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Welcome to the latest 2pass Newsletter
In this months Issue:-
- New Driving Test Success range for 2012
- Free Prize Draw - October 2011
- Government proposes 80MPH motorway speed limit
- New driving test centre to open in Irvine
- Driving Tip of the Month
- Should We Use Winter Tyres
- Tougher driving test could help cut congestion, MPs say
- Crash Map Launches
- Jersey Plans a Theory Test at 16
- ADI News
How to use online ADI services
1) New Driving Test Success range for 2012
Driving Test Success is published by Focus Multimedia Ltd. It is the UK’s best-selling range of interactive learner driver products.
To date, over 3.5 million copies of Driving Test Success products have been sold. The range is also available on DVD, PC digital downloads, Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and On-line.
2pass and Focus Multimedia have teamed up to offer you some great discounts on the new 2012 range.
From 1st January 2012 the DSA has announced that they will stop publishing the live multiple choice questions used in Theory Tests. These changes will affect learner drivers and motorcyclists, trainee ADIs and LGV/PCV drivers.
It’s vital that candidates study the latest edition of the Highway Code, learn and understand the principles behind all of the official revision questions, and develop their hazard perception skills. These subjects and more besides are fully covered in the new Driving Test Success products.
See the New 2012 Software Range all at reduced prices for 2pass visitors and Free P&P.
2) Free Prize Draw
For the next few months we will be giving you the change to win a free copy of the latest Software from our partners Focus Multimedia.
The October 2011 prize draw is:-
(The Draw will take place on Fri 28th October 2011)
The Complete Theory Test 2012 Edition (New 2012 Edition - PC DVD-ROM)
Driving Test Success has helped over 3.5 million people learn to drive. This comprehensive and easy-to-use software contains all the latest Theory Test questions from the Driving Standards Agency, the people who set the test. Start using it today and you’ll soon gain the essential knowledge you need to pass both parts of the Theory Test with confidence.
Order Now or More Information
3) Government proposes 80MPH motorway speed limit
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour.
The government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.
More information at Department for Transport
4) New driving test centre to open in Irvine
From 31 October, learner drivers in North and East Ayrshire will be able to take their practical driving test at a new test centre in Irvine.
The new centre at Irvine’s Riverside Business Park will replace the nearby practical test centres in Kilmarnock and Saltcoats, which are closing on 27 October. The new premises will offer better facilities for candidates, including a more comfortable waiting area and easier access to parking.
DSA’s chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said:
“The new test centre in Irvine will provide more modern facilities and a much better environment for candidates.
“It’s normal to be nervous before taking a driving test, but we hope that having a more pleasant and comfortable test centre will help to make it a less stressful experience for candidates in Ayrshire.”
The current test centres in Kilmarnock and Saltcoats have insufficient space for candidates waiting to take their tests and no customer toilets. Parking around the test centres is also difficult and there are no areas to conduct the reverse park exercise.
5 ) Driving Tip of the Month
How to do :- An Angle Start
Use the same drill as for moving off straight ahead but now you have to ask yourself, What angle should I move out? How far will this take me into the road?
This video shows the most effective method of moving off at an angle.
DON'T signal and move out regardless.
DON'T sit with the signal showing when you can't move out safely.
Practice makes perfect, so get plenty of practice from a Approved Driving Instructor.
More Video Lessons available from ourVideo Page Index
6) Should We Use Winter Tyres? Millions of drivers in mainland Europe swap from summer to winter tyres between October and March and in some countries it's law to do so. This helps to negotiate roads that might be icy, rutted with compacted snow, wet, or merely dry and cold. Confronted by widely diverse conditions, they find winter tyres a must for extra safety.
Should we use Winter Tyres?
See the video below which shows how winter weather tyres can help keep you safe in winter conditions with demonstrations from TyreSafe.
Insurance
If you do buy winter tyres, most will have a different speed rating, so you’ll need to let your insurer know you’ve fitted them and your insurance costs shouldn’t rise.
It's unlikely that your premium will go down, even if you have improved the vehicle safety with Winter tyres.
If you do find the winter tyres you need, buy a set of four.
Fitting them only to the driven wheels could provoke instability through compound differences, and cause insurance issues.
Stay Legal and Safe
As the driver of a vehicle, you are responsible for ensuring its tyres are safe, legal and in a roadworthy state.
Failure to comply with the minimum regulations can result in fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. This could cost you your licence, or even worse, your life.
Conclusion
Do Winter tyres really make a difference? In a word, yes.
Winter weather tyres are not just for snow and ice but should be fitted for the whole winter period for improved grip and safety.
Winter tyres really come into their own below seven degrees C.
Some modern cars have big alloys and expensive wide low profile tyres. Once the small outlay of a set of steel rims has been made, winter tyres are often cheaper because of their smaller size. While you're driving on winter tyres, your not wearing out your expensive summer tyres, thus saving you money.
7) Tougher driving test could help cut congestion, MPs say
A tougher driving test and more use of real-time traffic information could help tackle congestion and delays on the roads, MPs have suggested.
The Commons transport committee says there also needs to be better co-ordination between councils, highways agencies and maintenance companies.
The MPs were tasked with examining ways of reducing congestion without road building or introducing pricing.
Full Story BBC website
8) Crash Map Launches
A map of the most dangerous roads in Britain has launched with details of more than a million crashes - six year's worth.
If offers horrifying insights into how accidents 'cluster' round certain areas. You simply type in a postcode on CrashMap - then scroll looking for exclamation marks.
In crowded urban areas, there have often been so many accidents you need to 'zoom down' to a detailed view to even see them.
Fatal accidents appear as black, serious as red.
'The BBC did a map of fatalities before - but not of all accidents,' CrashMap creator Dan Campsall, a road safety professional from Northampton.
'This is the most comprehensive yet.'
To start searching visit
www.crashmap.co.uk
9) Jersey Plans a Theory Test at 16
Learner drivers in Jersey could have to pass their theory test before being allowed to learn to drive on the roads.
The 12 parish constables discussed the change at a meeting and said it should make the roads safer.
Currently learners just need a provisional licence to drive on the roads under supervision ready for their practical and theory tests like those in the UK.
In future, they may have to pass the theory test first in order to apply for a provisional licence.
Under the plans, teenagers could apply to sit their theory test up to a year before their 17th birthday so they could still learn to drive from the day they turn 17.
Full Story from BBC website.
Meanwhile in Guernsey the Environment Department has announced it will change the pass mark for car and motorcycle tests from 30 out of 35 questions to 43 out of 50 to bring it in line with the Theory Test on the mainland from 24 October 2011.
10) ADI News
How to use online ADI services
DSA has a range of online services for approved driving instructors (ADI).
They are available from 6.00 am to midnight, seven days a week.
Here’s what you can do online, and where to do it.
Download the quick reference guide (PDF, 316K)
ADIs - Video for online Services and how to login
