Acclaim Driving Blog
DSA Announce Motorists to Get up to £5,000 for Eco-Friendly Motoring
Published: March 9th 2010
Motorists get up to £5,000 towards cost of an ultra-low carbon car: - 25 February 2010 Pioneering motorists will receive up to £5,000 to buy an ultra-low carbon car, and the roll-out of supporting infrastructure will begin in selected regions, the government announced today. The Plug-in Car Grant will be distributed directly to the consumer at ... (read on)
Independent Driving
Published: February 26th 2010
Independent Driving The Driving Standards Agency has commissioned research to assess the feasibility of including independent driving in the practical driving test. This is part of a research programme to build up a robust evidence base for the changes proposed in the Learning to Drive Consultation Paper. The research originated from concerns that learner drivers are not experiencing... (read on)
News From The DSA
Published: February 17th 2010
Observer on test The 75th birthday of the driving test marks the start of the biggest overhaul to driver training and testing since its introduction in 1935. We have seen significant changes in the way we live and travel since the driving test was introduced some 75 years ago. As more and more people have taken to the road, road networks and traffic systems have grown and... (read on)
DSA Research Report
Published: January 29th 2010
DSA Update – Independent Driving Research The Driving Standards Agency have published two research reports about independent driving which will be included in practical driving tests from October 2010. Newly-qualified drivers identify one of the biggest challenges they face is driving without the support of their instructor and the reports indicate that independent drivi... (read on)
Introduction of 20MPH Zone Schemes
Published: January 20th 2010
20MPH ZONES Proposals to allow Local Authorities to put in place 20 mph schemes over groups of streets without the need for traffic calming measures such as speed humps were announced in December by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark. The Government is encouraging local councils to introduce 20 mph schemes into residential streets and other roads where cycle and pedestrian traffic is high, such ... (read on)
Concerns About Safety of New In-Car Device
Published: January 20th 2010
BACK TO HOME PAGE DIGITAL DASHBOARDS - SAFETY HAZARD The internet dashboard, or ‘infotainment system’ is the next in-car device that could cause a major distraction to drivers, says the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). Intel and Google are both looking into interactive dashboards, including 10-inch screens above the gearstick which will show 3D maps, web pages an... (read on)
News from Brake
Published: January 19th 2010
Drivers scarily complacent about dangerous vehicles, says Brake and Direct Line Drivers often have their head in the sand when it comes to the safety of their brakes and other critical components, resulting in death and injury, says research out today from Brake and Direct Line. When surveyed by the road safety campaigner and motor insurer, more than two in 5 (42%) of car and van driv... (read on)
INCONSIDERATE & DANGEROUS PARKING
Published: January 2nd 2010
INCONSIDERATE AND DANGEROUS PARKING From June, Councils which carry out parking enforcement will be able to issue Penalty Charge Notices to motorists who park at dropped kerbs or doublepark, without the need for these prohibitions to be indicated with specific traffic signs or road markings. This follows consultation which showed strong support for the move. Authorities in London have succes... (read on)
ABI SURVEY REPORT
Published: December 22nd 2009
Motorists who use mobile telephones while behind the wheel are the "biggest menace" on the UK\'s roads, a new report from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has indicated. Over 70 per cent of people believe such drivers are most likely to cause a crash, followed by young male motorists (45 per cent) and those who do not have insurance (34 per cent). Almost three-quarters ... (read on)
Acclaim Promote Eco-safe Driving
Published: December 15th 2009
Become an Eco-safe Driver If you haven’t heard about global warming you must have been living on another planet. The main cause of it is the greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) which we produce by burning fossil fuels-like by driving cars. As a leading driving school we can do our bit to protect the environment, and help you do yours, by... (read on)
News from the DSA- Observer on Driving Test
Published: November 30th 2009
DSA Observer on Driving Test 27th November 2009 Further to DSA discussions about observers on the driving test and the DSA’s decision to adopt an approach based on education rather than legislation, the DSA have been looking at how they might progress this approach sooner than October 2010. The DSA can confirm that this new approach for the driving test will now be fully ... (read on)
Winter Motoring Tips from Acclaim
Published: November 12th 2009
Changing Gear for Winter As the evenings draw in, it’s time to prepare for harsher weather. The autumn months in the UK can bring all manner of weather. Expect gales, hail, floods, hurricanes, snow, ice and bright sunshine all in the space of a few months! Such unpredictable conditions can bring with it a number of problems… So how does one deal with it all as a driver on Britain&rs... (read on)
Inflatable Seat Belts
Published: November 11th 2009
Inflatable seatbelt will soften blow of a car crash A car maker is introducing seatbelts that inflate like airbags to give extra protection to passengers in cars. The manufacturer Ford is fitting the back seats of vehicles with belts that inflate automatically during a crash. Experts say they will be particularly effective at preventing broken ribs, internal damage... (read on)
Driving Test Nerves
Published: October 19th 2009
Driving Test Nerves Loss of concentration, mind going blank, feeling sick are all symptoms of driving test nerves. Some instructors will blame lack of preparation, or readiness but many will know of competent drivers going to pieces under the stress of the examination. Will more lessons really be the answer? Yes, more practice can help but not if they stay in this panicked frame of mind. ... (read on)
Observer on the Driving Test
Published: September 25th 2009
News from the DSA Observer on the DrivingTest The proposal that driving test candidates should be required to take an observer with them on their practical car driving test from October 2010 has generated a great deal of debate. DSA has received comments from a variety of stakeholders and has met with the ADI Consultative Groups and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). The DSA ... (read on)
The ECOlogical Driving Test
Published: September 21st 2009
The ECOlogical Driving Test AN ECOlogical driving test, establishing a motorist’s fuel ECOnomy and accident avoidance skills, was launched in Britain on September 1st.2009. It is the first-ever ‘cash-saving at the wheel’ qualification and toughest-ever test of vehicle control for experienced car and van drivers. Privately developed and operated - with a major insuranc... (read on)
Latest DSA News to your mobile!
Published: September 21st 2009
Latest DSA news to your mobile – free! Customers of two of Britain’s biggest mobile networks can now get the latest news from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) straight to their mobile phone – free of charge. The DSA is already using the popular microblogging site Twitter to keep almost 700 subscribers – or ‘followers’ – updated via the internet. N... (read on)
Tax Disc Display on Driving Test
Published: September 16th 2009
The Driving Standards Agency(DSA), have now changed the rules regarding the display of tax discs when a person takes a driving test. Previously if the tax disc displayed on the car was out of date you could not take your driving test. Recently the DVLA changed the law regarding the display of car tax discs on vehicles. There is now legally a 5 day period of grace given to allow ... (read on)
Changes to the TheoryTest
Published: September 8th 2009
Improvements to Theory Test • The DSA introduces case studies into the theory test • Candidates to be tested on understanding as well as knowledge • Case studies are widely used in education to put learning into context The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will start to introduce case studies into the driving theory test from the end of this month. From the 28 September 200... (read on)
DSA Court Case Bogus Driving Instructor
Published: September 4th 2009
Bogus driving instructor given six-month suspended sentence and community service · Deekan Vig made up to £4, 000 by duping learners · Suspicion was raised by driving test examiners in north London · Driving Standards Agency issues stark... (read on)
Pre-Driver Qulification
Published: August 20th 2009
In Januarythe DSA introduced a voluntary pre-driver qualification in Safe Road Use, aimed primarily at 14-16 year olds, but open to all age groups and road users. The course can be delivered through schools, colleges, community groups and young offender institutions. It consists of two modules, each taking about 40 hours, and covers knowledge and attitude. The course is currently available to... (read on)
Half of Britian's Motorists Would Fail the Driving Test
Published: August 20th 2009
Half of Britain\'s Motorists would Fail the Driving Test According to the Independent on Sunday 50 per cent of the UK\'s licensed drivers would probably fail their driving test if they took it again! An experiment that was organised by Kia Motors UK - the Kia Motors Driving Test Challenge - found that 50 per cent of the UK\'s experienced drivers would probably fail the driving test if they ... (read on)
Britains Most Dangerous Drivers
Published: August 14th 2009
TAILGATERS AND PHONE USERS REVEALED AS BRITAIN’S MOST DANGEROUS DRIVERS Drivers who tailgate other vehicles, or use a handheld phone whilst at the wheel are the most dangerous threats on our roads, according to a new survey from the Institute of Advanced Motorists. More than half of all drivers regard each of these two activities as “highly dangerous”, according... (read on)
Texting Whilst Driving
Published: August 13th 2009
TEXTING AT WHEEL RAISES CRASH RISK ‘BY 23 TIMES’ Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash when they text at the wheel, a study has revealed. Dialling a mobile, or using, or reaching for an electronic device increased risk of an accident six-fold. Experts used cameras to continuously monitor drivers and truckers for more than six million miles. It found some spent as long as 5 second... (read on)
Motorway Journeys Will Never Be The Same Again!
Published: June 27th 2009
Car train to take the strain, lasers could allow us to work, eat and sleep at the wheel in convoys doing 70mph Drivers will be able to sleep, read, work or watch television behind the wheel of their cars at 70mph on the motorway, using technology being developed by scientists. No more long boring motorway journeys, plus think of the time you could save if you are able to work as you tra... (read on)
A Safer Way
Published: June 19th 2009
A Consultation on Making Britains Roads the Safest in the World The Government has set out in a consultation document its proposals for reducing Road Casualties over the next twenty years and within that has set targets for the next ten years. There has been a lot of media attention recently on reducing speeds on rural roads and the use of more 20mph zones/roads/routes which is only on... (read on)
DANGERS OF TEXTING WHILST DRIVING
Published: May 19th 2009
DANGERS OF TEXTING AT THE WHEEL The dangers of texting whilst driving are highlighted in a new hard-hitting THINK! Campaign which has been launched after research showed that 30% of young drivers admitted to texting at the wheel. Using a mobile phone at the wheel is considered the second most unacceptable driving behaviour among motorists with 93% agreeing that texting while driving ... (read on)
Road Safety Strategy
Published: May 19th 2009
Department for Transport Road Safety Strategy Consultation – Brake Reaction The Department for Transport is shortly to publish a consultation on its road safety strategy to 2020. Details are due to appear on www.dft.gov.uk soon. Brake, the road safety charity, has campaigned for some of the measures that we understand are proposed in the consultation, these include 20mph lim... (read on)
At last, a chance to drive straight over roadworks
Published: May 5th 2009
At last, a chance to drive straight over roadworks The days of unmanned road-works bringing chaos and misery to busy roads could soon become a thing of the past. There’s little more frustrating than being stuck in a traffic jam to get round cones and cages which guard a hole or trench when the road workers have gone home, or simply aren’t there. But now, in a moment of welcome cla... (read on)
YOUNG DRIVERS ARE VUNERABLE ON OUR ROADS!
Published: April 17th 2009
THE YOUNG DRIVER TOLL We have learnt that in 2007, 138 teenage drivers (17, 18 and 19 year olds) were killed on our roads. Some facts to assist us all in understanding what this might mean: In 2007 1086 drivers under 20 years of age were killed or seriously injured 821 were male 1426 drivers between 20 -24 were killed or seriously injured 1... (read on)
EFFECTS OF DEHYDRATION ON DRIVERS!
Published: April 17th 2009
DEHYDRATION Some useful information has been produced which backs up the fact that drivers do not perform well if they become dehydrated. Water Wellpoint looked at the effect of a lack of fluid intake on drivers and found that a one percent dehydration will drop concentration by as much as twelve percent and if this rises to two percent, concentration drops by twenty percent. Did you know th... (read on)
ON THE SPOT FINES FOR DRIVERS RESIDENT OUTSIDE OF THE UK!
Published: April 17th 2009
New Powers to make our roads safer! New powers to ensure that all drivers who break the rules of the road in the UK face tough penalties have come into force. Under the new laws drivers - including hauliers - living outside the UK will no longer be able to escape the penalties faced by UK drivers. The Police and examiners from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) can now collect on-the... (read on)
Energy Saving Speed Bumps
Published: April 16th 2009
Energy Saving Speed Bumps Energy generating speed bumps are to be tested in London. The energy generated will be used to power the street lights, traffic lights, and signs They do not damage your car, they simply capture the kinetic energy as the vehicles go over them. The ramps can cost between £20k and £55k and look like a series of steel balls across the road surface, a steady st... (read on)
Emergency Contact in Case of Accident or Emergency
Published: March 25th 2009
ICE – is it a good idea? ICE stands for in case of an emergency! Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone. ICE - \'In Case of Emergency\' We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to... (read on)
