ARCHIVE
DOUBLE PHOTO SHOOT
November 11th, 2005. I met with Kitty Ussher M.P. for a newspaper photo opportunity and live local radio interview. One of the people who had hoped to be there was PC Andy Duncan from the Lancashire Constabulary Motorway Patrol Unit at Preston. Unfortunately he phoned just before the shoot was due to begin to say he had been called away to an RTA, but offered to reschedule. So, I took him at his word and rearranged for Wednesday November 23rd. Along with my friend, and Learn-2-Live webmaster, we were shown around the unit and some of the patrol vehicles (just off M6 J31), and told of the various aspects of the work of the Motorway Unit. All in all, a very interesting and informative afternoon.
WINTER DRIVING: CAN YOU COPE?
November 11th, 2005. It almost seems to be the norm, except if we are
personally involved in one of these incidents.
For many new drivers who have possibly taken their training and passed
their test during the spring/summer period, the thought of driving on the
motorway in this sort of weather is a terrifying prospect. For a vast
number of new drivers, motorway driving for the first time without any
training is a frightening prospect. Their experience is, by definition,
limited, and they have no idea of how to cope with ‘bad weather’ driving.
So how would they cope with this scene...?
Every year about this time we are advised by many of the road safety
groups to make sure our cars are capable of coping with the inclement
weather to come… but what about us, the drivers, are we able to cope? In
fact even many of the more experienced drivers are unable to cope with the
sort of weather pictured above. This is a typical scene which many of us
may meet at sometime during the winter period. Yet every year without
exception we hear of incidents that make our blood turn cold. Stories of
bad, mad & sometimes downright dangerous driving in these weather
conditions. Many drivers are seen taking chances, including speeding,
overtaking etc… which under these conditions is nothing short of sheer
lunacy. Then, when an incident happens the age-old questions is
asked, and note, I refuse to call them accidents as this gives the
impression that it is something that could not be avoided, the following
is the outcry, “Why won’t they learn?”.
Well, at Learn-2-Live we believe the answer to be very simply “because they
don’t have to”. It is commonly acknowledged by most road safety groups and
the majority of the general public that the standard of driving on these
roads is atrocious. However the powers that be in Westminster still allow
around 95% of new drivers on these roads without any training.
Learn-2-Live is trying to change legislation to require all new drivers to
undergo some form of recognised motorway tuition after they have passed
their driving test. Over the next few weeks Kitty Ussher, my MP, is to
raise an Early Day Motion on the issue of motorway tuition for new
drivers. I would encourage all who read this article to
contact your MP
and urge them to sign this motion supporting my campaign.
Motorway Driving Tests
December 9th,2004. Recently
Peter Pike MP asked the Transport Minister, David
Jamieson, the following parliamentary question...
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will
introduce a requirement for learner drivers prior to taking their driving
tests, to take theoretical instruction on driving on motorways, dependent
on the area in which the driving test is to be taken. [204181]
Mr. Jamieson: There is no evidence to suggest that newly qualified
drivers are generally more dangerous than other drivers on motorways. We
therefore have no plans at present to lift the current restriction on
learner drivers using motorways. However, the theory test, including the
hazard perception test, covers driving on motorways and other high speed
roads, so learners are expected to acquire the appropriate theoretical
knowledge. The Highway Code and the Driving Standards Agency's Driving
Manual provide theoretical instruction to support this. Learner drivers
are also expected to gain experience on high-speed roads other than
motorways before attempting the practical test and are expected to
demonstrate their skills on such roads where practicable. Newly qualified
drivers may also take the Pass Plus course of training which includes
motorway driving with an Approved Driving Instructor. The scheme is taken
up by some 20 per cent of pupils who pass their test.
Not unexpectedly, at
Learn-2-Live we disagree with the Ministers' view.
Read our reply
Official Patronage
November 27th,2004.
Learn-2-Live proudly announces the
support of our Patron.
L2L Meets M.P.
October 29th,2004.
Learn-2-Live today received 100% backing from
Gwyneth
Dunwoody MP, Chairperson of the HoC
Transport Select Committee. During our meeting, at Mrs.Dunwoodys
constituency office, she offered support and guidance with a view to
taking this campaign forward. It is both gratifying and reassuring to know
that someone in such an influential position is behind my aim.
Car-jacking warning
July 13th,2004. Imagine you walk across the car park, unlock your car and get inside. Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into reverse. You look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you unlock your doors and jump out to remove the paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. As you reach the back of your car, the car-jackers suddenly appear, jump into your car and take off.
The engine would be running (ladies would have their handbag in the car) and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
Advice must be to just drive away and remove the paper
later, and be thankful you read this notice. Please inform all friends and
family, especially women. A handbag contains identification and you
certainly do not want thieves knowing your home address, as they already
have your keys!
DFT update
April 7th,2004. The DfT published its
decision letter on the subject of a more structured approach to learning
to drive.
Read it here
EU licences information
February 11th,2004. EU Driving Licences. As part of standardisation proposals, the DfT are consulting on EU changes to driving licences, which will affect UK drivers. All submissions
were due in by April 9th. View the document at the
DfT website.
Mobiles and driving
December 1st, 2003.
It is now illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Offenders risk a £30 fixed penalty fine or up to £1000 fine (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches) if convicted in court.
It has been proposed that these penalties be increased. Despite this, many drivers still seem to be ignoring the law.
Frequently Asked Questions and a
Flowchart are available.
Mechanical / Safety Checks
Sept. 2003. These are to be introduced
into tests. Information about the format is in the Jan.'03 edition of MSA
Newslink and will doubtless be publicised in other instructor magazines
soon.
Pupil Record Sheets
January 1st,2003.
These new format records have now been issued by DSA, this time they
consist of a single sheet for the pupil to retain and multiple sheets for
the instructor to keep. Whether they will prove any more popular than the
previous format is yet to be seen, but most instructors already keep their
own records and the new DSA type may or may not be better. ADI's:- Don't
forget to let the DSA know how you feel about them. Particularly the
requirement to sign that a "pupil is ready for test". Have you had a legal
opinion as to whether that could be used against you in a court of law?
A More Structured Approach to Learning
March 1st,2002. The DTLR published its consultation paper on the subject of learning to drive. You may read the whole document here. Once you've digested its content, please let us have your views.
We responded to the DTLR paper.
Read our reply
DSA do U-turn
November 24th,2001. Over the past 10
years Learn-2-Live has campaigned for all new drivers to have to undergo
some form of motorway tuition. The DTLR and DSA have always contended that
motorway driving can be learned on a dual carriageway though I have done
everything in my power to convince them this is not possible, and now I
firmly believe I have convinced them. On Wednesday 21st Nov. I was invited
to attend the launch of Lancashire Country Council's "Partnership
for Road Safety" scheme. During the registration period and later
coffee break, I spoke at length to Gary Austin, Chief Executive of the
DSA. Firstly I asked him to confirm or deny the rumours that had been
circulating as to whether their Pass Plus scheme could soon be scrapped.
Mr.Austin made it very clear that the DSA had no immediate plans to scrap
Pass Plus. Secondly I brought to his attention the main issue with which
Learn-2-Live has been concerned over the last 10 years, that is the fact
that, as the law stands, new drivers don't have to undergo any post
test motorway tuition. I informed him that when I first approached the DSA
back in 1991 I was told their view was that motorway driving can be
learned on dual carriageways and asked if that was that still their view?
He told me that he agreed with the principal of all new drivers undergoing
some form of motorway tuition. Although the DSA is a government agency,
and these measures still have to go through parliament, I see that getting
this sort of comment from their Chief Executive is a major breakthrough in
my campaign.
TV Appearance
July 2001. Back in February of this year I was contacted
by Carlton TV. They were putting together a new series of their programme
"Motorway" and had found our web site. When I told them how and why
Learn-2-Live started they invited
me, and my former ADI (now our webmaster), to take part in this series.
Filming was arranged for 26th March and we met up with the film crew at
Charnock Richard services on the M6. Don't let anyone tell you filming is
simple or glamorous. We spent quite a bit of the time simply standing
around shivering, between 'shoots'. The first episode of "Motorway" was
shown on 15th May and we were eventually told that our contribution would
be in part 8, to be screened on 3rd July. Because this programme was only
televised in the Carlton Central area, it wasn't until we received copies
of the video that we had any idea of what was actually broadcast. Despite
the fact that our edited contribution only lasted about 65 seconds, it did
show the message we are trying to get across, which is a need for
post-test motorway tuition. If you missed that programme (repeated since
on Bravo), our contribution is available
here.
CRACKDOWN ON SERIOUS OFFENCES
January 22nd,2001. On 19th December 2000 the Home Office
released a consultation paper concerning the government's proposed
crackdown on serious motoring crimes. The replies were to be received by
9th March 2001. Learn-2-Live
replied to this paper and my comments are here for you to see. (our
comments are in italics.)
A full copy of this consultation paper can be found on the Home Office web
site or from:- Sentencing and Offences Unit, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's
Gate, London SW1H 9AT. Fax 020 7273 4345 or
by email
Summary of proposals...
1. Revaluation of points. To provide greater flexibility to the courts in
awarding points related to the seriousness of the offence and also for
purposes connected with a new structure of fixed penalty speeding
offences, penalty points and endorsements on licences should be revalued.
If the revaluation of points in itself does not have any effect on the
workload of the Criminal Justice system, why change them?
2. Retraining. Those receiving an endorsement of penalty points which take
their points total up to and beyond 10 points should ideally be offered
automatically the opportunity to attend, at their own expense, a driver
retraining and improvement programme. Successful completion of the course
would earn remission of 5 points. Those disqualified for a period of over
56 days up to and including 12 months should automatically be offered the
same with a remissions of 20% of the period of disqualification.
a) Driver improvement schemes are a good idea and are in place by the
vast majority of areas already. b) Learn-2-Live
believes that if learner drivers were compelled to undergo more rigorous
and extensive training in the first place, drivers might have a different
attitude to driving. c) If someone undergoes a driver improvement course
when disqualified from driving, would they undergo the improvement course
and then be banned? I feel that would undo the object of the exercise.
3. Totting up disqualification as fixed penalty. Offenders can choose to
accept a fixed penalty even where to do so would bring their penalty
points up to or beyond totting up level. In that event the offender would
automatically be awarded, in addition to the fixed penalty, a six month
disqualification.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
4. Long-life points. For a period of three years after resuming driving
following disqualification for more than 56 days, any fresh penalty points
or endorsements awarded as a result of further offences or fixed penalties
would remain on the licence for six years, not three.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
5. Requalifying after disqualification. A driver sentenced to
disqualification for a substantial period of time should be required as an
automatic consequence of not being allowed to drive for such a period to
requalify (As to the appropriate period of disqualification- see below).
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
6. Decoupled community penalties. Community sentences such as community
service orders, involving service particularly relevant to driving and
road safety, could be made available for some offences for which
imprisonment is not available.
Although Learn-2-Live has no basic
objections to these measures we would be interested to know what form of
community service relevant to driving and road safety the Home Office had
in mind?
7. Forfeiture of vehicles. Procedures for permanent forfeiture of vehicles
should no longer involve the police, and should be contracted out to
vehicle removal companies- a new penalty (temporary forfeiture) should be
made available to the courts for certain offences.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
8. Causing death by dangerous driving.
9. Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or
drugs.
10. Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking.
(8-10 are virtually word for word so I've linked them together).
Disqualification to be for a minimum of three years (or possibly for
life). Disqualification to be for life (possibly reviewed after a
substantial period of time, 10 years for example) where the defendant had
previously committed an offence of dangerous driving, or causing death by
dangerous driving, or causing death by aggravated vehicle taking, or
causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or
drugs. Permanent or temporary forfeiture of the vehicle would be
available.
Learn-2-Live has always held the view
that drivers have to be responsible for their actions behind the wheel. If
a driver drinks and then drives resulting in loss of life or serious
injury to others they have proved beyond all reasonable doubt that they
are unfit to hold a licence and should therefore be banned from driving
for the rest of their natural life.
11. Dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking. Maximum term of
imprisonment increased to five years for both these offence.
Disqualification to be for a minimum of three years. Disqualification to
be for life (possibly reviewed after a substantial period of time (10
years for example) where the defendant had previously committed an offence
of dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous driving, or causing
death by aggravated vehicle taking or causing death by careless driving
while under the influence of drink or drugs. Permanent or temporary
forfeiture of the vehicle would be available.
Learn-2-Live has always held the
view that drivers have to be responsible for their actions behind the
wheel. If a driver drinks and then drives resulting in loss of life or
serious injury to others they have proved beyond all reasonable doubt that
they are unfit to hold a licence and should therefore be banned from
driving for the rest of their natural life.
12. A new penalty for a higher level of alcohol. The maximum penalty for
the new "higher level of alcohol" offence would be the same as for the
basic offence. But the minimum period of disqualification applying to the
"drive or attempt to drive" offence would be longer than the basic
offence. We invite views on the appropriate period of disqualification.
Disqualification would remain at the discretion of the court for the "in
charge" offence and the minimum of 12 months would continue to apply for
driving or attempting to drive whilst unfit. Permanent or temporary
forfeiture of the vehicle would also be available. Offenders convicted of
the new offence would always be required to undertake an extended retest
before regaining their licence.
a) Drinking and driving is now considered, by many as socially
unacceptable yet there is a "hard core" of drivers who still feel they are
above the law. b) To deter these drivers these drivers the minimum penalty
should be at least doubled . Learn-2-Live
would like to see this increased to a minimum of 5 years. c)
Learn-2-Live
believes that every driver who has been banned from driving for whatever
reason should have to re-sit their driving test in order to regain their
licence.
13. Repeat drink-drive offending. For any second drink-drive offence
within 10 years, disqualification, where applicable, should at least
remain at the current minimum period of three years but could be
increased. We invite views on this issue. The second drink-drive offence
within 10 years would also result in a requirement to undertake an
extended retest. We propose that two convictions of drink-drive offences
within 10 years, in which one or both of the offences is a higher level
offence or failing to provide a specimen where disqualification is
obligatory should attract a minimum period of disqualification in excess
of that applying to repeat commission of basic offences (currently three
years).
Repeat offences of proposal 12 should carry a minimum 10 year ban and
subsequent offences should carry a life long ban from driving.
14. Driving while disqualified. A wider range of community penalties to be
available in addition to the existing option of six months imprisonment.
Permanent or temporary forfeiture of the vehicle. A minimum two-year
disqualification for a second offence within 10 years (which would always
trigger a retest requirement).
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures. (see proposal 6).
15. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, or causing or
permitting a person to drive otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
In addition to existing penalties "decoupled" community penalties, and to
be available where disqualification is available, and permanent or
temporary forfeiture of the vehicle, should be available to the courts.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
16. Driving while uninsured. In addition to existing penalties "decoupled"
community penalties, and permanent or temporary forfeiture of the vehicle,
should be available to the courts.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
17. Careless or inconsiderate driving. Available sentences to include
requirement to undergo a driver retraining and improvement programme.
"Decoupled" community penalties and a fine at level 5 in place of level 4.
A mandatory minimum of 15 points for a second offence of careless driving
within 5 years, or for a first offence of careless driving if within the
preceding 5 years, the driver had committed any of the more serious
categories of offence. A minimum period of disqualification of whatever
length necessary to require an automatic retest for a third or subsequent
offence of careless driving within five years.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
18. Speeding offences. A new fixed penalty system for speeding offences
should provide for two levels of fixed penalty, with a higher level of
points awarded to those exceeding the limit by a wide margin so as to
increase the risk to them of losing their licence through totting up.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
19. Fraud with parking tickets, deception with licences, MOT certificates,
etc and fraudulent use of documentation. Imprisonment of up to six months
should be made available to the magistrates courts for these offences.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
20. Using vehicles in a dangerous or overloaded condition. "Decoupled"
community penalties should be available to enable the courts to deal
effectively with particularly serious examples of these offences.
Disqualification should be mandatory for second or subsequent offences in
this category within three years; and temporary forfeiture should be
available.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
21. Bus lanes. Local authorities should be enabled to enforce bus lanes as
well as the police, by the use of camera. Local authorities should be
empowered to deal with offenders by a fixed penalty notice.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
22. All fixed penalty offences. All offences amenable to a fixed penalty
treatment should be made subject to minimum sentences, if tried in court,
both as to points, and to the financial penalty. The minimum penalty
should be set at the fixed penalty level.
Learn-2-Live has no objections to
these measures.
Paragraph 9.2
Proposal 5 above calls for retesting as an automatic consequence of a
substantial period of disqualification in addition to any other penalty.
We welcome views as to what the length of this period should be.
Anyone banned from driving for whatever length of time should have to
take the extended driving test before regaining their licence.
Paragraph 9.2 (H)
The use of short term disqualification even for periods as short as a
fortnight or a month, could give a sharp warning to drivers whose
behaviour, if it did not change, would be likely to result in a much more
serious penalty including a prolonged disqualification.
Learn-2-Live cannot see the point
of what is termed "short term disqualification". We believe it would serve
no useful purpose.
Paragraph 10.11
Learn-2-Live cannot accept there
are any circumstances that justify exception from being banned from
driving when someone causes death or serious injury, for whatever reason.
Human rights apply to everybody, including the innocent victims of this
crime and their families. Do we put so much value on being "politically
correct" and so little value on human life?
New Driver Act - 1st June 1997
This legislation allows new drivers only 6 penalty
points in their first 2 years after passing, before they are reduced back
to L plate status and need to retake all tests. Since the introduction of
the Act over 80,000 new drivers have had their licences revoked! In some areas there have
been quite a lot of new drivers, many of whom had no additional training
after their test, referred to Driver Improvement courses instead of being
taken to court. They have therefore been getting the
accelerated experience they could have received had they taken Pass Plus
or motorway lessons. Could it be that this is further evidence of the need
for post-test motorway training?
"L" drivers Beware
November 2000. Readers should be aware that there are a
number of persons in the Blackburn area offering driving lessons for a
fee, illegally. That is, they are not approved or licensed by the Driving
Standards Agency. They may have insurance which covers learners - it may
even appear to cover hire or reward for driving lessons - but in the event
of an accident occurring on a lesson, the insurance company, having found
out that the instructor is unqualified, will probably refuse to pay out.
This will leave the pupil, as the driver and therefore the
legally-responsible person, with a possible massive financial headache if
there is third party damage or injury as well as penalty points/fines for
driving without valid insurance. Pupils should always ask to see an
instructor's Approved Driving Instructor licence, which must be displayed
in the windscreen of the instructor's car on the nearside. It is either a
green licence with an octagonal design for a fully-qualified instructor,
or a pink one with a triangular design for an instructor who has passed
two parts of the ADI test and is gaining experience, under supervision,
before taking the final part of the ADI test.
G.Avison. (Secretary, Blackburn and District Approved Driving
Instructors Association).
P.A.C.T.S.
September 24th,2000. Over the last 9
years Learn-2-Live has
campaigned to have it made compulsory for all newly qualified drivers to
have to undergo some form of motorway tuition. Back in March of this year,
following a conversation with Robert Gifford, chief executive of the
Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety, this campaign was
challenged to prove that new drivers are scared of driving on these roads.
Basically I was asked to prove that there was a definite need for this
training. Facts and figures, that's what they wanted. Facts and figures!
Well, we gave them the facts and figures and we proved, I believe, beyond
all reasonable doubt that there is a great need for this training. I
submitted the report to PACTS in the middle of August with the hope that
they would discuss it at their September meeting. Since the report was
submitted (and I now know it was accepted), I had many telephone
conversations with Robert Gifford. We agreed that there was a need for
this training but it had to be an ingredient in the recipe for a properly
structured course of driver training. I was asked that if they pushed the
government to make
Pass-Plus compulsory would I be happy with that? As module 6 deals
with motorway tuition of some form, I told him I would be agreeable. This
meeting took place on 19th September and on 21st I received the following
e-mail from PACTS: - "You asked about our meeting on Tuesday. We agreed
that it would be a good idea to press the Government to make Pass-Plus (or
equivalent) compulsory. We also agreed that an element of Pass-Plus would
be motorway (or equivalent high-speed road) training. Best wishes, Rob
Gifford."
Learn-2-Live has made a
breakthrough in the way new drivers will be trained. PACTS will now push
the powers that be to make this scheme compulsory and you can be assured
that I will be pushing PACTS until they do!
Many moons ago my former ADI suggested that if I make enough noise, one
day the "machine" will listen. Well, I have and finally they are.
road safety strategy
March 1st,2000. The DETR published the Governments' new
Road Safety Strategy. It's a wide ranging document but the section
most applicable to this campaign relates to driver training & testing. We
would be most interested to receive visitors views.
letter to 'Driving Schools News' & 'Newslink'
January 2000. "I feel I have to write to you to express my complete and utter disgust at the report issued by the House of Commons Select Committee's inquiry report into the Standards and Training of Young and Newly Qualified Drivers. For the last 8 years I have been pressing both this and the previous government to bring about a change in the law, to compel all newly qualified drivers to have to undergo some form of motorway tuition. As a result of my campaigning, in 1997 the GMB trade union gave me their support and in 1998 an Early Day Motion raised by Peter Pike, on my behalf, gained the support of over ¼ of the MPs, including 108 who actually signed this motion. At the beginning of 1999 I was encouraged by the reaction of Mr. Robert Gifford from PACTS. He suggested in a letter to me that, he was certain that I was correct to argue that young and new drivers need to acquire motorway driving experience as soon as possible after passing their test. Also he was convinced that schemes such as pass plus would not succeed until they apply to all young drivers rather than just volunteers. I asked for the chance to put my views to this inquiry and although I heard nothing from them, I was able to put my views to Mrs. Dunwoody, by telephone, fax and e-mail several times and I was encouraged by her response. On June 10th 1999, supported by Peter Pike my MP and by Mr. John Lepine MBE from the Motor Schools Association, I had the chance to put my views to Lord Whitty direct. I came away from that meeting with the opinion that, at last, motorway tuition for new drivers was a definite possibility. However on 11th November 1999 the report was published and I found that everything the views of many people including myself had been completely ignored. One of the conclusions this inquiry came to was that road safety should be included in the National Curriculum. Common sense tells me that if children don't take any notice of the "green cross code" which is one of the fundamental rules of road safety, how are they going to get through to them about having a sensible attitude towards driving? The report also commented that BSM had implied during their evidence to this committee that motorway tuition was unnecessary. Is this really the view of this organisation? How Mrs. Dunwoody and Co. can take such a narrow-minded view of driver training and sit so firmly on the fence, is anybody's guess. Everybody knows that the standard of driving on the motorway is terrible and the reason for this is the fact that the DETR and DSA allows 95% of new drivers to drive on these roads without any sort of training whatsoever. I am of the firm belief that unless the learner and newly qualified drivers are compelled to take driver training seriously the standard of driving on all roads, and especially on the motorway, will continue to deteriorate. There are many like me who feel that this committee inquiry has been a complete and utter waste of time. My only hope is that when the DETR and DSA issue their road safety strategy report, in the near future they will not be so inward looking. People have suggested to me that they thought my campaign is over. Nothing is further from the truth. The fight goes on!!"
A.Ravenhill.
standards & training
November 8th,1999. The parliamentary
select committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs has just
released it's Nineteenth Report into "YOUNG AND NEWLY-QUALIFIED DRIVERS:
STANDARDS AND TRAINING".
Supporters of this campaign, and of motorway safety in general, will be
disappointed to learn that the committee rejected calls to make any form
of post-test training compulsory. They did however recommend that
post-test training schemes be more vigorously promoted.
You could be forgiven for thinking that is a somewhat contradictory
view...
Read the
full publication or just the
Report.
The Chief Constable
August 23rd,1999. I approached the Chief Constable of
Lancashire Constabulary, Mrs.Pauline Clare, asking for an endorsement of
my campaign. The Chief Constable told me in her reply that the Driving
Standards Agency have been progressing two alternatives. Firstly, to
change the driving test to include motorway driving and to change the
conditions of the Motorway Regulations to allow learner drivers to enter
onto the motorways. Secondly, they have been considering the introduction
of a graduated licence scheme whereby the learner driver could be examined
on basic driving skills and progress into different modules, i.e. night
time driving, dealing with skidding and motorway driving, and they will
shortly be issuing their Road Safety Strategy which she has been advised
may well include their proposals concerning motorway driving. The issue
has also been raised at the Association of Chief Police Officers Traffic
Committee of which Mrs.Clare is a member. This committee has always
supported the attempts of the Driving Standards Agency to increase both
the theoretical knowledge of candidates as well as the actual practical
driving experience, and as a consequence any proposal that changes should
be made to appropriate legislation which would allow candidates to receive
training prior to their test would be supported by the ACPO Traffic
Committee. Mrs.Clare suggested that the aims of
Learn-2-Live are in line with those of the ACPO Traffic
Committee. I would suggest that although we are both travelling in the
same direction, Learn-2-Live
has always contended that motorway tuition should be done post not
pre-test. Unfortunately, it is Constabulary policy not to endorse any
particular campaign, however she did wish me well in my endeavours.
Lord Whitty Meeting
June 10th,1999. Along with Peter Pike MP and John Lepine
of the Motor Schools Association, I met with Lord Whitty, the Minister of
Transport, and was able to put my case to him directly. As a result of
that meeting the following press release was issued:
"Motorway Tuition, A Definite Possibility"
"Those are the conclusions reached by road safety campaigner Mrs.Anne
Ravenhill following her meeting with the Minister of Transport, Lord
Whitty, last Thursday, June 10th. At the meeting, which was held at the
DETR's office in London were 3 representatives from the DETR's road safety
division and 2 from the Driving Standards Agency. Mrs.Ravenhill, who was
accompanied at the meeting by Mr.Peter Pike, her MP, and Mr.John Lepine,
the General Manager of the Motor Schools Association, told the minister
that her campaign had evolved over the last 8 years because of her firm
belief that all newly qualified drivers should undergo some form of
motorway tuition. In 1997 her campaign received the support of the GMB
trade union and last year she raised over 100 MP's signatures, from all
sides of the house, on an Early Day Motion and at the beginning of this
year she raised the issue with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for
Transport Safety. Their Chief Executive, Mr.Robert Gifford, is quoted as
saying that Mrs.Ravenhill was correct to argue that young and new drivers
need to acquire motorway experience as soon as possible after completing
their driving test, "..and PACTS would be looking into this issue".
The meeting with Lord Whitty was aptly timed because the previous day the
House of Commons Transport Sub Committee Inquiry into the issue of young
and newly qualified drivers commenced. Mrs.Ravenhill told the minister
that although, at present, she had not been asked to attend the inquiry,
she would be delighted to do so if necessary. During the 40 minute meeting
one of the issues discussed was the number of newly qualified drivers who
underwent motorway training. Mrs.Ravenhill told the minister of a survey
she conducted with the driving instructors, the conclusions of which
suggested that no more than 14% of new drivers took motorway tuition. The
minister and his colleagues suggested that was a little optimistic and
their figures suggested that the number of people taking this training was
more like 4-6%. "If your figure is correct minister", said Mrs.Ravenhill,
"I believe that it is totally unacceptable to allow 95% of new drivers to
drive on motorways without any training and it's no wonder the standard of
motorway driving is so bad."
The minister told Mrs.Ravenhill and her colleagues that the view they had
expressed would be considered together with the House of Commons inquiry's
later this year. The campaign is strongly committed to continue until it
is made law for all newly qualified drivers to undergo some form of
compulsory motorway training."
PACTS Agree
At the beginning of 1999 the aims of the campaign were laid before the
Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and they have
now agreed to look into the issue.
Read more.
Coroners View
April 1998. Martin Coppel, the Bolton Coroner, called on
the Government to consider better training for new drivers; he said "..it
would be sensible for them to undergo motorway training." He also went
on to say "I like to think the Ministry of Transport would have this
under consideration." These comments were made after he had recorded
verdicts of accidental death on two people travelling in a car driven by
an 18 year old new driver.
Resulting from these comments, the following letter appeared in the
"Bolton Evening News".
"Sir: I refer to the coroner's call for motorway training for new
drivers. When I passed my driving test in 1981 my instructor offered me a
lesson on the M602, then fairly quiet. I took him up on the offer and
found it useful. Probably many young drivers today would consider it
unnecessary but with the increase in traffic it could be made a compulsory
condition after passing the test." Mrs.D.Worsley, Astley Bridge,
Bolton.
A few weeks after that letter, the "Bolton Evening News" published this
report.
"TOUGHER L-TEST FAILS TO SATISFY CORONER"
"The Government today announced tough new changes to the driving test,
just weeks after a Bolton coroner called for better training for
motorists. At the April inquest into a horrific motorway smash which
killed two children, Martin Coppel highlighted the need for extra training
for new young drivers. Today Government ministers will unveil a new,
longer and tougher driving test. Candidates will have to show they can
handle high-speed driving on dual carriageways. But Mr Coppel said the
extra training still did not go far enough. He wants to see compulsory
motorway lessons introduced for drivers who have passed their test."