Dramatic changes to the way we drive has been happening since the first Highway Code was introduced in 1931, one of the first recommendations in this was that drivers should use their horn when overtaking, can you imagine the reaction if that was the case now?\r\n\r\nOther changes over the years have included; car numbers have increased from 1.5 million in 1931 to a staggering 30 million today! In 1966 the government of the day introduced a drink-driving limit of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, which still stands today. The breathalyser followed in 1967, and the very controversial, at the time, wearing of seatbelt was made compulsory in 1983.\r\n\r\nMost people do not like changes and those affecting the way we drive are less popular than most. However, we have to agree that all of the legislation is introduced to ensure, or to improve our road safety. Bill Plant Driving School is always up-to-date with the latest driving news.

New guidelines say that if you are caught driving dangerously in England and Wales using a mobile phone you could face a prison sentence. Although it is thought most divers will still face the standard sentence of a fine and penalty points some could be looking at time in prison. Drivers who are driving in a particularly unsafe manner are likely to face the prison sentence.\r\n\r\nPeople are still using mobile phones\r\n\r\nSome statistics show that the use of mobile phones is an increasing factor in serious crashes and police routinely check phone records when investigating an accident, so there is no hiding place.\r\n\r\nMeasures include; an unlimited fine and a two year driving ban, and if death results from the accident this could mean a fourteen year prison term, or in the case of being charged with manslaughter, a life prison sentence.\r\n\r\nDrive safely is the message from the Bill Plant Driving School.

The vast majority of drivers now believe drink driving to be socially unacceptable. However, it is that time of year again when temptations are put into the way of drivers over the Christmas and New Year festive period which can place temptations in the way of people who would never consider having a drink of alcohol and driving. Many of us will face these dilemmas but it’s crucial to decide firmly at the outset either not to drink or to leave the car where it is.\r\n\r\nSome points that should be remembered are just one drink will impair your ability, the measures at parties will be more generous than those served at your local pub, you can be breathalysed if you are involved in accident, even if it is not your fault and drinking heavily the night before can put you over the legal limit the morning after.

Driver”s records have gone missing. The details of many UK driver”s had gone missing in the US which was only announced yesterday. This comes not long after the Government announced that various Tax data had gone missing.\r\n\r\nThe driver  data that was missing contains the names, addresses and ‘phone numbers of people who were taking the driving theory test.\r\n\r\nWe are being reassured by The Information Commissioner, that fraudsters profiting from this lost data was low and that no personal financial information was involved in the loss. We understand that the details of every British learner taking the theory part of the test between September 2003 and April 2007 were on the computer hard drive that has gone missing, current learner drivers are not at risk.\r\n\r\nThe transport secretary Ruth Kelly detailed the fact that data of up to three million candidates for the driving theory test had gone missing.It appears that the data which was contained on a hard drive was found in a non-secure area. So not where it was supposed to be. The fact that such driver details were misplaced is alarming.

For most of us, if we are lucky and in good health, have passed our driving test at an early age of 18 or 19 years, we could have a driving span of around 50 years. During that time we could have been involved in an accident, received the odd parking ticket and almost certainly picked up a speeding ticket through the efforts of the plethora of cameras now placed around the roads of Britain.\r\n\r\nHowever we would only be about 60% of the way to the achievement of Muriel Gladwin, who has recently completed 82 years of flawless motoring and has decided that at the age of 94 it is time she let someone else drive her about!\r\nIn this remarkable spell of driving Mrs Gladwin has not received the smallest bump, or speeding ticket, in spite of driving for an estimated 600,000 miles, a remarkable achievement not likely to be bettered we would imagine.

The understanding of driving procedures in a safe way on today”s roads is paramount. Bill Plant teaches driving instructors to develop their own driving skills and fully understand road safety. In order to be a driving instructor you need to be able to assess a learner driver”s driving knowledge and skill level.\r\n\r\nThe driving instructor would then use information about the learner”s driving skills to target the driving lessons in areas that need attention to make sure the learner gains a driving licence. The driving lessons will of course follow a well constructed pattern.\r\n\r\nLets look at some of the areas that will be covered in the Bill Plant driving lessons:\r\n

\r\n
• A good understanding of the UK driving law

\r\n

• Safe driving and operation of all the car controls

\r\n

• Driving attitude and correct approach

\r\n

• Safe manoeuvring of the vehicle such as reversing, turns and car parking

\r\n

\r\nDual controls will of course be used when you are in the car with your driving instructor. When a learner driver has more skills and the driving instructor feels they are ready they will be taken  to busier roads and experience different types of roads such as dual carriage ways and learn roundabout skills as well as road junctions.\r\n\r\nThe Bill Plant Driving School promotes road safety and expects all learner drivers to follow the Highway Code. Learner drivers can be confident that when the driving instructor thinks they are ready they will advise them to make an application to take their driving test. The driving school will cover the theory test and conduct hazard perception training.

Apparently, more than 1 out of every ten people in Britain admit to having had a crash in a car park and simply driving away. Here at Bill Plant we do not advocate such bad driving behavior. At the end of the day crashing into someone else”s car and then driving away is a crime.\r\n\r\nSafe Driving \r\n\r\nWe also know that bumping into another car is very easy to do if you are not driving with care. We have heard excuses that some drivers cannot be bothered to leave their details if they feel that the other car is only damaged in a minor way, remember you are responsible for taking due care and attention when driving.\r\n\r\nIt is thought that the main reason for the occurrence of such incidents is poor parking. The most common damage caused to cars is paintwork,swiftly followed by damage to mirrors and bumpers.

One section of the driving test which comes under the theory section is the hazard perception test. We have the means at our disposal to allow you to view a model and to continue to practice, to help you on the road to successfully passing all parts of your driving test. When you enrol with us for your driving lessons, we will give you the necessary information for you to access our online theory programme and from there, it id plain sailing as the saying goes.\r\n\r\nThe hazard perception part is delivered on a computer and you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. During the real test you will need to respond to the developing hazard if you want to achieve a high score, the maximum being five. Unlike our mock test when you sit the real one you will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard. Practice makes perfect.

By joining the Bill Plant School of Driving you will be amongst a group of like minded people who have flexible working hours that enable you top fit your family around work, how many other people can say that? We will ensure that you are registered with the Driving Standards Agency, which is a legal requirement for you to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). There are some requirements before you can enrol in our Training College, these are; to have held a full driving licence for at least four years out of the last six, not been disqualified during the last four years, no criminal or motoring convictions\r\n\r\nWe have a proud record of teaching people to become successful Driving Instructors, following qualification most working as a franchisee within our school of driving, others joining large fleet operators or transport companies passing on their knowledge to the employees of the company. Whichever route you finally take you will not regret taking a Driving Instructors course at the Bill Plant Driving Instructor Training College.