December 10, 2012
TAXI DRIVER WHO MOWED DOWN EIGHT MEN RECEIVES 15 YEARS

Majid Rehman, 29 from Cardiff was sentenced to 15 years in jail and issued with a 10 year driving ban after courts heard he snapped at railway workers and drove his seven-seater people carrier at them.

One witness said Rehman jumped a red light and ploughed into the group, trapping one man under his car. Rehman was then dragged from his car and attacked.

Ms Wilks another onlooker said: “It was a chaotic scene…”

Rehman told police he was acting in self defence after the group of men had assaulted him. It is thought he was recognised by the group as giving evidence against one of them in a robbery court case in 2009.

Judge Philip Richards said: “You used a vehicle as a weapon to attack other people…you send bodies flying in all directions…your intent was to cause them all serious harm.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

December 7, 2012
WALES BIG CITIES ARE DRINK DRIVING PROBLEM AREAS

A price comparison website analysed more than 14 million insurance quotes from the last year, looking at records for drink driving.

They comprised a list of the top ten drink-drive problem areas and found Cardiff and Swansea amongst the list.

Kieron Malloy of Cardiff Institute of Advanced Motorists said: “I can’t believe that Cardiff is so high…I think South Wales Police have been doing quite a lot of goof work and have a robust policy on drink-driving.

The survey conducted also found that young men were typically the most at risk and those who drive a lot for their jobs such as scaffolders and roofers came out on top.

Other cities to make the top ten included; Hereford, Blackpool, Dundee and Inverness, with Harrogate taking the top spot.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

December 6, 2012
Cold Mornings.

We hear you, we really do! We know what’s it like getting up early when it’s dark and climbing into your car only to freeze for the first 10 minutes.

When it’s this cold, cars can take a little longer to warm up, so what do you do in the meantime to fight the freeze? Here are our tips.

1) Have a woolly hat in your car. Yes, it may not be the most fashionable accessory but a hat works wonders for keeping you warm. You can take it off as soon as you step out of the car.
2) Your hands can sometimes feel like they’re going to drop off. I have a pair of driving gloves that I’ve had for years and think they’re amazing. It’s important to get the right pair of driving gloves, ones that give you a good grip.
3) Your car heating is possibly the most wonderful thing during the cold weather. Ensure that your water levels are topped up to avoid any over-heating.
4) If you have little ones, it’s worth keeping a blanket in the back of the car for long drives.

We hope these tips help!

Comments(0)

December 5, 2012
STUCK FOR CHRISTMAS IDEAS LOOK NO FURTHER

Britannia Driving School has the answer to that dreaded question: “What do I buy someone for Christmas?”

Why not buy somebody the freedom to travel, the option to stay dry when it is raining and the opportunity to avoid public transport and buy them driving lessons with Britannia Driving School.

We offer driving vouchers from as little as £10.50 right up to intensive packages, so there is something for everyone.

So why not call us today and buy that special Christmas present for your family, friends or loved ones. Remember to order your gift vouchers before 20th December to get them in time for Christmas. But don’t worry if you call us after this date, we can still help.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

December 4, 2012
Many still aren’t learning.

Drink driving is a serious offence. But some people just don’t take it seriously enough.

Last month Manchester United midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe admitted to being nearly twice the drink-driving limit when he crashed his Range Rover into a van.

The footballer received an 18 month driving ban and fined £800. However, it shouldn’t be the penalties that put you off drink driving. The very fact that you are at risk of harming other people should be a big enough deterrent.

For whatever reason, the idea of drink driving doesn’t scare people the way it should. But when you are driving under the influence of alcohol you are not only putting yourself at risk, but other road users too. Which is very unfair.

Remember that there are lots of alternatives to driving. You can arrange for someone to give you a lift, use public transport or take a cab. This may not be what you want to do at the time, but the consequences of drink driving can be detrimental.

Comments(0)

December 3, 2012
SCHOOLS SHOULD TEACH ROAD SAFETY IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Parents want to see the school curriculum looking at road safety according to surveys. Four in ten parents with children aged between seven and thirteen want the schools to teach their children to use roads safely.

Over half of the parents asked, feel their local roads are not safe enough for their children to walk alone to school.  With a third of parents saying reasons were because of traffic and public transport, with other parents simply suggesting they didn’t feel their children were old enough.

Interestingly, nearly half (47%) of parents felt that the primary responsibility for teaching their children about road safety lies with the school or UK government. However, hopefully parents will see that although the schools should have an input, they need to step up and take responsibility themselves, ensuring their children can cross a road safely as soon as their children can walk (which is often before they even start at primary school).

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

December 1, 2012
DSA EXAMINER BRIBED THEN JAILED

Richard Cwierzona, a DSA examiner from Barnet Driving Test Centre appeared in court for taking bribes in return for test passes.

The 49 year old has been sacked by the DSA and jailed for two and a half years after it came to light.

Police estimate he has made in excess of £4,500 and nearly 40 drivers have since had their licences revoked following the investigation. However, police are concerned of how many other drivers have licences issued wrongly by Mr Cwierzona.

Judge Juliet May said: “It was always you who solicited the bribes, never the other way round. You abused the trust the public have in the system over many years.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

November 30, 2012
CHRISTMAS DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN AIMED AT DRIVERS IN THEIR 20’S

Dean Wilson’s son Matthew aged just 21 years old was killed two years ago when his car hit a tree. Mr Wilson and his daughter Hannah want to raise awareness of drink-driving as this was one of the factors that lead to Matthew’s accident.

The drink-drive campaign this Christmas will target younger drivers, as figures show 20-24 year olds failed more breath tests than any other group.

By using the actual car Matthew was killed in as an emotive tool to show people the effects of drink driving, they hope that the shocking image will help to promote safer driving and encourage people to think before they drink drive.

The dangerous mixture of thinking you are in control and feeling fine but having drunk alcohol, increases the chance of risk taking, can cause blurriness and make what is already considered a difficult task more difficult.

People of all ages tend to drink exceptionally more over the Christmas period and people that may not normally drink will have a tipple of two to celebrate.

Police urge drivers to be vigilant and plan how you are getting home when out on Christmas dos. It is also important that drivers are aware of their blood alcohol levels the morning after too.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

November 29, 2012
Morning Drive

The drive to work in the morning whether it be to work or to drop the children off at school, is important for how we feel the rest of the day.

If we get off to a terrible start is sometimes has an effect on the rest of our day. Apart from trying to keep your cool when someone cuts you up or pulls over into your lane, what can you do?

I suggest having some good audio going on the in background. Now, I’m not saying that you have to start playing some Deepak Chopra –though he is very good! –but I find that listening to some relaxing music first thing in the morning helps. This could be audio book, some soothing music or a talk on Radio 4.

It’s important to be alert but relaxed when you are in the car and starting off your day in this fashion always, I find, helps. This doesn’t of course excuse poor driving. But when you are relaxed and prepared, you won’t let someone’s poor driving ruin you day.

Comments(0)

November 28, 2012
WELL KNOWN AT THE THEORY TEST CENTRE

One hundred and five times…over £3000 and still no closer to passing the theory test. The DSA have revealed information regarding an Essex resident who has sat her theory test an astonishing 105 times.

She is the clear winner on the number of tests sat, with her closest rival only sitting the test 84 times.

Despite the cost and heartache she must feel after each fail, she is one determined women and here’s hoping she is lucky on the 106th try.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)