THE number of motorists arrested for drink-driving across Gosport, Fareham and Havant over Christmas fell, police say.

Officers arrested 39 people in the area for drink-driving, drug driving or failing to provide a specimen during the festive campaign – 13 less than last year.

The number of drivers charged were 27, less than the 42 in 2009/10.

But in Portsmouth the number of arrests for drink-driving went up

from 27 last year to 35. Of those, 25 people were charged with offences, an increase of six.

In total police stopped a total of 3,984 drivers in Hampshire throughout December – up by more than 600 compared to last year.

There are a number of stresses that can arise from driving, but most can be put at bay with forward planning and calm nerving techniques.

More often than not the thought of something is a lot worse than the action itself, this does not just include driving but other things in life too.

Becoming stressed or anxious whilst driving can cause you to make poor judgements so if you begin to suffer severe anxiety it is best to pull over and have a break, providing it is safe to do so.

If you are concerned with a particular journey, why not practise the routes with family and friends so that you feel more comfortable when driving alone.

Drive safely and take your time, don’t let other drivers intimidate you. Feeling rushed or being in the wrong lane can lead to frustration and inevitably mistakes, making you feel anxious when driving.

It may be advisable to take refresher lessons should a particular incident such as road rage or a car accident affect your perception of driving. Contact us at Britannia to arrange these refresher lessons and see driving for what it really is, a link to freedom.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

It is important to plan your route and plan ahead when setting off on a journey especially when you are driving alone. There are some obvious but simple things to consider:

Breakdown Cover – You will feel relieved when you’re in a sticky situation and you have someone to call. Keep the number for the breakdown service in your vehicle so it’s there should you find yourself needing it.

Most people will own a mobile phone already but it may be worth investing in one in case of an emergency.

Many situations that arise could have been easily avoided. Make sure you have enough fuel to get you from A to B, taking into consideration getting stuck in traffic. Lock your doors when driving, particularly if you are driving alone and at night.

When parking, try to park in a well lit car park or street, where there are plenty of other vehicles.

For real peace of mind, tell somewhere where you are going and when you estimate to arrive at your destination.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “Be aware, assess the situation you are in and if in doubt contact somebody for assistance.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

A poll by the AA has suggested 44 per cent of drivers have done nothing to prepare for severe conditions on the roads this winter.

During a time when snow and ice is still causing travel misery for motorists across the country, the AA has revealed how few drivers have taken steps to prepare themselves for worsening conditions.

Male drivers (45 per cent) and those aged 25-34 (51 per cent) were most likely to have done nothing to prepare.

Of those who have taken precautionary measures, 39 per cent have put items such as a shovel or blankets in their car, 19 per cent have bought a sturdy pair of walking boots, and six per cent have made arrangements to stay with friends or colleagues if the weather suddenly deteriorates.

Do your brakes work?

I am sure you all think they do and wouldn’t think for a moment that when you’re driving your brakes would fail you, but how many of us check to see if they work before we set off on every journey.

There are two quick and easy methods to check your brakes. The first is by pressing the brake pedal whilst stationary; there should be resistance from the pedal. The second is by pressing the brake pedal whilst slowly moving off, this will show the brakes are working effectively.

Something to look out for is soft brakes; this could indicate fluid in the hydraulic pipes. In comparison if your brakes feel particularly hard, this could indicate something broken in the braking system. Both problems could result in your brakes failing and you losing control of the car.

If you find yourself driving and the brakes don’t work, lower the gear, whilst gently bringing the clutch up. If you should need to use the handbrake, apply it gently as pulling at it sharply may lock the wheels and cause you to skid.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “If you are in doubt as to whether your brakes are in proper working order, do NOT chance it. Call out a mechanic, don’t risk making the journey.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Insurance company Warranty Direct has warned motorists that some car parts are 283 per cent more likely to fail in freezing weather.

Following analysis into its 50,000 live automotive policies and 50 components which could cause a breakdown in winter, the insurer found that the ignition coil is the most likely part to fail, followed by the thermostat, and the fuel injection pump.

Overall, these components will add, on average, an additional repair cost of £408, should they fail.

The most expensive components to repair are torque converters and automatic clutches, which each carry a bill of over £1,000.

You may think that suffering with epilepsy or seizures or having done so in the past restricts you from driving but under the ‘Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive’ regulations you may still be able to drive.

In broad terms those that want to obtain a licence to drive a car, motorcycle and moped, must meet all standard driving requirements, along with being completely free of any seizures for a minimum or one year. This can be with the aid of anti-epileptic medication or not.

To drive a large goods vehicle, minibus or bus you must again meet all the standard driving requirements but must also be free of seizures for a minimum of 10 years and not need the help of anti-epileptic medication.

The DVLA are the only ones in a position to decide whether somebody is fit to drive. It is however, your responsibility to inform the DVLA of any medical conditions both before applying for a licence or if your medical conditions change while in possession of a driving licence.

It can be very frustrating not being able to drive due to a medical condition however, they do try and compensate where possible by helping those that suffer with epilepsy with travel costs and discounted travel on most public transport.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Christmas puddings infused with alcohol may be of high enough volume to push motorists over the drink drive limit, the Telegraph has reported.

Analysis of Christmas puddings available from major UK supermarkets has  found them to bee laced with significant amounts of brandy, rum and cognac as well as sherry and cider.

One particular Christmas pudding from Marks & Spencer has an alcohol content of 21.5 per cent, comprising seven per cent brandy, four per cent ruby port, 3.5 per cent stout, four per cent cognac and 4.5 per cent brandy-soaked cherries.

This means that just one portion contains the same amount of alcohol as a single spirit measure served in pubs, capable of pushing the driver over the legal drink drive limit, even if they have been careful with their alcohol consumption.

When you are considering purchasing a car, you must remember to carry out certain checks and know what you’re really buying before committing.

When buying a used car you can often pick up a great bargain. However, it is advisable to purchase a used car from a car dealership as your consumer rights are not affected.

If you do buy from a private seller, it is important to check the cars history. Ask to see the car logbook, this should provide valuable information that will help you decide if the price is valued correctly.

If the owner can’t provide this there are some agencies that can provide information on the vehicle including who the registered owner is, if the car has insurance or finance problems attached to it and the mileage data, there is normally a small fee for this service.

It is also advisable to take the car to a local garage to have it checked over as once you have made the transaction if there are any mechanical faults the seller will usually not want to know.

If you decide on purchasing a new vehicle make sure you are clued up on prices and terminology. Salesmen like to use their own language and it’s important to know what you are agreeing to. The marked price is normally negotiable and you can normally get added extras thrown in for free.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “Some car dealers are offering car sales with no VAT at present, so there are deals to be had. Yet often with deals such as these they will increase the price of the sale somewhere else. The key thing to remember is – do your research before you commit.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Around 500 uninsured cars are seized by police every day, according to industry figures.
And the most commonly seized vehicle is the Vauxhall Astra, the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) says, accounting for almost one-in-five cars. In second place is the BMW 3 series, while the Vauxhall Vectra, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Corsa complete the top five.
The figures are being used by the MIB – which deals with claims by victims of accidents involving uninsured drivers, or those who failed to stop – to highlight its suggestion that people “traditionally push any personal financial commitments to the back of their mind over the festive period”. It accompanies the launch of a new online video banner, fronted by presenter Natalie Pinkham, which warns of the consequences of driving without insurance.
In addition to vehicle seizure, uninsured drivers face a minimum of six penalty points on their licence, and a £200 fixed penalty. Meanwhile, those who have their cars seized must pay a £150 release fee – in addition to proving that they have insurance – to get their vehicle back.