Drivers urged over sight tests

Older motorists are being urged to get regular eye checks and to discuss their sight in connection to driving ability with their optician.

It comes after a new study found nearly 50% of motorists over 55 fail to talk about the issue when visiting their optician.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), considered as the UK's leading cause of blindness, mostly influences people after the age of 55 but its symptoms are often mistaken as "just a part of growing older".

Therefore drivers could be on the roads unknowingly suffering from the condition and posing a risk to themselves as well as other road users, which in turn could lead to a rise in the number of incidents and car insurance claims.

Although 52% of over 55-year-olds take to the road every day, around 45% confessed to not discussing their eyesight problems in relation to driving safety with their optician. Also, 62% said they did not know much about AMD.

The study - initiated by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK - is backed by the Automobile Association (AA) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

The AA's Head of Road Safety, Andrew Howard, said: "This study reveals an alarming risk to the safety of people on the roads. As Part of the driving test you have to be able to read a number plate before you start your test, if you can't then you fail your test. This is some thing that is checked when you have you very first surrey driving lessons, before your eye sight is checked your instructor will also check your driving licence then your eye sight. After that you will just take your normal redhill driving lessons each week.

"It is vital that drivers over 55 years understand the symptoms of AMD, go for regular eye checks and discuss driving with their opticians. There is also a need for the optician to be proactive during consultations, particularly as 75% of males and 36% of females over 70 now hold driving licences."

Car insurance raise to record high !

Car insurance premiums are being pushed up by almost a third due to rising levels of fraud, experts warned today.

The average comprehensive policy costs 30 per cent more this year than last, according to AA Insurance. This along with the cost of fuel is making the price of surrey driving lessons more likely to have to go up, here at m and m driving school we still offer the first three redhill driving school lessons at half price*

It is the biggest increase since the company’s records began 16 years ago, with younger drivers facing even steeper price rises.

Premiums for those under 30 have soared by 11.5 per cent in the last three months alone.

But the young have also been found more likely to make a false insurance claim.

A separate survey for moneysupermarket.com found that 5 per cent of motorists under 35 have staged an accident to make a fraudulent claim and 15 per cent would consider doing so.

The Association of British Insurers recently said that insurers uncovered £410million-worth of fraudulent motor insurance claims during 2009 – and the AA said increased fraud is a central reason for rising premiums.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: ‘The evidence from moneysupermarket.com, suggesting that thousands of people are attempting to try “cash for crash” scams themselves – perhaps to get someone else to pay for past damage or to make a claim for non-existent whiplash injury – is deeply worrying.’

The group said other types of fraud, such as fronting, where a named driver is in fact the main driver, withholding information, and lying about where a car is kept or what the driver’s occupation as, were all also on the rise.

But Mr Douglas said insurers were getting ‘wise’ to the way fraudsters can manipulate price comparison sites and introducing new technology to catch them.

DRIVERS ARE NOT SO COLOURFUL ON THE ROADS

Research has shown that the most popular car colours are Silver and Black.

Despite virtually any colour available, we still tend to choose the same colours, which in turn makes silver and black cars easier to sell and at a better price.

Manufacturers follow suit and as a result provide up to four shades of silver on most models.

Yet despite silver coming out on top, certain cars appeal in very particular colours, for example: a van will generally come in white, a Ferrari in red and a Lamborghini in a bright colour such as yellow, orange or green.

Jane from m and m on surrey driving lessons said: “Next time you are out and about, check out the cars in the car park or on the roads and see what colour rules the roads.”

Surrey's "scourge of speeding motorists" enters prestigious dictionary

A former Chief Constable of Surrey, described as the “scourge of speeding motorists,” has been entered in the prestigious Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Mowbray Lees Sant pioneered speed traps to curb reckless drivers in the early years of the 20th century.

Captain Sant, who was born in 1863 and died in 1943, was the son of a fashionable portrait painter and went to school at Charterhouse, near Godalming.

He was an army officer for 14 years before being appointed chief of the Surrey county police force, then numbering some 230 men, in 1899.

He soon had to deal with complaints from local councils that motorists, often from London, were speeding along Surrey's rural roads, intimidating other road- users and infuriating residents by throwing up clouds of dust, which forced them to keep their windows closed and their children indoors.

On a Sunday afternoon bicycle ride near Guildford, Sant himself was forced into a ditch by an inconsiderate motorist.

He advocated registration plates and photographs on driving licences so that cars and their drivers could be identified.

Most controversially, he introduced speed controls - or traps, as critics called them - along measured stretches of Surrey roads, manned by pairs of constables, one with a flag and another with a stopwatch, and often hidden behind walls or hedges.

Between 1904 and 1905 prosecutions in the surrey driving lessons area for reckless or dangerous driving, or breaking speed limits, were far higher than in any other county in the UK.

Sant came into conflict with motoring organizations such as the Automobile Association (AA), whose patrolmen warned motorists of the presence of police speed traps.

This led to roadside skirmishes between his constables and the AA men, and a series of legal battles, until in 1909 the law courts held that AA patrolmen on the Portsmouth Road near Godalming were unlawfully obstructing the police. Although criticized for his 'motorphobia' by the London-based national press, Sant was supported by the Surrey communities he policed.

Sant considered that the demands of policing Surrey during the First World War, when large numbers of troops were billeted in the county, were the most challenging of his career.

Canadian troops awaiting demobilization rioted at Witley in 1919.

A memorial stone marks Sant's grave in the churchyard at Shalford, near Guildford, where he lived, but makes no reference to his colourful police career.

Sant joins more than 5,000 notable historic figures connected with Surrey, among the 57,449 people included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

The latest edition update highlights some of the most notable individuals connected with the police force over the past 200 years, from the Bow Street runners to the late 20th century.

Another 2 first time passes !!

Well done Rowan and Tony for passing both their driving tests first time yesterday with m and m driving school.

Rowan passed first time with Paul after having 3 surrey driving lessons every week, this we felt was the best way for Rowan to achieve her goal as she didn't want lessons to drag on too long.

Tony on the other hand took a semi intensive with Jane, having 6 hours every day for 4 days. This we split up by having two hours in morning then a break then two hours lunch time then a break followed by another two hours in the evening. Tony had experience ridding a motor bike so he had some good road sense when he started his redhill driving lessons.

If you like Rowan or Tony want to pass first time then contact us either by phone or by e-mail to book your first lessons.

Ban on night-time driving for young people could 'save 200 lives a year'

Banning newly qualified young drivers from night-time motoring, drinking any alcohol or carrying passengers of a similar age could save 200 lives a year and lead to 1,700fewer injuries, according to researchers.

A Cardiff University study says NHS costs in treating people involved in road accidents could be significantly cut if a system of graduated driver licensing (GDL) was introduced for 17- to 24-year-olds and operated for up to two years after they passed their driving tests.

Similar schemes already exist in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and parts of the US. One in five new drivers in the UK after taking their surrey driving lessons and passing their driving test crash and young drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in accidents.

Sarah Jones, a public health consultant who led the research, said: "GDL works in other countries and there is no good reason why it wouldn't work here." She told the Radio 4's Today programme that such schemes allowed younger drivers to gain experience in safer driving conditions.

But Edmund King, president of the AA, said there were already tough measures in place to protect young drivers.

He said that in other countries motorists were able to drive from a younger age than in Britain, where there was also a tougher test.

King added that young motorists already face a ban when they reached six penalty points on their licence compared with 12 points for older drivers. He said his organisation favoured more training on driving and road safety for young people in school or college to "get safer drivers before they take to the road rather than introduce restrictions afterwards".

Critics say police would find it difficult to enforce graduated licences, although more insurance companies could offer schemes that meant cheaper premiums for those young drivers who, for instance, did not drive late at night. These were monitored by black boxes in their cars.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS IN THE VOICE OF YOUR CHOICE

Facebook user Richard Gardner has over 25,000 supporters in his quest to get TomTom to allow actor Brian Blessed to be the voiceover on our sat navs.

Initially he attracted only a few supporters but his page soon took off and Mr Gardner has approached TomTom who agreed to look into it. His voice will now be available to download from October.

Other famous voices will be considered by TomTom and there are designated pages on social media sites such as twitter which allow the public to leave comments and suggestions as to who they want to hear give directions.

Unfortunately you will not be able to here Brain while you are taking your surrey driving lessons as the use of sat nav on lessons would be distracting to the pupil.

LOSE YOUR LICENCE FOR DRIVING UNINSURED

Thousands of drivers are under the impression that their fully comprehensive insurance policy entitles them to drive other vehicles.

According to statistics around 27% of young drivers under the age of 25 think they can drive friends and families cars whilst still being covered by their insurance policy. This false sense of belief is extremely dangerous as it means many people are driving on the roads illegally, whether they realise it or not.

It is thought that this misconception comes from the older generation of drivers, where by most comprehensive insurance policies used to allow you to drive other vehicles as standard. However, even then when driving another vehicle you were typically only covered for third party and any damage to the vehicle you were driving would be your responsibility.

However, the rules have changed somewhat and even the few policies available that allow drivers to drive other vehicles would not apply to those under 25.

Jane from m and m surrey driving lessons said: “Driving uninsured carries heavy penalties. With a fine of up to £5000 and 8 penalty points on offer (for new drivers 8 points could result in you losing your licence), it is imperative that you check your policy and know what you are covered for.”

DRIVING ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD

Around two-thirds of the world drives on the right hand side. So why does Britain drive on the left.

It is thought that road traffic did begin on the left and there is evidence to support this that dates back from Roman times. However, the first legal order for traffic to remain on the left was in 1756. When people were on horseback as the majority of people are right-handed it made sense to ride on the left, so as to meet their attacker on their strong side.

However, countries began changing to the right side, one myth suggesting that as Napoleon was left handed his troops had to march on the right and countries that Napoleon conquered then switched to the right.

The last European country to switch from the left to the right was Sweden in 1967. Although the EC would like for Britain to change, the cost and disruption to change everything would be detrimental and make surrey driving lessons very different.

Research has shown that countries that drive on the left have lower collision rates than those on the right. It is also safer for cyclists who mount on the left, as this then places them on the kerb as opposed to the road.

Texting while driving about to become illegal in both Huntsville and Madison

Texting while driving bans approved by both the Huntsville and Madison city councils earlier this summer become law on Monday.

Both ordinances make it a crime for city drivers to use a wireless communication device to "send, receive, download or view" electronic or digital content.

That means no sending text messages, no reading e-mail, no scrolling through music files, no peeking at YouTube. Programming a destination into a satellite navigation unit while driving is also prohibited.

Drivers are still allowed to talk on cell phones.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley and other local leaders held a news conference this morning to remind drivers about the ban. They spoke near the base of a fire-engine-red billboard on Andrew Jackson Way that reads, "DON'T TXT & DRIVE ... IT'S THE LAW."

Lamar Advertising is giving Huntsville free use of five billboards for the next month to help spread the word about the texting ban. The other signs are on Jordan Lane, Clinton Avenue, Bob Wallace Avenue and U.S. 72 East.

Battle said more than 6,000 people were killed nationwide last year due to "driver inattention." This figure is way to high, so as part of our surrey driving lessons we will try and educate pupils on the perils of inattention.

"When you text while driving, you put everyone's life at risk," he said.

Finley said driver's education teachers at Madison's Bob Jones High will incorporate the texting ban into their lessons.

"It will change my habits," Finley said. "It will change many people's habits for the positive."

COMPULSORY LESSONS FOR LEARNER DRIVERS

A new requirement for learner drivers will look to include compulsory surrey driving lessons.

Pupils will be required to fill out a logbook which they will receive once they sign up for lessons with an instructor. They will be required to take a minimum of 36 hours and the logbook will have to hold details of all lessons and include night time driving.

Learners will then be put under a two year restriction period, where they will be required to display ‘R’ plates. ‘R’ plate drivers will be allowed to drive on the motorway however, they will be subject to many of the same restrictions as an ‘L’ plate driver.

Research has shown that a large majority of accidents that involve drivers aged 17-24 are connected to a lack of experience. The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are already implementing a revised practical driving test to help bring those at test standard up to post test standard.

Currently this is set to be introduced in Ireland and there are no immediate plans to bring the scheme over to the UK however, with the driving test over 75 years old, changes need to be made to keep up with current times.

Football fans set record for driving to all 20 Premier League clubs in 14 hours

Two football fans created a new record by driving to all 20 Football Premier League clubs in just over 14 hours.

Teacher Paul Cox and Spanish pal Luis Felipe completed the 572-mile trip in 14hrs 3mins 18secs. This knocked 46mins off Paul’s previous unofficial record.

They kicked off at 9.35pm at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur, and finished at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park at 11.38am next morning.

They parked their Vauxhall Corsa at every ground to take pictures. Apart from that they only stopped for petrol and a couple of coffees.

Paul, a Derby County fan from Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, said “I got to show Luis the delights of a Wigan sunrise.

“And we celebrated the end with two Geordies in Shearer’s Bar. Luis couldn't understand a word they said.”

The trip is not recognised as a Guinness World Record. But the pals challenge anyone to beat their time.

I could say it is not like taking your surrey driving lessons but Paul and Luis certainly had a lot of fun. Of course you would have had to of passed your driving test to be able to do this, so give us a call and book you first three redhill driving lessons at half price*

well done James Dixon

Congratulations James.

Another first time pass for m & m driving school. James started his surrey driving lessons in April this year and had two lessons per week. Just like any other pupil starting out on learning to drive the early stages of his lessons were tough, how ever James worked very hard at his task and his reward was a near perfect first time pass with only 2 minor faults ! So very well done James.

If you are looking to start your redhill driving lessons and feel you can be like James then please contact us either through the web site or if you prefer call us and we can have a chat about your requirements.

Independent driving and riding section of the practical test

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.

Which tests will include the independent driving or riding section

The independent driving or riding section will be included in the following practical driving tests:

car
motorcycle module two
large goods vehicle (LGV)
passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests
approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (sometimes called ‘part two’)
taxi
Independent driving explained

From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:

a series of directions
traffic signs
a combination of both
To help you understand where you’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way – that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions – this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.

If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving. It is just like when you take your redhill driving lessons and your instructor gives you directions and you forget where to go and have to ask again, so don't worry.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign – you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

Special needs

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs you have so reasonable adjustment can be made.

For the independent driving section, this could be by asking you which method you prefer – following traffic signs or a series of directions (a maximum of three), which are supported by a diagram. In some cases this may be shortened to just two directions.

Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English. For example, sometimes they will write place names so it is clear to you where you’re being asked to drive to.

You can have an interpreter along with you on your test if you wish. Your approved driving instructor can act as your interpreter.

DRIVING IN LONDON ON TWO WHEELS

Last Sunday saw the London’s roads free from traffic when more than 65,000 cyclists joined The Mayor of London’s Sky Ride.

The 15km route opened at 9.30am until 4.30pm where cyclists of all ages took part and saw the sights of London including, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Place and the Tower of London.

Kelly Brooke the Sky Ride Ambassador, said it was great to see thousands of cyclists come down and enjoy the traffic free and safe environment. So if you were part of the 65,000 who took part,well done you,makes a change from your redhill driving lessons !

There was lots of entertainment including music, fancy dress, sporting challenges and much more. For those that wanted to enjoy a traffic free London, but don’t want to cycle there are food markets and picnic areas.

It is important to remember to look after yourselves and other cyclists. Ensure you are wearing a helmet, drink plenty of water and wear sun cream. Remember all ages are welcome and there will be cyclists of all abilities, so take in the sights and enjoy the ride.

Accidents at level crossings are still cause for concern for train industry

Last year there were as many as 3,244 recorded incidents of misuse or error at level crossings, following 3,495 incidents in 2008.

In 2009, there were 14 collisions between vehicles and trains at level crossings and there were 13 deaths.

There were also 145 near-misses between motor vehicles and trains last year - almost three a week.

Earlier this year Network Rail (NR) chief executive Iain Coucher called on the Government to do more to curb unsafe driving by motorists at level crossings.

NR wants the driving theory test to include compulsory questions on level crossings to enforce learner drivers’ understanding of the Highway Code and reduce risky driving behaviour, such as driving around barriers and running red lights as trains approach. Also in some areas pupils taking their driving lesson surrey will not even encounter a level crossing, this just makes the case even more worrying. We are very lucky here as while taking yout redhill driving lessons you will be going over the reigate level crossing many times.

NR calculates that up to 95 per cent of incidents at level crossings are down to motorist or pedestrian misuse or error.

Mr Coucher said: ”Motorists are too often playing Russian roulette with a 200-tonne train - and tragically some lose their lives gambling at level crossings by running red lights or dodging around barriers.

PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST NERVES

Many pupils learning to drive will experience performance related stress on the day of their practical test. This can be for a number of reasons, those who are adversely affected by nerves, those that need to pass for their job and for everyone else there is all the time and money they have invested.

There are a few simple pointers to consider before your test:

Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before

Eat something that will not leave you hungry but will not make you feel uncomfortable

Try not to feel pressured by other people

Before you arrive at the test centre, concentrate and drive to the best of your ability. A good lesson beforehand will reassure you that you are capable of passing.

Do not treat the examiner any differently to your instructor, most individuals are nervous on test and the examiner will try their best to put you at ease

Your m and m instructor can also help in lots of ways, firstly by allowing you to go on test only when they feel you are ready. Also when you are having your redhill driving lessons your instructor will show you some of the areas you might encounter on your test and explain more of the requirements of the practical test. They should prepare you for all situations you might meet and make sure you can comfortably carry out all 3 manoeuvres.

There is lots of material available to help you prepare for the practical test and how to be a competent and safe driver once passing your test.

Jane of m and m driving school surrey said: “With plenty of practice and a calm approach there is no reason why you should not pass first time. You must remember that if you fail, it is not the end of the world, you can retake the test. If you are unfortunate enough to fail, use the experience to help prepare yourself for the next test.”

Army improves facilities at world’s largest driving school

NEW facilities for thousands of armed forces personnel learning to drive the latest military vehicles and their instructors have been officially opened.

The development – which includes classrooms for 200 students and facilities for instructors, as well as three huge storage facilities for Mastiff and Wolfhound vehicles – was erected in just 20 weeks at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield.

The buildings are the latest addition to the world’s largest driver training establishment.

About 850 civil servants and support staff are employed on site beside 230 military staff, who put 16,000 students through their paces every year.

Most students go on to front line operations in Afghanistan.

The new facilities, called the “Herrick” block, referring to recent operations in Afghanistan, were officially unveiled by director general of Army recruiting and training, Major General Gerry Berragan.

Major Shaun Robjohns said as well as four state-of-the-art classrooms, 60 instructors who work day and night shifts were getting their own facilities, including showers and a kitchen.

Even modern vehicles needed regular modifications, he explained, adding: “The new vehicles are designed in such a way with such an emphasis on safety that it is giving soldiers so much confidence to do their jobs.”

Engineers have been installing the latest seats in Wolfhound vehicles which protect drivers from explosions – at a cost of £10,000 each.

During their Leconfield training, students are put up against mock river crossings, gullies and other obstacles they are likely to encounter in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While taking your redhill driving lessons you wont have to do river crossings but we will arrange a mock test with one of our other surrey driving school instructors so you can get used to the test conditions before the real thing !!

First three lessons half price*

It is still not to late to start your redhill driving lessons, it may be feeling like winter is fast approaching but it is still summer. So why not get started now and beat the clocks going back and have some lessons in day light hours.

We do the first three lessons at half price for beginners, we also have many other offers too, so call us to have a chat about what you need and we can get you started with either Jane or Paul depending on weather you want a lady or a man.

Last year our pass rate was 94% first time, so wouldn't it be great if you was one of those pupils to say I passed first time.