The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have confirmed that they are in the process of updating the clips in the Hazard Perception Test, with the aim of introducing them into the test by the end of 2013.

The current clips were created by filming developing hazards in a variety of road and traffic situations using a specially adapted car with a camera. The hazards in them are still relevant, but the image quality is not as clear or defined as is available today.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants you to have a look at samples of new hazard perception clips that have been computer generated. It means DSA can introduce hazards that would be hard to film safely – particularly those involving vulnerable road users.

This months Competition comes from Avanquest and they are giving you the chance to win their latest software
Driving Test Premium Edition 2011/2012 (New - PC DVD-ROM)
(The Draw will take place on Monday 9th April 2012)

There is a call for the government to encourage young people to learn driving skills before they are old enough to hold a licence.

The Institute of Advanced Motoring believes a lack of driving experience, rather than age, is the reason one in 10 young drivers crash within a year of passing their test.

A number of companies are now offering courses for children as young as 11, in the hope that giving them early driving experience might ultimately make them safer on the road.

There are fears more accidents will happen on Britain's motorways when learners are allowed to drive on them later this year.

At the moment it is illegal to get behind the wheel on motorways in the UK until after passing the driving test.

Roads minister Mike Penning says he plans to change that by the summer.

There are no plans to make learning to drive on motorways compulsory, as some people who live in rural areas would have a long way to travel for the training.
You would have to be with a qualified instructor in a dual controlled car.
The change would apply across England, Wales and Scotland.
The Northern Ireland Assembly says it is considering it too and will announce a decision soon.

Lane discipline on Motorways

Lane discipline is vitally important on motorways. You should normally drive in the left-hand lane.

Don't use the middle lane just because you're travelling at speed.

In this video John Stapleton looks into why people do it and what effects it has on the driver hogging the lane and other road users.

Practice makes perfect, so get plenty of practice from a Approved Driving Instructor.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is bringing practical driving tests back to Warrington as part of a trial to provide a more local service for candidates.

The former driving test centre in Warrington closed in 2008 when a new multi-purpose test centre opened in St Helens, but from 5 March DSA will begin testing on a temporary basis from the Paddington House Hotel on Manchester Road.

The Association of Train Operators has said that ‘a generation of young people’ has turned to rail travel as ‘rocketing motoring costs’ have made cars an ‘unaffordable luxury’.
Figures published by ATOC show that ‘record numbers of young people’ have a 16-25 Railcard and their journeys have increased by 60% since 2007.

There were over 1.2million 16-25 Railcard holders last year, almost a third higher than the 950,000 who had a Railcard in 2005.
Figures also show that there were almost 250,000 fewer 17 to 25-year olds taking their driving test last year than in 2005, an 18% drop.

Edward Welsh, a spokesperson for ATOC said:
“A generation of 16-25 year olds has been quick to see train travel as an affordable, reliable alternative to a car that has the added bonus of never having to worry about asking mates to chip in with petrol money.”

A £1.2 million THINK! campaign urging drivers to see the person behind the motorcycle helmet was launched this month by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

The TV adverts will show bikers with flashing neon signs attached to their bikes. The signs show the rider’s name and information about them such as ‘shy retiring type’ or ‘new dad’. The voiceover at the end asks drivers to look out for motorcyclists next time they are out driving.

The campaign was informed by research showing that drivers are more likely to notice motorcyclists on the roads if they know a biker themselves.

Click the image below to watch the Video

British motorists are shouldering the heaviest tax burden in the EU at the pumps, official figures reveal.

Sixty per cent of the price of unleaded petrol and 58 per cent of the cost of diesel is made up of duties and VAT in Britain, the highest percentages in the European Union.

The figures show that the soaring tax take has made overall diesel pump prices in Britain the highest in the EU, while the price of unleaded petrol is the eighth highest.

The mid-January price for diesel in the UK was 141.3p a litre. But without tax and duties, it would be only 59.8p. Unleaded petrol cost 132.9p, although without tax and duties it would be a much more manageable 52.8p.

Even since the analysis was completed, pump prices have continued to soar.
At the weekend one garage on the M6 was spotted selling diesel for 150p a litre.

Renewing your ADI registration just got easier
You can now give the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) permission to use your photocard driving licence photo for your approved driving instructor (ADI) certificate. This makes renewing your ADI registration quicker and easier than ever before.