that as many as 168 lives could be saved in the first year of a reduced limit.

North said the public supported tougher limits. "Research conclusively shows the much higher risk posed by drink driving. With a blood alcohol level between my proposed new limit of 50mg/100ml and the current 80mg/100ml limit, a driver has a six times greater risk of road death than a non-drinking driver. The public is ready for a lower limit."


If adopted North's proposals would bring Britain's drink-driving laws into line with most European countries. In seven countries – Sweden, Poland, Belgium Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – any drink-driving is effectively banned.


"Great Britain is almost the only European country to continue to have a

BAC limit above 50mg/100 ml," the report says. It points out that Britain's 12-month driving ban is tougher than the European norm.



North, who was commissioned by the former transport secretary Lord Adonis, called for improvements to drug-driving laws by allowing nurses as well as doctors to authorise blood tests of suspects. He recommended the development of a roadside saliva test of those suspected of driving having taken drugs.

North ruled out a 20mg alcohol limit for young and new drivers but said this possible lower limit should be looked at again after five years. The report says cars of high-risk drink-drive offenders should be targeted and coroners should test for drugs in all road deaths.

The transport secretary, Philip Hammond, said he would "carefully consider" the report but would balance it against the possible damage to the drinks industry.

"It is important that we fully investigate the economic and public service resource impact of any suggested changes to the law, taking account of the financial and economic situation.

"Our priority will be to tackle drink and drug-driving in the most effective way possible to protect law-abiding road users."

Drivers' groups and safety campaigners welcomed the report. The AA president, Edmund King, said: "Our members want action on drug-driving and also support a reduction in the drink-drive limit, together with a 12-month ban."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The message needs to be sent that drug-driving is as socially unacceptable as drink-driving. Tougher regulation will help underline this."

Alan Kennedy, chairman of Road Safety GB, which represents more than 200 local authority road safety groups, said: "Each year hundreds of people die at the hands of drink-drivers, yet the UK has some of the most lenient drink-driving laws in Europe. We are one of only five countries in the EU with a legal limit of 80mg.

"This is a great opportunity to significantly reduce the number of deaths on our roads and we urge the government to accept the North findings."

Source : Matthew Weaver - www.guardian.co.uk

BSM Thinks Pink To Calm L-Test Nerves

BSM, a major motoring school, is using pink Fiat 500s because it claims their paintwork calms learner drivers.

The company quotes research showing that pink has a relaxing effect on physical behaviour, reducing anxiety within minutes of exposure to the colour, helping to steady nerves.

The pink Fiats will be located in London, Bristol, Manchester and the south-east.

According to the Institute of Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington, USA, pink helps heart muscles relax, promoting slower and deeper breathing, leaving novices relaxed but alert.

This apparently allows the learner to "be in a more receptive state of mind" so that they can absorb and respond to information from their instructor.

BSM has also worked with colour therapist Suzy Chiazzari, who said: "Pink expresses our ability to actively carry out a task in a positive and relaxed manner while keeping the goal in mind.

"This research helps indicate that the pink BSM Fiat 500s will increase success rates for learner drivers."

Friday, 18 June 2010

Independent Driving Explained

From 4 October 2010, learner drivers will be tested on independent driving as part of the practical
driving test.

During their test, candidates will have to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.

To help candidates understand where they're going, the examiner may show them a diagram.

It doesn't matter if candidates don't remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Pass Rates

Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.

Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.


Length Of Driving Tests And Test Fees

The length of driving tests and test fees will not change when independent driving is introduced in October. Driving test fees can be found at direct.gov.uk/drivingtestfees.


Categories Of Tests

All categories of practical driving test will include around 10 minutes of independent driving.

For approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying tests, this will be in the part two (driving ability) test.


Manoeuvres

From October, car test candidates (category B) will have to complete one reversing manoeuvre rather than two. The manoeuvre will be selected at random by the examiner from:

* turning in the road
* reversing around a corner
* reverse parking (either on the road, or into a bay)

An emergency stop exercise will still be conducted on one in three tests.

Manoeuvres in all other categories of tests will not be changed. Candidates for the ADI part two (driving ability) test will still have to complete all the manoeuvres.


Special Needs

DSA already has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs the candidate has so reasonable adjustment can be made.

For independent driving this could be asking the candidate which method they prefer for the section – in other words, following signs, or a series of directions (a maximum of three) which are supported by a diagram approved by the British Dyslexia Association. In some cases this will be shortened to just two directions.

DSA recognise there are many ways of developing perfectly road-safe coping strategies in order to navigate from A to B and is satisfied that examiners will manage the situation accordingly. Independent driving is a significant road safety addition to the practical driving test but will not prevent candidates from holding a licence.

DSA is determined that no member of society should suffer detriment due to any change we introduce.


People Who Don't Speak English

Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English and they'll be able to manage the situation accordingly.

For example, sometimes this will include writing place names so it is clear to candidates where they are being asked to drive to. To help all candidates, when asked to follow a series of verbal directions the examiner can show a diagram, so that they can picture the route they've been asked to take.

Just as currently, the candidate can have an interpreter along with them on their test if they wish. Since 6 April 2010 ADIs have been able to act as an interpreter for their own pupils.


Routes, Directions And Sat Navs

If the candidate goes off-route during the independent driving section, the examiner will get the candidate back on route and continue with the independent driving section wherever possible. The test won't be terminated.

If the candidate looks like taking a wrong turning, the examiner will control the situation as they do now and preferably step in before the candidate goes off route. If that's not possible, the examiner will help the candidate get back on route as soon as possible by guiding them with normal directions.

Independent driving is not a test of the candidate's orientation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault, there's nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time - as usual. There is no change to assessment.

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/download.asp?path=/documents/practical_test/dsa_independent_driving_route_diagram_example.pdf" target="_blank">Download an example of an independent driving route diagram (PDF, 305Kb)

There will be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say, ‘There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please' and then, ‘Now, carry on following the signs to ……'

If the candidate asks for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them. Driving independently means making your own decisions and, just like when driving with friends, this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you're going.

Independent driving is designed to test the learner's ability to drive unsupervised and make decisions without guidance and in unfamiliar contexts. DSA is therefore taking the opportunity to review the appropriateness of current route publication practices.

The independent driving section of the test is approximately 10 minutes when you will be asked to drive making your own decisions. A sat nav gives directions in much the same way as the driver trainer, or the examiner, so it's not appropriate to use for independent driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg

Guidance and paperwork
The DL25 driving test report form will not be changed when independent driving is introduced, as there is no change to assessment.

ADIs sometimes refer to a document called the DT1. This contains internal operational guidance for driving examiners in the conduct of driving tests. An updated version will be published on DSA's corporate website at the beginning of October.

Friday, 23 April 2010

New Rules For Accompanying C1 And D1 Learner Drivers

With effect from 1st May 2010 new rules are introduced making it illegal for anyone to act as an
accompanying driver in a category C1, C1+E, D1 or D1+E vehicle unless they have passed a driving test for the particular category of vehicle concerned. From 1 May, the supervising driver in category C1 or D1 Vehicles (including vehicle plus trailer
combinations) must:


1. hold a full (post 1997) licence for the same category of vehicle as that being driven by the learner

2. have held that entitlement for the relevant period of time, usually three years

The intention was that drivers holding category C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E entitlements obtained before 1997 (on other words, implied rights), and who passed a driving test in one of those categories before 6 April 2010, would be given credit for the time they had held the implied rights entitlement for the category concerned. The effect being that they would, from the date that the clarifying amendments to the regulations were implemented, already meet the requirements at (a) and (b) above. However, the deadline for passing the test(s) and gaining access to the concession has been extended and is now 1 May 2010.

Drivers who pass the relevant driving test(s) after 1 May will have to wait until they have held their new entitlement for the relevant period, usually three years, before they can act as an accompanying driver in a category of vehicle covered by that entitlement.

These new arrangements do not affect a person's existing entitlement to drive a medium sized lorry or minibus.

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Newbury Instructor’s New Product To Banish Nerves

A NEWBURY driving instructor has launched a unique two-CD-set solution to driving test nerves has
just been launched which allows nervous learners to overcome their nerves and pass their driving tests.

Do you remember your driving test? Do you remember how you felt on the day of your test? Arriving at the driving test centre, anxiously waiting for your turn and wishing you were back at home.

These nerves have caused many a sleepless night, and in many cases may have hindered a learner from gaining their full driving licence. A recent survey of 1,500 learner drivers found that 51 per cent are ‘panicked’ by the prospect of parallel parking with a further 22 per cent ‘terrified’ about reversing around a corner.

The thought of stalling the car strikes fear in to the hearts of just 21 per cent of learners and only eight eight per cent were worried about failing their theory test. Sixteen per cent claimed to dislike turning right at a T-junction and admitted to sometimes driving ‘the long way round’ to avoid

the manoeuvre. Driving instructor Martin Caswell specialises in teaching nervous drivers and decided that he would develop a product to help learner drivers to overcome these learning to drive and driving fears.

The product that he came up with was the Driving Test Nerves series of two-CD Sets. He drew on his own teaching experience stretching over 35 years together with the experience of fully qualified and hypnotherapist David Clayton.

This series of CDs combines hypnotherapy sessions with simple to follow practical advice to help learners to grow in confidence to the extent of enabling to pass their next driving test.

Mr Caswell has tested his CD sets on his own pupils, and said: “So far, astounding results have been achieved. Each person without exception has felt much calmer and relaxed and perhaps more importantly, enhanced feelings of much greater confidence, and have gone on to pass their driving test at the following attempt.

“What makes this series of CDs unique is that it is not like any other hypnotherapy CD made for learner drivers, as the content for this series is drawn on the specific teaching experienced of a fully qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI).

The flagship Driving Test Nerves hypnotherapy two-disc set walks the learner through the actual driving test procedure as it is today in 2010, step-by-step, as well as providing additional hypnotherapy session to give the newly-qualified driver confidence when driving on their own for the very first time.

This particular series contains two CDs, with the second CD containing detailed diagrams and offering practical advice on precisely how to competently complete the required driving manoeuvres, such as reversing round a corner, parallel parking, bay parking and three-point turns, with step-by-step instructions on each individual action you need to do to complete them successfully. Other CDs in the series include Motorway Driving, Refresher Driving and even one specifically for those who suffer with road rage.

Mr Caswell explained: “It’s really about getting the mind to be positive. A lot of people go in feeling negative. They say ‘I won't think about passing, so if I fail, it won’t be so disappointing.’ I say to them ‘think about Richard Branson. Do you you think, when he started Virgin Atlantic, he said ‘I won't think about it being successful in case it fails’? The CD is about reinforcing what you have been told – you can do this. It reinforces what the instructor has told you.”

One of the CDs even prepares newly-qualified drivers for driving on their own for the first time.

Currently available from Mr Caswell’s website, he is opening to market the product through wider channels, including promoting the product nationally.

For more details on these CDs and how they can help you overcome your Driving Test Nerves visit www.TestNerves.co.uk

Source : Richard Maynard - www.newburybusinesstoday.co.uk

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Driving Tests 75 Years Old This Month

The driving test is 75 years old this month, and over that time motorists have become well aware of
the need for caution around learner drivers.

Provisional Marmalade, the new driver’s champion, has collaborated with Halfords to provide an innovative car insurance product that provides provisional drivers with fully comprehensive insurance on a family or friend’s car for just £3 a day.

More traditional insurance usually involves a hefty premium that can be thousands of pounds, and jeopardise the car owner’s no claims bonus.

The high cost has meant that learner drivers aged 17-21 have declined from 46% to 32% in recent years.

Halfords’ Diane Perry has said that high prices have put off many young drivers from taking advantage of extra practice outside of paid lessons.

High costs are not only an issue for learner drivers.

Recent research by moneysupermarket.com has shown that one in ten families are performing the criminal act of ‘fronting’, which is when a parent takes out insurance on a child’s car in the parent’s name.

Steve Sweeney, moneysupermarket.com’s head of car insurance, has said that the practice is illegal and would be classed as fraud by an insurer.
Source : Richard Kilner - www.insurancedaily.,co.uk

Monday, 22 March 2010

'Are You Ready?' Video For Car Tests

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has updated its 'Are you ready?' video for the car driving test.

'Are you ready?' is the official step-by-step explanation of the driving test. It's been updated so you know what the examiner will ask about taking someone with you on you driving test.

DSA encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. This will usually be the person who has taught you to drive, but it could be a relative or a friend. They must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

The person who goes with you will be able to see how you perform during the test. To get the most benefit from this, it would be sensible to ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.

If you run your own website, you can embed the new clip into it. You can also share it using social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo.

See the video by copy'n'pasting this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsagov#p/p/7C69D49DC86A8F23/1/cIHkJe8DbAU

or visiting our facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Select-School-of-Motoring-Wales-Ltd/339159797746

Source : DSA