Browsing Archive: April, 2010
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 30, 2010,
THE government has signalled that it plans to cut the drink driving
limit to
less than a pint of beer or a glass of wine.
Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, expects an official review of the
law to
recommend reducing the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of
blood
to 50mg.
He said he would take this “very seriously” and added: “A strong case
has been
made to have a lower limit.”
A new law on drug driving is also likely amid concern about the number
of
motor... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 30, 2010,
The world’s
first ‘neighbour-to-neighbour’ car rental service lets drivers hire the
vehicle parked just down the street, while taking care of the security
checks and insurance. So what’s the catch?
Your expensive motor sits around most of the day doing nothing. You use
it for
only an hour a day on average, yet it sheds around 60% of its value in
the
first three years of its life, and costs between £3,000 and £5,500 a
year to
run. So isn’t it time it started pulling its w... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 29, 2010,
The new independent drive will be introduced to the UK driving test in a few months time, which will take a good 10 minutes of the exam, something that a lot of learners arent looking forward to. However, on the bright side a manoeuvre will be dropped! Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 29, 2010,
The ABI says new drivers should have classes for at
least a year
|
Learner drivers should take lessons for a minimum of 12 months, the
Association of British Insurers has suggested.
The ABI says the measure could cut up to 1,000 serious
injuries and deaths among UK drivers aged 17-21 each year.
It is also calling for l... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, April 27, 2010,
Fiat will launch a brand new Uno in 2012 - and pictures of
the production car have already leaked out. It's an interesting
revival for the Uno, which was originally launched in 1983 before being
replaced by the Punto supermini in the early 1990s. It's still sold in
Brazil, however. The looks of the new Uno mimic those of the
current Panda, though it's a bigger car and will be more expensive. It
uses the same chassis as the Grande Punto, shortened slightly. The
image of the car leaked ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 25, 2010,
There's no doubt that the cost of motoring is spiralling.
This is especially true of insurance premiums. Research shows that
they've risen by 4.3 percent on average since the start of 2010. But
there's no need to despair, for at the same time small cars are getting
more spacious, greener, cheaper to run and funkier than ever. Here are a
few with plenty of practicality, paucity and prestige (of their own
unique kind). Insurance ratings in the old 1-20 scale are
displayed first with the... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 25, 2010,
Motoring issues rarely feature at the forefront of a
pre-election manifesto, even though transport-based news permeates the
day-to-day agenda. Among some of the biggest stories of the last few
years have been congestion charging, environment-based car tax changes,
unprecedented fuel price rises, and, of course, the scrap scheme. The
cost of motoring is certainly rising, but will it continue unabated
when the next Government comes into power? It's difficult to say for
sure, but here's ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, April 24, 2010,
More bus stops being built right outside of the test centre in both directions, so be careful here. If turning left out of the centre, you'll need the right hand lane, the left is closed. If turning right out of the centre it's not quite so bad. You'll need the right lane too, but you're slowly pushed over just before the large traffic light controlled crossroads. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 23, 2010,
I've been doing some reseach into learning techniques and something interesting has cropped up. The Mozart Effect. It used to be said that by listening to Mozart it could make you smarter. This isn't strictly true. By listening to music that you find stimulating (puts a smile on your face) your body produces a certain chemical that then allows brain cells to produce synaptic pathways 20% quicker. Synaptic pathways is basically how your brain makes memories. The more memories you have of... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 22, 2010,
Temporary traffic lights are in place down Coldharbour Road for a new bus stop to be put in place. Seems like the "in" thing for Bristol this spring. Way too many for my liking, but still, we have to deal with them. So mirrors on approach, and keep focus about position. If you're going to stop, make sure you're on your side of the road and get to the stop line/wait area. If you're going to go through make sure you use your mirrors and change position fairly early so it's more like a stra... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 22, 2010,
Wigan winger Charles
N'Zogbia could face up to 10 years in jail after being arrested on
suspicion of getting someone else to take part of his driving test for
him.
The Frenchman, who scored a last minute winner for his side in
their 3-2 victory over Arsenal on
Sunday, was held by officers on Wednesday at a test centre in Greater
Manc... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, April 21, 2010,
A new speed recognition system is being trialled in the
UK. Called 'SpeedSpike', the latest type of camera uses number plate
recognition to 'track' cars on busy roads. The trial, conducted
by the Home Office and the Police, was secretive until a House of
Commons report unveiled it. The cameras use similar technology to
the average speed check units currently in use on motorways. The
difference is that they can track cars in built up urban areas. If they
find a car has covered a dista... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, April 20, 2010,
If you have ever experienced the frustration of trying to email a friend
on
your iPhone while parked in a dark lay-by, then car makers are about to
come
to your rescue. A new range of models with internet facilities built
into
the dashboard will enable drivers to surf the net, send emails, use
Skype
and call up sites such as Google Maps to get detailed information about
their route and destination. If all they want to do is check out prices
at
the January sales as they drive to th... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, April 19, 2010,
When we announced the results of the Consultation: Improved
Services for Customers and General Fee Increases for 2008 on 19 February
2008 we explained that we intended to provide clarification within the
regulations as to who may act as an accompanying driver for learners
driving category C1 (medium size lorry) and D1 (minibus) vehicles.
Those new arrangements will come into effect on 1 May 2010.
From that date, it will be illegal for anyone to act as an accompanying
driver in a ca... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 18, 2010,
The dual carriageway headig up towards Filton is having some work done to it. One lane is out and the cones and new markings mean that the left hand lane is now the slip road to exit. So if you're beig asked to follow the road ahead past the airport, you'll need to be in the right hand lane. However, I've never heard of anyone going down there on a test, so the eft hand lane is what you'll need to double back on yourself and re-join the dual carriageway.  Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, April 17, 2010,
The Bath Road around Brislington has had some serious work done to it in the last few weeks. Another bus stop is being laid down, this time up near the Grove Park one-way system. This only effects a few routes, coming back towards the centre at the end of the test. This should not be a big problem for a test standard driver, just look out for heavy machinery and men at work.  Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 16, 2010,
Londoners are among the least successful at passing the driving test,
it has been revealed. Candidates from London and the South East
take an average of 2.1 attempts to get through the test, an AA/Populus
survey of 20,109 AA members found. Learners from East Anglia have
the best pass rate - averaging 1.87 attempts before succeeding. The
national average for the UK is 2.0 attempts, with those shunning the
use of instructors taking an average of 2.3 goes. AA Driving
School director Simon Dou... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 16, 2010,
I-kube: The
magic box slashing teen drivers’ premiums
Young motorists
are saving thousands of pounds on their insurance by agreeing to a car
curfew policed by onboard GPS technology
Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 16, 2010,
THE government has signalled that it plans to cut the drink driving
limit to
less than a pint of beer or a glass of wine.
Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, expects an official review of the
law to
recommend reducing the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of
blood
to 50mg.
He said he would take this “very seriously” and added: “A strong case
has been
made to have a lower limit.”
A new law on drug driving is also likely amid concern about the number
of
motor... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 15, 2010,
Congratulations to Andrew for passing today from Brislington test centre with only 3 minors! Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 15, 2010,
Learner flips car on roof
Learner driver Krisztina Jaksa ended her second driving
lesson by crawling out of an upside down car.
The bizarre accident happened in Headington, near Oxford, when the
24-year-old was crossing a junction.
The BSM Fiat 500 she was driving hit a gatepost then flipped onto its
roof, smashing the side windows and windscreen. When local resident
Ross Dunne heard a crash he rushed to the scene and helped Ms Jaksa out
of the car; the instructor was already ge... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, April 13, 2010,
If you're looking for cheap LPG fuel, north Bristol is your best bet. Andy's Gas near Cribbs causeway is only 52p a litre. I was shocked yesterday to find an independent seller near Feeder Road, behind Temple Meads selling at 65p a litre, the same as the service station on the M32, the most expensive fuel in Bristol. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 11, 2010,
A little video has been shot to show how to bay park. Watch it here. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 11, 2010,
I've made a video on how to deal with the twin roundabouts at the end of the dual carriageway. Watch it and read the tutorial here. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 11, 2010,
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, April 10, 2010,
Shirehampton road in Sea Mills square is being resurfaced at the moment. Temporary traffic lights are in place to make it simple. Do be aware of the parked cars on ether side of the road and make sure if you stop next to one that you aren't massively reducing the width of the road.  Just up from here is a tricky crossroad junction. Have a look here to make sure you know how to take it. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, April 10, 2010,
Cheap as chips luxury cars for £5,000
If you're willing to sacrifice the look of a newer number
plate and spend a little more on fuel, a true luxury car can be yours
for buttons. We're not talking about posh small cars here either, but
genuine executive barges with acres of space and mountains of prestige.
For just £5,000 - about half the price of a basic new Ford Ka. Jaguar
XJ
Search
for Jaguar XJs on Yahoo! Cars The Jaguar XJ might have a
slightly tarnished reputation, having become ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 9, 2010,
Just incase anyone wasn't aware ... when you see the stop sign with the stop line and the word stop on the floor you're being asked to STOP! Forget early observations, forget arriving in 1st gear. dip the clutch, use the brake, stop at the line, put the hand brake on and POM. Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 8, 2010,
The approach to the Hick's Gate roundabout from the test centre is splattered in cones. I think a bus stop is being put in and the whole area is down to one lane in both directions in part. Be careful as it's a 50 mph zone, so don't be caught out or slam on any brake. A mirror check will be in order with any large reduction in speed and follow the cones. Once the cones end, you may need to come back into the left if turning/bearing left at the roundabout, so MSM will be called for here.  ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 8, 2010,
The bottom of the Bath Road on the way to town as you leave the test centre has a few cones and some work going on. Bus stops are being put in on the up hill section and so is narrowing the width of the road a little. Nothing too major here, just be careful and on the look out for men at work.  Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 8, 2010,
UK petrol prices set to hit all-time high
Average cost expected to exceed 120p
per litre, say experts
UK PETROL prices are set to hit an all-time high in
the near future, the AA has warned.
With hundreds of garages
across the UK charging more than 120p per litre for unleaded petrol, the
Association says we should expect the aver... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 8, 2010,
Cost of driving 'up 20% since 2007'
Motorists have seen running costs rise by
8.6 per cent in the past five months, according to the figures.
Wednesday, 07, Apr 2010 10:43 By myfinances.co.uk staff
The cost of driving has risen by 20% in the past three yea... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 8, 2010,
On the 20th of June it looks like it's not worth getting in the car due to too many cyclists on the streets that road tax payers pay for!
Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride confirms date for 2010 event
Some 7000 cyclists took part in Bristol's Biggest
Bike Ride 2009
|
The date has been set for Bristol's
17th annual Biggest Bike Ride, with this year's event... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, April 7, 2010,
A nice little website to help find the cheapest fuel near you - petrolprices.com Your search for BS9 2HB found 98 petrol stations
within 10 miles.
Including your 2 closest stations: Somerfield Falcondale (Texaco), and
Petrol Express Henleaze (Texaco).
|
Unleaded |
Diesel |
LRP |
Super |
LPG |
see
the cheapest stations |
| The Highest price
in this area: |
126.9p |
127.9p |
n/a |
132.9p |
61.9p |
| The Average price
in this area: |
119.6p |
120.2p... |
Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, April 7, 2010,
Fuel duty goes up by 1p - win free petrol for year!
With petrol prices heading for a record high of
£1.20 a litre, a 1p fuel duty increase on 1st April, followed by a
further 1p increase later in the year, uSwitch is offering you the
chance to win £1,800 – equivalent to a year’s worth of petrol.
 All you have to do to enter is come and get
a car insurance quote – it’s as simple as that!
... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, April 7, 2010,
10 essential things to do before buying a used car
Buying a new car is far less daunting than buying used, so
it seems. For a start, there's the welcoming environment of a shiny
showroom full of gleaming cars. More importantly, there's also the peace
of mind of a brand new car and the long warranty that comes with it. By
comparison, used cars are a minefield of dodgy forecourts, 'sold as
seen' runabouts and suspicious odometer readings. That's not the
reality, mostly, but buying used i... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, April 2, 2010,
Introducing DSA’s National Driving and Riding
Standards
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published its National Driving
and Riding Standards. They set out the knowledge, skills and
understanding that DSA believe people need to have to be safe and
responsible drivers or riders.
They can be found on the DSA website by going to the DSA homepage
> Policy, guidance and research > DSA core driving standards.
In this area you’ll also be able to view the Competence Frameworks... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 1, 2010,
Congratulations to James for passing first time today from Southmead test centre. James picked up 6 minors, which is fantastic after only needing 25 hours from start to finish. Enjoy your new found freedom and the congratulatory mug! Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 1, 2010,
Right to appeal against a decision made by the
Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Registrar
The Driving Standards Agency has published on the Business Link
website, a new factsheet advising about the rights of appeal to the
independent Transport Tribunal, concerning decisions of the ADI
Registrar. It can be accessed via:
Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, April 1, 2010,
Changes to ID requirements for driving tests and
Driver CPC periodic training
DSA has been working closely with the Identity and Passport Service
(IPS) so we can accept UK Identity Cards issued by IPS as an alternative
means by which candidates may confirm their identity for all types of
driving tests and Driver CPC periodic training.
Candidates for driving tests and periodic training need to produce
evidence of their entitlement to drive the relevant vehicle and prove
their iden... Continue reading ...
|
Will Dracott
| A-Class Driving School |
| Bristol |
This blog is for everyone and anyone who has an interest in driving. We have all the latest from the DSA, High Way Code news, Motoring Headlines and Car Reviews. If you're a learner, motorist or driving instructor, we welcome your input in the topics we bring you.
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