Road crashes are the single biggest killer of young people in the UK with almost 1,200 killed or seriously injured on the roads every year. Young drivers, especially those under 20, are nearly 12 times more likely than those aged 35-65 to have caused a fatal crash than to have been innocently involved in one.
Meanwhile, with an estimated up to 200 road deaths and serious injuries a week resulting from crashes involving at work drivers, more employees are killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads while driving on behalf of their employer than in any other work-related activity.
Therefore, inexperienced, recently qualified 17-24-year-olds who are driving on business are likely to be at the very highest risk of being involved in a crash.
As a result, the Government is anxious to promote a wide range of measures to help young drivers stay safe when they are on the road.
Among the wide range of measures proposed by the Department for Transport in its ‘far-reaching ‘Learning to Drive’ consultation document was additional pre and post- driving test training.
Meanwhile, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with help from the Government-backed ‘Driving for Better Business’ campaign, which is managed by RoadSafe, will launch a new guide in the spring to help businesses improve the road safety of young drivers.
A new survey by the campaign among its almost 40 ‘business champion’ fleets discovered that not only do 90% of respondents want to see a post-test driving for work qualification for youngsters, but 71% of those questioned don’t believe the current ‘L’ driver training and testing process prepares 17-24-years-old for the challenge of at-work driving.
While the majority (76 per cent) of ‘business champion’ fleets allow young employees to drive on business – 24 per cent don’t – many impose restraints on them as part of their safe driving procedures. Those measures include:
• 48 per cent of ‘business champion’ fleets restrict the size of vehicle young employees are allowed to drive
• 33 per cent restrict the performance of the vehicle
• 19 per cent ban youngsters from taking to the road in adverse weather conditions
• 14 per cent ban them driving at night.
As the Government continues to compile its 2011-2020 road safety strategy of which a greater focus on preparing youngsters for the hazards of driving is expected to play a key part, the new online RoSPA guide will highlight key safety issues for employers to deliver in workshops.
Guide content is based on a series of 12 pilot workshops attended by up to 15 young drivers devised by RoSPA and hosted by a cross-section of employers. The forthcoming guide will contain the workshop structure and materials and a guide to delivery.
The aim of the workshop is to develop young drivers’ knowledge that driving for work has ‘issues above and beyond what they probably assimilated when learning to drive’ and to help them understand how they can develop additional skills required when driving for work.
Following publication of the guide hopes are high that employers will host their own workshops and use the booklet-based guidance to improve their young drivers’ safety thus addressing the skills and training gap.
Caroline Scurr, director of the ‘Driving for Better Business’ campaign, said: “I am not surprised that our ‘business champions’ want to see an improvement in the skills of young drivers.
“A range of factors put young drivers at particular risk, including their lack of experience, their weakness in identifying potential hazards and some attitudes, such as over confidence.
“Deadline pressures, unfamiliar routes and making frequent delivery stops can make driving for work very different to driving at other times and issues such as these are not covered during ‘L’ training.”
The young drivers’ workshop delivery guide will be available in March on the RoSPA website – www.rospa.com.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published a Highway Code advert on its YouTube channel. Voiced by comedian David Mitchell, the advert encourages people to visit Directgov and keep up to date with the Highway Code.
The Highway Code on Directgov
The aim of the DSA’s new advert is to encourage people to keep up to date with the Highway Code.
The Highway Code isn’t just for learner drivers, it is essential reading for everyone.
With all memories of summer now firmly banished, it’s time to start thinking about winter driving safety in a new online video series from Continental Tyres featuring BTCC racing driver Fiona Leggate
11.24.2009 – Driving in the winter can be a challenging experience at the best of times, but if your car tyres aren’t in the best condition, it can become extremely dangerous too. Fortunately, Continental Tyres know this, and have recruited an expert to help with their new winter tyre safety campaign, someone who is no stranger to throwing a car around the tarmac in extreme conditions: British Touring Car Championship racer Fiona Leggate.
In a new series of online videos focusing on four important topics of winter driving and tyre safety, Continental and Fiona provide simple and straightforward advice on the following subjects:
Tread Depth – The tread depth of your car tyres can affect driving in adverse weather conditions. In this video, easy ways to check tread depth are demonstrated, even using something as simple as a 20p piece
Tyre Pressures – Having the right pressures in your car tyres and knowing how to check these is vital. With handy tips and sound advice, this video has everything drivers need to know about tyre pressures this winter
Tyre Damage – Damaged car tyres can be extremely dangerous. By following the advice in this video, drivers can check their own tyres for damage easily and quickly
Tyre Sealant Kits – Car tyre sealant kits are an easy and fast way to quickly get back on the road in the event of a puncture, as the final video in this series demonstrates
“I’m in the unusual position of not only being a racing car driver, but also a mother” says Fiona, “Being a mother means that – now more than ever – I’m equally concerned about the performance of tyres off-track, as I am on it. That’s why I’m making these videos for Continental”.
Many motorists loathe motorway driving, according to a survey from the AA Driving School.
Young drivers and women motorists are the least confident about motorway driving, the poll of 2,000 motorists found.
In their first year of driving, nearly 20% of men and 40% of women avoided motorways altogether, the survey showed.
Overall, 14% said they lacked the skills needed for motorway driving, with motorists in north-west England (22%) the most reluctant to venture on to motorways.
The poll also showed that only 44% of those aged 18-24 and only 44% of women were confident about driving on motorways. This compared with figures of 65% for drivers aged 55-64 and 70% for male drivers.
The survey also revealed that even three years after passing their test, 11% of men and 28% of women did no motorway driving.
AA Driving School instructors said driving too slowly, not merging safely when joining the motorway and not keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front were the most commonly observed motorway driving faults.
AA Driving School director Simon Douglas said: “The evidence suggests motorways are our most feared and avoided roads, yet statistically they are safer than the alternatives.
“By avoiding them you are at best missing out on the speed and convenience of motorway travel and at worst putting yourself at greater risk on A roads.
“Tailored motorway tuition with a fully qualified instructor can help you build the skills and confidence to drive safely and get the most out of our motorway network.”
www.Bedford-Driving-Schools.co.uk recommends that people take ‘refresher lessons’ or the ‘Pass Plus course’ with a qualified driving instructor or driving school if they would like help in dealing with motorway driving.
As Christmas approaches and the party season gets underway, new research from AXA shows British drivers are less likely to jump behind the wheel while under the influence and are generally more law abiding and safety conscious than almost all its European neighbours.
In its annual survey of driver behaviour among ten European countries, AXA found that British drivers are among the most conscientious in Europe. The research covered eleven different driving behaviours, many that are governed by legal requirements as well as some general courteous or sensible driving habits.
Overall rankings for safe driving based on eleven behaviours
1 Ireland
2 Great Britain
3 Spain
4 Switzerland
5 Italy
5 Belgium
7 France
8 Germany
9 Portugal
10 Luxembourg
Other highlights from the research showed:
4% of British drivers admit to driving while under the influence of alcohol against a European average of 21% and a massive 40% in Luxembourg. Only the Irish come in lower at 3%
Brits are also the least likely to:
drive without a seatbelt – 9% versus an average of 17%. A huge 37% of Italians go unstrapped
use a mobile phone while driving – 12% versus an average of 30%. In Luxembourg, Italy and Portugal, 38% of drivers are still ‘talk and drive’
When it comes to speeding, jumping lights and overtaking on a solid white line, Brits fall below the average rates across Europe
In all but two areas, British drivers performed above the average, however, when it comes to driving for more than two hours without a break and overtaking on the ‘wrong’ side of the motorway it seems we could learn something from some of our European neighbours. Only motorists in Luxembourg and Germany are more likely to drive for long periods without breaks and the Belgians and Portuguese are the only nations to be ‘undertaking’ more often than British drivers.
Chris Voller, Head of Motor Claims at AXA said: “These findings reveal British drivers are generally pretty safe behind the wheel and it is especially pleasing to see, in the run up to Christmas, such a low level of drink driving. It goes against the image of the binge drinking Brit and we are delighted to see that, at least when it comes to driving, we show some abstinence. For the small percentage of people who do drink and drive, they should be aware that once they start driving again, having a conviction will seriously affect their chances of getting cover – and as it is illegal to drive without it, it makes sense not to put yourself in that position in the first place.
“We appreciate that deterrents across Europe do vary and this may have a positive bearing on some of the behaviours – in particular Great Britain has a large number of speed cameras. But it is good to see Brits score so well not just on legal requirements but on behaviours that are simply a matter of safe driving such as tailgating.”
Brits are probably amoung the most law abiding & sensible drivers in Europe due to the driving lessons and driving test they have to go through. Driving instructors must qualify with the DSA to become Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs). Driving instructors will have passed 3 tests to ensure they meet the standards required. Once qualified all driving instructors should display a GREEN licence in their car window. (If they display a PINK licence it is because they are NOT fully qualified).
Driving instructors in Bedford have a huge knowledge about learning to drive & driving lessons. You are advised to contact a driving school in Bedford to learn to drive. Some driving instructors even give ‘refresher lessons’ to those that may lack confidence having passed their driving test.
DSA has carried out a risk assessment on the Toyota iQ, and due to the lack of all round vision it has been decided, with immediate affect, that it is unsuitable for driving tests.
The vast majority of hatchbacks, saloons and estate cars are suitable for driving tests; but increasingly the designers of cars are producing models with sweeping lines. These vehicles have good forward vision but large blind spots to the rear, which present examiners with problems of observation.
Vehicles supplied by motor manufacturers have been through the type approval process, but this focuses on vehicles from the driver’s point of view and, does not necessarily make the vehicle suitable for driving tests.
Vehicles for test must allow examiners all round vision so they can see approaching vehicles, particularly when the vehicle is at an angle to others during reversing manoeuvres and when emerging at a junction with the vehicle at an angle to the major road.
If you want to learn to drive in Bedford in a particular car – you can search for a car on the website www.bedford-driving-schools.co.uk
AN ELECTRONIC ‘spy-in-the-car’ could save lives and money for young drivers.
Drivers aged between 17 and 21 are being invited to take part in a pilot road safety scheme being launched to help them improve their driving skills and increase road safety.
The scheme, funded by the Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership, involves fitting a small sensor to a vehicle’s dashboard for 12 months.
The device is capable of measuring up to 120 different hazardous driving manoeuvres and transmits the data to a secure website where the drivers and their parents or guardians can review how they are driving using a simple traffic light system – good driving shows in green, bad in amber and red.
The sensor also alerts drivers when they perform a hazardous manoeuvre. For example, an LED flashes red or amber if a driver brakes hard into a bend.
The more green lights a driver obtains, the bigger the rewards, such as possible reductions in car insurance premiums and the opportunity to earn High Street shopping vouchers worth up to £156.
A dedicated advanced driving instructor will coach the driver during the programme, providing follow-up mentoring on how to improve their driving and discuss the errors that may have been made and how to avoid them in the future.
Statistics show that: Nearly 40 per cent of those killed or seriously injured on Cheshire’s roads are aged between 17-25.
One in five drivers will have a crash within 12 months of passing their test.
Sarah Collins, senior road safety officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) said: “By regularly reviewing and assessing driving patterns and behaviours with their families and road safety trainers, young drivers can learn how to develop their driving skills and confidence, and reduce dangerous and inappropriate behaviour.”
CWAC is releasing a limited number of places on the scheme, which will be subsidised by the Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership.
Anyone interested should contact the road safety unit on 01244 976713 or email roadsafety@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk for an application form and further information.
Drivers must be between 17 and 21 years old and live in the Cheshire West and Chester area to qualify.
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.”
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.
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!