MSA Newslink February 2014
MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
Issue 260
The ADI’s Voice
www.msagb.com
Learners’ fee boost after new deal on theory test
logo final solo.indd 1
25/2/11 15:49:16
Minister admits to major blunder on procurement but promises £100 million in savings over nine years to help reduce the cost of learning to drive Stephen Hammond, Transport Minister and previously the Minister for Road Safety, has moved to stifle criticism of his department’s handling of the award of a new contract to run the theory test by announcing the good news that learners should see a drop in theory test fees from September. In a parliamentary statement Mr Hammond accepted that the award of a contract to Learndirect to run the L-driver theory test, which was announced at the end of October, had been mishandled. The initial contract award had been subject to a formal challenge by the previous supplier, Pearson Vue, and it seems likely that the decision to switch supplier to Learndirect while that challenge was still under way breached procurement rules. Pearson’s original contract was due to run until later this year. Media reports at the start of January had suggested that Pearson’s challenge over the loss of the contract could end up costing the taxpayer as much as £20million over the next two years. However, in his statement Mr Hammond quashed any thoughts that the taxpayer would lose out. He said: “I am pleased to announce that, in accordance with the commitment previously given to reduce the costs of learning to drive, new contract arrangements will see a reduction in the cost of the
What’s your view of DVSA?
driving theory test from September this year and savings in excess of £100 million over the next nine years. “The Government Procurement Service (GPS, an executive agency of the Cabinet Office) and the Driving Standards Agency jointly ran a competition [in 2012-13] to appoint a supplier for a framework contract to provide computer-based testing for the Government. The competition was concluded in early 2013. “A call-off contract for the driving theory test – an essential part of arrangements to ensure road safety – has now been awarded under this framework [to Learndirect]. “The decision to award the framework agreement was subject to a formal challenge which prevented award of the agreement during the course of the challenge. “To ensure continued supply of the driving theory test and a reduction in test fees, and in accordance with Government policy to manage disputes by the most effective and appropriate means possible, this dispute was resolved by agreement. “This resolution enabled the award of a Government framework agreement to Learndirect Ltd on 18 October 2013.” n Continued on page 6 » » »
The House of Commons Transport Select Committee is launching an inquiry into the user experience of the Government’s motoring agencies – and wants to know what ADIs think of the DVSA. See page 4 for more details
Join the MSA at
Conference 2014
n n
Holiday Inn, Bristol March 21-23
The Standards Check countdown clock is ticking
15 : 23 : 30 : 00 MSA Conference is your last chance to get the latest on the most important change to the ADI structure in years. Speakers include Lesley Young, Chief Driving Examiner, plus workshops on the new ADI assessment check. Time called on reform: The industry has reacted with surprise, andplace dismay at the decision to postpone Bookanger your now: indefinitely the Green Paper on young drivers See pg 16-17 for more details
A New Years resolution worth keeping!
Isn’t it time to try an insurer with over 35 years experience who provides an affordable, quality driving tuition insurance.
Call Free Phone 0800 1216805 or apply on line @ www.llschemes.co.uk/msa/ INSURANCE SCHEMES w w w. l l s c h e m e s . c o. u k
Sunset Court, High Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0AX Email: drivingtuition@llschemes.co.uk Lloyd Latchford Schemes Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No. 5988054.
www.msagb.com
Contents Editor: John Lepine MBE t: 0161 429 9669 e: john.lepine@msagb.co.uk mail@msagb.co.uk f: 0161 429 9779 Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd (MSA), 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP Production editor: Rob Beswick t: 0161 426 7957 e: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk beswick@cssystems.net Advertising contacts: Joanne Cantwell t: 0161 432 9717 e: joanne.cantwell@hotmail.com Colin Regan t: 01925 468403 e: colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk Newslink is published monthly on behalf of the MSA and distributed to MSA members throughout Great Britain by Chamber Media Services, 4 West Park Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3JX Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those of the MSA. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this publication, neither the MSA nor the publishers can accept any responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either advertising or editorial content. ©2014 The Motor Schools Association of Great Britain Ltd. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden without express permission of the editor. The paper for this magazine has been sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. See www.pefc.org
This issue: IMTD reward for MSA regional chairman North East chairman Karl Satloka has been made a Fellow of the IMTD, in recognition for his road safety work.
News, page 5
Time to broaden your horizons
Could new arrivals to the UK and those who’ve been living here the longest offer a new source of income for ADIs?
Comment, page 12
RICA offers hope for older drivers
A new guide provides a comprehensive overview of the issues affecting older drivers as they try to stay safe.
Towards your CPD, page 18
Work schedules blamed for crashes
At-work drivers point finger at bosses. News, page 20
02 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Standards Check: Latest news as April deadline looms In a response to queries from ADI groups, the DVSA has released more details on the Standards Check as the date of the first test looms large
Towards your CPD
Regional News
What’s your goal?
Driverless cars aren’t new London’s had them for ages! Tony Phillips, page 28
Knowing how to set lessons goals that both stretch your pupils and build experience and expertise is a crucial part of the new Standards Check, says Sue McCormack Towards your CPD, page 22
Simplicity itself?
Steve Garrod looks at the best way to construct a lesson that meets your pupils’ learning objectives – a tough task when the road traffic Gods conspire against your carefully laid plans! Towards your CPD, page 22
Bad driving but it’s the instructor in the hotseat this time Colin Lilly, page 31 Some may have been disappointed by the Government’s decision to reject its own ideas for a Green Paper, but I can’t blame them Rod Came, page 33 Still no nearer the truth over the bus lane quandry Terry Pearce, page 36
www.msagb.com
MSA membership benefits
The MSA: here to
you
Your priority is your pupils, training them to be the safest drivers they can possibly be...
...but at the same time you’ve got to keep an eye on the business, making sure the new pupils are rolling in and you’re prepared to grasp new opportunities when they come along... And for many ADIs, even franchisees, you’re doing this mostly on your own, without anyone to support you.
That‘s where the MSA comes in. Our team is committed to being your support service, providing you with all the information, practical advice and training opportunities you need to stay at the top of the ADI profession.
We’re the MSA and we’re committed to supporting you Whether you need help with CPD, support in a problem with the DSA, the peace of mind that the MSA’s professional indemnity insurance gives you, or you just want to take advantage of our great money-saving offers through our many partners, then the MSA is there for you. Think of us as your own support service...
And all for around 17p a day!
Membership benefits: All the news you need... keeping you informed through our industryleading monthly membership magazine Newslink, our website and regular membership contact through emails, texts and our many social media outlets.
Professional support... Who do you turn to if you’ve got a problem with the DVSA? Your boss - but you’re a one-man band... your trades union... but you’re not in a union... that’s where the MSA comes in, to advise and support you
Representing your views... The MSA represents driver training at the highest levels of Government, with regular meetings with key officials at the DSA and other agencies, including the DVLA, the DfT and local government bodies
Professional indemnity insurance... £5m cover for your business... and £10m third party liability cover give you peace of mind should a pupil or member of the public take legal action against you as an ADI through your job.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 03
www.msagb.com
News
Warning over bogus websites
ADIs operating in the London area, or those thinking of visiting the capital, have been warned to watch out for a new wave of bogus websites that offer to pay your Congestion Charge for you – for a hefty fee! For many years ADIs have been aware of unofficial websites that appear to be sanctioned by the DVSA, offering to book a driving or theory test on your behalf, but charging a premium for the privilege, and now that tactic has spread to the London congestion charge. With a number of such sites in operation, Transport for London has reminded motorists to take extra care when paying the Congestion Charge online and to make sure they are using the official website: www.tfl.gov.uk/cc The renewed calls follow an Adverting Standards Agency ruling (A13-245584*) that one site – paylondoncongestion.co.uk – was “likely to lead consumers to believe that the web page was an official method of paying the London congestion charge and was affiliated with TfL.” The ASA investigated and upheld three complaints relating to the site misrepresenting a link with TfL and not making clear the fees it levied. This case relates to just one of a number of websites that offer to pay the Congestion Charge on behalf of drivers. However, these websites are not official and they charge motorists as much as £6 on top of the normal Congestion Charge fee. It is believed that as many as 1,000 people per day are using unofficial sites to pay the Congestion Charge. The unofficial websites justify their inflated prices by claiming they offer extra services for customers such as email confirmation and a dedicated phone helpline. However, TfL offers these services for free. In addition to charging a premium fee, some of the unofficial sites fail to pass on the Congestion Charge on behalf of their customers, resulting in drivers receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from TfL for non-payment. MSA checked out some of these unofficial sites and it is easy to see why someone unused to paying the charge, and rushing, could end up paying more than they need to – so watch out!
Select Committee asks ADIs’ views on DVSA The House of Commons Transport Select Committee is launching an inquiry into the user experience of the Government’s motoring agencies. The purpose of this inquiry is to listen to those who interact with the Government’s various motoring agencies and to make recommendations for improvements. The committee is particularly interested in the views of ADIs in relation to the DVSA. In its formal call for responses, the committee highlighted other services the Government provides, including those covering: n Driver licences n Vehicle registration n Driver testing n Vehicle testing n Administration of vehicle excise duty and SORN n Licensing of public service vehicles and heavy goods vehicles n The authorisation of motor vehicles, systems and components Agencies currently providing these services include the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). The committee would like to know: • Can these services be accessed when and where they are
needed, including by people who do not use digital channels? • Are these services affordable and do they provide value for money? • Is personal or otherwise sensitive data handled appropriately? • How has outsourcing of service delivery affected users? • When things go wrong, are problems dealt with quickly and fairly? • How are users affected by the way in which Government agencies are structured to provide these services? What are the pros and cons for users of changing the current structure? • How are the needs of service users prioritised, particularly during periods of change? Louise Ellman, chair of the House of Commons Transport Committee, said: “There are a number of changes being made to the Government’s motoring agencies, including the merger of DSA and VOSA and increased reliance on websites and email for delivering services. We want to hear what users think about the way these services are provided, so that we can make recommendations for improvement.” The deadline for written submissions is Monday, February 24. Please get in touch with the MSA head office with your views, and we will add yours to our own submission.
Police ‘pleased’ as cyclists crackdown improves safety A major enforcement crackdown on bad driving and unsafe cycling has seen more than 13,800 fines issued to drivers and cyclists in London over the past few weeks. Metropolitan Police officers were sent to 166 key junctions during rush-hour periods as part of Operation Safeway. The operation was sparked by the death of six cyclists in two weeks late in 2013. It began in November and ended early in the New Year. Despite the number of fines issued, the officer leading the enforcement said it had resulted in a major improvement in road safety. Det Ch Supt Glyn Jones believed road users were behaving in a “much safer manner”.
04 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Officers said the public’s response to the operation had been “encouraging”. “We’ve noticed that road users are generally behaving in a much safer manner, and we have issued fewer fixed penalty notices as the operation has progressed,” said Det Ch Supt Jones. “Throughout the period, my officers have been patrolling key junctions, advising road users and enforcing the law where necessary. “We want 2014 to be a safe year for all road users.” Since the beginning of Operation Safeway on 25 November, a total of 13,818 fines have been issued, with 4,085 given to cyclists. Police said cyclists were fined for
jumping red lights, cycling on footpaths and having incorrect lights. Motorists were given fines for offences including driving without insurance and driving without wearing a seatbelt. In addition 209 people were arrested during the operation for offences including assault, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and drink driving. The enforcement comes as a number of commentators, including MSA own’s Greater London editor Tony Phillips, has raised the subject of cyclists’ behaviour and whether more could be done to improve road safety, both by cyclists and by car and van users, and the way each groups responds to the other.
www.msagb.com
Drink-drive arrests fall The police have reported an encouraging fall in the number of drivers caught drink-driving over the Christmas and New Year periods. 6,550 people were arrested over Christmas and New Year, 573 fewer than last year, according to figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The drop in arrests comes despite a big increase in enforcement activity, with 191,040 breath tests conducted, up from 175,831 in 2012. 3.4% of those tested failed or refused the test, down from 4% in 2012. Drink driving also fell among young people, with 4.4% of under 25s failing the test, down from 5.3% in 2012.
Motorway speed plan attacked The Alliance of British Drivers has criticised a Highways Agency plan to to reduce the motorway speed limit on more than 30 miles of the M1 in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. The Highways Agency (HA) wants to reduce the limit to 60mph between junctions 28 and 35A to improve air quality in the vicinity of the M1 and ensure nitrogen dioxide and particulates don’t exceed EU standards.
News
IMTD reward for Karl by Mike Yeomans Karl Satloka, the MSA North East Chairman, has been rewarded for his work in the road safety and driver training industry by his peers from the Institute of Master Tutors of Drivers (IMTD). At their December meeting Karl was awarded with a Fellowship to the organisation. The certificate and fellowship was presented before 46 members of the IMTD by current chairman Graham Feest. Three of his regional MSA committee were present to see the presentation and announcement. We felt very proud for Karl, who has made an exceptional commitment to both the training industry and to the MSA as our North East Chairman. Karl was very surprised to receive the fellowship and for once was lost for words. I was personally pleased as I am well aware of how much work he does on behalf of the MSA. I am also very aware of how he is greatly supported by his understanding wife, Carol, without whom I am sure he would struggle to find the time. A BIG well done to the man of the year.
Well done, Karl: Graham Feest, IMTD chairman, presents Karl with a certificate to mark his Fellowship
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 05
www.msagb.com
News
“These contract arrangements have secured a very good deal... and a reduction in net costs per test... £100million will be saved over the next nine years”
Stephen Hammond MP, Transport Minister
Continued from page 1 “Further, DSA and the Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland agreed that the driving theory test will be provided by Learndirect Ltd from September 2016 and that the current provider, Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd, should continue to provide the test until that date. “The result of these contract arrangements has been to secure a very good, value-for-money deal. The reduction in net cost per test, allied to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s forecast of increased test volumes as a result of the economic recovery, means that more than £100 million will be saved over the next nine years. In addition, national
McLoughlin ‘overlooks’ role of ADIs in road safety The Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, paid tribute to those involved in helping reduce road casualties while addressing the National Roads Policing Conference recently. He said: “We are fortunate in this country to have one of the best road safety records in the world. That’s due to the efforts of many different people working for many different organisations – from car designers and fleet managers to local authority planners and road safety charities.” McLoughlin told delegates: “The challenge for all of us in the road safety industry is how to continue improving – how to set higher standards, year after year.” The MSA notes, sadly, that Mr McLoughlin failed to mention the role of ADIs, or for that matter, our colleagues fron the DVSA... but fleet managers play a significant role! Shame they can’t do more to cut at-work crashes (see pg 20). During his speech he highlighted the increased use of drug-driving detection by police, which was “only just beginning”. Drug-driving is estimated to cause 200 deaths a year, yet perpetrators are 50 times less likely to be convicted than drink-drivers. “What’s needed is effective technology to screen suspected drug-drivers and effective legislation to convict them,” McLoughlin told the police delegates.
coverage will be improved with tests becoming available at more locations.” The MSA believes that these savings add up to around £5-£8 a theory test, and if pass on wholly to the consumer would see the test fee drop to around £25. However, there is no suggestion as yet that all the reduction will be passed on to learners, though Mr Hammond’s opening comments about the reduction being “in accordance with the commitment previously given to reduce the costs of learning to drive” suggests that the public has a right to expect at least some of the savings to be passed on directly to them. The scale of the mismanagement of the award of the theory test contract will be known at a later date, as Mr Hammond went on to tell the House
of Commons: “As a consequence of the formal challenge and as a matter of good practice, the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport commissioned an independent review of the handling of the competition by officials in the Driving Standards Agency and other parts of the department. “This has now concluded. A separate report on the lessons that can be learned to inform future procurements will be published shortly. “The National Audit Office has been apprised of these matters.” Any report on the matter will be published and the MSA will ensure that our members are made fully aware of the issues involved.
County council drivers’ economy skills turn the competition green with envy by Derek Brutnell Chairman, MSA East Midlands Two Leicestershire County Council drivers have proved they’ve got their ecocredentials by winning a national driving competition when they took part in the recent 2013 ALD Automotive / Shell FuelSave MPG Marathon. The ‘first timers’ were up against 45 other seasoned professionals, including teams from major motoring manufacturers such as Audi, Jaguar and Honda. Nick Chapman, who works out of the Croft Highways depot, and Rose Homer, who drives a council minibus in the Ashby area, took part in the two-day event and managed to squeeze an amazing 88.69 average mpg out of their Ford Fiesta Econetic while covering a 340-mile route across Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Nick and Rose managed to achieve a three per cent improvement on the manufacturer’s claimed mpg figures in real world driving conditions, which included strong winds, steep hills and heavy traffic. Ian Drummond, assistant director of environment and transportation, said: “Nick and Rose have pulled off an amazing victory and are a credit to Leicestershire County Council. I’m particularly keen that we encourage better driving from our fleet drivers, in many ways they are the ambassadors and public face of the authority, and in the long run it will help us save money in terms of fuel bills along with accident and insurance claims.” Leicestershire County Council has a current fuel bill of £1.6 million; with just a five per cent mpg improvement across its
06 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
fleet the authority could save £80,000. Since spring 2012 the authority has introduced a one-day greener and defensive driving training course for its staff. Nick and Rose were chosen to take part in the MPG marathon having achieved the greatest percentage mpg improvement while taking part in this training. To date well over half the Leicestershire County Council fleet drivers have taken
the course and averaged a seven per cent mpg improvement. Leicestershire County Council were supported on this mpg drive by ESPO (Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation), which supplied a new vehicle courtesy of Ford for the event. Rose and Nick received a first prize of £500 for their endeavours, which will be shared between Diabetes UK and the MS Society.
www.msagb.com
News
New warning to drivers over threat of ‘micro-sleeps’ New research into the risks drivers run by being tired when behind the wheel have been revealed in a survey conducted by Brake and Direct Line. According to the research, 45% of male drivers admit to driving when so tired they are affected by ‘head-nodding’ – meaning they have been asleep briefly. Brake and Direct Line’s survey also reveals that one-in-three drivers overall (31%) admit ‘head-nodding’ at the wheel – nearly half (45%) of male drivers and one in five (22%) female drivers. One in 14 drivers overall (7%) admit actually ‘falling asleep’ at the wheel – 14% of male drivers and 2% of female drivers – and almost half (49%) of drivers admit driving after less than five hours’ sleep – not nearly enough for safe driving. Again, this is more common among men (55%) than women (45%). John Lepine, MSA general manager, commented: “This is interesting data that all ADIs should include in their training packages. We need to ensure that new drivers know all the risks they may encounter when they drive by themselves post-test, but driving while tired is clearly not something covered in the L-test, in any depth.
“The consequences of driving while tired are clearly horrific, and I’d encourage all instructors to work messages about driving while refreshed and alert into their lessons.” Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “The fact that so many drivers – especially men – have head-nodded at the wheel is horrifying, even more so that many don’t recognise this means they have fallen asleep briefly. “We need all drivers to wake up to the fact that ‘head nodding’ is falling asleep, and can easily lead to catastrophe, but it can, of course be prevented. “Brake urges all drivers to pledge to get a good night’s sleep before driving, take breaks every two hours, and never try to
Potholes leave £1.2billion bill
‘plough on’ when they’re tired, because sleep can come on quickly. Ultimately, getting home to your loved ones a bit later is better than never getting there at all.” Micro-sleeps can last from two to 30 seconds, meaning that a frighteningly large number of drivers have been temporarily out of control of their vehicles. Tired driving kills at least 300 people on UK roads every year, with a devastating impact on families across the country – although the actual figure could be much higher as driver tiredness can be hard to prove as a cause of crashes. Rob Miles, director of motor at Direct Line, said: “Tiredness and driving are a deadly combination. Not only is there a risk of falling asleep at the wheel, but when we are tired our reactions and awareness of our surroundings are not as sharp as they would normally be. “Regular breaks, at least every two hours, are essential for staying alert and awake, as is getting plenty of sleep the night before.”
Britain’s pothole-strewn roads are creating an annual bill of £1.2 billion in the UK for suspension, steering and wheel repairs – a rise of 16% on the previous year. New figures from Halfords Autocentres reveal that more than 8.9 million vehicles have suffered steering or suspension damage as a result of potholes over the past year. Dangerous potholes reported to hard-up councils have increased by 18% over the past 12 months according to motoring and cycling websites monitoring this issue, and estimates from the Asphalt Industry Alliance suggest that the UK’s roads are pitted with as many as two million craters. Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres explained: “The surface of our roads is deteriorating to the point where drivers are now likely to encounter a potentially damaging pothole during most journeys – with rain-filled holes being harder to see and avoid. “A small pothole can damage wheels, tyres and shock absorbers.” Rectifying the damage caused by potholes can be unexpectedly costly, with an average repair bill of £140. n Halfords offer to MSA members see pg 27
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 07
www.msagb.com
News: Helping ADIs with the Standards Check
Meet the Standard Countdown starts to the most important change in ADI regulations for years as DVSA issues latest details on new Standards Check
Dear Mark We have met as the National Associations Steering Group (NASG) this week and have the following formal feedback (and proposals) to make on key aspects of the new Standards Check. Introduction of a new grading system Following on from your request to consider options for a new grading system, as part of the new Standards Check, the steering group has held discussions and proposes the following: Research among ADIs suggests that there is support for a form of grading system to differentiate performance, other than just a pure pass/fail assessment, and although we should note that some associations have a number of members who would still prefer a pass/fail scenario and no grade descriptors, the steering group has consensually agreed to support the proposal to have some form of grading system (the opinions of members via several surveys within the groups were taken in formulating our response). The preference for grades awarded is yet to be wholly agreed, however: at the moment it seems that pass, merit and distinction may be favoured. The view of NASG is that continuing with descriptors would allow ADIs to self-reflect and strive to achieve enhanced performance, and would also allow for the higher performing ADIs to differentiate themselves to pupils in their marketing. To reiterate however, the disclosure of the grade and/ or numerical score achieved would be strictly at the ADI’s discretion and the DSA would be restricted to simply confirming a pass or fail to any third party. We are aware of the short timescales to implement such a system, given that the publication of the guidelines for ADIs is due in January, however, we would like more time to gain further feedback from our memberships before our group makes any final decisions on the descriptors in early January. By adopting a system which is not entirely dissimilar to the current one, this could be easily designed and put in operation and we would welcome further discussion with DVSA on this matter, and place ourselves at your disposal for a consultation on actual implementation, decisions on any final system, etc.
08 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
In the January issue of Newslink we published an open letter from the National Associations Steering Group (NASG) to ADI Registrar Mark Magee, which set out several queries the ADI associations had with the new Standards Check. Mark has responded to the queries. To ensure clarity, we are republishing the original letter here, along with Mark’s answers to the specific points raised Following this, the next pages offer some observations by the NASG on the standard operating procedures of the new ADI check. Again, questions raised by the group are published, followed by the Registrar‘s response DSA’s response: It’s important that any grading structure is clear and simple to understand, and that I can defend the demarcation lines and profiles that fit that grade. For example, that an ADI achieving a top grade is predominately awarded scores of 3 across most of the 17 lower competences. It’s also important that the structure encourages ADIs to continue to develop their competence. In view of some support for only a pass/fail, I’d like to propose an alternative grading structure as set out below: Score Description Grade 0-30 Unsatisfactory Fail performance 31-42 Sufficient competence Pass to permit or retain entry on Register 43-51 A good overall standard Merit or of instruction Enhanced demonstrated
The 43 score would require a top grade ADI to achieve 9x3 and 8x2. This would equate to 85%. The Pass grade would represent the biggest band width (61%-84%). An ADI who achieved a score of 38 would achieve, say, 4 x 3 but predominantly 2s. In the event of an enquiry from a third party, we only advise if the person is or is not on the register. The ADI is, however, free to voluntarily disclose their grade, and/or the numerical score, if they wish. The removal of Role Play within the Standards Check The Steering Group would strongly urge DVSA to reconsider the decision to completely disallow role play in the new check. As a transitional measure (and to further enhance initial acceptance and engagement with the process) we
www.msagb.com
News: Helping ADIs with the Standards Check
would recommend that role play is permissible up until such a time as online booking is introduced for Standards Checks. There is the likelihood that in the early adoption phase of the new check considerable costs will be incurred, both by the DVSA and the instructor, on checks booked manually that cannot be moved (because an instructor cannot present a live pupil on the issued date) or if a slot is cancelled when pupils notify they will not be able to attend (at short notice) or do not present on the day. A manual, postal-based system makes little allowance on either side for last-minute changes, notification and rebooking, and little allowance for ADIs who simply cannot find a live pupil for the narrow time slots allocated. Having an online booking system for a Standards Check, where the ADI can view real-time availability online, will help them to organise live pupils in a timely manner, resulting in a greater chance of presenting a live pupil, avoiding last-minute cancellations and reducing the risk of no-shows on the day. This will save ongoing costs and create greater long-term efficiency, as well as enhanced customer service, and will allow ADIs and the DSA to be slightly more client-centred about Standards Checks. Though we acknowledge that there is a system build and implementation cost we assume in a organisation that is digital by default, this is already in train or included in any forward planning for the DSA’s ICT needs. Until such a system is implemented, we would propose that ADIs have the option of presenting with a live pupil or requesting role play.
DSA’s response: The new Standards Check form seeks to encourage ADIs to self-reflect on their competence ahead of the assessment. The assessment then gives the ADI the opportunity to demonstrate their level of competence by giving their normal day-to-day lesson in the presence of the examiner (eg, not to do anything different because they are being assessed). Therefore, it is in the interests of the ADI to bring a pupil, which can be a full licence holder. Our records show that ADIs presented the following number of candidates for test in 2013: Number of tests Number of ADIs 1-5 tests 5,765 6-10 tests 3,873 11-20 tests 7,304 21+ tests 22,432 Total: 39, 374 I have already confirmed that, as Registrar, I will be sympathetic if a pupil lets the ADI down on the day of the test, etc. The new Standards Check invite letter encourages the ADI to email DVSA to confirm their attendance. The use of email will also enable us to reschedule the Standards Check more quickly and at lower cost. For the reasons set out above, I do not feel able to agree to your request that the role play option to be retained. However, I’m prepared to defer removal of this option from the regulations for six months (ie, until October 2014). During this period, I’d like to work with
MSA Approved
the national associations to raise further awareness of the ending of role play and the benefits to the ADI in bringing a pupil to the Standards Check. Compensation of ADIs for no-show examiners We would request that the Registrar considers issuing compensatory fees to ADIs who attend for a Standards Check yet their examiner does not present, and where no reasonable notice is given for nonattendance/availability of an examiner. This system is already in place for driving test candidates and we would recommend that ADIs are treated similarly in this respect. We would recommend that somewhere in the region of an average two-hour lesson cost be the rate at which this compensation is paid. The vast majority of ADIs do not charge their customer for this time in view of the additional non-training time they incur while the instructor meets the examiner and is debriefed afterwards, and then subsequently is not able to charge the pupil simply because the examiner didn’t turn up. There are several other areas of the Standards Check that we will send feedback to you on for consideration. However, we considered the above three items to be the immediate priorities, given that they will impact on implementation and communications from January onwards. We would be grateful for your consideration of the above and your feedback. DSA’s response: This is still being considered.
DRIVING SCHOO
INSURANCE
FREE legal assistance DISCOUNTED key return service
DRIVING INSTRUCTORS We GUARANTEE to beat your Home Insurance renewal quote *
Dual controlled replacement vehicle including up to 28 days fault hire Private car NCD transferable, second car intro bonus
OR WE WILL REFUND THE DIFFERENCE
Competitive premiums, exclusive schemes DRIVING INSTRUCTORS We GUARANTEE to beat your Private Motor Insurance renewal quote *
Off road tuition cover Cover for items left in car
OR WE WILL REFUND THE DIFFERENCE
Public liability for “show me, tell me” Cover for driver fleet demonstration, driver improvement
from
£25.00
Cover for driving another car GAP cover from £84.80
BREAKDOWN MEMBERSHIP From just £25.00/yr for your private car or driving school vehicle
per year
ADIs / PDIs from age 25
0845 481 0624
Earn ££’s with our refer-a-friend scheme
WWW.BGINSURANCE.CO.UK
Approved Insurance
0800 804 7481
OPEN LATE until 7pm weekdays and 3pm Saturdays
BG Insurance is a trading style of Barry Grainger Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes. *Minimum premiums and terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions upon request.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 09
News: Helping ADIs with the Standards Check
www.msagb.com
Countdown to the Standards Check As part of the development of the new Standards Check, the DVSA asked the National Associations Steering Group (NASG) for its observations and comments on the standard operating procedure underpinning the new ADI assessment. These points are taken from a wider document, but the individual references are taken verbatim About the ADI Standards check Refers to a normal one hour lesson. It’s questionable if a one hour lesson is the “norm”. DSA’s response: While lesson length may vary it is common to allocate around an hour for a lesson itself. 1.6 States the “pupil can wait in the car when they arrive at the DTC”. This could be ambiguous for an ADI. Can we clarify if they can leave them in the car or take them to meet the examiner or that either is acceptable. DSA’s response: Rewording: The pupil can accompany the ADI to the waiting room at the DTC. If the pupil decides to wait in the car, you should encourage the ADI to introduce the pupil to you in a relaxed way. 1.8 States that the “Standards Check will last for one hour and the ADI should allow 15 minutes at the end of the lesson for a debrief with the examiner”. If the examiner also needs 10 minutes on their own to mark the Standards Check before this 15 minutes, then 25 minutes is needed at the end. ADIs need to be very clear on the timing as this involves their pupil being with them for longer. Are the sessions 45, 50 or 60 minutes and then the additions? DSA’s response: The examiner is currently allocated a 90-minute slot to conduct the check test (ie, the test itself and the debrief). This is not changing. In most circumstances the examiner is unlikely to take 10 minutes to mark the Standards Check and may well do so in the vehicle. Rewording: The Standards Check will last for one hour and the ADI should allow a minimum of 15 minutes at the end of the lesson for a debrief with the examiner. 1.10 Will the marking reflect that the ADI has had previous lessons with the pupil and the Standards Check lesson is in reality not a stand-alone lesson? We note that no written report is being supplied to a candidate who receives an unsatisfactory grade. This has been most helpful in the past for trainers helping unsuccessful ADIs and the ADIs themselves to focus on the areas for improvement. We assume that just the ADI and the examiner will be at the debrief and the pupil will not be able to hear it? DSA’s response: The assessment of the lesson is based on what is presented on the day. The competences under Lesson Planning will help to establish the rapport between the pupil and ADI through previous lessons. The form is transparent and will readily show a profile of the ADI’s performance. Both the oral debrief and what is written on the form will be specific and focus on the ADI’s strengths and areas that require further development under Lesson
10 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Planning, Risk Management, or teaching and learning strategies. Rewording: The examiner should not debrief the ADI with the pupil present. However, the ADI may request that a third-party, such as their mentor, is present for the feedback. It should be noted the third-party may act as an observer but not take part in the discussion. 3. Management of Standards Checks 3.2 With reference to the reflective log, can we have clarification of who it is for? Is it for the ADI to fill in on their own CPD, the client or both? Is it to reflect on the previous lesson and to be used at the start of the lesson or to be filled in at the end of a lesson? ADIs will need to understand when it can be used and the options available. DSA’s response: The reflective log is not a compulsory requirement of the Standards Check. The reflective log can be used by either the ADI or the pupil to help with their personal development. It could, for example, be used at the end of the pupil’s lesson, and then reflected on at the beginning of the next to help identify their goals. It could also be used by the ADI to record their thoughts and impression of their own performance during the lesson. 3.5 It states that if a pupil offers an inappropriate comment the ADI should “challenge” this. Would the word “query” or “discuss” be more appropriate? DSA’s response: It would probably depend on the comment made. If it was inappropriate to other road users, or if it implied any road safety connotations, then we’d say that challenge is the correct word. We should remember that the ADI is transferring responsibility to the driver, but that, even in the circumstances, the ADI retains the overall duty of care 3.9 - Needs clarification as to what will constitute a score of less than 7 or where the session was stopped by the examiner. Historically we are talking dangerous, where a crash is about to happen or has happened. It would help if we know what the DVSA is classing as ‘Dangerous’ as well as what will constitute marks of below a 7. DSA’s response: A score of less than 7 in Risk Management does not imply (on its own) dangerous instruction. It could be caused by inadequate control / awareness, or late reaction by the ADI or a combination of these. In normal circumstances only when this mark is associated with a mark in the section headed “At any point in the lesson, did the trainer behave in a way which put you, the pupil or any
third party in immediate danger” will the ADI’s performance be reported to the registrar. Rewording: Add to 3.06 (Recording of assessment) - If you have to stop the lesson and record a Fail, this outcome must be referred to the registrar. If the ADI scores 7 or less in the section marked risk management, this outcome should be reported to the bookings team for rebooking (see 3.09). The registrar will monitor these cases. Add to 3.09 (Sub-standard tests) - At the end of your working day you should mark-up your Outlook diary to inform staff at Newcastle of any Standards Checks that you have judged to be sub-standard. You should specifically highlight any tests where you had to stop the lesson, or the ADI scores 7 or less in the section marked risk management. Typical lesson scenarios It states “during their Standards Check the ADI must demonstrate that they understand the key issues that need to be addressed to try to reduce the numbers of newly qualified drivers who crash in the first six months”. This lesson isn’t given in isolation, that issue could have come up in a previous lesson. The word “must” suggests it has to be every time, can that be clarified please. DSA’s response: This should be apparent in the type and content of any instruction being given on each lesson. In any given situation the ADI should be focused on the key issues that reduce risk. 7 Interpreting the assessment criteria 7.7 The suggested wording for the use of the dual controls. Again this is not a stand-alone lesson. Is the DVSA suggesting we need to discuss this at the start of every lesson to gain the full marks in that section on the Standards Check? DSA’s response: No. The SOP compares two possible scenarios. It may be appropriate to do this at the start of a lesson if the pupil is in the very early stages of their training. Remember that all areas are assumed to be fully met unless evidence is forthcoming to lower this mark. 7.8 An example given for directions states: “turn left at the next junction”. Is that typical of how instructions should now be given by ADIs? It doesn’t follow the alert, direct, identify system that ADIs use. We welcome more leeway on this but feel ADIs need to know what is acceptable. DSA’s response: The exact method of instruction used is dependent on the level of ability and experience of the pupil. The “alert,
www.msagb.com
News: Helping ADIs with the Standards Check
direct, identify system” may be necessary for a new driver but could be adapted for a FLH, etc. Remember, it is what works most effectively for the pupil. 7.12 States: “remember, instruction based on the core competencies used currently is pretty good. We must not throw it away”. We think ADIs will find this a confusing statement. In the Standards Check will all the necessary improvements need to be spotted and fixed or could we just decide to work on a couple and still get an excellent mark? DSA’s response: The new assessment form is self-explanatory and the core competencies are interwoven in the assessment criteria. Significant weaknesses in performance or knowledge will still need to be addressed and it is for the ADI to determine the best way to apply these teaching and learning strategies. Ignoring significant gaps in knowledge or ability in a pupil’s performance could also impact on risk management or lesson planning. 7.13 Bullet point 7 states “responding to faults in a timely manner”. With CCL are we moving away from talking about faults and moving towards making improvements? While we realise we will still need to find faults are we still using that terminology? Can we have clarification on that please. DSA’s response: See 7.12 above. 7.19 Bullet point 2 states asking the pupil how they want to be addressed. Again this isn’t a lesson in isolation and surely this would already have been done in most cases on previous lessons. Does it have to be done on the Standards Check lesson to gain the mark as ADIs may view it like that?
DSA’s response: Examiners will assume this has been done unless there is evidence to indicate otherwise. The questions of high importance are: What is the format and timing of the actual Standards Check, to allow both instructor and pupil to understand how much time should be set aside for the assessment, and to ensure the pupil understands what will happen on the day? Why is there no written report for a failure? What is the purpose of including an example of a reflective log? Why is the wording used related to some
competences (e.g. 7.19) even included? When the word must is used, it should be a safety critical or fundamentally required aspect of the assessment, and if this is not the case should not be used. General: These guidance notes are directed (for the most part) at our examiners in the conduct and assessment of the Standards Check. They are not designed to dictate or prescribe in any detail how a lesson must be conducted. It is for the ADI to decide what is best for their pupil given the pupil’s needs and learning style, etc.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 11
www.msagb.com
Comment
Come on down to our conference
VIEWPOINT: Never miss an opportunity - 1
JOHN LEPINE MBE General Manager, MSA
A
s the long-awaited recovery to the economy starts to become apparent and the DVSA revises upwards its projections for future demand for driving tests, I hope as many members as possible will be making their way to Bristol for the MSA national conference. Bookings are already up 22% on this time last year and with tickets selling fast, please book early to avoid being disappointed. We can promise you an interesting, informative and enjoyable time and guarantee you will learn something new. With the new ADI Standards Check due to start soon after this event, please don’t be caught out. Come along and hear details of all the changes and how they will or, in some cases, won’t affect you and the way you deliver driver training. All the information you need to book is on page 16-17. Driving theory test contract You will have seen on the front page of this issue the story about the difficulties that have arisen around the DVSA driving theory test contract. The interesting bit is how much of a reduction there will be in the cost of a theory test. From memory I think there are about 1.6 million theory tests a year. If the Government is right in its statement that £100 million will be saved over the next nine years, that’s 9 x 1,600,000 = 14,400,000 tests. I think that works out at about a £7 per test reduction. I’m sure it won’t end up being that much, probably under a fiver. I was a bit surprised by this statement from the minister: “I am pleased to announce that, in accordance with the commitment previously given to reduce the costs of learning to drive, etc...” I guess that must have been some throwaway line uttered by a minister in the past, possibly related to the cost of insurance. However, according to the Money Supermarket website it costs approx. £2,741 to learn to drive. If the theory test does reduce by a fiver, that is a reduction of 0.18%. How exciting! Also interesting to note “the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport commissioned an independent review of the handling of the competition by officials in the DSA and other parts of the department” Where do we go for a copy of this? “A separate report on the lessons that can be learned to inform future procurements will be published shortly.” This should make fascinating bedtime reading. dvsa customer service excellence It seems that as well as being checked by the Transport Select Committee (What’s your view of DVSA: Pages 1 and 4), the DVSA is also going to be assessed in order to retain their Customer Service Excellence award. The assessors are G4S – it will be interesting to see their report on the new combined agency.
12 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Immigrants? Welcome here! The current media obsession with EU immigration has come complete with lurid headlines suggesting nothing but problems will follow in the wake of these new arrivals to the UK. But as Rod Came points out, immigrants actually represent a great opportunity for ADIs whose traditional client base is still struggling to find the cash for driving lessons I am going to be controversial – for once! You might have noticed that there has been a bit of a fuss going on in the media about the country being ‘overrun’ with immigrants from Eastern Europe, particularly Romanians and Bulgarians. Whether that will happen or not only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, they will not all be idle, scrounging welfare cheats, as the media likes to portray them. Instead, what you will see in the vast majority of cases will be honest people who are looking to work hard and progress their lives. They will also want to enjoy the luxuries that we take for granted, one of these being owning and driving a car. Being honest, hard-working people they will want to comply with the rules of the game, which firstly means taking driving lessons. They will also want to acquire a car or van and use it on the road in a legal manner. Do I see a business opportunity coming over the horizon for the more forward-thinking ADI? I am not suggesting that ADIs become car dealers because I firmly believe that everybody should stick to
what they know best. What I am saying is that once you get involved with an ethnic community in your area, and have the expertise that all ADIs should have in relation to choosing, licensing and insuring a car, you can become a point of reference for members of that community in all motoring matters. Many ADIs teach one person in a family and then steadily progress through that family, teaching various relatives including children of the original pupil and sometimes their grandchildren if they stay in the job long enough. Ethnic communities are no different; often they are almost like extended families, and once you are involved and trusted they keep coming along and become a continuing source of income, just because you put yourself out a bit to help them in the first place. The new East European arrivals will have fewer of their own countrymen in the UK than other nationalities, at least initially, and will need guidance in motoring matters from someone they can trust. Who better than their local, friendly ADI?
VIEWPOINT: Never miss an opportunity- 2 You don’t need the MSA to tell you that money is tight for the ADI’s traditional market, 17-25 year olds. Student debt, high price of rents/ mortgages, insurance costs, low-paid jobs... whatever the reason, the average learner doesn’t have too many pennies to rub together, and even fewer to hand over to their local ADI. So the sensible ADI looks for new markets. We’ve always encouraged our members to look at speed awareness schemes and other rehabilitation programmes, to consider fleet training and other niche corporate driver training activities. And now we urge you to consider a new group of motorists who may well appreciate a spot of re-training: the older driver. As you will see on page 18, RICA,
the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs, a specialist UK consumer research charity, carried out research on older drivers and ran focus groups with drivers and their families to produce a consumer guide: Driving safely for life: a guide on keeping safe and driving for as long as possible. RICA found that there are now more than seven million drivers over the age of 65, four million over 70. The over-65s now make up nearly a fifth of all motorists – and all are getting closer to the day when the DVLA asks them some searching questions about their fitness to continue driving. That day may come after they’ve asked questions of themselves. The majority of older motorists want to carry on driving – but almost all are
aware that their bodies are slowing down, their reflexes aren’t quite as they were and their eyesight is starting to cause concern. Should they stop driving? The answer is most likely no: but they could do with some help retraining, to reprogramme their driving to take into account the different ways their body will respond to the driving task. Whether it is teaching them to allow more space to take into account slower reflexes, or ways to reduce anxiety around driving, the conscientious ADI could help keep our senior citizens happily motoring for years to come – and in safety. So why don’t you market yourself as the ADI that can keep them on the road? It’s not just youngsters that need a professional ADI’s help.
Comment: Letters s your CPD
www.msagb.com
Newslink Postbag. We welcome contributions from our members. Would all contributors please remember that Newslink cannot publish letters anonymously. Pen names will be used to protect the identity of the author if necessary. Please address all correspondence to The Editor, Newslink, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP. Letters can also be sent by email, to mail@msagb.co.uk
Rod, it’s like looking in a mirror Dear Sir, It could have been me writing the article in December’s Newslink, so alike Rod Came and myself seem to be in our views on tuition (Don’t Call Me a Dinosaur, Newslink). I have been an ADI in mid-Wales since 1979, and have enjoyed successful check tests over the years, with Grade 5 and 6 in recent years and a relatively good pass rate. My goal has always been to make sure my pupil is at test level, by training to that level, and conducting my own mock tests, thereby ensuring that they attain a level of responsibility, consideration, and respect for other road users. I am still using these methods today, and continue to feel that these are providing my pupils with a good foundation for their continued safety on our roads. I feel it’s a matter of commitment, and dedication to the job, showing an interest first and foremost in the learning needs of the pupil. On concluding a lesson I discuss with them the way they felt the lesson has gone, and how they could improve, in the next one. Q and A is essential for feedback, but only when the time is right. I am a believer in the process of a pupil thinking for themselves, and being allowed to negotiate hazards and finding for themselves the solutions to situations, which are continually changing. This requires intensive concentration from the ADI to make sure that safety is the ultimate goal, and I only intervene when there is a danger that the manoeuvre is likely to be compromised. I conclude by condoning completely what Rod has written, and shall continue to instruct in the way I have for the last 33 years. April 2014 will, I suspect, decide our fate. Alun Bunford
In-car camera proves its worth in crash Dear Sir, I thought I would send you a quick email regarding your article about the use of in-car cameras (Newslink, December). I have been using these systems for the past six years to good affect. They not only record what the pupil is doing but also what is happening in front of the car. This helps the ADI if there is any conflict or accusations from any party, inside the car or out. I always tell my pupils the lessons are being recorded – you must have a sticker in the car to let them know this is happening but no one has as yet complained. It came in useful on one occasion before Christmas (Editor’s note: We have seen the clip kindly provided by Tony of this incident). This collision happened just before Christmas (13 December) 10 minutes before the girl’s test. While stationary, about to perform a manoeuvre, another car reversed straight off the owner’s drive into my car. I phoned the insurance company and told them I had it on film and within 30 minutes the third party had admitted liability for the incident. Had I not had the in-car camera things could have been very different, as we all know. I use a Roahawk RH-2 pro, with the ability to plug in a monitor and also a second recording unit so the pupil can bring their own memory stick to then look back at their lesson. I think before long all insurance companies will make it compulsory to have an in-car camera fitted to cut
14 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
out all these crash-for-cash and bad driving claims. The haulage industry has gone down this road and I’ve noticed through the fleet side of the work I do that cameras are supplied to them by the insurance company, and it benefits both parties. Tony Wood, Tuffley School of Motoring, Gloucester
UKIP could be the driver trainer’s hero Dear Sir, The following is a letter to my MP. Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms, In view of successive Governments failing to grasp the nettle and improve learner driver training, I am going to vote UKIP in the hope that an untried Government will improve the lives of learner drivers and reduce the horrendous cost of motor insurance caused by successive failures to take positive steps towards structured driver training. Must we follow instead of lead the world, as countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others have done? Why not copy the French initiative [on driver education and training]? Perhaps at this current time a letter of this kind will concentrate the mind of those who are content to kick proposals into the long grass. PS, no, I won’t really vote this way!! Submitted by email, name and address supplied.
No-one has a magic spell for road safety Dear Sir, After reading the Comment piece in January’s Newslink I was forced to pick up my dictionary and turn to the word ‘Cynical’, just to check it didn’t give as a definition, ‘See Rob Beswick’. (It it won’t act, shouldn’t we just scrap Government?’) I don’t know what experience Mr Beswick has of driver training but he appears to know a bit about politics, a fact that shone through what was an interesting, though flawed, rant about the Government’s decision to quietly sideline its much-trumpeted plans to overhaul young drivers. The point that Mr Beswick missed in his otherwise entertaining diatribe was this: the reason why the Government has sidelined plans to regulate new drivers post-test, to ditch plans for learners on motorways, and other issues, is that nothing definitely works, so why introduce it? Consider learners on motorways. Mile for mile, motorways are the safest roads in the UK. Fact. So it is clear that they are not an area where we have a real concern. Consider overall driving standards, KSI rates and collisions. According to every set of figures I’ve ever seen, the UK has the safest roads in the world, by and large. Sometimes we slip to third in the world, sometimes, fourth. Across Europe we tend to compete with the Dutch, the Swiss and the Swedes but nit-picking aside, overall, a sweeping statement that the UK has the world’s best roads and drivers, as far as crash stats are concerned, isn’t a million miles shy from a fact, too. So given these two facts, why look at changing the way
learners are trained viz a vis motorways? The safest drivers in the world, on the safest roads, need Government help? Why? Consider, the issue about young drivers gaining experience. Yes, I know that young people/new drivers appear too often in the crash stats. But which regulations work elsewhere? In the United States, the rules governing drivers fluctuate from state to state. In Washington state (not the capital, I think it’s the big empty land on the Pacific coast), the introduction of a night-time curfew saw a fall in road traffic incidents involving young people of over 50 per cent. Sounds good. But nowhere else in the US introduced it as the benefits weren’t clear when set aside the problems the law change introduced. If you want I can better that law. Why not ban people from driving full stop? That would result in a fall in road crashes of 100 per cent. The point is, while it can always be argued that saving one life makes any change in the regulations worthwhile, in practice you have to ask whether it is sensible to make such sweeping changes at the detriment to everyone’s lives, just to get rid of the few clots who drive like lunatics. In October last year one of the authors of the Transport Research Laboratory’s report on Graduated Driver Licensing, Dr Hellman, said there was ‘compelling’ evidence that introducing restrictions on licence use post-test had cut road deaths in countries around the world, including the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Yet all three suffer from worse road crash statistics than the UK. There are simply no guarantees that introducing a similar scheme here would generate the same results. You have to look at the whole cost/benefits analysis: would the benefits outstrip the costs? In France they have a minimum driving age of 18, and new drivers are banned from travelling at more than 90 kilometres per hour (62mph) for two years after passing their test. But we have a minimum age, in the practical sense, of 18, too; how many pupils of yours have passed before that age in the previous five years? France, for all its nice toll roads and posh motorways, is a largely rural country, in which the speed limit in the vast majority of places is 90km/h. So what’s been achieved? In practical terms, France is telling young people that they must stick to the speed limit. Oh, that’s good! Pass Plus got a mention in the article last month, too. I would love to see this revitalised but the Government has never made it mandatory. I am a member of the IAM. I would like to think that membership of the IAM could be mandatory one day. But it isn’t, and it never will be. Government saying Pass Plus is going to be improved would be nice but there is never going to be clamour to make it compulsory, so the lack of such a push from the DfT isn’t anything to worry about. All-in-all, Mr Beswick pulled together a list of reasons to shout about injustice but none of them add up to much for one simple reason: nothing works for definite. No country has introduced anything that can be said definitively to improve new drivers’ ability to cope with the roads when they venture out on their own. We all make mistakes when we do things for the first time. If we play badminton, we swing and miss. If we play golf, we slice and hook. If we drive cars, we misjudge speed, make positioning errors and show poor judgement in some situations. But we learn from our mistakes. The only way we will eradicate such mistakes is if we introduce a learning programme that is so draconian, so invasive that we basically make driving a thing for the few, not the many. And I don’t think even the most zealous road safety campaigner would back that idea. Final point: whatever Mr Beswick’s background, I agree with him on Belgium monks and beer. I. Greene, Birmingham
Join the MSA at
Conference 2014 Holiday Inn, Bristol n March 21-23
The MSA Conference is your last chance to get the latest on the most important change to the ADI industry in years before it’s implemented by the DVSA
15 : 23 : 30 : 00 Countdown to the Standards Check: 9am, April 7, 2014. Industry speakers Day delegate rate
£43pp
B&B rate
£55pppn per night. Couples sharing, £75pn
n
Workshops
n
Exhibitors
Full weekend rate
£175pp includes two nights’ B&B, Friday night ‘ice-breaker’ buffet, Conference ticket and Saturday Party Night
n
Presentations
Weekend couples’ rate
£255pp
Full weekend package, based on two people sharing
Party night rate
£30pp
includes three-course dinner and disco
We’re heading to the MSA Western Region for the 2014 Conference. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn Bristol-Filton. It’s a great venue well used to hosting high-profile conferences, with superb service standards from its team of dedicated staff. Guest speakers already confirmed include the Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young, who will be delivering the keynote address. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear direct from the most senior DVSA official the final details of the NEW STANDARDS CHECK, which will be introduced in April. In addition to hearing Lesley’s views, there will also be an opportunity to work through a series of questions regarding the new Standards Check. Also confirmed are: Garry Hawkes. The 2013 Blue Light Users conference chair, who is an emergency services trainer with Avon Fire & Rescue Kate Rock, Consumer & Brand Manager at Goodyear, who will be speaking about the recent Goodyear White Paper that consolidated driver trainer surveys from across Europe. Workshops: There will also be a choice of workshops covering ideas to improve your teaching and business skills, giving you the chance to decide which ones are best for you to attend. Trade stands and exhibits: Many trade stands offering you on-the-day discounts. Networking: This is a great opportunity to meet with fellow colleagues and develop your skills. Come along to hear respected speakers from your profession bringing you up to date with the current issues that affect your business. Social activities: There will also be social activities surrounding the conference. They will include an ‘ice breaker’ night on Friday 21st with a buffet and a Sports Relief-themed quiz, and on Saturday evening a Party Night with a disco. Prices of the social event and accommodation are shown on the facing page.
Exhibitors and supporters In tandem with the conference there will be an Exhibition Area featuring stands particularly relevant to driver trainers. The following companies have already booked space and more are expected. n n n n n
Driving School Supplies TTC Group BG Insurance Driving Instructor Services TWD Accountants
n n n n n
Focus Multimedia Hitachi Capital Driving Instructor Solutions ADINDI AIRSO Driving School Office
Also involved with the event are: n He-Man Dual Controls n Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance
To book for our training day, the full conference package or just the social events, call the MSA Head Office on 0161 429 9669 or see www.msagb.com
Towards your CPD: Teaching older drivers
www.msagb.com
Rica shows older drivers how to stay safely on the road With the numbers of older drivers growing steadily, Chris Lofthouse, outreach manager for Rica, the consumer research group, highlights some of the support that’s available to help them meet the challenges of modern roads
T
The number of ‘older’ people with driving licences now exceeds four million.
he number of older people with driving licences now exceeds four million. While not all of these licence holders will be active drivers, the statistics illustrate the growing number of older people who still use a car. And this total is set to increase dramatically. The Government has predicted that of the UK citizens alive today, around ten million will reach their 100th birthday. It is at age 70 – and every three years thereafter – that drivers must declare whether or not they are fit to drive. This self-declaration is not made on the basis of any formal medical or driving test, but relies on the judgement of the individual. Rica (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs), a specialist UK consumer research charity with funding from the RAC Foundation and Department for Transport, carried out research on older drivers and ran focus groups with drivers and families to produce a consumer guide: Driving safely for life: a guide on keeping safe and driving for as long as possible. The guide explains to older drivers: n exactly what the law says about their ability to drive n how they can best assess their capabilities, for
18 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
example, by visiting a mobility centre n what modifications can be made to their vehicles and their driving habits to keep them on the road longer n how, if they do stop driving, they can still maintain a good quality of life Driving safely for life aims to keep older people mobile and safe for longer. It is available as a print guide free of charge, except for postage. To obtain a copy, send a large (A4) selfaddressed envelope with 69p in stamps to: Rica, Unit G03, The Wenlock, 50 - 52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU. The guide is also available online at: www.rica. org.uk/driving-safely-for-life
Driving assessments
Occupational therapists play an important role in maintaining the independence of older/disabled people and at 17 independent Mobility Centres they carry out driving assessments. Many older adults have a fear of losing their independence if they are told not to drive, so choose not to face up to this possibility. Sometimes people are unable to make the
decision to seek professional advice due to a lack of insight. Early discussions with people and timely referral to the Forum of Mobility Centres can help drivers find the most appropriate solutions. OTs and driving advisers working at the Mobility Centres have specialist skills to assess the needs of drivers, help improve driving techniques or recommend adaptations to overcome potential problems that would lead to unsafe driving if not addressed. Assessments consider driving holistically, taking into account how drivers and passengers access vehicles and stow any mobility equipment they need at either end of their journey’ For more information contact the Forum of Mobility Centres Freephone: 0800 559 3636 To find details of your nearest mobility centre go to www.mobility-centres.org.uk/find_a_centre Rica focuses on work with older and disabled people, researches and publishes consumer reports, providing practical information both online www.rica.org.uk and as print guides. Rica used to be part of Which? – formerly the Consumer’s Association – and has the same principles of rigour and independence. Rica is accredited by the Information Standard as providing research and information of the highest quality. Rica’s research and information covers a range of topics, but here we highlight the specialist car information aimed at older/ disabled drivers.
www.msagb.com
Towards your CPD: Teaching older drivers n Motoring after a stroke n Motoring with arthritis n Motoring with cerebral palsy n Motoring with multiple sclerosis n Motoring with restricted growth.
Family cars: a guide for families of disabled children identifies issues affecting disabled children and their families when choosing a car and has unique child car seat/restraint guidance for disabled children. To order copies of Rica reports or to find out more about our research please contact: Rica, Unit G03 The Wenlock, 50-52 Wharf Road, London, N1 7EU Tel: 020 7427 2460 Textphone: 020 7427 2468 Email: mail@rica.org.uk
Finding the right car
Motoring guides
Rica has a series of 13 motoring guides – all freely available in print and online: n Choosing a car n Car controls n Getting a wheelchair into a car n Getting in and out of a car n Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) n Mobility address list - lists all the car adaptation companies and what services they provide. Rica, in partnership with disability organisations, has researched and published specific guides for people with specific conditions n Motoring after amputation n Motoring after brain injury
Rica’s website www.rica.org.uk has two searchable databases one on mobility scooters and one on car measurements. The Rica online car measurement search can help people shortlist suitable vehicles e.g. ones with boot sizes big enough to stow a wheelchair/ mobility scooter/pram/pushchair/cycle, or those with certain seat heights or wide-opening doors. The car search has over 1,000 car models, each with a factsheet showing the key measurements and detailed photos. The factsheets can be downloaded and printed.
OTs and driving advisers working at the mobility centres have specialist skills to assess the needs of drivers, help improve driving techniques or recommend adaptations to overcome potential problems
The Rica car measurement project is funded by International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT) and Motability and the cars are measured by ADAC laboratory in Germany.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 19
www.msagb.com
News
Chris takes the helm at Hitachi
Hitachi Capital Driving Instructor Solutions has new leadership from the start of 2014, with the appointment of long-term employee Chris Tarry as general manager. His predecessor, Mike Brown, has now left to pursue another opportunity outside of the industry. With around 20 years working relationship with Hitachi Capital, Chris joins the team after working under numerous roles with the other Hitachi offices. Previously he has directed the sales and marketing team, developed a sales graduate scheme and led the service delivery department. Chris has a passion for education and training; spending time in between working for Hitachi Capital running his own training and coaching company. Chris said: “I’m extremely proud and excited to be given the opportunity to work with DIS. I have been impressed by the staff; with their knowledge and understanding of our customers. “I want to help promote that and add further value to our offer. In turn, we will continue to support the industry more widely.”
AA spreads its wings in Europe The AA has acquired Dutch-based VVCR of Rijssen, Holland, as its first step into the international road risk management marketplace. VVCR will operate as a trading division within the Driving Services operation which currently includes AA DriveTech, AA Driving School, BSM, Intelligent Data Systems and Peak Performance brands. It will continue to trade as VVCR in its core markets. VVCR provides consultancy services, driver profiling, and driver training including e-learning in multiple languages for 25 different jurisdictions. It has strong accredited and academic links with the Central Institute for Test Development (CITO) in Holland and Cranfield University for its online portfolio. The AA’s Driving Services managing director, Jim Kirkwood, said: “This acquisition is part of our long-term strategy to position the AA’s Driving Services business on a global stage. It is our intention to be the clear European leader in driver education and road safety services within the next three-five years. “Alongside other recent acquisitions, we now have the capability to deliver occupational road risk programmes internationally for major multi-national corporate, leasing and insurance organisations. We believe we are unique in being able to deliver such a fully integrated approach.”
Tight work schedules lead drivers to ignore speed limits The extent to which Europe’s motorists admit to flouting the speed limits has been revealed after a major survey of drivers from Britain, France, Germany and Spain, conducted by Mix Telematics. And the results show how much pressures of work are stated as the ‘reason’ why drivers speed. 63% of drivers admit to speeding while driving for work, with more than a third (34%) admitting they speed every week. When asked why they do it, the most common responses were keeping up with traffic flow (53%) and pressure to meet schedules (37%). In terms of where drivers speed, more than 40% of all drivers who admit to speeding while driving for work said they do so on motorways, main roads and in urban areas. There were, however, some significant differences among these drivers, with drivers in Britain saying they are most likely to speed on motorways (63%), drivers in Germany on main inter-urban roads and drivers in France and Spain reporting that the likelihood of them speeding is approximately equal regardless of the type of road upon which they are travelling. Worryingly, drivers surveyed believe there’s only a small chance of serious
consequences for exceeding the speed limit. Should there be a consequence, drivers reported that being stopped by the police is the most likely, rather than being involved in a crash. Indeed, the threat of causing harm to either themselves or others isn’t the main negative consequence of speeding: ‘losing my driving licence’, was stated as the worst consequence of the action.
In terms of drivers being fined for exceeding the speed limit over the past 12 months, truck drivers led the way with 17% receiving penalties, compared to 14% of van drivers, 12% of bus and coach drivers and 9% of passenger vehicle drivers. In terms of the country in which speeding fines are most commonly handed out, Britain leads the way, narrowly trumping Spain, France and Germany, in that order. Of those respondents who admitted to speeding while driving for work, 29% of men, and 17 % of women, thought that they believe they can drive safely while speeding. Analysed by country, only 20% of all drivers in Germany stated that they do not speed while driving for work. Drivers in Spain claim to be the most well-behaved, with 40% saying they never exceed the speed limit. Drivers in Britain came a close second, with 39% saying they never speed, while French drivers recorded a score of 34% in this respect. “The knowledge that two-thirds of drivers in Britain, France, Germany and Spain routinely speed while going about their employer’s business is a concern to companies in each of these countries,” said Steve Coffin, marketing and operations director for Mix Telematics (Europe).
Judge’s views on eyesight law questioned by top solicitor A judge has been criticised after he gave a driver who killed a 32-year-old man on a pedestrian crossing a lenient sentence. Laurence Gunn, 32, died after being hit by Mohammed Rashid’s Ford Focus while crossing a road near Hampstead Heath in north London. When questioned by police, Mr Rashid, 23, admitted that despite being very short-sighted, he was not wearing his glasses at the time, and had not worn them for more than a year. When police tested him after the incident he was unable to read a number plate from further than seven feet away. However, when sentencing him at Blackfriars Crown Court, Judge Aidan Marron QC said that while Rashid should have been more ‘prudent’, he had not broken the law by not wearing them. He called the case “an unmitigated tragedy”, adding: “I’m afraid you were the cause of the death. You were driving at a reasonable speed and the evidence suggests there was nothing unusual on the road surface. “I suggest we will never know why you did not see the victim. It would have been desirable and prudent to wear specs. But there is nothing unlawful about that.” Rashid admitted causing death by careless driving but instead of giving him a custodial sentence, the judge instead opted to give him a community order of 140 hours, a 12-month driving ban, eight points on his
20 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
licence and ordered him to pay £500 costs. An offence such as Rashid’s usually carries a custodial sentence. However, the judge’s statement that Rashid was not doing anything wrong in not wearing his glasses while driving has been questioned by a leading solicitor. Michael Page, an acknowledged expert on traffic law and a solicitor the MSA has spoken to in the past on motoring legal issues, most recently over expired photocard driving licences, is convinced the judge is wrong in his summing up.
“I’ve looked through traffic law, and it states that: ‘it is an offence under s96(1) of the RTA 1988 for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a road while his eyesight is such that he cannot comply with the prescribed requirement.’ “It is clearly set out in Wilkinsons (Wilkinson’s Road Traffic Offences is the leading work on the law and practice of road traffic offences). I am amazed the judge has summed up the case in this way and I would be surprised if the CPS does not appeal against the leniency of this sentence.” MSA general manager John Lepine was equally surprised by the judge’s decision. “Every ADI knows that the first thing you do with a new pupil is test their eyesight. Without the ability to read a number plate the lessons have to be stopped there and then, and motorists with defective vision have to drive while wearing their glasses or lenses. I am baffled how driving with defective vision is not an offence.” It has to be considered that in his summing up, the judge was also swayed by testimony from the accused and counsel’s mitigation. Rashid was, the court heard, clearly remorseful, and was a changed man since the crash. He had also, at his own request, met Mr Gunn’s father to tell him of his sorrow for the death of his son, which Mr Gunn snr appears to have accepted: “He’s a good lad,” was the description the court heard of Mr Rashid.
0800 0800988 9889255 9255 Call Callnow nowand andspeak speaktotoone one ofofour ourspecialist specialistadvisors advisors quoting reference quoting referenceMSA03 MSA03 Visit Visitquotemetoday.co.uk quotemetoday.co.uk OrOrscan scanthetheQR QRcode codebelow below using your smart phone. using your smart phone.
• •QuoteMeToday QuoteMeTodayare arethetheonly onlyUKUKdriving drivingschool schoolspecialist specialisttotooffer offer
Personal PersonalInjury InjuryCover Covertotoyour yourpupils pupilsininthetheevent eventofofa afault faultaccident accident
• •Protection Protectionavailable availableforforADI's ADI'sand andPDI's PDI's- part-time - part-timeororfull-time full-time • •Dual Dualcontrol controlcourtesy courtesycars carsavailable availableforforfault faultand andnon-fault non-faultclaims claims • •Off Offroad roadtuition tuitioncover coveravailable available(14+) (14+) • •With Witha awide widerange rangeofofinsurers, insurers,there's there'snotnotmuch muchQuoteMeToday QuoteMeToday
can't can'tcover, cover,sosoyou youshould shouldnever neverbebeleft leftunprotected. unprotected.
Quote MeMe Today is authorised and regulated byby thethe Financial Conduct Authority. Reference No.No. 485972 Quote Today is authorised and regulated Financial Conduct Authority. Reference 485972
MSA03 MSA03
www.msagb.com
Towards your CPD
Knowing how to set goals that both stretch your pupil and build experience and expertise is a crucial part of the new Standards Check, says Sue McCormack
Goal setting breaks learning into bite-sized chunks Creighton Abrams famously said, “When eating an elephant, take one bite at a time”. When your
22 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
ADIs and pupils need to ask: what’s your goal?
‘
‘
I
n order to get a true handle on what coaching is all about and how it differs from instruction, it is helpful to compare what the current Check Test is assessing with what the new Standards Check will assess. The current Check Test assesses your ability to deal with faults, that is, identifying, analysing and remedying driver errors. The new Standards Check will assess your ability to encourage independent learning through goal setting. There are two basic aims in any driving lesson, as I have said before: n Learning must take place, and n Value for money must be given. These aims remain, whether you are being assessed via a Check Test or via a Standards Check. Alongside the Check Test, on one end of the spectrum, sits ‘fault correction’ and, alongside the Standards Check, on the other end of the spectrum, sits ‘goal setting’. Do you know where you fit on that spectrum? If you are over on the far right-hand side with goal setting then it doesn’t matter how much you instruct, you will still be client-centred. If, however, you believe that people learn best through the correction of faults, then it doesn’t matter how many questions you ask or how often you allow the pupil to set the goal for the lesson, you will still be instructing, in control of the lesson and not client-centred. Of course, it is a spectrum and there are plenty of opportunities to meet the two core aims of driving instruction at several points along that spectrum. For me, the most effective way to learn to drive is through goal setting, rather than fault correction. Here are six important reasons why your customers need to learn how to set goals for themselves:
We can often look at our pupils’ achievements and measure them against the driving test... but this undermines what has actually been achieved on that occasion...
customer feels overwhelmed, it helps to look at the whole learning-to-drive task, with all its commitments and actions, as bite size, or fun size, goals. Remind them that they have choices about what they say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to, and when and how they move forward. This shifts the focus away from the driving test and means that they can achieve goals without them having to be ‘test standard’. What I mean by this is that we often look at our pupils’ achievements and measure them against the
standard expected in the driving test. This undermines what has actually been achieved on that occasion. If the only goal is the driving test, then think how long it can take before the customer experiences a sense of achievement. Goal setting identifies strengths and development needs If you know what you are good at you can choose to channel your decisions through your strong points. Lots of people have a way of talking (‘I’m rubbish at that’, ‘I could never do that’, ‘I can’t do it’) which is a clear reflection of how they think about themselves. Their choices and decisions are all about running away from what they are bad at, rather than positively focusing on what they are good at and basing their choices on this. In learning how to set their own goals your customers will also be learning to identify what they are good at and what they are weak at; what they need to do to improve; and what improvement / success will feel like to them.
www.msagb.com
Towards your CPD
Goal setting builds self-responsibility Self-responsibility is all about taking ownership of the learning process as well as the driving task. This leads to more effective decision-making skills as well as an ability to be self-determining. By setting the goal the customer is taking control of their learning. Many instructors feel understandably nervous about this aspect of goal setting in particular. Taking responsibility is an exciting, challenging and, sometimes, nerveracking experience for the individual involved. It is not about the learner driver running amok. You are ultimately responsible for their safety – they are learning to become responsible for their learning – together you will share the responsibility for the driving task. Goal setting develops skills for life Learning how to set goals leads to the development of skills for life, in particular self-evaluation skills. Naturally, this links closely with the Goals for Driver Education Framework (GDE) where Level 4 is entitled ‘Goals for life and skills for living’ and the right-hand column is all about self-evaluation or self-assessment. This is
About the author:
Susan McCormack has been in the driver training industry for over 25 years as an ADI, instructor trainer and producer of training materials, and has an MSc in Driver Behaviour and Education from Cranfield University. She is a director of Tri-Coaching Partnership Limited, which delivers driver training and coaching courses to all driver trainers. In particular, the company offers a BTEC Level 4 and Level 3 in Coaching for Driver Development, as well as a two-day course called ‘aCCeLerate’. Visit the website for further information: www.tri-coachingpartnership.co.uk. Susan can be contacted on 07817 646970. about learning how to give an accurate assessment of strengths and weaknesses in terms of judgement and decision-making. For example, when you have to emerge from a busy junction, is your decision to go different depending on whether you are hungry, tired, happy, sad or angry? If you recognise that you are functioning in a particular emotional state, do you have strategies to ensure your decisions are still safe and objective? Goal setting moves towards realising full potential In terms of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, widely published in 1954, human beings have five needs: Biological and physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc. Belongingness and love needs - work group, family, affection, relationships, etc. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement,
Newsxtra Cheap fuel, economic driving and staying safe top drivers’ wish-lists for 2014 Driving more economically in 2014 is the number one goal of Britain’s motorists – though encouragingly, a few motorists have said they are determined to driver more safely and courteously, too. The findings came from a poll of over 17,000 AA members, which found that nearly half had made a New Year’s motoring resolution to change their driving habits this year. At a time when the high cost of motoring is hitting drivers’ pockets, the top three driving resolutions were all linked to efforts to save money by driving more economically, walking more or driving less. The Top Ten Resolutions were: • 14% said they would try to drive more economically. 18-24 yr olds were most likely to cite this (19%). • 11% said they would try to walk more. This was more popular amongst females (15%) than males (10%) and most popular in Scotland (14%). • 6% said they would drive less often. Those over 65yrs were most like to support this (7%). • 4% said they would drive more safely, while a further 3% said they would try not to exceed the speed limit; and 3% said they would try to be more courteous on the roads. • There was also support for being less
mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc. Self-actualisation needs - realising personal potential, self-fulfilment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. According to Maslow, each of us is motivated by needs. Our most basic needs are inborn, having evolved over tens of thousands of years. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs states that we must satisfy each need in turn, starting with the first, which deals with the most obvious needs for survival itself. Only when the lower order needs of physical and emotional well-being are satisfied are we concerned with the higher order needs of influence and personal development. Learning how to set goals moves individuals towards being able to realise their full potential. The above six important points about goal setting are all you need to ensure that you are giving value for money in your lessons and that learning is taking place. Incidentally, goal setting is as important for each of us as it is for our customers.
Going independent doesn’t have to mean going it alone
aggressive, using hand-held mobile less and being more courteous to cyclists. Meanwhile, cheaper petrol and diesel tops the annual Be Wiser Insurance Motoring Wish-list 2013. Nearly two-third (58%) of British motorists put cheaper fuel at the top of their list above all else. Each year Be Wiser Insurance asks motorists to decide what they would put at the top of their motoring wish-list. This year cheaper fuel won out significantly against all other choices including removal of all pot-holes, scrapping of speed cameras and even luxuries such as personalised number plates. Mark Bower-Dyke, chairman of Be Wiser insurance, comments: “Even with the small dip in fuel prices this year it’s not enough to make people feel comfortable spending what they are forced to at the pumps. The price of living has gone up across the board, and expensive fuel feels like adding a tax to everything you do.” This change can be seen most drastically when compared to previous years. In previous years pot-holes have been the top issue for motorists - but this year only a quarter (24%) put their complete removal from our streets at the top of their list. In 2012 over half (57%) of British drivers chose the disappearance of potholes at the top of their wish-list.
Solo Saver deals from £97.00 per week. • • • • • • •
Ford Fiesta Titanium with 65 mpg (combined) Award winning car with high specification Brand new replacement vehicle provided every 7.5 months Fully insured, taxed and serviced National breakdown cover with emergency replacement car Apply your own livery and headboard. Please ask for details – terms and conditions apply.
Call 0800
072 7824 or visit
theAA.com/driving-school
DSDMINS2 (07/13)
Goal setting raises self-awareness Do your customers know how they learn best? Do they know how their emotions fuel their decisions, judgements and behaviour? Do they know what (if any) barriers to learning they are inclined to put up? Learning how to set goals for themselves will raise your customers’ selfawareness in these areas. In many cases, barriers disappear as soon as someone is encouraged to determine their own goals for the lesson. They no longer feel defensive or insecure or fearful.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 23 DIA00062 155x108 new.indd 1
26/06/2013 11:26
www.msagb.com
Towards your CPD
What happens when you decide to take your pupil out on a busy stretch of road... only to find it deserted when you arrive?
Steve Garrod looks at the best way to construct a lesson that meets your pupil’s learning objectives
O
ne of the problems associated with on-road training is that you are often at the mercy of the road and traffic conditions. That may sound obvious, but it can work for or against you in many ways. For example; you intend to cover pedestrian crossings in an area you know has plenty of them. But, such is the life of an ADI, the hour or so you choose to use that particular stretch of road, the ADI’s law states that no pedestrians will cross it. It can also happen when dealing with other vehicles at crossroads, crossing the path of traffic and at roundabouts. You are relying on other traffic being there at the right time. You may make a note to remind you that you have dealt with the subject, but how can you be sure that you do cover these subjects sufficiently with the expected hazards during the learner’s syllabus? The same can be said of the driving test. How can you be sure that the unmarked areas on the driving test report are a reliable indication that your learner dealt with such hazards competently if you do not know what they had to deal with? Just because they haven’t received a mark under ‘overtaking’ doesn’t mean they have overtaken something. One way is to look at the way National Vocational Qualifications are written. They are broken down into very small learning outcomes. Simply put, these are the skills you should show and the things you should know. The Range statement will explain the conditions in which the exercise must be practised, and the Knowledge and Understanding is what the learner must be able to put into practice. For example, when moving off from the side of the road the learning outcome could be broken down as follows: Learning Outcome: • To be able to move off safely. Range: • On the level. • Uphill. • Downhill. • At an angle (from behind a parked car) • In busy two way streets. • In a one-way street from the left/right.
Break it down - and make it easier for your pupils to follow
24 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Knowledge and understanding: • Preparations. An appropriate gear should be selected. • Observation. Effective observation including blind spot. • Signal. Where necessary. • Move off. Under control. Notes: (you can make notes here to remind yourself of situations that may not have been covered) You will see from this example that the task has been broken down to ensure all aspect have been covered. It also shows your learner the progress they are making, which means they are likely to stay motivated. I always imagine the conversation they might have with their parents (who may be paying for the lessons) when they return home after their lesson. Mum “So what did you do tonight?” Learner “Oh, we drove off and stopped a few times.” Unfortunately, this could happen if your learner didn’t really appreciate the time and effort you were putting in to the lesson. But if you show them what needs to be achieved and explain what you are about to do and ask them how they think it should be done, the chances are that the further down the range statements you get, the more they will be able to contribute to the lesson. Instead of giving a negative answer to their parent there is a good chance the response will be more positive. Mum “So, what did you do this week?” Learner “It was good, we drove off and stopped on a couple of hills and from behind a parked car, next week we are going to do it in a busier road and a more expensive car” (oh, to have such a pupil!) The point is to think about the lesson from the
learner’s perspective; do they really know what goes into such an everyday exercise? The good thing about breaking each task down is that it is an ongoing record of what has, or hasn’t, been achieved. It also helps you to keep a track of what has been achieved. So, for example, if you haven’t been able to deal with a particular type of situation you can make that the focus of a future lesson. This could also be included on the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that we covered last month. This is also a good starting point for a Check Test (or Standards Check, to bring it up to date). You could explain that the previous lesson was an introduction to the subject and this week you are going to develop these skills and introduce them to more challenging situations. The same can be applied to all subjects, especially reversing. It is important that learners do cover each of the range statements before being signed off as achieving this exercise. A good example of this is while reversing into a side road. While reversing your learner may need to deal with another vehicle approaching them from behind in the side road. Do they continue or stop and pull forward? They will need this experience to draw on before going for test. You will see that I have included moving off from the right, too (in a one way street). You could also extend this to pulling up and parking on the right as well. It is the same as the issue of parking in a bay. Regardless of whether or not the test centre has bays to park in, they will certainly have to do it once they have their full licence. All of this can be added to your lesson plans to ensure you provide you learner with the practice they need and, just as importantly, that your learner really does have some idea of what they need to do to be signed off as ready for test.
www.msagb.com
Road Safety News
DfT guidelines on 20mph zones leave question over enforcement MIKE YEOMANS Deputy Editor, North East
There has been a considerable amount of discussion about the use of 20mph zones recently, with a great deal of controversy surrounding enforcement issues and the suitability of such zones or areas. I thought I would clarify the regulations for 20mph zones and the criteria used to implement them. I have paraphrased the DfT documentation below to outline the background and details of 20mph zones and enforcement areas. Background Local authorities have been empowered to introduce their own 20mph speed limits and zones. 20mph zones are enforced by traffic calming, while 20mph limits are just signed. Prior to 1999 a 20mph zone would not have been authorised by the Department for Transport if the average speed at a representative site within the zone was in excess of 20mph. Design advice According to design advice issued by the DfT Traffic advisory leaflet, a 20mph speed limit is inappropriate where the 85th percentile speed is in excess of 24mph. In effect, both these speed requirements are the same, making it logical that the speed criterion for 20mph zones and 20mph limits should also be the same. Subsequently DfT Circular 01/06 Setting Local Speed Limits relaxed this guidance to allow average speeds of 24mph, 85 percentile speeds of 28mph, and therefore some speeds in excess of 30mph. Some authorities have rejected this guidance as it is felt that this brings 20mph limits into disrepute and is counterproductive. Therefore, a 20mph zone or limit will only be authorised if the average free flow speed at a representative site does not exceed 20mph. Details In engineering terms, a 20mph zone is effectively an area with a design speed of 20mph or less. It is a matter of judgment whether there is any advantage in making a formal 20mph zone where, by definition, average traffic speeds have been reduced to this level anyway due to a combination of existing road
26 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
geometry and traffic calming measures. The main perceived benefit of the creation of formal 20mph zones is environmental with the relaxation of certain criteria. In particular, while all entry points must be signed, it is permitted to reduce the necessary signing within a zone, which can be especially relevant to conservation areas. The acceptability of any relaxation should not automatically be assumed. Each zone will be assessed on its individual merits by a safety audit and safety must not be compromised. It is also important to appreciate that the introduction of a 20mph zone requires that the speed criterion is satisfied on all roads within a zone. In some cases where there is a natural zone boundary additional measures may be required on roads which otherwise would not justify treatment, thereby increasing costs. Speed surveys at traffic calming schemes generally have not provided definitive specifications for the necessary spacing between measures to satisfy the speed criterion for the creation of 20mph zones. On a long straight road, the number of tables needed to achieve this objective would be excessive and incompatible with the needs of the bus operators and emergency services. 20mph zones are most easily created in residential areas where existing speeds are at least partly restrained by road geometry. New proposed enforcement ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) and NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme) have, under guidance from ministers, opted to create a 20mph diversionary scheme. This is currently being trialled in a few locations in the UK by a select number of service providers of diversionary schemes, with an expected roll-out as a national option from April 2014. The course will address 20mph excessive speeders in the range of 24 to 31mph band. This will be married with the current 10% plus 2mph banding seen on all other speed enforcement diversionary schemes. The courses will be trialled for a further two years, which will enable NDORS and ACPO to evaluate both the course and consider other issues, such as whether the areas where enforcement has taken place are fit for purpose, whether there are issues with poor signage, is the area an obvious 20mph area, and does it feel right? In addition, is it confusing to the average driver? These and many other searching questions will be asked of those who attend the courses. If 20mph zones are as described earlier and are meant to be self-enforcing through traffic calming or managed gateways, is there really a need for enforcement, or is this an example of a ministerial action where they want to be seen to be fair? As we
have enforcement on all other speeds, surely we should have speed enforcement at 20mph, too. I have asked a number of police forces in conversation about enforcement. The general feeling is it will be difficult to enforce. Although most of the enforcement equipment is already calibrated to cope with the 20mph detection, I believe much of the kit is not as yet Home Office type approved for such enforcement. But be warned, if the 20mph areas are to increase in local authorities’ agendas, guided by the Government, we could see the criteria for 30mph areas being the criteria for 20mph areas and we will see 30mph repeater signs and no signage for 20mph. It’s a changing world out there on the roads; do not be complacent. We need to be very vigilant and look out for ministerial changes in the coming months and years.
www.msagb.com
Membership offers
Members have the advantage as Halfords offers major discounts on MoTs and servicing MoT prices slashed and 15% discount on servicing at Halfords MSA members are reaping the benefit of the association’s tie-up with Halfords Autocentres, which delivers major savings across a range of products and services. MSA members and their families are now able to access exclusive discounts on servicing and repairs at over 265 Halfords Autocentres nationwide. Members will receive • 33% off an MoT • Up to 15% off servicing • 5% off repairs Plus a FREE 15-point check! These translate into major savings, with over £35 off a major service and £18.10 off an MoT. MSA national chairman Peter Harvey commented: “I am delighted we have formed this partnership agreement with Halfords Autocentres. They are a trusted, well-known national brand, and with 265 centres around the country most members are within easy reach of one. “What is particularly pleasing is that this partnership delivers real value for money to our members at a time when I know many of them are struggling with the economic downturn. “By having your MoT and your major annual service at a Halfords Autocentre, members will save over £50 a year. When you consider that MSA membership is only £52 a year, this single deal virtually justifies paying for your annual membership on its own.” It is hoped that this deal will be extended in the future to include discounts off purchases from Halfords stores, too. Halfords Autocentres is the largest car service network in the UK. It currently has around a one per cent market share of the estimated £9bn car aftercare market. It is a well-known, well-liked and trusted brand, and its role at the heart of the motoring community has been acknowledged by the DSA, with the agreement for some of its larger store to host driving tests. As this deal is extended, ADIs in some parts of the country will find themselves visiting Halfords on a regular basis.
Home page: The special MSA page on the Halfords Autocentres website. More offers are available online
The company’s unique selling point is delivering a quality service that you would expect from a national organisation, but without the costs often associated with services at the main franchised dealerships. It also does not compromise manufacturers’ warranties and is carried out by staff who have had the latest training using the most up-to-date technology. This balance of franchise-quality service and competitive pricing is attractive to business customers such as ADIs, and the Autocentres are big enough to handle multi-car fleets, too. A spokesman for Halfords Autocentres commented: “We are delighted to enter into this agreement with the MSA, which we hope will really benefit its members. “With a growing and ageing car parc and cars lasting longer than ever, the need for car servicing is assured in the medium to long-term. “We have a long heritage of dealing with retail customers. Halfords Autocentres is the UK’s leading MoT, car service, repairs and tyres specialist, and we have an unrivalled team of experts dedicated to our customers and their cars. “We strive to provide a reliable garage that can do every job, provide good value, and we’re supported by a national network of wholly owned garages. Our staff are knowledgeable and approachable and they’ll advise you honestly about your car. We are the only chain of garages that have more ATA trained mechanics than any other independent garage group.” It’s a level of service that has clearly gone down well with the British public. 92 per cent of its customers either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they were satisfied with their experience (at Halfords), with 91 per cent saying they would revisit a Halfords Autocentre again.
How to take advantage of this offer Just go to www.halfordsautocentres.com/msa for full details of the discounts available, to find your nearest Halfords Autocentres and see what other services the company offers.
Save cash the Eezi way with the MSA Register now at www.MSA.eezibuy.co.uk and start saving money on key business products and services In the current economic climate, it is vital all businesses make sure they are getting the best value for money possible on the products and services they buy. To help ADIs maximise their spending power, the MSA has teamed up with EeziBuy to deliver real cash savings on your business expenses through its exclusive group discount scheme. The MSA EeziBuy service is your shortcut to saving you time, money and aggravation, leaving you to get on with running your business, satisfying your customers and generating income. Benefits: Your business convenience store - MSA EeziBuy provides you with a one-stop-shop for a wide range of common business expenses saving you time and aggravation. You can save money on everything from printing, software, energy, hotels, legal services, mail, office supplies and telecommunications.
Plus many more!
Easy to use - designed for simplicity, MSA EeziBuy allows you to get on with managing your business. Free of charge - as an MSA member it doesn’t cost you a penny to use MSA EeziBuy, so give it a try. You’ve nothing to lose and much to gain. Special Offers - check out our Special Offers page where you can pick up some great deals and discounts. How to use MSA EeziBuy Register at www.MSA.eezibuy. co.uk/register/php. Your MSA membership will then be verified and you will receive access to the portal within 48 hours. Once you have received confirmation of your registration, go to www.eezibuy. co.uk/MSA/log_in.php then simply click the ‘Offers’ button and choose the category(s) of interest from the black navigation bar – click on the categories and start saving money! We hope you find it beneficial. Any questions please email PartnerSave at enquiries@partnersave.co.uk or call 01524 782830.
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 27
Regional view:
www.msagb.com
» » » The MSA’s nationwide network of editors with the news and opinions that matter at local level
Driverless isn’t new: we’re had cars without ‘drivers’ for years TONY PHILLIPS
Editor, Greater London
Most of us have seen, I’m sure, the latest news on driverless cars. Google has had one running for some time now in California and there have been some experiments with them over here as well. Click, BBC’s IT programme for tech-heads, featured them recently, looking at a project in Las Vegas where they were being used on the road but with police escorts. From a personal viewpoint, I believe that in Britain we’re way ahead of the game, because I have seen driverless cars on our roads for years. In fact, not just cars! Bikes, motorbikes, vans, lorries and, of course, buses, all seemingly ‘driverless’. I suppose it all depends on what you class as a ‘driver’. Is it someone who is actually in control of the vehicle in the sense of using their head and eyes on concentrating on the road, or is a driver merely someone who is just using their hands and feet while doing something else? The list of their other activities is endless: using phones, eating, drinking, smoking; looking at the shops, doing make up, shaving (yes, I’ve definitely seen that), singing along to the radio and using the steering wheel as a set of drums, etc. They are just a few examples I’ve personally witnessed. Are these vehicles being driven or are they being moved along the road? The only time I’ve really seen other drivers actually use some concentration is when they try to overtake learner drivers in the most dangerous places. To be fair, these new hi-tech concept cars are not really driverless as they have computers controlling their every move and where they are allowed on the public highways, the laws say that they must have a qualified driver behind the wheel at all times. However, considering my point in the paragraph above, what’s the difference? Naturally, if computer-driven cars do come into fashion, then the humans controlling them will need some form of tuition. DVSA, using its new proposed system of recruitment and in its infallible and infinite wisdom – after all, whenever have they said sorry for making a mistake? It is perfect in every way (just like that other fantasy, Mary Poppins) and don’t have to apologise because they NEVER make mistakes – will naturally target the obvious and most natural source for new educators: computer programmers. These 21st Century educators will have to have a new title which I propose should be New Electronic Resource Driving Instructors (or NERDI, for short) and these bright new sparks will
28 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
NERDIs at the wheel: Google’s driverless car research project is light years behind the antics of ordinary Londoners
use the best methods of teaching, ones that go back to the origins of computer civilisation, similar to those that I experienced many years ago when working in an office. It took the form of “Oh hell, don’t tell me that you’ve crashed the damn thing again?” (At this point, the expression on the NERDI’s face has to be an annoyed and angry frown followed by a condescending slow shake of the head from side to side in disbelief at the ineptitude of the client, followed by a sigh showing incredulous acceptance of my obvious stupidity). “Look, I’ll show you again shall I?” Then, very slowly and with obvious deliberation, the NERDI presses the buttons to get the thing going again but with their body and arm in the way of the keyboard so that I can’t see which buttons they’re pressing and in which order. At the same time they say, with obvious acidic contempt for this blithering idiot that’s been their misfortune to teach, “You press this here and THEN this one and AFTER THAT, (pregnant pause to make the point), you press this one. OK?” I am only five foot three anyway, but I now feel small enough to crawl back into the hole I really should never have appeared from in the first place and in my own very diminutive way, I nod my head over enthusiastically and encouragingly, eyes over-wide and bright like I had been snorting cocaine, head going as if Kim Jong-un had just asked me to agree with him, just to get away from the NERDI, who is so obviously far above my status in the natural order of things, especially in terms of evolution. Oh, roll on the second coming of the Luddites. I’ll be at the front with a big club. Hopefully my beloved Arsenal...
The London cycling debate (cont) Further to last month’s tirade, the cycle debate is beginning to sound much more like early evangelical Christianity in the Dark and Middle Ages, and the way it proved its point through illogical argument, paradox and downright cynicism. As an aside, I should point out here that I don’t wish to offend devout (or any) Christians, however if you look at the activity of many early evangelical Christians you’ll find some pretty dark and obtuse dealings in the name of Christianity. Back to the cycling. Quoting the headline of the London Evening Standard, from 2nd January. ‘40 CYCLISTS KILLED … 4 DRIVERS JAILED’ Underneath that a sub-head stated: ‘AND NO CHARGES OVER TWO DEATHS INVOLVING LORRIES’ The story was an ‘exclusive’ with a by-line of Ross Lydall, chief news correspondent. To be fair, the stories quoted contained some obvious cases of bad justice, whereby acts of dangerous and careless driving carried no or little punishment, and one can see the reason for the anger and feelings of great injustice. However, the reason why many of the drivers were allowed to go free is because, after extensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police traffic division, no blame could be attached to the drivers! It was the tragically deceased cyclists who had put themselves in very dangerous and vulnerable positions alongside LGVs and, in one or two cases, buses at left turns whereby they were in the drivers’ blind spots.
www.msagb.com
Smile – it’s just a test Sara Bradley p30
Restrictions won’t help young drivers
Bye, lane hoggers: hello, cutters-up
Rod Came p32
John Lomas p 34
ADI meeting
South East London/suburban Kent All ADIs and PDIs welcome MSA Greater London is pleased to announce its first seminar for 2014
Venue: Master’s Renault, Beckenham, Date: March 13. Cost: £5 members, £8 non-members (£3 refunded if you join the MSA on the night) Doors open at 6.30pm, 7pm start. To finish around 9.30pm
Speakers and presentations are to be advised but it will include: n Latest news from the industry n Standards Check – just a fortnight away at the time of the meeting! n Presentation by our hosts, Masters Renault
DAVID JAMES
Editor, South Wales
Not all details are finalised as yet, but the New Standards Check will play a major part. In addition there will be refreshments and, as always, a great chance to mingle with your fellow driver trainers. The full address of the venue is: Masters Renault, 150 Upper Elmer’s End Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3DZ • More details - see your local test centre notice board Save for stopping the vehicle, getting out and taking a look, the drivers wouldn’t have been able to see them and/or know that the cyclist was there. Mayor Boris Johnson’s solution is to stop LGVs driving through London in busy periods; well, that’s them barred 24/7/365 then isn’t it? How about stopping the buses as well, Boris? In the meantime, Jenny Jones, the Green Party’s representative at the London Assembly, while being interviewed on the BBC (I have a recording of her talking on BBC London TV news), said that the roads are getting more dangerous and the crashes are caused by people going too fast. Well, I’d certainly agree with her on the latter bit but I wonder who she means is going too fast? Because it’s well-known that the average speed of traffic across London is about 10-12 mph, the same as at the turn of the 20th century in fact, when we had horse-drawn vehicles. The only vehicles that I see really going too fast are cyclists... A spokesman from the cyclists’ lobby suggested that lorry operators should buy the newer, safer lorry cab designed with a much better open view to the driver’s blind near side. Great idea, but who’s going to pay for it? Certainly not the cycling fraternity, why should they, eh? It isn’t up to them to take responsibility for their own safety. It’s everyone else’s, isn’t it? Am I anti-cyclist? It seems like it, doesn’t it? But actually I’m very pro-cyclist. I think it’s a great way to get around. However, whereas it’s a ‘given’ that most drivers are rubbish, including and especially ‘professionals’ such as mini-cab, taxi, van, lorry, bus/coach, motorcycle couriers and pizza delivery boys, etc, so are most cyclists! The difference is that the latter are looked on as paragons of ecological virtue whereas the former are the new smokers and frowned upon. If anything goes wrong, it’s always the motorists’ fault and never that of the cyclist, even when it’s proved to be the case, as the Evening Standard front page headlines perfectly demonstrate. The pendulum always swings from one extreme to the other, but I just wonder how far it has to swing before it starts coming back the other way.
Roads have changed: we have to change the way we handle them, too
When I trained as an ADI, I recall some words of general advice from my trainer after I passed my final test. He told me that although I was now qualified and trained, I should keep upto-date with driving developments and, above all, “know about driving and know about your pupils so that you can give them the knowledge to become safe drivers”. For the past 23 years the basic principles have not changed and I am sure that other ADIs have valued views of their own about this. There is one overriding consideration, which is that whenever the standards are changed, we have to change our ways as well, whether it’s a minor or major amount. I was involved with some mature driver training recently and I was asked my opinion as to whether driving standards are getting worse. This is a big subject and no doubt there are many reasons that have brought about changes, including the pressures of modern living. It’s sometimes difficult to remember details of the changes I have encountered while driving on our roads over the years. I have seen many examples of bad driving and it could be due to my efforts to stay safe and some good luck that I don’t have a bad record. But what was it like to drive on a motorway for the first time? In the 1970s the M4 motorway was being extended from Newport to go further west into Wales. Apart from a question or two from the examiner about motorway speed limits and signs at the end of my test, my knowledge was zero. I had never seen a motorway, except on film. My job involved driving and I had to cross the Severn Bridge to go to the West Country to do
some work. Although I was absolutely terrified for much of the trip it passed without any major incident. That journey on a motorway for the first time is one thing I do remember. The things that have changed since then include more fast traffic on the roads, more commuters, more school runs and we could all add many more changes, such as roads policing, which has all but disappeared from our roads. We have some excellent police trainers and officers, but are they visible enough to be effective? When I was an inexperienced driver, I made errors. Fortunately, they were small errors and I was able to learn from them and improve; where do our inexperienced drivers have the opportunity to develop their skills now? An interesting fact came to my notice the other day. In 1934 this country had over 7,000 people killed on our roads in one year. The carnage was so horrific that the public was up in arms, and their response forced politicians to do something about the general state of roads and driving. The result was a series of improvements in subsequent years. First, the Highway Code and a driving test were introduced. ‘Cats eyes’ were invented and new road signs and many other improvements were brought in. Strange that in the present day the subject of driver training seems to be the main thrust of improving road safety while other areas that research has highlighted as ripe for improvements that will make a difference have fallen by the wayside. I once had a pupil who had passed his driving test about eight years before his arrival in this country. He passed in Goa, India, but was afraid to drive here because he could not understand our systems. He had a lot to learn. He had never used a roundabout or give way junction, for example, but after some work and his good efforts he passed his test here. It was funny when he told me that in Goa his driving test consisted of meeting the examiner outside his office and driving around the block and back to the office where the examiner was still on the same spot waiting for him. A bit different here, isn’t it?
Contact
Contact e: tony@tonys trainees.co.uk Please ensure all emails contain MSA Greater London in the subject
“Roads policing has all but disappeared from our roads. We have some excellent police trainers and officers, but are they visible enough to be effective?”
David James can be contacted via e: d.james869@ btinternet.com t: 07733 070888
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 29
www.msagb.com
Regional News: Eastern
Smile – it may well have been the biggest day of their lives
All smiles: A relaxed examiner inspires confidence in the pupil
SARA BRADLEY Editor, Eastern
Can you remember learning to drive, or the day of your test or how scared the examiner made you feel? Everyone has their own story to tell about the day they passed their driving test. Some are good, some funny and some truly awful but all of them, no matter your age, become part of a milestone day. Your life changes the day you get that pass, you have your independence. If they’ve been taught – and learnt – the right way, our pupils will have invested a lot of time and spent a considerable amount of money on their lessons. On the ‘big day’ you would be hardpushed to find someone who didn’t have a few jitters and feel a sense of pressure. There is a lot to overcome on this important day, we know it’s not an easy test, so when they get the end result they want, it is actually a huge achievement. Definitely
worth applauding and celebrating. I get a real buzz out of a pass, and have to hold back from doing a high five! SO, after recent conversations with fellow ADIs, the general consensus is why are some examiners so miserable at this high point? We know they see it several times a day but surely they understand it is such an important moment in the pupil’s life. Surely it has been covered in their own training? During the de-brief examiners have been heard to mumble “you have been successful”, or say “you passed but...” before launching into a right telling off for mistakes made during the test. It’s got to the point where sometimes pupils have been so confused by the lack of expression in the word “pass” that they don’t even realise they have passed! Sadly, some are just plain rude. Would these examiners talk to the younger pupils in this manner with the pupil’s parent in the car? I think not. Everyone understands that the de-brief needs to comment on their faults but why can’t the
MSA Eastern Meeting: The Standards Check Date: Tuesday 25th February Venue: Heartsease Methodist Hall, Norwich Time: 6.30 pm Guest: Owen Corrigan Join fellow MSA members and other ADIs at a special meeting on the new Standards Check. Our guest speaker will be Owen Corrigan, Sector Manager & Driver Training Assessment Manager for the DVSA. He has kindly agreed to give a presentation on the new ADI Standards Check. Now is your chance to come and find out all the information you need and ask any questions. Please come along and show some support. Cost is ONLY £2 for MSA members and £4 for non-members, payable on the door. Refreshments provided. 30 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Eastern
examiners have a cheery “congratulations” followed up by the official ‘but I would like to draw your attention to...’ speech, perhaps finished off with another congratulations and an “enjoy the rest of your day”. Can you imagine in our modern world if midwives, doctors or teachers delivered great news in such a manner? What a shame that would be. It looks as though this year is going to be a year of change for many of us in this industry, particularly with the introduction of the Standards Check. General opinion is that the more recent arrivals from Cardington appear to be coming out with a more pleasant manner towards candidates but maybe it’s time for some re-training on communication in some departments. It’s not only ADIs that need CPD! At the end of the day, if the pupil passed then they reached the required standard, what’s not to be happy about? Thought for the day: which do you prefer, newly qualified examiner or long serving examiner? Hmm!!!
Contact • Any news or views from the Eastern region? You can contact Sara at bradley213@ bt internet. com
Newsxtra Young motorists neglecting maintenance, says website A website dedicated to garages is claiming that new and young drivers are putting their lives at risk by neglecting car servicing. whocanfixmycar.com – a site which operates nationwide to help car owners find rated mechanics in their local area – is encouraging young drivers to budget sensibly to keep their cars in top condition amid claims that basic maintenance is the last thing on their list for expenditure. Ian Griffiths, CEO of whocanfixmycar. com said: “With all the costs that young people have to absorb, such as living costs and insurance, it can be easy to forget about budgeting for basic car costs such as servicing, MOT, vehicle tax and general maintenance. “However, neglecting car maintenance can not only lead you to breaking the law but will also expose the driver to dangers, particularly when the overlooked maintenance involves tyres, brakes and other key systems.”
Winter is the time when most young people look to a garage to keep their car on the road. The site clocked a 25 per cent increase in job requests in January last year as motorists struggle to keep moving in harsh weather conditions. The team at whocanfixmycar.com advises young people to carry out weekly checks of tyre pressure and tyre tread depth – and to remember that less than 3mm is dangerous in wintry weather. They should also check oil and water levels, lights and wiper blades on a weekly basis. If anything looks worn or broken, students shouldn’t attempt to fix it themselves to save money, but should ask a local garage for advice instead. Ian added: “We’re particularly concerned about students, who may be living in an unfamiliar city without access to a mechanic they know and trust. By using its site, young drivers can post their job requests online for free and compare quotes and reviews of local mechanics.”
www.msagb.com
Regional News: Western
Poor driving but it’s the instructor who’s really at fault this time COLIN LILLY
Chairman & Editor, Western
I have written in the past about low standards of instruction, and some of the things I’ve seen recently suggest it isn’t getting any better. I may be wrong but some of this is, I think, down to instructors misunderstanding the concept of client-centred learning or coaching. I have now deliberately reduced the amount of L-driver tuition I do, and the spare time I’ve now got allows me more time to visit other towns in the south west. Using a car free of advertising I simply become another member of the motoring public. After 36 years in driver training, including some instructor training, I feel I am a good reader of body language. I recently encountered a learner driver with a driving school. I joined a 40 mph single carriageway at a roundabout and fell in behind the
learner. They carried on along this road with no traffic ahead of them at a maximum speed of 25 mph. I was not able to overtake due to oncoming traffic. We approached a junction on the right off the main road. The learner car moved to the right without warning, to position into the right-turn lane. In so doing they crossed double solid white lines on approach. While making the turn they cut the corner with both offside wheels over the centre. Taking a while to get the car back on line there was an interesting near-miss with a pedestrian refuge a little way up the road. We carried on along the 30 mph road at a maximum of 15 mph. Even that was a bit fast as there were some parked cars dotted along the road. A number of these narrowly survived with their door mirrors intact. Oncoming traffic was treated in a similar way, being forced very close to the pavement and trees near the kerb. I decided not to overtake even if an apparent opportunity arose as the driver was so unpredictable. By now there was quite a queue building up behind us. When we reached a large roundabout the learner turned to the right, taking the left-hand lane throughout. Once again, no signals were involved, something that came as quite a surprise to the driver emerging from the second exit.
Contact e: cglilly@bt internet.com t: 01934 514336 07768 367056 a: 7 Bampton, Tamar Rd, Worle, Westonsuper-Mare BS22 6LD
Fortunately, this was where we parted company and normal service was resumed. All these things, you may say, are typical mistakes that any learner can make. That is true, but in this case there was no apparent communication between instructor and pupil apart from giving directions at junctions. The questions I ask are: n Why was the pupil not being given guidance where and when it was so apparently necessary? n Why, if they were being expected to drive independently, were they on a moderately busy A-road? n Was the instructor lazy or inept? n Why was the pupil allowed to put themselves and others at risk when opportunities existed to pull over and discuss the situation? The reason I link this to coaching, or the misunderstanding of it, is that I have heard instructors say that coaching is to let the pupil do what they think and sort it out later. How beneficial is it that the only CPD some instructors take part in is the misguided test centre rumour mill? Hopefully, the new instructor’s Standards Check will sort this out. If you have any comments or news please contact me at 7 Bampton, Tamar Road, Worle, Westonsuper-Mare BS22 6LD, on 01934-514336, Mobile: 07768367056 or e-mail: cglilly@btinternet.com
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 31
www.msagb.com
Regional News: South East
Good driver, bad driver? ROD CAME Editor, South East
So the Government has decided that the highly anticipated Green Paper on reforming the regulations concerning new drivers is to be put on the back burner. This appears to have ruffled more than a few feathers but is hardly surprising. Governments by their very nature take a short-term view of things. They are elected for five years and spend most of that time wondering how to get returned at the next election. Imposing new restraints on voters is bound to upset them, and upsetting the populace is a sure-fire loser. Telling somebody who has just acquired their full driving licence that they can’t do this and can’t do that is not going to be a popular move, it is contrary to all the modern thoughts regarding learning as I understand them. Surely it must be accepted that driving lessons will only instil the basic elements of driving a car into the new driver’s psyche? It is not possible in 40 hours of training to replicate all the situations that a driver will encounter in a lifetime of driving. As examples, will they ever have had an emergency vehicle on a ‘blue lights’ call come up behind them in a difficult traffic situation, hit an unavoidable – and deep – puddle of water at speed, or have had a deer run out in front of them? All possible and yet all things that they will not have been able to practice and so don’t know how to react too. You can talk about such circumstances with them as often as you like, and add in your own ‘unusual’ events, but until they have experienced them, all the talk in the world will be of little consequence. Go back to when you first qualified as an ADI. You may have had the best trainer in the UK, who provided you with all the information that you required using all the most effective teaching methods. Now tell me that after five years in the job you are not a better ADI than you were when you took out your first client. You can’t, can you? Clients have an irritating habit of providing you with problems for which you are unprepared. Each solution you find gives you new experience to rely on in future. How would you have felt being a newly qualified ADI if you had been told that you could only teach certain aspects of driving or only certain types of people? Then, after two years, you were able to teach the full spectrum of driver training, but of course had not done so for the intervening period of time. A daft proposition, isn’t it? It is exactly the same with new drivers. They start to gain more experience from the first day they are on the road alone. That is the day they have to fully accept responsibility for their own actions, and decide on which avoidance manoeuvre to make in relation to those of others. It has to be accepted that the majority of new drivers are not suicidal maniacs, although some give the appearance of being so, but that they come to grief because they either make a mistake or a wrong decision. They are human.
32 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
While ADIs might have liked some of the ideas proposed for the Green Paper, the introduction of restrictions on new drivers seemed unfair, undemocratic – and electoral suicide
Working on the basis that new drivers are by definition not going to be as skilful as conscientious and experienced drivers, it is necessary to make allowances for them and accept, unpalatable as it may be, that they will be involved in more collisions than other drivers. This is not to say that there should be no effort made to minimise their involvement, or the consequences thereof. The question is what action to take that will be both effective and acceptable to those to whom it is directed. The curbs which had been suggested on all new drivers because of the activities of a few are a serious restriction on their freedom. It is the hammer-to-crack-a nut syndrome – make everybody suffer because a small number transgress. How very democratic is that? Encouraging new drivers to improve is a laudable ambition and should be progressed. Restricting them from driving late at night, not being able to carry their friends in the car and raising the driving age to 18 are impositions that are unreasonable for the majority. It is the bad drivers, new or experienced, who have to be dealt with. It is necessary to single out those who will not or don’t know how to comply with normal, safe road behaviour. Most people will voluntarily drive along a road below a certain speed, known as the 85 percentile speed, which gives an indication of the sensible speed limit to set for that piece of road. In effect this means that the majority of drivers are not affected by the imposition of a speed limit, the only people who are affected are those who would drive at a speed above the norm. That is reasonable and generally acceptable. To impose a restriction that will affect everybody such as raising the minimum driving age to 18 would not be reasonable. Or restricting the hours of night time driving, which would interfere with the activities of all new drivers who need or wanted to drive during those hours, whether they would drive badly or not, is again unreasonable. There will always be drivers on the road who are a danger to themselves and others. Traffic police patrol the roads and one of the reasons for their existence is to promote road
safety. It is their job to ensure that drivers and vehicles are on the road in lawful circumstances and vehicles are being driven properly. They are the people who should sort the wheat from the chaff and deal with transgressors. In that way the majority can continue going about their lawful business without hindrance and those who do not comply can be dealt with in the appropriate manner. There is one big problem. Because of cut-backs a decade or more ago there are very few traffic police. A short-sighted policy introduced by senior police officers in the past is now contributing to many of the driver-related problems on our roads. The fear of being caught doing something wrong is often the greatest deterrent. You know the answer to the problem. Progress I am not against progress; it is a wonderful thing. It has raised mankind from being cave dwellers to civilised (well, sort of) human beings, who live in our own castles. I remember a phone call from my son one morning reporting that on the window pane of his recently acquired digs that there was ice on the inside of the glass. Oh! How well I remember those days, leaping out of bed to grab your clothes and drag them into bed with you, so they would be a bit warmer when it was time to get dressed. Was it bliss? No. Thank heavens for central heating. My first car, a 1953 Ford Poplar, did what my current car does in that it started (mostly), stopped (eventually) and went round corners (alarmingly), but would I like to go back to driving it now? No. I would not. I much prefer the reliability, ABS disc braked, power steered, air-conditioned luxury, of my present set of wheels. My cousin in Oz can converse almost instantly with me via Skype rather than having to wait a couple of weeks or more for a letter to arrive by air mail, in fact he can do so more quickly than can my neighbour, who has to walk up our drive to see me face to face. Such has been the rate of progress over the last half century. However, there are many other areas where so-called progress has not always been beneficial to mankind. Nuclear energy is capable of providing electricity to power almost everything that governs our lives, but also has the ability to destroy us. Then we come to the subject of change. Change, like progress, can be beneficial. It is often difficult to differentiate change from progress, although progress usually results in an improvement whereas change, especially when it is in the form of ‘change for change’s sake’ is often either non-beneficial or a retrograde step. During my time as a member of Her Majesty’s constabulary I was stationed at Bexhill, a seaside town which was divided into seven beats lettered A - G, to which officers would be allocated to patrol. A new guv’nor came along and ordered that the beats be numbered 1 – 7. That was change but it wasn’t progress, especially when, after nine months, he left and his replacement made the careerdefining decision to return to lettering them. We all know that new brooms sweep clean and that individuals often desire to leave a legacy behind them when they move on. Somehow I feel that this is happening in the driver training industry at the time. Change is happening but I see little evidence of progress. Please correct me if I am wrong. Let it not be that driver training suffers because of change.
www.msagb.com
Regional News: South East www.msagb.com
Comment: Letters
Addendum I had written the above when the January Newslink fluttered through my letterbox. I was not surprised, but saddened to find that my thoughts regarding ‘gobbledegook’, as aired in the previous issue, had hit a nerve with some members. The Newslink editor quite rightly included opinions both for and against my expressed view, which made interesting reading. One writer refers to “(my) ability to impart the higher order skills contained in the GDE matrix”. Well, that is exactly what I was talking about. I know what you mean but why not say it in understandable English? As a police officer attached to the Sussex Police Traffic Division for 12 years at a time when 7,500 people a year were being killed on our roads, compared with 2,500 now, I have seen the aftermath of far too many fatal traffic collisions and spoken to too many distraught parents to last me a lifetime. I have pulled over young men for bad driving and spoken to them like a Dutch uncle to advise them about their on-road behaviour, only to be met by complete indifference as to whether they live or die – such people are incorrigible. I booked a man for speeding; a fortnight later, at night, he was speeding again when he hit a flock of sheep on the A22. He died in the crash. Some people never learn. Somebody had to tell his widow and children. What concerns me more is the number of drivers on the road who though not stupid, have been failed by the system. They have taken expert driver training but are totally unprepared for driving on the modern road system. You can impart all the theoretical knowledge you like, but unless that is followed up with practical training it is mainly wasted. For example, more than 85,000 souls live in Hastings, obviously a proportion of them either are or will become new drivers. They will have had at least sufficient tuition to enable them to perform to the minimum standard required to pass a driving test, but they will not be competent drivers. Most of them will not have approached a roundabout with more than one lane outside a 30mph speed limit area, they will not have driven at a speed in excess of 60mph because there are no dual carriageways within 20 miles of Hastings, and as for motorways, they will only have read about them in the Highway Code. How are they supposed to know what to do when approaching a multi-lane roundabout at 70mph, or how to properly use a motorway slip road? Is it any wonder that a large number of motorway collisions occur at junctions? On driver assessments I often find that even with ‘experienced’ drivers on motorways they slow down to take an exit. Slowing to 40mph in lane one when the 44 tonne artic behind is travelling at 56 mph is fraught with danger, but nobody has ever
Debate: Rod’s views prompted a number of letters to the Newslink postbag in January
Newslink Postbag. We welcome contributions from our members. Would all contributors please remember that Newslink cannot publish letters anonymously. Pen names will be used to protect the identity of the author if necessary. Please address all correspondence to The Editor, Newslink, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP. Letters can also be sent by email, to mail@msagb.co.uk
Working all day on the road means that sooner or later an ADI is going to be a witness to, or involved in, a collision. If it is your vehicle involved then photographic or video evidence can mean the difference between paying your excess and expenses or being able to claim them from a third party, which is obviously beneficial but saves money rather than makes it. Many ADIs have video facilities and use them to record a client’s lesson. Very useful as a training aid, also a saleable commodity for the client to take No support in south west home and replay at their leisure – for which they for translations will pay. Another little earner occurs when you are unfortunate Test translation axe enough to witness a collision. Bearing is unnecessary in mind that such an event might interrupt a lesson for some time, you may feel that taking the lesson fee from the client is not morally correct, but why should you lose out? ... or is it a case of Tyrannosaurus Rod...? Leaving your business card with the warring parties will cost you nothing. I am not going to suggest that they will come to you for further training, though that might happen! But what will happen is that one or both of the insurance companies involved, or their solicitors, will send you a witness statement to complete on their behalf. had the opportunity to advise them differently, Now, everybody else involved in the aftermath of because there is no continuation of training, either this incident is going to be paid for their services, theory or practical, after the initial minimum be it the recovery driver, the medical people, the required to pass a learner test. 12 n JANUARY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK police, crash investigators and the repairers. Why They will have had several years of taking should you not be paid? responsibility for their own learning and A polite letter back to the insurance company development or what I would call gaining pointing out that you are self-employed and charge experience, but to little effect. Surely it must be £X an hour for your time, including completing time for refresher training to be introduced at forms for insurance companies, will state your licence renewal time if we are to make further position. Adding that you have either some still progress in casualty reduction? That will improve photographs or a CCTV recording which is road safety far more than ever fancy words will. available at extra cost will be the icing on the cake, both for you and for them. You will initially receive Weighted trailers either a refusal or nothing at all. My thanks to all those people who contacted me In my experience, after a period of time another regarding the item I wrote about weighted trailers letter will arrive agreeing with what you requested for D1+E driving tests. Unfortunately, although initially. Don’t be greedy, keep your fees reasonable there were eminently sensible solutions to the and it will all work out OK in the end. At least your problem, nothing was really practical. ADIs are lost lesson will be paid for. getting round the problem, but they should not have to invoke devious methods to comply, it Power assisted steering should simply be straightforward. Most cars now have electrically power assisted As John Lomas, my colleague as North West steering, either direct to the steering column or via editor, pointed out recently, there are similar an electrically powered hydraulic pump. problems with the requirements for the B+E trailer As time has passed these systems have become test. more reliable BUT it is considered essential that the Couldn’t organise a what in a where comes to steering is not held on full lock because this is mind (yet again). liable to burn out the motor. Makes the turn in the road exercise a bit of a problem, doesn’t it. For Cameras in cars driver training use, would manufacturers replace Not being one to miss out on a money-making the motor under warranty or call it fair wear and opportunity I have always carried a camera in my tear, in which case was the vehicle sold not fit for car and latterly had a CCTV system installed. It purpose? Anybody had experience of this? cost me money, therefore it had to earn its keep. You’re no dinosaur, Mr Came – you’re right!
Dear Sir, How refreshing that someone, namely Mr Rod Came (Newslink, December), is not coming down with the emperor’s new coat syndrome! The latest codswallop around the new Standards Check is incredulous and comes from people who have probably never run a driving school, let alone completed 30 to 40 hours a week of learner driver tuition. Pages and pages are wasted on gobbledygook rubbish when, as an instructor with a high pass rate, I just get on with the job. We’ve all, almost daily, heard the question, usually from parents, “how much?”, “how many lessons?” We never hear the question, “can you instruct my most cherished possession/offspring to drive safely in order not to kill or maim themselves or someone else?” Nothing will change until lessons are free, so that the pupil can complete the task of learning to drive properly and at the rate of learning that the pupil can achieve. They are all different. Of course, this will never happen, it would cost too much. The Government covers this via the DVSA’s ludicrous suggestion that pupils should have as much private tuition from a family member or friend, a person with no training, no instruction experience, probably not insured, possibly the wrong attitude and most probably, almost definitely without dual controls, for God’s sake. Does the DSA think so little of ADIs that they think any Tom, Dick or Harry can teach people to drive? Keep up the good work, Mr Came. Name and address withheld (for obvious reasons) Dear Sir, Can I just say, I totally agree with Rod’s viewpoint (as published in December, Newslink). First and foremost, know your student. Martin Wayman
Dear Sir Of course, he is just stuck in his ways! Rod Came, that is. In the December issue of Newslink, in an article headlined ‘Don’t call me a dinosaur just because I don’t agree with what you’re doing’, Mr Came sets about castigating the DVSA and the new ADI Standards Check. At the end of the article it stated “Many would say that what Rod talks about is ‘client-centred learning’, and that under the new marking regime his expertise will be better recognised”. I think that is probably true and I agree with the points he makes about missed opportunities, particularly around legislation concerning CPD, and, of course, with the age-old adage ‘if it ain’t broke…’ But the truth is, it is, of course, broke. While DVSA is attempting to embrace the concepts of the GDE matrix through what it is calling client-centred learning, the problem for Mr Came and his like is not their ability to prepare students to pass the driving test, which I’m sure they are first rate at, but with their ability to impart the higher order skills contained in the matrix. The truth is that Mr Came and those inclined to follow his lead will continue to pass the new Standards Check and to get pupils through the driving test but with the same attitude they and the DVSA have had for years, one that is
expressed by Mr Came in the sentence, “they learn to trust me to get them up to a standard to pass a driving test.” I appreciate that this attitude fulfils the client’s desire to acquire a licence but does nothing to address the attitude problems we all know exist with new young drivers. I would suggest another old adage “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.” And that is, sadly, new young drivers involved in a disproportionate amount of collisions compared with the rest of the driving population. Please, Mr Came, don’t worry about change for changes sake, just move forward. Cars have changed; when you started years ago, few cars had heated rear windows, ABS or six gears. Roads have changed, there were no spiral roundabouts, no puffin crossing and no hard shoulder running. At least, that is what my Dad tells me. Training needs to change. Involving the client in taking more responsibility for their own learning and development is not some barmy idea dreamed up by crazed academics, it is a well-tested teaching practice. Come on Mr Came, time to get with the programme. Frank Daniels By Email
Dear Sir, As I live in the south west of England I wish to comment upon the letter published in the December issue from a member in ‘the South West’, (on the decision to end translations on driving tests), because I do not share his/her view, and I have no wish for anyone to think that I sent it! When the person concerned took his/her test it was done on home soil, in English. The principles of the Highway Code were easily understood, and the required knowledge gained. Thus driving abroad became a matter of common sense. Our Government extends exactly the same courtesy to many foreign nationals who, having gained a full licence in their own country, in their first language, are permitted to drive in the UK and, in the case of Europeans, even exchange their licence for a UK one if they live here. However, the change in the rules for our test is to ensure that those who have no licence from a country with whom we have an exchange agreement, learn all they need to know about driving, including the meaning of the signs in the language in which it is written. Once that is accomplished they will, no doubt, be able to drive in other places without difficulty. But it seems to me that they will find it hard to apply common sense to signs in other languages if they have not really mastered their meanings in the language of the country of their residency. It is not at all racist to insist that those living here and taking exams here use our national languages. Other people make the effort to do so and it is at best discourteous to them to permit others not to bother to do so. As a postscript, on a different subject, I would add that I have only been an ADI for half as long as Rod Came but I agree with his comments in the December issue. Meg PRIVETT DipDI Feniton, Devon Dear Sir, I was surprised to see a comment in the last issue of Newslink, rejecting the Government’s plan to scrap translations on the theory and driving tests. Around a year ago, when the Government opened the consultation on this proposal, I seem to recall Newslink printed a table of the countries of the EU, and what
language they translated their national tests into. A quick glance down the table suggested we were pretty much alone in translating our tests into every language under the sun – with the irony, of course, that if there is one country that could justify not translating its tests, it would be one that speaks English as its main tongue. After all, if a foreign driver is going to speak another language in addition to his or her own, it will probably be English, which is the most recognisable language on the planet. Yet we, the nation that has given the world a truly universal language, have decided to ignore that fact and offer our tests in everyone else’s tongues. If we were Sweden, you could understand it, or France, as no-one speaks Swedish or French any more, but not us. Simple facts: we cannot afford to keep on bending over backwards to people who come to this country and demand the right not to conform to our standards. Fact, if you can’t read the road signs, you are putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk. And finally, come here, fine. No problem. But if you don’t bother to learn the language, how are you going to integrate, make friends, meet local (indigenous) people, get a job, fit in? I think this is an excellent idea; the sooner the tests are taken in English and Welsh only, the better. Alan Verfield Newcastle Editor’s note: It has to be said that these were two of many letters we received agreeing wholeheartedly with this change to the driver testing regime. However, there were dissenting voices, including the response received from this member (below).
Dear Sir I am very disappointed that the Government has decided to axe voiceovers for the theory test. This will be extremely detrimental to my business. I mostly teach foreign people in a language other than English. Just because people cannot speak or read English does not mean that they cannot understand road signs or cannot understand the law of the road. When people do theory tests in their own language they perfectly understand everything about road traffic law, just as you and I do. I have been teaching driving for 15 years, mainly to foreign people, and have not found any misunderstanding in the law or road signs. The axing of voiceovers means that everybody has to learn a very high standard of English before they can sit a test. This is absolutely unnecessary, and possibly racist in my view. I hope they see the light and change their decision before this comes into force. I suppose the next thing that will come out is no interpreters on the driving test. Do we really need this? Do people need to be put under this much pressure? Mohammed Ahmed, Leeds Editor’s note: I think it unlikely that the Government will reverse its decision on this matter. Regarding practical tests, I should make it clear that driving test candidates will no longer be able to use foreign language voiceovers and interpreters on any of their tests, either theoretical or practical, from 7 April 2014. For further details see November’s Newslink or https://www.gov.uk/government/news/end-to-foreignlanguage-driving-tests
Ashford ADIs...
Ready for your Standards Check?_
Then join us for a special MSA Training Seminar on the most important change to hit the industry in years Date: Tuesday, 4 March 2014 Speaker: Mark Aston, DVSA DTAM, Topic: The new Standards Check from the DVSA’s perspective. Venue: The Holiday Inn, Canterbury Road, Ashford TN24 8QQ. Time: Doors open 6.15pm for 7pm start. Places will be limited and it is essential that you book your place through the MSA website – www.msagb.com. Go to ‘Services’ then ‘MSA Sales’. Price: Members £5, non-members £8. A CPD Certificate will be issued to each attendee. MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 33
www.msagb.com
Regional News: North West
We’re no longer hogging the lane - but we are cutting you up JOHN LOMAS
Editor, North West
You will all recall, I am sure, the arguments/discussions in the media when the Government announced its intention to make lane hogging and tailgating offences that could be dealt with by fixed penalty tickets. Many felt that it could not be policed because there are too few motorway patrols. Personally, I wonder just how many unmarked police cars we all pass or are passed by during a typical drive; I suspect that it is a lot more than we can imagine. A lot of other people suggested that it would be ignored, either because of the perceived lack of policing or the general ignorance of the law and lack of driver awareness. In previous issues of Newslink I raised the question of “How Far and How Long”; exactly what is defined as lane hogging other than the extremes of being in a second, third or fourth lane when there is nobody visible in the inside – though even that seemingly clear-cut scenario can throw up anomalies – for instance, when approaching a junction where one or more lanes are dedicated to the motorway leaving the original route, usually referred to as ‘drop lane’ junctions. A local example is the M6 northbound, for instance, when it drops two lanes when the M55 diverges to Blackpool. There are times when it is acceptable or even preferable to join the outer lanes early and let those wishing to take the diverging route have plenty of room to pass on the left once the dividing line between lanes changes to the close together pattern, as seen in Know Your Traffic Signs on page 81, diagram 1010 in the Traffic Signs Manual, chapter 5, page 19; http://tinyurl.com/nt7b9w9 My own observations on whether this new legislation has had a positive impact are somewhat puzzling. Rather than seeing no effect on many of the drivers we encounter on our motorways, I have noticed a worrying increase in the number of drivers so anxious not to be caught lane hogging that they have started cutting back in far too early. I have seen drivers cutting back when fewer than 10ft in front of the vehicle they have overtaken. This has occurred many times even when they have as little as a 5mph cushion over the slower vehicle and they are not being pressured by any tailgaters. The weather seems to have no effect on this either; I’ve seen these antics during some of the worst of the rain I encountered over the Christmas holidays. So it would seem to me that, far from being ignored by many drivers, a lot of drivers are so keen to avoid prosecution they are not using their “common” sense. I have even had a driver cut in front of me from the third lane into a short (say, five second) gap in the first lane, in front of the lorry I had just overtaken and then have to swerve back out into the second lane in order to pass the lorry which I was intending to overtake next. This could only be construed as being intended to show me that I shouldn’t have been in the centre lane.
34 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Which lane?: The publication Know Your Traffic Signs shows the correct procedure
Light show: The top picture below shows a car with parking lights on; the bottom picture shows the same car with running lights
It was in Newslink of July 2013 that I showed my thinking about how big a gap between vehicles needs to be to make moving back in the normal thing to do, which was about 10 seconds, though if you are being “pressured” by a vehicle behind it might be reasonable to drop into a 4 or 5 second gap. The above is in dry conditions, of course. n u n u n u n u n Lighting regulations I’ve come across a lively forum discussion, which started with a complaint about drivers – and particularly instructors – using either side/parking lights and failing to use headlights in conditions of heavy rain or poor visibility.
The discussion then ranged far and wide and encompassed the use of daytime running lights which it was claimed would not meet the legal requirements, the old Dim/Dip system such as I had on my previous Volvo, which was to have been the UK’s response to DRLs and worked quite well but the Eurocrats didn’t like. I found that they were brilliant in fog because you could have them on along with the fog lights and it gave you a low penetrating light without any of the usual reflect back from even dipped headlights. It appears that some car makers fit DRLs that only show at the front and don’t switch on the tail lights, so they would definitely not be suitable for poor visibility. Also raised in this discussion was the question of lights when parked, acknowledging that sometimes you may wish to leave lights on even in a 30mph limit area. There was some confusion about the legality or otherwise of the single side parking lights available on some cars. They remind me of the clip-on single bulb lamps which we used to use back in the 60s before they allowed no-lights-on road parking. The discussion prompted some to have a look at the actual regulations – The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 – part of which reads: 24. (1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall– (a) use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion– (i) between sunset and sunrise, or (ii) in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or (b) allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise - unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and un-obscured. This section in particular intrigued me because when my ignition is switched off all my lights are extinguished unless I move the lighting switch to the side light position. However, with the switch there only the front and rear position lights are illuminated, the number plate lights and the side markers are switched off. The pictures on this page show the difference on my car between the rear parking and rear running lights. I actually commented on this a while back when discussing level crossings where, if I switch off at night then I have to alter the light switch as well otherwise I would have no lighting at all. Could it be that manufacturers are actually marketing in the UK vehicles which can’t be used in a manner which complies with the various laws and regulations with which we Contact must comply? When parking, other than a e: johnstar driving@ 30mph or lower limited road, are single-sided parking lights hotmail.com t: 01254 705999 still permissible? Can my car be legally parked m: 07796 091767 a: 7 Devon St, on such a road? I wonder if anyone actually Darwen, Lancashire KNOWS. BB3 2JZ
www.msagb.com
DAVE pepperdine Editor, East Midlands
Well, what a great article by Rob Beswick in the last issue of Newslink. So refreshing to have someone speak out how it really is. I have had the view for a long time that the nation is turning into a state where nobody can do any wrong, nobody will be reprimanded and Government, as Rob suggested, is afraid they might upset someone if they say the wrong thing. I may be old-fashioned and not particularly well educated, (mainly my own fault, partially the 1950s education system) but I feel that some of the old ways could return and integrate with the new thinking. I suppose in a similar way that teaching driving could survive with both new ways and old. The big problem appears to be that, in most issues in modern life, there does not seem to be a coherent way forward. In our line of work we have some saying, ‘we should all change and work the new way’ and others saying, ‘carry on the way we have always done’. The DVSA got us all excited in the hope that things were really going to change and gave us all hope that they actually cared about road safety and its dedicated professionals. But instead we’ve been dropped like a piece of litter because it might lose a few votes. Why, oh why can’t the Government get tough and stop pussyfooting around? When someone is caught without insurance or without a licence, or under the influence, or breaking speed limits or any other motoring offences, make it patently obvious that it is wrong and deliver a punishment that will make them not want to do it again, rather than just slapping their wrist and saying don’t be a naughty boy / girl. Even when writing here I have to put boy/girl in case someone is offended that I didn’t mention both genders. We are getting soft. Another issue is competition. We are always being told that it is healthy to have it but in some schools there are no winners and losers in sports days because it is reducing the confidence of some if they are put second or even last. We are told that our clients are not to be told they are wrong because it might upset them and reduce their confidence. I’m sorry but that way of thinking is not in my book. When I returned to the industry in 2010 I was
Regional News: East Midlands
Dumping of road safety plans is typical of a Government that doesn’t have the bottle to reform full of enthusiasm but it has, over those few short years, been undermined by a lack of direction by DSA/DVSA. It’s got to the point where I have decided to call it a day and retire. My ticket runs out in 2015 and I have no desire to renew it, to take me into my 70s, particularly as I can’t see the DVSA making any great changes because ultimately the Government will say no to anything that is slightly controversial or might lose a few votes. SAD! We have just held our first committee meeting of 2014 with the aim of sorting out what on earth to do to satisfy the needs of the membership in our region. The meeting was, shall we say, lively and a lot of hard talking went on, in fact it was so involving that we did not get through the agenda and will have to have another meeting to get everything together. This just shows how much dedication and thought goes into a committee, but all to what end? We all know you can’t please all the people all the time but we do try. What would be really useful would be for members and non-members to show their colours and be brave enough to say what they would like their elected committee to arrange for them. Would you like to carry on with the format of garage meetings, where speakers from all walks of life take part on an evening, or all day, at a weekend or a week day, free or a charge at the door? Would you prefer something different like a visit to somewhere or a day out sky diving or a track day / ten pin bowling, maybe? The choice is endless but if the committee organises something that nobody wants it is a waste of money, time and some considerable effort. So, please could I ask, beg even, for everyone reading this to spend a few minutes thinking what you would like the committee to organise. Write it
Contact Dave Pepperdine can be contacted via e: pepsphx7@ hotmail.co.uk
down or email any member of the committee. Their contact details are in the Annual Report and Handbook. I’m sure all the regions would appreciate a similar involvement, and for you to let us know. That way you will get what you would like, not what we think you would like; there is a subtle difference. Some thoughts were put forward such as a ‘fun day’ where we do something that’s got nothing to do with the industry but would get ADIs together and encourage a comradeship that is sadly lacking as the nature of the beast is a lonely one and it can become a little insular. We also have a thought about a different slant on the traditional garage meeting. Most of them are at franchised dealers and if someone does not like that particular brand they may not wish to go to that garage, especially if demo cars are available. Our thoughts are to try and get one in a car supermarket where all brands are available to try, both new and pre-owned. At this stage it is an idea and nothing has been organised, but again your thoughts would be useful. We are also involved with sorting a venue for the regional AGM for 2014, Do we do a whole day? Do we do an evening? Do we do a weekend or a week day? What would you prefer? Please give it some thought. It is a bit close to the deadline this month so there is not a lot of time to write any more this month but I know there is a committee member that has something for next month so look out for that. As always if you have anything to say or ask, you know my email. Just send and I will be pleased to find out, write or enquire for you, keep it clean and printable but don’t be shy about controversy it makes it interesting ! Keep well to the left. Until next time
MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 35
www.msagb.com
Regional News: West Midlands
Council response to bus lane query isn’t filling me with confidence TERRY PEARCE
Editor, West Midlands
I mentioned in December’s Newslink that we are keen to build our regional membership in the West Midlands. To encourage you to introduce new members to the MSA our Regional Chairman, Geoff Little, came up with the idea of having a draw at next year’s training day for £100. To enter all you have to do is recommend a new member for our region. If they join and give your membership number as shown in Newslink where you “recommend a colleague”, you will not only receive a £10 M&S voucher (see below) you will go into our regional draw for £100. What better incentive to get your colleagues to join us! Congratulations to Fola Kuti, who won the use of a Peugeot 3008 for a weekend as part of our regional training day. The prize was donated by our main sponsors Robins and Day in November. You will recall that in the January issue I spoke about problems caused by incorrect signage around bus lanes. I am still in conflict with my council over their insistence that the penalty notices they have issued for using the bus lane are correct. I am now aware of four people who have received penalty notices and none of them are happy. You may recall from last month that our stance was that the bus lane is incorrectly marked as there is no ‘end’ sign at the end of the zig-zag markings. There is an end of bus lane sign sited 14.5m after the zig-zags finish but there was no continuation of the solid white line between them. The council told me that Chapter 5 of the Traffic Signs Manual (para 17.17) states that “bus lane
markings must not be continued through the controlled area of a pedestrian crossing; The marking .. bounding the with-flow .. lane is not prescribed for use in such situations; it should be replaced with a row of zig-zags over the length of the controlled area on both sides of the crossing”. As such, the bus lane can reasonably be assumed to continue to the end of the controlled crossing area where the “end of bus lane” sign is visible. Therefore, the current arrangements accord with the above regulations in this regard. They have now re-marked the end of the bus lane. They have painted a short solid white line past the zig-zags but they have not moved the end of bus lane sign in line with it, so it still does not comply with the Traffic Signs Manual. They have also painted the double-headed arrows that were missing before. It’s no wonder that motorists were crossing over the zig zags when the previous markings were so confusing! The council likes quoting the Traffic Signs Manual so I replied that Chapter 1 of the Traffic Signs Manual (para 1.2) states that “Signs must give road users their message clearly and at the correct time. The message must be unambiguous and
Recommend a colleague to join the MSA – and receive a £10 M&S voucher Many new MSA members join on the recommendation of a colleague – and we want to make sure that if that colleague is you, you know that your work in spreading the good news about the MSA is appreciated. So if you do recommend a colleague, we’ll send you a £10 Marks & Spencer’s voucher as a thank you. If you recommend a colleague ask them to put your membership number in the “How did you hear about the MSA?” box if they join online, or if they join over the phone, they can quote it when they submit their details to our membership team.
36 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Still a puzzle: the bus lane, with new lines painted on the road
Contact e: terrysom@ aol.com t: 02476 335270 a: 20 Brownshill Green Road, Coventry CV6 2DT
speedily understood”. Our contention is that if any part of the bus lane is incorrectly marked then it cannot be enforced. They just ignored that. Assistance has come from my fellow editor, Rod Came, from MSA South East. Rod looked at the bus lane on Street View and suggested that the bus lane was not marked correctly. I walked the road with my colleague who received the penalty notice and took various pictures. When I again read the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5, (para 17.6) caught my attention. It states “The legend BUS LANE to diagram 1048 should be marked in the lane at its commencement. It should also appear after every side road junction on the same side of the road as the bus lane, and, in conjunction with signs to diagram 959, at intervals not exceeding 300 m along uninterrupted lengths of the lane.” I hope that I am correct that the bus lane is longer than 300m long. If it is then it is not correctly marked as the sign to diagram 959 is missing! I have asked the council if they agree with me. It has been over a week and I am still awaiting their reply. If I do not succeed with this point then I will tell them about all the other discrepancies we have found. Failing that, my colleague is continuing with his appeal. One thing that I am enjoying about this is increasing my knowledge of the Traffic Signs Manual. I am finding so many other mistakes that when this dispute is over the council will regret ever quoting them at me! One thing that has disgusted me about this farce is the council’s attitude. I have repeatedly reported faults that the council have caused due to what can only be called incompetence. One example affected people who followed the sign on the Ring Road to A&E. The problem was that the exit was not signed so you went all the way around the Ring Road and ended up where you started. Amazingly, it took four years to sign the exit! Many other faults that go back many more years are still ignored, yet they have now re-marked the end of the bus lane after only a few weeks. Why has this been done so quickly? The answer is greed as making money out of the public who pay their wages is more important than giving them good service!
www.msagb.com
MSA MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
logo final solo.indd 1
25/2/11 15:49:16
MSA MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
logo final solo.indd 1
Want the reassurance of £5m of professional indemnity insurance FREE OF CHARGE?
25/2/11 15:49:16
MSA MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
logo final solo.indd 1
Want access to industry-leading levels of support, advice, training and money-saving offers?
Want to know what‘s happening when it happens – and clear guidance on what it means to you?
25/2/11 15:49:16
Then join the MSA today! Just £65* per year –
that’s around 17p a day Call us now on 0800 0265986 and join immediately with a credit/debit card
Or go online to www.msagb.com and click on the ‘Join’ drop down menu along the top of the opening page
MSA Application Form
Available only to MSA members A quartet of good advice – just £6.50 each THE MSA has four popular ADI guides, which are bang up-to-date with the latest changes to the driver training and testing sector. The MSA Part 2 Guide; the MSA Check Test Guide; the MSA Driving Test Guide and the MSA PDI Guide provide help for instructors at different stages of the career ladder. They are all written by experienced ADIs and provide insight and advice for all instructors, no matter what stage of their careers they are at. The MSA Part 2 Guide is designed to assist those studying to take the ADI Part 2 examination by bringing much of the theoretical information together in one place. It is not a substitute for training or for a thorough study of other literature, in particular the DSA manual Driving - The Essential Skills and the Highway Code. It explains the three sections of the ADI Part 2 examination and gives advice on what to do when you arrive at the test centre, including the documentation you need to take with you and the way the safety check questions will be conducted. The MSA Check Test Guide gives you full details of what is required on your check test. It is written for ADIs by ADIs and will demystify the whole business of the check test and help you to prepare properly. The guide gives details of the list of pre-set lesson plans that are used and advises what happens on the day; the type of pupil to take; the questions your examiner will ask you and the sort of answers s/he is looking for. It also explains the core competencies of fault identification, fault analysis and remedial action. The MSA Driving Test Guide is designed to explain how the driving test works, what examiners are looking for and what the markings on the DL25 marking sheet actually mean. It details the duties of a professional driving instructor who presents pupils for test and goes on to explain the driving test assessment guidelines, and gives full details of the differences between driving faults/serious faults and dangerous faults. The guide goes on to give details of how errors are categorised in order to assist ADIs in interpreting the DL25, the Driving Test Report form. The MSA PDI Guide provides help for those who want to become ADIs. It gives details of all three sections of the ADI examinations and explains the qualification system.
Just £6.50 each
These invaluable tools for all ADIs are available to purchase from MSA head office at a cost of just £6.50 each. Telephone 0161 429 9669 now with a credit or debit card, or send a cheque made payable to the MSA to MSA Head Office, 101 Wellington Road North, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2LP. Order all four at a discounted price of £24.00.
Complete the simple application form – and you’re a member and can start benefitting from membership right away * Initial application £90, includes one-off joining fee of £25 MSA NEWSLINK n FEBRUARY 2014 n 37
www.msagb.com
Motoring, with Vauxhall
Vauxhall’s Partners deals take the load off finances It’s new car finance, the easy way
The accepted wisdom is that you get nothing for nothing. Put another way, everything has a price. Well, Vauxhall’s exclusive driving schools deals may well have put paid to that logic, as buying a new Corsa definitely comes with something for nothing. And that ‘something’ is a line of credit that can be stretched as far as five years into the distance – and it will cost you absolutely nothing. That’s right: real interest free motoring that allows you to divide up the price of your new Vauxhall over the number of years you are comfortable with, knowing that stretching the car over a longer period of time won’t see you paying big finance costs. A quick tour of the Vauxhall Partners website - www.partnersprogramme.co.uk – will take you through the finance options available on the manufacturer’s range. For ADIs, that basically means the Adam – though watch the rear seats as SEs might not take too kindly to a session in a city car – and the perennial ADI favourites, the Corsa and Astra. Taking a Corsa, S, 3 Door Hatch, 1.0i 12v (65PS) ecoFLEX, Petrol, manual as your starting point. The good news is it comes with an exclusive Partners discount of eight per cent, saving you £925 on the list price. Your on-the-road-cash price is £10,700. Take the finance option and there is a deposit allowance of £750, too. That leaves you £9,950 to pay. Put down a deposit of £1,000 – you don’t have to put down anything, but we think it is sensible to make a decent payment upfront – and if you were to run the
38 n february 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
car over three years, you would make a monthly payment of £248.52. Times that by your 36 payments and you are paying a total of £8,946.72. It’s a straightforward 0% deal that allows you to budget over the time you run the car. Not happy with paying £250 a month? Spread the load more then. Run the car over five years and you would see monthly payments drop to just less than £150 a month – or your first seven lessons a week, if you are charging the right amount. Just think of it like that: Monday’s work in the first week of the month pays for the car. There are many great deals out there on cars but the great thing about the Vauxhall one is the complete control it gives you over your company accounts without running the risk of paying too much interest. The 0% deal is available on the rest of the Corsa models. Fancy something a bit punchier? Then what about the Corsa, SE, 3-Door Hatch, 1.3CDTi 16v (75PS) ecoFLEX, Diesel, manual? A nil deposit, but paying for the car over four years, will see you pay £293 a month, a total payment of £14,099. Put a deposit down, say £2,000, and move the payments over five years and the monthly payments drop to a smidgeon over £200 a month. Even better, there is superb warranty package that runs in conjunction with the finance deal. Vauxhall is so confident in the quality and reliability of its cars that it is now offering a warranty that could last a lifetime. Available to the first owner of all new Vauxhall passenger cars, it’s valid for the lifetime of the vehicle up to a maximum of 100,000 miles. How does it work? Year 1 All new Vauxhall passenger cars are covered by a one-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty
with qualifying repairs at no cost to you. Years 2 and 3 The manufacturer’s warranty is extended for two more years up to a maximum of 60,000 miles. Lifetime! After that, Vauxhall provides a unique Lifetime Warranty, available to the first owner for an unlimited time and a maximum of 100,000 miles. Don’t forget, every new Vauxhall also comes with: • A full six year anti-perforation corrosion warranty, with no mileage restriction, subject to an annual corrosion protection service. • 12 months free Vauxhall Assistance, covering UK and mainland Europe. What is covered? All Vauxhall warranties cover a huge range of vehicle parts – powertrain and steering, brake parts, cooling, safety systems, air-conditioning, electronic components and more. As with all new vehicle warranties, some things are not covered, of course, such as routine service and maintenance items, natural wear and tear, or if any non-approved modifications or conversions are carried out. Free-of-charge vehicle repairs The Vauxhall warranty is provided via a Vauxhall Authorised Repairer. All you have to do is present your vehicle with your completed and up-to-date Service Booklet to a Vauxhall Authorised Repairer. The Lifetime Warranty is also dependent on an annual vehicle check at an Vauxhall Authorised Repairer who will activate the warranty extension for another year.
Becoming an AA Driving Instructor never looked so good
We’re proud to introduce an exclusive new vehicle option for all new AA Driving Instructors* – the recently launched 1.0 Ford Fiesta Titanium Ecoboost. With just the right combination of style, economy and comfort, you could be one of the first behind the wheel of these brand new cars – just join us today.
SPECIFICATION INCLUDES: • Fuel savings of up to £1,000 a year** with EcoBoost • 67 MPG on a combined cycle • 125 BHP
*Offer subject to availability of vehicle stock. **Saving is not guaranteed. Calculation based on current Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec petrol model MPG 49.6, assuming you drive an average of 600 miles per week and petrol costs £1.40/litre.
To find out more call the AA Driving School
0800 107 1552