Birchington School of Motoring Articles

Fines & Penalties For Using a Mobile Phone While driving to Double From Tomorrow

From tomorrow March 1st, 2017, the government will start enforcing their new policy to double the punishments for drivers who are caught using their mobile phone whilst driving.

The fine that is imposed will double to £200 from £100, and the licence will be endorsed with 6 points rather than 3.

Although this change will have an impact on all perpetrators, it could in fact cost a new driver their licence. New drivers who acquire 6 points or more in the first two years after passing their test, will not only lose their licence. They will in fact have to resit both the theory and practical driving tests again before being allowed back on the road.

The new policy will also mean that even more experienced drivers, who lose their licence at 12 points, are still only two mistakes from a date in court.

Furthermore if you were to refuse the fixed penalty notice, and opt to go to court, the maximum fine is £1,000.

As somebody who spends a lot of time on the road, it is quite alarming the number of people that believe it is OK to drive while using their phone. Not only is this illegal it is very dangerous, more and more accidents are caused by drivers who are not concentrating on the lob at hand, because they are busy on their phone.

All drivers have a responsibility to ensure that their cations do not put themselves, their passengers, or any other road users at risk. The only way to ensure that we do this at all times is to concentrate fully on doing so.

If you need to answer your phone while driving, you should look for a safe place to pull over and secure your car before taking the call, even if you have a hands free kit answering the phone while driving can still cause a distraction and it would still be prudent to pull over.

The Left Reverse Manoeuvre

When being assessed for your driving ability on your driving test you will be expected to carry out a slow speed manoeuvre that usually will require the use of forward and reverse gears. The purpose of this article is to explain how to carry out one of those manoeuvres i.e. the left reverse.

If your examiner elects to get you to demonstrate this manoeuvre he will get you to pull up on the left before the junction he wants you to use. He will then explain that he would like you to carry out the left reverse on the junction ahead. Once you are ready you will need to carry out your all round observation starting with your left blind spot, left wing mirror, center mirror, right wing mirror and finally your right blind spot. If it is safe to go you can proceed towards the junction making sure you signal if appropriate.

On approach to the junction you will need to carry out your MSPSL routine (Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Look) ensuring that you signal your intention to pull up just after the junction. As you are driving slowly past the junction you will need to look into the junction to assess two things;

Is there enough room to carry out the manoeuvre, remembering that you will need to reverse 2-3 car lengths into the junction.
The shape of the corner so you can assess how much steer will be required to carry out the manoeuvre.

Once you have made your assessment and decided that the junction is clear and it is safe to carry out the manoeuvre you will need to pull up 2-3 car lengths past the junction on the left, reasonably close to the kerb. You should then select reverse gear and carry out your all round observation using your mirrors and blind spot checks then reverse at crawling pace back to your point of turn (your driving instructor will show you what this looks like).

You will then need to stop the car and carry out your all round observation to make sure that it is safe to continue with the manoeuvre before turning left, as the front of your car will be swinging out into the road. Make sure that you also check for any pedestrians that may be approaching the junction to cross the road behind you.

Once it is safe to proceed you should follow the line of the kerb, by looking well back into the road to judge your position. Again this should be carried out at crawling pace. You will need to stop reasonably close to the kerb and roughly 2-3 car lengths into the new road to ensure that you can position yourself correctly for a right turn.

Once you have completed the manoeuvre and the examiner gives you the next instruction make sure that you gain carry out you all round observation checking both your blind spots and all of your mirrors starting with your left blind spot.

Why private practice works

Recent research has shown, that by gaining lots of experience in as wide a variety of different situations, and driving conditions, before taking their practical test. Learner drivers are far more likely to not only perform better on their driving test, they are also more likely to go on to be safer drivers.

It is however important that a good foundation is in place, and any private practice is discussed with the driving instructor to ensure that the maximum benefit is gained. Your driving instructor should be willing to guide what practice is needed and offer advice to the co-driver to ensure that all practice is beneficial, and that the learner is not receiving conflicting advice.

It is also of vital importance that the learner has reached a reasonable standard before practicing with a family member or friend that will not have the benefit of dual controls. The co-driver should also be at least 21 years old and must have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years. You should also make sure that the car that you are using has a valid insurance policy that covers the learner.

It is sometimes very expensive to add a learner driver onto your policy, and if that is the case you could consider Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance. Collingwood offer a flexible policy that can be taken out for periods from 7 days to 24 weeks and can cost as little as £1.70 per day.

Before you take out an insurance policy, you need to ensure that you are going to be get the full benefit from it. So it makes sense to organise the insurance for a time when you will have plenty of access to a suitable co-driver. It also makes sense to introduce the co-driver to your instructor who will let them know what it is that you should be practicing.

Your driving instructor will also provide your co-driver with any information that will be required to make sure that you receive consistent advice. If possible your instructor will also arrange to discuss your practice with your co-driver at regular intervals again to ensure consistency, and to make sure you are practicing the things that you need more help with.

Dealing With Roundabouts

A roundabout is a junction that will if used properly, allow traffic from several different roads to merge or cross without necessarily having to stop.

Right of way

In most cases traffic approaching from your immediate right will have priority when you are looking to enter a roundabout. It is however best to keep moving if your path is clear. There are a few cases where the traffic on the roundabout has to give way to traffic that is entering. In this instance there will be give way signs and road markings indication who has priority.

There will also be some roundabouts that are controlled by traffic lights (sometimes only at peak times).

Approaching a roundabout

When approaching a roundabout, as with any type of junction or potential hazard the “MSM/PSL/LADA” (Mirror signal manoeuvre/Position speed look/Look asses decide act) routine should be employed. It is also essential that you keep an eye out for the advance warning sign. The sign will show you a clear picture of the layout, and also show you route directions.

The sign will give you enough information to enable you to choose the most appropriate lane in which to approach the roundabout. Look out also for any road markings which may direct you into specific lanes depending on your route.

Get into the best lane early and stay in it.
Do not straddle lanes.
Avoid any sudden last minute lane changes.
If possible look across the roundabout to identify your chosen exit. Doing this will help you plot the safest course through the roundabout.

Entering and exiting a roundabout.

Unless road marking or road signs dictate otherwise the following procedures should be employed at all times.

Going left

Check the centre and nearside exterior mirror.
Signal left on approach.
Approach in the left-hand lane.
Stay in the left-hand lane on the roundabout. Be aware of any traffic in the right-hand lane.
Keeping the left signal on through the roundabout.
Check your centre and offside exterior mirror once clear of the roundabout.

Going straight ahead

Check the center and nearside exterior mirror.
No signal is required on approach.
Approach in the left-hand lane. If the left -hand lane is blocked use the lane next to it.
Stay in your selected lane. Be aware of any traffic in the lane on either side of you.
Check the center and nearside exterior mirror.
Signal left after you have passed the exit immediately before the one you want to take.
Check your centre and offside exterior mirror once clear of the roundabout.

Going right or all the way round.

Check your centre and offside exterior mirror.
Signal to the right on approach.
Approach in the right-hand lane.
Stay in your selected lane and keep the signal on. Be aware of any traffic in the lane to the left of you.
Check the center and nearside exterior mirror.
Signal left after you have passed the exit immediately before the one you want to take.

Other considerations

It is vitally important that you keep one eye on the vehicle in front of you as you are about to enter the roundabout. Do not assume that just because you would keep going the other driver will, they may well stop while you are still looking to your right. A great many rear end shunts happen in exactly this way.

You should also keep a close eye on any pedestrians that may be attempting to cross the road just before entering or exiting the roundabout. There are often zebra crossings just before entrances and just after exits to roundabouts.

Cyclists and horse riders can also be hazardous, as they will often stay in the left-hand lane even when they want to turn right. You should take plenty of care when cyclists or horse riders are on the roundabout and make sure you leave them plenty of room. It is also sometimes difficult to see cyclists and motorcyclists so all round observation is essential.

Long vehicles may well need to plot a different course on approach to and also while on the roundabout. Because of their length they may have to straddle lanes to negotiate the roundabout. Keep a close eye on their signals and anticipate the path that the vehicle will need to take, leaving them extra room.

You should also keep a close eye on any vehicle to your right that may want to cross your path to leave at the next exit. ALWAYS BE ON THE WATCH FOR THEIR SIGNALS.

You should also be wary of the road surface as this can become polished by regular use, and slippery , especially when the road is wet. As such it is best to avoid any harsh acceleration or braking while on the roundabout.

Mini roundabouts

Mini roundabouts should be approached in exactly the same way as a normal roundabout. However, you should approach them more slowly because there is significantly less space to manoeuvre, and less time to signal, you may not have the time to signal your intention to leave the roundabout.

You should always remember that vehicles coming towards you may want to turn right, as such you should give way to them. Also make sure that any vehicle on the roundabout is going to exit before you join the roundabout.

Try to to avoid using a mini roundabout to do a U-turn, but be conscious that others vehicles may try to do so.

You must also ensure that you pass around the central markings on the roundabout and not drive straight over it. Unless you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer that makes it physically impossible for you to do so.

Winter Motoring Tips

With the onset of colder weather being forecast in the not too distant future, now would be a good time to make sure that both you and your car are fully prepared.

Tyre check

According to the law your tyres need a minimum of 1.6mm tread across three quarters of the width of the tyre all the way round. However, when driving in adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice or heavy rain fall, I would suggest that the tyres should be replaced when they get down to 3mm of tread. By doing this you will give your tyres better chance of dealing with what the roads are likely to throw at them in the cold and wet winter months.

Apart from keeping an eye on the tread depth of your tyres it is also prudent to regularly check the sidewall of all your tyres. Looking for any bulges, splits or cracks or any other sign of damage that would warrant you changing the tyre. If you own or are considering buying snow chains or snow socks for your tyres, you will also need to ensure that they are the correct size for your vehicle.

Battery check

During the cold and dark winter months your battery condition is critical to ensuring trouble free motoring. The battery will have to work that much harder to start the car when it is very cold outside, and also while you are driving in the winter months you are more likely to be using your lights, heater, heated windscreen etc.

When checking your battery you will be looking for any corrosion on or around the terminals, and clean them with a wire brush to ensure a sound connection. Most batteries these days are sealed and should not need to be topped up with water. However, if your battery cells have removable tops you should check that the levels are at the correct level and top them up with distilled water if necessary.

The life expectancy of a battery these days is round about 5 years, as such if you know that your battery is around this old you might want to consider changing it.

Windscreen washer

During the winter months it makes good sense to keep your windscreen washer reservoir topped up with a concentrated washer solution that will prevent it from freezing over in the winter months. You should make sure that the solution can handle temperatures of at least -10c.

Anti freeze check

If your car is regularly serviced there is a good chance that you will have the correct coolant-to-water ratio to ensure that your engine block does not freeze. If you are not sure check it out. There are a number of places that you can take your car to for a complete winter check to ensure that it is fully prepared for all that might be thrown at it by the great British weather, and believe me when I say that it will be a considerably cheaper option to prevent issues than it will be to put them right afterwards.

Driving in winter conditions

The best advice that can be offered about driving on snow or ice is ‘don’t bother’. That being said, unless you hibernate for the winter months you are going to need to brave the elements at some stage, as such it makes sense to be prepared.

Winter driving kit

Before driving in snow and ice, or setting off on a journey when snow or ice is forecast at some stage along the way, you need to ensure that you are prepared to deal with any eventuality.

To ensure that you are fully prepared for any eventuality you should carry the following equipment in your car;

Ice scraper and a can of de-icer; This will help to make sure that you are able to clear your windscreen of any ice and allow maximum visibility. You should never clear a frozen windscreen with boiling water as this could crack the glass.
Snow shovel; Carrying a shovel will enable you to clear any excessive snow that you might get stuck in.
Thermos flask; Carrying a thermos flask with some hot soup or a hot drink will help you to stay warm should you break down or get stuck in the snow.
Spare set of bulbs; because of the shorter days and longer nights you will be relying on your lights considerably more frequently, as such it makes sense to carry spares.
Extra warm jumper coat or blankets; If your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and you cannot turn on your heater you should make sure that you are carrying some extra warm clothes to help you stay warm.
Snow chains or snow socks; If you own a set of snow chains or snow socks make sure that they are either fitted to the car before your journey begins if necessary, or in the car with you should the need arise to fit them on route.
Sufficient fuel for your journey; Making sure that you have a full tank of fuel, or at least more that you would need to complete the journey.

Plan your journey carefully

Once you are prepared for your journey by ensuring you have all of the essential equipment in your car, your next task is to ensure that you are also prepared.

Checking the road conditions along your chosen route, and planning your route to ensure that you travel on roads that are more likely to be cleared of snow and ice is a good place to start. You should also always allow yourself more time to complete your journey. Try to avoid country lanes, mountain passes, or anywhere else that you are likely to encounter more severe driving conditions.

Driving on snow or ice

When driving on snow or ice there are some basic rules that should help you to stay safe on the road.

Gentle braking and acceleration; Any fierce use of the brakes or accelerator are likely to cause skidding or wheel spin. That is why it is important to always ensure that you brake and accelerate gently and smoothly to keep maximum control.
High gear – low speed and keep moving; When setting off you should always use as high a gear as possible and slow gentle acceleration, again this will help to avoid wheelspin and help you to stay in control of your vehicle. If at all possible you should keep moving until your tyres are on firmer, less treacherous ground.
Follow the tracks; Driving in the tracks of other road users will help you to find the most traction available to you.
Skidding: By following the advice offered in the first three points above you should keep your risk of skidding to a minimum. However, if you start to skid you should steer into it and keep your foot off the brake and accelerator pedal until the vehicle is back under your control.
Adjust your following distance; Because the road conditions will not allow you to stop as quickly as necessary in the event of a problem, it is of the utmost importance that you maintain a greater separation distance between you and the car in front of you. I would suggest a minimum of an eight to ten second gap.

Steering Made Easy

Steering a vehicle safely and accurately is obviously an essential skill that must be mastered by all drivers very early on in their driving career.

Steering style

Although there is a great deal of discussion about what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’ when it comes to steering. The plain and simple facts are – if you can make the car go where you want it to go, when you want it to go there your steering is perfectly acceptable, no matter what you do with the steering wheel. That being said there is one rule that is accepted by most and that it is ‘you should normally keep both hands on the steering wheel as much as possible’. It is also generally accepted that for driving straight ahead a good hand position is around the ‘quarter to three’ or ‘ten to two’ position. By adopting this position you will find it easier to maintain accurate straight line control, it will also allow you to quickly steer left or right in an emergency situation, and make it easier to operate the ‘stalk controls’ (lights, indicators, wipers etc).

Your posture

Quite a common issue with new drivers is that they are often hunched forward over the steering wheel. Doing this will not only significantly reduce your control of the steering wheel, it will also shorten your observation, and cause excessive tension in the back or shoulders. By sitting back in your seat whilst driving, in a relaxed and comfortable position, you will minimise steering control issues and reduce the risk of fatigue.

Steering for your driving test

On your driving test your examiner will be looking at the accuracy of your steering and how smoothly you steer, not at your steering style. He/She simply wants to see accurate, safe and smooth steering and that you are in full control at all times.

Look where you want to go

Before you can steer effectively your brain needs to receive the correct information from your eyes, which enables your brain to send the correct information to your arms. Therefore not pointing your eyes in the appropriate direction, will mean that your eyes are sending the wrong information to your brain. The basic rule is that you will be drawn towards whatever you look at. As such, if you are looking at an obstacle, there is a very good chance that you will hit it.

A good example of this is the fairground ‘Dodgems’, we have probably all driven them at some stage or another. The more adventurous will remember that when they wanted to smash into one of their mates they focused on that car. The least adventurous will remember that if they did not want to smash into anybody they were constantly scanning for and looking at gaps to steer into.

Constantly moving your eyes

While steering through a narrow gap, it is essential that you look well ahead and point the car at the clear space. When approaching the tight gap if you are looking ahead early enough, you will always steer on the correct course, there is no need to look at the obstructions!

It is just as important to keep a close eye on what is going on behind you as it is in front. By doing so, it will not only make it easier to spot any potential hazards early, it will also help you to maintain a good road position.