The government are cracking down on those that use a blue badge in a fraudulent way. They claim that £46 million each year is lost in parking revenue.

More enforcement will be present and the badges are now harder to counterfeit. With the badge displaying a hologram, photo and unique serial number, they are almost impossible to fake.

It is thought that more than 2.5million use the blue badge scheme, so even the eligibility criterion has changed in the last year, with people having to re-apply for their badge.

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When you are driving you need to be comfortable. If you are wearing shoes that aren’t, then you will find driving to be drag. Yes ladies, sometimes the high-heels just don’t work when you are driving. They can be restrictive and cause you to get annoyed, so it’s best to avoid wearing them when behind the wheel. This is something that can be easily done. All you need to do is carry some plimsolls in the car. When it comes to driving just slip into them.

Some have even referred to wearing as, very hazardous. They can give you less control. You need to have a good feel of the pedals when driving, this does not mean drive bare foot though. Plimsolls are a good for driving. We suggest grabbing your self a pair and keeping them in the car so you can easily change in and out of them.

Remember then when driving we have to be as responsible as we possibly can. This comes down to wearing the right pair of shoes so that we have full control over the vehicle.

A 42 year old man from Sydney was arrested and charged with driving recklessly, failing to stop for police, taking a vehicle without consent and driving whilst disqualified all in one go.

The man who is already banned from driving for 56 years was caught by police driving a white Toyota at high speeds. Whilst pursing the driver, he went through a red light and almost collided with other vehicles so police backed off feeling it was too dangerous, but later arrested the man.

He was initially due to receive his licence back in December 2068 but as he has been refused bail and has clocked up these further charges who knows when he will get his licence back.

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Honda staged the biggest number of recalls than any other car maker in 2011 and it looks like this year is no better with them having to recall more than 320,000 cars around the world.

The problem is with the doors, despite no reports of accidents or injury, there is a possibility that the fault could lead to the car doors opening whilst the car is in use.

Letters are due to be send to consumers shortly and dealers will inspect and fix the cars if needed.

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Been able to drive gives us a great opportunity to go to some wonderful places in the UK. There are literally so many places to visit; whether you’re taking your self, your loved one, or loved ones.

Packing the clan in the car, giving someone the responsibility to navigate, the other to be in charge of snacks, can all be great fun. Just remember to plan your route well. It’s worth getting a satnav.

So where to go? A recent favourite has been Church Stretton. A lovely little town with great walks. It is the perfect place to go for a stroll or even a long walk. Pack a lunch and eat it on the lovely hills as you see the surrounding area for miles and miles. If you want to stay overnight there are places to stay right in the park, you can also find somewhere nearby .

Afterwards, you can take a look around the town at the lovely little shops and cafes.

ADIs…when you are called upon for your check test remain calm. Follow these few simple rules and you should be fine.

DO let the DSA know if you cannot make the date issued to you. By not turning up and not informing them, the examiner is wasting their time and it proves costly.

DO conduct the lesson as you would any other. The examiner is there purely to observe, so don’t change your teaching style trying to impress.

DO bring a pupil along however, remember that the examiner can act as a pupil if you do not have someone available.

DON’T think you have to bring a learner pupil along, you can carry out the check test with a full licence holder.

DON’T forget that the examiner can organise a check test at their discretion and that it is for the purpose of ensuring you still meet the minimum standards.

Good luck!

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When you are driving you need to be alert all the time. Unfortunately, one of the things we see happening, time and time again, is that people lose focus after they have been driving for some time. It’s always better to be a confident driver than a nervous driver. A confident driver is ready and prepared for situations.

If you become a driver that looses their concentration after a while though, then is when accidents happen. We need to be alert and prepared. One must remember to look at their blind spots, use the right lights, change lanes effectively and be able to deal with other unruly road drivers. When you come across another road user who is acting irrational, ie. wanting to race you, remember it’s never worth it. It is best to stay calm and let them go on their way. If you think they are a hazard to other road users, then you should call the police when you are in a safe and convenient place.

Most of us can get a little relaxed when we are stuck in rush-hour traffic and exercising our use of clutch control. But remember that motorcyclists can come up by the side of you. So when you move off remember to check your mirrors. There could be an ambulance or police car that needs to get through. If so, stay calm and look where the place to move is.

Remember to always be alert when driving.

The Olympic lanes between Heathrow and London officially opened today, causing delays and confusion.

Many other Olympic lanes in and around London are marked up and ready to use but have yet to be opened. With drivers facing £130 fines, drivers were battling to get out of the lanes on the A4 and the A40 despite the restrictions yet to come into force.

With athletes, their trainers, families and equipment due to start arriving in London today in preparation for the Games, buses and other forms of transport need quick and easy access.

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A young woman known as Lauren Smee, aged just 21 lost her life when she followed sat nav directions which took her the wrong way down a dual-carriageway.

Her grieving mother said she had only held her licence for three months and as a new driver there is so much to think about when on the roads. She said: “Sat navs are a help to youngsters on the road who don’t know where they are going but young drivers have so much to think about. She believed she was doing the right thing and didn’t question it.”

A Sussex police officer followed the route Lauren had used and since then the Highway Agency has improved signage at the junction for clarity. However, the officer stated that Lauren had driven past several no entry signs and it’s likely to have been due to a lack of familiarity and a lapse in concentration.

Laurens mother Penny Smee said: “I think the use of sat navs should be included in some way in driving lessons. Young people need to be taught how to use them safely.”

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Do you remember what the road signs mean? It may have been a while since you have taken your test and as such, you may forget what the road signs  are telling you to do. Road signs are there for our benefit so it is important to pay attention to them. They let us know when there is a dead end, if we are approaching a sharp bend, they inform us about speed limits and speed bumps.

It’s easy to forget the road signs though. It’s best to continually ask yourself what they mean. You can do this when you are driving, just look at the road signs and say out what they are telling you to do. When you get home take a look over your High Way Code book again. This is the bible for the road and something you should hang onto throughout your driving career. Spend time looking over it when you can.

Knowing what the road signs mean will make you feel more confident when you come to drive. This is always a good thing.