newslink

The DSA hAS formally announced that it is dropping plans to make continuing professional development mandatory for ADIs.

The proposal, which has been debated by the ADI industry for some time, has been axed after the agency admitted it could not force instructors to take CPD without increasing the regulatory burden on ADIs or raising registration fees.

In her column in this month’s Newslink Rosemary Thew, the DSA chief executive, stresses that it was a proposal the agency had been keen to introduce but it had to back down in the face of unsurmount-able obstacles.

“One of the main challenges to introducing a mandatory scheme is the additional burden it would create when the Government’s commitment is to reduce the burden on small businesses,” she said, adding that mandatory CPD would also lead to an increase in the ADI registration fee.

In addition, with ADIs’ standards of instruction monitored through the check test, Rosemary admitted that it would be difficult to create sanctions against those

ADIs who fail to take CPD: “Any attempt to remove an ADI from the register because they had failed to undertake mandatory CPD would be hard to justify – and it is on that basis that we are proposing to keep the scheme voluntary at this time.”

The MSA has been a keen advocate of CPD for many years and believes all members need to improve their skills and make sure they keep up-to-date with the latest tuition and training techniques.

On the issue of red tape, the Conservative-led Coalition has made great play on its ambition to slash regulations from the moment it entered office.

Government departments are expected

to introduce new regulations on business only as a last resort; in such a culture, clearly the DSA feels forcing ADIs to take CPD was not in keeping with the current Whitehall philosophy.

“ADIs’ standards are monitored through the check test,” commented MSA general manager John Lepine.

“However, I believe it would have been very straightforward to make the taking of regular CPD a condition of being on the Register. After all, passing a check test is not the only condition for ADIs to remain on the Register: they have to remain fit and proper persons and it could be argued that failing to stay up-to-date as a driver trainer is as bad as exceeding the

» » » to page 3

The ADI’s VoiceNewslinkOctober 2012 Issue 244

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Three little words Why professional indemnity insurance is so important to ADIs

MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

AMSlogo final solo.indd 1 25/2/11 15:49:16

p34 - 43

Regional news:When a right answer is wrong, a look into the future of driving testing – and a police double-act explains the mysteries of car crashes

DSA admits defeat on mandatory CPD

p28

Life’s a gas...Fed-up with high fuel prices? There is an alternative – find out what life’s like teaching in an LPG car

p26

Accessible for allReport on DSA working party looking into the challenges some pupils face with the theory test

MSA regional training daysFull details of who’s speaking and how to book on our regional training days and AGMs

p32-33

Drive to cut red tape and concerns over enforcement and implementation costs force agency to drop proposals

Man on a mission: New Tory Party chairman Grant Shapps demonstrates the Government’s commitment to cut red tape, on this occasion slashing regulations surrounding house sales

All change at the top Former economist is given politics’ top job in road safety as Mike Penning departs

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02 : OCTOBER 2012 : MSA NeWSLINK

News

editor: John Lepine MBet: 0161 429 9669e: [email protected] [email protected]: 0161 429 9779

Advertising contacts:Joanne Cantwellt: 0161 432 9717e: [email protected]

Colin Regant: 01925 468403e: [email protected]

Production editor:Rob Beswickt: 0161 426 7957e: [email protected] [email protected]

Newslink is published monthly for the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP and distributed free of charge to MSA members throughout Great Britain by Chamber Media Services, 4 West Park Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3JX

Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those of the MSA.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this publication, neither the Motor Schools Association nor the publishers can accept any responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either advertising or editorial content.©2012 The Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden without express permission of the editor.

The paper for this magazine has been sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. For more information see www.pefc.org

NewslinkThe ADIs’ Voice

ADIS HAVe A new minister to answer to after the MP formerly in charge of roads and road safety, Mike Penning, moved to the Northern Ireland office in the Prime Minister’s autumn reshuffle, to be replaced by economist and former investment banker Stephen Hammond.

The MP for Wimbledon, Mr Hammond will now oversee the work of the DSA and a number of other duties, including supervising:

• Strategic Roads and Highways Agency• Motoring Agencies• Freight and Logistics – including lorry

road user charging• Maritime and Dangerous Goods

(including Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

• London• Crossrail• Better regulationHis predecessor, Mike Penning, had held

the road safety portfolio since June 2010, which made him one of the longest-lasting roads ministers in recent times.

The longevity had allowed him to develop a better grasp of the driving testing and training brief than many of his predeccessors, who had suffered from the previous administration’s habit of holding reshuffles of junior ministers on an annual basis.

However, while he may have grasped the brief, it is hard to record anything of real note that was drawn up and implemented during his watch.

Certainly things that the MSA had

enthusiastically backed, such as scrapping the trainee licence scheme, compulsory CPD for ADIs and learners on motorways, have been either dropped or appear to have been forgotten about.

It is thought Mr Penning was hampered by the twin burdens of working in a strict deregulatory framework – the same problem cited for the end of the DSA’s plans for mandatory CPD – and departmental spending cuts.

We wish him better look in Northern Ireland.

Strangely, despite Mr Cameron announcing the reshuffle at the start of September, it took until September 20 for Mr Hammond to officially receive the road safety brief. However, sharp-eyed Whitehall watchers noted that in Parliamentary Questions on September 10 Mr Hammond

was answering PQs on motorcyle training and sleep-related traffic casualties, allowing many to assume he had been appointed as Mr Penning’s direct successor.

Details of that Parliamentary session can be found on page xx - xx.

Born and educated in Southampton, Stephen Hammond attended King edward VI School and afterwards London University. Unfortunately his career before politics doesn’t suggest an obvious interest or knowledge of transport or road safety. An economics graduate, he began his career in finance with a leading fund management house and subsequently worked for several major investment banks. He was appointed a director of the equities division of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in 1994 and four years later joined Commerzbank Securities. In 2000 he was promoted to director, Pan european Research.

Politically, Stephen joined the Conservative Party after leaving university. After becoming chairman of Stevenage Conservatives, Stephen first stood for Parliament there in 1997. In 2001 he was unsuccessful in his attempt to win Wimbledon. He was elected councillor in Village Ward in 2002.

He was elected as Member of Parliament for Wimbledon in May 2005 and in December 2005 was promoted to the position of Shadow Minister for Transport, a position he held until 2010, when he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rt Hon eric Pickles MP.

Economist takes over road safety portfolio in reshuffle

The MSA says:The MSA wishes Mr Hammond all the best in his new role and we look forward to talking to him in the future to see if headway can be made on improvements to the driver testing and training regime. In particular, we are keen to see the minister move on the following issues:• A strong and respected replacement for PassPlus• Ending trainee licences• Allowing learners to drive on motorways. All three of these have been discussed and vigorously debated within the ADI community but little or no work has been completed to see changes pass into law. We have to ask, why are waiting?

Stephen Hammond

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MSA NeWSLINK : OCTOBER 2012 : 03

News

Continued from page 1speed limit or being prosecuted for a non-motoring criminal offence.”

Acceptance of the decision does not change the MSA’s position on the need for CPD, however.

“We have always believed every ADI should look to take CPD and that remains our policy.

“Whatever grade you receive on your check test, resting on your

laurels is not an option. “Keep on top of changes to the

testing and training regime, and in particular the latest tuition techniques, such as coaching. Only by doing so will you maintain your professional standards.”

What’s your view? Are you pleased that the DSA has dropped this proposal or do you think CPD is so important that ADIs should be

forced to do some every year?Let Newslink know: write to the

Editor. The address can be found on the facing page

• Keep informed, learn more, network with fellow ADIs: MSA regional AGMs and training seminars, 2012.

Full list of events and speakers on pages 32-33.

THe DSA has reviewed its operations at Neath LGV test centre since its closure in February and has decided not to reopen it.

The DSA made this decision because of the prolonged closure of the site due to delays to works taking place and their proposed costs, and by being able to service demand from alternative sites.

However, it says it remains committed to offering vocational testing in this area.

At the moment, the nearest alternative test centre for vocational tests is

Llantrisant LGV.There are also a number of customer

sites in West Wales – where trainers host their own testing.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a customer site, or hosting tests for your own and other trainers’ candidates, send an email, with your contact details to customersites@ dsa.gsi.gov.uk

The DSA aims to give instructors more information shortly.

DSA drops mandatory CPD proposal

Axe falls on Neath LGV centre

The DSA and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) are looking for motorcycle trainers to help trial on-road manoeuvres.

Ideally, they want to conduct the trial with test-ready learners.

This is part of the review announced by the former Road Safety Minister to explore whether a single-event test can be conducted on-road. This review is funded by the Department for Transport.

See the DSA website for more details.

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Positive news on car salesThe new car finance market grew by 48 per cent by value and 42 per cent by volume in July when compared with July 2011 – the strongest monthly growth so far this year.

That’s according to the latest motor finance figures from the Finance & Leasing Association, the trade body for the motor finance industry.

It is the first sign that new car sales may be picking up and the grip of recession is lessening, say market analysts.

Drink-driving deaths riseThe number of fatalities involving drink-drivers rose by 18 per cent in 2011, from 220 in 2010 to 260 in 2011, according to figures published by the Department for Transport.

In the same period, the number of people killed in drink- drive accidents increased by 12 per cent, from 250 to 280. This means that 15 per cent of all fatalities in road accidents involved drink driving.

The total number of drink-drive accidents increased by 1.5 per cent, from 6,630 to 6,730.

The total number of casualties involving drink driving rose by three per cent, from 9,700 in 2010 to 9,990 in 2011.

The rise in drink drive casualties follows a drop in 2010, when drink drive fatalities were at their lowest in 30 years.

Fleet poll rejects speed camerasFleet managers have firmly rejected speed cameras as road safety measures in an online poll organised by Fleet News magazine.

In the poll, the magazine asked the question: “Do you think speed cameras contribute to road safety”

The responses were firmly against, with 52.4 per cent rejecting cameras as beneficial to road safety. Only 19 per cent thought they had a role to play, with the remainder (28.4 per cent) unsure of their worth in a road safety context.

A road safety spokesman commented: “This is sad news as we thought we had won the battle over speed cameras’ role in improving road safety.”

Newsinbrief

DSA chief executive Rosemary Thew has urged professional drivers to ensure they are up-to-date with the Driver CPC training.

Since CPC was introduced, over half-a-million professional drivers across the goods and passenger sectors have taken accredited periodic training to further develop their knowledge and skills and help make sure they remain safe and responsible drivers throughout their career.

Training is provided by over 3,000

approved training courses covering a range of topics from fuel efficiency to tachograph and drivers’ hours regulations or defensive driving.

However, grandfather rights expire in September 2014, so Ms Thew was keen that drivers who haven’t completed their CPC don’t leave it until the end of 2013 before starting the course.

“I would urge all drivers who haven’t yet started periodic training not to leave it until the last minute.

“Remember, if the deadline arrives and

you drive professionally without a Driver CPC, you’ll be committing an offence.

“Operators who cause or allow their drivers to drive without Driver CPC will also be committing an offence.

“The idea of drivers completing regular training throughout their working life is not new – many have been doing it for years through operators who recognise the benefits of drivers developing their skills; helping to boost productivity as well as improve road safety.”

Thew steps up campaign to ensure professional drivers are CPC trained

The DSA has published new national standards for lorry and bus drivers, which it has developed with the haulage and passenger transport industries.

The National Driving Standard Category C™ (lorry) and National Driving Standard Category D™ (bus and coach) address specific issues such as the use of tachographs and the dangers of continuous driving.

They also outline what drivers need to know, to understand and are able to do in areas such as:• preparing a vehicle and its occupants for a journey• guiding and controlling a vehicle• using the road in accordance with the Highway Code

• driving safely and responsibly in the traffic system• reviewing and adjusting driver behaviour over a lifetime

DSA chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said: “The haulage and passenger transport industries are a vital part of Britain’s economy and have an important role to play in keeping our roads among the safest in the world.

“The publication of these Standards will help to ensure that all bus and lorry drivers acquire the right skills, knowledge and attitude to use our roads safely and responsibly, as well as contributing to cutting the human and financial cost of road accidents.

“I want to thank the haulage and

passenger transport industries and the sector skills councils for their input into the development of the Standards. These will enhance the excellent training that is readily available and contribute to the work the DSA is doing to set standards for everyone who uses a motorised vehicle on public roads.”

The Standards should form the basis of training that a lorry, bus or coach driver receives – and so the training industry is encouraged to create courses that address them. This includes both the training that drivers complete to drive professionally (Driver CPC) and training for those who don’t drive for a living.

The new Standards can be downloaded from the DSA corporate website.

DSA sets new standards for lorry driversAgency urges trainers to incorporate them into courses

DSA has published a new early working example of a computer-generated hazard perception test clip.

The clip has been produced by Jelly - the company that won the contract to update the hazard perception clips. This new example shows what candidates can expect to see in the test.

The updated clips will be part of the

theory test from summer 2013.The scenarios and hazards remain the

same but vehicles, fashions and backdrops will have a more modern look.

Over the coming months, DSA will be working closely with Jelly to make sure the new clips will meet quality assurance standards.

New theory test clips on Youtube

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MG tempts new buyers with big trade-in offersAn old name from Britain’s mo-toring past has resurfaced with some generous trade-in deals.

MG – now Chinese-owned after the collapse of Rover in the early 2000s – is offering a £3,000 allowance against all models in the MG6 range by trading in their old car – with the company claiming almost any old banger will qualify for the huge money off deal!

It means that owners of old and inefficient cars that urgently need replacing can drive away a brand new MG from as little as £12,455 after the trade-in discount. Any make of car, as long as it has an MOT valid for at least 14 days, can be traded in.

Free fuel for 15,000 miles is being offered on MG6 models under a separate deal. Under this scheme customers will be given a Fuel Genie card, with a value of £2,400, which can be used at Tesco and Morrisons supermarket fuel stations.

The MG6 range is designed and engineered at MG Birmingham where final assembly takes place.

The MeSSAGe over mobile phone use while driving is still not getting through to motorists, according to a recent survey.

And if the poll by the AA is accurate, the issue is actually getting worse as modern phones are increasingly put to uses in addition to just having a chat.

The survey found that drivers are using their mobile phones for more than just talking, with drivers admitting to texting, emailing, tweeting, updating Facebook or taking photographs on the move.

While over half (58 per cent) say they have never used a hand-held phone in the car, of the 42 per cent that have used a phone 60 per cent say it distracted them from driving. The AA finds this worrying as it implies almost 40 per cent think using a hand-held mobile is not distracting.

Three-quarters of drivers (74 per cent) see others using mobile phones on some or most journeys, with one quarter (25 per cent) seeing it on every journey.

Some 20 per cent admit to having used a mobile phone to send a text, four per cent admit to checking emails and two per cent to sending emails on the move. The same

number have read Twitter or Facebook updates while driving and one per cent have even tweeted on the move.

The poll, by AA/Populus poll of 20,936 drivers, was alarming, said AA president edmund King. “Drivers need to concentrate on driving rather than be distracted by their digital technology. Our research shows that some drivers are now using their Smart phones for more than talking on the move. It is really not smart to talk, text or tweet on the move.

“We would like to see the police target more mobile phone abusers so that the message gets out that it is not worth hanging

on the telephone while driving. However, we have seen a 29 per cent reduction in traffic police in the last decade so their resources are stretched.”

Another worrying and morbid development is the advent of ‘digital rubber neckers’ – drivers who use their phones to film or photograph serious crashes on the motorway.

During one serious incident on the M1 in Northamptonshire the police recorded 80 drivers using their

phones or cameras to photograph emergency services attempting a four-and-a-half hour rescue of a 21-year-old women driver trapped in her crashed truck.

The police have contacted most of these drivers to warn them about their illegal and irresponsible behaviour but haven’t prosecuted the drivers.

“Digital rubber neckers who photograph crashes really are morbid voyeurs who should be concentrating on the road not the victims of crashes. It beggars belief that these macabre motorists should put their lives and others at risk, added Mr King.

Phone use concern as drivers admit to tweeting on the move

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AN AWARD-WINNING road safety scheme has been launched in Northamptonshire with the backing of the local council and business.

CarKraft is a road safety initiative designed to bring down the number of people killed and seriously injured in Northamptonshire, which lies at the centre of the UK’s strategic road network and is used on a daily basis by drivers all over the country.

CarKraft fits in with the French brand’s road safety policy which addresses all facets of the problem, with traffic injuries the number one cause of death for young people worldwide, including preventing

and correcting any faults, raising the awareness for all generations and, ultimately, saving lives.

In partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and Adrian Flux Insurance, Renault is supporting the re-launch of the CarKraft scheme at the Porsche experience Centre at Silverstone on Sunday, 28 October.

Tutors running the event are all highly qualified motoring professionals with many years of experience of both motor racing and advance driving techniques.

The initiative will offer participants a dynamic mix of workshops, allowing them to experience driving on simulated,

adverse road conditions on a state-of-the- art, purpose-built facility at Silverstone. It also explores the main causes of car crashes – alcohol, mobile phones, speeding and seat belts.

Drivers aged over 17 will experience the Kick Plate and Ice Hill, which both generate the effect of a loss of wheel traction to explore car control under extreme road conditions, and have an assessed drive on public carriageways with a police driver, who will provide guidance on advance techniques.

The CarKraft driver improvement scheme started in 2001 and was aimed at young drivers aged 15 to 24 years old. It

was awarded a Prince Michael Inter-national Road Safety Award in 2006 and since then more than 3,000 people have benefited from the unique experience which helped reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in the county to an all time low last year.

CarKraft has since evolved and expanded this year to include non-drivers between the ages of 15 and 21 and licence holders of all ages from anywhere in the UK.

The half-day event costs £49.99.

• For more information, visit www.carkraft.info or call 01604 364406.

MOTORISTS struggling with the increased costs of driving have been dealt another blow with the news that garage labour rates have risen to a record average of £83 per hour, according to Warranty Direct’s annual Labour Rates Survey.

While the near-record cost of petrol has prompted the Office of Fair Trading to examine the fuel market, Warranty Direct reports that the average labour rate (franchised and independent workshops combined) climbed three per cent to £82.86, up from £80.44 in 2011 and over 10 per cent higher than two years ago.

Some drivers pay as little as £36.60 per hour while others are paying as much as £200 for the same period, with the highest charge-out rate found to be £201.60 per hour.

And while the big fees tend to be paid in the larger dealerships, even small independents are getting in on the act of raising their prices. The amount you pay at smaller, independent workshops has risen the most dramatically, from £60.68 in 2011 to £64.58 in 2012 – a 6.44 per cent rise. at a time of low inflation.

Main dealer labour rates are up fractionally too, standing at an average of £95.94, meaning the gap between independent businesses and main dealers has narrowed further, the latter now charging 48.6% more on average than independents (down from 57% in 2011).

Surrey is the most expensive county to get cars fixed; an hour of a mechanic’s time costs £98.27 on average. Vehicle owners in Powys, Wales, are charged the least, with the average of £58.46. Other expensive areas include Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Berkshire, then London, essex, Wiltshire and Cheshire.

Business backs Northants road safety award

ADIs hit by garage price rise

Older drivers set to overtake the youngFIGUReS obtained by the IAM suggest the age demographic of Britain’s motorist is going to become considerably older in the future.

While fewer young people are learning to drive at the moment, more older citizens are happily jumping behind the wheel. In fact, the number of drivers over 90 years old is set to increase by 18 per cent (12,400) over the next five years. By 2017, there will be 82,400 90-year-olds driving on the roads. At present, there are 70, 000 drivers over that age.

The number of 80-year-old drivers is currently 1,049,058, and this is set to rise by 22 per cent to around 1,283,000 in the next ten years.

Drivers over the age of sixty-five now make up 25 per cent of licence holders – a figure that is set to rise as more and more baby boomers reach retirement age.

Currently there are 154 drivers over 100, including one 106 year-old and two 105-year-olds.

While concern is often raised about how well older drivers manage, the crash statistics suggest they remain a low risk. Drivers over 70 are no more likely to cause crashes than any other driver, and are considerably safer than younger drivers. eight per cent of drivers are over 70 yet they only account for four per cent of all injury crashes.

Motorists are required to renew their

licence at 70 and then every three years after that.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Today, over 10 million people can expect to reach 100 so the chances are they’ll be driven around by their 70 year-old children. While their frailty puts them at risk if they are in a crash, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a risk to other drivers.”

“Despite the increase in numbers, we should resist calls for compulsory retests for elderly drivers. The government needs a strategy now on how it is going

to manage more elderly drivers and make them more aware of the risks they face. The top priority must be non-compulsory driving assessments available nationwide to help them deal with modern high speed traffic and eliminate any bad habits.”

“Better training for GPs and other medical staff is also needed to ensure information and options are clearly spelt out. Finally those nearing retirement need to start planning now for their future transport needs and the inevitable day when they lay down their car keys.”

DVLA Personalised Registrations department had cause to celebrate after a recent three-day auction banked more than £4 million for the Treasury.

Incredibly, to further underpin the successful sale, more than 6,860 people registered to bid – the most for a sale of 1,500 registrations in five years.

The top two selling registrations were 100 O and 50 OOO – sold for £71,360 and £36,368 respectively to the same mystery buyer during the final day of the event staged at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey.

BU11 OCK is heading onto a cattle lorry after being bought by a livestock merchant from Essex for £29,888.

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WE DID IT. In the July issue of Newslink I craved readers’ indulgence to tell you about my weight loss campaign and the fundraising walk I was intending to undertake with my daughter, Claire.

Well, we have now completed a half-marathon walk for charity, as part of the Shine fund-raising event in aid of Cancer Research. For a great many readers, 13 miles, 192 yards, one foot and six inches – or 21.0975 kilometres – may not seem very far. However, it was more difficult than we both thought it would be.

The 3,000 walkers at the start were split into three groups: power walkers, striders and amblers. We confidently took our place at the front of the amblers group. Off we went, waived off from Old Trafford by ex-england and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson, who is himself a cancer survivor having beaten throat cancer last year.

It was a bit of strain for us, loyal Manchester City fans, to be stood outside Old Trafford but I wore my MCFC cap with pride and we both tried to think only about our 6-1 win from last season.

Off we went, crossing the start line about 9.15 pm. It did not take long for us to realise that what we thought of as ‘ambling’ was quite a bit slower than the majority of the other amblers, most of whom seemed to be in front of us by the time we reached the first pit-stop at Media City, Salford Quays, just two miles in.

Oh, well, quick drink and off we go

again. Our next pit-stop was at the Castlefield Arena, around five-and-a-half miles in and we did not feel too bad. Now came the fun bit, wandering round central Manchester on a Saturday night resplendent in our trainers, Shine regalia and glow sticks.

This is where the pain started and hailing one of the many taxis hurtling around the city centre seemed a very attractive option. We battled on, both

taking turns to encourage the other, before arriving at the final pit stop, Spinningfields in the centre of Manchester. We collapsed on the grass exhausted.

However, after a nice café latte and a change of socks we were ready for the last three-and-a-half miles. Confident we could beat six hours we forged ahead to the finish and crossed the line with a time of just under five-and-a-half hours, and although near the back we were not the

last to complete the course.A pretty slow time until you consider

where we were 12 months ago. Walking was something other people did. We have lost around 13 stone between us, walked the best part of 200 miles in training, Claire has done more exercise than you could shake a gym stick at and I am attending regular yoga sessions.

What kept us going? Well, clearly the insistence of Claire on a ‘positive mental attitude’ at all times helped. Remembering the people we were walking to honour from our family – Anna Rose, Johnnie Parker, Ken Butler, from the MSA Jon Gross, Ron Feltham and John Myers – and all those we know who have survived cancer thanks to the tremendous work of Cancer Research UK was also a great motivator.

Most of all, however, was the support we received from all those who were generous enough to support our efforts with their fantastic donations before we started. We felt we could not let them down by giving in.

That, coupled with our determination to prove wrong those who doubted our determination and refused to put their hands in their pockets until after we completed the walk. To those we say, come on, now is the time to make a donation.

You can see how much we have raised so far at http://www.justgiving.com/TeamAnna2012. If you would like to sponsor us for our half-marathon it’s really easy.

You can donate by texting MXTF62 and the amount you want to donate to 70070 (for example, text MXTF62 £10 to 70070) or online by credit or debit card at www.justgiving.com/TeamAnna2012

every pound you donate really does make a difference in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.

So come on, Claire and I have done our bit. If YOU have not yet made a donation please do it now.

www.msagb.comNews

So proud we put our best foot forward and took our chance to shineJOHNLEPINE MBEGeneral Manager, MSA

A tired but relieved John with his daughter, Claire, at the finishing line of their half marathon around the streets of Manchester and Salford

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So proud we put our best foot forward and took our chance to shine

FALKIRK driving test centre is moving to Grangemouth from Friday, 9 November.

The new address is Grangemouth Driving Test Centre, Units 36–37, Evans Easyspace, Earls Road, Grangemouth FK3 8UU

ADIs are asked to use the car park at

the rear of the building. The entrance will be signposted and you’ll need to buzz for access to the waiting room.

To see the new facilities for yourself before the centre officially opens an ADIs Drop-In day has been organised for Thursday, 8 November between 9:30am and 1:30pm.

ReTAIL Motor Law (RML) has welcomed the announcement by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that it is referring the UK’s private motor insurance market to the Competition Commission.

Andrew Moody, managing director of RML, commented: “I applaud the OFT for making this bold move – it is good news for small businesses and consumers. May’s provisional announcement was a clear signpost but now the industry knows where it stands. The Competition Commission has strong and wide ranging powers, so it will be very interesting to see what happens next.

“I recently spent two years compiling a

report on what I saw as questionable practices within the UK vehicle refinishing industry, specifically the agreements that certain paint manufacturers and distributors enter into with insurance and accident management companies. It is hard to escape the conclusion that some major operators are throwing their weight around, inflating prices to the detriment of smaller companies and, ultimately, increasing costs to the motoring public via higher premiums.

“I submitted the report to the OFT and believe it played a key part in them passing this to the Competition Commission.”

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Comment

ROSEMARYTHEWChief Executive, DSA

Continuing professional developmentI want to stress how much DSA values

working with ADIs. We are working with consultative organisations and others on the future of the industry and part of the discussion has been about continuing professional development (CPD).

In terms of maintaining professional standards of excellence, we strongly support CPD as a way for ADIs to demonstrate they are maintaining and developing their professional competence.

We have worked closely with the industry to explore options for increasing CPD take-up, including voluntary and mandatory schemes. One of the main challenges to introducing a mandatory scheme is the additional burden it would create when the Government wants to reduce the burden on small businesses.

A mandatory scheme would generate enforcement costs for DSA, which would ultimately have to be recovered through ADI registration fees, therefore further adding to the

burden on instructors. Also, we already have the check-test process to ensure ADIs are maintaining their standards of instruction.

Any attempt to remove an ADI from the register because they had failed to undertake mandatory CPD would, therefore, be hard to justify – and it is on that basis that we are proposing to keep the scheme voluntary at this time.

I understand that many of you will be disappointed but the regulatory environment has changed significantly since the mandatory scheme was first raised.

We will be working to ensure that the check test process remains an effective test of ADI competence.

Find lost theory test certificate numbersYou may wish to let your pupils know that if

they lose their theory test pass certificate number they can now find it online.

The DSA has launched a service on the Directgov website that allows candidates to use their name, driving licence number and date of birth to find a lost number. It takes around two minutes to use the new service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Until now it has only been possible to do this by telephone during office hours.

Digital by defaultThis new service is another example of how

the Agency is working to make more services available online, or by other digital means, in line with the Government’s ‘digital by default’ agenda. This requires departments and agencies to work towards enabling 100 per cent of services to be undertaken online or by other digital means.

The DSA is making good progress in delivering more of its services digitally and we are working to enhance our online booking services to make them easier for you and your pupils to access and use.

We will keep you informed of developments so that you can take advantage of the new services as soon as they are available.

First Car ‘glove box’ guideFinally, you may also be interested to know

that DSA and Pearson VUe have co-operated with First Car, the magazine for young drivers, to distribute a free glove box driving guide through theory test centres.

The guide offers learning, safety, insurance and motoring advice, as well as a taste of the full magazine’s popular celebrity interviews.

FIRST OF ALL, I hope you all enjoyed the summer. This year was particularly exciting in terms of events, starting, of course, with the Queen’s Jubilee, followed by the Olympics and then the Paralympics.

Thorough forward planning by DSA resulted in a reduction in the number of driving and riding tests on offer in the London area, to take into account possible traffic congestion forecast for the biggest show on earth.

In the event the transport arrangements put in place ran so smoothly that the deployment team was able to arrange an additional 697 tests during the Olympic fortnight. There was no significant impact on testing reported, including theory tests.

My thanks to colleagues in deployment, the driving examiners in the affected areas, and everyone involved in the planning beforehand for working so hard to make sure our customers were not put at a disadvantage during the Games.

And, of course, thanks to all our driving instructor colleagues for all their help in managing this.

Call centre retains accreditationWhile we are on the subject of success, I am

also pleased that following a two-day assessment by the Customer Contact Association, our contact centre in Newcastle has retained its accreditation for the fourth year running,

The assessor said: “The standard of call monitoring and review is of a high standard and the recently introduced call levelling meetings will improve this still further.

“The change to the way emails are answered and the more formal approach to the planning of breaks demonstrate a culture that strives to improve.”

Customer service excellenceContinuing the theme, I am also delighted

that the Agency has again retained its accreditation to the Customer Service excellence standard.

The DSA first achieved accreditation in 2008, and has been successfully re-accredited since. This year, re-accreditation involved a full appraisal of the first of the Standard’s five elements – customer insight – and a full review of the previous years’ assessments. Following a six-day visit by the assessor, the DSA has gained accreditation for a further three years.

Mandatory CPD off the agenda as agency avoids more red tape

“One of the main challenges to introducing a mandatory CPD scheme is the additional burden that it would create when the Government wants to reduce the burden on small businesses...”

“In terms of maintain-ing excellent standards, we strongly support CPD as a way for ADIs to demonstrate they are maintaining and developing their professional competence...”

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ROAD SAFeTY Minister Stephen Hammond has made his first significant contribution to his new position when he endorsed the UK’s first student road safety competition, a concept put together by the father of a teenage car crash victim.

Paul Kerr’s son, Jon-Paul, was just 17 when he was killed in a traffic accident involving an 18-year-old driver who had passed his test only a fortnight earlier.

The devoted dad was determined his son’s death would not be in vain and after years of campaigning and hard lobbying, he has finally won parliamentary backing for the launch of the inaugural Peugeot Student Road Safety Awards, supported by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The scheme is the first of its kind and has been developed by Mr Kerr, 68, to encourage students (future road users), aged between 11 and 18, to create unique

projects that will help raise awareness of road safety in a suitable way for their age group. The winners’ projects could be considered by the DfT as a potential future road safety campaign, designed to reduce or prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Speaking at the launch, Stephen Hammond, said: “Road safety is a top priority for the Government and I am pleased to support these awards. I would like to pay a special thanks to Paul Kerr who has campaigned tirelessly to launch this scheme.”

The awards, which are sponsored by Peugeot and supported by RoSPA, began life after Mr Kerr realised, following the tragic death of his son, that more was needed to be done to educate school children about the dangers on our roads.

Mr Kerr, from Warwick, said: “There

were over 25,000 people killed or seriously injured on UK roads last year, the first annual increase since 1994. I hope and pray this initiative will help to bring this frightening figure down.

“My eldest son Jon-Paul was just 17 when he was tragically killed in a car crash; I refuse to let his death be in vain. Developing the Peugeot Student Road Safety Awards has in some ways been my way of coping with our loss.

“It has been a long road to get to this

point but I am very proud and grateful to have won backing from the Department for Transport, RoSPA and Peugeot. I like to think that Jon-Paul would approve.

“Hopefully by raising awareness of the dangers on our roads in schoolchildren we can instil a sense of responsibility in all ages.

“There have been many road safety initiatives in the past but this is the first one aimed at and created by young people.”

Safety scheme launched in memory of son

Proud day: Mr Kerr (left) at the launch of the road safety awards outside the Palace of Westminster

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Comment

Newslink Postbag. We welcome contributions from our members. Would all contributors please remember that Newslink cannot publish letters anonymously. Pen names will be used to protect the identity of the author if necessary. Please address all correspondence to The editor, Newslink, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP. Letters can also be sent by email, to [email protected]

Licence query no insurance threatDear Sir,

I am a solicitor specialising in Road Traffic Law and Road Traffic Accidents. Your letter in respect of photocard licences and their expiry, set out in your August issue, was brought to my attention by one of your members. This is something which I have advised clients upon. One major insurer has agreed with my opinion.

A full driving licence is granted until the holder attains the age of 70 years. When the licence is one of the new photocard licences it must be surrendered every 10 years to be reissued, free of charge and with an up-to-date photograph upon it.

A driving licence remains valid until such time as it is revoked by the DVLA.

Therefore, where a photocard driving licence has passed the date where the photograph should have been renewed, the licence remains valid until such time as the DVLA writes to the holder of the licence and gives proper written notice of revocation.

On the basis that the licence is valid then the insurance is also valid because the only requirement of the insurance provider is that the policy holder has a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle for which it is being used.

I am always happy for people to show me legal authority which might prove I am wrong but in this case, I am right.

This is clearly something which needs taking up in the public domain and I suggest that on behalf of your members you might wish to take this matter up with the insurance companies.

Michael Pace (Solicitor), Lincoln

Editor’s note: That seems like a challenge the MSA should take up and we will investigate this matter further.

Shared spaces build awarenessDear Sir,

It is a pity that Rob Ridley does not embrace shared roads and thinks that they are a ‘joke’ (Newslink, September 2012). What we need is a less ‘them and us’ attitude and more empathy between different roads users; reading minds is a superior activity to reading signs.

I find driving at about 2.65mph through a group of meandering pedestrians does not frighten them and allows them time to clear my path, and that

speed is sufficient to discourage further individuals from walking in front of my car.

The weakness of his argument is revealed by his own letter (same issue, page 12) where he complains that a cyclist going through a red light forced his pupil to do an emergency stop. “Road users need rules”, he says in his article, but drivers should not expect others to obey them. Defensive drivers expect others to go on red or drive down one-way streets the wrong way without being taken by surprise and to always be ready to deal with these occurrences without the resentment that engenders road rage and which delays the action necessary to avoid a crash. And when I say crash I mean collision not accident.

Learner drivers like rules because it simplifies the task of driving, but we must prepare them for the situations and occasions when the rule is – there are no rules. Without lines, signs, kerbs, traffic lights and priority rules at roundabouts a driver has to always be in a state of awareness and be ready for anything; that is a valuable state to be in at any time when driving.

Stanley McWhirter,Edinburgh

New scheme is working wellDear sir

It’s a long time since I sent a contribution to Newslink but on reading Robert Ridley’s account of his local ‘shared space’ scheme I just had to reply.

First, I find Robert’s attitude towards shared space a typical head-in-the-sand approach and frankly I am surprised at some of his remarks.

On my 65th birthday (sad person) I travelled to Poynton specifically to look at how shared space works, and was very pleasantly surprised at how calm and orderly the whole area was. The icing on the cake, so to speak, was when I ventured to the edge of the ‘road’ and immediately a vehicle approaching, stopped and waved me across with a

smile (the driver not the vehicle).I called in at the council office and explained why

I was there and was given lots of information about it and how it is working. At that point the main man behind the project walked in and after being introduced spent about 20 minutes with me explaining in more detail what was entailed in providing such a project.

Now, getting back to Mr Ridleys account. He shoots himself in the foot straight away by admitting that traffic lights hold up traffic when there is nothing coming the other way and queues have gone since the demise of the lights. One up to shared space.

He then says it’s hard to see where the road starts and the pavement stops. Yes, that makes everyone be more careful and more observant.

He goes on to say that there are no road markings to say where a driver must Give Way! Robert, that’s the whole point, it is shared space! Do you see give way markings in a shopping mall or a street market or, for that matter, on a skating rink? No, because everybody knows that everyone else could get in the way and take that into account and makes room.

Road users need rules –I agree but maybe it is because there are so many rules that we have all become dependent on them rather than using common sense. For instance, if someone comes out of a side road without stopping, the driver on the ‘main’ road assumes priority even, in some cases, to the point where a collision takes place. I have always told my clients that it is no use having ‘I had right of way’ written across your headstone.

Shared space makes ALL road users become more aware of their environment, use more common sense and become less selfish and, best of all, less aggressive.

I also note that Mr Ridley has a letter in postbag that underlines his narrow-minded approach to road safety. He might reflect on the saying “he who never made a mistake never made anything.

Dave Pepperdine

Grantham, Lincolnshire(Former Editor MSA East Midlands and MSA Editor of the Year, 2002)

Editor’s note: This is clearly a topic that has interested many members; if you have a similar scheme near you, does it work well and what do your pupils think about shared spaces?

In the article by Rob Ridley in the September issue, we mentioned that Newslink was pursuing information on whether the new scheme had led to a decrease or increase in the number of car-related incidents occurring at the junction.

Unfortunately, despite many phone calls and emails between us and officials at the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency, Cheshire Police and the local council, no-one appears willing to tell us. We’re going to continue our pursuit for the information, however, through an FOI request.

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Why join the MSA?

NON-MeMBeRS often ask, why should I join the MSA?We think there are lots of reasons but sometimes they

are difficult to sum up neatly.We could highlight the many CPD seminars and

training opportunities we offer; the superb membership magazine and the news on our up-to-date website; the advice you can receive from head office when you have a query or need help with pupils, lessons or check test; the way we fight for the industry’s best interests in our discussions with the DSA and the Department for Transport; and the lengths we’ll go to to protect your livelihood if you are in dispute with the Registrar.

However, we often feel that the best reason to join the MSA can be summed up in just three words, and it’s not Representation, Information, Services.

It’s Professional. Indemnity. Insurance.

Why is this so important?You would never – we hope – contemplate getting into

your car without the correct insurance being in place on it, whether you’re teaching a lesson or just driving yourself.

If you had inadvertently let your insurance lapse you’d stop and think: you’d think of the consequences of being stopped by the police or, even worse, having an accident. A criminal prosecution; the end of your career as an ADI; the public shame; and potential financial ruin as a result of any liability claims.

But while criminal charges won’t be brought against you, many of those same consequences lie in wait for those ADIs who get into their car for the start of a lesson without adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance being in place.

Imagine a scene: you are taking a lesson with a pupil who is well within sight of taking her driving test. She is a confident driver, one you look forward to teaching as she is receptive, listens and practises regularly. You think she may pass in a couple of weeks as long as nerves don’t get the better of her on the big day.

During the lessons you are sat at a junction with a busy A-road and tell her to pull out when she thinks it is safe to do so.

A small van is fast approaching in the overtaking lane but the nearside lane is clear. Your pupil hesitates and relaxes as if to wait for the van to clear, then decides that as the approaching car is in the far lane, and is a way off yet, it is safe to pull out.

But it isn’t safe. She has misjudged the speed of the van

and failed to notice that it is indicating to pull in to the nearside lane as the driver plans to turn left off further down the A-road.

You were so sure of your pupil’s commonsense and driving ability that you didn’t think for one second that she would pull out and her initial reaction at the Give Way line had confirmed your thoughts. But it’s too late: the van has switched lanes and as your pupil pulls out onto the A-road it hits you, hard.

Big impact. All the airbags go off; a small fire breaks out as the petrol tank ruptures. Amazingly you and the van driver walk away, shaken but mainly injury-free, but the pupil isn’t quite so lucky: she suffers severe burns on her arms from the fire.

So what happens next?You can claim on your insurance for the damage to your

car and cover for the van but that’s not the end of the matter. The pupil decides that she wants compensating. Your standard of tuition in this incident wasn’t up to scratch, she claims, and you should have made sure she didn’t turn on to the A-road.

As a result she is going to sue you for damages in a civil case.

even worse, she has a solicitor on hand who is happy to work on a no-win, no-fee basis.

What do you do next?

If you are a member of the MSA, you enact your professional indemnity cover. It protects you for up to £3 million of legal costs and damages. It could be a trying experience for you but at least you are financially covered.

If you are not a member of the MSA and don’t have professional indemnity cover, you prepare to either admit liability and write a sizeable cheque out for damages, or fight the claim. That means paying for a solicitor to fight the claim, possibly by counter-suing the pupil for negligence. This will be very costly, stressful, time-consuming and, obviously, comes with no guarantees of success. At the end of the fight you either win but lose thousands in fees, or lose, pay the fees and write a sizeable cheque for damages.

That’s the peace of mind and protection that professional indemnity insurance can bring.

Professional indemnity insurance can be costly – but if you’re a member of the MSA it’s included in your membership for free.

So next time someone asks you why did you join the MSA, just remember three words. Professional - Indemnity - Insurance.

Oh, and you can throw in the word ‘free’, too.

The MSA: Our cover is the missing piece in your businessWhy join the MSA? Perhaps you just need to use three words

“The pupil decides that she wants compensating. Your standard of tuition in this incident wasn’t up to scratch, she claims and she is going to sue you for damages in a civil case... what do you do next?”

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Comment

TAxeS IN The UK tend to have quiet beginnings, often slipped in through a side door with a vague hint that they are not permanent fixtures.

Income tax was introduced by Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger in 1799 as a temporary measure to pay for the Napoleonic Wars; VAT quietly arrived in the UK in 1973 as a rarely discussed consequence of joining the then eeC. It was a replacement for the Purchase Tax, with a rate set at a lowly eight per cent, a promise it would not rise and a vague hint that it was ‘not a permanent measure’…

Bearing in mind the history of these two taxes, therefore, one cannot help but read with a touch of scepticism that only LGV drivers will be affected by a new levy that is being introduced to use Britain’s roads.

This is not the start of road charging or tolls for all, says the Government, but a neat way of making sure foreign hauliers pay their fair share for the maintenance of Britain’s roads.

If proposals are agreed by Parliament, from around 2015 foreign lorries are to be charged up to £1,000 a year to use British roads. To avoid any problems with the eU, the fee will also apply to UK-based lorries – but this will be offset by an equivalent

No worries as LGVs ‘happily’ accept £1,000 road charge

cut in vehicle excise duty to make the move fiscally neutral.

The move is designed to create a “level playing field” for British lorry drivers, as they often have to pay for using roads in europe. Currently, UK hauliers pay their way as we all do, through a combination of their LGV tax and fuel excise duty. But foreign hauliers often pay little or nothing to the exchequer for using UK roads: they fill up with fuel shortly before leaving the continent and such is the size of LGV fuel tanks, can often make it back to the mainland without refuelling in Britain.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “These proposals will deliver a vital shot in the arm to the UK haulage industry. It is simply not right that foreign lorries do not pay to use our roads, when our trucks invariably have to fork out when travelling to the continent.

“By introducing charges we will create a level playing field, increasing UK competitiveness and boosting growth.”

The news has been given an enthusiastic welcome by the Road Haulage Association. Its chief executive, Geoff Dunning, said: “This is a happy day for road hauliers.

“We have been campaigning for years to see a system introduced which will lessen the financial advantage currently enjoyed by our european neighbours.

“We were encouraged when this proposal was first announced at the beginning of the year. At that time it was suggested that a charging system would be

in place and working by 2014. To hear that the Government intends to have a system in place no later than the end of the current Parliament is a real added bonus.”

Indeed, Geoff would like to see the cost set even higher. “£1,000 is not enough to give us a level playing field but it is a good start and will help no end in beginning to prepare the ground.”

However, the move has been greeted with scepticism by others, with some concerned that this could be the start of a more comprehensive road charging scheme.

The sceptics’ case was helped by comments from Transport Minister Norman Baker who, according to the Daily Express, has already said a universal road charging scheme is on its way.

He said vehicle excise duty would be scrapped and fuel duties lowered to offset the costs of the new charges, which could

be monitored by a “black box” device.He was quoted in the Express saying: “In

the medium term, there’s no question that we’re going to have to move towards road-pricing and I would like it to be on a revenue neutral basis for the average motorist.”

As ADIs are far from ‘average’ motorists, the very prospect is one to be wary of.

Mr Baker is a long-time environment-alist though that isn’t his main driver in this case – a lack of hard cash is.

Or rather, potential lack of hard cash. With more electric and hybrid cars coming on to the roads, and new cars being more fuel efficient than ever, the exchequer fears it will see a sharp fall in revenue generated by fuel duty in the coming years.

Indeed, one claim is that the amount of revenue could have nearly halved by 2030 if the current tax regime is maintained.

It’s this reason why Mr Baker suggests “a

national system of road pricing is inevitable,” adding: “every government of every colour will get there, whatever parties say now.”

However, the AA, which has spoken out against road charging, was relaxed about this new proposal for LGVs. A spokesman said: “When this idea was originally floated we were concerned that it could be the start of a move towards universal road charging, as there was talk of an IT network being put in place and chips in LGV cabs to monitor use and set charges.

“That would have put in place the infrastructure needed to roll-out road charging for all motorists. even if Government said from the outset this technology will not be expanded to take in other motorists, it would be easy for just that to happen in the future.

“However, the scheme proposed does not call for any such measures to be introduced. It is a fairly simple tax to administer, and will be fiscally neutral as far as UK hauliers are concerned, so we don’t think this will be the precursor for more wide-ranging charging schemes.”

But then again, as a spokesman for Mr Pitt the Younger (probably) commented back in the 18th Century: “We will only have this new tax in place until we’ve beaten Boney, and once he’s done and dusted we’ll scrap the tax.”

Possibly. More likely, watch this space. And ask yourself why we decided to use that picture. History can teach us a lot.

“This is a happy day for road hauliers...”Geoff Dunning, RhA

“In the medium term, there’s no question that we’re going to have to move towards road-pricing....”Norman Baker , Minister for Roads

History and politics sometimes throw up interesting stories from the past which have a relevance in the future, says Rob Beswick

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Comment

Taken from the blog on August 31THe OFFICIAL hype surrounding the Paralympics is centred on ‘ability’ and not ‘disability’, which I think is extremely powerful in terms of impact.

In other words, what can we do rather than what are we unable to do?

I can see so many parallels in life and particularly in my career of driver training and testing.

Over the years I have taught pupils to drive who have special needs, (first taught a pupil in a blue aluminium three-wheeled Invacar with motor-cycle controls), but in reality we all have our own special needs – it’s just that some are more challenging than others.

I recall a candidate who took me by surprise one day when I asked him to read a car registration plate at the start of his driving test. For a second he seemed to vanish into thin air, before I realised he was on all fours next to me. When I asked him if there was a problem, he replied “no, it just helps if I am in line when I am reading”.

Over the years I have had the privilege of testing drivers who use ‘state-of-the-art’ adaptations, including highly sophisticated electronics to support their physical limitations.

It seems that more and more is achievable given the ongoing evolution of electronic innovation. When you first sit in the passenger seat of a car that doesn’t have a steering wheel or hand controls you quickly realise that it is all about ‘ability’ and not ‘disability’.

Taken from the blog on September 12ON THURSDAY, 6 September I was privileged to witness blind athletes from around the world as they competed in the triple jump at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

I cannot begin to understand the complexity of the learning process that these athletes would have undertaken to achieve the ultimate level required to represent their country. To sprint at high speed, hit the marker board, and triple jump through the air before landing in the sand is challenging at the best of times but to do this without any sight!

As the athletes stood on the runway the packed stadium of 80,000 spectators fell silent. This created the environment for the competitors whose only reference point was their guide who stood (clapping hands) near the marker board.

When the jump went well the result was amazing but when it didn’t the athletes often came close to serious injury, as did the judge sitting near the marker board who, on two occasions, somersaulted backwards to avoid a collision.

The amazing achievements of the athletes, volunteers and organisers of both the London 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics will be something that I will never forget.

Hopefully the massive coverage in our media will inspire a generation and guide us away from a nation suffering from over-active knives and forks.

Finally, my thanks to Channel 4’s The Last Leg, which provided the following thought: will the visually impaired take part in the 2020 Games?

Nigel Harries, former DSA Deputy Chief Driving Examiner, has been busy writing a blog on a variety of subjects linked to teaching driving and road safety. Here we reproduce two of his latest, which both took their themes from London’s highly successful Paralympics Games; one is linked to driving, the other a simple tribute to the athletes involved

More from Nigel Harries on http://nigelharries.blogspot.co.uk/

Picture reproduced courtesy of CarolineG2011/ Flickr. It can be viewed at flickr.com/photos/58108850@N07/7963135046.

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Road safety politics

Environmentalist Greening chopped as Cameron puts ex-miner to work at transport’s coalface

PRIMe MINISTeR David Cameron’s much- anticipated Cabinet reshuffle took place at the start of September, with the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, one of the highest profile casualties.

Her loss of the transport portfolio came as something of a surprise. It is believed Ms Greening paid the price for speaking out against plans to build a third runway at Heathrow – which would have been a good reason to sack a minister if it had been Government policy to build it, which it wasn’t, or if the Prime Minister had enthusiastically backed the idea – which he hadn’t.

However confusing the reasons for her ‘sideways’ move to International Development were, Ms Greening’s loss is clearly Patrick McLoughlin’s gain.

The MP for Derbyshire Dales, Mr McLoughlin is that rarest of political animals, a Tory minister who is a former miner. He began his working life as a farm worker before moving underground to a job at the Littleton Colliery in Cannock, Staffordshire. He entered Parliament in 1986 as MP for West Derbyshire, a seat which was eventually removed from the House by the Boundary Commission, to be replaced by his current seat.

He held a number of junior Government positions under PM’s Thatcher and Major in the 1980s and 90s, including acting as PPS to education, transport and DTi secretaries of state.

During the Conservative Party’s years in opposition he worked in the Whips’ Office, before becoming Opposition Chief Whip under David Cameron, a post he retained from the start of the Coalition Government until his elevation to the transport brief.

Mr McLoughlin made an immediate impact on roads issues. Within a week of becoming the Secretary of State for Transport he had appeared to reject the proposal to raise the motorway speed limit to 80mph, as suggested by his last but one predecessor, Philip Hammond.

In an interview he said that “road safety is foremost on my mind,” and stressed that “speed does kill”. Mr Hammond had previously argued

that increasing the speed limit would boost economic growth.

Fortunately for the public, as with so many announcements made in the roads sphere in recent months, absolutely nothing has been done to enact this policy statement, which at least means the public doesn’t now have to get used to a new, lower limit. Without the new Secretary of State’s support it is believed the proposal will be allowed to slip quietly away from the limelight.

The suggestion that the Government was backtracking on the 80mph limit did allow tabloid editors to have a little fun at the Government’s expense, headlining the decision as “Cameron in 80mph U-turn” – which suggests the current PM has driving ability hitherto unknown.

Mr McLoughlin’s comments were welcomed by road safety groups, however, including road safety charity Brake, with one commenting that it was refreshing that the man at the top of the transport portfolio appeared to have a good grasp on the key elements of road safety.

However, as a spokesman for the AA pointed out, there had never been a consensus on 80mph speed limits. “We researched this issue with members and came out none-the-wiser as to their views. 40 per cent backed 80mph limits, as long as they were policed and enforced as 70mph limits are now, ie, that there was a degree of flexibility in driver’s speed before prosecutions begun. In other words, the 80-means-90 brigade.

“Nearly the same number rejected an 80mph limit, however. 36 per cent said the limit should stay at 70.

“For the remainder, 24 per cent said they were happy with it being raised to 80mph but at that point, any speed above would be prosecuted. In other words, 80 means 80.

“Where the majority lay was impossible to decide as it all hinged on how the higher limit would be policed. If it were policed rigidly, the 24 per cent would be swayed into a higher limit; if it were policed as motorway limits are now, they would be opposed.

“With people so divided it is easy to see why the Government would drop the idea.”

OUT

IN

Photographs courtesy of the Conservative Party. All rights reserved

New secretary of state enters road safety debate by pouring cold water over predecessor’s proposal to raise motorway speed limit to 80mph

The MSA says:It is encouraging that the transport secretary should have talked about road safety so early in his new job. Raising the motorway limit was never an issue that troubled ADIs, however, we hope that Mr McLoughlin’s lack of enthusiasm for changing one aspect of motorway driving will not spill over into another: allowing learners to go on motorways. This is a policy suggested by former roads minister Mike Penning and it is a change the MSA supports.

www.msagb.com



Hammond straight into action as PQs test new minister’s grasp of the briefThe following information is taken from Hansard and relates to Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons from September 10-13. As you can see below, despite not being officially the minister for road safety at that stage, Stephen Hammond is clearly the man with the brief. Norman Baker, the Minister for Transport and Patrick McLoughlin’s number two in the department, covers cycling as part of his ministerial brief. Interestingly, one of the questions answered by Mr Baker involves a topic covered in recent issues of Newslink, namely cyclists and traffic lights

IN

Traffic Lights: BicyclesDr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of

State for Transport if he will take steps to make it easier for local authorities to introduce bike traffic lights at junctions. [120595]

Norman Baker: We are currently taking forward plans to revise the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. New measures such as cycle traffic lights will be considered as part of the revision.

There are already ways of giving cyclists priority over other traffic and improving their safety at junctions, for example by introducing Advanced Stop Lines, cycle bypasses and providing segregated traffic signals for cyclists if required.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps he has taken to tackle uninsured vehicles. [119284]

Stephen Hammond: The information requested is as follows:

(a) The number of uninsured vehicles in Great Britain has fallen to 1.2 million from 1.4 million in 2010 due to a combination of police enforcement activity

(better detection through automatic number plate recognition equipment and seizure of uninsured vehicles) as well as the continuous insurance enforcement scheme.

(b) Since June 2011, action has been taken against those who keep a vehicle without insurance, known as the continuous insurance enforcement scheme. At 31 August 2012, 177,086 fixed penalty notices had been issued to registered keepers and 834 cases successfully prosecuted.

We are also working with the insurance industry to allow it access to DVLA driver details on penalty points and disqualifications to help tackle fraud. The Government is concerned that the rising cost of insurance may tempt motorists to drive without insurance and is working closely with the insurance industry on measures which will help reduce premiums.

An industry summit was held on 2 May on the cost of insurance and follow-up work is in progress.

More from the House: see pg 22» » »

continued from page 21

Roads: BarnsleyDan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State

for Transport how many motorists were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in sleep-related road traffic accidents in Barnsley Central since May 2010. [120588]

Stephen Hammond: The number of persons killed or seriously injured in reported personal injury road accidents where “Fatigue” was a contributory factor since May 2010 in the Yorkshire and the Humber region are as follows:

• May 2010 to December 2010: five killed and 13 seriously injured; and

• January 2011 to December 2011: five killed and 25 seriously injured.

The figures include all road user casualties including pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and all other road users.

Data for 2012 will be available in June 2013. This data is not broken down below regional level since the number of accidents is small and therefore it may be possible to identify the individuals involved in an accident.

Motorways: Repairs and MaintenanceJim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of

State for Transport how many people repairing motorways have been killed or injured by vehicles in each of the last five years. [120374]

Stephen Hammond: The following table sets out the fatal and serious injuries from vehicle related incidents which have been recorded on the motorway and trunk road network in england which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport.

For slight injuries, the data currently available include all contractor injuries (i.e. not just those involving vehicles):

The data above are supplied by the contractors working for the Highways Agency.

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the potential cost and safety benefits of the use of a traffic cone and laying system such as Conemaster on motorways in the UK. [120378]

Stephen Hammond: In response to a request from the previous Minister for Roads, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), a detailed independent review of the costs and benefits of using Conemaster was carried out by the Highways Agency during late 2011/early 2012. A report has been provided to all

interested parties. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

The Conemaster system is a semi-automatic cone placement and retrieval system produced by Jordan Products Ltd. The purposes of Conemaster are to speed up the placement and removal of traffic cones and to reduce the risk of injury and death to roadworkers by reducing the need for them to set foot on live carriageways during temporary lane closures.

The independent report concluded that the estimated benefits of Conemaster vary from a benefits to costs ratio (BCR) of 0.29 (pessimistic) to 2.06 (central) and 2.69 (optimistic). This information has been provided to all contractors in the supply chain of the Highways Agency.

The success or otherwise of the Jordan Products Ltd machine depends on the business model applied and the safety benefits achievable from its use, as assessed by the competent people within the service providers who manage the HA network on behalf of the Secretary of State. It has always been made clear to Jordan Products Ltd that the Highways Agency cannot get directly involved in supporting the development of Conemaster or mandate the use of the Conemaster on the agency’s network.

Roads: Repairs and MaintenanceJim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of

State for Transport if he will discuss with the Highways Agency ensuring that its contractors use a traffic cone and laying system such as Conemaster. [120379]

Stephen Hammond: The Highways Agency has carried out an independent review of the costs and benefits of using Conemaster, following discussions between

the previous Minister for Roads, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), the inventor of the machine (Mr Alan Jordan) and his constituency MP, the hon. Member for South Antrim (Dr McCrea). The results show that the benefits-to-costs ratio at mid-range is 2.06. This information has been provided to all parties and communicated to the agency’s

contractors in its supply chain. It has been made clear to Mr Jordan in various meetings and in correspondence that it is for the companies in the agency’s supply chain to consider the benefits of using such a product and not something that the agency can mandate. This matter has been fully explored and I do not consider that there is a need for any further ministerial discussions. A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Motorcycles: Driving Tests

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to conclude his trials of changes to module one of the motorcycle practical test; [120118]

(2) when he expects to begin consulting on changes to module one of the motorcycle practical test. [120119]

Stephen Hammond: The trials are expected to conclude in December 2012.

There will be a full public consultation, on any proposals for changing the current motorcycle test, in spring 2013.

Motorcycles: Driving TestsSteve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State

for Transport (1) how many accidents took place during module one motorcycle tests between the introduction of the test and September 2012; and how many of these involved injuries which required medical attention; [120674]

(2) how many serious injury accidents

there were during module one motorcycle tests between the introduction of the test and September 2012. [120675]

Stephen Hammond: Incidents on Module 1 practical motorcycling tests: 24 April 2009 to 10 September 2012.

(1) Includes an estimate of the tests conducted between 1 and 10 September 2012, based on the number of tests booked. Actual numbers of tests conducted for that period cannot yet be verified.

The Driving Standards Agency does not record incidents using the definition ‘serious injury’, as used by the Department for Transport for the purposes of Road Safety Statistics. The Agency records incidents occurring during Module 1 tests under three categories: RIDDOR reportable incidents (those reportable to the Health and Safety executive); incidents requiring either first aid or medical attention; and incidents requiring no or self treatment.

Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State

for Transport (1) what progress the learning to ride groups have made as part of the motorcycle test review; and if he will make a statement; [120676]

(2) when he expects to introduce a fully on-road, single-part motorcycle test. [120715]

Stephen Hammond: The Motorcycle Test Review and Learning to Ride are two different projects. The Motorcycle Test Review focuses on proposed revisions to module 1 of the Motorcycle Test.

Learning to Ride focuses on ensuring that motorcycling instructors have the appropriate skills and qualifications to deliver effective training.

As part of Learning to Ride, the Driving Standards Agency continues to discuss with motorcycling stakeholders how to ensure that motorcycling instructors have the appropriate skills and qualifications to deliver effective training. The latest industry proposals are due to be submitted for consideration by the end of October 2012.

Subject to the findings of the research being undertaken as part of the Motorcycle Test Review, the aim is to introduce a single

event test that can be carried out on-road as far as possible, during spring 2014.

Motorcycles: TrainingMr Graham Stuart: To ask the

Secretary of State for Transport what safety recommendations the motorcycle Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) group has made in relation to improving CBT. [121019]

Stephen Hammond: The Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) Group has made the following safety recommendations in relation to improving CBT:

• align the existing CBT syllabus with the National Rider Training Standard TM;

• restructure the sequence of elements of CBT that must be completed, to enable greater flexibility in the way training is delivered and move towards a more client centred approach;

• consider removal of the entitlement to ride a geared motorcycle if CBT has been completed on an automatic motorcycle;

• align the qualification arrangements for CBT and Direct Access Scheme instructors with those of approved driving instructors;

• successful completion of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) assessment course to become the only route by which instructors can be certified to deliver CBT;

• enhance the role of approved training bodies in assuring their instructors’ training standards.

DSA continues to work with stakeholders to review and develop proposals.

www.msagb.com



Fatality Serious injury Slight injury2007 0 0 262008 0 2 542009 0 0 752010 2 4 472011 0 1 46

Table 1

The voice from Westminster

Table 2

Module 1 practical tests conducted 201,901Total incidents 750Percentage of total tests conducted 0.37RIDDOR reportable incidents 134Percentage of total tests conducted 0.06Medical attention or first aid required 73Percentage of total tests conducted 0.03

“Subject to the findings of the research being undertaken as part of the Motorcycle Test Review, the aim is to introduce a single event test that can be carried out on-road as far as possible, during spring 2014...”

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News

THe LATeST FIGUReS released by the Department for Transport have confirmed claims made earlier this year that 2011 saw the first increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSIs) on Britain’s roads for more than a decade.

The news has led to calls for the Government to think again about its decision to not set road safety targets or lower the drink-drive limit, two decisions that are looking increasingly at odds with the new data.

The latest figures did have some shafts of good news. The overall number of casualties of all severities was actually down, by around two per cent, and both motorcyclists and pedal cyclists saw significant falls in the number of KSIs. In addition, the figures showed real progress has been made in reducing casualties since 2005-09.

However, the overall picture for KSIs was gloomy.

1,901 people lost their lives on Britain’s roads in 2011, and a further 23,122 were seriously injured. These figures are three and two per cent higher respectively than the data for the previous year.

Worryingly, 15 per cent of all fatalities were in drink-driving related incidents. It is estimated that 9,900 reported casualties – five per cent of the total – occurred when someone was driving while over the legal alcohol limit. 280 people lost their lives in drink-driving incidents, an increase of 30 on 2010.

Other key facts revealed include:The number of fatalities fell for three

types of road user, with a fall of 22 per cent for bus and coach operators, 10 per cent for motor cyclists and four per cent for pedal cyclists. Pedestrian and car occupants rose by 12 and six per cent respectively.

The rate per billion vehicle miles for total casualties in reported road accidents and the rate of KSIs in 2011 were both 15 per cent lower than the 2005-09 average. For fatalities alone, the 2011 rate was 32

per cent lower than the average during that period.

‘Failed to look properly’ was the most frequently reported contributory factor and was reported in 42 per cent of all accidents reported to the police in 2011.

In 2011, the economic welfare cost of reporting road incidents was estimated to be around £15.6 billion.

Road safety campaigners reacted with alarm to the increases. Speaking for the IAM, director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The increase in deaths and serious injuries because of drink- driving is absolutely shocking. It accounts for more than half of the increase in road deaths.

“In 2013, we must see a drink- driving education campaign, backed up with enforcement, to put an end to these completely unnecessary deaths.

“With last year’s surprising increase in

deaths and early indications from 2012 that a trend could be developing, the IAM urges the new road safety minister to make road safety his absolute priority.

“Britain has been at the top of the world road safety league, but a combination of public spending cuts and lack of central targets may be putting this in jeopardy. The 2011 figures show that saving lives on our roads can never be taken for granted and with human error still the top cause of crashes, education and training must take centre stage in the future.”

RoSPA called for greater collaboration with Government on road safety. The figures for 2011 were ‘depressing’ though it welcomed the 10 per cent fall in motorcyclist deaths. Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at RoSPA, said: “These figures must be taken as an opportunity to revise the way we work to make roads safer. It is a chance for road safety

professionals and the new ministerial team at the Department for Transport to come together and discuss the way forward.

“While we appreciate that the Government has tough funding decisions to make, we must do more to arrest and reverse the number of people being killed or hurt on our roads.

“Now is the time to change the decision not to set casualty reduction targets in the Government’s ‘Strategic Framework for Road Safety’.

“The drink-drive limit should be lowered from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg (in line with the proposed changes in Scotland and Northern Ireland), and Government, the insurance industry and road safety bodies should work together to make the best use of black box technology in vehicles, especially to help young drivers and at-work drivers.”

‘Depressing’ KSIs increase pressure for renewal of road safety targets

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News

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Tyres blamed for rise in crashesTYRE road safety campaigning group Tyresafe has called for a greater emphasis to be placed on tyre quality after a rise in tyre-related accidents in 2011.

The Department for Transport’s road casualty figures for 2011 found that 205 people were killed or seriously injured in an accident where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.

Worryingly, the shocking statistic is an eight per cent rise on the previous year’s figures and goes against a year-on-year decrease since TyreSafe was formed.

“These latest figures are very disturbing, especially given that the number of casualties in all road accidents also rose for the first time in many years. It really does reinforce the need for drivers to regularly inspect their tyres to make sure they are safe and legal. October’s tyre safety month is the perfect opportunity to carry out some basic tyre checks and help put a stop to this needless loss of life,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

As part of October’s campaign, hundreds of garages and tyre retailers across the UK will be offering free tyre safety checks. TyreSafe is also asking drivers to take a pledge via its Facebook page to check their tread depth.

Despite the tyre industry’s ongoing efforts to educate drivers about the importance of regular tyre maintenance, the level of neglect continues to be a problem. Indeed, during 2011 the AA and RAC attended more than 825,000 tyre-related breakdowns between them alone.

AVERAGE insurance premiums are starting to edge down again after an unprecedented period of rises.

According to research by comparison website MoneySupermarket.com, premiums fell by on average 10.6 per cent in the past 12 months. Increased competition was hailed as the principal reason, though better enforcement measures to combat fraud are also having an impact.

However, insurers are warning that female motorists looking to reinsure at the turn of the year face big increases as the EU ruling against women receiving preferential rates comes into force. There is also the possibility that as a result men’s premiums may fall slightly to counterbalance the rise.

Focusing on the crackdown on insurance fraud, the Association of British Insurers says the industry is intensifying its efforts in this area after uncovering a staggering 139,000 bogus or exaggerated insurance claims in all sectors in 2011, up five per cent on 2010.

The value of savings on these frauds was nearly £1 billion – £983million – a rise of seven per cent on 2010.

Dishonest motor insurance claims were the most expensive with savings of £541 million made from the 45,000 bogus claims uncovered. Fraudulent whiplash claims was the main factor for the rise.

Insurance fraud now adds, on average, an extra £50 a year to the annual insurance bill for every UK policyholder

Speaking at the ABI’s tackling insurance fraud conference today, Otto Thoresen, ABI’s Director General, said: “The industry makes no apologies for its zero tolerance approach to insurance fraud. Honest customers are sick of footing the bill for insurance cheats, through higher insurance premiums.

“From the highly organised ‘crash for cash’ motor scams to the opportunistic exaggeration of a genuine claim, insurers are determined to do what it takes to protect honest customers.”

Fraud crackdown helps insurance premiums fall

both the two-from-five and three-from-six type of answer as well as the elliptical questions. Peter Weddell-Hall said that the book was printed before the meetings took place; Julia asked Peter to make sure the publications were notified of the changes for the next edition.

100 new questions are added to the question bank each year, and the use of language of the questions reflects the Highway Code. One concern was the use of the word ‘accelerator’ when ‘gas’ is the most common ADI word – could this word not be used at test? Peter Weddell-Hall’s reply was that it could be put into place that the official wording from the Highway Code would be put first with the word ‘gas’ in brackets.

The same was considered for the use of the police system of numbering the lanes from the left, which is the system used by both Peter Cary and Julia Malkin to help those with directional confusion, notably those with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Once again, Peter Weddell-Hall stated the use of language of ‘left lane’ and ‘right lane’ was from the Highway Code. Both Peter Cary and Julia Malkin mentioned that the police handbooks used the descriptor of ‘lane 1, 2, 3’, etc, and Peter Weddell-Hall said that it would be considered.

c) DSA Updates – Hazard PerceptionFrom August 2013, the hazard

perception test videos will be replaced by computer animation. The entire test will be computerised, allowing for more scenarios to be set for test.

The ‘reality and realism’ element here, so essential for autistic people, will be checked for compatibility. The latest developments show strong progress in this regard.

We were shown a 40-second clip of a computer animation hazard perception prototype film, which originally started as a filmed video clip but was then lengthened through computerisation. This was a vast improvement to the first

ones seen at the meeting in June, which resembled computer games; this one looked just like real film, but without the grainy effect of film.

The initial 40-second animated HPT ‘video’ will be put on YouTube by the start of October, so potential candidates will be able to see how the test will appear on screen under the new computerised system. It was agreed that this was a good step forward.

7. General Discussion There were concerns raised about the

‘practice’ part of the test, where at the start the candidate can familiarise themselves with the system before proceeding. During this they are asked questions such as ‘what shape is a triangle’ and ‘what colour is grass.’

But despite only answering a couple of questions, when the screen showed us how the answers were presented it mentioned ‘questions taken – 11.’ This number 11 appeared twice on the answer screen and confused a few people.

Peter Weddell-Hall said it had remained unchanged since 2002 and was never informed of a problem until now.

Then followed a discussion about brightness and font. Julia Malkin, who suffers from sensory overload and Irlen’s syndrome, wanted to know if there was a facility which allowed for the candidate to have the screen background changed to a preferential colour.

Peter Weddell-Hall mentioned past tests and statistics, not using SeN candidates; Julia showed Peter the pink notepaper she uses to take notes in bright light. Peter then said that a few times at test candidates had come with coloured overlays which were allowed to be fixed over the computers.

However, he did agree that the aspect of a background colour change had not been considered at a SeN level before and therefore would be up for consideration.

There were concerns about the

wording of the questions and the importance of comprehension. Isobel McKenzie said this was a key issue, to the extent that the next scheduled meeting, which is due to be on the subject of test application, should have its objective changed to cover the questions and the use of language.

Craig Riggs stated that the booking process was also important to ensure the process is SeN-compatible; Isobel’s view was that it was nowhere near as important as the question comprehension problem and she was thinking of not attending the next meeting unless priority issues were discussed.

Peter Weddell-Hall stated that all questions had gone through a ‘Smog index’ test – ‘specific measure of gobbledegook’ – which checked the reading comprehension age of the questions.

The reading age of the questions was said to be about that of a nine-year-old, or someone who could get a D, e or F at GCSe. But it was clear that from the viewpoint of many in the room, notably Peter Cary, Sarah-Jane Critchley, Isobel McKenzie, Julia Malkin and Darren Rimmer, that the reading age was one issue and the question comprehension was another matter entirely.

65 per cent of those candidates with a special need fail the theory test – and it is a far higher figure where more support is needed.

A discussion about the time factor and ‘double time’ tests followed, but it was clear that just allowing extra time would not be enough for many people because, to most in the room, the comprehension of the questions was the main root problem for many candidates.

Julia Malkin here talked of the ‘autistic gear change’ – how one part of the brain was ‘disentangling’ the question and when finished, held it steady while another part scanned the screen to find the correct answer. Julia told how she could actually ‘feel’ this ‘gear change’ taking place in her head, as the two brain functions swapped over. For those higher on the autistic spectrum such a thing occurred in seconds – but for those lower down it could take much longer. This was because the brain was trying to do two things at once – work out what the question was asking as well as then finding the answer. This involves much effort on the part of the candidate.

By making sure the questions were worded more comprehensibly, this could enable the candidate to understand the question straight away and finding the answer would be made much easier.

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Pupils with special needs and the theory test

THe MeeTING opened at Archer House, the Nottingham DSA Theory Test Centre.

each of the delegates was taken through the theory test, from entry to the building, checking of the driving licence and reading of regulations through to sitting the test and being presented with the results.

This occurred at intervals throughout the morning, so all had the opportunity to reflect on the test experience with a view to discussing any alterations required to the process with respect to accessibility.

It was interesting to note that from all the participants there were only three tests passed – those taken by Peter Cary, Julia Malkin and Colin Malkin.

Feedback from the test experience was then reflected on for the afternoon meeting at The Axis.

After a brief welcome by Peter Weddell-Hall and Craig Riggs, attendees were invited to discuss issues and feedback regarding the theory test.

a) DVLA UpdatesFollowing the last meeting, when

Simon Black and Linda Davies of the DVLA medical section attended, there have been updates to their services.

First, there will be an exploration of ‘easy-read’ options to their leaflets, and facilities for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and those speaking english as a second language.

There will also be diversity training in the induction process and a booklet. While generally agreed that a booklet would in no way be fully conclusive of SeN issues, it was a first step forward.

Dyspraxia was a concern at the last meeting, and how it was not seen as a condition which could affect driving ability. DVLA had concluded that the current position on dyspraxia would remain unchanged – that it thinks of it as a condition which doesn’t affect driving, but just the ability to pass the test – effectively passing the buck back to the DSA.

b) DSA updates - TheoryAs mentioned in the last meeting on 14

June, the DSA will ensure that all questions will require candidates to select one correct answer from four options in the theory test. All questions showing two answers from five and three from six will be abolished completely as from January.

The elliptical questions (those that state a sentence to fill in the missing end word) will be changed to questions starting with a ‘what’ or similar and ending with a question mark. This is to help autistic people and other people with special educational needs comprehend the text as regards to what the question is asking of the candidate.

Julia Malkin was concerned that the latest TSO book, ‘The Official Theory Test for Car Drivers,’ published in 2012 and described as the 2013 edition, contained

The DSA held a meeting with sector representatives at the end of September to discuss the special needs of some candidates on the theory test, particularly those with autistic spectrum conditions. Below is an abridged report by Julia Malkin MBe of the discussions and decisions taken to ensure future testing is fair and accessible to all

Accessible for allIn attendance:In addition to Julia the following people made up the working party:• Craig Riggs, Head of Engagement, DSA, Chair• Peter Weddell-Hall – Head of E-Assessment• Diane Pearson and Rachel Dobson - DSA• Julie Hunter and Emma Newell - Pearson Vue• Dr Amelia Roberts - Dyslexia, SPLD Trust• Sarah-Jane Critchley – Autism Association Trust• Isobel McKenzie – British Dyslexia Association, Bracknell• Darren Rimmer and Kate Robinson – Mencap• Peter Cary – National ADI Associations, Specific learning difficulties• Colin Malkin – National ADI Associations, ExcelDIA.

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A fresh alternative?

W ITH fuel prices on an ever-increasing upward spiral, few ADIs will see a visit to their local petrol station as anything other

than a wince-inducing chore.Prices for unleaded have hovered around the

mid-to-high £1.30s all year, hitting a peak in April when the average UK litre of unleaded was £1.42, with diesel just below the £1.50 mark.

Today’s prices equate to over £6 a gallon and for the average ADI, that means around £3 a lesson is spent on fuel. And Mr Osborne has a fuel duty price hike in his back pocket ready for January…

It’s a constant drain on your income and standard of living and it often seems that there’s little an ADI can do to ease the burden. True, you can look to teach in the most frugal car on the market but that creates challenges to your original budget – the best examples of high mpg cars tend to be very expensive – or the type of car you own: a supermini may be cheaper to fuel and run but if your tuition car is your family car, too, that could be an impractical option.

Fuel price pressures have led some ADIs to look at alternative fuelled vehicles, but with ultra-efficient hybrids and electric cars available as automatics only, for instructors this may well be a barrier that puts off many prospective pupils and therefore can be discounted.

Yet there is a simpler solution to this fuel

dilemma, an alternative that fuels your car far cheaper, is far greener and won’t have any negative impact on your career as an ADI.

And it’s not even that new; indeed, it’s the original alternative fuel, the one from before the industry moved on to hybrids and electric cars: gas.

Cast your mind back to the late 1990s and early 2000s and the Government was all over gas like a rash. Councils were encouraged to run LPG-powered buses, the major fuel retailers installed LPG pumps and garages bought in the tools and technology to perform conversions in anticipation of a motoring ‘dash for gas’.

Some manufacturers even began to cut out the converters and built bespoke LPG cars, and it looked for a short while that LPG may challenge the dominance of its liquid friends as the motorists’ fuel of choice.

But the gas flame flickered and died. Today many garages have LPG pumps but they lie rarely touched by human hand. Local authorities keen to sport their green credentials run hybrid vans and electric buses rather than ones powered by LPG, and the whole alternative fuel industry appears to have left gas behind, banished to the dusty corners of technological breakthroughs where it sits alongside video discs, Sinclair C5s and France’s Minitel system.

Yet it’s hard to understand why the interest in LPG waned. The technology worked; the big problems surrounding electric vehicles – range,

Feel like the Chancellor’s holding a gun to your head over petrol or diesel costs? There is an alternative that’s ideal for ADIs, as Rob Beswick discovers

LPG offers instructors more fuel for thought than other alternatives

www.msagb.com



cost of purchase – are largely smoothed over; performance issues are minor; and there are major financial advantages to running a gas car.

As for ADIs, there are no negatives as far as pupils are concerned: most don’t notice, don’t care or go the other way and are enthusiastic about learning in an LPG car.

To get the low-down on LPG as a fuel for tuition cars, Newslink spoke to Stephen Bell, an ADI based in South Manchester. Stephen is an LPG enthusiast, and wonders why more of the industry haven’t followed him in ditching petrol/diesel and moving to gas.

His conversion began many years ago. “I learnt to drive in an LPG-powered Toyota Starlet at the start of the ’80s,” he recalls, “and I suppose that planted a seed in my mind. I never realised the car was different until we ran out of fuel one day on a lesson, and after getting us going again the instructor explained the refuelling process to me.

“Some years later I watched TV presenter Quentin Wilson extolling the virtues of LPG and it started me thinking about owning one myself.”

For Stephen, there was a clear environmental side to his ‘conversion’. “What people have to remember is that while LPG produces slightly more CO2 when you are driving than petrol or diesel, the refining process is far simpler and produces far less carbon dioxide. The ‘whole life’ of a litre of LPG is far less damaging to the planet than the equivalent amount of petrol or diesel.”

Stephen’s first LPG car wasn’t bought with driving instruction in mind, however. “My wife is Slovak and we usually made a couple of trips back to her homeland every year, and I was looking for something hefty to carry the family on the trip. I ended up buying a Honda Shuttle in 2004 which had already been converted to run off LPG.”

It was at this stage that Stephen encountered

one of the key issues with LPG: the quality of the conversion to switch the car to run on gas from petrol.

“As soon as I started driving the Shuttle it was clear the conversion hadn’t been done well, and it took several trips to the garage to get everything working smoothly. However, I found a brilliant garage in Manchester called Panache – an LPG specialist – and they did a superb job. After they had worked on it, it ran like a dream. The Shuttle had 130,000 on the clock by the time I got rid of it and it never missed a beat.”

The switch paid dividends financially. “The running costs of my 2.2-litre auto Shuttle were less than a 1.0-litre Fiesta,” he recalls.

Stephen joined the ranks of the ADI world in 2005. He began working with a national school before branching out on his own in a bottom-of-the-range Skoda Fabia.

“I was determined to run an LPG-powered car but as this was a base model decided it wasn’t worth converting it. Instead I planned to replace it with a better model, and run a conversion then.”

Having had such a successful relationship with Panache, when Stephen bought a new Fabia in 2011 they were his first port of call – though interestingly they put him off converting the car from petrol there and then. “The expert option is that conversions work better with a well run-in car rather than a new one. I kept the Fabia on petrol for 11,000 miles before making the switch.”

Converting to LPG cost £1,200 and it was money well spent. “I have now done 5,000 miles on LPG and if anything it is a better car now than when it rolled off the production line. Running on gas has made it smoother and a lot quieter, and it feels lighter.

“Pupils have never noticed. A few who have a

greater interest in the technical side of motoring have asked me about it, and I take the opportunity to show them all the system, but apart from that they carry on as normal.”

What about the DSA when it comes to tests? “Never had a moment’s problem. I’ve had the odd question as to what the extra switch is on the dashboard and there is a genuine interest from some examiners, but that’s it.”

Where the impact is really felt is in Stephen’s wallet. “I refuel at my local Shell garage. It is the one I would use anyway so it isn’t a case of me going out of my way to fill up. My fuel costs work out at 10.1 p per mile according to the on-board

computer which, perhaps strangely, still gives a reading.

“During lessons I get between 34 and 45mpg, and average out at about 37-38. When I drove the Fabia as a petrol car I would guess at getting slightly better figures than that – perhaps a mile or two more – and when I’m on my own the economy is 46-48mpg. LPG costs 69.9p per litre at my local garage, compared to £1.38 for petrol and £1.40 for diesel.”

Putting that into a straight comparison, an ADI doing 10,000 miles a year at 35mpg would save around £700 per annum if using LPG rather than petrol. That takes into consideration the

Last year, Mazda reported an increase in Mazda6 sales to UK fleets who intend to convert the car to LPG, with the expectation of significantly more orders in the pipeline.

Mazda6 LPG conversions joined the fleet of the LPG Division of fuel giant BP, while Mazda3 and Mazda6 models were ordered by Calor Gas for conversion, and Gleaner Oils took three Mazda3 models for conversion.

Joseph Corless, BP LPG Manager, said: “Autogas is one of the few real alternatives offering environmental benefits at lower cost to the motorist. BP is also committed to supporting this market.”

Scotland-headquartered Gleaner Oils’ David Todd said: “We can see clear benefits in running LPG cars in our fleet.”

Fleets look again at advantages of LPG

Continued on page 30

“I have now done 5,000 miles on LPG and if anything it is a better car now than when it rolled off the production line. Running on gas has made it smoother and a lot quieter”

www.msagb.com



« « « Continued from page 19slight reduction in economy that you get from gas – the autogas industry puts the reduction in mpg figures at between five and 10 per cent – and assumes prices at £1.36 a litre for unleaded.

If as an instructor you are doing more than 10,000 miles you could be looking at considerably greater savings, enough to cover the cost of the conversion in the first year, with clear profit from then on. Put another way, if you cover 20,000 miles a year, you could be saving £1,400 per annum after your first year – enough to cover the conversion and pocket £200. Savings in future years are clear ‘profit’.

So if the upside is obvious, let’s look hard to see if there are any downsides. “There really aren’t any. Pupils don’t notice, or if they do they don’t seem to care that they’re learning in an LPG-powered car,” says Stephen. “I do market myself as a ‘greener’ ADI because it is more environmentally friendly and I pick up the odd new pupil who cares about that.”

What about taking it on test? “As far as the DSA is concerned, it is a ‘normal’ car.”

Stephen acknowledges one minor downside. “BHP output is a touch lower so performance is perhaps a fraction down, but it is marginal.”

What about ‘range anxiety’ – the modern paranoia inflicting owners of alternative fuelled cars that they’ll run out of fuel and be left stranded? “First, I get my fuel from my local garage, so I have a supply on my doorstep. The conversion company told me my range was about 200 miles but I think it is further than that – I’d say 250 miles (compared with about 350-400 miles in a standard petrol Fabia).

“However, the conversion doesn’t eliminate the petrol tank. It remains in place and the engine switches seamlessly to petrol if you run out of gas.”

Stephen points out that even without that back-up, a little homework means you are never far from a filling station. “A quick search on the internet will list every LPG fuelling station so if I’m ever travelling a long way I just plan my refuelling stops in advance. It takes a minute to do.”

The only real negative is the siting of the LPG tank. “Mine sits where the spare wheel usually lives. I have an emergency tyre repair kit in case I have a puncture so I can get to a garage and repair or replace the tyre. That is the only downside and it’s a pretty minor one when you look at the advantages.”

The biggest of these is the saving on fuel. “My plan is to keep the car for five years, so the conversion cost will be £250 a year – nothing compared with the savings on filling up.”

When the time comes to sell the Fabia Stephen thinks there may be another cash windfall, too. “I haven’t done any research into this but the people at Panache say that LPG-converted cars fetch a premium price compared to a traditional car. Their view is that I should expect to receive £500 more on the sale of my Fabia than a petrol equivalent.”

The million dollar question: will he convert his next car? “Dead cert: yes. It’s worth its weight in gold.”

Stephen’s experience sheds a whole new light on LPG as a potential fuel for ADIs. With hybrid and electric cars there are clear disadvantages: principally, the fact that pupils will be taught in automatics. Range anxiety is an issue, too, though I have always thought that a typical ADI working day could cope with a car limited to a 100-120-mile range, backed up by a schedule of overnight recharging.

However, the biggest problem for electrics and hybrids is the initial purchase price: both types of cars come with hefty price tags that are showing little sign of coming down. expect to pay a minimum of £20k for a small electric and high teens for small hybrids – figures that can nullify any savings on fuel costs.

Yet if you go down the LPG route you are not forced to buy a car that doesn’t suit your needs. The vast majority of cars can be converted to run on LPG, so you pick the car that’s right for you. There’s no need to buy new – Stephen’s experience shows that the conversion works best if the car has 10,000+ on the clock – though you do need to pick your converter carefully. As our interviewee found, a poorly handled job can cause a huge amount of grief, though it is remediable.

Negatives? Mpg is down a touch, as is range, you lose a spare tyre space and a couple of bhp.

Positives? Quieter, smoother, lighter car which could save you a small fortune in fuel. Over a five-year life a 20,000-mile-a-year ADI, recording 35mpg, could save £5,800 – and look forward to a possible £500 bonus when it comes to sell.

LPG was once the motorists’ fuel of the future but got left behind when newer, trendier alternatives came along. Could it be about to make a comeback? It’s certainly worth investigating as the cost of petrol and diesel creep inexorably higher.

LPG offers ADIs fuel for thought

LPG facts:In total, there are around 165,000 LPG-powered cars in the UK and the UKLPG trade association estimates that last year more than 12,000 cars were converted to run on the fuel.

Compared with sales of just over 1,000 pure electric vehicles, this clearly indicates that LPG is still the alternative fuel of choice for the UK.

The cheaper fuel is also readily available as there are currently more than 1,400 LPG refuelling sites across the UK. Autogas Limited itself, a joint venture between Shell and Calor, now has LPG refuelling installations on more than 215 forecourts across the country, including branded independent service stations.

Autogas Limited has enjoyed a major expansion programme in 2012 and continues to invest for the future, making the cheaper and cleaner fuel readily available for motorists throughout the UK.

Meanwhile, there are also apps, sat navs and a handy pocket size guide pinpointing the refuelling sites, making it incredibly easy to locate a refuelling station.

Positives? Price, price, price...In this shot, a litre of fuel is 59p cheaper than the equivalent unleaded petrol, 66p cheaper than dieselPictured taken in April 2012, courtesy of Autogas Ltd

Next issue...LPG put to the test. Newslink roadtests one of the latest LPG-powered models.

www.msagb.com



The LPG cost calculatorNumber of miles

Average mpg

Cost of unleaded

Cost of LPG

Cost of petrol pa

Cost of LPG pa

Total saving

20,000

35

140.15p

72p

£3,640.70

£2,125.40

£1,515.29

Figures based on calculations from Autogas website. These figures take into account the accepted reduction in economy recorded by MPG cars against petrol cars

In Stephen’s car the LPG tank is fitted in the boot recess where the spare tyre would normally sit (below). You lose your spare but carrying an emergency repair kit does offer some compensation

Fill her up: Either option, just the smaller one is a lot cheaper than the other

www.msagb.com


AGMs and seminars

MSA training seminarand AGM diaryI AM DeLIGHTeD to once again invite all MSA members to attend their regional AGM and training day.

The MSA is rightly proud of its democratic structure, which sees its Board of Management made up of elected representatives from each of the association’s 10 regions and nations. All members are entitled to stand for election to their local committee, and each member has a vote in the electoral process.

The meetings listed on these pages are not purely administrative. each region has gone to considerable lengths to put together an event that will deliver real CPD to attendees. Looking through the details of each event myself I am always amazed at the breadth of subjects covered: driver training advice, marketing, finance, representatives from the police and DSA, speakers from other bodies connected with road safety, such as AIRSO, fleet trainers... the list goes on.

Please take a moment to see when and where your nearest event will be held, and make a date to attend. The investment you make in that day away from the car will pay for itself many times over in the information you receive, I assure you.

Peter Harvey MBE, National Chairman, MSA

SOUTH EASTEvent details:Date: November 18Venue: Wellshurst Golf Club, hellingley, hailsham, West Sussex BN27 4eeTime: 9am for 9.30 - 4.30pm Cost: early bird price £30* before 31st October *saving £10Speakers:Sandra Dodson - Deputy Chief Driving ExaminerJohn Lepine MBe - MSA General ManagerDi everett-Skinner - on behalf of Tri-Coaching PartnershipOther speakers yet to be confirmed.Roast dinner lunch and

refreshments included.Book now by logging on to www.msagb.com. early bird price £30.Contact Jo Chapman 07711 951540 or [email protected] for more details.

EASTERNEvent details:Date: October 28Venue: The Malthouse Project, Bury St edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3AATime: 9.30 for 10am start - 4.30pmCost: £25 early bird price for bookings before October 5; £30 after that date To include buffet lunch and refreshments

Speakers:Catherine Jackson - HMRCJohn Lepine MBe - MSA General Manager

Susan Mc Cormack - Tri-coachingOthers to confirm.

Rod Tipple, Chairman

Jo Chapman,Chairman

SOUTH WALESDate: November 19Venue: Cadoxton Conservative Club, 31 Vere St, Barry CF63 2hUTime: tbc Cost: tbc

Speakers:Peter harvey MBe - MSA National Chairman;

In addition, further speakers will be announced soon through the MSA website and Newslink.Book your places with head office

PaddyTyler Chairman

WESTERNDate: November 12Venue: The Clock Tower, east Brent, nr Western-super-MareTime: 10am-4.30pm Cost: £25 if booked before October 22, saving £5

Speakers:A full list of speakers will be available soon through the MSA website and Newslink.Day includes lunch, refreshments and CPD certificateBook your places with the MSA head office

Colin Lilly, Chairman

Book your places now. Early bird discount prices apply to most Training events. Save money here >>

www.msagb.com


AGMs and seminars

NORTH WESTEvent details:Date: November 12Venue: Blackley Golf Club, Blackley, Manchester M9 7hW Time: 9am for 9.30am start - 3.30pmCost: early bird price of £20 if booked before Oct 1 After that, MSA members £25; non members £35

Speakers:Sandra Dodson - Deputy Chief Driving ExaminerJohn Lepine MBe - MSA General Manager

James Wilson – Drive CompareMac McDade – Ideas4ADIsTWD Accountants – Tax advice

Graham Clayton, Chairman

WEST MIDLANDSEvent details:Date: Sunday, 18 NovemberVenue: Park Inn hotel, West Bromwich. Time: 9.30am start Cost: £30 early bird price until Oct 31; £40 after that dateSpeakers:Speakers will include:Peter harvey, MSA National ChairmanDSA Fraud and Integrity teamThe highways AgencyMidlands Air AmbulanceTo book your place, you can pay online or, if you prefer, telephone 0800 0265986 to pay by credit card over the phone.

Geoff Little, Chairman

Event details:Date: November 4Venue: Gomersal Park hotel, Moor Lane, Gomersal, West Yorkshire BD19 4LJTime: 9am for 9.30am start Cost: £35 if booked through our early bird offerThis runs until four weeks before the event, then £45

Speakers:Geoff Little – MSA Deputy National ChairmanDiane hall - TFT on reducing drivers’ nervesTax and accounts helphi-tech business adviceFree prize draw for every attendeeLunch and conference pack included in price

Karl Satloka, Chairman

Gtr LONDONEvent details:Date: November 25Venue: Coulsdon Manor hotel, Coulsdon, nr Croydon, SurreyTime: 9.30 start Cost: tbc

Speakers:A full list of speakers will be available soon through the MSA website and Newslink.Book your places with the MSA head office

Cos Antoniou, Chairman

NORTH EAST

EAST MIDLANDSEvent details:Date: November 25Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Rd, Derby De24 8UxPlease note this is a change in venue from that previously advertisedTime: 9.45am start Cost: £35 if booked before November 4; £44.95 after

Speakers:A full list of speakers will be available soon through the MSA website and Newslink. Book your places with the MSA head office

Derek Brutnell, Chairman

SCOTLANDEvent details:Date: Sunday, November 4Venue: Westerwood hotel, Cumbernauld G68 0eWTime: 9am for 9.30 start Cost: £35 if booked with our early bird offer Speakers:George Gilfillan – Road traffic crash investigator;Guy Whaley - Network Rail Senior Asset Engineer;Ronnie Simpson - DSA Area Operations Manager Scotland;Peter harvey MBe - MSA National Chairman;

John Lepine MBe - MSA General ManagerThe full-day event includes Coffee on arrival, mid-morning coffee, a two course hot Carvery lunch with coffee served in the hotel restaurant and rounding off the afternoon with tea & cakes.

Bob Baker, Chairman

Go to www.msagb.com/services/msasales to book online or call the MSA head Office AGM booking line on 0800 0265986 to pay by credit card over the phone


Regional view:» » » The MSA’s nationwide network of editors with the news and opinions that matter at local level

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a) most probably don’t know how to help qualified drivers improve to a higher standard, especially on motorways and roads that they’re not familiar with themselves (townies trying to teach in rural roads springs to mind), and

b) sadly, are happy to sign off the application form without conducting the training, which amounts most probably to fraudulent activity in order to receive money for nothing.

The latter especially may be a very damning indictment of my fellow ‘professionals’ but there it is, it’s my opinion (constructive criticism if you don’t like what I say, please!)

I believe that there are statistics published that seem to show that the scheme hasn’t produced the benefits hoped for. I would suggest that my points a) and b) above may be at least partially to blame.

Back to the headline though and let’s now discuss the proposal by Ian Holden, DSA’s senior education advisor.

This particular proposal is a little complicated and therefore I will try to explain it in a very simplistic way as, to be fair, there’s a great deal of it that I still don’t understand, even though I’ve had it explained to me in some detail by Ian Holden on two separate occasions.

It addresses an alternative to the current ADI qualification process and its intention really (I believe) is for DSA to wash their hands of the whole ADI training process and hand the whole

thing over to big business and take it away from the sole trader and SMe

(small to medium-sized)businesses.

In effect, he proposes that trainers will be able to self-evaluate the standard of their trainees and put them forward to apply for an ADI Certificate when said trainer thinks that the

trainee is of a suitable standard to take out learner

drivers independently.In the meantime, trainers can

also become assessors and assess the standard of training offered by

other trainers. Therefore a network of

‘trainer/assessors’ will become both the training and evaluating bodies ‘in the field’ as it were of ADI training.

In order to ensure that standards are maintained, from time to time an assessor will come and assess the trainer’s working practices and standards, most probably in the way an ORDIT inspection is carried out currently. Just as is current practice, the assessments will be of the trainers’ work and standards and would not necessarily be looking at every trainee on said trainers ‘books’.

Therefore, not every trainee will be externally verified for their ability to conduct driving lessons as is currently the case through the Theory, Driving and Instructional exams in operation (Parts 1, 2 and 3). The acceptance on to the ADI Register, in other words, would be purely on the considered opinion of the trainer and not through the examination process, as is currently the case.

All this training and assessing will be under the umbrella of a certificating body that will apply to DSA (and, of course, pay DSA a lot of bucks) for the privilege of issuing certification to ADIs to be able to conduct training and assessments. Undoubtedly, there will be fees to pay by these trainer/assessors to the certificating body and it was suggested, as an example, that places of learning such as adult learning centres could be these certification bodies. However, of course any suitably qualified organisation with enough funds to fill DSA’s pockets (national driving schools spring to mind), could be included in this list. The overall and final verification would however remain with DSA. The buck stops there.

Now that’s really a very simplistic view of the whole thing, however what is really very interesting is the idea of Parts 1, 2 and 3 as a standardised process for ADI qualification could disappear. Instead, each individual trainer would have their own process for training and assessing their own trainees. They could, of course, continue with the current three stage process if they wished, or they could have a more fluid and homogenous process whereby they could assist the trainee in gaining knowledge while developing various skills in

hOW DO YOU FeeL about that headline on my mocked-up newspaper appearing sometime in the future? Is that a possibility or is it the figment of my poor little deranged mind?

To be honest, I really don’t know if that headline is as far-fetched and the stuff of HG Wells’ science fiction as at first thought.

For instance, in the United States, the authorities in California have allowed some driver-less cars – yes, that’s right, driver-less cars – to be allowed on its roads.

As can be imagined, the cars have the latest GPS, radar distancing and lane positioning technology plus all the other whistles and bells that allow it to drive itself. However, there must be a qualified driver sitting behind the wheel during the journey on a ‘just in case basis’.

My personal opinion is – eeeek! I think I might just give California a body swerve for the meantime although admittedly, I have no plans to visit in the near future. I would never have believed that that could happen in my lifetime. How about you?

Going back to the headline though, is it really so unrealistic? Let me explain. Take Pass Plus, which most would agree isn’t a bad concept. It is at least a positive step to try and address the problem of the risks faced by new drivers post-test, although sadly it’s now almost dead in the water.

As I’m sure we’re all aware, there is no exam to be taken in order for the customer to receive a (Pass Plus) certificate. It’s purely a minimum number of hours of mainly practical but also some theory training conducted by an ADI, both in car and in a classroom if available.

A noble concept but doomed to fail for various reasons, but mainly and regrettably, in my opinion of course, because there are too many (BUT NOT ALL) ADIs that:

TONY PHILLIPSEditor, Greater London

A brave new world dawns?

MSA Greater

London’s training seminar and AGM is at

the Coulsdon Manor Hotel, nr Croydon, on 25 November.

Put the date in your diary and book your place

through the MSA website

The DSA hAS formally announced that it is dropping plans to make continuing professional development mandatory for ADIs.

The proposal, which has been debated by the ADI industry for some time, has been axed after the agency admitted it could not force instructors to take CPD without increasing the regulatory burden on ADIs or raising registration fees.

In her column in this month’s Newslink Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive, stresses that it was a proposal the agency had been keen to introduce but it had had to back down in the face of unsurmount-able obstacles.

“One of the main challenges to introducing a mandatory scheme is the additional burden it would create when the Government’s commitment is to reduce the burden on small businesses,” she said, adding that mandatory CPD would also lead to an increase in the ADI registration fee.

In addition, with ADIs’ standards of instruction monitored through the check test, Rosemary admitted that it would be

difficult to create sanctions against those ADIs who fail to take CPD: “Any attempt to remove an ADI from the register because they had failed to undertake mandatory CPD would be hard to justify – and it is on that basis that we are proposing to keep the scheme voluntary at this time.”

The MSA has been a keen advocate of CPD for many years and believes all members need to improve their skills and make sure they keep up-to-date with the latest tuition and training techniques.

On the issue of red tape, the Conservative-led Coalition has made great play on its ambition to slash regulations from the moment it entered office.

Government departments are expected to introduce new regulations on business only as a last resort; in such a culture, clearly the DSA feels forcing ADIs to take CPD was not in keeping with the current Whitehall philosophy.

“ADIs’ standards are monitored through the check test,” commented MSA general manager John Lepine.

“However, I believe it would have been very straightforward to make the taking of regular CPD a condition of being on the Register. After all, passing a check test is not the only condition for ADIs to remain on the Register: they have to remain fit and proper persons and it could be argued that failing to stay up-to-date

» » » to page 2

The ADI’s VoiceNewslinkOctober 2024 Issue 388

Arise, Sir John MSA’s general manager knighted for services to road safety and Manchester City

MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

AMSlogo final solo.indd 1 25/2/11 15:49:16

p10

Toyota cracks the 200mpg barrierMajor moves made in fuel economy as production of oil nears its end

L-tests scrapped from March 2025

p16-17

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p6

Driver-less cars given green lightGovernment to allow cars on roads without drivers from April next year

MSA autumn training daysFull details of who’s speaking and how to book on our regional training days and AGMs

p24-25

DRIVING SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Driving instructors to accredit L-drivers directly with the DVLA instead

Man on a mission: New Tory Party chairman Grant Shapps demonstrates the Government’s commitment to cut red tape, on this occasion slashing regulations surrounding house sales

How Newslink could look in 2024 if Tony’s concept became reality

driving, teaching and coaching, etc. The important point is that it would be up to the trainer to decide when the trainee is ready to teach learner drivers. At that point, application to DSA for CRB clearance and once received, an ADI Certificate would be purchased. In effect, that trainee would then be an ADI without necessarily having had any external (i.e. DSA) check of their standards.

Now then, back to the headline and Pass Plus. Firstly, there are a great deal of DSA accredited courses now being conducted, especially those for fleet accreditation. I’m pleased to say that it seems to me that most of these course providers, albeit charging what may be considered relatively expensive fees, are also of a good professional standard and take their reputation and brand seriously. However, there is one accredited course that I’m aware of that I believe to be of a very poor standard and in my opinion does a great disservice to our industry, DSA and the motoring public. No more to be said and I won’t be pulled any further on it.

However, as precedents for accreditation by ADIs have already been set in the form of the Pass Plus scheme and accreditation for fleet registration by commercially available courses, this proposal of Ian Holden’s would then have the resulting situation of novice car drivers on the road with Pass Plus certificates issued by ADIs who have not been assessed by an external verifier such as DSA.

In my opinion, and please shoot me down and prove me wrong, I think we would be setting a dangerous precedent of saying that in this case, if ADIs exist under these circumstances, why not the people that they are teaching? In other words, why stop at Pass Plus? Shouldn’t these same ADIs then be able to self-assess their own customers, decide that they are suitable to be fully licensed drivers with the ability to drive unaccompanied and apply to their own commercial accrediting body for a certificate which would allow their learners to apply to DVLA for a full driving licence? What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, isn’t it?

Think about it. If currently there is even only one (as far as I’m aware and again, in my opinion) sub-standard DSA accredited body, could this open the flood gates for some real drop in the standards of training in a field of every day activity which is considered one of the largest killers worldwide outside of natural causes, ie, driving? Is this really the way that we want to go?

www.msagb.com

Is wrong the new right?John Lomasp37

Contacte: tony@tonys trainees.co.uk Please ensure all emails contain MSA Greater London in the subject

JUDGING FROM The various shapes of headerboards that I see there must be a number of different manufacturers around the country.

Some are so unique that I can recognise which instructor it belongs to from quite a distance away. However, among some of the larger driving schools the trend now seems to be not to use headerboards any more.

I still do. My reasons for using one are threefold. It enables motorists who are held up a couple of cars behind to realise it is a driving school and encourages them to be patient instead of blasting their horn at the unknown hold up.

The second is it makes me look more professional. Finally advertising; I get many new pupils come to me because they regularly see my car around, which in turn makes them trust me. Importantly if you are about to purchase a headerboard make sure your name and phone number are in a text that can be easily read.

So what are the downsides? The only one I can see is higher fuel consumption, but I imagine this is outweighed by the result of the advertising.

WHILe talking about fuel consumption do you use your air conditioning? Since I first had a car with air conditioning it has been on 365 days a year. It keeps me cool in the summer and the car fresher and mist-free in the winter. We all have our luxuries in life such as a fancy mobile instead of a basic model, so why not let your pupils enjoy the cool environment that your car probably comes with as standard.

One final thought, if you do any fast driving with the window open the drag will probably cause worse fuel consumption than the air conditioning would.

THeRe always seems to be more unheard of driving schools popping up, which judging by the name and phone numbers, are part of a distant franchise.

Quite often the cars are sign-written by people who do not know what they are doing because the ‘L’ plates are the wrong size.

I have also seen a couple of cars using stick on L plates which are incorrectly sized.

Using correct size ‘L’ plates is something I have mentioned in the past. When I learnt to drive I had a leaflet like the one pictured here

TERRYPEARCEEditor, West Midlands

“What is really very interesting is that Parts 1, 2 and 3 as a process for ADI qualification could disappear... Instead, each individual trainer would have their own process for training and assessing their own trainees...”

which showed the correct size. I can remember making my own and colouring it in to use inside my car window.

When I took my ADI Part 1 exam the syllabus included the L-plate regulations but when they started to publish the question bank there were no questions included about it.

Following my previous comments on this subject the DSA printed an L-plate showing the correct dimensions in its Despatch magazine. I am curious if they have taken it seriously since so can anyone who has recently studied for their part one exam let me know on [email protected] yes or no if questions about L-plate sizes are included.

Thank you.

We have now finalised details for our Annual Training Day and AGM on Sunday, 18 November at Park Inn Hotel, West Bromwich.

Speakers will include: DSA’s Fraud and Integrity Team, the Highways Agency, Midlands Air Ambulance and Peter Harvey MBE, MSA national chairman.

You should have received an invitation letter. Early bookings are appreciated and remember you can save £10 by booking using our early bird offer, which is valid until 31st October.

More details on how to book and the event itself can be found on pages 28-29 of this issue of Newslink.

My headerboard let’s the public know I’m there

West Midlands Annual Training Day and AGM


events help blow cobwebs awayDerek Brutnellp40

Police give insight into crash workMike Bassettp38


FOLLOWING David Cameron’s reshuffle of his Government we say farewell to Mike Penning, the minister who “knew that we only teach test routes” because that is what his daughter told him about her driving lessons.

Of course, we all know that pupils always give us accurate information about the content of their previous lessons and can remember precisely where they went when on test.

Mike has now moved to the Northern Ireland office and I am sure we wish him well. To reassure the residents of the province, he will probably be extremely well informed about your situation as he must have met at least one Ulsterman/woman at sometime.

Stephen Hammond replaces him. Good job it isn’t another Minister, Simon Burns, who has previous when it comes to road safety, having collided with a cyclist when emerging from the Palace of Westminster exit gates.

Incident at MPTCThe Darwen MPTC was the location of

an incident on Sunday 2nd September.The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

reported:A female motorcyclist was airlifted to

hospital after she crashed her motorbike during a lesson in Darwen.

The incident happened at around noon yesterday when the woman, who was riding a 500cc motorbike at the Driving Standards Agency test centre, in Commercial Road, crashed through a metal fence surrounding the practice area, before falling 15 feet down

an embankment.Firefighters attended to help rescue the

woman.I hope to have more information about

this incident later as I am in contact with the bike school in question. I don’t wish to report anything other than facts so will not speculate on the cause.

Darwen MPTC has been made available, out of hours at weekends, to bike schools for training purposes.

DSA made a statement on the incident: “Our sympathies are with the rider involved and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. The safety of learners is our top priority and we will be conducting a full investigation into the incident.”

eyesight standardsI recently attended for my regular

six-monthly clinic check-up and while there picked up a leaflet about glaucoma and driving. This is of particular interest to me as my father had glaucoma and while not necessarily hereditary it is among the conditions for which they check me.

The leaflet mentions Standard 1, which is the Snellen acuity and checks central vision, and also mentions Standard 2 which looks for a field of vision of 120 degrees horizontally and no significant field defect within 20 degrees above or below the horizontal; so this standard is referring to the degree of loss of vision away from the centre.

Both these standards apply to car drivers and bike riders; higher standards apply for PCV and LGV.

Because the DSA only checks Standard 1 it is quite possible for someone who doesn’t use glasses, possibly has not had an optician’s eyesight check for years, to meet Standard 1 on a driving test, and yet to be unable to meet Standard 2 without even being aware of a problem.

Surely this means that the current

Join us at conference I HOPE you are planning to join us for the MSA North West Conference and AGM.

To the left, there is a copy of our poster for

the event and there’s a map below to help you find the venue, Blackley Golf Club.

If using SatNav, use M9 7SS as a postcode.

Schematic map of route to Blackley Golf Club

NORTH WEST REGION

MONDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2012

CPD Seminarwith Certificate of attendance

& regional agm

VenUeBlackley golf Club

Victoria avenue eastBlackley manchester m9 7HW

Timetableregistration 9am Start 9.30amagm 12.15pm Lunch 12.30pm

afternoon session 1.45pmClose 3.30pm

CostmSa members £25 (lunch included)

Plus Trade Stands; Free Draw (business card)Charity raffle

Book via http://www.msagb.com/services/sv-sales.asp non-members £35 (lunch included) refund of £10 if non-members join on the day

Please make all bookings before 1st november so that catering can be arranged

mSa With industry

updatesCPD andTuition

opportunities

Sandra DodsonStar of Driving

academyPositive directions for driving test markings

What might the future bring?

mac mcDadePrincipal

ideas4aDismaking the most of

teaching aids

James WilsonDrive compare

Pupil acquisition and retention through an

efficient web presence and management of your

driving school

TWDThe accountancy package for aDis

Business accounting for the self-employed

Darren Hogan ConvertaCar

Specialists in hand controls - steering aids

- swivel seats - boot hoists

graham HoylePay Yours

Suppliers of mobile card

terminals

Cat B learner.Advice has been sought from the police

and conflicting advice has been given.This is the response from the West Yorks

Police Unit:The full auto group can only be

considered as a provisional licence for a manual car and all of the restrictions for a PLH apply. The manual car cannot be driven on a motorway by a PLH. The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 11(1) A person shall not drive on a motorway a motor vehicle to which this regulation applies if he is authorised to drive that vehicle only by virtue of his being the holder of a provisional licence.

However, this is the reply to the same question from West Mercia Police:

Hi. You like to ask the awkward questions!

Basically you would be entitled to use the motorway as you are the holder of a full UK licence and not a provisional driver. You are classed as a qualified driver for the motorway regulations but a learner of the manual gearbox, that is no different from being a full UK car licence holder and learning to drive a truck.

Put simply, as long as you pass a DSA driving test you can learn to drive any other vehicles on the motorway including towing a trailer.

No names to spare the red face for which ever has given the wrong answer.

Incidentally, in the West Mercia reply I am sure he didn’t mean to imply that a Motorcycle FLH can drive a Cat B on Ls on the motorway.

Personally I can see the argument for both answers and I wonder if this is an unforeseen eventuality of euro tinkering with UK law.

Maybe it is a suitable topic for the legal advice team, which have previously had an occasional spot here in Newslink.

www.msagb.comRegional news: North West

Mike’s off to tell Ulster why he knows best

JOHN LOMASEditor, North West

eyesight test is unfit for purpose, particularly when you consider that the DSA/DVLA will not accept an optician’s check which in fact is far more accurate than anything they can dream up.

B auto converting to B manualThis is a question which has cropped up

on one of the forums. If converting a Cat B auto to Cat B can the learner be taken on a motorway?

Some say yes, on the grounds that it is a full licence holder upgrading a group, in the same way that a Cat B learner doing Cat B+e can go on the motorway, even if they are a Cat B auto doing Cat B+e manual.

Others say no because they are still a

mSa nOrTH WeST

mOnDaY 12TH nOVemBer 2012


www.msagb.comRegional news: North West

Wrong answers are deemed correct by theory testers: Discuss

This is a topic which has been raised many times over the years and which I last raised in April 2012.

In some cases DSA appear to require WRONG answers on the theory test, in others the wording can be misleading for people who have different levels of experience or who think differently. As an example, there is a question about green issues which asks (and I paraphrase) As a driver, which of a number of alternative ways to make a short journey would cause least damage to the environment.

The required answer is Walk or Cycle. excuse me, but if you are walking or cycling you are NOT a driver.

Consider, for instance, these questions forwarded to me by the same correspondent who is one of those who have been trying to get DSA to acknowledge that they are not infallible.

DSA question is in bold, with the required answer in red.

Mark ONE answerYou are about to go down a steep hill. To control the speed of your vehicle you should:1: Select a high gear and use the brakes carefully2: Select a high gear and use the brakes firmly3: Select a low gear and use the brakes carefully4: Select a low gear and avoid using the brakes

This type of question appears to give no consideration to how someone with off-road 4x4 experience could picture the problem; by using acceleration sense and selection of a low gear and avoid using the brakes could be marked down for giving the correct answer. They would use answer 4.

This question should be rephrased to enquire about in what situations would one use engine braking and how one would achieve this.

Maybe this is thinking a little too deep for most learners BUT why should the more experienced/well prepared pupil be put at a disadvantage for apparently knowing more than the question setters?

Other examples (with DSA’s answers in red)

Mark THREE answersWhich THREE of these items should you carry for use in the event of a collision?1: Road map2: Can of petrol3: Jump leads4: Fire extinguisher5: First aid kit6: Warning triangle

Unfortunately there are several questions in the theory question bank that TeLL you to carry your “lucky” fire extinguisher. Yet the advice from Fire and Rescue services is:

I would recommend the following if you suspect

that the vehicle that you are driving is on fire:• Pull over as quickly as safely as possible and

apply the handbrake and switch off the engine• Exit the vehicle – do not return for your

belongings• Position yourself and any passengers in a safe

area• Call the fire and rescue service by dialling 999• Be precise as you can when giving the vehicle

location(Please see separate note on Dual fuel and

Hybrid vehicles and the importance of informing the fire and rescue service on the type involved)

• Do not attempt to fight the fire unless you have been trained and you think that is safe to do so

• Try to keep out the way (upwind) of the smoke and products of combustion

• Wait for the fire and rescue service to deal with the incident

That is a section from a letter of advice from Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue. The professional’s advice appears to negate the point of carrying a fire extinguisher.

Here’s another:

6.48 Mark ONE answerYou notice horse riders in front. What should you do FIRST?1: Pull out to the middle of the road2: Slow down and be ready to stop3: Accelerate around them4: Signal right

Surely this is a potential hazard and MSPSL should surely be followed or am I teaching my pupils incorrectly?

I find it very difficult to explain to my clients why this question has to be answered.

PLeASe explain why MIRRORS is NOT listed as this must be the FIRST thing to do.

Finally,

Mark ONE answer A trailer must stay securely hitched up to the towing vehicle. What additional safety device can be fitted to the trailer braking system?1: Breakaway cable2: Corner Steadies3: Jockey Wheel4: Stabiliser

Now I am aware that the breakaway cable is the only option which is related to the braking system, but the wording of the question, using the phrase “can be fitted”, implies that it is optional.

It is not optional. Braked trailers MUST be fitted with breakaway cables and unbraked trailers MUST be fitted with breakaway chains short enough to prevent a loose hitch dropping far enough to dig in to the road

There have been a few questions removed over the years because they have been shown to be wrong. However, now that we are unable to see the new questions being added to the question bank before pupils take them on test there is absolutely no check on the accuracy of the questions themselves.

We know from past experience that the DSA cannot be trusted to get it right.

They are not educationalists or professional exam setters, and if they were to use such experts in the field of exam-setting, would they have the requisite knowledge of what is a complex subject?

There must be an industry organisation which can proof-read the questions and answers under confidentiality rules.

Only that sort of inspection will satisfy ADIs that the theory test is totally fair for all.

Theory test wording can leave ‘right’ answers open to question

Horse alert: How should a motorist react on seeing a rider and horse... according to the theory test?

www.msagb.com


Regional news: South East

MSA SOUTH eAST’S Audi meeting saw members received a fine West Sussex welcome from the people at Caffyns Audi, Worthing. There may only be four rings on the Audi motif but we received a warm Olympic-sized welcome from the team. Head of business Tim Brown welcomed us in and gave us an overview of what instructors can expect when choosing an Audi.

Robert James, sales manager, along with Chris Calvert, business manager and Darren Mines, local business developer, showed off the Audi range and even gave us a sneak look under the covers of the new Audi A3. If instructors are thinking of going up-market in their vehicles and clients, then the A3 and the A1 will take you there.

Find the join :One professional speaker is good but two are seamless

Particularly when they are seamless in their knowledge, as it makes it worthwhile turning up for MSA meetings. Coming to us from the Sussex Police Collision Investigation Unit, we had the pleasure of Colin O’Neil and Adrian Short to reintroduce us to the delights of Newton’s Laws as applied to driving; a sort of driving instructors’ ‘Orrible histories’. Short. To the point. Very relevant. And very interesting.

It is indeed rare to find passion and commitment in speakers for such a difficult and technical subject without them becoming ‘nerdy’ or the audience nodding off. Nobody slept. It was interactive. It was delightfully interesting, particularly as they bounced comments between themselves.

Just or justice?They tread a difficult line. Their

investigations are required to be unbiased and impartial, with a brief to ‘forensically examine the scene; the environment and road engineering and present a reconstruction of pre- and post-collision scenarios from the physical evidence’. It could be that what they have found may not be in accordance with what was wanted to be found. However, in addition to the dedicated officers in Sussex, there is a whole worldwide net of forensic officers that offer ‘just’ evidence and even assistance if required.

Their work may be analysing a vehicle’s faults or investigating a road surface and from that, a good deal of recall notices of faulty vehicles and subsequent road resurfacing takes place. Indeed, a current VOSA recall notice highlights faulty seatbelt mountings; fuel and oil leaks; brake and light failures and risk of fire. Do have a look at the VOSA sites. It’s worth passing the information on to your drivers, especially if the vehicle behind you is one of the ones that’s prone to brake failure.

Out the windowThat’s where most of us were looking as

our long-suffering teachers attempted to thrust Newton’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd laws into our wandering teenage brains. Fortunately for us, a few good people did remember it – and even use it – namely, our forensic investigators.

They use the ‘recognised laws of physics and mathematics’ and add in a whole host of other factors, such as braking characteristics; weather; highway engineering; micro climates – often small in area but which can have a great impact on a vehicle; and even the altitude of the sun, looking at the effect of glare.

Using the above and a bit more, they are able to provide physical evidence that is much more positive and accurate than witness evidence, which is known to be fallible.

I’ll get you all to look up the 1st and 2nd Newton’s Laws. I sort of know them but

don’t say it quite as Colin and Adrian put it. Force = Mass x Acceleration. It’s where they are bigger, heavier and accelerating – it’s a fair bet it’s going to hurt. I’m a bit better with the 3rd. The old equal and Opposite reaction bit. Remember the example, reaching for the river bank, what happens? The boat moves away and you are left hanging on or wet.

Not stopping. Anyone’s fault?It may well be your tyre interface to the

road surface. We were reminded of the good points and the perils of SMA, the gluey ready-mix of gravel and bitumen. The message is, be thankful for a new road surface – but don’t trust it. It takes time for a road surface to reach its full potential as far as grip is concerned. You have to get some use for the bitumen to wear off and expose enough of the gravel to tear at your tyres and stop you. On busy roads, it may be only a few months but out in the sticks, with less use, it could take a year before the road surface is able to stop you safely. Remember the reasons for using SMA? It is a cheap alternative.

On those major resurfacing jobs, it is likely that hot rolled asphalt is used. Contractors make up a sandwich of topping, providing a sub base and then the surface you drive on. That’s the bit I’ve been critical of before, because it gets nicked, transported, spirited away, never seen again and I know that to be true.

A bit of research for you all – do look up the New Road & Streets Act. It sets out how our roads should be laid down. The thing is, when will a contractor be prosecuted for not subscribing to the Act? As the Highways Agency has no means of checking, from them it will probably be never.

Now, with the Collision Investigation Unit, those detractors are far from being safe from prosecution. The unit has the

powers to enter premises and seize all documents, equipment and vehicles that will help them to provide ‘just’ evidence. If it takes bad practice and faulty or illegal vehicles off the road, then it is a hooray from me.

Friction or non-friction?Is that the ability not to stop something

that is very real, or is it just the thing that gives excitement to stories? Most of the modern vehicles are quite capable of stopping reasonably well. Most modern drivers, however, seem to think it is a bit cissy to slow down, so we end up with a lot of skidding.

It’s all about friction. But in wanting to stop quickly, there is a massive trade off of heat – friction. ever wondered why there were skid marks? It’s actually not the rubber off the tyre making a mark; it’s the tyres boiling the bitumen surface in an effort to get you to stop. That’s a lot of heat. Most of you probably give some advice to your drivers regarding tyre care and what can go wrong with them. Bashing them on the kerb does all sorts of damage to them, as does continuous heavy braking. Have a look at a few websites to found out more.

The big stuff coming off the refuse tip, with multiple wheels, is a prime candidate for picking up obstructions; bashing kerbstones and being overweight. Do get your drivers to have a look at the tippers. Can they read the clues as to their tyre wear?

It’s a bit expensive running on winter tyres all year round but it is something that Sussex Police do. As their drivers are out on the roads in many varied conditions, the significant difference in a winter tyres helps them to cope with those changes, be they large or small.

It’s all about gripAdhesion, grip – tearing the tyre surface

MIKE BASSETTEditor, South East

Police double act expose the perils of the road

www.msagb.com


Regional news: South East

to slow or stop. Think about Hysteresis. Look it up to understand more how tyres and roads work. Of course, if you need to slow, you may need to steer. If you need to steer, you may need less braking to do so. If you still need to brake, you may have less steering. It’s a fair old round-robin.

Options open to you with all your mechanical add-on bits such as ABS or traction control may come to nought if you don’t know how to use them or how they operate.

When it comes to testing ‘skid marks’, the test vehicles can have their ABS deactivated as more of a pattern is displayed on the road surface. The greater the grip, the greater the heat as is demonstrated on the anti-skid ‘shell’ surfaces. Tearing up of tyres is much more dramatic when there is a surface designed to slow a vehicle. Makes sense to brake early and lightly. It’s a lot cheaper.

Contact cluesIt sounds very wild west as Locards’s

Law comes into play. It simply says, every contact leaves a trace. It doesn’t have to involve high speed, as is a common myth. There is no minimum speed – it is the energy generated. With all the plastic on our vehicles, it melts upon impact, trapping fibres, hairs and clues that a witness may never have seen.

Contact marks; fabric cleaning marks, often where pedestrians are involved; fibre plastic fusion – sounds a bit Star Trekky

doesn’t it – as at higher speeds plastics melt; the damage profile, where the damage is; and an accurate interpretation of the above is what it’s all about.

Airbag or belt?Coming out at around 250mph, with the

driver sitting incorrectly, being close to the wheel and maybe not wearing a seatbelt, it’s possible that a snapped neck will occur. Wearing a seat belt, there may be some bruising but you will probably still be sitting in one piece. Despite a few incidents where drivers have been injured by airbags, in the majority of them, injuries were reduced as a result of having an airbag in your vehicle.

Both are designed to save you from yourselves. But – and it’s a big BUT, both work on speed change and not speed. As you decelerate rapidly, they may be activated. And sort of in keeping with our 70mph speed limit, both are only for the most part effective up to that speed. Worth having a chat with a car salesman if you are going for a higher mark vehicle to find out what sort of safety you have over 70mph, particularly if you are contemplating track or continental driving.

Depressing news that makes you happy

Thank heavens the quest to find out what SSRIs (the anti-depressant drugs) do to you when driving is going on all around

the globe. Over in Taiwan, they have found that taking Prozac or Seroxat can increase the risk of crashing. They reckoned that patients who had only been on the pills for a few hours were more likely to have a crash. Remember I wrote a while ago that I had a young female driver, aged 17, who had been on them since she was 11.

She was indeed impaired when it came to decision making and it is now thought that the same chemical changes that (may) improve moods, also slows down reaction times.

Can we please ask our caring government to put the same effort into banning driving while on these type of drugs as they do with Class A and B drugs.

Can you hear the traffic – the cyclist – the pedestrian?

Seems like you may not. Most people taking pain killers appear to be women. Around two-thirds of women admit to take regular pain killers, compared to one-third of men.

Recent research in the US and the UK indicates that regular users of ibuprofen and paracetamol are likely to experience hearing loss of up to 24 per cent, which may be permanent. They are the drugs that help us get through the day, with all or aches and pains gained through life but you would do well to ask your drivers – of all ages – not just the older ones, if they take any regular medication.

If you and they are aware, then you have

a chance to train around the problem.

Bridges and bricksI highlighted recently the need to look

up at bridges to see what is going on above you and I come to you with a story from Kent last month to validate why you should do exactly that.

Two men dropped a brick onto a passing vehicle on the M25 as it passed under the Watling Street bridge in Dartford. A front seat passenger was taken to hospital for treatment and mercifully, this time it was only for shards of glass in her eyes and wrists.

Look up and live long.

MSA South East Meeting and AGM

Don’t forget to come and see us at the Wellshurst Golf Club, Hellingley, Hailsham, West Sussex BN27 4ee on Sunday, 18th November. Look out for more details on pages 32-33.

Contacte: mikebassett@ blueyonder.co.ukt: 01892 543544a: 17 Ashley Gardens Rusthall Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8TY

Contact

Find us on Twitter @BillPlantDrivin Find us on Facebook @ Bill Plant - National Driving School*Selected areas only, conditions may apply.

0330 555 2254 or visit online @ www.billplant.co.uk

To find out more: 24hr FREEPHONE:

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Over the next 12 months, starting in May 2012, Bill Plant Driving School will commence changing its fleet from the Hyundai i30 to the Audi A3 SE TDi 1.6 Diesel, 68.9mpg combined.

5 Door Family Diesel HatchbackOngoing Unlimited Pupil SupplyADI Only Driving School

www.msagb.com


Regional news: East Midlands

training sectors they may like to investigate in the future.

David Poole, head of sales at ADI Support, which is based in Mansfield, will be looking at how better marketing can produce more custom.

Graham Feest, secretary of AIRSO and Chairman of IMTD, will present an interactive

session based on business growth and customer satisfaction.

In addition, John Lepine, MSA General Manager will bring you up-to-date with all the latest industry news and James Wilson CeO of Drivecompare.com, will offer you opportunities to sign up to the drivecompare system.

And if all that isn’t enough, we’ll round the day off with something a little different …

Trevor Wedge, once DSA Chief Driving examiner, has been doing some work in India. If you think your role as an ADI in the UK is challenging, wait until you see this interesting presentation from Trevor!

The regional AGM will take place during the morning session. This is the time to remind you that this is when the regional committee will be elected for the coming year.

This year has been another productive one for the region. We’ve organised a number of meetings – we even managed to hold one in a brewery, five miles from the Lincolnshire coast!

If you have ideas of your own for meeting venues or think your particular part of the east Midlands region should be represented, why not consider joining your regional committee?

Four committee meetings are held each year – so it’s not a great deal of time to commit to your association and representing your region. Any MSA member can serve on the committee!

If you want to know more before the training day and AGM, drop me a line.

ON 18 SePTeMBeR the east Midlands region held another of its famous Curry nights, in Borrowash, where the emphasis was on good food, good information and advice and a good chance to meet fellow ADIs, blow the cobwebs away and learn from each other.

The evening opened with an excellent workshop – ‘Good instructor, Bad Instructor’ followed by an Indian curry served by Ahmad and his team.

This is the third year we’ve held this event and each one has been better than the last.

We even picked up four new members – so welcome to those four who are possibly reading this regional page for the first time.

I hope to see you at future events.

We will be returning to Derbyshire for our Annual Training Day and AGM on Sunday, 25

November. This time the venue is a little more traditional, The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby, De24 8UX.

Book now on the MSA website and take advantage of the early bird price of £34.95!

With work generally slow for most of us this year, speakers have been chosen to give us marketing tips and training opportunities to help with self development and make their business grow.

Tony Stanley from AJS Training Transport Training Consultants will provide information on opportunities for the ADI looking at other

DEREKBRUTNELLChairman & Editor, East Midlands

ContactDerek can be contacted via e: derekbrutnell@ yahoo.co.uk

Contact

Tuck in: East Midlands ADIs enjoy a tasty curry during the recent meeting in Borrowash.Good to see copies of Newslink being put to good use!

Marketing and training on menu at regional day

AS MOST ReADeRS will be aware, either through buying a new car recently or by reading snippets on the web or in the press, a new daytime running lights law came into force across europe from 7 February 2011 for cars and light vans, and from 7 August 2012 for large goods vehicles. To be precise, it was european Directive 76/656/eeC, as amended by 2008/89/eC.

I was travelling with friends from a road safety conference the other day and our attention was grabbed by the number of cars with the daytime running lights on. We conducted a small survey to see if the lights were at the front only, and the survey left us with a few questions of our own as to their operation and use. Details of daytime running lights and some road safety questions follow.

Daytime running lights UK law

Daytime running lights (sometimes referred to as DRLs or daylight running lamps) are low-wattage bulbs that are fitted to a car to improve visibility during daylight hours. As of 7 February 2011 DRLs have become a mandatory fitting to all new type approved passenger vehicles (except trailers).

DRLs must switch on with the vehicle ignition and switch off when the vehicle sidelights are switched on. They can also be made to function as front position (side) lights, which operate at a reduced intensity when the vehicle sidelights are switched on.

You may have already seen DRLs out on the road – many manufacturers have fitted them to new models.

They can usually be found just below the car’s main headlights, and normally switch on with the vehicle ignition and off

when the vehicle sidelights are turned on.

Why has the Daytime Running Lights law been introduced?

The answer is simple - these lights improve road safety during daylight hours. The lighting makes cars more visible to pedestrians crossing the road, and to other motorists.

In fact, studies carried out by the european Commission and the Department for Transport have both found that daytime running lights can reduce accidents and casualties during daytime hours.

Some road safety motoring organisations have had an opposite view, however, with the thought being that other road users, especially pedestrians, will notice only vehicles with lights on and not see the ones without the daytime lights.

Daytime Running Lights Regulations New cars must be fitted with DRLs to comply with the daytime running lights law. However, many drivers have been fitting them to older cars to take advantage of their benefits. If you’re going to do this, ensure you check the lights markings and follow these simple guidelines:

• Make sure the lights comply with safety standards - Daytime Running Lights should be marked eCe R87 so you can be sure they’re street legal

• DRLs are connected so that they come on with your ignition and switch off when the vehicle’s lighting is switched on, unless they have a night styling function which reduces the light output for night time driving.

Why fit Daytime Running Lights? Although the daytime running lights law does not require existing car owners to fit DRLs, many drivers are choosing to add them.

Apart from the road safety benefits, the lights look stylish - because they’re associated with new, high-tech models,

www.msagb.com


Regional news: North East

Daytime running lights: UK law and regulationsSimply a modern, stylish motoring accessory – or a road safety bonus, asks Mike Yeomans

lots of people are using them as a quick and easy way to upgrade their motors.

As more vehicles appear on the road with DRLs on, older vehicles will be at a disadvantage in terms of visibility. So it’s expected that drivers with older vehicles will choose to add DRLs or will drive with sidelights or dipped headlights on.

The problem with driving with headlights on is that it increases fuel consumption - DRLs are a better option, as they’re normally LeD lights that consume less power. Some even have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours.

There are retrofit lights referred to as Daytime Styling Lights – these give the look of a DRL but come on with the headlights, meaning they are marked as side position lights and not daytime running lights.

I have noticed many cars with the daytime running lights and it has to be noted they are front white lights only and do not include red lights at the rear. This has, in some areas, been a road safety issue as the driver has not put on their night driving lights when the visibility has reduced, staying with the daytime running lights because they are so bright, forgetting, or not realising, that the rear lights are not lit and posing a problem for following vehicles in poor visibility conditions.

Having described the daytime lights, there seems to be still some controversy as to the true road safety value.

Are we assuming the adverts are correct and it will make the vehicles more visible, or will it confuse and fall victim to ‘change blindness’?

MIKE YEOMANSDeputy Editor, North East

www.msagb.com


Regional News: North East and Eastern

BY The TIMe the next issue of Newslink reaches you, we will have held our MSA eastern regional seminar and AGM. Just in case you need reminding, it’s on Sunday, October 28.

Our hosts for the day will be The Malthouse Project in Bury St edmunds, in Suffolk. Doors open at 9.30 for a 10am start, and we run through until 4.30pm.

I’m really pleased with the speakers we have lined up. You will hear presentations from the MSA General Manager John Lepine MBe, Susan McCormack from Tri-Coaching, James Wilson from Drive Compare and Catherine Jackson from HMRC.

Hopefully, with those four we have some information, some hints at better instruction and some

help on being better business people.We hope that by attending we’ll broaden your

knowledge and make you look at your career and how you work differently.

The day will include the MSA eastern AGM. This gives you a chance to vote for the regional committee – even stand for election – and help shape future policy and direction of the MSA.

All ADIs are welcome, not just members, though only members can vote at the AGM.

The early bird price has lapsed now but bookings can still be made at the very reasonable price of £30. The day includes a buffet lunch and refreshments through the day.

This is an ideal opportunity to network with fellow ADIs, pick up some really useful advice and top up your CPD. You can park in the long stay parking area or the town’s test centre car park for those that know it.

Make your bookings through MSA Head Office or if you have any queries, contact me on 01508 521161. I look forward to seeing you there.

Last call for Eastern conference

Contacte: rodneytipple@ yahoo.co.uk t: 01508 521161

Sunday, 28th October 2012at The Malthouse Project

Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3AA.

Doors open 09.30 for 10.00 Start. Finish 16.30.

Speakers• Catherine Jackson - HMRC • Susan McCormack - Tri-coaching

• James Wilson – Drive Compare • John Lepine MBE - MSA General Manager

Buffet Lunch provided with drinks available all day

Price £30 - early bird price £25 before Oct 5th

Book online at www.msagb.com or by telephone on 0161 429 9669

All Driver Trainers welcomeCar Parking in long stay Car Park Parkway North, behind

Wilkinsons, or Test Centre Car Park, for those that know it.Enquiries to Rod Tipple, Regional Chairman, 01508 521161

EASTERN

TRAINING SEMINAR and AGM

With thanks to Carrs MiNi of Bury St Edmunds Carrs MiNi are offering exclusive preferential terms on new MiNis

to MSA Eastern members on production of this invite before 31 December 2012 at their dealership.

Thetford Road, Bury St Edmunds IP31 1Sx t: 01284 750033 www.carrsmini.co.uk

ROD TIPPLEChairman & Editor, Eastern

Two meetings planned for the North EastAS I hope you’ll have elsewhere in this issue of Newslink, the MSA North East Winter Training Day and AGM is being held on November 4 at Gomersall Park Hotel, Cleckheaton, writes the Newslink editor.

There’s a great line-up of speakers booked for what should be a fascinating all-day event.

In addition, we have a garage meeting arranged for Thursday, 25 October.

This is being held in the north of our region, at Alnwick.

Our hosts for the evening are the management and staff of Blackshaws. They are a Nissan and Suzuki specialist and we’re delighted that they have offered to get involved with their local ADIs.

Peter Harvey, the MSA national chairman, will be among our speakers, as will our regional chairman Karl Satloka and deputy editor Mike Yeomans.

Topics to be covered include the latest industry news and information, a check test workshop and Mike Yeomans will look at new driving licences for 2013 – and give us a mystery Q & A!

Try to get along to either or both meetings. MSA events are always friendly, informal affairs and I’m sure you’ll go away having learned an awful lot – from either the presenters or your fellow members of the audience.

www.msagb.com


Membership form

THE MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATIONOF GREAT BRITAIN LTD

Head Office: 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LPTel: 0161 429 9669 Fax: 0161 429 9779

It’s time for you to

join theRepresentation • Information • Services

APPLICATION FORM FOR MEMBERSHIP

Declaration: I, the undersigned, agree to be bound by the constitution by-laws and code of conduct of The Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd. I

understand that, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, my membership details will be kept on computer and may be made available to third parties.

Title: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms

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Please tick the membership option you require

12 months’ membership, by cheque or debit/credit card @ £72

6 months’ membership, by cheque or debit/credit card @ £45

Both include one-off £15 joining fee

Driving Test guide @ £6.00 Check Test guide @ £6.00

PDI guide @ £6.00 Part 2 guide @ £6.00

Special offer: Save £2 when you buy all four guides @ £22.00

PAYMENT DETAILSBY CHEquE: Please make cheques payable to the Motor Schools Association

BY CREDIT CARD OR MAESTRO/DELTA CARD: (please tick the box below)

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PLEASE NOTE: MSA membership can take up to 21 days to process from receipt of your application

Recommend a colleague to join the MSA – and receive a £10 M&S voucher

THe MSA has four guides to help ADIs in key areas. The MSA Part 2 Guide is designed to assist those studying to take the ADI Part 2 examination by bringing much of the theoretical information together in one place. It is not a substitute for training or for a thorough study of other literature, in particular the DSA manual Driving - The Essential Skills and the Highway Code.

It explains the three sections of the ADI Part 2 examination and gives advice on what to do when you arrive at the test centre, including the documentation you need to take with you and the way the safety check questions will be conducted.

Advice is given on the Part 2 Test of driving ability. It is explained that this is an advanced driving test and a very high standard of driving competence is required. Candidates must show that they have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety and are able to apply them.

The MSA Check Test Guide gives you full details of what is required on your check test. It is written for ADIs by ADIs and will demystify the whole business of the check test and help you to prepare properly.

The guide gives details of the list of pre-set lesson plans that are used and advises what happens on the day; the type of pupil to take; the questions your examiner will ask you and the sort of answers s/he is looking for. It also explains the core competencies of fault identification, fault analysis and remedial action.

The MSA Driving Test Guide is designed to explain how the driving test works, what examiners are looking for and what the markings on the DL25 marking sheet actually mean.

It details the duties of a professional driving instructor who presents pupils for test and goes on to explain the driving test assessment guidelines, and gives full details of the differences between driving faults/serious faults and dangerous faults.

The guide goes on to give details of how errors are categorised in order to assist ADIs in interpreting the DL25, the Driving Test Report form.

The MSA PDI Guide provides help for those who want to become ADIs. It is not intended to be a substitute for instructor training or for the information contained in the DSA folder “Your Road to Becoming an Approved Driving Instructor” (ADI 14) which the MSA recommends all PDIs read.

The guide gives details of all three sections of the ADI examinations and explains the qualification system. It gives help and advice on the test of theoretical knowledge and hazard perception skills and suggests strategies to help candidates to prepare for the test. It also includes a number of helpful tips for preparing for the Part 2 exam.

These invaluable tools for all ADIs are available to purchase from MSA head office at a cost of £6 each. Telephone 0161 429 9669 now with a credit card number or send a cheque made payable to the MSA to MSA Head Office, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP.

MSA’s ADI guides: A quartet of good advice

Many new MSA members join on the recommendation of a colleague – and we want to make sure that if that colleague is you, you know that your work in spreading the good news about the MSA is appreciated. So if you do recommend a colleague, we’ll send you a £10 Marks & Spencer’s voucher as a thank you.I recommend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .for membership of the MSA and claim my £10 Marks and Spencer’s gift voucher

MSA member details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MSA membership No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .This incentive cannot be used in conjunction with any other recruitment offer

Last call for Eastern conference

www.msagb.com


Regional News: Western

Motoring

NOW IS the time to book your place at the Annual Regional Seminar and AGM which is being held this year on MONDAY, 12 NOVeMBeR at a new venue, The Clock Tower, east Brent near Weston-super-Mare. By changing venue we have been able to maintain the same ticket price as last year, £30.

All tickets must be booked in advance. However, if you book before 22 October an early-bird discount applies and you can obtain tickets at the reduced rate of £25, a saving of £5.

It is an all-day event and we can promise you a day that will assist your business in 2013.

Invited speakers include Rosemary Pell of the Road User Support Service who will speak on the development of this service for people involved in

road traffic incidents. Also Paul Russell of BG Insurance will give advice on how to avoid being left without insurance cover due to pupils not providing full information.

Other topics will include the new format driving licence, marketing your business and the future for ADIs.

The event runs from 10.00 am until 4.30 pm. Lunch, refreshments and a CPD certificate are included.

Tickets can be obtained either on-line at the MSA website or by sending a cheque payable to MSA Western to me at the address in the panel.

The Annual General Meeting of MSA Western will take place at 2.00 pm on that date.

We look forward to seeing you there.

COLINLILLYChairman & Editor, Western

Contacte: cglilly@bt internet.comt: 01934 514336a: 7 Bampton, Tamar Rd, Worle, Weston-super- Mare BS22 6LD

Contact

Book early for Western training day and AGM

VAUxhALL hAS announced pricing and full specification details for the ADAM, it’s latest A-sector urban-chic model which has the personality and character to be a really popular model in the coming years.

It is now available to order from £11,255 to £14,000 for the three-door, four-seat ADAM. There are three trims – JAM (fashionable /colourful), GLAM (elegant/sophisticated) and SLAM (racy/sporty) and 20 wheel designs, over a dozen interior shades, and 12 different body colours. Vauxhall says the choice permuatations run into the millions.

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director commented: “ADAM is yet another example of not just a new Vauxhall, but one that takes us into a new market sector. With Ampera and Mokka, that makes three such cars this year, and next year we’ll see the Cascada convertible, too. This is a new chapter in Vauxhall’s long history, and we’re confident that it will introduce a fresh audience to the brand.”

Like all other Vauxhalls, ADAM will come with the industry-leading Lifetime Warranty, which provides a lifetime of cover for first owners, up to a maximum 100,000 miles.

Initially offered with three petrol engines (1.2-litre 70PS, 1.4-litre 87PS and 1.4-litre 100PS) all of which are available with Start/Stop technology. The most economical ADAM achieves a combined 56.5mpg and emits just 118g/km. Later in its life ADAM will also be the first Vauxhall to adopt the new generation small petrol engine featuring direct injection and

forced induction plus an all-new six speed gearbox.

Outside, ADAM bucks the trend for retro-based design offering a fresh, bold, striking look.

Classy, sophisticated and glamorous, ADAM retains design signatures from other Vauxhalls: the crisp line around the door handle (GTC), the wing-shaped chrome grille bar (new Astra) and the blade shape in the lower doors. It will also be the first car in the fashion-led A-sector to have LeD daytime running lights.

Measuring almost 3.7 meters inlength,ADAM has a three-door body with a compact 2311mm wheelbase. Tracks of 1485mm at the front and 1478mm at the rear give the car a planted, solid

stance, while also offering excellent on-road stability.

Complementing ADAM’s broad footprint is a well-proven and sophisticated chassis. MacPherson struts feature at the front, while a version of Vauxhall’s clever compound crank suspension sits between the rear wheels.

Wheel sizes range from 16- to 18-inches, with 17- and 18-inch rims coming as standard with the more responsive sports chassis.

Recognising that a majority of owners will spend much of their time driving in the city, Vauxhall’s engineers have developed a CITY mode for the electric power steering (ePS) system. By the flick of a dash-mounted switch, drivers can increase the level of power assistance at city speeds, making their ADAM easier to manoeuvre and park.

All cars come as standard with Hill Start Assist (HSA) which automatically applies the car’s brakes on a gradient, until the driver releases the clutch pedal to move away.

ADAM’s cabin, if anything, has an even higher potential for personalisation than its exterior. Décor panels on the facia and the doors can be specified in around a dozen different painted colours. These can then be coupled with coloured or LeD-lit foils. These foils can be replaced at any time so the car can constantly be tailored to suit the taste of the owner or any subsequent owners.

The cabin roof can also be personalised with options ranging from a large fixed sunroof to a starlight headliner lit by over 60 LeD lights, creating the impression of a starry night sky.

‘IntelliLink’, Vauxhall’s new infotainment system, makes its debut in the ADAM, offering a high degree of convenience and flexibility by bringing smartphone capabilities into the vehicle.

• Pricing from just £11,255• Over a million specification/ trim combinations• 12 body colours including ‘Purple Fiction’ & ‘I’ll be Black’• Clever, forward-thinking hi-tech interior• Industry-leading Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty as standard

Vauxhall’s ADAM out to make the urban scene its ownA-class urban sector shaken-up by chic new model from Vauxhall

Models shown: Corsa Active 3dr and Astra Active with optional brilliant paint, available at extra cost. *Not available on Expression, ES, Vauxhall Tech Line, New Astra Hatchback/Sports Tourer BiTurbo, Ampera and VXR8 models. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Guarantee/Indemnity may be required. Flexible Finance supplied by either Vauxhall Motor Finance RH1 1SR or Vauxhall Finance, PO Box 6666, Cardiff, CF15 7YT. Offer applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1-24 (purchase only excluding B2B). All other customers are excluded. Offer available on orders or registrations before 17th December 2012. **Vauxhall Deposit Contribution excludes Mokka and Corsa SXi models. ◊Term can be from 24-60 months. ˆCustomer deposit shown after Vauxhall contribution. ≠Astra Active 5dr (incl. Active Limited Edition) £1000 Additional Customer Saving offer applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1-24 (purchase only excluding B2B). All other customers are excluded. Offer available on orders or registrations from 02 October 2012 to 17 December 2012. †Terms and conditions apply. Vauxhall Partners includes all employees and pensioners of nominated companies and their nominated eligible Vauxhall relatives. Vauxhall Partners process/savings include Vauxhall Partners discount savings and additional customer savings (incl. VAT) where applicable, number plates, delivery, Vehicle Excise Duty and a fi rst registration fee. Excludes fuel and insurance. We reserve the right to change or withdraw any aspect of the Vauxhall Partners Programme without prior notice. Prices correct as of 02/10/2012.

Offi cial Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption fi gures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall range (excl. Ampera): Urban: 14.4 (19.6) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban: 27.4 (10.3) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 20.6 (13.7) - 85.6 (3.3). CO2 emissions: 324 - 88g/km.

WARRANTY 100,000 MILE

Customer Deposit

£2585^

£139 per month 60 month term

OFFER SHOWN INCLUDES:

VAUXHALL DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION

£750+

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS DISCOUNT

£1010

£169

Customer Deposit

£3997^

per month 60 month term

Astra Active 1.4i 16v VVT (100PS) 5dr

FinanceFinance

YOUR ASSOCIATE PARTNERS DISCOUNT PLUS

Lifetime warranty†Choose your car* Choose your deposit** Choose your term◊1 2 3 PLUS

Take advantage of our latest offers, with Vauxhall Associate Partners you don’t just get your exclusive discount, you also get our unique Flexible Finance. Flexible Finance calculations below include Associate Partners discount and

additional customer saving.

Offers end 17th December 2012 so to fi nd out more about our great Partners Programme offers, simply visit partnersprogramme.co.uk, call the Partners helpline on 0844 875 2448 or visit your nearest Vauxhall Retailer.

OFFER SHOWN INCLUDES:

VAUXHALL DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION

£1000+

ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER SAVING

£1000≠

+ ASSOCIATE

PARTNERS DISCOUNT

£1398

DRIVING SCHOOL PARTNERS BENEFIT LOGIN: DRIVING

Corsa Active 1.0i 12v ecoFLEX 3dr

www.msagb.com


Motoring

Hyundai i30 active 1.4

Affinity Price £13,070.24**Customer Saving £2,524.67

Hyundai i10 active 1.2 Affinity Price £7,780.67**Customer Saving £1,164.33

**Models featured: (1) Hyundai i10 Active 1.2 at £7,880.67 (includes £1,164.33 customer saving) in Ice Silver metallic paint at £365.50 extra. (2) Hyundai i30 Active 1.4 at £13,070.24 (includes £2,524.67 customer saving) in Creamy White solid paint no extra cost. Offers available to ADI badge holders and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings and in-laws) only, and apply to new cars, subject to availability and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. See Hyundai North London for full terms and conditions of the offers and other purchase terms. Prices are for cars ordered up to 30th September 2012 only. Terms and exclusions apply - 5 Year Triple Care terms and conditions apply. Please see www.hyundai.co.uk or ask your local Dealer.Fuel consumption in MPG (l/100km) for Hyundai i10 Active 1.2: Urban 50.4 (5.6), Extra Urban 68.9 (4.1), Combined 61.4 (4.6), CO2 Emissions 108 g/km. Fuel consumption in MPG (l/100km) for Hyundai i30 Active 1.4: Urban 35.8 (7.9), Extra Urban 57.6 (4.9), Combined 47.1 (6.0), CO2 Emissions 139 g/km.

At Hyundai North London we’re always thinking of smart ideas that benefit all our customers. That’s why as an Approved Driver Instructor you can drive away a brand new Hyundai for less with the Hyundai affinity scheme. So all you have to do is choose which model you’d like.

To discover how much you could save on any Hyundai in the range, visit www.hyundaiaffinities.co.uk and enter code A05 or contact Hyundai North London.

Hyundai North London 020 8457 6660 105 West Hendon Broadway, Edgware Road, London, NW9 7BN

More is less

Unlimited mileage Warranty

TM

G23903MH25612LonMSA155x108.indd 1 28/08/2012 11:02

w w w . l l s c h e m e s . c o . u kI N S U R A N C E S C H E M E S

See how we are driving down the cost of quality insurance call

Free Phone 0800 1216805Or apply online @ www.llschemes.co.uk/msa/

Made no claims but insurance

increased?

Lloyd Latchford will match your 2011 premium*


*Subject to terms and conditions. For a full list of terms and conditions please visit www.llschemes.co.uk/msaPolicy must be taken out before October 31st 2012.



HYUNDAI’S New Generation i30 three-door has been revealed. The third member of the New Generation i30 family, the three-door joins the five-door hatchback and the Tourer to extend the broad appeal of Hyundai’s ‘made for europe’ C-segment range to an even wider audience.

Central to the appeal of the three-door is its distinctive, sporty styling. Incorporating Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language, the new model’s sharply-raked beltline, more angular glasshouse silhouette and longer front doors provide it with a more dynamic profile, and the effect is enhanced by changes to front and rear styling.

A new, black-finished mesh insert and central bar accentuate Hyundai’s hexagonal grille, which is flanked by new, sportier fog lamp clusters consisting of round spots connected to LeD daytime running light strips.

The mesh treatment is continued in the clusters, and the front-end design is

features newly-profiled lower bumper.At the rear, the remodelled lower

bumper area includes new horizontal, sculpted fog lamps that contrast with the upright units of the five-door. These lights and a new black insert at the bottom of the bumper create the impression of a wider, sportier rear design. exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior transformation.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor europe, said: “The New Generation i30 three-door has been conceived solely for europe, and will strengthen Hyundai’s presence further in the segment where we have seen our greatest success since 2007. Just as important, its sporty looks − offering a fresh interpretation of fluidic sculpture − will generate greater brand awareness and enhance consumer perceptions of Hyundai in europe.”

New Generation i30 three-door retains the positive characteristics of the five-door, providing high standards of quality,

equipment and comfort. Drivers will experience europe-tuned ride and handling, and can alter the settings of the FLeX STeeR system to change steering assistance depending on their preference and prevailing conditions.

The New Generation i30 is offered with a choice of four engines and five power outputs, together with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The highlight of the powertrain range is the ‘U-II’ 1.6-litre diesel engine, generating 128PS yet emitting only 97g/km of CO2. Together, these figures deliver the best

power-to-efficiency ratio in the segment.The New Generation i30 provides the

best evidence yet of Hyundai’s commitment to producing cars in europe, for europe − combining the design and engineering expertise of the team at Hyundai’s european R&D Centre in Germany with the proven manufacturing excellence of the company’s Czech factory.

Buyers of the New Generation i30 will benefit from 5 Year Triple Care, comprising a five-year unlimited warranty, five years’ roadside assistance, and five years of vehicle health checks.

Three-door i30 designed with Europe in mind

Newsextra

AS reported in the September issue, this month sees a new website launched under which much of the Government’s information and services will be housed in the future – www.gov.uk.

GOV.UK – to be released on 17 October – will be a new home for government services and information online, and has been created by the Government Digital Service (GDS). A trial version of the website is currently at

www.gov.uk. GOV.UK has been built to make it

simpler, clearer and faster for people to find what they need from Government, say its creators.

Initially, GOV.UK will replace Directgov and Business Link. Both of those sites will be switched off in October, and people who use old links to visit them will be redirected to the new site at www.gov.uk.

Government pulls information streams into one website

MILLIONS of motorists will be able to go online to update their vehicle records under proposals published for consultation today by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond.

The red tape cutting plans will mean motorists can go online to update change of keeper and address details. Motor dealers will also be able to update changes on behalf of customers. Currently motorists and motor dealers have to write to DVLA.

Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “The Government is committed to cutting red tape and getting rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulation.

“It is right that in this digital age motorists and the motor industry should

be able to go online to tell DVLA if there have been changes to a vehicle record. These proposals will make it easier and cheaper than ever to do that.”

Paul everitt, SMMT Chief executive said: “SMMT supports initiatives that make car ownership easier for motorists and reduce the administrative burden on manufacturer approved dealers.

“The proposed measures would allow swift, efficient and secure updating of vehicle records avoiding postal delays and enhancing the accuracy of information held by DVLA.”

• The consultation has opened and closes on 12 November 2012. The consultation document can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/consultations.aspx

Control vehicle records online

w w w . l l s c h e m e s . c o . u kI N S U R A N C E S C H E M E S

See how we are driving down the cost of quality insurance call

Free Phone 0800 1216805Or apply online @ www.llschemes.co.uk/msa/

Made no claims but insurance

increased?

Lloyd Latchford will match your 2011 premium*


*Subject to terms and conditions. For a full list of terms and conditions please visit www.llschemes.co.uk/msaPolicy must be taken out before October 31st 2012.



Free pupils with BSM, plus over £2600 of discount and benefits in the first 6 monthsWe’d love you to join us and discover our passion.

✔ Free diarised pupils, no referrals!

✔ 2 free weeks at Xmas per year plus additional 2 weeks entitlement with service

✔ 2012 Vauxhall Corsa

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