The new theory test changes took place today, with learner drivers now having to learn the material instead of memorising the questions and answers.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) hope that by not publishing the theory test questions and answers, that drivers will gain a better understanding of our roads. It will encourage them to learn each topic thoroughly enough to be able to answer any questions asked. Previously it was feared that drivers were simply memorising the correct answer for that question and not understanding the issues surrounding it.

Theory test books and software will still be available and offer a form of revision for learners, with exercises and questions allowing them to assess their progress and apply what they have learnt.

It may seem a chore for those about to sit the theory test but it’s there to benefit them and other road users once they obtain their full driving licence.

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Chinese law states that drink-driving is a hazardous crime and offenders could face up to six months in jail. So when a boss and his ten workers found themselves too drunk to drive home, they found an alternative way of getting the boss home.

The boss did not want to leave his car in downtown Changchun so it was suggested that his ten employees push him and his car home. The three mile journey took 45 minutes and the group were in good spirits laughing and singing whilst the boss steered the car. Traffic officers said it was not an offence as long as the car’s engine was not running.

The boss said it was good exercise for his employees and wasn’t very far so didn’t feel bad.

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Some kind of urgency must be shown here! The drug-driving law seems to favour the offenders more than the law-enforcing authorities. The reason behind is that there are no reliable methods or instruments available which can be provided for the roadside testing. The situation is changing now. This is what the Department of Transport is claiming to be! The respective authorities are accessing all the options and taking scientific view into account as well. There is still some time left before we can think of an effective policy being put into practice. There should be a zero tolerance approach towards it. There is no way that we can allow people to drive with certain amount of drugs in their bodies.

The ratio of drug-driving incidents has increased alarmingly. The burning question is that if it would be technically possible to test people and convict them in the court of law. This is the biggest hurdle. We can hope for some technical breakthrough to be made  here. It would be highly impossible to find a permanent solution without proper measures being taken in the same direction. The good part is that people have realised the gravity of situation and started thinking about it seriously.

Three members of the same family were caught drink driving on the same night in South Canterbury – New Zealand. A 15 year old boy was stopped and arrested for drink driving and police found him to be three and a half times the drink drive limit for his age.

Once arriving at the police station, police called his mother to collect him. She was subsequently stopped for the same offence and was found nearly twice the drink drive limit. Her husband was then called to collect both her and their son and was also stopped and arrested only 45 minutes after his wife after he was caught over the drink driver limit.

With parents setting this example, it is no surprise that the 15 year old was caught in the first place. There really is no excuse for drink driving.

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What do you have to say? The report is already out in the public. It is a bit embarrassing. Did it ever occur to you that two third of the population find it difficult to read road signs? People do not have any idea that what it means when they read ‘give way’ or ‘no motor vehicles allowed’ road signs. The state of chaos is widely rampant as they start following the vehicle in front to avoid the situation. The whole situation is somewhat appalling in nature. It would not be incorrect to put forth that the Highway Code has just been reduced to a means to pass the theory test. The report also suggests that half of the drivers have not checked it since they appeared for tests last time.

We are talking about road signs which are placed everywhere around in the neighborhood. It is a part of our daily traveling life as we commute from one place to another. It serves several purposes at the same time. It helps us to drive safely and reach early. You should go back and take necessary steps to learn about the basic road signs.

Drivers haven’t really had to combat much snow or ice this year as opposed to last year however, drivers are having to deal with high winds, particularly in parts of Scotland.
Scotland were hit with gale force winds of up to 165mph, meaning roads and bridges having to close and hazardous driving conditions.

Most drivers who hold comprehensive car insurance will be covered for an accident involving adverse weather conditions. However, it’s our safety and the safety of others that’s important.

If you are warned to stay off the roads, take this advice unless your journey is absolutely necessary.

Look out for debris, especially when it is dark and when the roads may not have been cleared such as early morning.

Be careful when emerging from between buildings, crossing bridges, travelling beside high-sided vehicles or travelling along the coast as winds could be extremely strong. It’s important that you also have proper control over your vehicle and this means having both hands on the steering wheel.

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Mr Swift of York was caught speeding at 147mph in a 70mph zone back in June 2011. A traffic officer caught him on the A64 Malton Bypass driving his Jaguar XKR.

Mr Swift originally denied speeding and claimed he was not the person driving the vehicle at the time of the offence. However, after a trial at Scarborough Magistrates Court he was convicted and fined £700 and ordered to pay £650 costs. The 68 year old driver was also banned from driving for 9 months.

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A drunk man ignored “no right turn” and “no entry” signs after driving his car whilst being twice over the drink drive limit and ended up driving down the M8 the wrong way.

Ross Parker ended up driving in the fast lane of the eastbound M8 near Junction 25 in February last year, he ignored warnings from other cars and ploughed into  Margo Boulazreg’s car killing the mother of three and injuring her 18 year old son.

He told a women at the scene “I shouldn’t even be driving im wrecked.” And when officers arrived he told them “Aye mate, it’s my fault. I’m drunk.”

Mr Parker pled guilty to causing Margo’s death by dangerous driving whilst over the limit. He was told his guilty plea saved him from a nine year jail sentence instead he was given a six year jail sentence and banned from driving for eight years.

Margo’s daughters hope that Mr Parker’s sentence will warn other drivers and deter them from drink driving.

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If you took a break over the Christmas period from having driving lessons because you were just too busy, and you are keen to get back into the flow of things, get in touch and book your next lesson.

You only get better by practising. And if you only have bad memories of your last driving test remember, we have all had bad days, it doesn’t mean we give up, in actual fact it means that we should carry on.

It’s well worth you looking over your theory work as well. Remind yourself of the road signs and speed limits, impress your driving instructor and ask him how to check for water and oil levels on his vehicle.

All these things will ensure you get closer to passing your driving test.

Good luck!

It has taken an ugly shape of a nation-wide fraud. The Transport Minister, Norman Baker, has echoed his voice on the growing concerns of people using blue badge to get some free parking space. “Motorists who pretend to be disabled to get some free parking are frankly disgraceful”, he said in an interview. It has come as a shocking news that the standard of social and moral responsibilities have fallen disgracefully. The new blue badge system would prevent people from taking undue or unfair advantages. It would have a new hologram, digital photo and serial number to make it scam-free.

It was an inevitable situation. The set of proposed changes were required to check fraudulent activities. The local authorities have been given more powers to tackle the misuse of badges. These parking places are only reserved for physically challenged people. It is a positive change. It would make the original users a lot happier as they can find ample space to park their vehicles now. It all started as a great initiative taken by the government to help disabled people to park their cars easily however due to certain drawbacks it was started to being misused.