Measures unveiled today. About time too.

 
Tougher sentences for banned drivers who cause deaths
The government said it was bringing in the changes after listening to concerns raised by victims’ families Tougher sentences for banned drivers who cause death on the roads and a new offence of causing serious injury while disqualified are to be introduced.

A disqualified driver who causes death will face a prison sentence of up to 10 years, instead of two years, and the new crime will carry a four-year term.

The government said it was bringing in the changes after listening to concerns raised by victims’ families.

The changes are expected to come into force in early 2015.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said he also intended to launch a review of driving offences and penalties to ensure people who put people’s lives at risk were punished properly.
This will include those offences caused by uninsured and unlicensed drivers.

‘Clear message’ : Mr Grayling said: “I want to make our roads safer and ensure people who cause harm face tough penalties.

“Disqualified drivers should not be on our roads for good reason. Those who choose to defy a ban imposed by a court and go on to destroy innocent lives must face serious consequences for the terrible impact of their actions.
“Today, we are sending a clear message that anyone who does will face much tougher punishment.”

Labour has raised concerns that there are already issues with space in prisons.
Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan agreed that those driving without insurance that cause serious injuries or deaths should be properly punished.
But he added: “The government also needs to assure the public that they have enough space in prison to cope with the increased demand.
“The current shortage of space and increased overcrowding on their watch has led to serious problems in our prisons.”

The government said it planned to change the law shortly, which will apply in England, Scotland and Wales.
There is a separate framework of road traffic offences in Northern Ireland.

About 8,200 people were convicted for driving while disqualified in 2012, according to Ministry of Justice figures.
There were 16 prosecutions and 13 convictions for causing death by driving when disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured.

Kwick fit have released the findings if their survey into the most annoying things drivers do.

Kwik Fit has revealed that hand-held mobile phone use behind the wheel is the most hated motoring habit in the country. It was, therefore, cited by forty-seven percent of its survey respondents. And it seems that older people find it more infuriating than youngsters. As such, sixty-two percent of those aged sixty-five plus named it first compared to only thirty-eight percent of those from eighteen to twenty-four. Using a hand-held mobile is also illegal and potentially dangerous. The offender can, therefore, receive a fixed penalty notice for one-hundred pounds and three penalty points on his/her licence. The latter can increase the cost of motor insurance. Furthermore, some offenders face a court where the penalty could rise to one-thousand pounds and a ban. The implications for professional drivers – such as those responsible for buses and heavy goods vehicles – are higher still. The Kwik Fit survey revealed other irritations too. Tailgating – that was the most hated habit of the last survey in 2010 – has slipped to second spot as it was only named by forty-two percent of the survey respondents. This was followed by failing to indicate in third position (thirty-five percent), dangerous overtaking in fourth (thirty percent), and middle lane cruisers in fifth (twenty-six percent).

Most Hated Motoring Habits In The United Kingdom

The Kwik Fit survey revealed a wider range of irritations than phone use, etc. The full list – that incorporates the views of more than two-thousand adults in the United Kingdom 

Kwik Fit Boss Discusses Bad Motoring Habits

Kwik Fit Director of Communications, Roger Griggs, revealed: “These driving habits aren’t just annoying, they are dangerous and some of them against the law. You’re four times more likely to have an accident if you use a mobile while driving (based on information from the Department for Transport’s THINK! Campaign) in addition to the frustration it causes for fellow motorists. Mr Griggs added: “And with on-the-spot penalties for motorists who hog the middle lane, tailgate or cut-up other vehicles being introduced last year, it highlights just how serious these anti-social driving behaviours are being taken.”

Britain’s Top Ten Most Hated Road Habits

Just to cover what I’m sure many have read in the press, Toyota a recalling some 3 door vehicles up to 2010.

Mine is a 5 door 2013 model.  That’s that covered then. Here’s the article.

Vehicle recall: car practical test Toyota has issued a recall notice affecting the Yaris model built between June 2005 and May 2010. You can’t use a vehicle that has a possible safety fault on the practical driving test unless you have proof that the vehicle is safe. The recall notice There are 2 separate safety issues: potential for the seat rail track to break if the seat is frequently adjusted forward and/or backward for: driver’s seat – all vehicles front passenger seat – 3-door vehicles only potential for a crack to develop in the steering column mounting bracket if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully turned to the full-lock position For more information Read this notice on GOV.UK for the latest list of vehicle recalls and for details on the type of proof you need to bring to test. DVSA examiners may accept proof from the Toyota Online Recall Tool. You or your pupil would need to access this tool and complete the verification process on a suitable device to show the examiner, without delaying the testing schedule. For tests taking place within next 3 days If you’re affected by this and any of your pupils have a driving test booked within the next 3 working days (from Wednesday 16 April), they can cancel or re-arrange it free of charge. They can do this by contacting DVSA practical test enquiries and booking support to re-arrange; telephone 0300 200 1122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to midday). For tests taking place in more than 3 days’ time If any of your pupils have a driving test booked to take place in more than 3 days’ time (from Wednesday 16 April), they’ll still have to give the usual 3 clear working days notice to change or cancel without losing their fee. They can do this by using one of the following links: change the date of your driving test cancel your driving test

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the initiative for fraud prevention at dvsa marches on.

Fraudsters putting unqualified drivers on Britain’s roads – and putting your life at risk

Some of these ‘danger drivers’ use forged licences, others pay crooks to take the test for them – a single fraudster put 84 unqualified drivers on the road

Crime: The scandal was laid bare in a shocking ITVdocumentary last night at 10.35 on ITV.

Thousand of unqualified drivers are putting lives in danger on our roads. They have never passed any driving test , theory or practical. Many have no clue about the Highway Code and little or no experience of driving. And once they have their paperwork and their keys in the ignition they have a licence to kill.

And a third group bribe corrupt examiners to give them an undeserved pass.

Exposure: Who’s Driving on Britain’s Roads? showed that driving while unqualified is not just dangerous in theory – it kills innocent people.

So who are these crooks taking cash to put millions of people at risk?

One is Sara Gellner-Ward, of High Wycombe, Bucks, who was caught on CCTV turning up at test in place of learners who had paid her up to £1,500 a time. When police raided her home they found credit card bills for nearly 40 tests she had booked in just three months.

Her accomplice Christopher Buckland, of nearby Aylesbury, went to centre’s in Derby and Grantham on the same day to take theory tests for other people.  The gang admitted arranging 382 driving tests and the pair were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the Driving Standards Agency and jailed for two years.

Even more audacious was Gageen Singh, a disqualified drink-driver who travelled all over Britain impersonating candidates for the theory and practical driving tests. He charged £3,000 a time and for that they got a master of disguise who tailored his clothes and his headgear to suit the person he was impersonating.  He might turn up in a turban, a flat cap or a wig or even grow a full beard to match the photograph on the provisional licence.

When the DSA tracked him to his Surrey home they found £51,700 in cash and a paper trail that showed he sent between £5,000 and £9,000 to India every month.  He’s the man who single-handedly put 84 unqualified drivers on to Britain’s roads.

Singh was convicted on nine charges of fraud, jailed for 14 months and banned from driving for two years.

But not all fraudsters operate outside the system.Driving examiners Bushra Chughtai and Andrew Cursley from Nuneaton, Warks, used their privileged position to charge candidates £1,000 for a guaranteed pass no matter how badly they drove.  In an elaborate scam they were fed carefully vetted candidates by driving instructor Mahomed Ibrahim. Some “learners” did not even have to turn up to pass.

Chugtai gave the green light to one candidate who had collided with a parked car.

Cursley passed another despite having to grab the steering wheel and swerve back to the right side of the road during the test.

When they were caught, Chugtai was jailed for three years, Cursley for 18 months and Ibrahim for 15 months.

That landmark case also saw seven of the candidates who bribed them jailed for up to six months and 39 fraudulent licences revoked.

Crooked translators have been caught cashing in too.

They are employed to translate the theory test into more than 100 foreign languages for 2,000 candidates a year. For some in Birmingham’s Chinese community, Mandarin translator Peter Hui, 55, became the go-to-guy for a guaranteed theory pass. For up to £3,000 he even helped candidates cheat their way through their theory test for driving a bus. He was eventually caught when DSA inspectors became suspicious of his high pass rate.

They hired an independent Mandarin translator who quickly spotted his system. Hui was found to have raked in £37,500 from the scam and was jailed for 12 months.

DSA inspector Elaine Rabbitt said: “If you haven’t taken your test properly then you’re not safe on the road. It’s like a killer behind the wheel.” Her colleague Gareth Edwards emphasised that cheating on the theory test is an extremely serious offence in itself.

“These people who are passing could be driving their kids to school,” he said.

“Or they could be driving 40-tonne lorries down the M6, so it’s really important to have the right knowledge to drive the vehicle safely.”

Since 2004 the DSA has revoked 3,000 driving licences, but they face a constant battle to find the crooks before they do real harm.

In 12 months to June last year more than 1,700 people were killed and 185,000 injured on Britain’s roads.

Some were victims of unqualified drivers, but there are no official figures to show how many.

testing with interpreters is set to end. A good thing?

And about time too! For too long the rules have been unfair regarding illness and loss. Thank goodness common sense eventually prevails

Short notice test cancellation: changes to arrangements From 1 April, DVSA will introduce a more flexible approach to the way it handles tests cancelled by candidates at short notice. At the moment, candidates automatically lose their fee if they cancel or change their test without giving DVSA 3 clear working days’ notice. From 1 April, candidates will be able to ask for a rebooking at short notice with no charge if they can’t take their test because of: a medically certified illness a bereavement school exams DVSA will also continue to offer a refund or new test date to serving members of the armed forces who are called for duty.

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Wouldn’t it be great if there was a driving course that could help new drivers perfect their newly learned skills? A course in which drivers could learn to drive more safely and as a result possibly lower their insurance premiums and, more importantly, reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

That, in a nutshell, is exactly what Pass Plus is all about. It’s a practical training course that takes a minimum of 6 hours to complete.

Who can take the course?

The course is aimed at newly qualified drivers, but can actually be taken at any time. Those that would benefit from the course include

• New drivers that have just passed their test and would like a little more training with regards to safety on the roads
• Experienced drivers that have been off the road for a while and would like to improve or refresh their skills before getting back behind the wheel
• Drivers that feel nervous when driving unaccompanied or driving in unfamiliar situations
• Inexperienced drivers that don’t have a qualified driver to accompany them on their first trip on the motorway, rural roads, etc.

What will I learn from it?

The course runs for 6 modules, all of which must be completed in order for you to get your certification of completion. The 6 parts of the course cover various driving situations that are usually some of the most nerve-racking for a new or nervous driver.

Module 1 – Driving in town – Bicycles, pedestrians, and delivery trucks are just some of the distractions that can turn a simple run to the shops into a nightmare. Your instructor will teach you how to be aware of your surroundings and how to cope with the strain of in town driving.

Module 2 – All weather driving – The weather has a huge bearing on driving safety. Rain, sleet, snow, fog, ice, and even bright sunlight can seriously affect your driving. You will learn how to deal with such conditions and also how to correct skids – a vital skill for road safety.

Module 3 – Rural road driving – Yes, the countryside is beautiful and tranquil but it’s also home to a few little surprises for an inexperienced driver. Narrow roads, blind bends, and animals are all hazards that we must be aware of, and on your course you will learn to deal with each.

Module 4 – Nighttime driving – Everything changes when the sun goes down, your depth perception and your peripheral vision are worse in low-light, so it makes sense to get some training from an expert in such conditions.

Module 5 – Dual Carriageways – Driving on a dual carriageway is quite a challenge for a new driver. It is a big step up from town driving and you will need to learn how to judge speeds and safe driving distances.

Module 6 – Motorways – Driving on a motorway may seem quite similar but you would be surprised at the number of new drivers that “freeze up” once they see the letter M. Speeds are similar but with less slow moving traffic such as farm machinery, motorway traffic tends to move at a faster pace. You will the correct use of lanes, how to overtake safely, and how to navigate exits safely.

Should I take the course?

A course that improves driving skills and promotes safe driving is something that everyone, no matter how young or old should definitely consider. Knowing how to correct a skid, slow down safely in extreme conditions, or how to negotiate blind bends are all skills that could avoid accidents and most importantly of all save lives.

For further details on the Pass Plus course visit the DSA website

If you’re interested in taking the course you’ll need a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor (ADI) to teach you. Bal driving tuition is Pass Plus registered and provide an excellent course at competitive rates.

Rear end collisions have been the bane of insurance companies for years with the whiplash culture that appeared in the noughties. I hope this system is brought into cars in the very near future as this will reduce accidents and ultimately premiums. Driver aids are more commonplace in the industry and this one should be welcome. Unlike the cbs on bikes this could be useful.

With another photocard set to replace the current format of card and counterpart the dvsa has decided to have an intermediate change to help with the fight against fraud.

Many drivers are unaware that smoking while driving has In fact been illegal for a number of years now. It carries the same on the spot £100 fine as eating or drinking (non alcoholic) when behind the wheel.

now the government wish to ban smoking by anyone in a vehicle when there are children in it.

MPs have backed calls for a ban on smoking in cars in England and Wales when children are passengers.

They voted in favour of a Labour-supported amendment to the Children and Families Bill by a majority of 269.

This will give Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt the power to bring in a ban in England, while Welsh Government ministers will decided in Wales.

Last week, more than 700 experts wrote to MPs urging them to back change. But critics say legislation is not needed.

The amendment – passed by 376 votes to 107 – empowers, but does not compel, ministers to make it a criminal offence for drivers to fail to prevent smoking in their privately owned vehicles when children are present.

Much of the debate about banning smoking in cars has been talked about in terms of protecting children.

That is understandable. Research published in 2009 showed that a single cigarette in a stationary car could produce levels of second-hand smoke 11 times greater than that found in a smoky bar.

Although it should be pointed out that the study also said if the car was moving and a window open it reduced the toxins to well below that level.

But it is also an inescapable fact that this issue is the latest in the fight to make smoking socially unacceptable.

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Introduction of car and trailer testing on motorcycle manoeuvring areas.

You may have noticed recently that we have marked out an additional rectangular area on some motorcycle manoeuvring areas.

This is so we can carry out car and trailer testing (B+E) at these sites.

We have taken steps to ensure that the manoeuvring areas are safe for use by multiple testing categories. This includes designing the reversing area so it doesn’t interfere with any of the high speed manoeuvres.

Although non slip paint has been used and slow manoeuvring is safe when crossing the painted areas, we advise that the wide yellow stopping box area is not used for any manoeuvres.

Before any motorcycle testing activity takes place the area is checked by the motorcycle examiner for damage and spillages. It’s important you do the same if you are using the area for training.

These tests will offer better utilisation of our motorcycle manoeuvring areas and should not affect the number of motorcycle test bookings at these centres.

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www.drivingtuitionblackpool.co.uk