Learner drivers have to be increasingly careful when picking a driving instructor as research shows that there are hundreds of un-qualified driving instructors teaching students.

 Recently a Yorkshire based driving instructor had to badge revoked over concerns about here capability to drive. The instructor failed a spot test designed to test the safety standards of instructors. She was given the chance to re-take the test but failed to turn up, which made the DSA revoke her instructor’s badge and remove her form the register in October last year.

 Despite the ban the instructor carried on teaching pupils in the South Yorkshire area, she even drove the pupils to the local test centre, where other instructor’s noticed her and reported her to the police.

 South Yorkshire Police recently stopped the instructor at the Test Centre as she presented a student for a test.

 Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard that the instructor qualified in 2006 receiving a certificate, which was valid for four years. During these four the DSA have the power to carry out random spot tests, as this instructor failed the test and failed to turn up for the re-take she had her badge revoked. In court the instructor claimed that she was unaware her badge had been revoked.

 The instructor pleaded guilty of fraud by misrepresentation, intending to make financial gain for herself, therefore she had to pay £200 altogether.

 This case shows one instructor who was found to be unsafe to teach people how to drive. Unfortunately this is not the only case, there are hundreds of driver all over the country how have been found to be unsafe.

 The best tip to learner drivers is to use a well-established Driving School to learn to drive, not independent instructors. 

Bill PLant School of Motoring is happy to announce the introduction of a new range of cars to the instructors fleet – the Hyundai i20.The i20 is the latest training vehicle. Driving School 

The government has launched a new drug driving campaign, including an advert targeting young male drivers. The advert will be first screened on Monday the 17^th of August on ITV warning that police will be able to spot drug drivers by their eyes having constricted or dilated pupils. Research suggests that 1 in 10 males drivers admit to driving while under the influence of drugs.

 Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said “Whatever one’s views on drug taking it is imperative that drug-driving is made totally socially unacceptable”. The department of transport estimate that drivers under the influence of drugs cause 1 in 5 deaths on British roads. They also say that the most likely people to drive on drugs are males between the ages of 17 and 29.  

The penalty at the moment for anyone caught drug-driving is up six months in prison and up to a £5000 fine. 

The main problem at the moment is there isn’t a roadside device that can test whether or not a driver is on legal or illegal drugs, which makes it is difficult for police to make arrests. They can take suspects back to a police station to perform a drug test.

 The television advert focuses on illegal drugs, but other strands of the campaign in print and online will also address the issues surrounding legal prescription drugs.

 If you need anymore information on drug driving the Bill Plant Driving School can offer more information about the risks of drug driving drivers.

First Company and Director faced with prosecution

Fleet operators are urged to take note as the first Corporate Manslaughter prosecution against a company and an individual director is authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

On 23rd April 2009, a charge of Corporate Manslaughter (which became law on 6th April 2009), was authorised by the CPS against Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd.

The prosecution is in relation to the death on 5th September 2008 of an employee of Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd, who  was crushed to death when the sides of an excavation pit he was working in collapsed.

A director of the company has been charged with gross negligent manslaughter and with an offence contrary to Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.  As a company, Cotswold Geoechnical Holdings Ltd has also been charged with failing to discharge a duty contrary to Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The reviewing lawyer of the CPS Special Crime Division stated that they have concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of of a conviction for this offence.

The director will appear in court on 17th June 2009, where he faces charges both as an individual, and on behalf of the company. If convicted for gross negligent manslaughter, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, whilst a conviction for Corporate Manslaughter could see the company faced with an unlimited fine.

PLEASE REMEMBER

All companies with employees who drive on company related business have a duty of care under Health & Safety law to ensure that, as a bare minimum,  a work related risk assessment has been undertaken, the results of which must be acted upon in an appropriate manner. This applies regardless of whether the vehicle is company owned, a hire vehicle, or is the employees own.

Please make use of our FREE online risk assessment tool and please contact us for details of our FREE driver policy document.

The “scrappage” scheme, costing the Government £300 million, is intended not only to boost the ailing car industry, but to take some of the most environmentally unfriendly vehicles off the road. It will start next month and run until March 2010 and follows the introduction of a similar scheme in Germany, which triggered a 40 per cent rise in car sales last month.

Alistair Darling – who delivered his Budget yesterday – believes the scheme will result in at least 300,000 new cars being bought in Britain by the time the scheme finishes and will kick-start an industry which was bracing itself for its worst year for new registrations since the recession of the early 1990s. Full details of the scheme, which will also apply to vans, will be announced by Lord Mandelson’s Department of Business within the next few weeks.

It will entail the Government putting in £1,000 towards the cost of a new car, with the amount being matched by the car maker. Somebody wanting to participate in the scheme would begin negotiations for a new car at the dealership by providing proof of the car’s age and the fact that they have owned the vehicle for at least a year. This would prevent somebody buying a very cheap car from a scrapyard and using it to claim the discount.

The car would also have to be inspected, either by the dealer of an official Authorised Treatment Facility. Once these formalities have been completed, a certificate would be presented which would enable the motorist to buy a new model. Manufacturers participating in the scrappage scheme will be obliged to make their entire range of cars available, including their very cheapest models, often costing less than £6,000.

Privately some industry observers fear that dealers will use the scrappage scheme to withdraw discounts they would otherwise have offered to clinch a deal. Nevertheless the car industry, which has suffered months of redundancies and production cutbacks, welcomed the Government’s decision to adopt the scheme they have spent months campaigning for.

‘This will boost the new car market and get consumers to get back into car showrooms,” said Paul Williams, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation. “This will make further lay offs at car plants and dealerships much less likely”.

It was also welcomed by Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. “This is good news for consumers and will get people back into showrooms, kick-starting demand in the market. The scheme recognises the economic value of the motor industry and we are determined to make it a success.”

Edmund King, the AA’s president, also hailed the introduction of the scheme. “A £2000 incentive from Government and manufacturers will help the economy, environment and employment. Cleaner, greener and safer cars will replace some of the older gross polluters,” he said.

But the “green” credentials of the scheme were questioned by some of the Government’s own environmental advisers, including Phillip Selwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust.

“The government’s announcement on scrappage contradicts the carbon friendly announcements in the budget such as money for electric vehicles, CO2 related Company Car tax and the increase in fuel duty,” he said.

“This policy will increase car purchase regardless of CO2 emissions and the government has missed a significant opportunity by spending public money to incentivise any car upgrade when they could have incentivised the lowest carbon emission cars.”

Original article here

Local governments in Britain will be able to bring down speed limits in urban areas and accident blackspots under road safety proposals announced by the government on Tuesday.The proposals, which include stiffer driving tests, are part of a 10-year strategy to cut the number of deaths on Britain’s roads by a third by 2020.

Under the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines, local councils will be given powers to reduce speed limits to 20 mph (32.19 km/h) from 30 mph on roads close to schools and in residential areas.

They will also be able to review limits on single carriageways in the countryside.

That could see speed limits come down from the current 60 to 50 mph, but a DfT spokeswoman stressed any change would be at the sole discretion of the local council.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said there are now almost 17,000 fewer deaths or serious injuries a year than there were in the mid-1990s.

“But it is intolerable that eight people are still dying on our roads each day,” he added.

For younger people aged 14 to 17, a voluntary, pre-driver qualification in safe road use will count towards their car theory test. Theory and practical tests will also be improved.

The “Pass Plus” system of more advanced lessons that can be taken after passing the driving test will also be improved to encourage more drivers and insurers to take part.

In addition, van drivers will be given the chance to enhance their skills through a new qualification.

The proposals will be open for consultation until July 14 and can be found here.

(Original article here)

Bill Plant Fleetcraft Ltd, one of the UK’s leading Occupational Road Risk Management and Driver Training specialists, has changed its name and is now Corporate Driver Management.

Bill Plant CDM Ltd takes pride in its 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. Working in partnership with local authorities, fleet operators, contract fleet hire companies; Bill Plant CDM Ltd has a proven record, of which it is justifiably proud.

You can can now find Bill Plant CDM Ltd at www.corporatedrivermanagement.co.uk.

Benefits of Corporate Driver Management

Case studies and research have shown that benefits from managing work-related road safety include:

• Reduced accidents and collisions
• fewer days lost due to injury
• reduced risk of work-related ill health
• reduced stress and improved morale
• less need for investigation and paperwork
• less lost time due to work rescheduling
• fewer vehicles off the road for repair
• reduced running costs through better driving standards
• fewer missed orders and business opportunities so reduced risk of losing the goodwill of customers
• less chance of key employees being banned from driving, e.g. as a result of points on their licences or ill health

Bill Plant Ltd is committed to our National on-going Schools and Colleges Road Safety to provide FREE awareness lectures to pupils and staff.

Our programme has running successfully now for quite a while and we are keen to expand it further. Sadly there are still too many families destroyed by victims of reckless driving and it is only by raising awareness to as many people as possible that we can play our part to prevent this.

Research tells us that Four out of five non-medical deaths of 10-19 year olds are in road crashes. On any average day, nine police officers have to visit nine families and break the news that a loved one has suffered a sudden, violent death from a vehicle related incident.

Our trained professionals will offer interactive and contemporary lectures on most dangers faced by young drivers to be (or already driving). Our lectures are fun but with a very serious message behind them.

Subjects covered include Drink and Drug Driving, Mobiles, Speeding, Police procedures and attitudes to driving/peer pressure. There will be video clips, Q & A session, Games and we are working with local authorities to provide materials that enable us to use real testimonies from actual offenders of road crime.See what it is like to drive drunk! And you may be breathalysed! The lectures last between 40m and 1hr, and in a full day we can deliver 4 or 5 to classes of up to 30. Our driving instructors will also be there to provide answers to any questions you may have. In addition (and subject to suitable availability) we may be able to provide a number of students a brief driving session in a car.

If your school like most is very busy and classroom space is an issue – then we can come to you with our Bill Plant Road Safety Exhibition Unit (see pictures). If you don’t require a lecture but you feel that you would benefit from our knowledge about any driving related issue, we would be only too happy to oblige.

To discuss a potential visit or make an inquiry, please ring Martin Smith on 01765 609140 or email msmith@billplant.co.uk for further details.

Corporate directors and managers who ignore the management of employees’ driving for work could face two years in jail or a fine of upto £20,000 imposed by a Magistrate as new laws come into effect. The new Health and Safety (Offences ) Act 2009 came into force on 16 January 2009. It is aimed at punishing individuals who breach health and safety rules. However, unlike the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act implemented in April last year, the breach does not have to result in a death.

Protect your company now. Bill Plant Fleetcraft Ltd takes pride in its 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. Working in partnership with local authorities, fleet operators, contract fleet hire companies; Bill Plant Fleetcraft has a proven record, of which it is truly proud.

TEENAGER Daniel Chadwick is one ‘L’ of a driver.The 18-year-old electrician, from Dalton, has joined an elite club of learners who have passed their test first time without any mistakes.

And his faultless performance came after just 23 hours of lessons with Bill Plant driving school – half the average.

Daniel said: “I thought I had done all right and I thought I’d probably passed because I didn’t do anything that stood out as a big mistake.

“The examiner didn’t even tell me I’d passed at first, he just started giving me leaflets about extra courses I could do.

“I said: ‘I’m guessing I passed then’ and he just gave me my faults sheet which didn’t have anything on it.

“I was over the moon.”

Only 0.1% of drivers pass their first test without making a single mistake. Daniel said he used to do go-karting, which probably helped him.

“I picked things up quite quickly because I was used to being behind a wheel,” he said.

“But there were some bad habits I had to get out of.”

Instructor David Norcliffe, who has taught hundreds of learners over more than 10 years, said he had never had a pupil achieve a perfect pass. He said: “Daniel has been a model pupil.

“He has had 23 hours of tuition with me over a period of three months, being eager to learn, very consistent and is now able to drive to a good standard.

“He’s now going to take his Pass Plus with me, enabling him to become an even better driver.”

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2009/01/29/rare-driving-test-pass-without-any-faults-86081-22805059/