Monthly Archives: February 2013

February 14, 2013
Driving Instructor Goes Green

A DRIVING instructor has become the first in the UK to teach pupils using an all-electric car. Paul Tomlin, has bought a Nissan LEAF from the Holdcroft dealership and says that both he and his pupils are delighted with it.

Paul, of Waterdale Grove, Longton, says that he bought the car to save money and do his bit to help the environment but adds that it also makes his pupils better and safer drivers.

He says: “I had been looking at electric cars for some time and when I tested one it just felt right. There was a bit of a problem fitting dual controls but that was soon sorted.

“Being a driving instructor it is a bit difficult to be green because I do about 25,000 miles a year but this is a zero emission car and I save around £2,800 annually on running costs too. I recharge it during my lunch break and it works well.”

And Paul says that the LEAF is good for students too. It is exceptionally easy to drive because it has no gears, instant throttle response and there is virtually no noise and it also has a display showing the driver how much energy they are using or putting back into the battery.

Paul says: “The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is very keen these days to promote ‘eco-safe’ driving which is based on driving efficiently by proper observation and anticipation and not wasting energy. The LEAF is the ideal car for this because you can see instantly how much power you are using. Because there are no gears and because it is so easy to control my pupils can devote more attention to the road and traffic.”

One pupil has already passed her test in the LEAF after failing twice before in other cars.

Paul adds: “Since I took delivery of the Nissan LEAF there has been lots of interest from my fellow instructors and it’s easy to see why. The pupils love the car and the immediate success they have had underlines what an easy car the LEAF is to drive. For me personally I’m happy to now avoid the petrol stations and I feel happier for the environment by driving a zero emissions vehicle.”

David Dillon, dealer principal at Holdcroft Nissan, adds: “We’re happy to see the LEAF become the first electric driving instructor vehicle and thrilled for the pupils successfully passing in the car. With the pass success Paul has already enjoyed with a 100 per cent electric car, many young learners future first driving experience could well be in a LEAF.”

ASK does also teach learners in a manual gearbox car.

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February 13, 2013
TAXI DRIVERS TO ATTEND DRIVER AWARENESS COURSE

Cambridge taxi drivers have received more than 600 complaints, half of which relate to bad driving.

Members of the public have complained about taxi drivers who fail to give way or have caused a collision due to poor driving.

Councillor Colin Rosenstiel, who is in charge of the city’s licensing committee, wants to make changes and stop those creating a bad name for taxi drivers.

However, other complaints relate to overcharging and route disputes, rudeness, criminal damage and driver conduct. Cllr Rosenstiel said: “My concern is that the council’s determination to raise standards has not succeeded, I want to put in a renewed effort to do so.”

Despite the long list of complaints, only 18 drivers have been disciplined since 2008, according to council statistics. It is thought that courts are overturning decisions to suspend licences factoring in that taxi drivers are “only human” and suspending their licence could cause potential hardship.

Chairman or Cambridge City Licensed Taxis, has suggested that drivers who fall below the required standards be sent on a driver awareness course.

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February 12, 2013
Blind Spots

You’ll probably hear your driving instructor bang on a lot about checking your blind spot, and he does so for good reason.

Whilst your mirrors are very useful and you should use them, you shouldn’t just rely on them. You need to look at your blind spot too.

We see people fail to check their blind spot a lot when they are changing lanes. When you come to changing lanes, you would have read in your Highway Code about mirror-signal-manoeuvre, which is of course important. But so is checking your blind spot. Make a habit of checking it. This also includes when you are reversing around the corner, bay parking and many other times when you’re on the road.

Be safe. Check your blind spot!

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February 11, 2013
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February 11, 2013
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February 11, 2013
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February 11, 2013
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