Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, November 24, 2012,
In :
Learning
The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. It's essential reading for everyone. Here's a reminder about driving in wet and windy weather.
Rule 121
Brakes affected by water. If you have driven through deep water your brakes may be less effective. Test them at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal to make sure that they work. If they are not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly. This will help to dry them out.
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, November 22, 2012,
In :
Learning
New videos on the website regarding the turn in the road and the reverse around the corner. Here's the new turn in the road video with commentary. More available in the tutorials section on the site.
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, November 18, 2012,
In :
Motoring news
CAR PRODUCTION increased last month, official figures showed today.
There were 137,028 cars made in the UK in October - a 6.5% rise on the October 2011 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
Commercial vehicle (CV) production also rose last month - going up 5% to 11,899 - while engine production increased 1.2% to 239,011.
The latest figures took the year-so-far car production total to more than 1.22 million - a 9.7% rise on the January-October 2011 figure.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, November 14, 2012,
In :
Learning
WITH temperatures falling and the risk of accidents increasing, driver training organisation IAM Drive & Survive has produced a short guide to staying safe on the roads this winter.
Head of training, Simon Elstow explains: “Now is the time to start thinking about how to adapt your driving to the wintry weather, so that when conditions become dangerously slippery you are ready to react safely.”
Elstow has seven tips to drive confidently in icy conditions:
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, November 10, 2012,
In :
Motoring news
AS MANY as 300,000 vehicles a year in the UK suffer a mis-fuelling mishap, and only half of owners, 150,000, are able to claim the cost back on their insurance, according to a survey.
New figures from Halfords has revealed more drivers than ever are mixing up diesel and petrol at the pumps and filling up with the wrong fuel. They suffer a hefty bill to get their cars back on the road which can vary from £500 up to £3000.
The increasingly common gaffe has come as many motorists switch from pet... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, November 1, 2012,
In :
Driving Test Info
The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales. It's essential reading for everyone. Here's a reminder about driving in fog.
When driving in fog you should:
use your lights as required keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. Rear lights can give a false sense of security be able to pull up well within the distance you can see clearly. This is particularly important on motorways and dual carriageways, as vehicles are travelling faster use your windscreen wipers and demisters bewa... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 10, 2011,
In :
Driving Test Info
The crossroads on Shirehampton Road are being dug up and a 4 way traffic light system has been put in. The extra traffic isn't helpful for most of us, but if you're on your test this could infact be really useful, specially coming from the side roads onto the main one as this can sometimes be very busy indeed.
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, November 19, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Will it ever end? I've even got students commenting on the non-stop digging up of this road now. Nothing too mega here this time, but the huge amount of traffic it's causing means you'll have to focus, remeber that 2 second rule even in slow traffic, watch where all the other cars go, usually experienced road users will pick up the new path you have to travel quickly.
When heading back to the test centre, coming from the direction of town, just before you get to the one way system on Brist... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, September 17, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
The first roundabout you come to if you were to head north from the Hick's Gate roundabout is having some lane extension at the moment, which means the usual two lanes that once exisited on the roundabout look a little different. The lane closest to the roundbaout is out and the over-run lane, which had cross hatched markings in, is now the outside lane. Should be no bother to test standard drivers, just look at the lane infront of you before you emerge onto the roundabout so you can see wh... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, August 20, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Westbury Village will be closed to motorists on the 25th of August for a few days according to the road signs. Not sure what is going on here, but I'd practice in and around the little side roads of Westbury if you have a test there in the next week or so.
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, August 17, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Some temporary traffic lights are in place at this T-junction and every student I've taken down there in the past two days hasnt seen them and I've had to use the emergency brake. No signs on approach at all and the traffic lights are very low to the ground, which makes them look very odd indeed.
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, August 17, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Heavy traffic in both directions around St. Phillips causeway is causing massive issues around rush hour. The brand spanking new lights that took about 13 weeks to put in pace have been dug up. Great! no information on approach about the closed roads so cars are changing direction very late, be careful and aware of what is going on here.
Also on this stretch heading down the hil away from the test centre the road markigs here have been taken away. The left hand lane is a bus lane, so stay ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, August 13, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Lane closures less than a two minutes away from the test centre are causing congestion issues. Falcondale road is the large, two lane road connectig Bristol with Cribbs causeway and the M5. Right by the corssroads with Henbury Road a lot of digging is going on and the left hand lane heading down the hill towards Bristol has been closed. You'll need to use your mirrors, signal, get another mirror check in before creeping over into the right lane to proceed through the junction.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, August 7, 2010,
In :
Driving Test Info
Most learner drivers don't fear taking the wheel until it
comes to the dreaded manoeuvre; the thought of a parallel park can send
even the most confident learner into a tizzy.
So we've asked
Martyn Jones, an AA Driving School ambassador and instructor of 26
years' experience, to give us his tips on each of the five manoeuvres. A
typical driving test will require two of them to be performed
confidently and correctly, though sometimes three.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, July 14, 2010,
Passage Road is down to one lane on the upwards slope of the mini dual carriageway. This is on a few test routes. No signs that the speed limit has droped, you'll need to get into the lane closest to the cental reservation. It looks like new bus stops is the cause.
The markings infront of the test centre have changed. The image below shows a little central lane to help those coming into the centre and get out of the way of other cars. This little central lane was also used to enter the test centre. Now the road appears wider as the central lane has been wiped away. So make sure your MSPSL routine is solid here, getting the mirrors in before the position change. The signal still needs to be delayed, otherwise other road users will think you're headi... Continue reading ...
There are 3 way traffic lights in place on Canford Lane/Dingle Road/Combe Lane. 3 way traffic lights take a while so be patient. It's pretty staright forward on Canfor Lane, bt coming from Combe Lane might be a little harder. The problem is the traffic lights are hidden around the corner, so pay attention to the make shift warning triangles on approach. There is a "wait here when lights are red" sign, so don't over shoot your mark. It's also the end of the road here and if you fail to se... Continue reading ...
With
global warming now high on everybody's agenda, there has never been a
better time to think about eco-driving.
Regardless
of the vehicle you are driving, there are techniques you can use to
save fuel and to minimise your impact on the environment. These
techniques have been an integral part of the advanced driving process,
delivering eco-benefits through fuel efficiencies, since the IAM was
established in 1956.
Ask
yourself: "Do I really need to drive?" The shortest journeys - few...
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...
West Town Lane is due to be closed in the next few days. For how long? No one knows. Why? You got me, I've no idea. A few test routes will need to be diverted, so if asked to turn left at the lights onto Callington Road, get into the right hand lane as you'll have to go down the hill and stay on Callington Road.
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 4, 2010,
If you have a passenger suffering from car sickness, open a window. Stuffy conditions may contribute to feeling ill. If this doesn't work, try driving a little smoother. Gentle steering, early braking would all help in making your passenger feel better.
Temporary traffioc lights are currently on Albert Road in Keynsham. The street usually is a hot bed for meeting situations, so perhaps the road works here are a bit of a blessing in disguise. Your mirrors should be checked on approach, when moving out and around, back in and make sure if you do need to stop, you stay in your lane with plenty of room to drive through in a straight line.
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 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 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 ...
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.
