Highways Agency highlights the dangers to deer and road users during autumn and the following spring. Up to 74,000 collisions between vehicles and deer happen on UK roads each year, figures from the Highways Agency show. Most deer are killed but thousands are left to die of injuries and the worst times of year are coming up; autumn and spring, especially around dawn and dusk. The Agency reports that each year people are killed and injured in road collisions with wild deer, and there have been over 1,000 deer-vehicle collisions recorded since September 2007 on the motorway and A-road network alone. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Generally quite small animals, but can cause some severe damage)
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) today introduces case studies into the driving theory test. From today, candidates who take the theory test for car drivers, moped and motorcycle riders will be asked some of the questions in a case study format. The introductory theory test case study will take the form of a scenario, or short story, on which five multiple choice questions will be based. Candidates will answer the questions in the normal way using the touch screen or mouse. The case study will assess candidates’ understanding of driving theory, whilst the multiple choice questions will continue to assess their knowledge of the subject. More
(AD Thoughts ~ This will help to make, the questions feel more real, improving extra understanding of road practices)
A study of driving habits conducted for the re-designed AutoTrader.co.uk website has found that comedian and broadcaster Stephen Fry is the person most drivers want to share a drive with. David Moxon commented on the results: “As cars and driving are often perceived as a masculine, macho pastime, it’s not surprising that males chose an attractive female to have as a passenger – perhaps unconsciously they would see it as an opportunity to ‘show off’ their driving prowess. The fact that Stephen Fry however tops the poll for both men and women suggests that people prefer to liven up journeys that might be quite tedious and boring with some witty conversation. This will not only make the journey more pleasant – it will help keep the driver alert and reduce stress levels.” More
(AD Thoughts ~ Long journeys can be tedious and tiring, good company can keep you alert and awake!)
Police forces have been criticised for accumulating thousands of pounds worth of repair bills, to be paid with taxpayers’ money, after officers repeatedly filled their vehicles with the wrong fuel. In the last five years police in Yorkshire spent almost £62,000 on repairs after more than 500 cars were incorrectly fuelled. West Yorkshire Police has the worst record, admitting officers made the mistake 394 times, at a cost of £38,958 to correct, even though it spent £2,133 in 2002 on high visibility stickers for its car fuel caps, telling officers the type of fuel required. More
(AD Thoughts ~ All this as well after spending £2000+ on stickers for fuel caps)
The DSA has posted tuition films and driving advice on the video sharing website. Learner drivers can now log on to YouTube – as well as poring over The Highway Code and instruction manuals – as they prepare to take the L-test. The Driving Standards Agency, which oversees driver instruction and testing in the UK, has launched its own video-sharing channel on the popular website. It will show videos on road safety as well as screening advice to test candidates taking both the car and motorcycle exams. The site will also include new case study questions that are being introduced into the theory test from next week. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Any extra information will be of great help to those learning, or about to take their test.)
A wannabee motorist has been driven to despair after passing her driving exam, only to be told four hours later she had failed because examiners didn’t test her properly. Cara Griffiths, 28, from Romford, cruised through her test first time with only five minor faults, observed by two examiners from the Hornchurch Test Centre in Station Lane. She was presented with her driving certificate and was so pleased she phoned family and friends to tell them the happy news. But her celebrations hit the skids when examiners contacted the mum-of-one four hours later to tell her her certificate was invalid because they had made a mistake during a vital part of the test. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Bad mistake to make, especially when there is two examiners present as well!)
Being followed too closely, seeing drivers talking on their mobile phone, and being cut up by other drivers are the three biggest motoring bugbears according to research commissioned to mark the launch of RAC’s Road Respect Day. A third of those surveyed also said that they get angry behind the wheel at least three times a week. Unsurprisingly, the congested roads of the capital was considered the area of the UK with the lowest levels of respect shown on the road. More
(AD Thoughts ~ If some acted more responsibly and courteously on the road, the roads would be a much safer, less stressful and calmer place for all.)
Sep 242009
Unveiling the figures for casualties on Britain’s roads last year, the DfT has conceded that figures provided by the police have dramatically underestimated how many people are being hurt as a result of traffic accidents. According to the latest statistics the police recorded 230,000 injuries on Britain’s roads last year. But now the DfT believes the real figure is somewhere between 680,000 and 920,000, with the Department estimating that the most accurate figure is around 800,000. The higher figure has been calculated by taking into account information from a number of other sources, including figures provided by hospital accident and emergency departments. Up until now the Government has justified its safety strategy – which includes the use of an extensive network of speed cameras – on the reported drop in the number of people killed and seriously injured in accidents. It has claimed that it has now met its target of reducing this figure to 60 per cent of the annual average between 1994-8. According to its latest figures, 2,538 people were killed in 2008, and 26,034 were reported to the police as having sustained serious injuries, a six per cent reduction on 2007. More
(AD Thoughts ~ As with any crimes, lots go unreported and forgotton)
Congratulations Joe!
Driving Test
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Sep 242009
Well done on passing your driving test today, at your first attempt, in Bedford, after taking your driving lessons in Bedford with ALPHA DRIVE.
Congratulations and best wishes from everyone at the driving school, as your look forward to many years of enjoyable and safe motoring.
For more information about the taking Driving Lessons contact ALPHA DRIVE on 0800 2118871. We also cover Sandy, St Neots and the local area for driving lessons.
A map of Britain’s uninsured drivers has revealed the worst places in the country to have a crash. London, Merseyside and Manchester are the destinations where you are most at risk of coming across a motorist who has not payed their premiums. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) said 13 per cent of vehicles in the capital were flagged as being driven illegally because they were uninsured. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Care needs to be taken where ever you drive, but especially in busier areas where more are likely to dodge insurance, licences and car maintenance.)
Sep 242009
The car of the future will be impossible to crash, capable of ‘speaking’ to other vehicles and be in constant contact with overhead satellites and roadside sensors. A wave of ‘tomorrow’s world’ technology has been unveiled at this week’s Intelligent Transport Systems Congress in Stockholm which will revolutionize the way in which cars are driven. The European Union, which is funding many of the projects, believes that drivers will benefit from the series of high-tech initiatives. But the ability to monitor motorists’ movements will also rekindle fears of the ‘surveillance state’ especially with some countries interested in using the technology for pay as you drive charging. Road pricing is one of the uses identified for a project known as Co-operative Vehicle Infrastructure Systems, which includes the Department for Transport and Transport for London among its sponsors. Although the Government has unequivocally ruled out national road pricing for at least five years, other countries are pressing ahead with national and local schemes, including Holland which is likely to use satellite technology for its charging programme. Road pricing was one of the features included in a demonstration of a touch-screen device which could be fitted in a car for around £300. More
(AD Thoughts ~ If something like this goes ahead, all our movements will no doubt be recorded. Perhaps even restricting cars to the speed limit for the current road may happen)
Sep 242009
There’s only one thing worse than struggling to get your car into that awkward parking space. That’s being watched while you do it. And the chances are the driver breaking out in a self-conscious sweat at the wheel is a woman. They are particularly prone to becoming flustered when parallel parking – reversing the car into a tricky kerbside space. Perhaps that’s why they are twice as likely as men to resort to asking another driver to park the car for them. More
(AD Thoughts ~ People can experience problems parking if their speed is too high, those not so gifted at judgements should try to keep calmer and take more time.)
A simple eBay auction turned into an epic bidding frenzy when a car thought to be scrap turned out to be one of the world’s rarest vehicles. The rusty car – which has no engine or transmission – was initially put up for sale in the U.S. with a starting bid of $500 (£300). But after one eBay user realised the battered 1963 Pontiac LeMans Tempest was in fact one of six specially-made Super Duty versions, it eventually sold for nearly $227,000 (£140,000). More
(AD Thoughts ~ Will take a bit of work and money to get going again! But shows how much history/scareness boost prices!)
But research has shown that motorists should worry less about “back seat drivers” because sharing a car can actually be the key to a more relaxing journey As part of a study commissioned by the Department for Transport, 10 drivers – five men and five women – were fitted with heart-rate monitors, head mounted video cameras and sensors to measure brain activity. More
(AD Thoughts ~ New drivers might welcome some company and maybe advice on their first journeys as well!)
A tortoise nicknamed Freeway crossed five lanes of London’s M25 motorway and survived. Driver John Formby spotted Freeway and pulled over to rescue him. Mr Formby, from Worthing, said: “I saw this bundle in the road and thought it was a bit of debris. I went to swerve it but noticed it was moving – then saw it had a head. “I couldn’t believe it was a tortoise crossing the motorway, through traffic travelling at 70mph. “I pulled over and ran 400 yards back up the road to get it. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Very lucky to survive, and could have caused a dangerous situtaion on the motorway)
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