Monthly Archives: July 2011

July 14, 2011
The Bieber Gives a Warning

Justin Bieber has launched a campaign to help spread awareness about the dangers of texting and driving, alongside a new phone app.

The device disables text and email functions on a mobile phone when it’s in a vehicle moving faster than 10mph.

The campaign is working with a foundation set up by the parents of teenager Alex Brown who died because of texting and driving.

As a driver himself Bieber says he wants to help make the road safer.
He added: “As a 17-year-old driver, I am aware of the countless distractions that we teenagers face on the road, and texting is one that is preventable.
“There are too many young people, like Alex Brown, whom we’ve lost because of texting while driving, and it is my hope that, through this partnership with PhoneGuard, we will raise awareness of this issue and create safer conditions for everyone on the road.”

Over the next couple of weeks the campaign will feature video content from Bieber, as well as Alex Brown’s family.

Using GPS, the Don’t Text Don’t Drive app automatically turns off certain functions of the driver’s phone when it’s moving, so it can’t be used to text, email, instant message or surf the internet.
If the car is stopped for longer than five seconds, normal service is returned and any missed messages can be retrieved.

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July 13, 2011
THE DEBATE CONTINUES OVER THE OLYMPIC LANES

The lanes which will be used by athletes and officials during the games will all be road-work free, but how does this impact the rest of the London population.

Residents from Wapping are concerned with the announced closure of four pedestrian crossings in order to accommodate the Olympic Lanes. There are fears that fatality rates may increase. Mr Livingstone said “We don’t want to be marred by extra deaths on our roads.”

However Transport for London (TfL) have stated that when making the decision to suspend crossings, they considered many factors such as public transport links, pedestrian demand, land use and associated facilities. They also promised that there will be clear directions to the next available crossing facility and it will be no further than three minutes away.

It is not just pedestrians concerned with the plans, black cab drivers have also got a grievance against the proposed plans, pointing out that by not allowing right turns or U-turns on the lanes will increase congestion even further causing havoc for all other road users.

Until nearer the time, nobody will know for sure the success or the problems connected with the Olympic Lanes, so until then it is just a waiting game.

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July 12, 2011
More than 240 Diabetic drivers Lose Licence

More than 240 diabetic drivers have had their vocational driving licence revoked in the last three years alone, according to ­official figures.

The data, released under the Freedom of Information Act, suggests that there could be many more people unable to use their HGV driving qualifications than previously thought.

The DVLA figures show that in 2008, 2009 and 2010 a total of 242 individuals lost their HGV and PSV licences­ because they had ­insulin-treated diabetes.

The ban on diabetics from driving HGVs has been in place now for almost 21 years, although a consultation to relax the law closed in April.

The figures also show that since 2008, 277 drivers had their licences revoked because they were diagnosed with epilepsy, 125 for sleep apnoea and nearly 1,400 for drug or alcohol misuse.

Insulin-treated diabetic driver Archie Meechan has been campaigning to change the law for Class-2 drivers.

He says: “It’s been roughly 21 years; so there must [have been] be quite a few [revocations] before then. I think it would add up to thousands.”

A total of 3,362 drivers had their licences revoked in 2010, down from 4,127 in 2008.

Transport minister Mike Penning says: “Britain has some of the safest roads in the world and licensing rules have an ­important role in maintaining this position. We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads, while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary ­restrictions on people’s ­independence.”

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July 11, 2011
YOUNG DRIVERS BEING QUOTED OFF THE ROADS

A father from Bradford bought his son a car for his 17th birthday and found that to insure it for third party, fire and theft would cost him in excess of £9,000. One quote came in at a staggering £26,000.

Research has shown that 93% of young drivers feel that they are given unrealistic quotes and for many this will mean not being able to own a car.

Young drivers are thought to be most at risk of being involved in an accident and as a consequence are charged more for their insurance.

Unfortunately no matter what your age it seems insurance premiums are set to continue rising, with more and more people being unable to afford to have their car insured.

The very high cost of settling injury claims and the rise in fraudulent and exaggerated claims means that everyone is paying more.

What is most worrying is that drivers may drive with no insurance making them even more of a danger on the roads and in turn increasing the premiums for drivers that do pay. This is fast becoming a vicious circle and many MP’s are calling for action to be taken.

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July 8, 2011
HOW TO PASS YOUR TEST AND LOSE YOUR DRIVING LICENCE IN THE SAME DAY

A 17 year old male was arrested for drink-driving just 12 hours after passing his practical test.

Mr McKinstry was stopped after the vehicle he was driving was caught swerving into the middle of the road and nearly colliding with a parked car.

Once being stopped by police it also became evident that the car was not his but his mothers and he was not insured to drive it.

After being taken to the police station and breathalysed he was found to be nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit.

The courts gave him a driving ban for 18 months and fined him £450.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “Mr McKinstry’s defence solicitor said that he was sorry and realised his actions were wrong. However, we all have a duty of care to ourselves and others to think before we act. Driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of drink or drugs can have dire consequences.”

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July 7, 2011
Man Admits to Wreckless Driving

A MAN from Worcester who drove without a licence, smashed a light inside a police car and was found in possession of a range of different drugs has escaped custody.
Adam Watkins, of Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, also ran away from police when they tried to arrest him outside a bowling alley.
Liam Finch, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said Watkins, aged 20, was stopped by officers in Diglis on May 5 after they could smell cannabis.
Following a search, police found bags of cannabis worth £90 and five ketamine tablets worth £10 each.
On June 3 police officers attended Lanes bowling alley, off Bromyard Road, St John’s, after door staff said a man was being abusive.
Police arrived, searched Watkins and found a bag of white powder. Watkins said it was amphetamine.
Mr Finch said officers attempted to restrain the defendant but he resisted and ran off out of the car park. He was arrested an hour-and-a-half later and while in the police car punched an interior light in frustration.
The following day, Watkins was stopped by police after he was spotted driving a Transit van along Deansway, Worcester. Checks revealed that he had no licence or insurance.
The court was told how Watkins had 21 previous convictions including driving with no licence or insurance in 2008. He was also given a conditional discharge last year for possessing drugs.
Andy Childs, defending, told the court that his client’s offending was “at the bottom of the pyramid” in terms of seriousness.
He said: “These are not offences that worry people when they get up in the morning. But there is a level of persistence. He should go right up to the door of custody with a suspended sentence.”
Mr Childs said Watkins was an entrepreneur who was always coming up with money-making schemes such as selling potatoes door to door.
“He doesn’t have a driving licence and doesn’t think things through,” Mr Childs said.
Watkins pleaded guilty to the driving offences, possessing drugs, resisting arrest and causing criminal damage.
He was given 10 weeks’ custody suspended for two years as well as 18 month’s supervision, and was ordered to complete a thinking skills programme.
For the driving offences, he was given a 12-month ban and fined £260.
He also has to pay £75 compensation to West Mercia Police, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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July 6, 2011
PEDAL YOUR WAY TO A FINE

A 23 year old male was arrested for drink-driving when police stopped him on his electric bike.

Motorised bicycles do not need a licence, tax or insurance and therefore are not covered under the drink-drive laws.

Mr Dancer was first pulled over in February this year when he was found pushing his bicycle and again was stopped by police in March when caught riding the bike.

Magistrates have fined him £200 and ordered him to pay £185 in costs. He was prosecuted under a Victorian law dating back to 1872.

The first offence was being drunk in charge of a carriage and the second for being drunk in charge of a pedal cycle.

The 1872 Licensing Act was originally there to charge those drunk in charge of a carriage, steam engine, a horse or a cow.

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July 5, 2011
Are we getting more truthful?

Instances of drivers lying to secure cheaper car insurance are on the decline, new figures have revealed.
According to price comparison site Confused.com, 17 per cent of men have fibbed for less expensive cover this year, compared with 2010’s 46 per cent.
Where women are concerned, last year 32 per cent misled insurers, compared with the 12 per cent who have done so in 2011.
In terms of regions, Londoners emerged as the most untruthful, with over 19 per cent lying to finance providers, compared with three per cent in the East Midlands.
“Whilst people may be tempted to mislead or even lie to their insurer when trying to combat rising insurance costs, it’s certainly not advisable … It could even invalidate any claims made,” head of car insurance with the website Gareth Kloet remarked.
Some of the lies that appeared in the study included fibbing about mileage and where the car is kept at night, with 31 per cent of men and 28 per cent of women saying it is in the garage, when in fact it is outside.

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July 4, 2011
PRACTICAL TEST FAILURE AND SUCCESS

Statistics released by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) show that the number of practical tests taken in 2010 was 1,605,599.

744,044 people passed their test, averaging at 46.3% passing.

The poorest pass rates where at Bradford Thornbury test centre where only 29.4% of students passed their practical driving test.

The highest rate was found on the Isle of Islay in the Hebrides, the average number of students passing here was a whopping 82.9%.

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July 1, 2011
EXAMINERS FATE AT THE TEST CENTRE

DSA (Driving Standards Agency) statistics have shown that 339 learners and examiners were injured last year whilst on a practical examination.

Of those injuries recorded, 147 injuries received by candidates or examiners where classed as serious and required attention from a GP or medical attention from hospital.
The other 192 recorded injuries were less serious and required either basic first aid, were treated themselves of did not require medical treatment.

There was also one death of a candidate whilst on test, unfortunately they suffered a heart attack but it was found to be unrelated to the test itself.

However, it is not just injuries sustained by examiners but abuse from candidates also. Five examiners were physically attacked and more than 200 were verbally abused following a test.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “Emotions run high on the day of a practical exam and understandably pupils will be disheartened if they fail. However, examiners have a duty of care to all members of the public to only pass those that have reached a satisfactory level of driving. So those of you that fail, take the examiners feedback and try to use it on your next try and remember they are only human.”

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