WHILE temperatures plummet across Scotland in the lead up to the New Year, motorists are urged to take extra care when on the roads. As temperatures have already dropped below freezing across Scotland, roads are icy meaning drivers should only travel when necessary and be overly cautious when they do. Continue reading Simon says: stay safe while driving this winter
It’s Christmas time and that means cars loaded up with family, friends and – of course – luggage and presents. Chances are there’s also going to be more than one journey for most with some driving further than they would normally. With the weather and driving conditions likely to vary across different parts of the country, that means being prepared for anything and avoiding breakdowns is the key to arriving full of Christmas cheer. Continue reading Driving from home this Christmas? Check your tyres before you leave
Given the choice, 3 out of 4 motorists would wish for their own name on a number plate if they were given a personalised registration as a gift, according to a recent survey conducted by the DVLA. Continue reading Names top the wish-list for personalised number plates
Police Scotland are inviting older members of the community to Dobbies Garden Centres in Midlothian, Stirling and Fife to have a chat with our local Road Policing Officers at a special roadshow. Continue reading Older Driver Roadshows
Dear Editor
Drivers who are moaning and groaning about a restriction on ‘them’ having to observe a speed limit should take a hard look at themselves and their reasons for objecting.
Driving in a city can be one of potential risk to pedestrians and drivers alike – except that drivers have a two ton object in their hands travelling at speed.
There are very few times whilst driving in the city when one is able to travel more than a few hundred yards before having to stop, yet some drivers feel it is their personal right to travel those few hundred yards as fast as they wish, causing hazardous conditions for all, just to save a few seconds of their precious time.
That is why I say: those drivers should take a hard look at themselves and their attitude to others.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Steven Naismith and Russell Martin go head to head as they attempt to keep straight faces whilst telling terrible Dad jokes
To celebrate Father’s Day, Vauxhall Motors challenged Scotland football heroes Steven Naismith and Russell Martin to take each other on in a special ‘Dad Joke Face Off’. Continue reading Scotland stars kick off Father’s Day with Dad Joke Face Off
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 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.
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.
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:
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:
This video shows how the test will work from 4 December 2017.
Read more about what will happen during the driving test from 4 December 2017.
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.
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:
The changes follow a:
The proposals were widely supported by the public. The results of the consultation show that:
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
Motorists using a phone while driving will receive 6 points on their licence and a £200 fine
Drivers caught using a phone within two years of passing their test will have their licence revoked under new rules which come into force today. Penalities for using a phone at the wheel will also double to six points and a £200 fine. Continue reading Hang up: crackdown on phone use while driving
The rollout of 20mph speed limits on Edinburgh’s streets continues, with phase two coming into force one week today on 28 February – and this time it’s us!
Continue reading Counting down: 20mph speed limit in North Edinburgh one week today
Ahead of Road Safety Week (21-27 November), new research from Swedish bank, Ikano Bank, has found that motorists in Edinburgh feel unsafe on the roads with almost a third of drivers (32 per cent) regularly feeling unsafe when driving. Continue reading One third of Edinburgh drivers feel unsafe on the roads
