We’ve always been upfront and honest about our view on using your phone when driving: don’t do it, ever!

The recent tragedy of a man who was killed on the A19 near Northallerton, North Yorkshire by a women who was texting is a real tragedy.

This is yet another example of the horrific things that can happen when you are distracted by your phone.If you are someone who is tempted to use their phone when you drive, have a look at these tips:

1) Before you set out to drive check your phone for any messages, is there any one you need to get back to?
2) Put your mobile on silent so that you aren’t distracted by it.
3) If you’re phone keeps ringing and you sense it’s an emergency, simply find a convenient place to park up.
4) Update your answering machine message updating people to leave a message.

Please don’t use your phone whilst driving.

Following on from a not-so-white Christmas, winter has finally settled in firmly, covering the majority of the UK in a blanket of snow and frost. Whilst this may be attractive to look at, it can only mean bad news for motorists. Here are some valuable tips to ensure safe and trouble-free driving in these extreme weather conditions;

– Clear your car of all frost and snow- Whilst this may sound obvious, many accidents are caused by obscured vision from rooftop snow sliding on to the windscreen, as well as car trouble caused by snow melting around the engine. Also ensure that your vision is not impaired by excessive condensation. Remember, it is illegal to drive with obscured vision.
– Ensure your electrics are working- Be economical with your electric usage: Don’t use non-essential electric loads like wipers and heaters more than are absolutely necessary. Ensure that your battery is fully charged before long trips, and if your battery is reaching the end of its estimated 5-year life, consider a new one before your current battery leaves you stranded.
– Keep plenty of windscreen washer fluid and Anti-freeze handy- Keep an ear out for a high-pitched squealing noise, as this could be a sign that the water pump is frozen. Stop the car immediately for up to half an hour to allow the engine to thaw out. Always carry a bottle of anti-freeze in the car with you, but never mix two types as this can cause more damage than good. Keep a 50/50 mix of Anti-freeze and water in the cooling system; this will give optimum protection down to -34º. Remember, a bottle of anti-freeze might only cost a couple of pounds, but having a frozen and cracked engine repaired could cost hundreds.
– Allow extra time for journeys- Accept that your journey will take longer in extreme weather conditions. Set out a third of the usual travel time earlier, drive at a reasonable speed, and ensure safety is your priority. Try and stay to major roads that are much more likely to have been cleared of snow and gritted, and remember that being late for work is better than having an accident.

Driving tips in snow and ice- Remember gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving- Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.
– Wear sensible shoes with good grip to drive in.
– Pull away in 2nd gear, easing the clutch out gently, and avoiding wheel-spin.
– When driving up-hill, leave plenty of room from the car in front, so that you can make it all the way up the hill without stopping and starting again.
– Use a low gear when going down-hill and avoid using the brakes if possible.
– If driving an Automatic transmission vehicle, drive in ‘2’ if there is no ‘Winter Mode’ in your car. This limits the gear changes and makes you less reliant on the brakes, which can cause a skid.

Most importantly, just remember to drive safely and sensibly throughout these extreme conditions- and remember, spring will be here soon!

Safe driving from Britannia!

Research has found that those who drive for their job are more likely than the general public to take risks whilst driving.

It was found that:

Nearly a third text while driving

Nearly one in six admits putting on make-up or shaving whilst in the car

More than a third admits talking on a hands-free phone

And more than half admit speeding on 60pmh roads

All these statistics are higher than non-work drivers and employers are being urged to give guidance and support to their drivers.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive said: “It is appalling so many people who drive in a professional capacity are taking such horrendous and unnecessary risks, doing things we all know are unbelievably dangerous behind the wheel….We are urging all employers to ensure they have comprehensive safe driving policies in place and that staff know the importance of not speeding or driving distracted.

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Everyone is subject to the law, but the powerful sometimes forget that it applies to them too.

Recently, US Senator Michael Crapo was found guilty of drink-driving. The Republican was pulled over by police when he was caught going through a red light.

Drink driving is a still a problem and despite the many warnings, people still do it. One should never risk drink driving. Driving requires your full attention. When you drive you are also around other people and as such, if you have an accident you can potentially harm other people.

As we always say: if you’re going to drink leave the keys hung up. Take a cab, ask a friend to drive you, or take public transport.

Not renewing your driver’s licence or informing the DVLA of any changes can be very costly. Drivers can face fines of up to £1000 if they fail to update their licence.

Most photo card licences are usually valid for 10 years and there is a legal requirement for drivers to renew their licence and their photograph. Letters will normally be sent out to drivers to notify them that their licence is due to expire but it’s our duty as drivers to ensure we keep everything up-to-date.

It is thought that more than two million drivers fail to do this. This could be due to research that found nearly a fifth of drivers interviewed didn’t know that their licence even had an expiry date.

You will find the expiry date on your licence under 4b.

Victoria Ford from the DVLA said: “Appearance can change and it is important that photo-card licences are updated every 10 years to ensure the police and other enforcement agencies have the best possible photograph to help them correctly identify whether a driving licence is being used fraudulently.”

As drivers, we also have a duty to inform the DVLA of any changes to our name, address or health.

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Susan Noble, 29 has been sentenced to three years in jail after she crashed into a man on the A19 whilst texting a friend.

Alexandru Braninschi, 25 was standing by the stationary vehicle whilst the wheel was being changed, when Noble’s car ploughed into him, resulting in his death.

Police secured evidence that Noble was using her mobile phone texting a friend at the time of the incident. Noble pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Teesside Crown Court.

Not only was she jailed, but disqualified from driving for six years and will be required to sit an extended driving test.

Traffic Sgt John Lumbard said: “As well as leaving one man dead, the collision has left a family grieving for their loss and a young woman with the knowledge that she is responsible for his untimely death.”

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

We were all shocked to learn of the most recent ruling regarding the fact that the price of women’s car insurance was set to double.

Although figures highlight the fact that women are safer drivers and get in much less motor accidents than men, why is the price of women’s car insurance increasing?

The insurance companies have had to comply with the European Court of Justice, which states that gender should not be used to discriminate in prices.

So what should women drivers do? Get the best deal possible. Yes, we mean it, just because your insurance is going up, it doesn’t mean you should give up on finding the best deal possible. There are still savings to be made!
– Shop around on the internet, there are plenty of good sites that compare prices
– Think about going for the Pass Plus course

Our advice is don’t give up, keep looking!

Janice Dunlop did her good deed for the day when she allowed two people to shelter in her car after they were involved in a car accident.

Mrs Dunlop narrowly avoided the accident herself, after a lorry overturned on the A27. Two other cars were involved in the collision.

The pair appeared to be ok and Mrs Dunlop allowed them to sit in her car. When the paramedics arrived, the pair complained of neck pain and the decision was made to cut the roof off the undamaged car to rescue them safely.

Mrs Dunlop said: The emergency services took a long time trying to see whether they could get the couple out any other way…when the top came off I couldn’t look, I hid my eyes, it was a very loved car in our family.”

A spokesman for the South East Ambulance Service said: “Paramedics explored every opportunity to get them out of the vehicle….we can only apologise to Mrs Dunlop for the inconvenience of that.”

Mrs Dunlop now hopes and prays that the insurers will replace the car.

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

Hello all, we hope you are having a great start to the New Year. We can’t quite believe we are in 2013 already.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to learn to drive, we are the people who can help you with that!

Simply get in touch and we will get your lesson booked. Our instructors take the time to get to know you and the way you prefer to learn. We are encouraging and we like to watch our pupils grow in confidence.

So, if you’ve had dreams of going on a road trip from London to Brighton or from London to Manchester, let’s make it happen! Book your driving lesson today.

Michael Crapo, a US senator was stopped by police when he drove through a red light.

He was found to be over the legal drink drive limit and admitted to drinking two or three vodka tonics before getting in his car.

He pleaded guilty at a court in the state of Virginia, had his driving licence suspended for one year, was made to pay a fine equating to about £150 and must attend an alcohol safety course.

He apologised to his constituents and asked for their forgiveness, he also said: “I am grateful, truly grateful, that no-one was injured.”

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