New proposals to reform the way people learn to drive and how they are tested has recently been announced by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and the Bill Plant School of Motoring will be ready and ahead of the game. It is a sad fact that whilst road deaths have fallen by 33% since the mid 1990s, but the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed. One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, and another 70% report near misses in the same period. Alongside this newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for one in five of all car deaths in Britain.

We always stress to the newly qualified driver that they have just reached one milestone following there successful driving test, and we emphasise the need to continue to learn roadcraft to ensure their own and other road users safety. An example would be to enroll for the pass plus course which will make them safer drivers and can reduce their insurance premiums.  

In order to get your driver’s license you may have to demonstrate the ability to parallel park your vehicle.  This controlling of your vehicle’s forward and backward motion requires you to be able to steer, use your mirrors, and possibly change position in your seat for the best view.  Your tires and how they grip the road when you speed up, brake and steer also has a lot to do with positioning your car in any situation.  In order to steer well, you should always be seated properly in the driver’s seat and use the hand over hand method of turning the wheel.

Parking is not the only time you need to be concerned with how your vehicle is positioned.  Traversing corners on country roads is a good example.  On some lanes you can see far enough ahead that you will be able to take the turn at the posted speed limit.  On other roads you will need to slow down due to poor visibility.  Curves and turns have a vanishing point – the point where offside and nearside converge – and being able to assess any potential hazard will allow you to position your vehicle properly in the turn.

When you are driving you always need to make sure that all four wheels of your vehicle remain on the road surface to keep the vehicle stable.  Make sure you take your bends as close to the right or left hand side of the road as applicable and try not to cross the centre in case of oncoming traffic.  Steer well clear of cyclists and horse back riders if at all possible and slow right down when you pass them. Driving safely and knowing where your car is positioned at all times will keep you from getting involved in an accident.

It has never been more important than now to ensure that all employees within a company who has either, access to, or drives company vehicles are full trained and aware of the legislation now in place that affects them and their employers. This also includes those drivers who use their own vehicles for company use, either as part of the job, or on a temporary basis.

The consequences for the company can be very serious in the event that the employee is involved in an accident, or the vehicle is defective, or not correctly insured. At Bill Plant Fleetcraft Ltd., as one of the UK’s leading Occupational Road Risk Management and Driver Training specialists, we provide an extensive range of services delivering measurable and tangible results, not only in the field of Occupational Road Risk Management and Consultancy but also driver training to a very high standard. The results include reduced accident rates and improved fuel economy as well as lower fleet operating costs. Contact us, the Corporate Manslaughter Bill became law on the 6th April 2008!

As a car or commercial vehicle driver, or someone who is taking driving lessons, we have to be particularly aware the there are other road users, those of the two wheeled variety the biker. Cycling and motor cycling have seen a recent revival due to more predictable journey times and better fuel consumption, especially in urban areas.

Drivers of cars and commercial vehicles have to pay particular attention to these other road users, who for various reasons fail to see the motorcycle coming towards them. Often the car driver looks but fails to see the biker, particularly acute at junctions and that is why it is the subject of an advertising campaign. “Sorry mate I didn’t see you” is for too many bikers the last words they hear before they are put in the ambulance. Pay particular attention to your nearside mirror do not compromise the safety of the cyclist on your near side.