Drunk learner arrested halfway through lesson

 

 A learner driver has been banned from driving after being found drunk during a late night driving lesson.

Police were called after other road users spotted her swerving and struggling to keep in her lane.

The two-hour lesson also saw the 23-year-old waitress narrowly avoid crashing into an oncoming car, after her instructor grabbed the steering wheel and avoided disaster.

The driver of that car turned around and attempted to stop her but she set off again before he could get out of his car.

When Police eventually stopped the L-plated Seat, they found the lady sat in the passenger seat wearing red pyjamas, with her driving instructor at the wheel.

She was arrested and found to be more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit, despite claiming she hadn't had a drink in over 24 hours.

Blackpool Magistrates heard that she had arranged the twilight driving lesson "because she was bored".

Meet and Greet at Bluewater

Alan Rowe and Phil Mason with information about our courses at our Meet and Greet stand at the Bluewater Safety Store.

If you were shopping today in Bluewater, Kent, you may have come across two members of our observer team who were meeting members of the public and encouraging shoppers to take up the challenge of becoming an Advanced Motorists. Phil Mason and Alan Rowe were our team members with Phil adding "We've had some good interest and a few who will be taking up that challenge very soon"

If you missed us, not to worry, we will be at other events around the Mid Kent area and will be attending the store again very soon. We'll keep you posted.

More details can be found at our website. www.midkentiam.org.uk

Deaths soar on roads where streetlights have been turned off

Switching off streetlights at night - to cut costs to local councils and reduce pollution - has lead to a rise in road casualties, it was revealed yesterday.

Police data has shown that road deaths in areas where streetlights are turned off rose by 39 per cent since 2009, when a clampdown on road lighting was introduced, while serious injuries were up by 27 per cent and minor injuries rose by 19 per cent.

More than 750,000 streetlights are currently being switched off or dimmed due to councils trying to save money, or the Highways Agency attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and light pollution in heavily-populated areas.

Generally, road casualties are on a downward trend in the UK, however, there has been a 20 per cent increase in unlit areas, with 324 more people killed or injured since 2009.

The AA said that councils should use the £200 million Government Challenge Fund to install energy-efficient lighting rather than simply switching off lights altogether. AA president Edmund King, said: "Roads that are safe when lit can be unsafe with the lights off. Why did people have to become victims to prove the point?"

Professor Stephen Glaister, RAC Foundation director, said that councils and the Highways Agency ignored experts when they warned that these budget cuts could increase road casualties.

But the Local Government Association hit back, saying: "Improving road safety is a key priority.

"Police and communities are always consulted before lighting is reduced. If councils were presented with evidence it was causing a safety risk they would act. However, this data fails to provide that evidence."

The Highways Agency added: "Safety is a top priority. We continue to light our network wherever it provides a safety benefit."

The UK's first 'smart' motorway has opened on the M25.

The UK's first 'smart' motorway has opened today on the M25.

An eight-mile section of the London orbital road between junction 23 and 25 will be the first motorway in the country to use the hard-shoulder as a full-time live traffic lane, as well as utilising new camera technology to improve traffic management.

Infrared CCTV has been installed on the stretch by the Highways Agency to allow staff at its control centres to have greater visibility of the road network and respond to incidents as they develop.

The agency claims that the new technology will improve journey reliability by reducing congestion and easing traffic flow.

Graham Dalton, Highways Agency chief executive said: "The design changes have meant that smart motorways are quicker to build, more intuitive for drivers and more efficient to operate, while maintaining safety," reports the Hertfordshire Mercury.

The new smart motorway, which has seen 1.1 million man hours go into its completion, will also see new gantries and overhead signals, as well as refuge areas in place of the hard shoulder.

A further section of the M25, between junction 25 and 27, is also undergoing similar improvements, which are scheduled for completion towards the end of this year.

Sections of smart motorway are also planned for sections of the M1, M3 and M62.

Roads minister Robert Goodwill said: "The additional capacity on the M25 is part of the government's record investment in the strategic road network, with £15.1bn being invested to add over 400 lane miles of capacity on our busiest motorways by 2021.

"Our motorways are the backbone of Britain and vital to building the UK economy, with approximately four million vehicles using them each day."

Towing me, towing you

In times of austerity, we're all looking for ways to have a break without breaking the bank. Camping and towing can help you venture the country and get a break from home. 

Before setting off, make sure you check both car and caravan tyre pressures, including the spares.  The caravan tyre pressure will need to take into account the weight of the load inside the caravan.  Check the tightness of the wheel nuts using a torque wrench. The correct settings can be found in the caravan's handbook.  Ensure LPG (gas) cylinders are turned off, and securely fastened in an upright position.  Check the nose weight of the caravan, and if necessary, re-adjust the position of the load inside the caravan, keeping heavy items low and over the axle. Every car and caravan has a maximum noseweight, use the lower figure of the two.  Ensure any load is always properly secured. Make sure the towing vehicle has mirrors fitted so you can see down each side of the caravan. Check the car and caravan lights. Walk round the caravan for a last minute check. The caravan should be level, or very slightly nose down.

When you're on the move:

·         Steadily get your speed up

·         If you are worried about a queue of traffic behind you, pull into a lay-by and let them pass

·         Remember you will be slower moving off than other vehicles, and it may well take longer to stop

·         On roundabouts, remember how long you are with your caravan on the back

·         Think about taking a reversing course. These are provided by the Caravan Club, and the Caravan and Camping Club.

Once you've arrived:

·         Remember to uncompress the hitch mechanism to avoid it moving into the rear of the car when released

·         Put the handbrake on and place blocks by the wheels to avoid rolling

·         Make final adjustments by placing a spirit level on the caravan floor

·         Only enter the caravan once it is  level, and the corner steadies are down

·         Make sure the step is level and secure.

·         Don't disconnect the caravan until it is level across its width

·         Don't use the corner steadies to adjust the level of the caravan as this can cause unnecessary strain.

Don't forget, you'll need to check if your driving licence covers you to tow a trailer. Also, speed limits can and do differ when you're towing. The maximum speeds for a car and trailer are (providing a lower limit is not in force:

·         60 mph – motorway and dual carriageway

·         50 mph – other roads

Don’t forget your breathalysers for France

With the Easter break fast approaching, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and AlcoSense breathalysers are reminding motorists travelling to France that it is still a legal requirement to carry an NF approved breathalyser in all vehicles. '

The easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo, like the AlcoSense NF breathalyser. The NF logo is the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK. 

The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). 

Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Although the law for carrying breathalysers will no longer be enforced through fines, in order to comply with the law, you will need to carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you're going to drink don't drive, and beware the morning after effect."

AlcoSense managing director Hunter Abbott said: "It is still a legal requirement to carry an NF approved breathalyser. There are less than a handful of brands who have the official NF approvals, make sure you buy a product with the blue NF logo on it, like the AlcoSense NF Breathalyser."

Parking tips from the IAM

Many people struggle with parking, it's the manoeuvre that many people dread but unfortunately it's something we'll all just have to live with. While I can't show you how to achieve the perfect parallel park here, I can give you some advice on doing it as safely as possible.

You should always park on the left-hand side of the road. The Highway Code states 'do not park facing against the traffic flow', and at night this is a legal requirement, unless you are in a recognised parking space.

When looking for a parking space, drive slowly past a potential parking space and size it up to see if the car will fit. If you have a car on your tail, don't slam on the brakes and stop. If you have to carry on past it and turn round, or find another space, do that instead.

If you are parking in a car park, always try to reverse into the space. This is safer because you don't then have to back out into traffic. It's also more fuel efficient – you'll do the manoeuvring with a warm engine, and easier, especially when trying to get into a very narrow space.

Tempting thought it may be, don't just rely on your parking sensors to guide you. Your mirrors are vital for seeing what traffic or pedestrians are around you, so keep an eye on these, and remember to always check over your shoulder.

When you get out of the car, don't just swing your door open. Check for cyclists and other traffic, and take care when stepping out onto a busy road. It is always safer for pedestrians, particularly children and dogs, to get out on the pavement side.

Look after your car. Damage unfortunately does happen, especially in car parks. Park in the middle of the gap to give as much room as possible to open your doors, and for the driver next to you to open theirs, and tuck in your wing mirrors. When visiting a supermarket or shopping centre, try and park away from trolley parks and corners to avoid your car being exposed to damage from trolleys. And remember that other shoppers may not have put their trolley away properly. If it's dark and you have wet windows, they can be hard to see.

On hills you need to take particular care to make sure your car can't roll. Park close to the kerb and firmly apply the handbrake. When facing uphill select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb, and downhill select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb.

Motorists unhappy with pothole performance

The government has got a long way to go to convince drivers that they have the pothole problem in control as 67 per cent of motorists think that they are doing a bad or a very bad job of maintaining the nation's roads, according to the latest research published today by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of female drivers believe that the government is doing a bad or very bad job, but the figure increases for male drivers 69 per cent unhappy with the current state of the roads.

There is a clear lack of communication between the motoring public and local councils.  A third of drivers (34 per cent) think that their council is cutting spending on road maintenance but 60 per cent of drivers don't know if budgets are being cut, suggesting councils are performing poorly on informing and engaging with local residents.  Over half of drivers (52 per cent) think that local councils are doing a bad or very bad job of looking after local roads.  Fifty-seven per cent of males and 49 per cent of females believe their council is doing a bad or very bad job.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Despite the government's pothole review, there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the efforts of authorities to keep our roads safe and smooth drive or ride on.

"The government need to convince motorists that they have a real cure for the pothole pandemic.  This can only be achieved through clear communication on new policies, more sharing of resources, sustained long-term funding and a continued commitment to eradicating the maintenance backlog of crumbling British roads."

The IAM offers tips on avoiding the risks associated with potholes:

• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front so that you can see the road surface before you drive or ride on it.
• If you do hit a pothole accidentally, make a point of checking your tyres once you've stopped. Check the inner as well as the outer tyre wall, which may have been damaged as a result.
• Avoid suddenly pulling out to avoid a hole – you might discover that there is a motorcyclist trying to get past you, or encounter an oncoming vehicle.
• Bikers and cyclists need to look well ahead and change direction early so they have time to deal with the holes, and so that their movements don't cause surprise to other road users.
• Potholes tend to reappear in the same place again and again as previous repairs fail - remember where you saw one and expect it to be there again.
• Be extra vigilant on roads with lots of lorries and also around bus stops.  Extra pressure is put on the road surface wherever heavy vehicles stop, start or turn.

London roundabout baffles motorists as arrows painted wrong way

 

Road users were left baffled by a roundabout that council contractors had re-painted with the arrows pointing in the wrong direction.

The roundabout at the Oakfield Road and Stapleton Hall Road junction in Crouch end has been ridiculed on social media, with cyclists saying Haringey Council was taking the term 'going Dutch' too literally and calling it the "wrong-way roundabout".

A Haringey Council spokesman said "This mistake by our contractors Ringway Jacobs will be rectified as soon as possible at their expense.

"Temporary action has been taken at the roundabout to avoid confusion."

But Green Party politician baroness Jenny Jones said "You just can't afford to get this stuff wrong, or people will end up injured.

"London is full of badly designed roads, dangerous junctions and rubbish cycle lanes, so we could really do without silly mistakes making things even worse."

Rain, rain, go away

When April comes, April showers arrive. Great news for gardeners and the general public alike. Good news – I hear you say, except for the inconvenience of wet shoes and frizzy hair. A suddenly very wet road surface increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering, which is a problem not just for motorists, but cyclists and motorcyclists too.

Rain makes the windows mist up in seconds, so adjust your heater controls before you set off. You don't want to be squinting through condensation, driving rain, and fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road.

As in all bad weather, slow down.  In the rain your stopping distance should be at least doubled.  Giving yourself more space helps you to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle. And be especially cautious after prolonged dry spells – surface rain on dry roads is dangerously slippery.

Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly – harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the car. If you see pools or running water on the road, don't brake or accelerate into it. Ease off the accelerator as you cross it, grip the steering wheel firmly and steer straight ahead.

Avoid using cruise control on wet roads – it may create problems if you start to aquaplane.

In stormy conditions, it is more difficult to see other vehicles, road signs and the road itself. Make sure you can see and be seen. Put your lights on – whenever you use your wipers you probably also need your headlights. Before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting.