Albany, N.Y. —

Officials from various state agencies and organizations concerned with traffic safety are reminding motorists of the dangers of drowsy driving. The annual public education and awareness campaign will coincide with the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, which begins Sunday, March 13.

“Recent studies show that driving while drowsy is a much more pervasive problem on our highways than we previously thought and is a contributing factor in thousands of preventable motor vehicle crashes each year,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Deputy Commissioner J. David Sampson.

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2011 Sleep in America poll, 43 percent of Americans ages 13 to 64 say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights, while 60 percent say that they experience a sleep problem every night or almost every night. Also, according to the poll, about two-thirds of Americans say they do not get enough sleep during the week.

The poll found that 95 percent of Americans use some type of electronics, such as a television, computer, video game or cell phone, at least a few nights a week within an hour of bedtime. Medical studies have shown that exposure to the artificial light created by such devices between dusk and bedtime suppresses the release of melatonin — a hormone that promotes sleep — as well as increases alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour, making it more difficult to fall asleep.

Tailgating is the most serious “offence” committed on motorways, with more than three-quarters of motorists saying it causes “highly dangerous”.

Driving whilst using your mobile phone came in a close second in the survey with 66 per cent agreeing it puts lives at serious risk, while nearly two thirds believe that driving in the middle lane when the left hand lane is empty is dangerous and should be more strictly enforced.

Only 20 per cent of the 350 motorists surveyed by GEM Motoring Assist, however, said that speeding should be more closely monitored, and over half of drivers surveyed said that the national speed limit should be increased.

GEM said this was “not the result it wanted to hear” as it is strongly opposed to suggestions, by transport secretary Philip Hammond, that motorway speed limits should be raised to 80mph.

Other findings were that more than half of those surveyed don’t want L-plated drivers to be allowed to practice on motorways before their test, with 83 per cent saying there should be a mandatory follow-up exam to test motorway driving skills, instead.

“Drivers need to make sure they are taking every precaution if they are planning to use a motorway and be fully aware of the dangers,” said David Williams, MBE, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist. “We believe that bad motorway driving such as tailgating and driving in the middle lane when the left hand lane is empty should definitely be more strictly enforced as it is this kind of careless driving that can lead to frustration, annoyance and possible accidents.”

Added Mr Williams: “It is shocking that a large number of motorists are in favour of raising the motorway speed limit as research shows that this would considerably increase the number of casualties, levels of carbon emissions and fuel consumption. Safety is our top priority for UK drivers and we hope that by warning the public of these dangers we can help raise awareness and in turn make roads a safer place.”

Top 10 Motorway Dangers, according to GM Motoring Assist:

1. Tailgating

2. Driving while using a mobile phone

3. Driving in the middle lane when the left hand lane is empty

4. Changing lanes without adequate observation or signals

5. Driving on the hard shoulder to avoid traffic

6. Entering a motorway from a slip road without adequate observations or signals

7. Driving too slowly

8. Speeding

9. Use of the outside lane by LGVs

10. Stopping on the hard shoulder when there is no emergency

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has issued warning to pupils going up on test in any of the Toyota cars that have been recalled.

The cars have been recalled as the vehicle manufacturer has issued a safety notice and the
vehicles may need work carried out on them.
In order for the examiners to take you up on test you must ensure that you can provide written proof that:

The vehicle has been checked and no work needs to be carried out

If work is needed – that it has been carried out prior to the test date

That the vehicle is not booked to have any recall work

You must provide a recall letter with the manufacturers stamp on it or an official letter from the dealer. Without written proof, the test may be cancelled. For a full list of cars that have been recalled please visit the DSA website.

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George Michael today apologised to the shop owner – whose shop he smashed into whilst driving his range rover high on cannabis back in July 2010.

The star was jailed for a month for the offence, but claims he dealt with the punishment well as he felt he truly deserved the sentence.

The decision to jail him was based on this being the second conviction for the same offence.

He today announced that he is “genuinely sincerely sorry for smashing into the shop”.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “Driving whilst under the influence is a dangerous thing to do and can impact not only your life but the lives of other people. It is nice to see that despite his status George Michael is taking responsibility for his actions.”

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More and more motorists are filling up at petrol stations and driving off without making payment.

Forecourts have seen a 52% increase in people filling up without paying.

The minister for International Development fears that with oil-producing countries such as Libya in turmoil, fuel prices will increase even more with talks of £2 a litre.

Police are trying to reduce numbers by placing decoy vehicles in forecourts.

Filling up with fuel and driving away without paying is a criminal offence. If you fill up and realise you do not have the means to pay, enter the garage and discuss the process.

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A driver from America was stopped by Sheriff Deputy Postlewait when he was caught driving at 118 mph. When the Sheriff approached the car he found the driver filming and when looking back on the film it shows he had filmed the speedometer travelling at speeds more than 140 mph.

The driver was intending to post it on Youtube but unfortunately it was used as evidence again him. He has now been charged with reckless driving and speeding.

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Motor insurers could be given access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency records, Mike Penning, the road safety minister, has told MPs.

Appearing before the Transport Select Committee, Mr Penning said the Government was looking at giving insurers greater access to motorists’ driving record.

Because of data protection laws, a driver’s consent would be required before the DVLA opens its records to insurance companies.

One option being considered by ministers would be to allow companies to include a request for access to the DVLA database on the insurance proposal form.

They would be free to decline insurance to a driver who was not prepared to allow insurers to obtain information on any previous motoring convictions.

In a separate move learner drivers could be allowed on motorways, Mr Penning told the Committee.

He said he is examining ways of ensuring that novice motorists are capable of handling fast motorway traffic.

One option under consideration would be to allow them onto these roads under supervision from a qualified instructor ahead of taking the test. An alternative would be compulsory motorway training for newly licenced drivers.

Applying for your first provisional licence has never been easier, with more and more people using the online service.

The criteria you must meet in order to use the online service is small and as long as you can do the following, you should receive your licence within two weeks of applying:

You must be a resident of Great Britain

You must meet the minimum age requirement and eyesight requirement

Have a valid form of ID such as a UK passport

Are not prevented from driving already

Can provide details of where you have resided in the last three years

Be able to make payment for the sum of £50 using a valid debit or credit card

To obtain a provisional licence the DVLA require a photo and a signature. If you use your passport as ID, they may be able to electronically capture the photo and signature required.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “If you are not in position to use the online service, it is very easy to complete the D1 form which can be collected from your local post office.”

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Changes to London’s Congestion Charge came into force in January (2011) which introduced a radical overhaul to the exemptions for lower emission vehicles.

The Alternative Fuel Discount (AFD) closed to new applicants and in its place came the new Greener Vehicle Discount, which meant for the first time, a whole new array of cars qualified for exemption to the charge. The new discount system permits all vehicles that emit below 100g/km of CO2 and meet Euro 5 air quality standards to travel throughout the UK capital city without paying the daily fee.

The new system allows conventional petrol and diesel cars to qualify for exemption for the first time, permitting them to join low emission hybrid and electric cars in their privilege position. With such a dizzying choice of cars now able to pass through the capital city without paying the charge, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk thought it would give you our Ten Ten of Congestion Charge Dodgers, presented in alphabetical order, to give you an idea of the models now available to choose from if you want to avoid the charge:

1. Audi A3 1.6 TDi with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).

2. Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg (combined).

3. Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir with emissions of 92g/km CO2 and 67.3 mpg (combined).

4. Ford Fiesta 1.6 Econetic with emissions of 98g/km CO2 and 76.3 mpg (combined).

5. Lexus CT200h SE with emissions of 94g/km CO2 and 68.9 mpg (combined).

6. Nissan Leaf with zero tailpipe emissions and a range of 100 miles to a full charge.

7. Skoda Fabia 1.2 GreenLine with emissions of 89g/km CO2 and 83.1 mpg (combined).

8. Toyota Prius T3 Hybrid with emissions of 89g/km CO2 and 72.4 mpg (combined).

9. Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Bluemotion with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).

10. Volvo S40 DRIVe with emissions of 99g/km CO2 and 74.3 mpg (combined).

A judge from Northern Ireland has been fined £120 and disqualified from driving for 12 months after officers stopped him and found him to be over the drink drive limit.

He was removed from office whilst investigations were carried out and after a tribunal it was decided he will not lose his job.

Those involved said he recognised his mistakes and it appeared to be a grave error of judgement. However, The Lord Chief Justice said he regarded the matter very serious and expects high standards of behaviour at all times.

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