2pass Newsletter - June 2006 issue 89


2Pass Newsletter	JUNE 2006 / Issue 89
In this issue: • Driver licensing online • Driving Tip of the Month • UK blocks EU road safety plans • New ‘ANTI-THEFT NUMBER PLATES’ • England flags scaring the horses • Stealing IDs for traffic crime • New drivers deterred by costs • ADI Corner • Cancel your subscription	Driving Tip of the Month Roundabout Lanes and Road Markings On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane. Have a look at our Lesson Video UK blocks EU road safety plans Major road safety measures on drink driving and speed limiters being proposed by the EU have hit a UK roadblock, leaked documents have claimed. The Department for Transport (DfT) has vetoed several proposals in a landmark statement being drawn up by EU ministers, claim documents leaked to the Times. The blocked passages include measures that the DfT has previously said it supports such as speed limiters and harmonisation of European drink-driving levels. It also watered down language, saying "We do not think it is desirable or necessary to be more specific than this about individual measures". Britain has led the way in Europe in reducing road deaths for much of the past twenty years but is now beginning to flag and other countries are rapidly catching up. "It is extremely disappointing to see the UK weakening the text when this country has always sought to be the leader," said Rob Gifford of the parliamentary road safety group. "It seems hypocritical to try and fetter progress on issues such as speed limiters when the UK has already acknowledged that they have a role to play." The government has declined to comment, saying it does not discuss leaked documents. New ‘ANTI-THEFT NUMBER PLATES’ According to police data, an estimated 33,000 number plates were stolen during 2004, with many more thefts going unreported. Many of these plates are subsequently used to disguise vehicles used in serious criminal activity. Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman today unveiled a new weapon in the fight against car crime. The new initiative involves number plates which are resistant to theft, making them less attractive to criminals and helping to combat car cloning and car ID theft. Full Report from the DVLA Website
Driver licensing online Applying for a provisional driving licence online is the latest service the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has launched for its customers. Over the coming months DVLA will introduce a number of services to make getting a driving licence quicker and easier for you. More England flags scaring the horses say police Police in Hampshire have warned flag-flying drivers that patriotic exuberance during major sporting tournaments is no defence against charges of dangerous driving. Apparently straight faced officers warned that flags could become dangerous "missiles" if they became unattached and that the "loud fluttering" noise they produce startles horses. "If there is a serious health and safety issue it needs to be taken seriously," Mark Perryman of the England fans supporters' club told the Guardian. "But I was at Old Trafford for England's last match and about 25 per cent of the cars carried flags. I didn't see any of them flying off and blinding people." Elsewhere, Tesco has removed a ban on its drivers flying the flag after pressure from staff and members of the public.
Stealing IDs for traffic crime Fraudsters are stealing dead people's identities to avoid paying parking and congestion charges, a government report has warned. More than 5,400 disabled badges in Merseyside, London and Manchester have been cancelled after the National Fraud Initiative found that their registered holders were dead. In one case four badges had gone on to be used 347 times after their original holders had died. The report claimed that the badges are sold for around £500 on the black market. Six people in Liverpool have so far been prosecuted and 23 investigations are ongoing. Guilty drivers face fines of up to £2,500. The Audit Commission, which runs the National Fraud Initiative, is now offering to sweep all local authority records. New drivers deterred by motoring costs The spiralling cost of motoring is putting young adults off purchasing their first car, according to a survey. Direct Line Insurance said that the cost of owning and using a car is putting off 43 per cent of non-driving 18-25 year olds - while as much as 25 per cent of licensed drivers do not own their own car. The high cost of living young has put many off motoring, with university, debt and low wages proving to be unavoidable expenses for many young people - leaving little for a set of wheels, insurance and fuel costs. Spokesperson Emma Holyer said: "It's expensive for anyone getting on the road for the first time and we see many youngsters driving their parents' car for the first few years." > 2pass have teamed up with Cardata and compiled a list of used cars for sale in the ‘small car’ category. Finding your first car couldn’t be easier, search through the thousands for sale on the Cardata website More		ADI CORNER FRANCHISEES BEWARE! Driving schools often promise the world to potential franchisees but fail to deliver. In the wake of some high profile disputes, solicitor Gareth Hicks offers some essential ‘look but don’t leap’ advice to ADIs. More from DIA News CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECKS FOR ADIs CRB checks start later this year. The thoughts at present are that there will be checks at 3 stages: When a PDI seeks a trainee licence At first registration At each 4-yearly re-registration There will be no additional cost to ADIs from the DSA for carrying out these initial checks, as the cost on this occasion, will be met from past surpluses on the ADI account. However, in the future these costs (currently £36 per disclosure) will have to be met by ADIs either directly or covered indirectly through registration fees. More from DIA News
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