People who take drugs before getting behind the wheel of a car believe it is a much more acceptable thing to do than driving while drunk, according to a Government study.

Drug drivers believe their abilities behind the wheel are not seriously impaired by taking substances such as cannabis, cocaine and MDMA and that in any case they are unlikely to be stopped by police, the research found.

The scale of drug driving is difficult to calculate as statistics are not always recorded, but research suggests that levels are similar to drink driving.

The law on drug driving in England and Wales was tightened last month, giving police powers to test for cannabis and cocaine through a saliva swab at the side of the road. Those found guilty face up to six months in jail, a £5000 fine and an automatic year-long driving ban.

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Ian Harris, 51, from Brighton has had his application to change the photograph on his licence to one with a colander on his head. He is saying that he will appeal the refusal holding that he is fighting for his right to wear the religious garb.

He claims he belongs to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Followers of that church are known as Pastafarians and they wear a colander on their head.

According to the DVLA, the photograph must be clear and be a current likeness to allow the Police to link the driver to driving entitlement held without confusion or ambiguity. Headgear is generally not acceptable, but may be permissible on religious or medical grounds and any exemptions are dealt with on a case by case basis. Religious exemptions include the Sikh turban and the Islamic Hijab.

Ian vows to fight his case until he runs out of appeals.

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With the Easter bank holiday right around the corner, many of us will be planning to take a Spring road trip or even a long weekend away – But have you prepared your car for the journey?

Before setting out on any long journey, it is essential to carry out the Pre-Drive checks. This will help you to identify any issues with the vehicle that may hinder your journey, and give you chance to rectify any problems in advance of setting out.

It is also good practice to plan your route thoroughly. This does not just mean knowing which roads to drive on, but you should also take into account other factors such as time of day which may affect the amount of traffic on the roads – For example, Friday nights on the Motorways can be heavily congested.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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The owner of a Chevrolet Camaro SS has used it as a tooth extractor! On a video that he uploaded onto Youtube, you see that driver Rob Venomous after tying a piece of string around his eight-year-old son’s front tooth and instructing him to keep his head up, he hops into the driving seat of his 426 horsepower sports car and hits the accelerator.

As the revving of the powerful engine shatters the quiet of the residential street, the tooth is yanked free leaving the boy grinning at the camera as his mother captures the whole stunt on video.

While motor fans may be inclined to agree, common sense should prevail when deciding whether to tie your child’s head to the back of your car.

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Like many of our students, when you pass the Theory test, you are likely to feel a huge weight off your shoulders. The relief is fantastic – Suddenly, you are no longer working towards a pipe dream – Becoming a full driver is now a real-life goal, within reach for you . You are half way to becoming a legal UK driver now having passed the Theory test.

You now have two years to start preparing for your practical test. Whilst this may seem like a long time, it will probably go a lot faster than you think – So don’t waste any time – If you have not had any practical driving lessons yet, you need to find an instructor and get clocking the hours up, so that you are ready for your test in no time.

If you’re looking for a fast route to driving, then perhaps our Intensive course is for you. Whichever option you take, you can find relief in the fact that from this day forth, you will never have to take a mock Theory test or brush up on your Hazard Perception again.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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Nearly every driver has seen other motorists use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving according to a recent survey. With the number of deaths and serious injuries on UK roads rising by 4% to nearly 25,000 in 2014, consumer research by used-car specialist British Car Auctions (BCA) found that 95% of respondents had seen other motorists using a hand-held mobile while on the road.

According to the BCA research, 83% had seen other drivers texting and emailing whilst on the road. But mobile phones are not the only technology distracting drivers. Over half of respondents (52%) admitted to looking at their Sat Nav rather than the road at a junction or roundabout and 47% had seen other motorists doing the same. A small percentage even confessed to accessing the internet or social media whilst driving.

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With the weekend ready to commence, many of us may be opting to leave the car behind as we enjoy our nights out, or otherwise may have become the designated driver for the group! As long as you remember to refrain from drinking when behind the wheel, you have made the right choice.

Either way, it is important to remember when you are driving this weekend, the same rules apply as throughout the week, although the driving conditions may be different. For example, Saturday afternoon is likely to be reminiscent of morning rush-hour traffic with an abundance of vehicles on the road – whereas by Sunday morning, the roads are arguably at their quietest all week!

As a learner driver I always liked to have my driving lessons on Sunday mornings – With less traffic and calmer conditions, I personally found it the best time to learn, as well as the most fun! Just remember, that whilst being a “Sunday Driver” is perfect for these quieter times, not everyone wants to see this all week round…

Whatever driving you do this weekend, drive safely, from Britannia!