A new qualification in driving science developed by alpha to omega motoring ltd has been passed by James Jefferies, 17, a sixth former at Leeds Grammar School. The qualification is taught in parallel to existing driving lessons and makes use of interactive software which enables the learner to engage in life-saving driving skills from their home computer.

Research has shown that this training improved the learners attitude towards risk, such as tailgating, overtaking and speeding. It has also shown that this method improved hand eye coordination and drivers’ eye movement patterns – which will help with hazard perception skills (a part of the current driving theory test).

The environment minister Sammy Wilson has given a clear message to the public to steer clear of illegal driving instructors.
Mr Wilson strongly recommended that it was not in the interest of a learner to use an illegal driving instructor as they do not have the necessary qualifications to teach, may not have the correct level of insurance and will not have undergone the thorough criminal records checks required.

It is important for learners to properly check the credentials of a potential instructor, just because they are advertising in the local paper, have L plates on their cars or have dual control fitted does not mean they are qualified ADI’s.
Learners should ask their a potential instructor for their ADI certificate or trainee licence, which is provided from the DSA. It is also worth noting the expiry date on these licences to ensure it is still valid.

The proposals in the Paper relate to the splitting of the practical motorcycling test into two modular tests and the practical motorcycling test fees from 5th October 2009.

Who will be affected by the changes?
The proposals principally affect individual candidates preparing to undertake a practical motorcycling/moped test and their trainers.

Summary of Main Proposals sent to Britannia Driving SchoolsThe DSA propose to:

• Divide the practical motorcycling test into two modules:
Module 1: Specified manoeuvres test
Module 2: Road riding test

• Split the current £80 motorcycling test fee as follows:
Module 1: £10.00
Module 2: £70.00

• Require motorcycling candidates to pass a module 1 test before taking the module 2 test.

• Require candidates to complete both modules within 24 months of passing a relevant theory test.

• Introduce a minimum wait after failed tests before retaking the test:
Module 1: 3 clear working days
Module 2: 10 clear working days

• Increase from 5th October 2009 the fee for the practical motorcycling test to £90.50. I modular testing is introduced this would be split as follows:
Module 1: £15.50
Module 2: £75.00

Are you a motorcycling/moped trainer or candidate? How will you be affected by these changes? What are your thoughts on the DSA PROPOSAL? Send us your views using the comments link below:

Britain’s currently generate the equivalent of 10-12 tons of CO2 annually per person, approximately 700 tons in total per year. Targets set out in a 500 page report which details what Britain must do to achieve an 80% fall in carbon emissions (around 2 tons per person), it was stated that motorists must get rid of their dependence on internal combustion engine and switch in large numbers to vehicles powered by electricity, hydrogen and other low or zero emission fuels.

This 2 tons per person (around 12lb per day) would not be possible with today’s current combustible engines. The average family car emits 11-13lb of carbon emissions in around 25 miles of driving. Professor Julia King, a committee member believes we could see cars that emit 50% less emissions than today’s by 2025. These cars would be based on hybrid engines (both electrical and internal combustion), which is definitely a step in the right direction.

The Department of Transport has published provisional statistics on accidents involving drinking and driving in Great Britain in 2007.

Provisional estimates show:

Fatalities resulting from drink drive accidents fell by 18% from 560 in 2006 to 460 in 2007, whilst seriously injured casualties fell by 11% from 1,970 to 1,760. Slight casualties, however, rose by 4% from 11,840 to 12,260. Total casualties rose by 1% from 14,370 to 14,480.

Fatal accidents fell by 16% from 490 to 410, although there was an overall increase of 2% in drink drive accidents from 9,400 to 9,620.

Cathy Keeler, Head of Campaigns at Brake, the road safety charity, said: “its good news that the number of deaths in drink-drive crashes where drivers were over the legal limit fell in 2007 compared to 2006, but the figures don’t tell the whole story. Even more deaths are associated with drivers who are not over the limit, but have a significant amount of alcohol in their system and academics have estimated that setting a lower limit could save dozens of lives each year.”

Britannia Driving School believes that the most successful campaign would be one that had a clear message that no amount of alcohol is acceptable. For such a campaign to work, the Government needs to reduce the drink drive limit to zero.

Have you ever been affected by consequence of drink driving? What are your thoughts on this article? Send us your views using the comments link below:

Over the past 3 years more than 170 people have either been killed or seriously injured in drink driving related accidents in North Yorkshire alone. In a bid to prevent drivers from getting behind the wheel over the Christmas period, police will be using new Bluetooth technology to get across road safety campaigns.

Animated media messages will be sent to Bluetooth enabled handsets by police cars equipped with the new technology. Targeting parties, clubs and pubs these messages will be sent in order to put across the point that anybody thought to be leaving these places will be breathalysed.

Chris Anderson (York & Northyorkshire partnership chairman) stated, “We will emphasise that having just one drink and then driving can lead to injury and death, and to heavy financial penalties and driving bans.”

More Than 3.8 Million female motorists are putting vanity before safety by failing to wear prescription glasses while driving, according to a new survey.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of female motorists should wear glasses whilst driving but do not always do so, with 10% of women questioned admitting to feeling embarrassed by how they look in unfashionable specs.

The “Vanity and Vision” poll of female motorists, conducted by Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance, revealed that more than one in ten (11%) admitted to being involved in an accident or near-miss in the last year as a result of bad eye sight. Accidents as a result of poor vision behind the wheel cost £981 on average.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School, remarks: “We urge all our pupils to test their eyesight by using our free eyesight simulator and get regular eye examination by an optician every couple of years after passing the driving test. Having good vision is crucial for safe driving.”

Almost TWO Thirds of drivers would be happy to re-sit their test when they reach 70, even if it meant them potentially failing, according to new survey.

The online poll of nearly 900 people conducted by Motorists would like to see the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) make it compulsory for them to re-take their driving test when they reach 70.

Although there is no research to indicate that drivers become unable to drive safely at a specific age, recent tests by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) have shown that, on average, the over 55s take 22 per cent longer to react than drivers under 30. This would add 25ft (or two car lengths) to the stopping distance if braking at 70mph.

According to David Shelton, Managing Director of Motorpoint: “The results of this poll show that people are honest enough to recognise their driving ability does deteriorate with age that maybe the government should consider mandatory re-testing at certain age in the future.

There are currently 3,175,251 people in the UK over 70 with a driving licence, according to the DVLA.

Britannia Driving School runs refresher driving courses and mock driving tests specifically designed for the over 70s.

Good news for British Motorists today as Morrisons drop their unleaded petrol price to under 90p per litre. With a record 1 month drop the average UK prices fell over 11p per litre from 106.4 in October to 94.86 in November.

Also for diesel  owners a drop of over 8p per litre meant that 117.69p per litre price of last month has dropped to 108.82 this month. Crude oil, which directly affects petrol prices is currently at a two year low of $52.70 per barrel on the Asian market – which was at a $147 high in July.

New legislations have been announced the Government will be stepping up the severity of breaking driving laws as well as introducing new criteria.

Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 20mph could be subject to 6 penalty points, this new higher tariff is part of the government’s aim of reducing accidents caused by speeding motorists on the roads.

The government are also targeting drink and drug drivers; there are plans to introduce new drug driving offences that will make it illegal to drive after taking a drug which is both illegal and impairing to a drivers judgement.