May21

Bedford Driving Test Centre to close soon…..

by admin on May 21st, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Posted In: Driving Test

The local test centre at Bedford is to close soon. In a letter sent to local Driving Instructors, the DSA has announced that they will not longer be delivering driving tests at their existing site in Bushmead Road, when their use of the building ends on 22 October 2012. The testing will then move just out of town to the DSA’s Training & Development Centre in  Cardington. No date for final testing in Bedford has been announced, may well be before the use of their building ends.

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May21

More than half of cyclists jump the lights

by admin on May 21st, 2012 at 6:46 am
Posted In: Driving Behaviour, Survey

According to a recent survey by the IAM 57% of cyclists either regular or occasional jumpers of red traffic lights. The major reason given for jumping the lights is that it is seen to be  safer to get ahead of other traffic.

Some of our roads (and users!) are nowhere near friendly enough for the high number of cyclists there are. Many cyclists do take a massive risk jumping the lights, not just because of motorists travelling towards them, but the lack of vision cyclists may have a some sets of traffic lights. A growing problem that all drivers need to be aware of.

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May16

Over half of cyclists jump red lights…..

by admin on May 16th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Posted In: Driving Behaviour, Road Safety, Survey

A recent online survey by the IAM, has shown that 57% of cyclists have jumped a red light, with 14% regularly doing so. The main reason for jumping the lights for 38% of people is because they think it is safer to get ahead of the traffic.

Certainly is a problem locally, and much more common in busier inner cities. Most roads are not as cycle friendly as needed, which forces cyclists on the path as well. But cyclists do put themselves at risk of being hit by going incorrectly through red lights, as they are not expected (or seen) by the other vehicles, possibly moving quickly.

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May15

1 in 5 Cars fails its first MOT test…..

by admin on May 15th, 2012 at 6:44 am
Posted In: Driving News, Research

Figures recently released showed that 353,000 cars failed their first MOT test in the year October 2010 and September 2011, which is about an 80% passing rate. The most common reasons for failing were lighting and signalling. Additionally tyres, headlight aim and issues with the driver’s view of the road were problems during the test.

Amazing so many would fail their first test, when they might not have covered an excessive mileage. Shows that the government were wise recently not to extend the time period for the first MOT to fours years duration.

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May14

Google’s self driving car takes to the roads…..

by admin on May 14th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Posted In: Technology

For the past few years Google have been developing the self-driving car. They are controlled by computers that process data from maps, radar, laser sensors and video feeds. The cars are based on a Toyota Pruis, have recently passed a driving test, and are allowed on the public roads in Nevada, for further testing a development. They display a very distinctive red number plate which shows an infinity symbol.

A huge leap forward in technology and thinking, but many may be concerned with a lack of human awareness with in the car to handle road situations. We have all experienced computer crashes and freezes, this would pose a worry as well.

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