Making younger drivers safer

You’re never too young to learn to drive, according to Mercedes-Benz World. Its academy aims to cut accidents involving the most vulnerable road users.

My views on driving are directly opposed to those of my children. They want to get behind the wheel of a car at the first opportunity; I don’t want to attend their funerals.

This isn’t just helicopter parenting. I shove them on to public transport and bully them into going to the park unaccompanied. But driving is different, because the statistics are blood-chilling.

Even Anthony Hamilton, Formula One world champion Lewis’s proud father, admits to terror when his son passed his test. “The first time your child leaves the driveway and turns into the road, that’s when the fear comes in,” he says.

As well it might. One in five new drivers has a crash within six months of passing the test, according to Brake, the road safety charity. A further 70 per cent report near misses. In 2006, 300 newly qualified drivers and their passengers were killed and 10 times as many were seriously injured – not to mention the casualties among those they plough into.

The figures are scary enough to make me grateful for the prohibitive £2,000 it would cost me to insure my extremely sensible 17-year-old daughter to drive my tiny electric car, which has a top speed of 40mph. So what on earth am I doing watching my 10-year-old son, George, driving around a circuit? This is no kart track. He’s in a proper car – a Mercedes-Benz A-class – and going horribly fast…

When I next dare look up, I see that the lunatic adult sitting next to my boy is now encouraging him to put his foot down. Then he’s screeching to a sudden stop. Now he’s whirling around in a terrifying skid. And I’m paying £80 an hour for this Driving Experience, which is open to anyone more than 1.5 metres tall. I must be both completely mad and/or awash with money.

Not so, argues Mika Hatakka, a Finnish psychologist and key player in many EU projects designed to improve (make safer) the training of drivers. “The UK is one of the safest countries in Europe to drive,” he says. “Your death rate is the lowest after Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden. But one of the black spots is still 17-year-old drivers. It’s not a problem just for the UK – everywhere the youngest drivers are the most at risk.”

It seems perverse to imagine that the solution is to start children driving at an even younger age, but those behind the Driving Academy at Mercedes-Benz World, near Weybridge in Surrey, argue that this is the case. In the past two years they have given 15,000 lessons to under-17s, some as young as my son. Max Jukes, 12, has had several lessons and loved it. “No one at school could believe I had driven a real car,” he says.

Max’s mother, Jane, believes the lessons have done wonders for his confidence. “You don’t have to be academic or sporty to learn to drive. I treat his lessons like my daughters’ piano lessons. At least I am spending money on a useful skill,” she says.

Jane maintains she’s not just an indulgent parent. Having experienced the pain of knowing a young person who died in an accident, she’s drawn to the Academy’s claim that early training saves lives. The argument is that young drivers are top of the risk table for two reasons: they lack driving experience and they are immature show-offs. Starting lessons at an earlier age gives them more experience before they take their test; it also takes the edge off their idiocy.

“The Swedes,” Hatakka says, “reduced the age at which people could start driving by a year, giving them 18 months to practise before taking the test at 18. The average number of hours they had spent behind the wheel before passing rose from 50 to 120 – and the accident rate dropped by 40 per cent.”

That’s a lot fewer poignant bunches of wilting flowers at the roadside. If 16-year-olds are going to clock up more hours before being let loose on the roads, they will have to do so off-road, in places such as the old Brooklands circuit where the Driving Academy (which teaches pre- and post-licence skills) is based.

The restriction turns out to be an advantage: the learner doesn’t have to deal with other drivers and, off-road, it’s possible to experience speed, skids and emergency stops that learners on the road can’t try before taking the test. “If you know how to control a vehicle before going on the road,” Hatakka says, “when you go into traffic you are less stressed because there is less pressure on the information processing capacity.”

No doubt it is a good thing to have mastered gearchanging before dealing with the vagaries of other drivers, but it still seems extravagant to start a child on driving lessons years before he or she is within sniffing distance of the test. Not so, according to Andrew Catlin, an instructor at the Driving Academy. He has now stopped teaching skid control to my son, and although the experience doesn’t seem to have thrilled him quite as much as his grinning student, his nerves don’t appear to be shattered.

“The funny thing about teaching younger people,” he says, “is that every time an instructor takes a 13-year-old out for the first time, the verdict is: ‘The child is a genius.’ Driving is like learning a musical instrument – the earlier you start the better. Those who learn before the age of 15 or 16 not only learn fast, they are still open to instruction and are respectful.”

Maybe, but it’s expensive. “They don’t forget what they have learned and will need fewer lessons aged 17,” he points out. “It could even work out cheaper for the parent as insurance companies are considering giving a year’s no-claims bonus to young people who have completed our course because it covers many more skills than are needed to pass the driving test.”

Kart racing, of course, can be less expensive and more widely available. Won’t that suffice as a means of acquiring road sense and getting the urge to speed out of the system? Catlin shakes his head. “Karting is about racing. It’s like playing a live video-game. In fact, it’s the opposite of proper driving instruction where you learn precise control, parking and manoeuvring through obstacles,” he says.

The Driving Academy plans to start similar courses for young drivers at off-road facilities all over the country. But, at present, there are precious few opportunities for the under-17s to get behind the wheel for real, despite a number of driving simulators. The British School of Motoring runs courses in 79 locations, the minimum age being 15. An alternative way to make new drivers safer (and reduce insurance premiums) is to enrol those who have passed the test on a Pass Plus course before letting them loose; the BSM, AA and the Institute of Advanced Motorists all run them.

Other precautions would include insisting on a new driver not carrying passengers during the first few months: the crash rate is five times higher when the new driver has the distraction of two or more passengers, according to research in the United States. Even without drink or drugs – obvious no-nos – the risk of a crash is higher when a driver is tired, so night driving is a bad idea, at least to begin with.

But, take heart. Each hour’s experience and near-miss helps. A month after setting out on the roads, the risk of a new driver being involved in an accident is half what it was on that first day. And it keeps on dropping.

* www.mbdrivingacademy.com; 0870 400 4000.

From : Telegraph website

Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk allows driving instructors in Bedford and driving schools in Bedford to list their details for free. People wanting to starting Bedford driving lessons can then find their ‘perfect’ driving instructor or driving school in Bedford.

Many driving schools in Bedford such as Txt-Drive (www.Txt-Drive.co.uk) offer the Pass Plus course to new drivers. It develops existing driving skills and teaches new driving skills e.g. motorway driving, all weather driving, night driving etc. The cost of the Pass Plus course in Bedford will usually be covered by the savings made on the reduced car insurance premium.

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Call to make over-70s retake driving test

DRIVING instructors in Swindon are calling for a change in the law to make resitting your driving test compulsory for people over 70 years of age.

Currently there is nothing which requires pensioners to sit their driving test again, even though some people won’t have sat a test in the first place since the exam was only introduced in 1935.

However, some driving instructors are now saying veteran drivers should be made to resit their test, since pensioners often lack awareness of the road rules and are slower to react behind the wheel.

Brendan Whitiskie, of B3 Motoring School, in Rodbourne, said: “Most pensioners do not understand what the road signs are.

“I find I have to explain things a lot slower to them before they grasp the idea.

“It is not that they are bad drivers but they are certainly not the best.

“They are very cautious about what they are doing and get confused really easily.”

Mr Whitiskie believes that everyone, irrespective of age, should have to retake their test every five years because road signs and driving rules are constantly changing.

He said people lose their quality of driving too easily once they pass.

Jeffrey Syed, of Safedrive Motoring School, agreed there was a need to make older people resit their test.

“It would be a great idea to make people over 70 sit another test,” he said.

“A lot of them do not know the rules and regulations. I do not doubt their experience on the road, but their reaction time is a lot slower and we need to assess if they are still capable of being on the road safely.

“There is a risk older people are too set in their ways and not able to adapt to how rules have changed.

However, one instructor believes a refresher course would be sufficient, rather than making older drivers sit a test again.

Richard Griffin, also of Safedrive, said: “So many things have changed since they learned to drive.

“The volume of traffic has increased massively and the Roads“>roads are more complicated.

“It is in everybody’s interest they sit a refresher course and get back up to speed. But making them take their test again is a step too far.”

At present, a driving licence must be renewed at the age of 70 and every three years from then on.

This does not involve re-sitting the driving test, but filling out a form.

There are currently three million licence holders in the UK over the age of 70. It is expected this will rise to 4.5 million by 2014.

But Margaret Hall, 73, of Wolsely Avenue, Park South, has been driving for 52 years.

She said there would be no need for her to resit her test.

“I’m more than capable of still being a good driver despite my age,” she said.

“My grandson took his theory test last week and I would probably fail that now.

“But nothing can beat experience on the road. I have plenty of that.

“If they want me to resit my test then fine, because I would pass it I think. I’m a safe driver and haven’t got those shaky hands just yet.”

From : This Is Wiltshire

Driving schools in Bedford offer driving lessons and refresher courses to anyone who feels that they may need some advice or help with driving in Bedford. Driving instructors in Bedford are fully qualified (ADIs) or partly qualified (PDIs). You may want refresher driving lessons in Bedford to deal with motorways, parking or reversing or just driving in general.

Posted in Bedford, Driving, Driving Instructors, Driving Lessons, Driving Schools, Road Safety | 2 Comments »

Samoa in 6am swap from driving on right to left

Samoa yesterday became the first country ever to switch from driving on the right to the left.

From 6am the South Pacific island nation changed lanes – as locals marked the historic event by honking their horns. The government had already announced a two-day public holiday to reduce the number of initial road users.

And alcohol sales were banned for three days to prevent accidents.

The switch comes so Samoa no longer has to pay the high price of importing left-hand drive cars all the way from Europe and America.

It will be able to bring right-hand vehicles in from Australia and New Zealand, which is much closer to home. Despite predictions of traffic chaos, the changeover went smoothly with no accidents reported in the first hours.

In the capital Apia there were cheers and applause as traffic moved through the streets, watched by policemen at checkpoints.

However angry locals blocked roads for several hours in one village in protest. And a group called People Against Switching Sides failed in a last-minute legal attempt to halt the change.

The last countries to swap sides, going left to right, were Nigeria, Ghana and Yemen in the 70s.

LEFT:

About 76 countries, many former British colonies. They include Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.

RIGHT:

Driving on the right is the norm in the United States, Canada, the rest of Europe and about 161 other countries ranging from Afghanistan to Zaire. In China everyone drives on the right – apart from people in Hong Kong and Macau.

History really is on Britain’s side

We drive on the left because our road regulations were originally based on horse transport. Horses historically kept to the left. Some claim it was to allow riders to have their sword hand closest to an approaching enemy.

But it is more likely to be that riders traditionally mount and dismount from the left. Travelling on the right hand side of the road would have forced a rider to dismount into the path of oncoming horses and carriages.

The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left was in 1756 on London Bridge.

Napoleon, above, spearheaded the continental move towards riding on the right – possibly because he was left-handed.

This idea might be feasible in a small country like Samoa and could have some benefits.

But converting our roads to make motorists drive on the right rather than the left would be a massive, complex and dangerous process.

It would be a logistical nightmare with every road sign, roundabout and junction having to change. Speed cameras would have to be swapped round. The costs would be huge.

From : Mirror website

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Driving lessons

You might think you’re the world’s canniest driver, but do you motor about with a sound knowledge of your fuel consumption and carbon emissions?

Learning to drive in an energy-efficient way helps the environment and makes financial sense, whether your “wheels” constitute a massive off-roader or an eco-friendly runaround. Smart driving techniques are also safer and reduce the wear and tear on your car.

1 No warm-up required
Who hasn’t turned on the car’s engine before getting in on a cold winter’s morning, just to warm it up? It’s worth remembering modern cars are designed to set off straight away, so warming your engine is needless and wastes fuel. It also causes engine wear – as does keeping the engine running when you’re stationary. If you’re stuck in traffic it’s best to turn your engine off completely as most modern cars are designed to use virtually no extra fuel to re-start.

2 Check your revs
Being an energy-efficient driver means being an attentive driver – so keep an eye on your revs. Change gear before your rev counter hits 2,500 rpm in a petrol car, or 2,000 rpm in a diesel.

3 Slow down and keep it smooth
The golden rule of energy-efficient driving is to stick to the national speed limit. You use 25% more fuel driving at 85mph than 70mph, so take it down a notch. Driving smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and braking, also saves fuel and is a safer way to drive.

4 Considerate cooling
As air conditioning can significantly increase your car’s fuel consumption, try to reduce its use as much as possible. At slow speeds, it’s better to drive with the windows rolled down.

5 Off with the rack
When it’s not in use, remove your roof rack, bike carrier or roof box. The air resistance caused by roof accessories tampers with your car’s aerodynamics and elevates fuel consumption. And clear your boot out too – carrying additional weight reduces your miles per gallon.

6 Share it out
Starting a car pool at work, or your child’s school, saves money for all concerned. It’s also a good way of introducing kids to the benefits of being eco-aware as they’ll enjoy the ride to school with their mates in tow.

7 Service time
Regular services enhance your car’s safety and lets you monitor how efficiently your car is performing. Check tyre pressure regularly too; driving on soft tyres increases fuel consumption and tyre wear.

8 Make plans
Plan your journey well ahead, using other forms of transport for short trips if you can. Avoiding congestion and road works also saves fuel – and your temper may be less frayed, to boot.

9 Calculate your MPG
Driving efficiency is measured by your miles per gallon (MPG). You can link to an easy MPG calculator at
guardian.co.uk/ford-econetic. The calculator lets you compare a variety of different makes and models to see which scores more highly for both MPG and CO2 emissions.

10 Contemplate a new car
If it’s time to replace your old gas-guzzler for something with better eco-credentials, you may still be able to take advantage of the UK Scrappage Scheme, a £2,000 discount against a brand new car or van (3.5 tonnes limit). You can find out more at ford.co.uk/scrappageincentive

If you’re in the market for a new car, and are looking to prioritise both cost efficiency and environmental impact, investigate the new Ford ECOnetic range. ECOnetic is a new approach to the way Ford makes its cars, based on the philosophy that it’s possible to have fuel-efficient cars that don’t compromise on driving experience.

The range – which has been developed using clever refinements, rather than relying on different fuels or expensive batteries and bolt-ons – includes the new Fiesta ECOnetic, Focus ECOnetic, Mondeo ECOnetic and new Transit ECOnetic. The MPG figures are outstanding and the CO2 emissions are some of the lowest of any manufacturer. For information, visit fordeconetic.co.uk.

Bedford driving schools and driving instructors in Bedford can offer Eco-Safe driving lessons to drivers wanting to improve their driving. Search for Bedford driving instructors of driving schools in Bedford on www.Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk

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Win a BMW Mini with Bedford Rugby Club

Bedford Rugby Club is giving away a BMW Mini along with one years free insurance to one lucky person!

Bedford Rugby Club along with ‘kind support’ from Elms BMW, Lifesure Group and Bedfordshire On Sunday are raising money for the additional travelling costs for their British & Irish Cup games this season.

The draw to win the BMW Mini will take place on December 26th 2009 at the Bedford vs London Welsh game.

For more details please visit the Bedford Rugby Club website.

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Driving down insurance bills for teenagers

Providing affordable car insurance for young drivers is an almost impossible task.

Statistics show one in five new drivers has a crash in the first six months, and while one in eight drivers is under 25, they account for one in three fatalities.

The Department for Transport and insurers are looking at ways to cut the risks associated with new drivers, which would allow premiums to fall.

Following the Driving Standards Agency’s Learn to Drive consultation, from the end of this month, the theory driving test will include case studies and proof of understanding.

A new pre-driver training qualification is being rolled out to 14 to 17-year-olds in schools.

The Driving Standards Agency is also talking to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and individual insurers to look at ways to revamp the Pass Plus scheme. Some elements could be incorporated into a beefed up driving test or new post-driving test course. While insurers do offer discounts, according to ABI figures, young drivers with Pass Plus are only marginally less likely to have an accident than those without.

“Pass Plus is viewed by many young drivers as a way to reduce premiums rather than actually to learn how to be a better driver,” says Andy Goldby, director of motor under-writing at Direct Line.

“We’d like to see life-long learning that allows us to quantify whether the student has actually learned something rather than just turned up on the day.” He, along with the ABI and other insurers, would also like the driving test to be changed to include at least 12 months of driving beforehand, giving experience of all types of driving and weather conditions.

Until changes are introduced, insurers are offering a range of solutions. Aviva, for example, offers an accelerated no-claims discount scheme and Admiral is rolling out a nationwide trial of GreenRoad for 17-year-old males.

Under the scheme, cars are fitted with a free box that tracks how they drive, using a traffic light system.

Drivers who remain in the green – and execute no dangerous manoeuvres during a month – get vouchers worth up to 10 per cent of their undiscounted premium. A 25 per cent discount is given for those on the scheme.

New Marmalade lets young drivers buy a new car and insurance together, using its buying power to get discounts on both. For example, a 17-year-old male living in Colchester, Essex, could buy a new Ford Fiesta 1.25 Style Plus for £11,244 and insurance of £1,620, for £245 a month – though the cost of the insurance would also be spread over five years.

Going it alone, the car could be bought for £12,690 and insurance for £3,086 via Moneysupermarket.com.

So with a 10 per cent deposit and a 12.9 per cent loan, repayments would be £518 a month – although wrapping the first year’s insurance into the loan would bring the cost down to £322 a month.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1212056/Driving-insurance-bills-for.html#ixzz0S9IK7cNK

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Bedford driving school Txt-Drive is listed on Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk

Bedford driving school Txt-Drive is the first driving school in Bedford to be listed on Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk

Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk allows learner drivers in Bedford to search for driving instructors and driving schools in Bedford and the surrounding areas. Users can search for driving schools or driving instructors in Bedford by price, car, instructor gender, working days, special offers, transmission, driving lesson duration or the driving instructor’s/school’s first time pass rate.

If you are looking for driving instructors in Bedford then Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk should be your first choice website!

Posted in Bedford, Driving, Driving Instructors, Driving Lessons, Driving Schools, New Driving School or Instructor | No Comments »