A Costly Ringtone - Driving hints

A Costly Ringtone!

Drivers who are fined for using their mobile whilst driving will now see their insurance premiums go sky high. One insurance company Allianz is the first company to upgrade this offence to careless driving.

Previously this conviction was the same as speeding - £60 fine, 3 penalty points. Watch out, many insurance companies I am sure will follow suit.

It has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving this came in December 2003.

This last February the original £30 fine was raised to £60 and the driver gets 3 points on their license.

This will bring increased car insurance. The average policy is £629 so if you are convicted of a mobile phone offence your premium could face an increase of £208 per year.

And switching to new insurers may become harder to do.

Very clear evidence suggests you are more likely to have an accident if you use a mobile phone while driving.

It's not worth dying to answer your phone.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Bungay Rotary Club, Driving (Funday) Challenge

Rotary Club of Bungay

Driving (Funday) Challenge

HELPING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER

Bungay Rotary Web Site

Companies must check for safe drivers - Driving hints

Driving hints by Mike Daniels
Dip Di Consultant for Driving to the Corporate Industry

Companies and businesses who are not checking their employees drive safely can now face prosecution a police campaign to reduce the 1,000 fatal crashes each year involving work vehicles.

Police can now investigate whether the company has carried out a check on their drivers, and did company managers and directors have made excessive demand on driver to make their drives to more hours behind the wheel and drive tired (this is car and van driven not HGV who would be protected by Tachograph or should be).

Since April 2008 companies can be prosecuted under new Corporate Manslaughter Act, if death caused by negligence.

20 people and 250 are seriously injured each week in crashes while driving for work.
This also includes company drivers driving their own private vehicle on company business. Get your own drivers checked just a one to one assessment could save your company thousands of pounds. 40% of crashes are related to tiredness while driving for work.

In the UK we have over 3 million company cars, a further 1 million private cars used on company business, 33% of company cars are involved in collisions each year.

• MAKE YOUR DRIVERS SAFE
• DONT GET CAUGHT OUT
• RAISE YOUR COMPANY'S PROFILE
• PREVENT THE FINES.

Over 8,000 people are injured in crashes involving parked cars at night.
If your have to park in the road at night you must stop close to the kerb facing the direction of the traffic.
When the speed limit is more than 30mph or within 10 metres of a junction you must leave your lights on.

Highest at risk on our roads:
Pedal Cyclists - Aged 9 to 14
Motocyclists - Aged 17 to 20
Car drivers - Aged 17 to 25
where more accidents occur in these groups.

On a Lighter Note:

Have you ever thought how does the driver of a snow plough get to work in the morning.

Why do speedometers in cars measure speed well beyond the engine performance and well beyond the maximum legal limit.

A driver is feeling secure driving a BMW amongst a cluster of cars all travelling at about the same speed but got stopped for speeding on the M4 motorway. The police officer handed him a ticket but before leaving the car driver asked, "I know I was speeding, but its not fair, there were plenty of other cars speeding around me going just as fast, why did I get a ticket?".

"Ever go fishing?", the officer asked.

The man replied "Yes".

The officer smiled and grinned, "did you catch all the fish?".

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Tel: Bungay 01986 893025
Mobile: 07860 452421

Click here to read Mike’s Blog Editorial
or visit web sites www.danielsdrivertraining.co.uk
www.accidont.co.uk

Driving (Funday) Challenge 21st June, Bungay Rotary Club

Rotary Club of Bungay
Driving (Funday) Challenge

to be held on
Bungay Middle School
Playground

10am to 1pm
Saturday 21st June 2008

* * Free Admission * *

Driving Skills Test
Car Displays
On Road Assessments
Motorcycle Displays
Car Maintenance
Refreshment Stalls

* * WIN * *
THE DRIVER OF THE DAY
AWARD

Bring your own Vehicle together with
Photocard/Licence and Paper Counterpart
Old Licence with ID Photo Passport
Insurance Plus MOT Certificate

HELPING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER
Bungay Rotary Web Site

Are you doing it with your eyes shut? - Driving hints

Driving hints by Mike Daniels
Dip Di Consultant for Driving to the Corporate Industry

Are you doing it with your eyes shut?

Researchers have just released that one in ten people driving for work have admitted they fall asleep at the wheel. This is a very serious statement, just to nod off for a second or two while driving CAN KILL.

Just remember if you are travelling at 60 m.p.h. your vehicle will travel 88 feet per second. Six people die every week in the UK in road collisions caused by tired drivers.

Just try walking 88 feet with your eyes closed - not a nice feeling, is it.

'BRAKE' the Road Safety Charity and Brakedown Specialist Green Flag who carried out the survey states one of the main causes is drivers not getting enough sleep the night before, they are urging companies to make sure all drivers set realistic times to get to appointments and deliveries, ensure they are fit, had enough rest and have regular breaks, such as 20 minutes in every 2 hours of driving.

During the working week I am fortunate to sit with Company drivers to assess their drivers through Health and Safety at Work, this WILL be a legal requirement from the 6th April 2008 that all Company Directors and Managers are aware of their drivers abilities, taking care of them, making sure they have a Safe Driving Policy in place protecting themselves from Corporate Manslaughter if ever any of their drivers are involved in a road traffic collision.

The drivers and companies I meet are lovely people, very much aware, but many drivers are pushed to their limits to make more calls per day, more paperwork, more targets, more stress, more hours behind the wheel, making them very tired (these are car and van drivers).

Surely there is just another day tomorrow, lets all reduce the pressure and slow down.

As you drive home from work in the evening, just think how many hours has the driver been behind the wheel coming towards you. That could be frightening.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Photo Driving Licences up for Renewal - driving hint

Photo Driving Licences up for Renewal

10 YEAR cycle coming to an end

The FIRST photo licences MUST be renewed in JUNE 2008

DVLA will charge £17.50p and it is a legal requirement.

The first people to receive photo licences in July 1998 are reminded to renew them or they will become invalid.

Photo licences only last 10 years.

More than 27 MILLION photocard licences have been issued during this 10 year period.

The DVLA WILL REMIND you by letter but many drivers may have changed address this is an offence if the DVLA have not been informed.

Drivers must also renew their Photo and surrender the old licence or face a £1,000 Fine...

YES your looks may have changed during 10 years!

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Rain and More Rain - Driving hints

Rain and More Rain!

With the lighter evenings and Spring/Summer now with us the people in the world of weather, yes the meteorologists, are predicting changing weather during the coming weeks very unsettled and cyclonic.

By doing this a warning must go to all road users when travelling, especially in wet weather.

It is said that a third of all fatal road crashes in the UK happen on wet or flooded roads.

When changing weather occurs such as heavy downpour this creates hazardous road conditions and reduces visibility.

The month of April is usually a rainy month with sudden downpours followed by bursts of sunshine, but the warning is that these weather patterns can reach into May and June.

This combination of sun and showers spells real danger for drivers so it is important we are all well prepared.

Sunshine reflects off water - causing glare and loss of visibility.

So here are a few spring driving tips:

- Expect and prepare for changing weather before you travel.

- Be aware of stopping distances being twice as long in the wet, allow a good 4 second following distance behind the vehicle in front, allow ample breaking distance, prevent skidding and avoid aquaplaning.

- Use maximum vision ahead, keep the windscreen clean.

- Check to replace worn or defective wiper blades, repair or replace chipped windscreens which could cause distractions.

- Make sure your screen wash is well supplied and working.

Driving in heavy rain is very hazardous and can challenge even the most experienced drivers.

Drivers should respect the conditions, slow down give themselves time to see and react to all hazards such as flooding. Watch for pedestrians, do not splash them. Leave more room from vehicle in front.

Just something to remember, not only cars can be recalled by their maker!

It is 14 times safer to go by train,
and 2.5 times safer to go by bus,
than it is to take the car.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Driving Alert: Watch Out, MORE Deer About!

Deer Alert

Motorists have been warned to be alert as the number of deer straying onto rural roads hits an annual peak.

Across the UK more than 150 people are killed or injured in collisions involving deer every year, the AA said.
May is said to be the time of year when young deer leave breeding areas and road incidents involving deer are 25% higher then at any other time.

The AA said the A134 at Thetford Forest on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, was a deer crash hotspot.
The organisation urged drivers to heed warning signs.

According to the AA's figures 14 crashes a year involving deer occur in Suffolk.

"Something between 40,000 and 75,000 deer are killed on the road every year when hit by cars and those same collisions will kill or injure 150 people," Andrew Howard, of the AA, told the BBC.

"There's a huge band that runs across basically from The Wash to the Isle of Wight where they're most common and when talking about Suffolk, the Thetford Forest area, the area that runs south-east from there is a particularly highly dense area against the rest of Britain."

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Insurance Quotes! - Driving hints

Insurance Quotes!

Have you ever thought how stressful it might be sorting out insurance claims, one insurance company received the following:

"The accident happened because I had one eye on the lorry in front, one eye on the pedestrian and the other on the car behind."

"I had been driving for 40 years when I suddenly fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident."

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

Don't Slip a Disc! - driving hint

Don't Slip a Disc!

Since it has been possible to renew tax discs on line some drivers have been displaying the new tax disc as soon as they have received it, instead of waiting until the first day of the following month, the following is the legal position and it applies as much to tax discs displayed too early as to discs which are out of date.

To display a tax disc which is not current creates an offence under section 33 of THE VEHICLE AND EXCISE REGISTRATION ACT 1994. To avoid this the vehicle must have a current tax disc fixed to and exhibited on it. Non display is classified as a motoring offence and incurs a penalty fine. The responsibility for displaying a current tax disc lies with the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

How often do you eat out? - Driving hints

How often do you eat out?

It has been revealed one in seven drivers who drive for work have admitted to eating a meal at least once a week while driving.

Companies urge their drivers not to eat while on the move behind the wheel.

It is dangerous to multi-task when driving, this can reduce reaction times by 29%.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T
D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

The New Buzzword for 2008 is Eco-Safe - Driving hints

The New Buzzword for 2008 is Eco-Safe

Perhaps you can remember back in the days of swampy and the reading by pass protest this suspect eco driving needs to be taken seriously.

What look did people give 20 years ago when you said you would be selling bottled water to the British and this would be a good investment.

What about the day you would be able to enjoy a drink in a smoke free pub!

So now our driving needs to be changed, different techniques to help climate change and your pocket with ever increasing fuel costs what about the benefits of forward planning and selecting gear changes.

What about training to slow to flow when approaching moving hazards this is the hallmark of today's eco-driver.

A few weeks ago I was staying away in Berkshire training company drivers at the guest house a fellow resident was outside defrosting his car - engine running fast, heavy smoke leaving the exhaust system - heater on, rear de-mister on.

As he stood there I asked if he wanted to borrow some de-icer, he replied
"no thank you, its bad for the environment".

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies,
please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Passing Your Test, Then and Now - Driving hints

PASSING YOUR TEST

My dad passed in 10 lessons, this is my 45th driving lesson!

This is something heard everyday, and yes over 30 years ago this was true - drivers passed in a short time.

Wondering why it now takes people so long now?

Well the test is now 40 minutes long, during the 70's and before we saw a 25 minute test.

Before 1999 test candidates could make unlimited driver faults, any serious or dangerous fault of course would have failed.

But now you can only make 15 driver faults even not being serious or dangerous if 16 faults this leads to a fail.

Counting the amount of times a test candidate misses a mirror check - or roll back a fraction on a hill, it is so easy to get 15 faults in 40 minutes.

The test now has more manoeuvre's, 15 years ago no one had to be tested with reverse parking, I wonder how many of the early 70's drivers would say yes to be able to park at test standard.

To raise the driving standards, to reduce the high number of accidents, the test is now much stricter.

Traffic has increased.

Can you remember in the early 70's, did we see families with 2 or 3 cars to each family.

We now see very high insurance costs.

The family car may not be available for young Billy to practice in.

The only car is the training car.

Could your dad pass the test today in 10 lessons? If the answer is 'No', then why not.

Remember this is still only a basic minimum standard test in today's driving scene, but needs lots of practice.
Are we really ready for the open road in a lethal weapon on wheels, a killer in the wrong hands, drivers with the wrong attitude, have you really been prepared - what about skid control - did you ask your instructor to train you on a motorway after passing your test (learner drivers are not allowed to drive on motorways).

Do you really feel prepared?

Have you thought how nice it will be for your parents to see you reach a good old age?

So next time you hear the phrase:
"I only took 10 lessons to pass"

Always remember they probably would need a lot more now to get to the standard of today's driving test.

If you are learning to drive, then don't forget that spending up to £1,000 to pass will still be the cheapest part of your driving career.

Insurance and car purchase will cost £1,000s

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies, please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Motoring safety devices - Driving hints

MOTORING SAFETY DEVICES

Each year we see more and more safety devices fitted to new cars:

Anti lock brakes

Tyre pressure monitorings

Emergency brake assist

Electronic stability programmes

Traction control

Hill decent controls

Side airbag curtains

But we must always remember however many safety features fitted to a car the most important safety item in a car is:

A TRAINED DRIVER!

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide.
Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies, please don't let us meet you by Accident . . .

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Are your Eyes ON DIP or MAIN BEAM? - Driving hints

Are your Eyes ON DIP or MAIN BEAM?

Driver training takes me all round the UK, only last week travelling to a company to deliver theory and practical training for some of their 300 drivers. The time 7pm on the way to Crawley near Gatwick airport using the M11 and M25 this was the best route as I had just completed a driver seminar at Cambridge.

The day had seen very bad for fog patches and tonight it was clamping down, very poor visibility fog signs flashing - speed limits down from 70mph to 40mph (still fast for conditions). I could not believe the number of drivers - speeding - overtaking into a wall of fog, just past Dartford crossing a rear end shunt five vehicles heavily damaged, my goodness these should be the safest roads all the traffic going in the same direction - no oncoming traffic.

Lots of drivers in a poor sense of security sitting in smooth running cars - powerful - feeling comfortable, not feeling the sense of speed.

I wonder if their Eyes were ON DIP or MAIN BEAM?

An expression I always like to think of.

Have you noticed drivers at garage forecourts for instance - they may well have been driving a long time - stopped for petrol - walk into shop to pay, their head is down - chin nearly touching chest - and Yes their eyes are on dip, they probably walk into you as you are walking out of the shop.

What a worry. Lets move into the Daylight hours.

Our normal visual awareness is perfect for us all to walk at a normal walking pace. But do we really learn to enlarge our visual awareness to move safe at speed.

We must all be effective drivers.

Expert drivers can record more eye movement than an average driver.

So many drivers stare at one point they miss seeing the 'Big Picture'.

Do not move your eyes at random.

In busy town centres your eyes must move evenly across and through your whole field of vision. If you find you have no time to see all the important areas around you - you are going too fast, your speed will be unsafe - slow down.

Don't let speed exceed your scanning ability. To improve your driving and make it more interesting is to look ahead - planning.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Many drivers look no further than a point they will reach in a few seconds.

You must look ahead at least 30 seconds, this is a distance of half a mile or more on a motorway - what a thought, yes honest.

When you are driving in a queue do you find you are looking at the rear of the vehicle in front.

How do you feel when the brake lights come on? Yes from time to time that driver brings his foot from the gas pedal to brake, its taking a fifth of a second for the brake light bulb to light up.

Many people at work. (reading - writing - using a computer - watching tv) Involve the vision that's just a central field of view.

So many people get a habit of forgetting their peripheral vision - all round bigger picture.

Scan mirrors for best view, a door mirror can give you more view on bends than the interior mirror.

Just using your peripheral vision alone can get you safely and accurately steering through bends, why not try it.

Join Mike on "The Mainbean (Eyes)" Driving Workshop.

Never Driver Faster Than Your Guardian Angels can Fly

Raising The Eyes = A Higher Standard of Driver

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide. Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies please dont let us meet you by Accident....... Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Price increases for Learners - driving hint

Price increases for Learners

As from 1st April 2008 the cost of a car/motorcycle Theory Test will be £30 (present price £28.50).

The car practical Driving Test will be:
weekdays £56.50, out of hours - £67.00 (present price £48.50).

Extended Test:
weekdays £113.00, out of hours £134.00.

The motorcycle test as from 29th September 2008 will be £80, this test is being revamped with a new off road element before riders can move onto the road element.

Road safety does not come cheap and it must never do so.

We see the prices D.S.A are charging for the driving tests and driving lessons and training are now following suit.

The average amount now spent on passing a driving test is £1000.

The D.S.A recommends 40 hours minimum training with a professional instructor and at least 20 hours private practice.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide. Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies please dont let us meet you by Accident.......

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Take a Hint!

Take a Hint!

A Sign of the Times - driving hint

Be Aware of Ice!

A Sign Of The Times

I feel I must comment on a story in the Beccles and Bungay Journal weekend 15th February.

The story was a report from a member of the public who had commented on the bad icy road between Ditchingham and Loddon.

He had heard of 26 accidents and how shaded areas of trees make the road stay icy until late mornings.

I have driven this road many times and there are many places where black ice covers the road especially started by water running from the fields.

It is only a matter of time when these conditions will result in a fatality.

In the paper report contact was made to local councillor Adrian Gunson who said the trees and road had been inspected, the trees being on private land could not be cut or pulled down by the Highways Dept, also saying you can get black ice on all roads, and that this was a road not gritted as it is in the country. He mentioned over 2000 miles of road are gritted at a cost of 2.5 million to 3 million pounds per year.

Mr Gunson carried on by saying people do have to recognise there are hazards on rural roads and we cannot put signs everywhere that there might be black ice. This really amazes me . . . why in the highway code do we have a road sign in a red warning triangle to warn of ice on roads?

This is one of the signs learner drivers have to learn for their theory driving test, and during their driving life they may never see one on the side of the road.

So surely Mr Gunson this is a warning sign which should be placed everywhere to warn drivers of icy hazards. Thank goodness we have stop and give way signs at junctions (icy sign just as important).

We must all work to make our roads safer, or do we feel guilty after someone has died because signs did not make them aware of potential hazards?

So come on Norfolk County Council please erect the signs on this country road which is a very well use road. It's better before the event, and it's your duty.

Of course we must remind ourselves of the Corporate Health and Safety Bill . . . no salt on icy road, someone says it's not an important enough road . . . watch for the claims coming in!

Only last week I commented on the lack of driving experience our young drivers are getting, no snow, very little fog, where they are getting trained for a life skill of driving, but not seeing the signs of the time to help them.

Oh . . . just another little gripe. How about fitting the cats eyes back onto the road which have been missing awhile but are greatly missed on our foggy days.

One advert showing at the present time says "You find more flowers in the countryside", yes this is bunches of flowers near to street furniture - lampposts - road signs - trees - telegraph poles because someone has left the road and been killed (which usually happens near to someone's home). Over 400 single vehicle accidents per year where people have been killed.

So lets have more signs, and less flowers. Surely it is cheaper to place signs as a prevention than suffer the high costs of a road traffic collision (RTC).

Join one of Mikes Driving Workshops where driving on ice is covered.

Mike Daniels AcciDON'T - Making drivers safer world wide. Retraining Drivers for Insurance Companies please dont let us meet you by Accident.......

Mike Daniels and AcciDON’T

Now You See Me, Now You Don't! - driving hint

F O G means FOOT OFF GAS!

Now You See Me, Now You Don't!

Only the other day I commented on the lack of bad weather which is not teaching our younger drivers the proper skills of survival on our UK roads, very little snow, ice and fog, but what lovely sunny days we have been getting.

Working in Reading and Bracknell area's driving around in the latest Audi 6 (if you have been pondering over whether to buy one, the answer is yes), what a car; so flexible, the handling is superb, but lets talk more of that at a later date.

It does not matter what car you have there is nothing to help you cope with the very low sun, shining through the trees causing dazzle on the roads, at many points the vision is completely lost, so slow down, lower the window to hear of any traffic, watch for pedestrians walking towards you on your side of the road.

How nice to be in such lovely weather, but driving home later in the day and early evening, what have we now got, yes, fog really dense in places, but nothing seems to have changed, drivers with NO lights on, some with only side lights, drivers travelling much too close, not slowing down, and as the hours tick by distances to stop has really decreased.

Everybody in a hurry to get home, all in a bubble containing the false sense of security. Fog restricts vision, we all know we have less time to adjust to hazards and how to avoid them, but everybody pushes along regardless.

In thick fog on motorways it is easy to pick up speed because you cannot see how quickly you are approaching and passing things, don't treat the lights in front as a lighthouse, and just follow them.

At junctions lower windows to hear, be very careful turning right, especially across dual carriageways, don't miss use fog lamps, all cars in Europe must have front and rear fog lamps fitted, and as the name suggests for use in fog and not slightly misty weather, drivers in the UK can only legally use them in fog and falling snow, if the visibility is below 100 metres.

Sadly you can't rely on other drivers being sensible, all you can do is be on the defensive, give yourself more time to avoid them, and drive in a way that reduces any risk of yourself and others.

If everyone thought of the word 'FOG' it would be a much safer world.

F O G means FOOT OFF GAS!

With our changing weather this is this week's motoring hint, you always hear it first on the 'BLOG'