May 11, 2023
Blood Tests For Sleepy Drivers

Blood test studies recently carried out showed a risk of having an accident whilst driving tired could double if the driver has had less than 5 hours sleep in the 24hrs leading up to getting behind the wheel.

Which has led the question to be asked, should a new law be brought into affect for a minimum number of hours of sleep to be required to be able to drive? One-fifth of road accidents are thought to be linked to tiredness, the new tests would be able to detect if someone is too tired to be safe enough to drive.

Nature and Science of Sleep published a study last month, which suggested the risk of having a crash could be doubled if a driver has slept for less than four or five hours in the previous 24 hours.

Its well known that alcohol and drug usage can be measured via breath and blood tests, the same does not exist. But a team has now claimed it has identified 5 substances in the blood that includes Lipids which is produced in the gut that can distinguish if someone has been been awake for 24hrs.

The test was 90 per cent accurate in real-life situations, reported the researchers. However it is yet to comprehend the difference between people who have had say, five hours or just two.

The researchers have said that, with a sleep test, new laws could eventually be written to stipulate a minimum number of hours of sleep that are needed before driving.

Leader of the team Clare Anderson, an associate professor at Monash University in Australia, said: “When you look at the major killers on the road, alcohol is one of them, speeding is another and fatigue is one of them. But our capacity to manage [tiredness] is impaired because we don’t have tools to be able to monitor it like we do with alcohol.”

Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, also at Monash University, said: “With the right investment to be able to scale this, I reckon that within five years we will be able to implement these biomarkerbased tests — at least in safety-critical industries such as trucking, commercial aviation and mining.”

Professor Ashleigh Filtness, a driver fatigue expert for Road Safety GB, said: “There is already legislation stating that all drivers must be fit to drive their vehicles. Alertness is no different to any other requirement for safe driving.”

The Department for Transport said: “Drivers have a responsibility to ensure they are awake and alert on the road and should seek rest when feeling tired. The government is not considering this type of testing but we always note new ideas to make our roads safer.”

Rebecca at Britannia says: When you are tired it definitely impacts your ability to be able to make speedy and rational decisions and when it comes to driving especially on motor ways you need to be on your A game. If you are running on little to no sleep it could impact your reaction time plus also increase road rage!

 

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May 5, 2023
Futuristic New ‘AI’ Speed Cameras

The worlds first ever ‘AI’ speed camera has been put up in the UK, which has the capability to be able to see into your car.

The 10in unit’s “4D” radar and super-resolution cameras can detect if drivers are using there mobile phones, the number of passengers that are present and if they are all wearing a seat belt. There are 8 ways it can track you:

  • Speeding:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – can range up to 6 points and unlimited fines

  • Using a phone whilst driving:

£200.00 fine and 6 penalty points – drivers will lose their license if they passed their test within the past 2 years.

  • Running a red light:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1000.00

  • Driving without a valid MOT:

£1000.00 max fine or £2,500 for an HGV license

  • Driving without insurance:

£300 – £500.00 fine

  • Failing to wear a seat belt:

£100 – £500 fine

  • Too many passengers or dangerous load:

£2,500 fine and 3 penalty points

  • Running a level crossing:

£100.00 fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1,000 fine and 3 penalty points.

Redspeed Sentio camera has also been linked to the DVLA and Police databases to check road tax and insurance on the spot. It monitors 6 lanes at a time and can share data with other units to check average speeds, day and night.

Brian Gregory, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “It’s clear that the hollow assurances the motoring public was given about speed cameras being used exclusively to prevent accidents was always a total sham. The objective is actually to maximise their revenue-generating potential”

The camera has been installed on the busy A23 in Lambeth, South London, as part of a Transport for London trial before it can be given Home Office approval.

Lawyer Nick Freeman — who specialises in motoring offences and is known as Mr Loophole — said: “As drivers we are all becoming sitting ducks. This could just be a step too far.

“It could help alleviate the lack of police on our roads. But we will always be missing something when we don’t have that human element.”

Campaigner Jake Hurfurt, head of Big Brother Watch, said: “This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising. It poses a threat to everyone’s privacy.

“People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.”

 

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April 3, 2023
4 Vital Changes Regarding Your Driving Test

Last week it was announced the DVSA will be making some important changes to government policies regarding Driving Test bookings.

They ran a consultation between 25 January and 8 March 2022 about changing some policies that affect learning to drive and driving tests.

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test
  • reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted
  • update when and how we carry out the eyesight check at the start of the driving test

They currently have very high demand for driving tests. There are 3 main reasons for this:

  • fewer tests than usual have taken place because of restrictions and other factors related to the pandemic
  • learner drivers who are not yet ready to take their test have heard that waiting times are high, causing them to book earlier than they normally would
  • the pass rate for driving tests – for many years, less than half of people pass on their first attempt, meaning they’ll need to take at least one more test

Many driving instructors have said that some learner drivers want to pass their driving test as quickly and cheaply as possible. They say they are unable to stop their pupils from booking a test before they are ready.

They put forward some of these proposals because they think they’ll:

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test
  • help to reduce the number of driving test appointments that are wasted
  • give us more flexibility in how and when we can carry out driving tests

Other proposals were to help them to:

  • find out more about what information learner drivers and their families want to know when choosing a driving instructor – which in the longer term will help learner drivers to find the best driving instructor for them
  • move to replace paper pass certificates with digital versions, saving millions of sheets of paper each year

1. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the period a candidate can take another car driving test from 10 working days to 28 working days.

They have decided this because:

  • the period gives candidates time to take extra training
  • it will have a positive impact on car driving test waiting times
  • gaining more knowledge, skills and experience will help keep new drivers safe at the crucial point that they drive on their own for the first time
  • better prepared drivers should have a positive effect on road safety
  • one-third of learner drivers admit this will encourage them to only book their test when they are ready while waiting times remain the same – this increases to 42.8% if waiting times reduce

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

2. Reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the notice period a candidate must give to change or cancel a car driving test from 3 full working days to 10 full working days.

They have decided this because:

  • it is currently difficult for DVSA to make tests cancelled with 3 working days’ notice available to another candidate, which means that a test slot is wasted
  • it will free up wasted test slots, which means these slots can be offered to other candidates to make tests available more quickly

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

3. Update when and how we check someone’s eyesight at the start of the driving test

 

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to introduce the proposals to:

  • do the eyesight check in the driving test in any level of light – not just good daylight
  • use more methods of checking people’s eyesight when they take the driving test

We will look at options available to introduce an alternative means to conduct an eyesight test that is not dependent on good daylight or reading a car number plate, but that will continue to ensure a driver’s eyesight is assessed consistently with the current test.

What will happen next

We are exploring alternative means of assessing eyesight. This is being done with DVLA’s Medical Panel. This is necessary because DVLA is the driving agency responsible for licensing drivers and it is important for any new procedures to meet the standards that currently apply. It will be necessary to ensure that any alternative is thoroughly tested and assessed to ensure it replicates the requirements of the current test and is sufficiently rigorous.

In the consultation, a majority of respondents supported the proposal for DVSA having the flexibility to conduct the eyesight test by means other than reading the number plate attached to the vehicle. This will enable us to provide driving tests at more times, in different levels of light, and will give us the flexibility to test eyesight if there are few vehicles parked nearby.

4. Replace paper pass certificates with digital pass certificates

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to modernise the administrative process of notifying candidates that they have passed their test by replacing the current paper pass certificates with digital test pass certificates.

What will happen next

It will be necessary to update legislation to do this. This will require both primary and secondary legislation. We plan to make provision which requires primary legislation when an opportunity is available.

We will need to make sure that the electronic record, when provided without a paper version, will be available to successful candidates as soon as a test is passed.

 

 

 

 

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March 6, 2023
DVSA Issued warning to anyone who has a test booked in March

Civil servants from the PCS union are staging 11 days of strikes this month which could impact driving tests.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a warning to learners who have driving tests booked this month.

It comes as civil servants begin their next round of strikes in March, which will affect some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS). It is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

Ten days of regional strikes and one day of national strikes will be held in March. The DVSA has advised learners on what to do if their driving test is scheduled for a strike day.

The DVSA’s official Twitter account said: “If you’ve got an appointment on a strike day, please attend as planned, unless you have been contacted directly to say it has been cancelled. If you turn up for your test and it is cancelled because of strike action we will automatically reschedule it for the first available date and you will be able to claim out of pocket expenses.

“If you want to rearrange your car, motorcycle, vocational or instructor test, you can do this through our change your driving test service. Keep checking emails, texts and GOV.UK for updates and confirmed strike dates.”

 

When do civil servants go on strike?

Civil servants strike for 11 days in total, with 10 taking place regionally and one nationally. The dates include:

  • Monday March 6 and Tuesday March 7 – London and south east England
  • Thursday March 9 and Friday March 10 – South west England and Wales
  • Wednesday March 15 – All areas of Greater Britain
  • Monday March 20 and Tuesday March 21 – East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands and parts of London
  • Thursday March 23 and 24 – North west England and Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Monday March 27 and Tuesday March 28 – North east England and Scotland

 

Which driving tests will be affected?

The strikes could impact car driving tests, motorcycle tests and vocational tests for lorry, bus, coach and minibus. Tractor or specialist vehicle driving tests, approved driving instructor (ADI) tests and ADI standard checks and moped and motorcycle compulsory basic training might also be affected.

 

Kerry from Britannia Driving School said:

Please keep an eye on your emails and any texts you receive from the DVSA regarding your test bookings, for any cancellations or rescheduled test dates.

 

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February 20, 2023
Issued Warning From The DVLA

The DVLA issued a warning to every driver who passed there test before 2014 that they must renew their licence before its 10-year expiration date arrives or face a heavy fine.Driving licenses are only valid for 10 years from date of issue, anyone who doesn’t renew their licence risks a £1,000 fine or having there vehicle seized.

A recent tweet from the DVLA reads: “You must renew your driving licence every 10 years. You can do this via the this renewal link or by post or via the post office.You will need to hold a valid UK passport, be resident in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has its own system), not to have been disqualified from driving and be able to show your current licence, or explain why not if you do not have it, as well as your National Insurance number and last three addresses.

Sourcing all the correct information and sending it off correctly will help avoid any delays in receiving your new licence.

You will also be asked to pay a £14 processing fee by debit or credit card online or £17 if submitting by post. Over-70s or those with a short-term medical driving licence are exempt from paying.

 

Once your application has been received, you should receive your new licence within a week, the DVLA advises.

The renewal process is slightly different for drivers aged over 70, lorry and bus drivers and those with a short-term medical driving licence. You will find all the information you need on the links provided.

Rebecca at Britannia said:

I would advise everyone to just have a quick check of when their licence expires and keep a note of the date, don’t leave it too late to apply as you could be caught out and landed with a hefty fine! Keeping all your important documents together can help you to be able to apply quickly and easily.

 

 

 

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February 10, 2023
Miss Her Call Don’t Let Her Miss You

With Valentines day coming up it is important to remember to follow the rules. Compare market’s motor insurance experts have laid out driving offenses which loved-up motorists might unwittingly commit.

Motorists who leave their car engines running when picking up their love could be slapped with an £80 fine for “stationary idling”, under rule 123 of the Highway Code. If you are wanting to shower your valentine in lavish gifts such as big heart balloons risk getting a £1000.00 fine if anything blocks the view.

The same £1,000 fine could be handed out to couples who wear clothes affecting their ability to drive, under rule 97 of the Highway Code.This includes high heels, flowing dresses or blindfolds, all of which can interfere with reaction times on the road. Also if you can’t walk properly in those 6 inch heels then you have to consider if you can drive in them, but beware if you need to take them off maybe carry a spare pair of shoes in your boot as driving barefoot could also land you in trouble.

Whilst driving resist the urge to take a selfie or you could risk a £1,000 fine! Another temptation whilst driving could be the temptation to hold hands whilst driving, Rule 160 of the Highway Code states that drivers should drive with both hands on the wheel and avoid all distractions.

Even if frisky drivers avoid a prison sentence, they could be given an unlimited fine, a driving disqualification or anywhere between 3 and 11 points.

Needless to say, couples should also steer clear of drink-driving this Valentine’s Day.

Julie Daniels, a motor insurance expert at comparison site Compare The Market, told the Daily Record: “With all the extra excitement and anticipation of the most romantic day of the year, some drivers might find themselves getting distracted behind the wheel.

“However, it’s incredibly important that they are following the rules of the road and practicing safe driving not only avoid fines, but to keep themselves and their date safe.

“Make sure any gifts or balloons do not impact your view of the road, that your outfit or shoes won’t hinder your ability to control the vehicle, and that you either choose the romantic music before you set off, or let your date play DJ.

“And above all else, keep your eyes on the road and don’t get distracted by trying to impress your date.”

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January 9, 2023
‘UK’s Most Confusing Bus Lane’

 

Whilst driving avoiding bus lanes is always top priority for motorists to avoid being given a fine, but motorists have been caught of guard by a confusing bus lane in Clapham Common in South West London.

The bus lane has been the talk of the town, having been the cause of more than 15,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) since october 2021, totaling up to an outstanding £1.9 million in fines! Since being made permanent in 2000, Clapham Park Road bus lane is thought to of brought in an estimated £6million in fines.

Richard Newell, appealed his fine and won, after he was caught turning into the bus lane. Local drivers have stated that the signs warning drivers not to use the bus lane to turn left are unclear. Motorists have claimed there is an arrow marked on the road that urges them to use it.

The fine being issued for early payment is £65 rising to £130.00, It means Lambeth Council has pocketed between £985,075 and in excess of £1.9 million, a Freedom of Information request shows. With March 2022 being the highest issuing for fines.

An AA spokesperson said these kind of lanes are “scary” as they’re expected to be rolled out across the UK.

“It is beggars belief that, after all these years of driver protests and traffic penalty tribunal adjudicators allowing appeals because the junction layout and signage is flawed, this bus lane continues to trap so many drivers,” they added.

“When is the local authority going to accept that motorists don’t throw themselves like lemmings into bus lanes for the ‘joy’ of getting a fine in a cost of living crisis?

“Probably never, because it’s such a nice big earner for the council.

“This year, adjudicators have again condemned this bus lane and, clearly, enforcement with poor signage isn’t fair or doing its job in keeping the lane free for buses – simply because it is issuing so many fines.

“I suspect the locals are very aware of what they should do at this junction but, for anyone coming from outside the area and unfamiliar with the road, it’s a potential nightmare.

 

“The adjudicator’s concern about how well the warning signs show up at night is a problem the AA has seen with other London bus lanes that have turned into fines’ magnets.

“What really scares the AA and drivers is that this type and quality of enforcement is now being rolled out to councils across England.”

The lane is signposted with filter lights for buses, cabs and bikes – which some could find confusing.

However, a spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “Our bus lanes are clearly marked and comply with all regulations and standards.

“People who illegally drive in bus lanes cause delays to bus passengers and other commuters.

“We regularly check our signs and road markings where we enforce using CCTV to ensure we are compliant, and the vast majority of motorists who use Lambeth roads every day do so without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

“The bus lane in Clapham Park Road is clearly marked and complies with all regulations and standards.

“However, if a motorist feels that he or she has been issued with a ticket unfairly they are able to challenge it and we have an independent appeal process.”

 

Beccy at Briannia says:

This Bus lane sounds very confusing and causing lots of problems for not only local residents but visitor mainly.

 

 

 

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December 14, 2022
Driving home for Christmas

 

Are you driving home for Christmas? Maybe your going away or collecting relatives? In the days leading up to Christmas the roads will be inevitably busy, if you are driving around the Christmas period here are some helpful tips to help keep it a stress free and safe time for all.

Planning out your journey and checking local travel news to check for any accidents or unforeseen things that may impact your journey. Planning your routes will help you save time and get to your destination on time and hassle free.The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic on a dark and cold Christmas eve!

If you are going to be enjoying a few Christmas drinks, make sure you are sober enough to drive the next morning,Whether it’s OK to drive the next morning depends on a lot of different factors, including how much you drank and if you’ve left enough time for your body to get rid of the alcohol.The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on a few things, including the amount you take in, over what period of time and the speed at which your body gets rid of it.

Even if you feel sober enough you may not be, you must ensure that you have left a long enough gap between when you had your last alcoholic drink to getting behind the wheel.

We have already had some ice and snow this winter and we all know the Great British weather can be unpredictable most times, during periods of snow and ice it is best to only travel if absolutely necessary. Make sure you have a de-icer in your vehicle in case you need to clear your windscreen before leaving. An ice scraper would also be useful for this alongside new wiper blades to ensure a clear view when driving.

Driving in the dark can be tricky, especially around Christmas time in cold conditions. Make sure all of your car lights are working before setting off on your journey to ensure other drivers can see you. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the car in front, especially in icy conditions.

If you are not planning on traveling over the Christmas period it is best to check on your vehicle, switch on your engine and let it tick over for a while. This way you reduce the risk of your car not starting when you need it.  If you have a garage its a good idea to keep your car inside to help protect the windscreen.

Whilst out shopping for presents remember to always take your presents in with you, don’t leave them in your car especially where they are visible to opportunists! If you need to store them in your car for any reason, keep them in your boot covered and locked.

 

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December 9, 2022
Drivers Face A £100 On Spot Fine For Winter Attire

Drivers could face a £100 on the spot fine and 3 points on their license for layering up winter clothes!

When temperatures plummet it is tempting to layer up to help us keep warm, but it is very important to not bundle up too much as that can restrict your movement whilst driving. The car experts at Confused.com have warned that you could face a fine and points on your license if they prevent you from using the controls properly. Long scarves and oversized scarfs could be the culprits which end you hot water.Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Road accidents can often be more common during the winter months because of the bad weather, density of traffic and difficult road conditions. It’s extremely important to ensure your vehicle is ready for the winter months, to make sure you are driving as safely as possible.

“No matter the weather, there are scenarios when your insurer may not pay out on an accident. Your car insurance should cover you in all weather conditions, but they may not pay out if you’ve broken a traffic offence which has caused an accident or failed to maintain your vehicle. For peace of mind, you should check the list of significant exclusions and limitations on your car insurance policy before setting off.”

You must stay within the highwaycode rules, as rule 97 stipulates “Drivers must wear footwear and clothing which does not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.”

 

If you are in an accident you could be deemed as driving without care and attention, which would land you £100+ plus 3 points on your license.

Some tips to stay warm whilst driving:

  • Park in a garage if you have one
  • Park your vehicle near a wall or inside a carport or garage. Anything that blocks the wind helps to keep the engine warm.
  • Cover your vehicle with a full-sized car cover overnight or a windshield.
  • Check your heating is working to its full capacity.
  • Give yourself time to heat your car up before you set off, turn the heating on in your car to warm it up 10 mins before you set off.
  • Consider purchasing a in car heated cushion.
  • Bring a flask with a hot drink for when you are stuck in traffic or at traffic lights.
  • Have a hot meal before you leave.

 

Kerry at Britannia says:

“As someone who is always cold, i would say following the advice above would most definitely offer some warmth during the winter months. But most importantly making sure your control of the car is not obstructed whilst driving is of upmost importance, you can always take warmer items with you for when you get to your destination and store them in the boot or backseat etc.”

 

 

 

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November 14, 2022
Combating driving through tunnel fears

 

 

Gephyrophobia is the fear of crossing bridges while claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed spaces. Perhaps the fear of driving through a tunnel is a combination of both. Overcoming this fear will help you to gain control of your life and avoid accidents or risky driving maneuvers!

How do you know that tunnels are causing you anxiety? Imagine that you’re driving down the road beneath the open sky. You feel relaxed but alert and know that you have full control over your vehicle. However, all of that begins to change as you approach an oncoming tunnel.

Tunnel anxiety may manifest physically. You might feel shortness of breath, an increased heart rate, and it may even feel like your eyes are struggling to focus. Your hands may begin to shake or your body temperature may increase.

In this blog we will delve into driving through tunnel phobias, we will be looking at safety tips in case of an emergency and how to stay calm.Driving through tunnels can cause anxiety for some drivers, the long narrow road along with the darkness can cause panic.

Is driving through a tunnel safe?

Before we get into the in’s and out’s of overcoming your fear, let’s address the safety aspect. Perhaps you worry that your safety levels decrease once you enter a tunnel.

In actuality, statistics reveal that fewer accidents occur inside of tunnels than they do on the open road. It’s not entirely clear why this is the case but may have to do with drivers’ heightened alertness that is brought on by driving through a dark, enclosed space. It may also be that the discouragement of changing lanes or abruptly changing speeds in a tunnel could also contribute to a low accident rate.

In other words, you have little to fear when driving in a tunnel. Remembering this could be an important part of overcoming your tunnel anxiety!

 

Try some grounding techniques such as deep breathing: draw a deep breathe in through your nose and let it out slowly though your nose. Another relaxation technique is to tense your muscles (safely whilst driving), try tensing your muscles tight and then slowly releasing which sends a signal to your brain that the coast is clear!

Driving through tunnels safely :

  • Make sure you get in the lane you need early
  • Make sure your lights are on, even on the sunniest of days won’t affect the dark tunnel
  • Watch out for speed limit changes as you approach the tunnel, so stay vigilant as you approach and enter the tunnel
  • Having the radio tuned into local traffic news will help you be aware of any issues regarding the tunnel before you enter it.

Once you are in the tunnel :

  • Make sure to keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and other road users, this will allow you time to react accordingly to any problems that arise
  • If you become anxious just remind yourself that driving through the tunnel is only a very small part of your journey, Focus of visualizing yourself emerging safely out the other side of the tunnel.

Traffic in the tunnel :

  • Allow space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
  • Turn your engine off if traffic comes to a standstill
  • Never leave your vehicle unless there is an emergency

If you break down in the tunnel :

  • Pull over to the left
  • Switch on your hazard lights
  • Turn off your engine
  • Use an emergency telephone to call for help

Kerry at Britannia says:

I used to have a fear of driving through tunnels, I used to feel a sensation of not being able to breathe etc. Since trying these tips i have managed to overcome my fears and can now drive stress free through tunnels and enjoy my drive.

 

 

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