Monthly Archives: October 2020

October 29, 2020
War veteran driving instructor ‘has to stand in rain’

A disabled war veteran driving instructor said he has been repeatedly forced to sit outside during wet and windy weather because of the closure of test centre waiting rooms.

Andy Small, from Cornwall, said blanket national closures due to Covid-19 were “ridiculous”.

“All instructors now have to sit or stand, outside, for up to 40 minutes while tests take place,” he said.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said it was reviewing the situation.

Mr Small was medically discharged from the army in 2010 and has rheumatoid arthritis.

He served in the Gulf War, completed two tours of Bosnia and was awarded the Royal Warrant in 2005.

He said he could not stand for long periods so when pupils have been taking their tests, he would be sitting in the car park in a camping chair, holding an umbrella.

“The inclement weather conditions will only deteriorate over the coming months,” he said. “There is no cover.

“A number of instructors have underlying health issues which will be made worse.

“This will lead to many experiencing a physical and financial difficulty because they’ll become ill and need time off to recover.

“Now a tiered lockdown has been introduced across the country, surely test centre waiting rooms should be reopened using a similar approach?”

He said it was ridiculous to have a blanket closure when “some areas of the country are at lower risk than others”.

Mr Small said he wanted the DVSA to look at waiting rooms based on the size of the test centre.

“We have five examiners covering Bodmin and can maintain social distancing guidelines with no difficulty,” he said.

“The examiners can sit in our cars, inches from strangers, but we’re not allowed to be in a waiting room that can accommodate us with social distancing.”

The DVSA said it was working with the Health and Safety Executive and driving instructor associations to ”review our centres”.

“We are initially reopening nine waiting rooms and to ensure everyone’s safety we will review the measures we put in place and get feedback from staff and our waiting room visitors before we open anymore,” it added.

Bodmin test centre is not one of the nine. Our automatic instructor Jane has said its very difficult in some of these treacherous weather conditions if there is no cafe nearby, to seek shelter with a warm drink.

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October 21, 2020
New Phone Legislation Whilst Driving.

NEW legislation means that motorists will face a £200 fine and six points on their licence if they are caught TOUCHING their phone behind the wheel.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere unveiled the latest law on 17 October 2020 – making all hand-held mobile activity while driving illegal.

Can you use a mobile phone while driving?

No, you can’t use a mobile phone while you are driving.

It has been illegal to touch a mobile phone – even with a hands-free set – while driving since 2003.

This includes using a mobile to follow a map, read a text or check social media.

The law applies even if you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic as your engine is still running.

You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.

Drivers can also use their mobiles for contactless payments if a vehicle is stationary at a drive-thru takeaway.

Close-up Of A Person’s Hand Sending Text Message By Mobile Phone While Driving Car

Can I play games and take photos while driving?

No, you can’t play games or take photos on a phone while driving.

The new rules will end a loophole that formerly allowed drivers to use a hand-held device to play games or take a picture while behind the wheel.

You also can’t scroll through music while driving under the new law.

When does the new ban start?

The new law will be enacted next year, making it illegal for anyone to touch or pick up their mobile phone while driving.

Can you use hands-free?

You can use hands-free phones – as long as you don’t press any buttons  – sat navs and two-way radios when you’re driving or riding.

But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised. The law also applies to those riding a motorcycle.

Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you start your ride.

What are the fines for using a mobile phone while driving?

The fines for using your phone while driving is now set at £200.

If caught, you will receive six penalty points on your licence too.

You will also lose your driving licence if you passed your test in the last two years.

If you’re caught using a mobile while driving, how many points do you get on your licence?

Previously, drivers caught on their phones received three penalty points.

But government legislation doubled the amount to six points.

As new drivers only start with six points for their first two years on the road, a conviction will mean your licence being revoked – meaning you have to retake both your theory and practical test.

Previously, motorists in some police force areas could avoid points by taking a remedial driving course.

But ministers believed it wasn’t tough enough so now those caught using a mobile phone for the first time will automatically receive six penalty points.

What are the risks of using a phone while driving?

Drivers using mobile phones were responsible for 33 deaths on Britain’s roads in 2017 alone.

More than 200 people have been killed by drivers distracted by their devices in the last 10 years.

In 2019, research from the Department of Transport suggested that nearly half a million people were using mobile phones while driving.

What is the roadside detection system?

Motorists who use mobiles at the wheel will be shamed by a roadside detection system which can sense if a phone is in use in a car.

If the scanner senses a phone in use in a car, a symbol of a mobile with a line through it then flashes up on a sign as drivers pass.

It will not record plates or issue fines, but data will be shared with police.

The scanner is unable to tell whether a driver or passenger is using a handset, but officials hope the kit will help remind people of the dangers of using phones while driving.

Norfolk County Council’s Road Safety team has developed the technology in partnership with vehicle sign technology firm Westcotec.

How many people are caught using a mobile while driving each year?

The number has fallen 84 per cent in five years, with just 16,900 receiving fixed penalty notices in 2015  compared to 123,100 in 2011.

But 11 million drivers have admitted to using their phone while driving.

Just 13,000 motorists are convicted for using – or causing others to use – a mobile phone when they’re at the controls of a car in Britain each year.

This has resulted in combined fines of £2 million annually, Direct Line said in 2019.

More than a quarter of motorists in 2019 used their phone behind the wheel, be it for calls, messaging or checking updates, according to its survey of 2,000 drivers.

This amounts to nearly 11million individuals, or a motorist using their phone every three seconds on Britain’s roads.

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October 8, 2020
Overturned planters and oil-slicked roads: low-traffic neighbourhood backlash

London motorists have hit back against an influx of barriers that enforce road closures and traffic diversions in certain neighbourhoods.

In Ealing, frustrated drivers overturned heavy wooden planters – even daubing them with the words: ‘abuse of power’.

Other disgruntled locals have resorted to pouring oil on spaces left for bikes to pass through, making riding conditions unsafe for cyclists.

In the past four months, 200 locations have been earmarked for a “cost-effective way of delivering safe and attractive streets for walking and cycling” – with 141 of the zones found in London.

Fears are growing that the sudden installation of low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes during the coronavirus pandemic are inciting ill-feeling between local residents.

Protests have been held in Ealing, Wandsworth and Islington, with residents in Hackney set to follow suit. Meanwhile, petitions demanding the removal of LTN schemes have attracted hundreds of signatures.

Giulio Ferrini from walking and cycling charity Sustrans said: “Lots of people understandably don’t want to travel on buses and trains during a pandemic so there’s a real risk those with cars will just drive more, causing gridlock and adding to dangerous levels of pollution, unless councils provide viable alternatives by making walking and cycling safer. This is what low-traffic neighbourhoods can do.”

Claire Holland, Labour deputy leader at Lambeth Council said: “It is a culture war between those who want to drive wherever they want, whenever they want, at whatever speed they want – compared to the right of everybody else to get around peacefully and effectively.”

Residents involved in the One Oval group, which protested against a local LTN scheme, argue that the roadblocks displace traffic to less prosperous areas with already heavily-polluted roads.

Sam Cooray, who lives on the border of a LTN, says advocates of the scheme “are not representative of working classes, of BME communities, of the disabled, of local businesses.”

People on both sides of the argument claim they have been bullied and intimidated online as tensions continue to escalate.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

“Nobody can deny that low traffic neighbourhoods are well-intentioned and there are doubtless some well-designed schemes which have widespread local support due to the valuable benefits they are delivering. Unfortunately, it also seems there some schemes that aren’t working well and are causing problems for residents, drivers and businesses.

“Rather than just ignoring these issues, authorities should be willing to listen to everyone affected and make changes to rectify them. Councils should also be actively looking at impact assessments and monitoring all schemes to ensure that unintended consequences – such as increased congestion and displaced traffic, worse journey times, increased difficulty for delivery drivers doing their jobs and access problems for emergency vehicles – are properly understood and avoided.

“The fact that the Goverment gave authorities just weeks to introduce schemes  for the reallocation of road space is a reason why some schemes aren’t working. Councils were told they did not need to consult – yet if they didn’t take the cash on offer, they risked missing out on it altogether.”

“As the lockdown has eased, councils now have an opportunity to consult properly and we believe the Government should require that they do so for new schemes. This is important so local authorities can understand the impact that schemes will have on all road users and residents, and can improve the design of any new scheme accordingly.

“We know that safety concerns remain a barrier to getting people out of their vehicles and on to two wheels so there’s also an argument for local authorities to look at spending some of this money on areas which cause the greatest safety hazards for cyclists, namely junctions and roundabouts. By tackling these, more drivers may be encouraged to use bicycles for some of their shorter journeys.

“Councils should also be considering how they can reduce through-traffic into towns and cities. We believe there’s an urgent case for creating more park and ride-type facilities, potentially taking advantage of not just buses but cycling, walking and scooting. Electric bicycles, and if fully legalised electric scooters should also be offered at such facilities to maximise options for those open to using such schemes.

“Managing road space is an extremely difficult job for urban planners, but in order to bring about lasting benefits for all, it’s essential any changes take proper account of the needs of residents, businesses and road users.”

Modelling by King’s College London on the UK’s first LTN which started in 2014, found the scheme has boosted life expectancy and air quality, without pushing up pollution on main roads.

Do you live near an LTN or similar traffic diversion sceme? Share your experiences in the comments below.

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October 1, 2020
60mph motorway speed limit coming soon to tackle pollution

Highways England will reduce the speed limit on four sections of motorway this month in an attempt to reduce roadside emissions.

Trials of a 60mph limit will assess how slower speeds affect pollution levels next to junctions or on routes to towns and cities.

More than 40,000 premature deaths a year are linked to poor air quality and the government has identified 101 parts of England’s strategic road network that potentially exceed recommended NO2 levels.

It’s the first time that lower limits will be introduced to tackle emissions alone and the new measures could be rolled out to more locations.

A 60mph limit will be enforced for 24 hours a day on the following motorways:

  • M6 between junctions 6 and 7 (near Birmingham)
  • M1 between junctions 33 and 34 (at Rotherham, South Yorkshire)
  • M602 between junctions 1 and 3 (near Eccles, Greater Manchester)
  • M5 between junctions 1 and 2 (at Oldbury, West Midlands)The signposted speed limits will remain on stretches of road up to 4.5 miles long for at least 12 months with a chance of extension if air quality improves.

    Drivers caught breaking the new 60mph limit could face a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

    Although Highways England expect a drop in NO2 levels they confirmed that if lower limits were “not having the desired impact after 12 to 15 months then we’ll remove them and look at alternative ways to tackle air quality in that area”.

    They say initial assessments show that a 60mph limit led to an average 17% reduction in emissions.

    Another four locations with poor air quality already have lower speed limits, mainly implemented because of roadworks. There are restrictions at the M32 in Bristol; the A1 in Blaydon, Tyneside; the M4 in Harlington, London; and the M621 near Leeds.

    A separate plan to test pollution barriers is already in place

    Ivan Le Fevre, head of environment at Highways England, said: “Ultimately the air-quality challenge will be solved ‘at the tailpipe’ by vehicle manufacturers and changes in vehicle use. Until this happens we will continue our programme of research and solutions.”

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    RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “Drivers will already be getting used to speed limits lower than 70mph on stretches of motorway that have been converted to ‘smart motorways’, so targeted speed reductions to reduce emissions in many ways makes sense – so long as doing so doesn’t lead to congestion, and therefore poorer air quality, elsewhere.

    “However it’s also right that all options are considered when it comes to tackling air pollution hotspots on major roads, so in time we look forward to seeing how effective both lower speed limits and pollution barriers prove to be.”

    Over the past 20 years, traffic on motorways has risen by almost a quarter, twice the increase for all roads. The chancellor has promised a £27 billion investment to upgrade motorways and A-roads until 2025.

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