Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 26, 2010,
Chandag road, just off the Bath Raod by the Esso station. As soon as you make the turn into it you'll see the temporary traffic lights. They have a camera at each end and so chage according to what they see with the potentail to change very quickly. Make sure you check those mirrors as it's a massive change in position to go around the comes.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 24, 2010,
One of the big issues that newly qualified drivers have is being on their own. Not having that voice telling you where to go can lead to recently qualified drivers getting lost and confused. The Pass Plus would help with this, however, the DSA has taken some inititive here and has produced a few YouTube videos to help put drivers at ease.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 24, 2010,
From April this year, when starting the driving test each student will be asked by the examiner if they would like have an observer sitting in the back. The DSA is hoping that the number of learners wanting this will dramatically rise from the 18,000 that sat in the back last year. The aim is that instructors then can see the test and understand the feedback at the end if the student fails and then in future lessons can target any issues, strengthening the learner in that department.
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 23, 2010,
I've notied recently that many a learner after coming off the quicker roads (dual carriageways especially) tend to continue driving in the same fashion in one way or another. Either they continue to drive above 30mph or when approaching they wont come down to 15/10mph for any kind of junction so their MSM routine suffers (usually the gear change is absent).
So really try to make a mental note to yourself, after exiting those quicker roads, back to driving at the slower speeds. Same goes for ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 22, 2010,
Heavy rain due on Thursday morning, they have issued a "severe" warning. If you're on your test, make sure you know where the windscreen wipers are and keep a 4 second gap.
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 22, 2010,
Kellaway Road, very close to the horrid cramped up little crossroad, has cones and bollards in the street. The wall has collapsed and is having some emergency work carried out here. The street is narrow enough as it is, so make sure you speed is suitable if someone is coming towards you down here.
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 22, 2010,
The entrance of Wessex road is being dug up, that's a street just off of Gloucester road, opposite a park with a pub on the corner. It could take you a little by suprise if you're not going slow enough as you aproach and turn into the street. The thing that wont help here is that the entrance of Wessex road is down hill, so make sure you arent coasting and have your speed down with the right ready on the footbrake to hold back the speed of the car.
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 21, 2010,
Cleaning items (wheel cleaner, instant valet, slick tyre spray etc), car tools and other car related bits and bobs are super cheap at places like motorman (Southmead and Bedminster), What! (Hengrove), Rajanis (Fishponds) and The Range (St.Phillips Causeway). I couldn't believe how cheap they were at "What!" I walked out today with arms full of goods for less than £10!
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 19, 2010,
I have been writing a tip of the day on twitter, but found it really taxing to get vital driving information in 145 characters, so will be blogging on here instead.
So, first new lengthy tip of the day is ... look after your boot, and your boot will look after you. What is he on about I hear you whisper, well ... spare wheel/tyre. Make sure it's good, make sure it's inflated, make sure you know how to get it on and off. Have you tested your jack? Have you seen it recently? Could you work on... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 17, 2010,
Druid Stoke Avenue is the street with the really posh houses with massive cast iron gates. You've probably done a few turn in the road manoeuvres and the emergency stop down here. On approach to this street there are still lots of road works on the mini roundabout. It's very difficult to see what is going on here, so be careful. The next issue is then turning into Druid Stoke Avenue. Straight away there are more roadworks and diggers and cones etc. Don't switch off, keep focused when ent... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 15, 2010,
One of the pedestrian crossings on Henleaze High Street is having some serious work done to it. It's the exceptionally wide one and it effects road users in both directions. At the centre of the crossing there is a large square of bollards and cones, massively reducing the visibility for drivers seeing if someone is crossing. Proceed with extreame caution. Get this wrong and it could mean failing your exam. Make sure the road works in the centre doesn't distract you so much you ignore pe... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 15, 2010,
The crossroads in Linden Road are having some work done to them, which is a pain seeing as the crossroads are so tight and narrow it's difficult for cars to make much progress. Just be aware that traffic maybe heavy here and diggers and work men may be around, so lots of mirrors and approach with caution.
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 15, 2010,
On approach to the crossroads on Wellington Hill West there are lots of going ons. It's down to one lane with heavy diggers resurfacing the road. I didn't see any traffic lights, so be sure that the coast is clear before moving out onto the wrong side of the street to go around. It's up hill, so pick a low gear and be sure to be firm on the gas to move out and arond the hazard quickly and efficiently.
Lots of digging and road worksa re taking place near crossroads at the moment, take the tes... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 14, 2010,
Not far from the test centre after coming out and turning left, down the road and then turn right at teh bottom of the hill you have School Road. This then turns into Birchwood Road at the top of the hill with a mini roundabout. If you go straight over you'll see a few warning triangles warnign you of some road works up ahead. The next section is pretty bendy, so make sure you check your mirrors AND look down the road to see if your change of position is going to slow anyone down. If some... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 14, 2010,
I've created a few pages on the trouble spots in and around Southmead that students from time to time struggle with. Places include; The portway, Westbury Village, Henbury oneway system and Gloucester Road North/Filton roundabout. If you're learning in Southmead, take the time to read through these pages. When we are in the car, it all happens so quick and you probably can't take it all in, listen to me and concentrate on what is happening next. On these pages there are photos and step by... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 10, 2010,
Congratulations to Samina for passig today with an amazing 2 minors!!! A fantastic effort from her today, she worked ever so hard on her driving. Studied the online driving lessons every day on the run in to her test and took a lesson 5 days running. Just goes to show, if you work hard and want it bad enough, you can do it. Well done once again Samina.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 10, 2010,
I'm guessing it's that time of year when road works start to pop up left right and centre. Sea Mills Lane is down to one lane. As you turn left off Shirehampton Road (coming down the hill with the zebra crossing, the crossroads and little parade of shops) you'll see warning triangles very quickly. Get some mirror checks in to show the examiner you've seen the danger, then goet your speed down. You won't be able to see the road works until it's possibly too late. cars could be coming at y... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 10, 2010,
Two streets away from the test centre, (left and then right at the mini roundabout) you reach Doncaster Road. The left lane is having some serious work done to it and temporary traffic lights are in place. Make sure you use your mirrors and give any work men at least 1 meter when you pas, more if you can. If the gap isn't there, hold back.
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 7, 2010,
David Road in Hengrove is having some major work done to it. haven't been there for a while and was shocked to see the extent of the works being done down here. Lucky for for most of you it's only on one test route, however, if you do find yourself coming down here, make sure you're slow, checking mirrors for any position change and make sure you keep your eyes peeled for heavy work trucks. They may not give way to you!
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 6, 2010,
The traffic light controlled crossroads on Kellaway Road is having a little bit of work done to it at the moment. The work spills into Bishop Road and will only effect those making this turn. Just be aware that potentially pedestrians could be walking in the street, or work men could be moving around without taking too much notice of the traffic, so be careful for that type of road user here.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 6, 2010,
One test route runs down Gloucester Road and at the moment there is a little bit of digging up that may cause a few issues. It's busy enough at the best of times and to make things worse, outside of the sainsburys the zebra crossing is having some work done to it. Lots of cones and people around, so mirrors and proceed with caution. Make sure you really take note of what people on the pavement are intending to do here.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 6, 2010,
The mini roundabout at the end of Druid Hill, just by the park has quiet a lot of barriers and cones surrounding it. The work is on the pavement, however, it does obsure your visibility on approach. So be extra cautious in making sure nothing is coming before emerging.
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