Driving Barbie toy car while over the limit gets Paul Hutton a three year ban !

A men has been banned from driving for three years after being caught drunk behind the wheel - of a toy Barbie car.

Paul Hutton, 40, was spotted by police crawling along the road at night in the tiny electric Barbie car, which has a top speed of 4mph.

After a low-speed chase, officers breathalysed him.

Hutton admitted being a “complete twit” after he was handed the ban on Friday.

After the hearing, the dad-of-four said: “You have to be a contortionist to get in and then you can’t get out.

“I was very surprised to get done for drink-driving. It is designed for three- to five-year-olds.

“Originally, it was a pink Barbie car but I put bigger wheels on it.”

Divorced Hutton found the car, used by Barbie and boyfriend Ken for dates, near his home 10 years ago.

Hutton, an ex-RAF engineer, started rebuilding it with his son about eight months ago.

He said: “When it was done, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take it out. I wanted to show my friend.”

Hutton, said he had been drinking while working on the car but, when he to took it out, he didn’t realise how drunk he was.

The jeep, which he could only drive with his knees under his chin, is slower than a mobility scooter.

Officers warned Hutton not to drive the car when they found him in the road on April 4 but he ignored them and made a slow getaway.

Hutton said: “I knew it was daft, but I didn’t realise it was a criminal thing to do.”

Hutton was found to be twice the drink-drive limit.

Appearing before magistrates, Hutton was given a three-year ban because he’d had another drink drive ban in the past 10 years. He was very lucky not to be told he had to resit his driving test or even have to take an extended test. If he did then here at m & m driving school surrey we can help him with the tuition he would need to pass the extended test.

Chairman of the bench Neil Munson said: “I’ve never seen the like of it in 15 years on the bench.”

What you need on the day of your driving test

The day of your practical test arrives and you are feeling nervous. You have had your redhill driving lessons and feel ready to take on the examiners, but are you ready?

When you arrive at the test centre you need more than just your provisional license. When the examiner calls your name you should have the following items: (1) Both parts of your driving license – the photo card and the counterpart. (2) A vehicle which complies with the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) guidelines, most pupils will bring their driving instructors car which clearly displays L-plates and is insured and licensed vehicle. (3) Your theory test certificate. (4) Your letter or copy of your email confirming the test.

And for those that have the old paper license, you will need to ensure you bring your passport with you as proof of id or UK Identity Card issued by IPS.

Without any one of these items, it could result in the DSA cancelling your test and result in you losing your fee. You could then face an agonising wait to re-book your test for another date.

With the correct documentation and the experience and expertise gained from your m & m driving school surrey instructor there is no reason why you should not pass your test and go on to be a safe and competent driver for life.

First Three Lessons Half Price *

Well we might have an election coming up but here at m & m driving school surrey we are still keeping focused on what is important to our pupils.

Every body is watching their pennies so that's why we are still offering the first three lessons at half price* (* this offer is for beginners only)weather you are looking to start say your redhill driving lessons for the first time, or are looking to change instructor we can offer you a competitive price structure to help you.

Check test training is also available here at m & m driving school, with over 23 years experience and a grade six instructor for the past 12 years i feel there is nothing I cant help instructors with.

So weather its beginner lessons you need or help with you check test we can help you here at m & m driving school surrey.

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 identity before the test or training can commence. Candidates may currently do this by way of a driving licence. Where the licence does not contain a photograph a valid passport is also required.

Candidates will still need to confirm their driving entitlement by producing their driving licence, this is some thing we do here at m & m driving school surrey on your very first redhill driving lesson, but with effect from 27 April, candidates who do not have a photocard licence will be able to use a valid UK ID Card issued by IPS as an alternative to their passport.

Any candidate who is unable to satisfy the examiner of their driving entitlement or identity will have their test cancelled and may lose their fee.

DO YOU HAVE THE SIGHT TO DRIVE A CAR?

Many collisions are a result of the driver not wearing the correct lenses or being in denial that they have a sight problem at all.

All new drivers are required to fill out a form to obtain their provisional license with health questions being part of the process. However, how well do the DVLA look in to our medical history and how do they have any proof that our eyesight is what we say it is.

The form asks:

Can you read a car number plate (with glasses or corrective lenses if necessary) from 20.5 metres?

AND

Do you need to wear glasses or corrective lenses when driving?

Do these two questions that only require us to tick a box, really prove that we have the required sight to drive a car or could more be done?

Research has shown that around 20% of drivers that hold a full license would fail an eye sight test, which is extremely worrying. On your first redhill driving lesson with us your instructor will check both parts of your driving licence and then carry out an eye sight check.

Recommendations suggest that all those applying for a provisional should have a full medical and eye examination before obtaining their provisional. It should perhaps also state on their license whether they need to wear glasses in order to legally be allowed to drive.

Individuals should be rechecked every few years and older people should have a full medical and possibly even a retest after a certain age.

SEAT BELT SAFETY COULD SAVE A DRIVERS LIFE

Speed is irrelevant. Without wearing a seat belt an accident whilst travelling at 30mph can still kill.

New TV campaigns showing the effect not wearing your seat belt can have, shows the immense damage you can cause to your internal organs.

Despite anyone over the age of 14 being responsible for themselves, the driver of any vehicle should protect themselves and others by making sure everyone is belted up. Of course while you are taking your redhill driving lessons you must always wear your seat belt.

Research has shown that around 350 lives could be saved every year if everyone wore their seat belt all of the time. It is such a simple act that can make such a life changing difference.

In 1965 it became compulsory for car makers to fit cars built in Europe with seat belts in the front. However, it was not until 1991 that it became compulsory for adults and children to wear seat belts in both the front and back of the car.

The penalty for not wearing your seat belt is a fixed penalty fine of £60. However, conviction or non compliance can mean a penalty up to £500.

Jane Tomlinson of m & m driving school surrey said: “It is such an easy rule to follow and even if you are only driving a short distance you cannot predict what will happen on the roads. Belt up and keep safe.”

Oil prices up as motorists face record petrol charges

The price of oil crept up yesterday on the first day of trading since upbeat US job numbers last Friday. However, the jump is likely to put further pressure on petrol prices in the UK as motorists prepare for near-record prices at the pumps.
US light crude added as much as 0.4 per cent yesterday, climbing to $85.31 (£55.85) a barrel, while London Brent crude also jumped by nearly half a percentage point, reaching $84.37 (£55.23). The increases came on the first day of oil trading since the Easter holidays, and after the US Department of Labor said last Friday that the American economy had created 162,000 new jobs in March – the highest monthly number for two years, adding to growing sentiment of an improving US economy.

But the increase in oil prices is also likely to lead to higher petrol prices in the UK. Motorists are also now paying the 1p increase in fuel duty that came into effect last week. Chancellor Alistair Darling said during the Budget that a planned 3p rise in fuel duty would be phased in, with a further 1p increase scheduled for September, and a 0.76p hike in January next year.

Last week, motoring groups warned of record petrol prices on the forecourts. Here at m & m driving school we try to keep our redhill driving lessons at a reasonable rate, so as long as the fuel prices don't rise to much more then we will not have to increase our surrey driving lesson prices.

Well done Adam Blackwell

Adam passed his test yesterday after taking his redhill driving lessons with us. He had on average 2 lessons per week until he got his own car, then he drove to school every day so then we dropped to 1 reigate driving lesson.

With the added experience having his own car the difference we saw on his driving lessons was a great improvement. This I feel is also due to his parents who were willing to ask questions on what and how to help Adam when they took him out in his own car.

Of course passing your test doesn't mean your learning has to stop there, you can then take the Pass plus course to help enhance your driving skills.

And if you find a little later on you wish to improve even more then you can then think about taking an advanced driving course. Both of the above we can help you with.

Wall Street is driving up oil prices

Oil prices have risen steadily over the last year, and experts are worrying further increases could snuff out an already-fragile global economic recovery.

President Barack Obama announced Wednesday his plan to open oil and natural gas drilling off the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico. The proposal aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign oil, which theoretically could hold down prices for U.S. consumers.

But analysts contend that the rise is prices is not a supply problem — it’s a Wall Street problem.

OPEC countries also are convening in Mexico this week to map out a strategy for keeping prices from rising higher.

But officials may face an even bigger problem: The recent rise in prices seems to be driven by commodity investors — not market supply and demand.

Though prices crashed from their peak of $140 a barrel before the recession began in December 2007, they have since recovered substantially. Last year, the price of crude fell to $33 a barrel before a relentless recovery to about $80 by year-end.

We will do are very best to avoid increasing our redhill driving school prices. At the moment our prices here at m & m driving school surrey are £23.00 per lesson. This we feel is a good competitive cost for our service.

ECONOMY SAVING DRIVING TIPS FOR MOTORIST

Cars can be expensive to run if you don’t know how to use them properly. There are a number of easy to apply rules when driving to help save not only your pennies but the environment too.

The simplest one of them all is do you need to drive or can you walk? When you pop to the corner shop or drop the kids to school, do you really need to drive or could you walk the short distance. Not only will your car pollute the planet but driving short distances can contribute to the general wear and tear of the car.

For most of us keeping the car clean can take time and money to achieve. However, it improves the cars efficiency. Any extra weight in the boot or under the seats, even dirt on the outside of the car will increase the cars fuel consumption costing you more in the long run.

A healthy car = saving money. By spending a little money on having the car serviced regularly, you could potentially save a fortune when a big problem evolves.

By choosing when to have the air conditioning on could save you pounds when filling the tank. By leaving it on for long periods of time it can lead to expensive bills however, by blasting the air con for short periods of time on a regular basis (even in the winter) will make sure its kept in good working order. Leaving the windows and the sunroof open can also increase consumption, so when you don’t need them open, wind them up!

Making sure you are aware of your surroundings and other road users can also save you money. By driving smoothly (echo) without changing speed greatly or braking harshly could not only prevent accidents but will have a noticeable effect on your wallet. Here at m & m driving school when giving our redhill driving lessons we will teach you how to echo drive as part of your normal lessons.

Planning your route and listening to traffic news can also help save you money and fuel. But just as importantly it will also save you stressing out. If you see the traffic is not moving, switch of your engine and wait for the queue to move. You could even try planning your route to include picking up colleagues on the way to work and splitting the cost and responsibility.

Tyres are the only part of the car that comes in contact with the road surface therefore its essential that they are in proper working condition. Not only is it important to check the tyre pressure for safety reasons but also as the correct air pressure will reduce fuel consumption and will allow the car to steer properly.

Make sure when you choose a car that you shop around and consider other factors other than just the model and colour. Make sure you shop around for the best deal on insurance and don’t just use the first garage you find, make sure you find a bargain. By spending a little of your time doing research you could save a LOT of money.