May 11, 2023
Blood Tests For Sleepy Drivers

Blood test studies recently carried out showed a risk of having an accident whilst driving tired could double if the driver has had less than 5 hours sleep in the 24hrs leading up to getting behind the wheel.

Which has led the question to be asked, should a new law be brought into affect for a minimum number of hours of sleep to be required to be able to drive? One-fifth of road accidents are thought to be linked to tiredness, the new tests would be able to detect if someone is too tired to be safe enough to drive.

Nature and Science of Sleep published a study last month, which suggested the risk of having a crash could be doubled if a driver has slept for less than four or five hours in the previous 24 hours.

Its well known that alcohol and drug usage can be measured via breath and blood tests, the same does not exist. But a team has now claimed it has identified 5 substances in the blood that includes Lipids which is produced in the gut that can distinguish if someone has been been awake for 24hrs.

The test was 90 per cent accurate in real-life situations, reported the researchers. However it is yet to comprehend the difference between people who have had say, five hours or just two.

The researchers have said that, with a sleep test, new laws could eventually be written to stipulate a minimum number of hours of sleep that are needed before driving.

Leader of the team Clare Anderson, an associate professor at Monash University in Australia, said: “When you look at the major killers on the road, alcohol is one of them, speeding is another and fatigue is one of them. But our capacity to manage [tiredness] is impaired because we don’t have tools to be able to monitor it like we do with alcohol.”

Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, also at Monash University, said: “With the right investment to be able to scale this, I reckon that within five years we will be able to implement these biomarkerbased tests — at least in safety-critical industries such as trucking, commercial aviation and mining.”

Professor Ashleigh Filtness, a driver fatigue expert for Road Safety GB, said: “There is already legislation stating that all drivers must be fit to drive their vehicles. Alertness is no different to any other requirement for safe driving.”

The Department for Transport said: “Drivers have a responsibility to ensure they are awake and alert on the road and should seek rest when feeling tired. The government is not considering this type of testing but we always note new ideas to make our roads safer.”

Rebecca at Britannia says: When you are tired it definitely impacts your ability to be able to make speedy and rational decisions and when it comes to driving especially on motor ways you need to be on your A game. If you are running on little to no sleep it could impact your reaction time plus also increase road rage!

 

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May 5, 2023
Futuristic New ‘AI’ Speed Cameras

The worlds first ever ‘AI’ speed camera has been put up in the UK, which has the capability to be able to see into your car.

The 10in unit’s “4D” radar and super-resolution cameras can detect if drivers are using there mobile phones, the number of passengers that are present and if they are all wearing a seat belt. There are 8 ways it can track you:

  • Speeding:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – can range up to 6 points and unlimited fines

  • Using a phone whilst driving:

£200.00 fine and 6 penalty points – drivers will lose their license if they passed their test within the past 2 years.

  • Running a red light:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1000.00

  • Driving without a valid MOT:

£1000.00 max fine or £2,500 for an HGV license

  • Driving without insurance:

£300 – £500.00 fine

  • Failing to wear a seat belt:

£100 – £500 fine

  • Too many passengers or dangerous load:

£2,500 fine and 3 penalty points

  • Running a level crossing:

£100.00 fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1,000 fine and 3 penalty points.

Redspeed Sentio camera has also been linked to the DVLA and Police databases to check road tax and insurance on the spot. It monitors 6 lanes at a time and can share data with other units to check average speeds, day and night.

Brian Gregory, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “It’s clear that the hollow assurances the motoring public was given about speed cameras being used exclusively to prevent accidents was always a total sham. The objective is actually to maximise their revenue-generating potential”

The camera has been installed on the busy A23 in Lambeth, South London, as part of a Transport for London trial before it can be given Home Office approval.

Lawyer Nick Freeman — who specialises in motoring offences and is known as Mr Loophole — said: “As drivers we are all becoming sitting ducks. This could just be a step too far.

“It could help alleviate the lack of police on our roads. But we will always be missing something when we don’t have that human element.”

Campaigner Jake Hurfurt, head of Big Brother Watch, said: “This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising. It poses a threat to everyone’s privacy.

“People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.”

 

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April 24, 2023
Warning Small Chip Could Cost You £2,500

Something as simple as a small chip or crack in your windscreen could cause you to be fined.

Warnings have been issued to drivers that driving with a chipped or cracked windscreen could land motorists with a £2,500 fine or points on their license! Green Flag has since revealed that after research 4/5 drivers where unaware of this.

Such issues with windscreens are a frequent occurrence that car owners experience,The cost-of-living crisis appears to be impacting drivers’ repair habits. Only 47% of drivers had their windscreen repaired immediately, with more than a quarter saying they would delay repairs to save money.

Over a quarter of drivers said they would only get the issue repaired if it stopped them from seeing.

On average, a chipped windscreen costs between £40 and £118 to repair, depending on the vehicle.

As well as the safety implications, chips and cracks can also lead to a failed MOT.

According to the DVSA, 405,595 cars had visibility issues when checked during an MOT between October and December 2022.

Different types of Chips and Cracks:

Katie Lomas, Head of Green Flag Breakdown, commented: “Windscreen chips should be repaired almost as soon as they appear to prevent further damage spreading as these can easily turn into a crack and a much larger and more expensive problem. It’s also important to keep in mind that repairs are especially important when obscuring visibility for the driver.

“Seven in ten drivers said chips were caused by stones and debris flying up from the road. To put this into perspective, on a 30 mile per hour road, a small stone could have an impact speed with the glass at the equivalent of 40 to 50 miles per hour. It’s not surprising that there’s a chance it’ll take a toll on your windscreen if it hits.

By checking your windscreen often, you can save yourself a job of having to replace a whole windscreen by catching a small crack quickly.

“To avoid chips and cracks, it’s important to drive carefully and leave a greater distance between the vehicle in front of you on rough and busy roads where there may be loose debris. If you do get a crack, it’s key that you replace the windscreen as soon as possible. Repairing early on is a straightforward process that improves vehicle safety, visibility and saves money in the long run.”

Kerry at Britannia says:

By checking your windscreen over regularly you can avoid large repair jobs, if you spot a small crack in your windscreen and act upon it quickly you could save yourself having to replace a whole windscreen.

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April 3, 2023
4 Vital Changes Regarding Your Driving Test

Last week it was announced the DVSA will be making some important changes to government policies regarding Driving Test bookings.

They ran a consultation between 25 January and 8 March 2022 about changing some policies that affect learning to drive and driving tests.

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test
  • reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted
  • update when and how we carry out the eyesight check at the start of the driving test

They currently have very high demand for driving tests. There are 3 main reasons for this:

  • fewer tests than usual have taken place because of restrictions and other factors related to the pandemic
  • learner drivers who are not yet ready to take their test have heard that waiting times are high, causing them to book earlier than they normally would
  • the pass rate for driving tests – for many years, less than half of people pass on their first attempt, meaning they’ll need to take at least one more test

Many driving instructors have said that some learner drivers want to pass their driving test as quickly and cheaply as possible. They say they are unable to stop their pupils from booking a test before they are ready.

They put forward some of these proposals because they think they’ll:

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test
  • help to reduce the number of driving test appointments that are wasted
  • give us more flexibility in how and when we can carry out driving tests

Other proposals were to help them to:

  • find out more about what information learner drivers and their families want to know when choosing a driving instructor – which in the longer term will help learner drivers to find the best driving instructor for them
  • move to replace paper pass certificates with digital versions, saving millions of sheets of paper each year

1. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the period a candidate can take another car driving test from 10 working days to 28 working days.

They have decided this because:

  • the period gives candidates time to take extra training
  • it will have a positive impact on car driving test waiting times
  • gaining more knowledge, skills and experience will help keep new drivers safe at the crucial point that they drive on their own for the first time
  • better prepared drivers should have a positive effect on road safety
  • one-third of learner drivers admit this will encourage them to only book their test when they are ready while waiting times remain the same – this increases to 42.8% if waiting times reduce

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

2. Reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the notice period a candidate must give to change or cancel a car driving test from 3 full working days to 10 full working days.

They have decided this because:

  • it is currently difficult for DVSA to make tests cancelled with 3 working days’ notice available to another candidate, which means that a test slot is wasted
  • it will free up wasted test slots, which means these slots can be offered to other candidates to make tests available more quickly

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

3. Update when and how we check someone’s eyesight at the start of the driving test

 

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to introduce the proposals to:

  • do the eyesight check in the driving test in any level of light – not just good daylight
  • use more methods of checking people’s eyesight when they take the driving test

We will look at options available to introduce an alternative means to conduct an eyesight test that is not dependent on good daylight or reading a car number plate, but that will continue to ensure a driver’s eyesight is assessed consistently with the current test.

What will happen next

We are exploring alternative means of assessing eyesight. This is being done with DVLA’s Medical Panel. This is necessary because DVLA is the driving agency responsible for licensing drivers and it is important for any new procedures to meet the standards that currently apply. It will be necessary to ensure that any alternative is thoroughly tested and assessed to ensure it replicates the requirements of the current test and is sufficiently rigorous.

In the consultation, a majority of respondents supported the proposal for DVSA having the flexibility to conduct the eyesight test by means other than reading the number plate attached to the vehicle. This will enable us to provide driving tests at more times, in different levels of light, and will give us the flexibility to test eyesight if there are few vehicles parked nearby.

4. Replace paper pass certificates with digital pass certificates

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to modernise the administrative process of notifying candidates that they have passed their test by replacing the current paper pass certificates with digital test pass certificates.

What will happen next

It will be necessary to update legislation to do this. This will require both primary and secondary legislation. We plan to make provision which requires primary legislation when an opportunity is available.

We will need to make sure that the electronic record, when provided without a paper version, will be available to successful candidates as soon as a test is passed.

 

 

 

 

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March 20, 2023
Are Automatic Cars Better For Nervous Drivers?

Taking lessons can be a very overwhelming experience for first time learners, it can be a daunting for more experienced learners too. The thought of having to control the pedals, gears and maneuvering a vehicle, especially in traffic can be anxiety inducing. Leading some learners to ponder if automatic cars could cater to their needs and help calm the over thinking of having to control everything at once.

Here are some advantages to driving an Automatic car :

  • Simpler To Learn :

One of the biggest advantages of automatic cars is that they are more simple to learn. With an automatic transmission, pupils do not need to worry about operating the clutch or shifting gears, making the learning process less complicated.

  • Less To Think About :

Driving an automatic car is less stressful than a manual car. With an automatic car, drivers can focus on other aspects of driving, such as traffic conditions and road safety, without the added stress of having to shift gears or operate a clutch pedal.

  • Convenient :

Automatic cars are more convenient than manual cars. With an automatic car, drivers do not need to worry about stalling in traffic, and can easily switch between driving and parking modes with the push of a button.

  • A Feeling Of Safety :

Automatic cars can be safer for nervous drivers. With an automatic car, drivers can keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, reducing the risk of distraction and increasing their ability to react to sudden changes in road conditions.

Here are some disadvantages of driving an Automatic car :

  • Greater Costs :

Something to think about is the cost, so once you’ve passed your test it would be more expensive to purchase a automatic than a manual. Automatic cars require more complex technology and parts, which can add to the cost of purchasing and maintaining the vehicle.

  • Limited Control :

Automatic cars provide limited control over the vehicle. With an automatic car, drivers do not have the ability to downshift to increase engine braking, which can be useful when descending steep hills or driving in slippery conditions.

  • Lower Fuel Efficiency :

Automatic cars are generally less fuel-efficient than manual cars. With an automatic car, the engine is not as responsive to changes in driving conditions, which can lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency over time.

Conclusion :

For nervous drivers, automatic cars can be a great choice. They are easier to learn, less stressful, more convenient, and can be safer on the road. However, it is important to keep in mind that automatic cars can be more expensive, offer limited control, and have lower fuel efficiency than manual cars.

Ultimately, the choice between an automatic and manual car will depend on personal preferences and needs. Nervous drivers should consider their comfort level with driving and their budget before making a decision.

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March 6, 2023
DVSA Issued warning to anyone who has a test booked in March

Civil servants from the PCS union are staging 11 days of strikes this month which could impact driving tests.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a warning to learners who have driving tests booked this month.

It comes as civil servants begin their next round of strikes in March, which will affect some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS). It is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

Ten days of regional strikes and one day of national strikes will be held in March. The DVSA has advised learners on what to do if their driving test is scheduled for a strike day.

The DVSA’s official Twitter account said: “If you’ve got an appointment on a strike day, please attend as planned, unless you have been contacted directly to say it has been cancelled. If you turn up for your test and it is cancelled because of strike action we will automatically reschedule it for the first available date and you will be able to claim out of pocket expenses.

“If you want to rearrange your car, motorcycle, vocational or instructor test, you can do this through our change your driving test service. Keep checking emails, texts and GOV.UK for updates and confirmed strike dates.”

 

When do civil servants go on strike?

Civil servants strike for 11 days in total, with 10 taking place regionally and one nationally. The dates include:

  • Monday March 6 and Tuesday March 7 – London and south east England
  • Thursday March 9 and Friday March 10 – South west England and Wales
  • Wednesday March 15 – All areas of Greater Britain
  • Monday March 20 and Tuesday March 21 – East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands and parts of London
  • Thursday March 23 and 24 – North west England and Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Monday March 27 and Tuesday March 28 – North east England and Scotland

 

Which driving tests will be affected?

The strikes could impact car driving tests, motorcycle tests and vocational tests for lorry, bus, coach and minibus. Tractor or specialist vehicle driving tests, approved driving instructor (ADI) tests and ADI standard checks and moped and motorcycle compulsory basic training might also be affected.

 

Kerry from Britannia Driving School said:

Please keep an eye on your emails and any texts you receive from the DVSA regarding your test bookings, for any cancellations or rescheduled test dates.

 

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February 20, 2023
Issued Warning From The DVLA

The DVLA issued a warning to every driver who passed there test before 2014 that they must renew their licence before its 10-year expiration date arrives or face a heavy fine.Driving licenses are only valid for 10 years from date of issue, anyone who doesn’t renew their licence risks a £1,000 fine or having there vehicle seized.

A recent tweet from the DVLA reads: “You must renew your driving licence every 10 years. You can do this via the this renewal link or by post or via the post office.You will need to hold a valid UK passport, be resident in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has its own system), not to have been disqualified from driving and be able to show your current licence, or explain why not if you do not have it, as well as your National Insurance number and last three addresses.

Sourcing all the correct information and sending it off correctly will help avoid any delays in receiving your new licence.

You will also be asked to pay a £14 processing fee by debit or credit card online or £17 if submitting by post. Over-70s or those with a short-term medical driving licence are exempt from paying.

 

Once your application has been received, you should receive your new licence within a week, the DVLA advises.

The renewal process is slightly different for drivers aged over 70, lorry and bus drivers and those with a short-term medical driving licence. You will find all the information you need on the links provided.

Rebecca at Britannia said:

I would advise everyone to just have a quick check of when their licence expires and keep a note of the date, don’t leave it too late to apply as you could be caught out and landed with a hefty fine! Keeping all your important documents together can help you to be able to apply quickly and easily.

 

 

 

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February 10, 2023
Miss Her Call Don’t Let Her Miss You

With Valentines day coming up it is important to remember to follow the rules. Compare market’s motor insurance experts have laid out driving offenses which loved-up motorists might unwittingly commit.

Motorists who leave their car engines running when picking up their love could be slapped with an £80 fine for “stationary idling”, under rule 123 of the Highway Code. If you are wanting to shower your valentine in lavish gifts such as big heart balloons risk getting a £1000.00 fine if anything blocks the view.

The same £1,000 fine could be handed out to couples who wear clothes affecting their ability to drive, under rule 97 of the Highway Code.This includes high heels, flowing dresses or blindfolds, all of which can interfere with reaction times on the road. Also if you can’t walk properly in those 6 inch heels then you have to consider if you can drive in them, but beware if you need to take them off maybe carry a spare pair of shoes in your boot as driving barefoot could also land you in trouble.

Whilst driving resist the urge to take a selfie or you could risk a £1,000 fine! Another temptation whilst driving could be the temptation to hold hands whilst driving, Rule 160 of the Highway Code states that drivers should drive with both hands on the wheel and avoid all distractions.

Even if frisky drivers avoid a prison sentence, they could be given an unlimited fine, a driving disqualification or anywhere between 3 and 11 points.

Needless to say, couples should also steer clear of drink-driving this Valentine’s Day.

Julie Daniels, a motor insurance expert at comparison site Compare The Market, told the Daily Record: “With all the extra excitement and anticipation of the most romantic day of the year, some drivers might find themselves getting distracted behind the wheel.

“However, it’s incredibly important that they are following the rules of the road and practicing safe driving not only avoid fines, but to keep themselves and their date safe.

“Make sure any gifts or balloons do not impact your view of the road, that your outfit or shoes won’t hinder your ability to control the vehicle, and that you either choose the romantic music before you set off, or let your date play DJ.

“And above all else, keep your eyes on the road and don’t get distracted by trying to impress your date.”

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January 30, 2023
Driving Test Backlog

If you are currently trying to book a driving practical test and struggling you are not alone! There is a backlog with the DVSA which has been on going since Covid Lockdowns restrictions eased.

At the moment even driving schools are struggling to secure tests and the DVSA have spoken out about a 6 month wait, which means June/July is what is becoming available on the booking site.

This situation is very frustrating not only for learners waiting for take their test but also driving schools and instructors who are trying to book tests for their pupils! Cancellations do pop up every now and then but its all about being on the test booking site at the right time.

What we would like to discourage is pupils becoming desperate and paying over the odds for tests, when giving out your driving license details to unauthorized operators they can then use your details to their own advantage.

Some desperate to pass learners have even booked tests in unknown areas to them in hopes to pass, but the disadvantage to this is not having a good knowledge of an area especially the test routes could go against you on the day of the test. Its always a good idea to have a good few lessons on the routes the test center you plan on taking your test at use. Our instructors who are taking you to test will always take you on those test routes to get you familiar with them in preparation for the test, which not only helps calm nerves as you feel prepared and know the routes but also gives you a head start on practicing on the roundabouts etc.

If a cancellation does pop up and you manage to secure it, please be mindful that you also need to make sure your instructor can do the test date/time and goes to the test center. Also if its too short notice this could also be a problem, a new instructor would need to arrange some assessment lessons before committing to take you to test. An instructor has the right to refuse to take you to test if they don’t feel you are ready.

Below is a breakdown of how the estimated backlog works;

2022Estimated demand for testsMax number of tests that can be carried outExcess tests rolled over to following month
Jan244377130622113755
Feb332689130622202067
March427539130622296917
April476619130622345997
May520581130622389959
June502589130622371967
July482797130622352175
Aug463005130622332383
Sep443213130622312591
Oct423421130622292799
Nov403629130622273007
Dec383837130622253215
Jan ’23364045130622233423
Feb ’23344253130622213631
March ’23324461130622193839
April ’23304669130622174047
May ’23284877130622154255
June ’23265085130622134463
July ’23245293130622114671
Aug ’2322550113062294879
Sep ’2320570913062275087
Oct ’2318591713062255295
Nov ’2316612513062235503
Dec ’2314633313062215711
Jan ’24126541130622

Rebecca at Britannia said:

Everyday i log onto the Business Account to look for tests for pupils, it did ease up a little in Novemeber/Decemeber but now in January 23 it is at what feels like a standstill, i think the DVSA strikes are now adding to the problem. We hope it will ease up ASAP.

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January 17, 2023
Top 10 Causes For Failing The Practical Driving Test

In this blog we will explain the top 10 reasons people fail the practical driving test in Great Britain, below are some examples of the types of mistakes people make.

41.7% was the pass rate between January and March 2022

The driving test pass rate was 47.1% between January and March 2022. Many people who failed their test made at least one of the mistakes:

1.Not making effective observations at junctions:

  • You must make effective observations before moving into a new road
  • Make sure it is safe before proceeding

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Observations’ fault on your driving test result.

2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing directions:

  • Make full and effective use of mirrors
  • Check the mirrors carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed
  • Use the mirror – signal- manoeuvre routine effectively

some examples:

  • Not using mirrors when exiting a roundabout
  • Not checking mirrors when on a dual carriageway

Any mistakes you make in this area when changing direction will be counted under the ‘Mirrors – Change direction’ fault on your driving test result.

3. Not having proper control of the steering:

  • You must be able to steer the car as smoothly as possible and at the right time.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Control – Steering’ fault on your driving test result.

4.Incorrect positioning when turning right at a junction:

  • You must be able to position the car as close to the center of the road as is safe.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Turning right’ fault on your driving test result.

5. Not moving off safely:

You must be able to move off safely while making the correct observations:

  • On a slope or hill (gradient)
  • From the side of the road
  • From behind a parked vehicle, so you have to move off at an angle

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Moving off – Safety’ fault on your driving test result.

 

 

6. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights correctly:

  • You must take notice and respond correctly to traffic lights

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Response to signs – Traffic lights’ fault on your driving test result.

7. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving:

  • position the car correctly for your intended route
  • position the car in the middle of marked lanes
  • only change lanes when necessary

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Positioning – Normal driving’ fault on your driving test result.

8. Not corresponding correctly to traffic signs:

  • You must be able to understand and be able to react to all traffic signs

Any mistakes you make in this area will show as ‘Response to signals – Traffic signs’ in your result.

9. Not having control of the vehicle when moving off:

  • You must be able to move off under control, including on a slope or hill (gradient), from behind a parked vehicle and at junctions.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Move off – Control’ fault on your driving test result.

10. Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking:

  • You must be able to parallel park at the side of the road
  • You must be able reverse to park in a parking bay

 

 

 

 

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