RPL Driving School - Chelmsford, Essex

Fancy Taking Your Driving Test From Halfords?

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:11:00 +0000

Driving tests could soon be available from branches of Halfords under plans announced today (10 July) by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

As well as using traditional driving test centres, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is looking at working with public and private sector partners to provide driving test premises in selected areas that don’t already have a local test centre.

New approach to test delivery

The DSA has selected Halfords plc as a preferred partner, and is also exploring partnerships with the Fire and Rescue Service and several universities.

In one location the agency also expects to sign an agreement with training company Mantra Learning Ltd.

The scheme focuses on 21 locations, centred around 5 different areas across the country:

Glasgow

Kettering

Manchester

Watford

Worcestershire

Read the full DSA bulletin

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
rpdriving.com

Can In-Car Sat Navs Ruin Your Driving?

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:59:00 +0000

Latest Distraction Research On Sat Navs.

It's not really difficult to see why, but new research shows how much Satellite Navigation can affect the way we drive. Several years I wrote about driver distractions including Sat-Navs and phones.

Academics at Lancaster University, and the Royal Holloway University of London, performed a series of experiments whereby volunteers were set computerised tasks which mimicked the instructions of Sat Navs. The results suggest that when motorists follow complicated instructions they tend to drive faster with more steering variations - as well as being less likely to notice pedestrians moving into the vehicle's path.

Dr Pragya Agarwal, from Lancaster University, revealed: “The results from our research have implications for the way these navigational systems can be designed to be more effective and user-friendly in the future. Our research shows how people’s behaviour while driving is influenced by the use of these navigational systems, which are becoming increasingly ubiquitous.”

Read the rest of the story here.

Take a look at how Sat Navs work to learn more about how they went from military uses to in smartphones, cars and many more.

Your First Driving Lesson...

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:55:00 +0000

What To Expect With Your First Driving Lesson In Nuneaton

So you've got your driving licence, and it's your 17th birthday. Now time to choose a local Driving Instructor. The thought of your first driving lesson may be a daunting one as you'll be in charge of a car for the first time. You will also be meeting a stranger who will become your Driving Instructor.

To make things easy, I will write this article assuming that the first driving lesson is the first time you've been behind the wheel of a car.

Once the Driving Instructor has turned up, the lesson begins. Before your do any driving, the Instructor will check the paper counterpart and photocard parts of your licence. They will look to see if you have any restrictions or convictions. Also, they will normally make a note of your date of birth and driving licence number for their records.

The next part is fairly straight forward, an eyesight test. You will be asked to read a number plate from roughly 20 metres. The exact requirements are you should be able to read it from 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate and 20.5 metres for the old-style ones.

That's the boring bits out of the way, now onto the car.

The next step would be finding your way around the car. This will include where the different switches are, how to set the car up and what the pedals and other controls do. Now, depending on the Instructor, they might do a quick demonstration on how to move the car, steer and stop safely. If not you'll be in the driver's seat yourself, ready to drive!

Now for the bit you've been waiting for, the driving.

Once you've set the car up and put your seatbelt on, you'll need to check the handbrake is on, and the car is in neutral. Then you start the car's engine.

Once this is done, you need to get ready, check for hazards and move away in the following way:

Clutch all the way down and select 1st gear.

Press lightly on the accelerator and bring the clutch roughly half way up. You will feel and hear the engine sound change. Now keep your foot still.

Look all around, including all you mirrors, the blindspots over both shoulders and checking ahead.

When it's safe, release the handbrake and keep your feet still for a few seconds.

Then lift the clutch slightly (about the thickness of a £1 coin), again keep it still for a few seconds. Now the car should start increasing the speed. Once this happens you should be able to lift the clutch slowly all the way to the top.

And you're off!

I hope this has helped, and feel free to ask any questions you may have on learning to drive don't hesitate to ask. You can contact me through my Nuneaton Driving School website.

Donna Green is a female Driving Instructor in Nuneaton who runs Driving With Donna. Check out www.drivingwithdonna.co.uk for more information.

Turn Right, No Don't Turn Right

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:39:00 +0000

I came across this story earlier today, it certainly confused me!

MOTORISTS are being driven round the bend by confusing, misleading and plain bonkers road signs across the isle.

Photographer Aaron Stone, of Ramsgate, said his head has been left spinning by contradictory signs at the end of Rumfields Road in Broadstairs.

Photos by Aaron Stone, of Photesque.

One sign prohibits drivers from turning right, while another tells them to turn right for Broadstairs, St Peter's and Kingsgate.

Mr Stone said: "It's very confusing.

"It's telling people to turn right and it could cause an accident.

"It's definitely something that the council should sort out."

Mr Stone said it was particularly dangerous for tourists visiting the area for the first time.

Read the full story at thisiskent.co.uk

Lorry Driver Banned In 'Virtual Court'

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:15:00 +0000

A Lithuanian lorry driver has been banned for drink driving just two hours after being charged by Kent Police.

Since 2009, Kent Police have been using a virtual court system to speed up the process. The "virtual court" uses a video link system, meaning defendants can be tried hours after arrest and allowing witnesses to give evidence from a police station.

The lorry driver in question received a £1500 fine and was banned from driving for 3 years.

This has got to be a good thing. Less time and money spent on the process, and the driver gets punished straight away instead of being able to drive until the court date.

Read the story here.

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Some useful Eco Driving Advice From a Driving Instructor (not me this time :) ) http://ping.fm/wpFlC

Driving Licence Smart Cards?

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Almost a year ago, I wrote a short post about the plans to get rid of the paper driving licence. This is now back in the news with a bit of extra information on possible plans.

Read the full article here.

The idea is to have all the information on one smart card which could include the licence holder's photo, any endorsements and iris and fingerprint biometrics.

However, the DVLA appears slightly nervous about public reaction to the idea. It knows that the previous government's plan to introduce electronic identity cards failed due to public outrage, and the idea of having almost the same data appearing on a driving licence could provoke a similar backlash.

It is committed to eliminating the paper section, but it is not yet committing itself to what will replace it. The DVLA told industry publication Fleet News that "the UK has yet to decide whether or when a chip might be added" to the driving licence, but it was "continually looking at ways to improve the security of the driving licence".

Watch this space...

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.com

Greater Manchester Launch Anti Drink-Driving Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Greater Manchester emergency services joined forces to highlight the dangers of drinking and driving by staging the aftermath of a road collision and showing how they work together to extricate and transport trapped drivers to the hospital.

See the video here.

DSA Strike Costs

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:21:00 +0000

I came across this post on one of the instructor forums, and thought people might be interested in it...

1,444 practical tests were cancelled due to the strike on 10 May 2012. This cost the DSA a total of £91,386 in test fees, although it saved money on not having to pay the wages of the examiners who took part in the strike.

And this was only one day. I wonder how much out of pocket the DSA are when you put all the strikes together?

Will test fee go up in the near future, I wonder?

Rob Laird
RPL Driving

10,000 Mile Mongol Rally In A Wheelchair...

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

The Mongol Rally is one of the most adventurous charity rallies in the world today. With over 200 teams taking vehicles ranging from Volkswagens to Volvos (the car must have less than a 1.2L engine), cars drive over 10,000 miles from the UK to Mongolia, passing through all sorts of terrain and weather. Now imagine doing it if the driving team had all sustained spinal cord injuries and now use a wheelchair instead of their legs! Let me introduce you to the Wheelie Wanderers!

The Wanderers consist of Peter Donnelly, Jan Monaghan and Richard Cooke. All paraplegics, they are driving to raise funds for the Back Up Trust, an organization that supports people who sustain spinal cord injury through helping them regain a perspective of their abilities and what they can achieve in life. The teams goal: to raise £10,000 for the Trust, which is roughly a pound for every mile driven.

Read the full story here.

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.com

Diesel Fumes Do Cause Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Diesel exhausts do cause cancer, says WHO.

The World Health Organization previously labelled diesel exhausts as probably carcinogenic.
However recently, a panel of experts working for the WHO say that exhaust fumes from diesel engines do cause cancer.

It concluded that the exhausts were definitely a cause of lung cancer and may also cause tumours in the bladder.

It based the findings on research in high-risk workers such as miners, railway workers and truck drivers.

However, the panel said everyone should try to reduce their exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, had previously labelled diesel exhausts as probably carcinogenic to humans.

IARC has now labelled exhausts as a definite cause of cancer, although it does not compare how risky different carcinogens are. Diesel exhausts are now in the same group as carcinogens ranging from wood chippings to plutonium and sunlight to alcohol.

It is thought people working in at-risk industries have about a 40% increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Cancer Research UK said employers and workers should take appropriate action to minimise exposure to diesel fumes in the workplace.

But director of cancer information Dr Lesley Walker said the overall number of lung cancers caused by diesel fumes was "likely to be a fraction of those caused by smoking tobacco".

Read the full story here.

Harsher Penalties For Careless Driving

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:30:00 +0000

A consultation has just been opened looking into increasing the fine for a fixed penalty notice for careless driving, and other offences including using your phone while driving, not wearing your seat belt and speeding.

The plan is to increase it from the current £60 to £90.

The consultation is open until September, and you can read more here.

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.com

Driving Test Pass In Chelmsford

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Sam who passed her driving test on 13th June in Chelmsford. She's already made a start on customising her car by getting some bright pink seat covers :)

Well done again.

The Army And Navy Flyover To Be Made Safer

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:43:00 +0000

After persistent badgering from Army and Navy flyover crash victim Janet Barnes, Essex County Council has pledged to start making it safer this week.

A car travelling the wrong way over Chelmsford's one-way flyover smashed into Janet's car in March.

Janet's crusade to improve safety has already led to the council's top brass drawing up an "action plan" to fix the notorious accident black spot.

Now Councillor Derrick Louis, the new head of highways at the council, has written to her promising that "we will start implementing some localised safety measures".

When asked by the Chronicle to explain what would be done, he said: "We have investigated measures to improve safety and prevent further incidents.

"In the short term we will be introducing some new line markings on the approaches to the flyover."

"We are also looking to introduce further safety improvements in the medium and longer-term.

"We will provide an update on plans following the consultation at the end of July."

There have been dozens of head-on crashes, three deaths and many more injuries on the flyover since it was put up as a temporary measure 34 years ago.

The short term measures mentioned have been done already. Extra road markings and signs have been added to guide people off the flyover towards the correct side of the dual carriageway, and generally things have been made clearer.

The real issue is stopping people from driving the wrong way up the flyover in the first place, as the several 'flyover closed' and 'no entry' signs don't seem to work for everyone.

What else could the council do (apart from knocking it down and building a 2-way flyover?)

Read the full story here.

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
Chelmsford Driving School

Drivers Fined For Warning People About Speed Traps

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:58:00 +0000

For years, drivers who pass a police speed trap have flashed their headlights at oncoming cars to warn them to slow down.

But this spirit of friendly co-operation could become a thing of the past after one police force caught almost as many drivers who flashed their lights as actual speeders.

In a recent anti-speeding campaign, Lancashire Police handed out 23 tickets for breaking the speed limit - and a further 20 for 'misuse of headlights'.

Critics said it was a money-making exercise that would erode public support for the police, while the AA said imposing the £30 fines created a ‘legal and moral minefield’.

But the police insisted that warning other drivers of a speed trap was ‘a dangerous practice’.

Lancashire traffic officer PC Antony Gray said: ‘Potentially they are putting lives at risk.

'Flashing your lights at someone may make them slow down for a second, but it will not make them change their habits.

‘Speeding motorists need to be spoken to so they will seriously consider their irresponsible driving.’

The AA said the move is wide open to legal challenge and fears innocent motorists could be targeted for warning other drivers to slow down. It is also concerned drivers may be deterred from flashing lights to warn others of dangerous faults on their vehicles.

Read more on this story.

What do you think about this? Targeting innocent motorists, or cracking down on law breakers?

Feel free to add a comment below...

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
rpldriving.com

Driving Examiner Strike Going Ahead On 8th June

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:06:00 +0000

My last post on Driving Examiners on strike mentioned 2 possible dates for a strike, there is now a confirmed date. There will be a short 2 hour strike on the 8th June in the afternoon. Below is the story from the BBC.

Driving examiners and coastguards are to hold several strikes against plans they say will hit jobs and pensions.

A two-hour walkout on Friday 8th June 2012 by the Driving Examiners will be followed by a week of short strikes in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Public and Commercial Services union said more will be held throughout June at the Department for Transport (DfT) head office and several agencies.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "With unemployment high and our communities suffering as a result of the government's cuts, ministers should be providing all the help they can to local economies that are crying out for support and investment.

"Instead they're ploughing on with entirely unnecessary and unpopular cuts to vital transport services.

"These strikes across the whole range of transport services form a major part of our ongoing fight against cuts to pensions, jobs and pay."

The PCS said more than half of its members had backed walkouts with four out of five supporting industrial action short of a strike.

Mark Peacock, head of BSM driving school, said: "Taking your driving test is a big day and can be nerve-wracking enough without the thought of strike disruption.

"However, candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of 8 June should still attend their test so it can go ahead if possible."

Read the full story here.

Now I have a test on this day, and we've made the decision to go ahead with the driving test, so fingers crossed...

Following on from this, all the tests in the afternoon went ahead, although it was quieter so maybe people changed their tests.

There will be a similar thing this Friday (15th June). Lets hope that tests aren't affected...

Driving Examiner Strike On 8th Or 15th June

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:40:00 +0000

The DSA sent out an email alert earlier today...

Looks like the PCS will be striking on either 8th or 15th June. This will possibly affect driving tests on these days, but only the afternoon. Below is a copy of the email...

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is urging all practical driving test candidates booked to take a test on the afternoon of either 8 or 15 June to attend as usual.

This is despite the potential for strike action by driving examiners who are members of the Pubic and Commercial Services (PCS) union.

The DSA's chief executive Rosemary Thew said:

"All candidates have the opportunity to change or cancel their practical test by giving the DSA three clear working days notice.

"Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can't be sure that they'll support the strike. So we're asking candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of 8 or 15 June to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible.

"We're sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

Candidates who turn up but can't take their practical test because of strike action will not have to contact the DSA to rebook. They should hear from the agency with a new date within five to ten working days.

If candidates fail to attend they won't be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they'll need to rebook their own tests. Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found on Directgov.

Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.

Candidates wanting to rebook their practical tests can do so on Directgov.

I don't know about other test centres, but in Chelmsford, there are normally only one or two Examiners on strike, so hopefully things will be running smoothly.

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.com

Scottish Drink-Drive Limit Should Be Lowered

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

It will be a 'priority' to lower the drink-drive limit in Scotland.

Justice Secretary Kenny has said that plans to reduce the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg will be brought forward later this year.

The plans will bring Scotland into line with The Republic Of Ireland, France, Germany and other European countries.

This was one of the things made possible by the 2012 Scotland Act, which recently received royal assent.

Read the full story

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.co.uk

Cameras To reduce insurance

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:45:00 +0000

There's a new possibility being offered to young drivers which could reduce their insurance costs.

A deal has been done with an insurance broker (not sure which one yet) to lower premiums by 15% if a CCTV camera is fitted to the car. When the average cost for under 25s could be in the thousands, this plan could mean people paying £100s less.

This goes one step further than the current black boxes that have been used to some effect to monitor the driving, and give discounts for safe driving and driving in safer times of day (no very late nights).

Read the full story

Electric Vehicles Could Raise Fuel Duty

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The change over to electric cars will create a "drought" in motoring tax income that could force future governments to hike fuel duty by 50%, new research suggests. However, this is something that won't happen for many years.

A report commissioned by the RAC Foundation suggests that increasing use of more fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles could create a £13 billion shortfall in government revenues.

To fill this gap, ministers could be forced to introduce massive fuel duty hikes, according to the report.

At the moment, fuel duty makes up 1.7% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP).

However, this figure is expected to drop to 1.1% by 2029.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is also likely to drop from 0.4% of GDP to 0.1% during the same period of time.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "If the Chancellor was faced with a £13 billion shortage in motoring tax revenue today, he would need to push the rate of fuel duty up from 58p per litre to 87p per litre to fill the financial black hole.

"Clearly there is no guarantee that future rises in duty rates will be limited to inflation, as is current policy."

Read the story at the RAC website

Another option I heard about is to consider scrapping fuel duty, and have a pay per mile setup. That would get around the fuel duty problem, but unless there is a variable charge depends on how economic your car is, it defeats part of the idea of getting an electric vehicle.

Plans To Lower Northern Ireland's Driving Age...

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Yesterday I read a story about possible plans to allow people in Northern Ireland to be able to learn to drive from age 16-and-a-half instead of 17.

On the surface, this seems like a crazy idea, especially as new (and young) drivers are much more likely to be involved in a collision than a more experienced driver.

However there is more to it...

IF, these changes do go through, you wouldn't be able to take your driving test until a year after.

As it stands at the moment, someone could apply for their driving licence up to 3 months before their 17th birthday. They could then take their theory test on their birthday, and take the driving test the day after.

In practice, with waiting lists it might be a few weeks after. In fact, several years ago, there was a guy from Aberystwyth who passed his driving test aged 17 and 18 days. Now the only reason I know about this one was that it was in the news as he was also the youngest driver in the World Rally Championship.

Obviously, he had more skills than most drivers, yet alone drivers his age, but it shows that it's possible to pass your test with only a few weeks experience on the road.

These proposals are being put forward by the Environment Minster, Alex Attwood.

He is also said that current laws that restrict learner drivers to 45mph should be dropped to allow them to gain more experience at higher speeds before passing their test and driving on their own.

What do you think of these plans? Good idea, or road safety nightmare?

Rob Laird
RPL Driving
www.rpldriving.com

DIPOD Streaming Live - 24th May

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:15:00 +0000

This is one for the Driving Instructors out there...

On the 24th May, Peter, Nick and Steve, will be streaming live the latest DIPOD (Driving Instructors PODcast). They are ADIs based around St Albans, and every month or so, they record a podcast aimed at Driving Instructor. Things discussed include recent DSA news, running a business, teaching methods and more general subjects like the weather and old cars.

This will be a first, as normally the show is pre-recorded (and probably edited :) )

For more information, take a look at the DIPOD website

Uninsured Drivers Prevented From Refuelling?

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:15:00 +0000

Taken from the BTI Driving School - Ipswich blog.

The Government has come up with an innovative way of combatting the 1.4 million uninsured drivers on the UK roads to stop them from refuelling.
The proposal involves linking forecourt automatic number plate recognition cctv with the DVLA’s driver database...

Read more

Will London Bus Drivers Strike During The Olympics?

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Thousands of bus drivers in London will be voting on whether or not to strike in a row over payments during the Olympic Games.

Unite said it had given 21 bus companies operating in London notice of its intention to ballot up to 21,000 of its members next week.

The union has asked for a £500 bonus payment to recognise the "massive increase" in workload during the Olympic Games. This is to take into account the 800,000 extra passengers that will be expected to travel on the buses.

The union added that other transport workers, including those on London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railways, Network Rail and Virgin, would receive hundreds of pounds in extra payments during the Olympics.

To read the full story, take a look at the BBC website

Rob Laird
RPL Driving

Updated Roadworks Sign In Melksham

noreply@blogger.com (RPL Driving - Essex) — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:53:00 +0000

A fed up resident has shown his annoyance at the endless roadworks around Melksham by 'changing' the standard roadworks sign.

Lib Dem councillor Jon Hubbard said: “Melksham has had a lot of road works taking place and there has been a lot of annoyance at how long it is taking.

“It doesn’t come across as a shock that someone has done this, it is a real problem in the town with roadworks seemingly taking forever.

“I’ve seen a lot of workers sitting around and I’ve raise the issue.

“Recently there was a case when workers were re-doing a road and there were terrible problems. Lanes were closed but there was no one doing any work.

“They certainly haven’t been given the appearance of being hard at work.”