September 6, 2010
MINI COOPER IS ENORMOUS COMPARED TO THE PEEL P50

Two Cars that were big in the sixties are set to make a comeback. The Peel P50 and the Trident Bubble Car are the world’s smallest road-legal cars.

The television programme Dragon’s Den saw the new eco-friendly versions which are set to be introduced worldwide.

The cars are reasonably priced at around £8,000 and currently have a battery life of around three hours. However, they are not for everyone, the P50 has only one door on the left side and are extremely small, measuring just 4ft 4in long, 3ft 11in high and 3ft 3in wide.

The cars were taken out and about for the public to view with one admirer claiming he wanted one…he was only six years old mind you.

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September 3, 2010
COMPULSORY LESSONS FOR LEARNER DRIVERS

A new requirement for learner drivers will look to include compulsory driving lessons.

Pupils will be required to fill out a logbook which they will receive once they sign up for lessons with an instructor. They will be required to take a minimum of 36 hours and the logbook will have to hold details of all lessons and include night time driving.

Learners will then be put under a two year restriction period, where they will be required to display ‘R’ plates. ‘R’ plate drivers will be allowed to drive on the motorway however, they will be subject to many of the same restrictions as an ‘L’ plate driver.

Research has shown that a large majority of accidents that involve drivers aged 17-24 are connected to a lack of experience. The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are already implementing a revised practical driving test to help bring those at test standard up to post test standard.

Currently this is set to be introduced in Ireland and there are no immediate plans to bring the scheme over to the UK however, with the driving test over 75 years old, changes need to be made to keep up with current times.

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September 2, 2010
Football fans set record for driving to all 20 Premier League clubs in 14 hours

Two football fans created a new record by driving to all 20 Premier League clubs in just over 14 hours.

Teacher Paul Cox and Spanish pal Luis Felipe completed the 572-mile trip in 14hrs 3mins 18secs. This knocked 46mins off Paul’s previous unofficial record.

They kicked off at 9.35pm at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur, and finished at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park at 11.38am next morning.

They parked their Vauxhall Corsa at every ground to take pictures. Apart from that they only stopped for petrol and a couple of coffees.

Paul, a Derby County fan from Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, said “I got to show Luis the delights of a Wigan sunrise.

“And we celebrated the end with two Geordies in Shearer’s Bar. Luis couldn’t understand a word they said.”

The trip is not recognised as a Guinness World Record. But the pals challenge anyone to beat their time.

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September 1, 2010
DRIVING IN LONDON ON TWO WHEELS

Sunday 5th September will see London’s roads free from traffic when more than 65,000 cyclists are expected to join The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride.

The 15km route will be open from 9.30am until 4.30pm where cyclists of all ages can take in the sights of London including, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Place and the Tower of London.

Kelly Brooke the Sky Ride Ambassador, hopes to see thousands of cyclists come down any enjoy the traffic free and safe environment.

There will be lots of entertainment including music, fancy dress, sporting challenges and much more. For those that want to enjoy a traffic free London, but don’t want to cycle there are food markets and picnic areas.

It is important to remember to look after yourselves and other cyclists. Ensure you are wearing a helmet, drink plenty of water and wear sun cream. Remember all ages are welcome and there will be cyclists of all abilities, so take in the sights and enjoy the ride.

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August 31, 2010
Accidents at level crossings are still cause for concern for train industry

Last year there were as many as 3,244 recorded incidents of misuse or error at level crossings, following 3,495 incidents in 2008.

In 2009, there were 14 collisions between vehicles and trains at level crossings and there were 13 deaths.

here were also 145 near-misses between motor vehicles and trains last year – almost three a week.

Earlier this year Network Rail (NR) chief executive Iain Coucher called on the Government to do more to curb unsafe driving by motorists at level crossings.

NR wants the driving theory test to include compulsory questions on level crossings to enforce learner drivers’ understanding of the Highway Code and reduce risky driving behaviour, such as driving around barriers and running red lights as trains approach.

NR calculates that up to 95 per cent of incidents at level crossings are down to motorist or pedestrian misuse or error.

Mr Coucher said: ”Motorists are too often playing Russian roulette with a 200-tonne train – and tragically some lose their lives gambling at level crossings by running red lights or dodging around barriers.

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August 27, 2010
FAMILY BUSINESS IN DRIVING FRAUD

A brother and sister from West Drayton ran their own business taking theory tests for candidates at an astronomical fee.

It is thought that the siblings arranged over 100 theory tests, charging up to £450 for somebody to impersonate the candidate at the test centre.

The pair appeared alongside 4 candidates who had paid for their services at Ipswich Crown Court. The brother and sister aged 35 and 33 were jailed for a total of 39 months between them and the candidates received community service.

Not only were all involved in committing fraud but the siblings were enabling individuals to obtain licences which act as an identity document. This could lead to further crimes such as benefit fraud, obtaining credit and debit cards and travelling freely.

Suffolk police once tipped off about Vishal Aggarwal and Vanita Aggarwal quickly took action, which resolved in them being arrested and bringing the case to a close.

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August 26, 2010
Over packing causes driving holiday domestics

One out of every four driving holidays for British families sets off amid arguments over bags.

Before any assumptions are made over who may travel the heaviest, it was found that women lag just behind men in terms of total luggage taken to an average beach holiday. Men, who apparently get bored sitting on the sand if they cannot ogle the locals, turn to game consoles, DVDs and board games to keep themselves amused. Women seem content with less luggage and more beach.

Nearly one in three (29 per cent) British males admitted to being overambitious with their packing habits, being forced to leave various items at airports or arrival ports as there just isn’t enough room in the car. No mention was made as to what would have been the preferred item left behind, though the same over-ambition affected just 17 per cent of British women.

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August 25, 2010
PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST NERVES

Many pupils learning to drive will experience performance related stress on the day of their practical test. This can be for a number of reasons, those who are adversely affected by nerves, those that need to pass for their job and for everyone else there is all the time and money they have invested.

There are a few simple pointers to consider before your test:

Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before

Eat something that will not leave you hungry but will not make you feel uncomfortable

Try not to feel pressured by other people

Before you arrive at the test centre, concentrate and drive to the best of your ability. A good drive beforehand will reassure you that you are capable of passing

Do not treat the examiner any differently to your instructor, most individuals are nervous on test and the examiner will try their best to put you at ease

Your instructor can also help in lots of ways, firstly by allowing you to go up on test only when they feel you are ready. They should also take you around the test routes you may cover and explain the requirements of the practical test. They should prepare you for all situations you might meet and make sure you can comfortably carry out all 3 manoeuvres.

There is lots of material available to help you prepare for the practical test and how to be a competent and safe driver once passing your test.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “With plenty of practice and a calm approach there is no reason why you should not pass first time. You must remember that if you fail, it is not the end of the world, you can retake the test. If you are unfortunate enough to fail, use the experience to help prepare yourself for the next test.”

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August 24, 2010
Army improves facilities at world’s largest driving school

NEW facilities for thousands of armed forces personnel learning to drive the latest military vehicles and their instructors have been officially opened.

The development – which includes classrooms for 200 students and facilities for instructors, as well as three huge storage facilities for Mastiff and Wolfhound vehicles – was erected in just 20 weeks at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield.

The buildings are the latest addition to the world’s largest driver training establishment.

About 850 civil servants and support staff are employed on site beside 230 military staff, who put 16,000 students through their paces every year.

Most students go on to frontline operations in Afghanistan.

The new facilities, called the “Herrick” block, referring to recent operations in Afghanistan, were officially unveiled by director general of Army recruiting and training, Major General Gerry Berragan.

Major Shaun Robjohns said as well as four state-of-the-art classrooms, 60 instructors who work day and night shifts were getting their own facilities, including showers and a kitchen.

Even modern vehicles needed regular modifications, he ex- plained, adding: “The new vehicles are designed in such a way with such an emphasis on safety that it is giving soldiers so much confidence to do their jobs.”

Engineers have been installing the latest seats in Wolfhound vehicles which protect drivers from explosions – at a cost of £10,000 each.

During their Leconfield training, students are put up against mock river crossings, gullies and other obstacles they are likely to encounter in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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August 23, 2010
CHILDREN DRIVE YOU TO DISTRACTION

We can all become distracted when driving, with mobile phones, sat navs, eating and drinking. However, statistics show that the most distracting of all is passengers, in particular children.

Drivers with children are encouraged to plan their journey and to ensure that children are adequately catered for before setting off.

It is not only the little passengers that can cause drivers to lose attention on the road but adult passengers as well.

Drivers require a noise and distraction free environment when driving. Making sure that all in car gadgets are programmed and working and that passengers have all they require for the journey will minimise the risk of an accident.

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