Bevs Driving School

Government Proposes 80MPH Motorway speed limit

In a press release, dated 3rd October 2011, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The Government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.

Vehicles have changed dramatically since the current national speed limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly safer then they were – contributing to a fall of more than 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since 1965. That is why the Government feels it is now time to look again at whether the speed limit set in 1965 is still appropriate.

Road safety is a top priority for the Government and action is being taken to tackle uninsured driving and help police enforce against drink and drug driving. However, the Government believes safety cannot be the only consideration when setting speed limits. Previous analysis shows that raising the motorway speed limit would generate significant economic benefits, worth hundreds of millions of pounds per year from savings of travel time.

Initial work by the Department suggests that setting the motorway speed limit at 80 mph is likely to represent the best balance of costs and benefits and it is similar to the motorway speed limit in other EU countries.

As many as 49% of drivers currently break the 70mph limit. Ministers believe that raising the limit to 80mph would mean that millions of otherwise law-abiding motorists would be brought back inside the boundary, restoring the moral legitimacy of the system.

Philip Hammond said:

“I want to make sure that our motorway speed limit reflects the reality of modern vehicles and driving conditions, not those of 50 years ago.

“While we must ensure that our roads remain among the safest in the world, we must also consider the huge economic benefits that can be created by shortening journey times.

“Increasing the speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour for cars, light vans and motorcycles could provide hundreds of millions of pounds of benefits for the economy and I will put forward formal proposals for making these changes later this year.”

Notes to Editors

1. An increase to the national motorway speed limit would apply to England and Wales. Responsibilities are devolved in Northern Ireland and are planned to be devolved in Scotland.

2. Increased motorway speed limits would apply to cars and motorcycles. Lorries on motorways are subject to lower speed limits and we have no proposals to increase them. The consultation is however likely to seek views about the position related to vans/light goods vehicles on motorways.

3. A thorough impact assessment which takes account of the full environmental, social and economic costs and benefits is being progressed.

4. Some stretches of motorway would be likely to retain a 70 mph limit because of their engineering and environment.

5. We are also considering the case related to increasing the speed limit on other high standard, near-motorway dual carriageways. Changes would be implemented case by case and we are not proposing to consult about raising the default national speed limit of 70 mph for all purpose dual carriageways.

Seat Belt On? Campaign

In Bradford, the Road Safety Team of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council are undertaking a ‘Seat Belt On?’ project, which is a major long term initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts. As a part of this schools will be visited in order to give an assembly and to provide an information leaflet detailing which car seat is suitable for your child. This will be ascertained by taking the height and weight of every child in school and ticking a picture of the appropriate car seat on the leaflet which will be provided. This will only occur for children under the height of 135cm & where parents have not expressed a wish for their child not to take part in the scheme.

Joe – Wibsey

Bev was teaching a few of my friends & my sister to drive, so I contacted her. She was very flexible in where she picked me up or dropped me off (i.e. school and work). We got on really well as she likes a lot of sports (LOL). Learning was fun & I was really pleased that I passed before heading off to University. Cheers Bev.

Rehana – Heaton

I was so glad to have found Bev, she was great. We got on like a house on fire. Bev not only taught me to drive but to understand the road and other road users. I passed first time so I was over the moon. I also did pass plus, which I found very helpful & got cheaper insurance as a result. When I got my new car I gave Bev a ring & she kindly sat alongside me for an hour so I could get used to it. Top girl.

New Theory Test Books – Jan 2012

New official driving and riding theory books will be published in September 2011 to help candidates revise in preparation for changes to the test in January 2012.

Since theory tests began in 1996, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published the questions and answers from the question banks for all categories of tests for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses.

However, DSA announced last November that it was to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers, with unpublished questions being used from January 2012.

DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote. The new books contain questions and answers for revision and also explain the theory behind each question.

“This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, re-worded live questions used in the actual test.”

Other theory test products including CD Roms, downloadable PDFs and ebooks have been revised too and will be published shortly after the theory test books are published on 19 September.

The agency has also launched its first ever mobile phone apps for theory test revision, which have been developed to help candidates learn in this way.

Useful links
tsoshop.co.uk/dsa

Monetta, Allerton.

I passed my driving test on saturday and I couldn’t of done it without Bev. After being unhappy with my previous instructor, I noticed a change in my driving when I switched to Bev. She is patient, helpful and really walks you through any problems that you have. Thanks Bev!

Amie, Oakenshaw.

Driving Test Changes – October 2010

Since the 4th October 2010 there have been some changes to driving tests.

Learner drivers are now required to drive uninstructed for ten minutes, either following some pre-given instructions or else asked to follow signs to a specific destination. People will not fail if they make a mistake in navigating to the correct location, however will be expected to react calmly & drive appropriately should they make an incorrect turn. The aim is to make the test more realistic.

 The following link provides more information on the independent driving changes:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_189979

Additionally, driving test routes have changed & the new routes are no longer published on-line for drivers to access.

Emma, Oakenshaw.

Thank you very very much Bev! Even though I was problably the most irritating driver you ever had you still helped me pass! You’re the Number 1 driving instructor in the whole of England! WHOOP!

But seriously watch out now! I’m legal and armed with a 2 tonne hunk of metal on wheels!

Aaron, Oakenshaw.

Thanks Bev for all your hard work in getting me through my test. A lot of instructors kept cancelling my lessons as I worked away all week but you never let me down. I would recommend Bev to everyone. Many thanks.