In this issue:
• Thousands of Test Cancelled Due to Bad Weather
• DSA announces two-part motorcycle test
• Mini Roundabouts
• Don't hurt the one you love
• Drivers Face Negative Equity
• Average weekly running costs for cars
• Sorry, I was just trying to do a three-point turn
• Car insurance evaders targeted
• ADI Corner
• Cancel your subscription
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Driving Tip of the Month
Mini Roundabouts
Roundabouts allow traffic from different roads to merge or cross without necessarily stopping.
Approach mini roundabouts in the same way as a normal roundabout, but remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal.
Beware of drivers who are using the roundabout to make a u-turn.
You must pass round the central markings unless you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer.
Hopefully you will find this video useful when you are trying to 'read' the vehicles approaching from the right.
Watch the Video
Don't hurt the one you love
22 road safety teams are participating in the 2009 'For my girlfriend' (FMG) young driver campaign, which will take place in the run up to Valentine's Day on 14 February.
The annual FMG campaign reminds young people about the potentially catastrophic consequences when things go wrong while they are travelling by car. Campaign activity focuses on and around Valentine's Day each year - the most romantic day of the year for young couples.
Watch the Video
Drivers Face Negative Equity
NOSE-diving car prices mean thousands of UK motorists are being plunged into negative equity on their vehicle loans.
Full Story
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Thousands of Test Cancelled Due to Bad Weather
Practical driving tests have been cancelled across most of Great Britain this past week because of the bad weather.
To make the test fair, it is designed to assess a driver’s ability under normal conditions. Bad weather, such as ice and snow, do not allow Examiners to do this and could also compromise the safety of test candidates, examiners and other road users.
Candidates who are affected will have their tests automatically rebooked and should receive confirmation from the DSA in approximately three working days. You can check the status of and manage your test appointments here
DSA announces two-part motorcycle test
A new two-part motorcycle test will be introduced in April, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced.
The existing single-event test will be replaced by a new test that will be taken in two parts. Bookings will be taken from the 30 March at the latest, with the first tests taking place on 27 April 2009.
Module 1 will contain the specified manoeuvres element of the test including exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises.
Module 2 will include an eyesight test and at least 30 minutes of on road riding, assessing the rider’s ability to safely interact with other road users.
 More
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Average weekly running costs for cars
The average running costs for most motorists who commute using a car are now almost £110 a week, with the cost substantially higher when young drivers car insurance is taken into account.
To run one car for one year, average households must consider an annual budget of almost £6000, according to a survey.
Based on an average commute of 17 miles, figures determined by Auto Trader magazine in the study show the average vehicle running costs total £108.84.The Auto Trader survey found about 60 per cent of road users are now planning to downsize their vehicles and change driving habits to save money.
Matt Thompson, Auto Trader's marketing director, said, "The motorist's wallet is getting pummelled from all angles these days."
Depreciation is flagged as the highest cost at £61.21 per week. Fuel is the next highest at £35.55. Road tax is worked out to be £2.79 a week.
The average car insurance bill adds up to £9.21 a week - less than £500 a year. But young drivers car insurance tends to be more expensive so this pushes up the average car running costs to more than £120 a week.
Sorry, I was just trying to do a three-point turn
So very, very hard to explain away.
After all, the woman driver of this £18,000 Mercedes was only trying to perform a three-point turn.
But as she found out to her - and her neighbours' - cost there's getting it wrong and getting it very wrong.
So instead of putting her foot gently down on the brake she somehow slammed it on the accelerator and drove up on top of the £10,000 Chrysler Neon parked in a drive in Ashtead, Surrey.
Full Story
Car insurance evaders targeted
It will soon be an offence to not only drive without insurance but to also keep a car which is not insured.
Plans will see uninsured vehicle owners issued with a letter asking why they have no cover.
Exemptions will be made for car enthusiasts who keep their vehicles off the road in collections or for tinkering in the garage, but they must have applied for a Statutory Off Road Notice (Sorn).
If they have no reasonable explanation, they will be liable to a fixed penalty fine of £100, rising to £1,000, and possible court action to seize their vehicle.
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ADI CORNER
ADI CHECK TESTS AND DATA PROTECTION
The DIA has received two notices on 4 February 2009 from Charles Morton, Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors.
The first is in relation to changes to the ADI Check Tests. These changes are to come into effect on 1 March 2009. The second is regarding Data Protection and Identify Theft. We strongly urge you to read both notices and take note as they concern all registered instructors.
Reads:-
Action taken with those that fail to attend a check test
I am sure you will share my concern that although we issued over 27,000 check test
invitations between 1/l/08 and 31/12/08, we were only able to conduct just under 14,000
check tests. Out of the 13,000 tests that didn't take place, 2,051 ADI’s simply didn't bother
turning up for the test and failed to make any contact with us to tell us.
I have decided that in order to make more efficient use of examiner resource and to
ensure the standards of ADI’s are maintained, if an ADI fails to attend a check test without
good reason I will immediately require them to attend a test (a ‘Registrar's Requirement’).
If they subsequently fail to attend this test they could have their name removed from the
Register.
More at the DIA website
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