Sunday 5th February

Due to the adverse weather conditions today's 4th run session of the current course has been postponed and will now take place on February 19th 9.30am at Grove Green.

 

Look forward to seeing you all then meanwhile keep safe and warm

 

Best wishes

Linda Davies

Group Chairman

Tips from the experts: driving in the dark

The winter is shuffling off slowly but it's important to remember that it's still pretty dark on the commute to work and the sky's a dark, inky blue hue on the way home. Driving conditions are pretty different in the dark, much like (pun intended) the difference between night and day.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists is a brilliant source of advice for methods of coping with adverse conditions, whether it's ice, snow or wind, the IAM is there to help those who feel they need it.

Darkness can stump many drivers. You can't see as well as you think you can (especially in twilight) and road users like cyclists can spring from anywhere if they're unlit. It's not fun, especially if you're not expecting it.

So, the IAM has come up with this handy list of tips for your delectation:

• To improve your view as far as possible, keep your lights and windscreen clean.

• Use main beam, but when other drivers are approaching make sure you dip your lights to avoid dazzling the oncoming traffic.

• Make sure you can stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.

• If you're feeling tired, caffeine alone is not a fix. Take a break and have a 20 minute nap.

• If an approaching car forgets to dip its lights, look beyond the lights, but to their left to avoid being dazzled as much.

• Look at how the traffic ahead behaves for clues to possible problems you can't see yet.

• If it's gloomy in the morning, don't forget to put your lights on.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger commented: "The risk of fatal accidents increases in the dark as visibility is reduced. Have regular eye examinations to ensure you are wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need to."

Annual MOT tests to remain

 

A while ago the government was considering changing the way we maintained our cars. The bods in Westminster pondered that it would be a great idea to relax MOT test regularity.

Initial plans saw one of three schedules considered... Option one saw the first test after four years, then annual tests. Option two meant no test until the car was four years old, another two years after that, then annual testing. The final, third, option considered was an MOT after four years, then every other year for the following six years with annual testing afterwards.

Thankfully these odd and confusing ideas have been dropped in favour of the system already in place. It's worked for fifty-odd years and no one's had any major objection thus far – especially the 19,000 MOT test station owners in the UK.

The testing schedule will continue thus: After initial registration the car is given three years' grace without an MOT, then it will need testing annually.

On top of maintaining the current system, the government will aim to incorporate three other things:

1. Mechanics and test centres will be encouraged to take up industry codes of practise, such as the OFT-approved schemes.

2. MOT certificates will be changed to include the last three years' mileage, as well as the mileage on the day of the test to help motorists spot 'clocked' cars.

3. 'Mystery shoppers' will be sent in to MOT centres to ensure they're at the top of their game.

All the decisions made have been praised from all corners of the automotive industry.

It was worrying that the government saw fit to 'fix' a 50 year old process that ain't broke. Perhaps they could look at the 70mph speed limit before they fiddle with mechanical safety?

IAM calls for 'country roads' element of driving test

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has asked for a rural A-roads section to be added to the driving test, as stats show that 82% of rural fatalities happen on them.

According to an IAM report about rural roads, of the nine people that die on Britain's roads every day, six of them are on rural ones. Two-thirds of the rural road crashes happen on non-motorways with 60- or 70mph speed limits.

The fast, sweeping nature of rural A-roads, combined with low forward visibility due to roadside trees and other obstacles, make the risk of dangerous accidents high; driver error is a contributor in two-thirds of rural road accidents, and two thirds of those killed are drivers. A quarter are front seat passengers.

The IAM's chief executive Simon Best said: "Roads where drivers are most frequently killed and injured are still not consistently part of the driving test. The Government recently announced young drivers would be allowed to use motorways when accompanied by an instructor, but it is single carriageway A-roads where the real problem lies.

"Driver and rider error is a contributory factor in two thirds of accidents. We can only improve our cars and roads so far. The challenge now is to improve the humans that drive them, to continue our outstanding record of road safety."

IAM: Cheaper insurance costs and training for young drivers

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has called on the Government and insurance companies to provide reduced insurance costs to young drivers who take additional training after passing their tests.

With premiums having risen substantially over the last few years, many young drivers admit to lying about their details to insurers, in hope of a better deal. Not surprising, when you consider the average premium for a 17-22 year old man is £2,977 – more than three times the national of £907.

Worryingly, a Government Transport Select Committee survey recently found that 21% of young drivers had considered driving with no insurance at all.

The IAM is also calling for the standard of the driving test to be reviewed.

It is highlighting the issue after its own survey revealed that half of all new drivers questioned did not feel fully prepared to drive on their own, and that 74% would definitely take further driving training if it meant reduced insurance premiums.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "The simplest way to reduce insurance premiums is to prevent accidents. We need to start rewarding good drivers by encouraging further driver training through cheaper insurance.

"Pass Plus no longer provides a respected or effective training offering. The government, insurance and road safety industries need to work closely together to develop a better, universally recognised option - a partnership which the IAM is keen to be a part of."

Young male drivers think they know best despite road casualty figures

The latest report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists has found that almost 2 out of 3 young, inexperienced male drivers think they are more skilful than the average motorist.

Despite novice drivers being calculated as the highest risk group on our roads and male drivers between 17-29 more than twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured as female drivers (according to DfT road casualty statistics), bravado and a lead right foot are still major issues when young men get behind the wheel.

The road safety charity found that in contrast, only 32% of young women believe they are more skilled than other drivers.

A staggering 30% of car occupant deaths are drivers aged 17-24, yet according to the DVLA, only eight percent of drivers in the UK fall into this age group.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Young male drivers suffer from a lethal combination of overconfidence and inexperience. They don't need curfews and other restrictions on their driving; they need to practice and gain driving experience safely.

"There are many paying thousands of pounds a year in insurance and killing themselves. The solution to this problem is to link driver training and insurance discounts."

The IAM is calling for more young driver training through incentives such as lowering insurance premiums through more advanced driving tests.

New TFL Low Emissions Regulations

Older vans, minibuses & motor caravans are forced out of London under the new TFL low emissions regulations

The new Low Emission Zone requirements came into effect on 3 January, making London a no-go area for vans, minibuses and motor caravans older than a Y plate.

The Freight Transport Association is advising operators using vehicles over ten years old to avoid driving into London or they could end up having to pay a daily charge of £100 or a fine of £500.

The heavy fines will have to be paid if older vans etc do not comply with Euro 3 standard emission laws. To comply, businesses can get a particulate filter fitted, but exorbitant costs may force some small businesses to reconsider their transport methods.

A full filter can cost anywhere between £1800 to £3500 to buy for most vans and a further £200 and over to fit it the vehicle.

The filter will then need to be serviced each year, which could cost up to £200.

Transport for London gives operators a couple of choices, from buying a newer van or fleet, to converting vehicles to gas. Although, this will be of little relief and a number of businesses will enter 2012 worrying how to afford the new addition to their overheads.

To find out more about the Low Emission Zone, visit the TfL website.