Day: April 15, 2017

Driving test changes to be introduced in December

The driving test will change from Monday 4 December 2017 to include following directions from a sat nav and testing different manoeuvres.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that the driving test in England, Scotland and Wales will change from Monday 4 December 2017.

The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving. The changes will only apply to car driving tests to begin with.

The 4 driving test changes

1. Independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes

The independent driving part of the test currently lasts around 10 minutes. During this part of the test, you have to drive without turn-by-turn directions from the driving examiner.

This part of the test will be made longer, so it’ll last around 20 minutes – roughly half of the test.

2. Following directions from a sat nav

During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.

The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up. You won’t need to set the route – the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of sat nav you practise with.

You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test – you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.

You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it.

One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.

3. Reversing manoeuvres will be changed

The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested, but you should still be taught them by your instructor.

You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres:

  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
  • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic

4. Answering a vehicle safety question while you’re driving

The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test – these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

You’ll be asked the:

  • ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
  • ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

Watch how the new test will work

This video shows how the test will work from 4 December 2017.

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Read more about what will happen during the driving test from 4 December 2017.

Pass mark, length of test and cost not changing

The pass mark is staying the same. So, you’ll pass your test if you make no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.

The examiner will still mark the test in the same way, and the same things will still count as faults.

The overall time of the driving test won’t change. You’ll still drive for around 40 minutes.

The driving test cost will also stay the same.

Why the changes are being made

Road collisions are the biggest killer of young people. They account for over a quarter of all deaths of those aged between 15 and 19.

DVSA wants to make sure that training and the driving test reduce the number of young people being killed in collisions.

These changes are being made because:

  • most fatal collisions happen on high-speed roads (not including motorways) – changing the format of the test will allow more of these types of roads to be included in driving test routes
  • 52% of car drivers now have a sat nav – DVSA wants new drivers to be trained to use them safely
  • research has shown that new drivers find independent driving training valuable – they can relate it to driving once they’ve passed their test

Changes are supported by the public

The changes follow a:

  • public consultation that over 3,900 people took part in
  • trial of the changes involving over 4,300 learner drivers and over 860 driving instructors

The proposals were widely supported by the public. The results of the consultation show that:

  • 88.2% agreed with increasing the length of the independent driving part of the test
  • 70.8% agreed with asking candidates to follow directions from a sat nav
  • 78.6% agreed with the plans to change how the reversing manoeuvres are test
  • 78.4% agreed with asking the ‘show me’ question while the candidate is driving

Helping you through a lifetime of safe driving

Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, said: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people.

“These changes will help us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.”

DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.

“It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”

https://youtu.be/lI08tzIfo4c

Busiest year yet for organ donation

Figures for 2016/17 show a 34% increase in Scotland

The number of patients living in Scotland whose lives were saved or improved by an organ transplant has reached a record high.

New figures show that in 2016/17 there were 133 deceased organ donors in Scottish hospitals – up from 99 the previous year. This equates to a donor rate in Scotland of 24.8 per million of population – the highest rate in the UK. 348 people in Scotland waiting for an organ received a deceased donor transplant, which is also the highest ever number of transplants.

The NHSBT figures also show that the number of people in Scotland waiting for a transplant dropped to the lowest on record and that nearly 2.4 million people in Scotland are now on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which is approximately 45% of the Scottish population.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “This is fantastic news and shows the real progress we’re making on organ donation. An increase in deceased donor numbers of 34% is not only really positive news for people waiting for a transplant, it puts us ahead of our target in progressing to reach 26 deceased donors per million of population by 2020.

“And it means that more Scottish residents than ever before received  a life-changing transplant, although we know that there is still more to do to ensure that as many people as possible can receive the transplants they need.

“We must always be mindful that most organ and tissue donation can only occur as a result of tragic circumstances and I’d like to thank every donor and their family who made the selfless decision to donate their organs or tissue and enabled others to live and transform their lives. I’m also very grateful to staff across the NHS in Scotland who work tirelessly to ensure that people’s donation wishes are respected and that every donation counts.

“Our consultation on a soft-op-out system closed recently and the responses are currently being independently analysed. We have a presumption in favour and will be setting out our next steps in the coming months.”

Primary teacher Heather Marshall (above) was facing an uncertain future until she received a life-saving liver transplant in November 2016.

The 40 year old from Gartcosh was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in 2015 – a liver condition that she was initially able to manage with medication.  However in 2016, Heather’s health went into rapid decline, resulting in her being listed for transplant in October 2016.

At this point, Heather was retaining fluid, was constantly itchy and nauseous, was unable to lie down due to the threat of fluid filling her lungs and struggled to breathe or eat – a state she describes as ‘just existing’.

The liver she desperately needed came just three weeks after being listed for transplant and Heather admits that she wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the decision of her donor and their family.

Heather said: “From the start of 2016, I noticed a dramatic difference in my health.   I had no energy, didn’t feel great and my skin had started to become jaundiced.  Throughout the year I struggled with infections to my bile ducts which resulted in me being referred to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to be assessed for a transplant at the beginning of October.

“When I left the hospital after a week of assessment I was shocked at how ill I looked. I’d been working up until that point, but as soon as I stopped it was like my body had just given up.

“I knew that a transplant would be necessary at some point as it’s the only real treatment for PSC, but I had no idea it would happen so quickly.  I went from being someone who worked full-time to someone who could barely function in a few short months.  As well as the physical limitations, it was mentally very difficult.

Speaking about her transplant, Heather said:“I was relieved and excited when I got the call.  I knew I wasn’t well and that I didn’t have long without a transplant, but it was such a conflict of emotion.  You’re so aware that to get that chance of life, something awful had to happen to someone else.

“I’d always been on the NHS Organ Donor Register and I think it felt easier to accept that gift, knowing I would be happy to do the same for someone else.

“You never expect that this kind of thing will happen to you or someone you know so organ donation isn’t something that’s top of your mind.  I understand it’s not for everybody, but I would encourage people to think about it and make their wishes known.

“I know that without my transplant I wouldn’t be here now.  I got married just after my diagnosis, and because of my donor I have a future.  I’ll never stop being grateful for that.”

‘The best Scotland has to offer’: Fire and Rescue Service welcomes 101 recruits

THE future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was celebrated yesterday after 101 firefighters were welcomed to the frontline. The elite recruits were cheered on by 400 friends and family members during a momentous ceremony at the SFRS HQ in Cambuslang.

Visitors were also treated to a series of tactical displays before applauding the trainees as they received their graduation scrolls.

The event ended a gruelling 14-week training regime that equipped the new wholetime firefighters with skills needed to protect Scotland from fires, car crashes, severe weather and terrorism.

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay warmly welcomed the future heroes to the single service.  He said: “This is a proud day for the SFRS and for the nation.

“Through their determination, passion and sheer grit these recruits have proved to us, the public and their loved ones that they are the very best Scotland has to offer.

“This is a new horizon for these 101 incredible individuals who have been moulded into brave and committed rescue specialists and will now go on to save lives.

“When I started my career around 30 years ago the focus was on putting out fires but modern risks mean we must broaden our skills and train for the unthinkable, to also overcome severe weather, terrorism and save cardiac arrest victims.

“Congratulations to each and every one graduating today – I was proud to welcome them as trainees and I am now honoured to lead them as firefighters as they go forward and play their part in ensuring the safety of the people of Scotland.”

Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs Annabelle Ewing added: “I would like to welcome the new recruits and congratulate them on embarking on what will be a rewarding career in a service committed to keeping people in Scotland safe.

“They are entering a service at this exciting time as it adapts to meet modern risks and support the needs of our communities in the 21st Century.

“Having one national service allows SFRS to target resources where they are most needed and these firefighters will play an absolutely vital role in protecting the people of Scotland.

“They will also help in SFRS’ vital prevention role by sharing safety practices and engaging with local communities.”

The 101 trainees were unveiled in January this year after being hand-selected from more than 5,300 applications.

They were then split into three squads to learn vital life-saving skills at three different training facilities – Cambuslang in Glasgow, Portlethen in Aberdeenshire and Thornton in Fife.

During the three-month programme they got to grips with ladders, hoses, water and rope rescues, and tackling burning buildings.

But they also nailed down crucial fire prevention skills such as home fire safety visits – a proactive community engagement tactic that has dramatically slashed house fire callouts and saved lives.

After graduating, new firefighter Rhonda Jones, 37, looked back over her training and life before the SFRS. The ex-Scotland footballer from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian said: “I have always been physically fit but the SFRS has tapped into a deeper mental strength to turn me into a firefighter.

“The last 14-weeks have been intense, demanding and exhausting and it’s something we can all be proud of.

“It’s a great privilege to now be able to pull on my kit and uniform as an SFRS firefighter – and I’d just like to say thanks to my family and friends who supported me in making this dream a reality.” Continue reading ‘The best Scotland has to offer’: Fire and Rescue Service welcomes 101 recruits

Man in court following local crime spree

MAN IN COURT AFTER HOUSEBREAKINGS AND ASSAULT

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with seven housebreakings and an assault, which occurred in the West Pilton, Kirkliston, Murrayfield and Drylaw areas.

The assault took place in Crewe Place on Tuesday (April 11) and the housebreakings occurred between 8th and 12th April.

The 22-year-old will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Saturday 15th April).

Detective Inspector Graham Grant said: “We treat violence and housebreaking as a priority in Edinburgh and will act swiftly to apprehend those responsible.

“If you have witnessed or been the victim of crime in your area, you can report this to police via 101, or can do so confidentially through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”