The DSA wanted to identify and introduce new technologies that could help update the hazard perception clips.

The contract was awarded to the London-based company: SME Jelly, who will work to produce new more up-to-date clips which should come into place by August 2013.

The DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said:

“The hazards presented in the current clips are still relevant but the image quality is not as clear or defined as the quality available today.”

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The longest day has been and gone. As you can tell, the nights are drawing in. What does that mean for drivers though? Well soon enough, you will be driving home from work in the dark, which is very different to driving home when it is light and sunny.

When it gets darker, colder and wetter, it can be a little miserable to drive home, but with a few adjustments the process can be smoother. Firstly, make sure that all of your lights are working correctly. Remember the different lights: side lights, dipped head lights, full beam, fog lights, and brake lights. Also remember to keep your water topped up. You will want to keep warm in your car; a warm car is often a haven from the bitter winds. So ensure that you check this often.

It’s also worth keeping a few supplies in the car should you break down. A blanket will come in handy should you have to wait for help. Keep your mobile phone charged, they’re amazing when they are working, useless when they’re not. When it gets really cold keep an ice scraper in your car too, these are pretty cheap and so helpful.

Most of all, enjoy your driving!

France has introduced an interesting new law making it compulsory for all drivers to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicle.

All motorists must also have a high visibility jacket and a warning triangle present in the car.

Foreign drivers will also be required to follow these rules when driving in France however, this will only be law from November.

Drink driving is thought to be the main factor in most accidents on French roads and it is hoped that drivers will breathalyse themselves and refrain from driving if they are over the limit.

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A consultation with regards to introducing a charge for all HGV vehicles driven on the UK road network is still ongoing.

The proposals are aimed at a fairer arrangement for UK hauliers. UK registered HGV’s already pay tolls and charges on our roads, whereas most foreign operators currently get fuel outside the UK so pay nothing at all towards our road costs.

The charge could be as much as £1000 per year per vehicle however, it is thought that 94% of the current UK vehicle fleet would be no worse off as the government are looking at ways of reducing other costs to UK hauliers. Reductions in taxes, duties of charges are all possibilities however, it is thought that a reduction in VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) will be the answer.

Non payment of the charge would be a criminal offence and the DVLA will monitor vehicles.

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The news is full of stories regarding young drivers. Stories about how they need to take more care, and how they need to driver slower, or unfortunately, talking of awful stories regarding fatal accidents.

The news, whether it be from the TV, radio or newspapers, is great medium, we all rely on the news. Yet, I don’t really see how much has changed by the news reporting on these trends. I believe to make a real change we need to be part of the solution. I believe, and I don’t for one moment think that this is the only solution or that this has not been tried. But I believe, that a key difference can be made when parents are in the car with their children and discussing safer driving and demonstrate safe driving. We all learn by example. We have to remind our kids that they don’t need to follow what their friends do. We must remind them about the fun driving experiences that they can have, but also the nightmares that they can encounter should they want to feel “cool.”

These are of course only ideas. We know that our kids have a mind of their own, but we have to try something.

From January 2013 new rules for lorry and bus licence holders will come into place.

Licences issued from 19th January 2013 onwards will be valid for a period of 5 years.

For drivers under 45 years of age, every five years when you renew the licence you will be required to sign a declaration to confirm you meet the medical standards necessary.

For all drivers over the age of 45, you will still need to renew your licence every five years but will also be required to provide a medical examination report before the licence is renewed.

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A driving instructor is by nature, very observant. They not only need to see how you are driving but they need to be aware of the situation around them; at any point they may have to hit the brakes or grab the steering wheel. A driving instructor needs to assess your abilities and know when you are ready to go to the next step; such as when to take you on 60mph roads, or when to teach about night time driving.

However, there is one thing over and above everything else that our instructors notice: people wearing the wrong shoes. It makes such a big difference when you wear the right shoes for driving. Before you have your lesson make sure you slip into some trainers or plimsolls you need something that it comfortable and gives you a good feel for the pedals. And please, avoid wearing high-heels.

There’s often a joke, well rather a cry that we always hear from our driving instructors. Which is, if they had a £1 for every time they asked their pupils to wear the right shoes, they would have a holiday home in the Bahamas.

So please, wear the right shoes.

Bharat Keshwala, aged 48 did what I am sure most computer game users only fantasies about, when he went on a high-speed police chase, hitting high speeds and jumping lights all whilst the police pursued him. The only problem was it was through the busy streets of Manchester and it was for real.

Keshwala was spotted driving at speeds of 90mph, jumping red lights and not being in control of his car in the early hours of the morning last December. Police pursued him and finally ended the chase near Liverpool.

He was later sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work and will be required to sit an extended driving test. When asked why he had behaved like this he claimed that he was in a dream like state and thought he was in a computer game.

Keshwala is a recovering alcoholic and was thought to be suffering from insomnia, having not slept properly for the past month.

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Ben Westwood, 33 knocked up speeds of 180mph though the streets of Wolverhampton after an attempted robbery.

Police failed to keep up with the vehicle, which was also stolen and later found it abandoned at a block of flats.

Recorder Nigel Baker QC told Westwood: “You have an appalling record for a man of 33…I have come to the conclusion that the time has come to increase the level of sentencing that you have previously had.”

Westwood, was one of five involved in the robbery and he was given the largest sentence of nine years.

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I wanted to dedicate an article to learner drivers. Learning to drive, is for many people, a difficult task. You are learning a new set of skills, you are trying to handle a car at different speeds, and all of these things can be taxing. You should remember though, we have all been there. When you are having a bad day and believe me, many of us have had them, the best thing to do is to keep going. Book another lessons. Go for it again. We only learn through practice.

The biggest issue that people face is building up their confidence. Your confidence can get easily knocked when someone is driving up very close behind you or shouts, “move out of the way.” But as you will come to learn when you do pass your test, these drivers stills exist. But, your confidence will develop over time. We know this because it happened for us. When you do come in contact with annoying drivers just let them carry on their way. You can’t ruin your day because of their bad attitude.

Remember, driving is a life-long lesson. We are always learning: learning how to drive in adverse weather, navigating our way from one end of the country to the other, and driving on the motorway. Every lesson you have and each time you drive, you have a chance to enhance your skills. So please, keep at it and don’t be put off by one bad lessons – or several. We’ve all been there, and we have made it through. You can too! Just keep trying.