Information has recently been issued by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on this matter.

Their statement and a link to supporting information can be found here

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

Penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone could be increased, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said during question time in the House of Lords.

Source:  www.roadsafe.com

Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile currently receive an automatic £60 fine and three points on their licence.

If they cause an accident or pose a risk to other motorists while using a hand held mobile phone, drivers face being charged with dangerous driving, which can lead to a two-year jail term.

One option now open to ministers is to increase the number of penalty points to four, which would mean a driver would be banned if convicted three times for the offence.

Tougher penalties could be included in a new Government road safety strategy.

Late last year a study of 14,000 drivers in London showed the use of hand-held mobiles was now higher than in 2006, the year before the introduction of the three point licence penalty and doubling of the fine to £60.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

The news has appeared in the national media including here on the BBC web site.

This is of course likely to be an anxious time for many of the Staff and Customers involved with the company and we hope that a favourable outcome can be reached for everyone.

Those who have paid substantial sums of money to the Driving Instructor Training arm of the company will be hoping that a rescue can be made so that they see the delivery of the training they have paid for.

Although high profile, RED are not the only Driving Instructor Training organisation to have gone into administration in recent times.

This seems a timely moment to remind budding Driving Instructors that there are pay as you go alternatives offered by well established Driving Intructor Trainers.  This can have the notable advantages of spreading the investment, reducing risks like this one and ensuring that you pay for no more or no less training than the individual needs.  So this alternative is worth serious pause for thought and consideration.

If you would like to know more about the alternatives pathways open to budding Driving Instructors then BADDIA members who specialise in this field can help advise you.  There are contact details here

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

Proposals to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have been published by the Department for Transport.

The DfT have instigated this in response e.g. to newer large vehicles now being fitted with speed limiter devices.

The text of the DfT’s announcement can be found here and runs until 27th April 2010.

It is worthwile car drivers being aware of the speed limits for larger vehicles which are lower than for cars on roads where the national speed limit applies.  Such knowledge helps promote understanding and co-operation with one another and can help prevent the avoidable confrontations that regrettably can sometimes occur and the increased risks that accompany such behaviours.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

The Driving Standards Agency have recently broadcast a useful reminder about the information available on their YouTube site.

The reminder, issued through twitter, informs driving test candidates that there are short video clips available on YouTube that help test candidates know what to expect when they go out on their practical test.  The information can be found by following the link from twitter given here

 

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area