Campaign highlights space needed to pass cyclists safely
Plain clothed police are taking to Edinburgh’s streets to highlight the space cyclists need for everyone to use our roads safely. Operation Close Pass will see drivers who pass an unmarked police cyclist too closely pulled over and given advice using a specially designed mat which shows how much space a person on a bicycle needs when overtaking them. Continue reading Police launch Operation Close Pass
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
In light of ongoing issues of motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour, amongst other things, please don’t forget about two free Theatre shows coming up next week – BETTER LATE THAN DEAD–Broughton High School on Tuesday 28th March, 7pm, and North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th March, 4pm.
These tackle the issues of driving, walking and road safety and are open to all ages.
Don’t miss two free Theatre performances coming up in North Edinburgh next week. Continue reading Better Late than Dead on Time
Hi Folks
Just a short note to bring your attention to a road safety theatre production which is being delivered in Broughton High School on Tuesday 28th March at 7pm. It’s a free event (refreshments provided as well) and is open to all ages as well as local adults or school staff.
Given the amount of concerns about accidents/road crimes/road safety etc. I think we’ve timed this perfectly and it should be of huge benefit to the local area.
If you’ve any queries please don’t’ hesitate to give myself, Helen Bourquin or Elaine Lennon (both copied into this email for your info) a shout and we’ll do what we can to answer them!
Best wishes
Callum
Callum McLeod |Community Learning & Development Worker | Schools and Lifelong Learning | Communities and Families| City of Edinburgh Council |Broughton High School , 29 East Fettes Ave, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG | | Tel: 0131 332 6316 | Email: Callum.mcleod@ea.edin.sch.uk | Web: www.edinburgh.gov.uk | CLD Web: www.joininedinburgh.org
Mascots from Hibs and Hearts joined 20mph ‘champion’ The Reducer, local politicians and officers from Police Scotland on the track at Meadowbank Sports Centre yesterday to mark the kick-off of the latest stage in Edinburgh’s rollout of slower speeds in residential and shopping streets. Continue reading Mascots kick off Phase 2 of 20mph rollout
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
Four drivers have been charged following a police operation at the Jewel on Tuesday. Police Scotland road policing officers stopped 48 vehicles in an ongoing operation to reduce road casualties and crime on the A1. Continue reading Drivers charged following police operation
Police Scotland is raising awareness of the new mobile phone law which comes into force next week which sees a doubling of the penalties faced by motorists who are distracted by using an internet device or mobile phone while driving. Continue reading Penalties set to double for mobile use while driving
Drivers are being urged not to risk their lives, and their licenses, by getting behind the wheel after having a drink this festive period.
Police officers have caught 388 drink drivers in the first half of their month-long festive enforcement campaign so far. Of these, 38 were caught between the old limit and the new drink drive limit, which came into force in December 2014.
The Police Scotland period of enforcement coincides with a Scottish Government awareness campaign to reinforce the message that ‘the best approach is none’.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “It is disappointing that some are continuing to ignore the law and put themselves, and others, at risk.
“People should be having fun this festive season and enjoying time with family and friends. By taking a few simple steps, like planning ahead, nominating a designated driver or using public transport, you can make sure you have a night to remember for all the right reasons.
“There will be plenty of people on the road visiting loved ones, but please remember the morning after a night of drinking you could still be over the limit and unfit to drive.
“Drink driving is completely unacceptable and if you get caught you face a minimum one year ban from the roads, a criminal record, points on your licence and a substantial fine. To all those who persist in breaking the law remember, the best approach is none.”
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “There are still too many people taking to Scotland’s roads when they’ve had a drink. They need to know it is totally unacceptable to jeopardise not only their lives, but the lives of innocent people going about their daily business.
“Our officers have seen a sharp increase in the number of motorists failing breath tests from last year’s campaign. In the first two weeks of this year’s campaign alone, 388 drink/ drug driving related offences were detected compared to 452 for the entire four week 2015 crackdown. In addition, 34 drivers were found to be over the limit having been stopped between 6 and 10am.
“Our message is simple – if you’re going to drink, do not risk driving. Police Scotland does not tolerate this kind of behaviour and will stop anyone they suspect of driving under the influence of alcohol. The consequences are severe; they include an automatic ban, a potential fine and even the possibility of a prison sentence as well as being the potential to kill or seriously injure yourself or others.”
Director of Road Safety Scotland, Michael McDonnell, said: “The consequences of drink-driving start with being arrested and, thereafter, the effect on different aspects the people’s lives is like dominoes crashing to the ground one by one – loss of licence, criminal record, hefty fine and potentially even prison can have a devastating effect on present and future employment, destroy relationships, and incur debt problems. Most of us have too much to lose so it’s just not worth taking the chance – don’t risk it.”
