July 25, 2019
Driving In Flip Flops

FLIP flops will become part of Brits’ wardrobe this week as record temperatures sweep the country.

But those who choose to drive in their summer shoes could find themselves in hot water if they’re involved in an accident.

While driving in flip flops isn’t illegal in itself, wearing them could lead to a careless driving charge if they impede your ability to drive safely.

Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers are advised they must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.

Flip flops could slip off, become wedged under pedals or prevent you from pressing the pedals with enough force to brake quickly, which could cause you to drive erratically or even lead to a collision.

If you are stopped by police while driving in a potentially dangerous manner or your footwear is a reason for an accident, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention (careless driving).

Careless driving carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence.

But in more serious cases, or those that are contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.

A study by insurance brand ingenie previously found a whopping 27 per cent of motorists could be risking this penalty as they ditch their shoes in favour of flip flops behind the wheel.

And despite the large number of Brits taking the risk, around one in three actually thought it was illegal to drive in loose fitting footwear.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, told Sun Motors: “Before setting off, you should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.

“If flip flops stopped you being in control you could be prosecuted, as you are breaking Highway Code Rule 97.

“Careless driving is mostly judged on the impact your driving has on others around you, so if you are spotted swerving or braking erratically and then stopped and found to have inadequate footwear, you could be prosecuted.

“If you do cause a crash, then it could also be an aggravating factor against you in court and lead to a slightly higher fine or longer ban.”

Selim Cavanagh, Chief Executive at ingenie, said: “It’s promising that almost a third of drivers assume driving in flip flops is illegal, because it’s really dangerous.

“They slip off, slide under the pedals, get caught between your feet and the pedals and if your feet are wet, they’ll affect your ability to brake if you need to.

“Aside from the actual rules though, driving in flip flops can create a dangerous driving environment, and put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk.”

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May 15, 2019
Driving test pass rate is at its lowest for a decade due to harder theory questions – can you get them, right?

Only 47% of learner drivers are passing the practical exam due to changes in the theory test. Passes are at a ten-year low because theory questions have become tough to get correct.

Over the past year only 47% of learner drivers passed the theory test a fall of a quarter in ten years. Eight sample questions were given to 2,800 drivers to test how difficult the new tests were and only 11% got them all correct.

The theory test- which was introduced in 1997 has had more multiple-choice questions added, to stop pupils memorising the questions and answers they have stopped them being shown online.

Statistics according to The Department for Transport show that women have a higher pass rate then men. To test the knowledge of driving conditions, which includes extreme weather conditions i.e. snow and sleet were added (Hazard Perception).

Example Theory Questions

 

  1. Following a car collision, someone has suffered a burn. The burn needs to be cooled. Given that one of the below is correct, what’s the shortest time it should be cooled for?
  2. a) 5 minutes b) 10 minutes c) 15 minutes d) 20 minutes
  3. You’ve just passed your motor practical test. You don’t hold a full licence in another category. Within two years you get six penalty points on your licence. Given that one of the below is correct, what will you have to do?
  4. a) Retake only theory test b) Retake theory and practical tests c) Retake only practical test d) Reapply for full licence immediately
  5. Given that one of the below is correct, what colour are the reflective studs between a motorway and its slip road?
  6. a) Amber b) White c) Green d) Red 4. You wish to tow a trailer.
  7. Given that one of the below is correct, where would you find the maximum nose weight allowed on your vehicle’s tow hitch?
  8. a) In the vehicle handbook b) In the Highway Code c) In your vehicle registration certification d) In your licence documents
  9. Given that one of the below is correct, when are anti-lock brakes (ABS) most effective?
  10. a) When you keep pumping the foot brake to prevent skidding b) When you brake normally but grip the steering wheel tightly c) When you brake firmly and promptly until you’ve stopped d) When you apply the handbrake to reduce the stopping distance
  11. Given that one of the below is correct, what does the law require you to keep in good condition?
  12. a) Gears b) Transmission c) Door locks d) Seat belts
  13. You’re driving on an open road in dry weather. Given that one of the below is correct, what should the distance be between you and the vehicle in front?
  14. a) A two-second time gap b) One car length c) Two metres (6ft 6in) d) Two car lengths

The answers are at the bottom of this article

Moneysupermarket the price comparison website run a study which showed that four out of ten drivers were confident enough to pass the theory test if retaken. A third of drivers were able to identify correctly the reflective studs between the motorway and slip road as being green.

Learner drivers have to pass the theory test before they can take their practical driving test,they are asked 50 multiple choice questions and to pass must answer 43 correctly, to pass the hazard perception part they are required to answer 44 correctly out of 75 after watching clips to spot road dangers.

The Department of Transport have reported 1.34million learners took the theory test in the last year with 47.4% passing, this is the lowest percentage since 2007-2008 when figures were first published and down 48.7% in 2017-18.The pass rate in 2007-2008 was 65.4% which dropped in 2013-14 when new theory questions stopped being published online.

Answer: 1=b, 2=b, 3=c, 4=a, 5=c,6=d, 7=a

For help with practicing the hazard perception or theory questions why not use our sample papers on our website or book in with one of our trainers for one to one theory training at our head office.

 

 

 

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April 16, 2019
Good News! Road Works to be Suspended

The Highways England has made a promise to suspend 400 miles of roadworks for the Easter Weekend. Approximately 459 miles of existing roadworks will be cleared away for between Thursday 18th April at 6am and 12.01 Tuesday 23rd April, this means 99% of England’s main roads and Motorways will be free of roadworks over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The Highways England’s traffic Officers will still be on hand to help motorists who unfortunately are involved in an accident or have broken down, the officers are in black and yellow batten burg marked vehicles.

Advice issued by the organisation are to take the time for basic checks on your vehicle, this will help yourself and other road users avoiding a cause of issues for traffic for the weekend.

These following checks will help to avoid unnecessary breakdowns

Check your fuel, tyre pressure and condition, windscreen fluid, lights and the engine oil.

Familiarise yourself with motorway signs, the overhead gantries will display a large red X if for any reason a lane is needed to be closed.

Remember driving in a lane showing a red X is not only dangerous but illegal, It not only carries up to a £100 penalty charge but also 3 points on your license.

Also, the Highways England have also recommended that people towing caravans or trailers have the correct licenses and equipment and are correctly connected and with the relevant insurance.

Highways England’s customer service director Melanie Clarke said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible this Easter and that’s why we’re keeping around 99 per cent of the road network we manage free from roadworks,” she said. “Safety is our top priority and we know from experience that almost half of breakdowns can easily be avoided if motorists carry out simple vehicle checks before setting off over this period.”

Simon Bush of Britannia Instructor Training College said: “The Highway Department is doing all it can to ensure the roads run as smoothly as possible, it’s our duty to help them by keeping congestion to a minimum.”

Happy and safe Easter Driving from all at Britannia Driving School!

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April 4, 2019
Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

Before embarking on driving lessons your first decision will be whether to learn in a manual or automatic car.

Its often thought its an easier option to learn in an automatic because there is no clutch or gears. But you must remember that you still will have all the other factors in learning how to drive in an automatic.

There has always been a great debate as to whether learning is easier in a manual or automatic car, some say manual is the only way and others stick by automatic.

Automatics have become more sophisticated and economical in recent years, as this has always put drivers off as they consumed more fuel and were more expensive to buy.

Advantages of driving a manual

Passing in a manual car entitles you to drive manual or automatic, if you wish to change to an automatic car then you can, however this only works one way as passing in an automatic you can only drive automatic and must retake tour practical test in a manual car should you wish to change transmission.

Manual cars use less fuel – when driven properly. A driver in full control of their manual car will know when to change gears as so to avoid the engine over revving and wasting fuel. It is recommended to change gear about 2000rpm in a Diesel, and 2500rpm in a petrol car.

Manual cars will help you staying more alert especially when taking driving lessons, there is so much more for you to focus on when driving a manual as you have the changing of the gears and clutch control to think about.

Advantages of driving an automatic transmission car

Most pupils that learn in an automatic will learn faster than those learning in a manual, they will have less to learn with no changing gears, biting point or clutch control to learn.

Automatics are generally the easiest to pass in, the pass rate is higher for automatic tests, due to having fewer attributes to meet in terms of clutch control and gear changes, so less chances to fail.

The most persuasive point as to learning in an automatic is its easier.

No gears, no bite point, no clutch control or the embarrassing situation of stalling as an automatic does all this for you, this can leave the driver more time to concentrate on the road.

The argument of manual or automatic will probably carry on, here at Britannia Driving School we have noticed a massive change in more and more pupils choosing to learn in an automatic it has really become popular.

Still unsure which to choose? Why not give Kerry a call take a driving lesson on either and go from there.

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August 16, 2018
Where Are All The Good Roads?

Volkswagen is making it easier for you to find the best roads in the UK to drive on. Good driving roads are not exactly easy to find and if they were, they’d be too crowded to enjoy.

Want to learn how to drive so you can enjoy them too? Contact us!

Volkswagon has partnered with Waze, the publics favourite navigation apps to help drivers find good roads in the UK – called ‘GTI Superdrives’

Safe driving, from Britannia!

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August 9, 2018
Hot! Hot! Hot!

With temperatures already expected to soar up to 30 degrees across areas of the country this weekend.

As a result, drivers are being urged to stay hydrated while on the road as failing to do so could have some dangerous consequences.

Dehydration symptoms include slower reaction times, loss of focus and muscle cramps, which could negatively impact how they drive.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

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