More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

In most of Europe, the norm is to drive a car with manual transmission – the automatic is still the odd one out.

Automatic transmission takes much of the physical work out of driving and leaves you with both hands on the wheel for more of the time. This should make you safer, especially if you do lots of long journeys or short trips in busy stop-start traffic.

However, there are some differences in technique required if you are going to stay safe in an ‘auto’. Having said that, some of the systems now used on upmarket automatics are very sophisticated and will get you out of trouble!

Automatics used to be less reliable, but the technology is now well established and although you may use a little more fuel*, this is offset by the fact that many drivers find driving an automatic is less stressful, so why not learn to drive an automatic with Experience Driving and find out more by visiting driving lessons newcastle upon tyne.

*Modern automatics are designed for optimum fuel efficiency and some drivers might well use less fuel in an auto than they would in an equivalent manual car, especially if they have not had training in eco-driving techniques.

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

United Kingdom Driving Test Unfit For Purpose?

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is calling for a review of the standard driving test as research suggests that it is failing to prepare young people to drive independently.

So what are the concerns?

Nearly a third of motorists between the ages of 18 and 25 break the law within a few years of passing their test.

Statistics obtained by the RAC show that one in five people killed or seriously hurt on UK roads involved a young motorist.

So what are the views of young drivers?

Nearly 4 in 10 drivers surveyed for the ‘RAC Report on Motoring 2013’ accepted that they felt nervous about driving at night and over half of those spoken to would have like some motorway training.

In addition, over half of drivers admitted to being nervous when driving in adverse weather conditions and remarkably, only a third of drivers felt confident in their driving ability after passing their test.

RAC Technical Director David Bizley said: “What we have learnt from our research will come as a surprise to many parents. Young people agree they need more help to become confident, skilled drivers and they believe that learning more about safe driving should start at school.”

And what are the views of parents?

Three quarters of parents surveyed believe that motorway driving should be a compulsory and integral part of driver training, together with nighttime driving.

So when, if at all, will any changes be brought in?

We will keep you updated as to whether the newly formed Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency accede to the calls of the IAM. Any such review is likely to be take some considerable time and any changes to the present driving test could be months, if not years away.

For many, the required changes to the standard driving test could not come sooner and who knows how many lives will be lost needlessly in the interim.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

Kevin Pratt, May 25 2014

You know that stat about motorways being far and away the safest roads on which to drive? Turns out it could be a lot more to do with luck than judgement.

Brake, the road safety charity, has unearthed some discomforting stats: six in 10 UK drivers indulge in risky tailgating – driving way too close to the car in front – while a similar number break the speed limit by 10mph or more on motorways and 70mph dual carriageways.

But while the majority of us ’fess up to tailgating – which can land you with a £100 on-the-spot fine – almost all of us are worried about being on the receiving end: 95% are at least occasionally concerned about vehicles too close behind them.

Safety concerns

Brake – which carried out the research with insurer Direct Line – is urging all drivers to keep at least a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front, extending this to four seconds or more in wet weather or poor visibility – on all roads, not just motorways.

It says drivers should also keep within the posted speed limit at all times, including temporary and variable limits.

Brake recently backed government plans to roll out speed cameras on stretches of so-called ‘smart’ motorways. It wants ‘average speed’ cameras to be installed across the motorway network.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “Almost all drivers are concerned about the danger posed by other people tailgating on motorways, and yet a shockingly high proportion admits to driving too close and speeding themselves.

“There are no two ways about it: ignore the two-second rule or the speed limit on motorways and you’re putting yourself and others at risk of a horrific crash. Traffic laws are not just for other people: all drivers can help make our motorways safer and prevent needless tragedies by committing to keep your distance and stay under speed limits, including temporary lower limits.”

Simon Sheldon-Wilson, traffic management director at the Highways Agency, said: “Safety is our top priority and we are committed to continuing to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

“Congestion on the strategic road network is estimated to cost the economy £3 billion each year, 25% of which is caused by incidents. That’s why we remind drivers of the dangers of tailgating and support Brake’s advice to keep a safe distance from the car in front and to adhere to fixed and variable speed limits.”

M-way manoeuvres

Motorways have lower crash rates per mile travelled than other road types thanks to the way they are designed and the fact there are fewer unexpected hazards,

But when crashes happen, fatalities are more likely because of the high speeds involved. Crashes on 70mph roads are more than twice as likely to result in death as crashes on roads with lower speed limits.

Total stopping distance if you slam on the breaks at 70mph is 96m – longer than a football pitch. You’ll travel 21 metres in the second it takes for you to decide to brake and your foot hitting the pedal.

At 80mph, though, stopping distances are 27% greater than at 70mph (make that 122m rather than 96m).

And, it seems, speed kills. In the USA, states that raised limits from 65mph to 75mph saw death rates rise by 38% on the roads concerned. And in case you want to cite Germany’s no-limit autobahns as an example of motoring Elysium, note that the death rate on these roads that is 75% higher than comparable roads in the UK.

Higher speeds on motorways lead to increased fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Vehicles travelling at 80mph use 10-20% more fuel than those travelling at 70mph.

So what’s your thinking about bad driving, motorway safety and possible solutions? Let us know.

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

Speeding motorists face £10,000 fines
(Les Roberts, Jun 10 2014)
Speeding motorists could find themselves slapped with a £10,000 fine as part of a government crackdown on motoring offences.

Motorway-police-speeding

The proposals before Parliament would give magistrates the power to hand out heftier fines – but there are question marks over whether this is a genuine attempt to deter drivers from breaking the speed limit or a cynical ploy to stop the appeals process.

A real speed trap?

Speed is one of the main factors in fatal road accidents and, just last month Brake, the road safety charity, called for a dramatic rise in the level of fines issued to motorists who commit the more common, yet no less dangerous, motoring offences of speeding and mobile phone use at the wheel.

And that’s exactly what the government has done by proposing a four-fold increase in the maximum fines for speeding as well as putting up the maximum fine for using a mobile while at the wheel.

The likely government reforms mean magistrates can now issue fines of up to £10,000 to motorists caught speeding on motorways, while fines for breaking the limit on dual carriageways and other roads will increase to a maximum of £4,000, as will the maximum fine for using a mobile while driving.

It should be noted that the standard fixed penalty for speeding will remain £100 plus three penalty points. You’re only going to be hit with a bigger fine if you find yourself found guilty in court.

Unlimited fines

For the first time ever, magistrates will also have the power to impose unlimited fines for more serious ‘level five’ offences such as careless driving or driving without insurance.

Jeremy Wright justice minister , said: “Financial penalties set at the right level can be an effective way of punishing criminals and deterring them from further offending. Magistrates are the cornerstone of our justice system and these changes will provide them with greater powers to deal with the day-to-day offences that impact their local communities.”

But are these penalties set at the right level to deter offenders or to deter the appeals process?

A way to repeal motorists’ appeals?

As noted, under the current rules, a general speeding allegation can be dealt with by a fixed penalty notice of a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.

All motorists have the right to appeal against the fixed penalty notice, but a failed appeal will see the fine increase to £1,000, or £2,500 if caught speeding on a motorway, and the number of penalty points double to six.

And it’s reasonable to assume that this would act as enough of a deterrent to any spurious appeals and seems relatively in proportion to the crime committed – speeding offences have been in decline for a number of years, and the latest Department for Transport figures show the number of fatal or serious accidents on major roads (motorways and A roads) fell by 7% in 2013, and by 4% on minor roads.

On roads with speed limits over 40mph in non-built up areas fatal accidents fell by 6% and on roads with speed limits up to and including 40mph in built up areas they fell by 5%.

Money maker?

So given that the number of fatal and serious accidents is on the decline, is this an ill-timed move from the government, or is it a way of bringing in more money from motorists?

It’s easy to be cynical when you consider magistrate fines collected (for all offences) at the end of 2012/13 reached a record high of £284 million and continued to increase during the last financial year.

One thing’s for sure, it will certainly put the brakes on the appeals process. Who in their right mind will appeal against a fixed penalty notice, no matter how convinced they are of their own innocence, if it could end in a £10,000 fine?

And while those who break the law need to bear in mind the consequences of their actions, the level of punishment also has to fit the crime.

What do you think? Do we need the higher fines to deter speeding motorists? Or are these new fines a way to deter the appeals process? Let us know…

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

It is a cliché almost as old as the motor car itself, and the subject of many a sexist joke.

But the idea that women cannot park is simply untrue, according to research indicating that female drivers are more adept than men at manoeuvring into a space.
Covert surveillance of car parks across Britain has shown that while women may take longer to park, they are more likely to leave their vehicles in the middle of a bay.
The study is one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on gender driving differences, and took into account seven key components of parking styles.
Women were also found to be better at finding spaces, more accurate in lining themselves up before starting each manoeuvre, and more likely to adopt instructors’ preferred method of reversing into bays.

Men were shown to be more skilled at driving forwards into spaces and more confident overall, with fewer opting to reposition their car once in a bay.
But once all the elements were taken into account, women were ranked first with a total score of 13.4 out of 20, compared to 12.3 points achieved by men.
Neil Beeson, a professional driving instructor who devised the experiment, described the results as “surprising”.
Mr Beeson, who has recently appeared on the ITV show Last Chance Driving School, said: “In my experience men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons.
“However, it’s possible that women have retained the information better. The results also appear to dispel the myth that men have better spatial awareness than women.
“It shows that us men need to give our partners more respect when it comes to parking. The facts don’t lie.”

The study was produced by the car park firm NCP, which employed a team of researchers to observe 2,500 drivers across its 700 car parks in Britain over a one-month period.
Each aspect of a person’s parking was marked and added to a final tally to produce a “parking coefficient” for the two sexes.
The first category analysed people’s ability to find spaces. Researchers found that impatience caused many men to drive too quickly around car parks, meaning they missed free bays. Meanwhile, women’s slower approach meant they were better able to notice spaces, or spot when other drivers were about to leave.
More than three quarters of women were found to excel in their so-called “pre-parking pose”, setting themselves up to pull into a space, compared to just over half of men observed.
Thirty-nine per cent of female drivers cleanly executed reversing into spaces, compared to only 28 per cent of men.
Men were much quicker at parking, taking 16 seconds on average against the 21 seconds women needed to complete the manoeuvre.
However, the extra time paid off leaving 52 per cent of women parked in the middle of each bay, compared to 25 per cent of men. This category proved particularly punishing for the men’s rating as it was the most heavily weighted in the coefficient.
But James May, the Top Gear presenter, challenged the criteria of the study, saying that parking in the centre of a bay was not always the best policy – especially if a neighbouring car was parked too close to the dividing lines.
“You have to take into consideration the cars parked next to you – you ought to be judged on how central you are to them,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I don’t care what gender the person is next to me, I just don’t want them to bang their door on my Porsche.”
Vicki Butler-Henderson, the racing driver and television presenter, said: “Parking in a space is obviously different to reverse parallel parking, but I’m delighted that the fairer sex has come out on top – the findings ring true from my experience.
“Women do take more time, but I know a lot of male racing drivers who win races and are incredible round a track but can’t park for toffee.”
From the figures, the study concluded that, as the average motorist parks a car 1,004 times in their lifetime, women spend 12 days of their lives parking compared to nine days for men.
The findings contradict not only popular belief but also previous research. Figures from the Driving Standards Agency  disclosed that tens of thousands more women fail their driving test on parking errors than men.
Researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum, in Germany also found that women take up to 20 seconds longer than men to park a car.
Only one fifth (18 per cent) of women questioned for the NCP study thought they were better parkers than men, and less than a third (28 per cent) believed they were better parkers than their partners.

Any thoughts?

More helpful hints and tips for after you have finished your Driving lessons in Newcastle.

Ever get bored behind the wheel?

Here’s a few facts and figures to ponder as you go…

1. The UK driving test only has a 50.2% pass rate.

2. The total road length in Great Britain was estimated to be 245,400 miles in 2012. 

If you could lay all those roads out in a straight line into space, you’d go past the Moon, which is a mere 238,855 miles from Earth.

3. There are around 35,760,901 vehicles currently on UK roads, which is roughly one car for every two people.

4. Putting all these cars, buses, vans, trucks and coaches through an MOT could cost as least £1,961,485,419.85

5. Our favourite car colour is silver. There were 7,996,383 silver cars on the roads in 2012.

6. But the highest concentration of pink cars is in Ipswich.

7. The average used car value is £8,540, according to the website usedcarexpert.co.uk, so the average value of all the cars on UK roads could be around £305,398,094,540 

8. As of the end of July, we bought 1,325,851 new cars this year.

9. If we take the best-selling Ford Fiesta for a back-of-a-fag-packet calculation, this means we’ve collectively spent around £132,578,470,745 on new cars.

10. Even if all those sales were of the UK’s cheapest car, the Dacia Sandero (£5,995), it would still total a massive £7,948,476,745. 

11. Almost one in six UK motorists have been caught speeding in the last five years. (Source:LV=.)

12.  A third of us (31%) would be happy with more toll roads if it meant cheaper car tax.

13. 92% of us consider ourselves good drivers.

14. But 65% of us admit to breaking the 70mph speed limit.

15. The number of petrol stations in the UK is at a 50-year low. There are now around 8,600 stations, down from around 37,000 in 1970.

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

Do you have any bad driving habits?

Most people will tell you that they are good drivers.  In fact, some sources suggest that up to 90% of drivers think they are a ‘good’ driver.

Regardless of how you imagine your own driving ability, it is very easy to spot bad driving habits in others.  This is not about blatant law-breaking activity (drink driving, texting while driving, barrelling through a school zone at 150mph, etc.), but rather the everyday driving habits people seem to develop, either consciously or unconsciously.  Although they may seem harmless, most of them do break the law at some point, and can lead to a dangerous situation on the road.

Bad Driving Habits #5:  Speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down

If you use cruise control when you drive, this habit is very easy to spot in others.  How many times have you passed someone on a motorway, only to have them come flying past you again a few minutes later?

This bad driving habit is also easily found in taxi drivers around the world.  For some reason, every minicab driver seems to think that driving consists of slamming his accelerator flat to the floor, only ever taking his foot off to jam it on the brakes.  As well as dramatically increasing fuel consumption and brake wear, it can be dangerous if you are leaving no margin for error by having to always brake heavily at the last minute.  And let’s not even get started on the generally woeful driving habits and standards of minicab drivers…

Bad Driving Habits #4:  Pushing in

Driving in London can be frustrating, as millions of cars try to all make their way around and across the city.  But some drivers seem to think that they have the right to simply pull out into traffic and make everyone else brake for them.  This applies to junctions, exits and motorway lane changing.

I like to think that I’m generally a courteous driver.  If I see someone waiting to pull out at a T-junction or indicating that they want to move into my lane, I will slow and allow them in (obviously checking my mirrors first, to make sure I’m not about to cause an accident).

Bad Driving Habits No. 3:  The last-minute lane change

Last-minute lane changers usually fall into two groups: the “Arrgh, this is my turn-off RIGHT HERE!”; and the arrogant idiots who simply try and push into a queue at the last possible minute to gain themselves a 13-second advantage by not waiting in line.  The first group are usually new to the area and a portable satnav stuck to the windscreen is usually a giveaway, and given how slow some nav units are at giving directions, it’s not surprising that drivers don’t get enough warning of their turn-offs.  The second group (again, often minicab drivers) are simply very rude people who think they’re being clever when actually they’re showing a complete lack of respect for their fellow road users.

Last-minute lane changers are especially dangerous for cyclists, as the driver may have a quick check of the mirror in the millisecond before they swing across traffic, but the chances of them seeing a bike or scooter are non-existent.

Bad Driving Habits No. 2:  Failing to Give Way to Pedestrians

It amazes me that so few drivers in the UK respect the right of way for pedestrians crossing roads at intersections.  The Highway Code states that cars must give way to pedestrians who have already started to cross a road.  This applies to cars turning both left and right into a junction.  Yet it is rare to see cars stopping for pedestrians, especially cars turning right at an intersection.  As a car driver, it delays your journey by about 3 seconds to slow or stop for a pedestrian.  There is no excuse for not giving way to pedestrians at all times, even when not strictly required to by law – especially if it’s cold and raining outside while you’re snug and warm in your car.  The same applies to cars, buses and taxis blocking pedestrian crossings when stopped in traffic – there’s just no need, and it forces pedestrians out of the crossing zone into potential danger.

Bad Driving Habits No. 1:  Failing to Keep Left Unless Overtaking

This is probably the most annoying of all bad driving habits on the road.  Widespread failure to keep left effectively turns many three-lane motorways into two-lane roads, slowing vast volumes of traffic and increasing accident risk for large numbers of cars.

The UK Highway Code states that drivers should “always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”

It’s not complicated.  Drive in the left-hand lane, move out to overtake, move back to the left-hand lane.

Driving in the middle or right-hand lane (either deliberately or through inattention) backs up traffic and contributes to tailgating.  Whilst tailgating is reckless and dangerous behaviour, slow drivers in the outside lane contribute to the problem by forcing cars behind to slow down.  It also contributes to undertaking, which is equally dangerous.

So, what are your thoughts?

Helping to pass your Driving Test in Newcastle.

Contents

Introduction

Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)

Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters (36 to 46)

Rules about animals (47 to 58)

Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)

Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88)

Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)

General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)

Using the road (159 to 203)

Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)

Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)

Waiting and parking (238 to 252)

Motorways (253 to 273)

Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287)

Road works (288 to 307)

Level crossings (291 to 299)

Tramways (300 to 307)

Direction signs on roads and motorways

Information signs

Light signals controlling traffic

Road markings

Road signs giving orders

Road works signs

Signals by authorised persons

Signals to other road users

Traffic signs

Vehicle markings

Warning signs

More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

5 Tips for Safe Summer Driving

According to recent news reports, Britain is set to roast in a three-month heat wave that could well be the hottest summer ever (driving lessons newcastle upon tyne do suggest taking this news with a large pinch of salt though).

For all you drivers that have recently passed, or are approaching, your driving test at our driving school in Newcastle upon Tyne  great weather will mean a first ever road trip to the beach or some other place where it’s possible to lap up the sun.

While heading out in the car during the summer months is inherently better than driving during the dull, dark days of winter, the high temperatures and busy seaside routes are not without dangers to both car and driver. To help make sure you stay safe in a heat wave, here are five essential tips.

1. Check Your Tyres

High temperatures can be very damaging to tyres and it is important that you don’t drive with tread below the legal limit. Heat on the roads will only add to existing rubber damage, so make sure that you check the integrity of your tyres before setting off on a journey. Also, check that tyres are properly inflated – under-inflation increases friction and intensifies heat, resulting in increased damage and potential blowouts.

2. Beware of the Glare

Sun glare, particularly at dusk and dawn, presents a significant danger to drivers and results in a large number of accidents every year. To ensure you are unaffected, make sure that you clean your windscreen (inside and out) to improve vision and remove smears. New wiper blades will help greatly in doing this.

A clean, unscratched pair of sunglasses will also prove very useful.

3. Keep Fresh

The sun beaming down on a hot car will make you tired much quicker and fatigue can be a killer. Stay fresh by taking a 15-20 minute break every two hours on long journeys. Regular short stops are better than one long stop for combatting tiredness, so make sure that you factor them in to your time schedule. During your breaks, drink two cups of coffee or take a 15-minute nap.

If you feel tired while driving, open a window and turn the radio up until you reach the nearest services.

4. Keep the Car Cool

On long journey’s, cooling systems may become problematic. You should always check that your coolant reservoir is topped up as well as checking coolant hoses to make sure there are no signs of wetness or white staining – these could indicate a leak. Perform a check on the fan by idling the car for 5 minutes at normal temperature – if the fan does not kick in then there may be a problem.

5. Share the Road

The warm weather brings different types of road users and bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians become more common. Each of these road users is vulnerable and does not have the protection of a car in the event of a collision.

Always expect to see cyclists and pedestrians, this way you will be more likely to detect them. Remember, at nighttime pedestrians may be hard to see so you must always keep a lookout. Be especially attentive in built-up areas and around schools. For further information or advice contact Experience Driving School.