MSA Newslink May 2014
MOTOR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
Issue 263
The ADI’s Voice
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DVSA takes wraps off its new DL25
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n preparation for the possible introduction of tablet-style computers for examiners to use for marking driving tests, a simplified DL25 will be introduced to test centres later this year. The MSA has been told that the revised form could come into use as early as July but that is a provisional, not definite, date. As chief driving examiner Lesley Young told MSA members at our Conference in March, the DVSA has decided changes to the DL25 are necessary as the current marking sheet has become crowded and difficult to follow, and would not be displayed well on a tablet-style device. To ease the congestion on the form a number of marking areas have been simplified. However, the DVSA is keen to make it clear that the test itself has not changed, and neither has the method of assessment; only the way some faults are recorded has altered. Similar changes will be made on the motorcycle form (DL25MC). Alongside the simplification of the form there are a number of other changes. The interpreter box has been removed and the Instructor Cert has had a digit added. The principal changes are: n Manoeuvre boxes (3, 4, 5, 6 & 8) – control and observation fields joined. Driving fault box widened to allow up to 2 fault marks n 12. Control – accelerator, gears, clutch, footbrake, parking brake, steering, PCV door exercise – all fields joined into one
n 13. Move off – safety and control joined together n 14. Mirrors – signalling, direction, speed - joined together n 15. Signals – necessary, correctly, timed - joined together n 17. Resp to signs / signals – signs, markings, lights, controllers & ORU joined together n 20. Progress – appropriate speed and hesitation - joined together n 21. Junctions – approach, obs, turning left or right and corner cutting joined together. NEW – crossing traffic now part of this marking group n 22. Overtake / meet - joined together. Crossing traffic now part of 21 ‘Junctions’ n 23. Positioning – normal and lane - joined together The question that remains is, when will the DVSA go over to tablets? If they do, will candidates still be able to get a copy of their marking sheet? And perhaps more importantly, what will happen if the tablet fails to work half-way through a test? The DVSA is reluctant to give answers to any of these questions at the moment. However, we will continue to press the agency, so watch this space; we will let you know.
In theory ... both of us should know the answers to these... Transport Minister Stephen Hammond and MSA general manager John Lepine take on the challenge of the latest version of the theory test during the launch event for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. For more pictures, the latest on the agency’s plans and how the Government thinks it will improve driving standards in the future, turn to pg 20-22 – where we’ll also let you know whether the two candidates above passed!
See the new-look DL25 – turn to pg 6
DVSA launch: Full report, p20
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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
02 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
This issue: Theory test fee set to fall, says DVSA...
The DVSA has, as reported in our March issue, launched a consultation paper on the cost of the theory test, with a strong recommendation that the fee be cut by £8 within 12 months.
News, page 4
... while young driver premiums drop, too
Shock news - car insurance premiums are falling – and best of all for ADIs, young drivers are benefitting most, with telematics hailed as the main reason
News, page 8
New TV star set to take centre stage
They couldn’t get Tom Cruise... Chris Hemsworth can’t drive well enough... George Clooney was drinking coffee... and Liam Neeson was frightened by the role. So who could BBC3 get to front its new series of Barely Legal Drivers?
News, page 7
?
Colin sets the Standard!
One of the first ADIs to undergo a Standards Check was MSA Western Chairman Colin Lilly. Find out how he went on: see pg 26-27
Towards your CPD
Regional news
Lesson planning... and ADI training Has the ADI training industry lost its focus as it concentrates on the wrong objective, asks Sue McCormack, while Steve Garrod links the DVSA new Standards for Drivers with thought-provoking and informative driving lessons
Towards your CPD: from page 12
Letters
DVSA has jumped on the clientcentred bandwagon as it slows down for the rest of the country
page 10
New road signs, bus lane excuses, a warning not to be a sucker on your MoT, a successful meeting and the latest on the Standards Check Regional news, pages 22-38
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About the msa
The MSA: here to
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Your priority is your pupils, training them to be the safest drivers they can possibly be...
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MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 03
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News DVSA briefs Games force LGV tests to shift to Bishopbriggs Between 1 July and 8 August, large goods vehicle (LGV) tests usually taken from Glasgow LGV test centre will take place at the Bishopbriggs goods vehicle testing station (GVTS). This relocation is due to the Commonwealth Games. If you need a vocational test between 1 July and 8 August, you should continue to book it at ‘Glasgow LGV’ but turn up at Bishopbriggs GVTS. Private candidates will be told about the new address on their appointment notification. The address for Bishopbriggs GVTS is Crosshill Road, Glasgow G64 2QA. When you arrive for the test, please report to reception and wait for the examiner. Vocational tests will re-start from Glasgow LGV test centre from Monday, 11 August.
Minicom option to be phased out
The DVSA has announced that it plans to close its Minicom service. Based in Newcastle, the Minicom service was extensively used when it was first set up, but usage has dwindled in recent months. The agency states that the decision to end it is linked to its ‘digital by default’ agenda, and that it will encourage greater take-up of online services by the deaf community. However, while access to online services is obviously open to all, it has to be noted that the deaf community has, traditionally, had a much lower take up of home internet access; in 2011, while internet access was recorded in 85 per cent of UK homes, in the deaf community it was only 61 per cent.
Bradford Heaton DTC works put back The DVSA has put back its planned refurbishment of the Bradford Heaton test centre, which was originally due to be closed from May 19 to June 20. The works will now take place between June 23 and July 18. As with the previous refurbishment programme, any tests for the DTC will temporarily relocate to Manningham Mills Sports Association on Scotchman Road.
This means that while those ADIs/ pupils with tests booked between May 19 and June 20 will have originally been told their tests will be conducted out of Manningham Mills Sports Association, they will now be taken from the Bradford Heaton DTC as normal. However, after June 20, tests will relocate to the sports facility. ADIs will find the Manningham Mills Sports Association by driving to the end
of Fairfield Street; turn left into Scotchman Road; you’ll see Manningham Mills Sports Association 300 yards (around 270 metres) on the right When you arrive, ADIs should park in an available parking bay and enter the building, where they should wait in the reception area for their candidate. Driving tests will re-start from Bradford Heaton test centre from Tuesday, July 22.
Consultation looks for support as DVSA plans test fee cut The DVSA has, as promised in March, launched a review of theory test fees. The move comes after Transport Minister Stephen Hammond announced in January that new contract arrangements for the running of the theory test would lead to savings of over £100 million over the next nine years. The decision to award the contract to Learndirect was not without controversy, as it was successfully challenged in the short-term by current contract provider Pearson Vue. This challenge resulted in Pearson Vue being granted an extension of their current contract. However, the Government has insisted that the public purse has not lost out as the savings promised by Learndirect are being mirrored by Pearson Vue during its contract extension. It will continue to run the theory test until 2016, at which point Learndirect will take over in the September. The costs associated by the new contract could see savings passed on to learner drivers of as much as £14.5m a year. The plans would see the cost of a car driving theory test fall by £6 in October this year, taking the cost of a test from £31 to £25, with a further drop of £2 planned in October 2015. The consultation follows the Government’s commitment to reduce the cost of motoring. It also sets out proposed reductions for motorcycle, bus and lorry theory tests.
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The reduced fees have been agreed with ministers, who will take into account any comments made and the effect the changes are likely to have on customers. Any changes would be subject to Parliamentary procedure. Any comments need to be in with the DVSA by May 15. DVSA Chief Executive, Alastair Peoples, said: “By agreeing new contract arrangements for the delivery of theory tests we have secured significant cost savings, and it is right that we pass these savings on to our customers. “We want to make sure that we continue to keep pace with customers’ needs and deliver services in a way which is both convenient and cost effective.”
Alastair Peoples: ‘Right to pass cost savings on to the customer’
Cheetham Hill test centre closure postponed The proposed temporary closure for Cheetham Hill test centre in Manchester between 29 May and 8 July has been postponed. This is because of delays to the planned refurbishment programme. ADIs have been advised that they will now be able to book or change driving test appoint-ments between 29 May and 8 July. The agency has said that the test centre will be closed at some point for the refurbishment work but is unsure of when.
Manoeuvring area work forces closure at Weedon LGV Vocational tests won’t be available from Weedon LGV test centre between 17 and 27 June. This is because work is to be done on the manoeuvring area to allow module 1 motorcycle tests to be carried out in the future. If you need to book a vocational test between these dates, the nearest alternative LGV centres are located at: Leighton Buzzard, Leicester and Peterborough.
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News
Driving test warning as Yaris recalled for checks THE DVSA has reminded ADIs that Toyota has issued a recall notice affecting the Yaris model built between June 2005 and May 2010 which impacts on its use as a driving test vehicle. You cannot use a Yaris of this era as there is a possible safety fault unless you have proof that the fault has been rectified and the vehicle is safe. Toyota says there are two separate safety issues: • potential for the seat rail track to break if the seat is frequently adjusted forward and/or backward on the: – driver’s seat - on all vehicles – front passenger seat - on three-door vehicles only • potential for a crack to develop in the
DVSA updates L-test service agreements
steering column mounting bracket if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully turned to the full-lock position There is more information on this recall notice and how it impacts on a vehicle’s eligibility for the driving test on the GOV. UK website, which also has the latest list of vehicle recalls and details on the type of proof you need to bring to test. DVSA examiners may accept proof from the Toyota Online Recall Tool. You or your pupil would need to access this tool and
complete the verification process on a suitable device to show the examiner, without delaying the testing schedule. If any of your pupils have a driving test booked to take place in the next few weeks and this fault has not been fixed, you will have to cancel your test. You will have to give the usual three clear working days notice to change or cancel without losing their fee. n ADIs lose out again as vehicle recall cancels test – see page 29
The agreement to use the DVSA practical test business service has now been updated. All ADIs who use the service will need to log in and re-sign the agreement to continue using the service to: n book practical driving tests n book other driving assessments provided by DVSA n make cancellations and amendments n manage details of your business Similarly, motorcycle trainers should note that the agreement to book and use the motorcycle manoeuvring areas (MMAs) has now been updated. Again, you’ll now need to log onto the DVSA practical test business service and re-sign this agreement to continue hiring the MMA to train your pupils for the manoeuvres that make up module 1.
Do you use the booking service? What’s your experience of the DVSA business service? Let the Editor know, at mail@msagb.com
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 05
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News Reading Newslink online?
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The new DL25
DVSA joins up sections to add clarity and simplify form
AA The Driving School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.theaa.com/driving-school BSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 www.bsm.co.uk ADI/NDI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.adindi.co.uk Adrian Flux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 www.adrianflux.co.uk BG Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 www.bginsurance.co.uk Bill Plant Driving School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.billplant.co.uk Bradley Auto Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 www.basnw.co.uk Collingwood Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 www.cacars.co.uk Commercial Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 www.cacars.co.uk He Man Dual Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 www.he-mandualcontrols.co.uk Hitachi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.learnerdrivingservicesltd.co.uk Ideas4ADIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 www.ideas4adis.co.uk Learner Driving Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 www.learnerdrivingservicesltd.co.uk Lettercraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 www.lettercrafttopsigns.co.uk Lloyd Latchford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01 & 11 www.llschemes.co.uk Mastercover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03 & 39 www.mastercover.com Quote Me Today. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.quotemetoday.co.uk RED Driving School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.reddrivingschool.com RED Driving School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.reddrivingschool.com TSO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 www.tso.co.uk TWD Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 www.twdaccounts.co.uk Waveney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 www.driving-school-insurance.com
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How it looks now... ... and in the future Signals – necessary, correctly, timed joined together in one box. One MSA member who has viewed this has pointed out that having the boxes separate, as they are now, is useful if a pupil fails on signalling. “At present you can see straight away why the pupil failed on signals: was there inappropriate use of signals, were they correct and well timed? It could be the pupil was signalling correctly, ie, well timed, and with adequate use of mirrors, but the signals made were not appropriate. “This information can then be used to help the pupil get over that barrier when they retake the test. “The new system does not give you that information and it is a drawback.”
What’s your view? Do you think the new form is as good as the one it replaces – or do you think the dvsa has sacrificed information in the pursuit of clarity and something that will work on a tablet? Let us know. Write to the editor, mail@msagb.com
MSA says: Full speed ahead with the embracing of technology... ... but what happens if the tablet packs in half-way through the test? And how do we solve the ‘driver can see moving screen’ conundrum?
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News
MSA general manager offers expert’s view on BBC 3 show New series of controversial Barely Legal Drivers starts this month as reality TV cameras track some of the UK’s worst young motorists MSA general manager John Lepine is going to be a star of the small screen this summer when he offers his expert opinion on the antics of a dozen young drivers for BBC 3’s Barely Legal Drivers. The controversial reality TV programme follows 12 new drivers to see what they’re really like behind the wheel. The young drivers know they are on film but they think the cameras ‘hidden’ in their car are there to capture a slice of modern teenage life. In fact, the programme is focused around the safety of their driving. Each Barely Legal participant will take three trips that test every aspect of their driving, but little do they know that every move they make is being watched – by their parents, who are often forced to look on in horror at some of their antics, and the show’s resident driving experts. This season the experts are former traffic cop Judith Roberts – who fulfilled the same role in the first series – and John Lepine MBE. Judith and John sat in judgement on the young people, in what
DUAL CONTROLS
Eyes on prize: Hannah and her friend Siobhan head off on a fashion shoot
was a very interesting exercise. John commented: “Obviously I cannot reveal too many details of the show – all will be revealed when members watch it – but all I will say is that sitting in the studios, watching the young drivers, was eye-opening at times. “People have asked me why I got involved. I believe it is a different way to get our safe driving messages across to young people. I hope they watch it, hear
Judith and my comments and then apply them to their own driving. “I also hope that parents watch it and realise how their children might be driving now they are on their own. If it encourages a handful of parents to think more seriously about how their children learn to drive, it will have done its job.” In the first episode, we meet Hannah & Jac. Hannah is a fast-talking, skyscraper shoe-wearing, fashion-focused lass from
Huddersfield. This episodes tracks Hannah’s movements as she embarks on her first professional fashion shoot with best friend and assistant Siobhan and model Kirsty. So will this 20-year-old fake-tanned beauty with a love for false eyelashes prove she is responsible behind the wheel, or will it show that her concentration lies elsewhere? Also showcasing their driving talent is 19-year-old Jac from Hertfordshire. Poised and passionate to start a dance degree, Jac is getting ready to leave home for his student digs after taking a year out! So is this the push that Jac needs to get back on track or will Jac’s Mum feel less than confident in lending him the family car? At the end of the three journeys, Judge Judith, helped by John, will reach a decision on each driver. If she hasn’t liked what she’s seen, then she’ll hand out bespoke driving lessons that target their bad habits. However, if she thinks the novices are up to scratch, then she’ll hand their parents the cash to buy them a car of their very own…
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MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 07
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News
inbrief Breathalyser at the ready for French holidays
Taking your car to France this Whit or summer? Remember, you must carry an NF-approved breathalyser when driving. There has been a great deal of confusion over this law in the UK, not helped by the French Government taking the unusual step of saying that it won’t enforce non-compliance with fines – though to comply with the law, you still need to carry an NF-approved breathalyser. The easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo. The NF logo is the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). You also must carry a warning triangle, fluorescent safety vest, spare bulbs and show a GB plate.
Brake calls for hands-free ban
Road safety charity Brake has called for a ban on hands-free phone kits, as a Brake and Direct Line survey reveals that almost half (45%) of drivers admit to chatting when driving. While the use of hand-held phones by drivers has dropped, hands-free use has risen, likely to be linked to the mistaken belief that it is a safe alternative. In reality, it is the distraction of the conversation that causes the danger. Studies have shown the risk of being in a crash is increased four times for drivers on both hand-held and handsfree phones, with reactions 30 per cent slower than driving at the UK drink drive limit, and 50 per cent slower than under normal conditions.
HPI warning on ‘clocking’ rise
Vehicle history expert HPI is warning used car buyers that 2013 saw an increase in the number of vehicles on the road with a mileage discrepancy, potentially signalling a worrying trend of more dodgy sellers ‘clocking’ cars. Car clocking has been falling over the past decade, but with 2013 seeing the first rise in cases for some time, it is a signal that used car buyers must be vigilant. HPI estimates there could be as many as 486,000 vehicles with a false mileage on UK roads. See www.hpicheck.com.
Young drivers benefit most as insurance prices fall Rise in black box telematics helping to drive down premiums – at last! There’s good news for cash-strapped motorists as Confused.com’s quarterly car insurance price index has shown that the cost of cover has fallen for all drivers. The average annual cost of car insurance is down to £596 compared with £736 this time last year – a fall of 19.1%. The index analysed more than four million quotes from between January and March this year to reflect what prices drivers have been paying for cover. This fall in car insurance prices is welcome news for motorists, particularly as average premiums have not fallen below £600 a year since 2009. What’s more, the index shows that the cost of cover has fallen for drivers of all ages, of both sexes, and across all regions of the country. Drivers of all ages are reaping the rewards of cheaper car cover but young drivers have seen the biggest fall in prices. For example, the average annual cost of cover for a 49-year-old motorist has fallen by 20.7% over the last 12 months – down from £644 to £510. But 17-year-old motorists have seen prices fall by a whopping 38.6% over the same period – from £3,587 to £2,203.
This surprising statistic is being put down to the rise in drivers taking out telematics or black box car insurance policies. With these policies, the black box fitted to the car monitors driving behaviour such as acceleration and braking, feeding the information back to the insurer who adjusts premiums accordingly. By demonstrating responsible driving, customers can prove to insurers they present a low risk, and their premium – the cost of cover – is adjusted accordingly. Telematics policies are particularly aimed at young drivers who typically have higher car insurance prices due to their higher risk of accidents. Stephen Jones of insurance analysts Towers Watson says: “The frequency with which telematics providers are coming up with the cheapest quote, particularly for young drivers, is rising.” The fall in prices could also be partly attributed to the European Union (EU) Gender Directive. This legislation forced insurers to stop using gender to set car insurance prices from December 2012. In the past, because women have fewer road accidents than male drivers, women paid less for car insurance as they were less
likely to make a claim. But following this EU gender ban the gap between male and female premiums has narrowed. But, as Gemma Stanbury, head of car insurance at Confused.com, explains, says some gender differences still exist. “Although insurers can’t set prices differently based on gender, there are many factors taken into account when calculating car insurance costs. “For example, men typically drive more powerful cars which means their insurance would be more expensive than women’s.” Drivers in Manchester and Merseyside have experienced the greatest fall in car insurance prices of all the regions of the country, with average annual premiums falling by 23% to £832. However, it is still one of the most expensive UK areas for cover – outranked only by inner London, where average annual car insurance costs motorists £985. Stanbury said the fall in prices was “welcome news for motorists” but explained that prices wouldn’t keep falling forever. She said: “These ongoing drops in car insurance prices are unlikely to be sustained as insurance prices are cyclical. “Prices peaked in 2011, when the average annual cost of car insurance reached £858, and since then the trend has been downwards.” However, she warned that prices won’t keep falling forever.
Puncture problems solved with RAC’s universal spare tyre Following successful trials, the RAC is rolling out a universal spare wheel designed to speed up the fix time and minimise the inconvenience of having a puncture without carrying a spare while out on the road. RAC patrols across the UK will be equipped with the wheel, which provides a solution to the increasingly common problem brought about by manufacturers not including a spare wheel in their cars as standard. In 2013, the RAC responded to nearly 94,000 breakdowns involving a puncture on a vehicle with no spare, an increase of 33% on the 71,000 of 2012. However, the motoring organisation predicts this will rise to 120,000 in 2014 and a staggering 250,000 by the end of 2015, which equates to more than one million across the whole UK car parc. As many drivers will know, the ‘disappearance’ of the spare wheel has
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arisen as a result of car manufacturers seeking to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions by lessening vehicle weights. As spare wheels are relatively heavy (often weighing as much as 25kg-30kg), removing them from a standard vehicle has become increasingly common. And, with car manufacturers obliged to ensure that average new car emissions do not exceed 130g of CO2 per kilometre by 2015 and 95g by 2020, the spare wheel is unlikely to make a comeback in the foreseeable future. Although manufacturers provide a tyre inflation kit in place of a spare wheel, these are only suitable for carrying out temporary repairs on punctures up to 4mm and can be daunting to use at the side of the road.
RAC patrols attending these breakdowns would firstly try to fix the puncture and, if this was not possible, would then either collect and fit a new tyre or, alternatively, tow the vehicle to the nearest garage, both of which can be time-consuming. Developed with Dynomec, the five-stud, 17in lightweight alloy multi-fit wheel fits a high proportion of vehicles and will significantly cut down the time spent by members at the roadside, often in potentially dangerous situations such as on the hard shoulder of motorways. While the five-stud universal wheel fits a significant proportion of new vehicles sold without a spare, the RAC is also going to be piloting 50 four-stud wheels so that as many vehicles as possible are catered for.
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Concern on elderly drivers’ skills A decline in cognitive abilities through the onset of dementia is increasingly worrying families who have elderly relatives driving, according to a new survey. Nearly half of those surveyed admit to being concerned about older drivers’ ability, and 42 per cent have tried to discuss their concerns with them. People with dementia may still be able to drive safely for some time after it has been diagnosed, but because of the progressive nature of the disease, there will come a time when they have to give up. Drivers must tell the DVLA if they have dementia or another condition that affects their driving. The law assumes that people have a right to drive safely and will only intervene when medical conditions impair driving ability. The aim is to allow people to drive for as long as possible. If the DVLA allows someone with dementia to continue driving, then they will almost certainly have to have periodic medical assessments. Signs that an individual no longer has the skills needed to drive safely include difficulty judging speed, distance and space, getting lost on familiar roads, slow or poor decisions and failing to observe road signs and traffic signals. Given the varying progression of dementia, the driving skills of an individual with dementia can decrease significantly in between evaluations. Over 800,000 people in the UK currently have dementia (17,000 are under 65). This is expected to increase to over a million people by 2021. The originators of the survey, the IAM, said: “An independent and objective driving assessment will also help people make the right decision at the right time. Experts warn that the numbers suffering from dementia will continue to grow and it is important drivers seek advice before using their cars.”
News Driving Instructors’ Golf Association
Steve holds on after 18th panic The Driving Instructors’ Golf Association got into the swing of what will hopefully be a great year of competitive golf when an impressive 24 golfers met at the Great Barr Golf Course, just off the M6 motorway in the Midlands. The course was looking good in the spring sunshine, although recently treated greens made for some interesting putting. A 10.30 start meant there was plenty of time for a bacon roll before the start and an excellent two-course meal after the 18 holes rounded the day off nicely. In between an on-form Steve Langdon – playing off 19 – scored 35 points to take a narrow victory, though he nearly performed a ‘Norman choke’ when a no score on the tricky long par 3 18th brought him into the clutches of the chasing pack. He ended up tied in first place with Don Porter (playing off 28) but just hung on to the trophy after he recorded a better back nine to seal the win. Third, again by virtue of a better back nine, was Julian Gadd (17) with 34 points, ahead of Andrew Schunke (playing off 24). The next DIGA golf day is on Friday, 8th August when we head for the north west and Macclesfield Golf Club, in Cheshire. Following that, we hope to have another golf day in the south of the country in September, and a two-day break in October.
There’ll be plenty to keep the golfing driving instructor occupied over the next few months. If you’re interested in playing good spirited but competitive golf in convivial company, then get in touch with DIGA co-ordinator Richard Tookey. Richard can be reached on 02476 362456.
Sensibly, Steve Langdon decided to drop a shot rather than attempt this tricky one on his way to winning the tournament!
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 09
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Comment
Read all about it! JOHN LEPINE MBE General Manager, MSA
I’m not sure if it’s my job to say how good the articles in Newslink are, but this month I just can’t resist it. First up, “Meeting the Standard”, an article by Colin Lilly, details his first-hand experience of the new Standards Check, together with his marking sheet, result and a full explanation of what happened. Nearly all ADIs are a bit apprehensive when it comes to taking tests themselves. Read Colin’s account and learn the truth about this new one. This month Steve Garrod starts a new series of articles on the DVSA’s National Standards for Driving Cars and Light Vans. In this series he will take you through the new Standards and show how to use them to create interesting and informative lessons for your pupils. Remember, these standards are what the new Standards Check is based on – vital reading for all driver trainers. Always interesting, always entertaining and occasionally controversial, Susan McCormack also starts a new series this issue, entitled “Qualifying isn’t the end game”. She will be looking at how we train people to become instructors. In this first article she critiques the current system with a personal overview of her experiences as an instructor trainer. In her article she bemoans the fact that despite ADITE and ORDIT, trainers ended up concentrating purely on the pre-set tests for ADIs and not on the business of preparing good driving instructors. As one of the architects of ADITE/ORDIT I would say that was entirely the fault of the DVSA and the way they ended running ORDIT inspections – many of which concentrate more on counting the number of fire extinguishers and checking on the provision of soft toilet paper when they should be looking at whether or not the terms and conditions of ORDIT membership are being followed, such as the requirement that ‘All training must be properly structured to prepare trainees for giving driving instruction and include all items on the DSA syllabus (not just PSTs)’, and that trainers should ‘take all reasonable care, skill and diligence in providing training in all relevant aspects of traffic and driver education, taking into account individual training needs and safety’. In other words deliver training that is client-centred. Details of the new DL25 is featured in this issue alongside details of the DVSA launch day. As ever our regional editors have lots of interesting information to pass on. Rod Came makes a number of suggestions financial, Tony Phillips offers suggestions about changes to the driving test, David James reflects on driver related fraud while Dave Pepperdine discusses various matters, including Marmite. Terry Pearce wonders about funerals and updates us on his local bus lane situation. Rod Tipple reports on well-attended meetings about the Standards Check in East Anglia and John Lomas discusses facial hair: you have to read it. Finally, don’t forget the Letters, including the interesting revelation that Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw apparently said “we don’t want ‘lefty’ child-centred teaching in our schools”. Does this statement call into question the whole direction of travel by the DVSA on this topic? And once you’ve read all these great articles, don’t forget to log that fact on your CPD record.
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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
This ‘new’ client-centred learning is already yesterday’s theory Dear sir, First of all, many thanks for the great articles on client-centred learning in recent Newslinks. I have to confess, ‘client-centred learning’ was a new buzz phrase for me, though the more I read about it, the more I began to realise that it was exactly what I’ve been doing for years, it’s just that I called it ‘teaching’ rather than giving it a posh-sounding name. But that’s not why I’m writing: the reason for the letter is, without wishing to ‘dis’ the concept, does anyone else think the DVSA has missed the ‘client-centred’ bandwagon and is now backing a philosophy the rest of the educational world is steering clear of? The thought came to me after your Viewpoint article in the March issue, in which the author suggested Ofsted takes over ‘check testing’ from the DVSA. Why not, it said, as we are all ‘teachers’? You even dressed it up with a scary picture of Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw. However, I can think of one very good reason why Sir Michael would run a mile from looking after ADIs’ standards: ADIs are moving into the realms of ‘clientcentred’ learning just as he’s moving education away from it. And at pace. I read an interview with him in the Daily Telegraph in April in which he made plain his contempt for such educational concepts. In the text below, remove ‘child’, replace it with ‘client’ and you’ll see what I mean. In the article the Ofsted chief said “we don’t want ‘lefty’ child-centred teaching” in our schools. He claimed that 60s-style child-centred teaching damaged generations of schoolchildren, and he pledged to root out inspectors who champion trendy teaching amid warnings that progressive methods had damaged generations of schoolchildren. According to the article, Wilshaw said “so-called ‘child-centred’ learning – a characteristic of many classrooms in the 60s and 70s – would form no part of the
Keep up the bus lane fight, Terry Dear Sir, In the March issue one of your regional editors, Terry Pearce, was writing about bus lanes. I got the impression from the way he wrote it that he was wondering whether the rest of us were being turned off by his continuing ‘saga’. Don’t worry, Terry, keep up the good work. It’s great to see an ADI fighting back against these monstrosities. Elsewhere in the same issue I spotted the article that highlighted how many of these bus lanes were badly signed or even illegal, and yet the authorities are still coining in the cash from issuing penalty notices when they’ve been told the lanes are wrong. It’s scandalous – but it’s not just that it’s a rip-off that annoys me. The point about traffic rules and regs is that they have to be seen by the public to be fair and proportionate if they are to be adhered to. If you have a bus lane, it is well signed and people can see why it is there, they will respect it. On the other hand, if it looks like a sneaky way of tricking people into being fined, I think the whole business of road regs and signed rules falls into disrespect at the same time. People stop adhering to the really important signs, such as No Entry and No U-Turn; they believe that every sign is there to trick us; if it’s been proved that some of them are wrong, all of them are probably wrong, so we’ll ignore all of them.
assessment process.” Any Ofsted inspectors found advocating such ‘alternative’ methods “wouldn’t be working for me for very long”, he added. Education is divided over the wisdom of child-centred methods, which have often been characterised as allowing pupils to proceed at their own pace and make discoveries independent of the teacher. “I am part of a generation of people who experienced – I started teaching in the 60s – that sort of ideology which ruined the lives of generations of children at that time,” he told the Telegraph. “I want to see teacher-led activities, we want to see structured learning, we want to see teaching in more formal settings.” In a report to his inspectors he stressed the importance of teacher-led education, and that they were not to mark down teachers who create structured lessons, adding that they should ‘not criticise teacher talk for being overlong’. “I do not expect to see ‘independent learning’... do not make the assumption that this is always necessary or desirable,” he said. “On occasions, too, pupils are rightly passive rather than active recipients of learning.” Now, I am not saying Wilshaw is right. I am not saying that client-centred learning is hippy-drippy, left-wing claptrap that ruined education in the 1960s and 70s, and that people looking to reintroduce it in any area of life need to take a long, hard look at themselves. He is. When the bloke who says it is chief of Ofsted, which makes him pretty much the top dog in terms of education in this country, surely someone in the DVSA must be saying, very quietly, ‘hang on, have we got this right...’ Just a thought. Keep up the good work. Rob Moore, Cheshire
I don’t know whether the people who set up these bus lanes realise this but every time they do it wrong, they drive another nail in the coffin of road safety and better driving behaviour as they encourage motorists to just shrug and ignore all the rules of the road. Amanda Shreeve, Manchester
Conference put my Check fears to bed Dear Sir, Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the MSA Conference in Bristol. It was not the type of event I usually enjoy, but despite turning up on my own I found plenty of like-minded ADIs to chat to, the speakers in the main hall were excellent, particularly Lesley Young, and the workshops were full of good advice. I attended only because I was, as are many ADIs, concerned about the Standards Check, but between Ms Young’s presentation, Peter Harvey’s workshop and a friendly chat over lunch with a couple of other instructors, I reckon my fears have been eased. Having said that, I’m still puzzled as to where the DVSA is going with its grades: I was a Grade 5 on my last Check Test, so do I become an A, a B, or some squiggle in between? Perhaps I’ll get summoned soon to put an end to the mystery! P Blackwell, West London
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Towards your CPD: Lesson Planning
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DVSA’s national standards are blueprint for good tuition At the heart of today’s driver training is the DVSA’s National Standards for Driving Cars and Light Vans. In this, the first of a new series, Steve Garrod takes you through the new Standards and shows how to use them to create interesting and informative lessons for your pupils
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t is essential for all ADIs that they understand the National Standards for Driving Cars and Light Vans, and to base their lessons on the document. The new Standards Check is based on these standards. In addition to understanding these standards, time should be spent planning interactive lessons. Learners should be fully aware of their responsibility to drive in a safe and responsible manner. Over the coming months we will look at all the practical units and show you how to prepare interesting and informative lessons that will keep your learners busy and satisfy the standards check. Role 1 is theory based and will include such topics as planning a journey, show-me, tell-me and understanding safe and responsible behaviour, some of which are covered in the theory questions. Some of the elements can be linked with a range of units and should be referred to frequently. As lessons progress it would be correct to discuss these topics with your learner in more detail. Each Role is known as a Unit, which is broken down into Elements. Therefore, Element 2.1.1 refers to Unit 2, Element 1. We will start at Role 2: Guide and control the vehicle. Unit 2.1 Start, move off, stop and leave the vehicle safely and responsibly.
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Element 2.1.1 Start the vehicle. Performance standards Learners must be able to: 1. carry out pre-start check on: n doors n parking brake n seat n steering n seatbelt n mirrors 2. disengage anti-theft devices 3. make sure the gear lever is in neutral (or P or N for automatic vehicles) 4. consider the effect of starting the engine on vulnerable road users. 5. monitor vehicle instruments and gauges during engine start up. 6. respond correctly to information given by instrumentation and gauges during engine start up. 7. Start the engine correctly 8. Switch lights on, if required. This is perhaps more commonly known as the cockpit drill and precautions before starting the engine. By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to carry out these tasks and explain how to read and respond correctly to the instrumentation, such as n gauges n indicators n warning lights n other on-board diagnostic warning systems The performance standards should be discussed with your learner. You can begin by explaining what is to be covered in the lesson. You will need to think about how you are going to teach the subjects and how you are going to assess learning.
This means planning for teaching and assessment. You should also think about the skills your learner may already have and any anticipated problems, together with solutions to overcome them. If we look at what is likely to be known, we can reasonably assume the learner has experience of the following: n being a passenger in a car n opening and closing car doors n adjusting their seating positions n watching someone drive This presumed knowledge needs to be confirmed and can be assessed by asking questions or setting tasks, eg, asking them to check their door is closed properly or their head restraint is adjusted correctly. Much of this information could be discussed during an initial conversation before you meet each other for the first time; either over the phone or a pre-course questionnaire. This is planning for assessment. The anticipated problems (or risks) could include; n pre-start checks in the wrong order n opening the door without looking n unable to find the correct seating position (too far from or too near to the controls) n failing to understand how to set mirrors n twisting the seatbelt n confusing the windscreen wipers with indicators. This is a risk assessment: in other words, if they go wrong, they may cause potential or actual danger. These subjects often benefit from being demonstrated; it is rare for a learner to be taught this lesson outside their home or office; so an effective way to manage time is to demonstrate something you both have to do, eg, precautions before starting the engine. This could be used as assessment to find out what your leaner already knows or an opportunity for you to demonstrate the key points. If you cover the cockpit drill (albeit briefly) at the beginning of the lesson, it can be assessed by a series of questions and tasks once you arrive at the training area. On route to the site you could ask a range of questions about theory, hazard perception and previous on-road experience and what is motivating them to learn to drive. This will help you get an idea of what needs to be taught and what needs to be assessed. All subjects need to be taught and assessed, for example by regular questioning or task setting. You can think of it as, skills you should show and things you should know. Questions should be asked in a variety of ways to confirm understanding, such as: (Tell me) n Where should you check before opening the door? n What do need to be aware of before your passengers open their door?
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n What could be the danger/consequence of not checking it is safe before opening the door? n What are the dangers of not adjusting your mirrors correctly? Tasks could be: (show me) n how you fasten and unfasten your seatbelt n how you adjust your seat You wouldn’t ask them one after the other! But you need to think about how you can ask similar questions throughout the lesson in a variety of ways to ensure that the risk management is fully covered. You see that each question requires more understanding than the previous one (based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, 1956). Low level questions check memory and the higher level questions require deeper understanding, analysis, application and evaluation. The key thing to remember is that you are promoting responsibility. Driving is a practical skill and learners are often impatient, so it is important to remember to get as much practice in as possible. Learners need to know that they are expected to play an active part
MSA Courses
Towards your CPD: Lesson Planning during their lesson and not to sit there listening to detailed explanations about the subject. Passive learning has little place in education, regardless of the subject. It is surprising the amount of test candidates who are unable to open their driver’s door without setting off the alarm or disengage the steering lock before their driving test. These elements are covered in the performance standards. Instructors should also explain where to find information relating to relevant starting mechanisms for other vehicle types; eg, depressing the clutch before starting stop/start engines. This information will be found in the vehicle’s handbook. As with anything you teach, make sure you understand it. This goes particularly for the warning lights. These are an essential part of this lesson. Next month we will look at how to include the warning devices with the controls lesson. It is vital you have a copy of the Standard. It is available from the dsa site on http://assets.dft.gov. uk/publications/dsa-national-driving-ridingstandards/dsa-driver-rider-training-standard.pdf
The MSA is accredited by Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) to deliver nationally recognised qualifications. The first course available is the popular Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS). PTLLS is the initial qualification for new teachers or ADIs wishing to move into adult education and classroom teaching. The cost of the course is £360, and it will be run by Steve Garrod who has been involved in running teacher training courses for over 20 years, and we are delighted to be working alongside him on this exciting project. For further information email Steve at: msacpd@gmail.com
Overconfidence is putting new drivers at risk, says IAM Seventy-one per cent of young drivers think they are better than the average driver, according to a survey by Vision Critical and road safety charity IAM. Britain’s most confident young drivers are in Northern Ireland, where 87 per cent think they are better than average, yet they make up 26 per cent of those involved in crashes. Britain’s least confident young drivers are from Wales, where 56 per cent think they are better than average. Other findings include that 75 per cent of young male drivers think that they are better than average driver, while 68 per cent of young women think this. Contrary to this confidence, however, official figures show that while only eight per cent of drivers are under 25, they account for 22 per cent of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes. What makes this statistic all the more alarming is that they drive, on average, around half the distance of older drivers each year. Tragically, nearly a quarter of all car drivers (133 out of 542 drivers) who died in 2012 were young drivers themselves. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “A year ago the Government committed itself to producing a Green Paper to tackle the safety of young drivers which has yet to be published. “Our whole system of learning to drive must be overhauled to provide safe exposure to a wider range of traffic situations, but also the chance to discuss attitudes and risks. “It is clear from this survey that new drivers feel invulnerable and it is the job of government, training providers, insurers, charities, parents and carers to ensure they have the best training to reduce risk to themselves and others.”
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Towards your CPD: ADI training
Qualifying isn’t the end game: becoming a good ADI is ADI and ADI Trainer/ Coach
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his will be the first in a series of articles that looks at how we train people to be driving instructors and the possible impact this is having on road safety. What I am going to write about will not sit comfortably with some of you because you might feel that you were let down by your training provider. However, I want to stress that I am not throwing stones at anyone. These articles will contain my personal point of view based on 28 years of experience in the industry. Their point is to illustrate how, in my opinion, it is absolutely necessary to incorporate coaching and clientcentred techniques into the way we train people to become ADIs, because this then enables those same techniques to be part of the way we teach people to drive. The articles will cover the following topics: n A historical overview - my personal experience as an instructor trainer n Whether the Part 3 exam is fit for purpose n How the Part 3 fits with the new Standards Check n How to train using client-centred and coaching approaches n The link between road safety and instructor training n The future of instructor training So, first of all:
A historical overview – my personal experience as an instructor trainer Back in 1989 I was employed as an instructortrainer at BSM, working in a team of six. We delivered intensive Part 3 courses that ran over two weeks. I was immersed in training people to be driving instructors from 8am to 5pm, five days a week, 48 weeks of the year and I did this for six years until I became the research and development manager and was responsible for writing and developing training materials and courses. Back then we held regular discussions about how best to deliver the training – whether to focus on post-Part 3 and train people to become driving instructors; or to get people through the Part 3 and then offer courses in business development and instructional techniques. At that time BSM was the largest provider of courses to trainee driving instructors. Then the Instructor College started up and delivered initial training before sending their customers to driving schools to start on a trainee licence and therefore complete their 40 hours’ core curriculum training prior to taking the Part 3 test. Eventually, the Instructor College founded Red Driving School. At the same time the AA was becoming established as a growing driving school and getting into instructor training as well.
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instructor in many ways should be no different from teaching someone to drive. There is a test to pass at the end – whether it is a Part 3 test of instructional ability or the practical L-test. Focusing all the attention on the tests is dangerous and does nothing to raise self-awareness and develop self-responsibility. It seems to me that instructor training is a soul-destroying experience for a lot of people. The drop-out rate is horrendous and the pass rate of around 30 per cent for Part 3 represents those people who have got that far – many drop out much earlier. The reason for the appalling drop-out rate and the low Part 3 pass rate is because trainee driving instructors are not encouraged to think for themselves. They have to learn everything by rote and this does not fit their individual learning preferences. That’s why the most effective way to train people to be driving instructors is to use a client-centred approach and adapt the way you train to suit the way they learn most effectively. Encouraging trainee driving instructors to take responsibility for their learning; to structure their training sessions themselves; and to set their own goals will accelerate their learning and help them recognise how to adopt a client-centred approach with their learner drivers. The knock-on effect will be newly qualified drivers being safer on the roads because they will be able to make decisions that take into account their strengths and weaknesses and factor into the equation how their emotional state affects their cognitive processes and therefore their behaviour. My next article will focus in greater detail on the Part 3 test itself and discuss the extent to which it is ‘fit for purpose’.
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The point of the qualification process is to assess that people are adequately prepared to teach people to drive by being able to give value for money, ensure that learning takes place, and keep the car and its occupants safe.
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-coaching partnership.co.uk. Susan can be contacted on 07817 646970.
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SUSAN McCORMACK
The Part 3 test was organised into the ten pre-set test combinations (PSTs) we have currently, and ORDIT (the Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers) was born, following on from the ADITE directory (Approved Driving Instructor Training Establishments). All ADI trainers were encouraged to join ORDIT, which meant they would be recommended through the ADI 14 to prospective ADIs. In order to join the ORDIT register would-be trainers had to successfully pass an assessment which focused on their ability to deliver training around the PSTs and core competencies of fault identification, fault analysis and remedial action. Somewhere along the way trainers started to lose sight of the point of the qualification process; whereas it used to be aimed at becoming a driving instructor, it became focused on the qualification process itself. The point of the qualification process is to assess that people are adequately prepared to teach people to drive by being able to give value for money, ensure that learning takes place, and keep the car and its occupants safe. Losing sight of this crucial point meant that trainers focused on getting their customers through the three exams – theory, practical and instructional ability – and, in particular, the test of instructional ability as this was (is) the most challenging for most people. Newly qualified ADIs were expected to work out for themselves how to teach people to drive and often complained that they had no idea how to teach roundabouts, for example, as this hadn’t been covered on their training because it was not one of the PSTs. When it came to taking a check test recently qualified ADIs assumed the best way to demonstrate their competence was to revert to teaching a PST … and, in fact, some ADIs would be teaching pedestrian crossings with the use of signals or the emergency stop with the use of mirrors during their everyday driving lessons because that was the way they were trained. The focus of the Part 3 training is far too often on the key points of the subject rather than on the instructional skills and techniques. Trainee driving instructors are often treated as if they have no previous experience of any value to driving instruction. To separate previous valuable life experience from the training process is ridiculous when we consider that teaching people to drive safely is all about communication – having the awareness and insight to adapt the way you communicate to suit the way someone learns most effectively. Training someone to become a driving
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European News
Europe must move quicker to cut road deaths 900 deaths put down to not wearing a seat belt... while drink-driving and inappropriate speed still Europe’s biggest killers average speed on all roads was cut by just one km/h. ETSC is calling on the EU to mandate the use of alcohol interlocks for repeat drink driving offenders and for better enforcement of speed limits across all member states. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC said: “While huge progress has been made in cutting the number of people killed in cars on Europe’s roads, it is simply wrong that over 12,000 still die every year for reasons that are mostly avoidable. Simple measures like seat belt reminders, better enforcement of speed limits and measures to prevent repeat drink-drivers from getting behind the wheel could put the EU’s target of halving the number of road deaths by 2020 firmly within reach.” Despite the large number of deaths still occurring, the report finds that existing measures have been very effective – and should be widened. The report estimates that 8,600 car occupants survived severe
collisions in 2012 because they were wearing a seatbelt. The number saved each year by improved occupant protection, such as airbags and sideimpact bars, built into cars is harder to estimate, but is clearly many thousands. Spain and Latvia are highlighted by the researchers for having made particularly strong progress in cutting car occupant deaths. The introduction of penalty point systems was cited as being an important component in an array of measures taken to improve safety in those countries. Countries with historically good performance including Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden, have also managed to continue their good progress and are now the safest countries ranked in terms of car occupant deaths per billion vehicle-km travelled. The report Ranking EU Progress on Car Occupant Safety is based on analysis of EU data overseen by a panel of 32 road safety experts from across Europe.
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It is simply wrong that 12,000 still die every year for reasons that are mostly avoidable.
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Transport safety campaigners are calling on the European Union to accelerate progress on reducing the number of people killed in cars every year in the EU, as new research shows 12,345 car occupants were fatally injured in 2012. The report into trends in car occupant safety, published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), found that 900 lives could be saved every year in the EU if car manufacturers were required to fit seat-belt reminder sensors to front and rear passenger seats to help prevent deaths from failure to wear belts. The European Commission is currently revising vehicle safety rules with new proposals expected next year. Despite improvements in vehicle safety, drink driving and inappropriate speed are still contributing to too many deaths on European roads. ETSC estimates that 5,600 deaths, half of them in cars, could be prevented annually by eliminating drink driving and a further 1,300 if the
Europe backs safer lorries The European Parliament has voted to support revised rules on the dimensions of heavy goods vehicles that will enable manufacturers to produce safer lorries. The legislation will allow for cabs with improved visibility, especially important for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said: “This legislation is a step forward because it will enable innovative new designs that include crumple zones along with better visibility and protection of car occupants, pedestrians and cyclists. “But the Parliament should remain vigilant and ensure that these safety requirements don’t get watered down in negotiations with Member States or by the working groups that work out the technical details of the new rules.” According to ETSC data, around 4,300 people died in collisions involving lorries in 2011. Because of their size and weight, crashes can be catastrophic, with a much higher risk of death or serious injury.
While in the US...
US launches distracted driving campaign US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced America’s first-ever national advertising campaign and law enforcement crackdown to combat ‘distracted driving’ – driving while using phones or computers. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 3,328 people were killed and 421,000 injured in distractionrelated crashes in 2012. The new adverts remind the public of these deadly consequences, as well as the penalties for violating distracted driving laws. The national campaign builds on the success of two federally funded distracted driving state demonstration programmes in California and Delaware. Over three enforcement waves, California police issued more than
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10,700 tickets for violations involving drivers talking or texting on mobile phones, while Delaware police issued more than 6,200 tickets. Observed hand-held mobile phone use dropped by approximately a third at each programme site, from 4.1 per cent to 2.7 per cent in California, and from 4.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent in Delaware. “This campaign puts distracted driving on par with our efforts to fight drunk driving or to encourage seatbelt use,” said Secretary Foxx. Road safety campaigners have supported the initiative; “it is about time the Government took this issue very seriously,” said Kerry Maddox, of Florida Safe Driving. “We all know the dangers caused by distracted driving.”
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News
Pip Pilcher
ADI - driving school proprietor – MSA supporter – Soroptimist Winifred May (Pip) Pilcher, an Honorary Member of the Motor Schools Association and a past MSA Member of The Year, has died, aged 85. Pip, as she was known to everyone, was born 30 March 1929 and died 1 April 2014, after several recent hospitalisations with severe diverticular disease. Along with her husband John, Pip ran a multi-car driving school in Tunbridge Wells called Autoschool. The school was well ahead of its time, with a classroom attached where, among other teaching aids, were dozens of photographic slides showing road signs in situ and all manner of road situations. The Pilchers called it hazard awareness – in those days perception was still 20 years away. Like so many MSA activists they first got involved with the association as supporters of their local committee, MSA South East. They began attending MSA national conferences and by the early 1980s, John had become chairman of MSA South East and a director of the MSA. However, John had not been a director for long when it came to light that the MSA was facing some serious financial difficulties. The then general secretary left and the association’s administration became somewhat overextended. It was to salvage the MSA from this situation that Pip and John agreed to help out and they took over a large part of the association’s administration. Pip completely re-organised the MSA’s back office functions; she sorted out the filing, the finance and the membership list. No mean feat in those pre-computerised days of double-entry bookkeeping, addressograph machines and Rotadex card filing systems. However, despite the challenges of the technology of the day it took Pip fewer than 12 months to sort out all the problems, set up new systems and introduce new structures, all in time for the association’s Golden Jubilee conference
in 1985, at which she was awarded the Member of The Year trophy for her outstanding contribution to the MSA. Pip continued as a member of the MSA South East committee but also pursued her interest and involvement in Soroptimist International of Tunbridge Wells & District. The Soroptimists is an organisation whose vision, then as now, is a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. Pip became President of her local branch in 1987. Part of her duties was to oversee the President’s Dinner and she invited MSA general manager John Lepine to be a guest speaker at the event. John recalls: “I was very flattered to be asked but a bit nervous about what to say to a roomful of local business women and their partners. “I need not have worried too much as the week before the dinner, which was in October 1987, Michael Fish made his infamous BBC weather forecast in which he said: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you’re watching, don’t worry, there isn’t!’ “Despite his confident predictions that nothing calamitous was about to happen, that evening the worst storm to hit south east England for three centuries caused a record amount of damage, killed 19 people, downed an estimated 15 million trees and caused the National Grid in the whole of the region to shut down. “The effect of the storm was felt for days after, so much so that by the time of the dinner, many of the Soroptimists hadn’t eaten any hot food in a week. As a result, once the food was served they were far more interested in that than in anything I had to say.” At the MSA National Conference in 1992 Pip was awarded Honorary Membership of The Motor Schools
Loyal friend: Pip through the years. Top left, she is pictured with husband John after they jointly received the John William Peek Memorial Trophy as Member(s) of the Year in 1985. Left, receiving an MSA certificate designating Autoschool as a driver training centre from Chief Superintendent George Turner in the 1970s; and above, in Durham, circa mid-70s
Association of Great Britain. The then MSA national chairman, Ron Feltham, said in his presentation speech that the MSA owed a huge debt of gratitude to Pip Pilcher for all her work for the association. He added: “Without the careful, clear and concise efforts (Pip) had made, the association may have had to shut down weeks before it reached its Golden Jubilee.” Pip’s husband John died in 1990 but Pip continued to run the Autoschool for a number of years and continued her
involvement with the MSA until her retirement. Since then she has kept in touch with occasional notes and Christmas cards. The association was represented at her funeral by Rod Came, a former MSA South East chairman and current editor. A great servant to driver training, the MSA and Soroptimists International, she will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Pip Pilcher, 1929-2014. RIP
Your local MSA AGM The MSA is currently finalising dates for all 10 of its regional training days and AGMs for 2014. Details of venues, timings, costs and speakers will be announced in due course, but please make a note of these provisional dates of your local event, and keep an eye on the regional pages of our website (www.msagb.com) for further information. October 26 North East NOVEMBER 2 Scotland 3 Eastern 9 South Wales
10 15 16 17 30
Western & North West Greater London West Midlands South East East Midlands
oct. 26 NOV. 10
Please note these are provisional dates
Make a note of the date of your local event NOW! 18 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
NOV. 02
NOV. 30 NOV. 03
NOV. 16
NOV. 09
NOV. 10
NOV. 17
NOV. 15
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News: DVSA launch
Months of discussion,
The DV T
Bike dreams: DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples and MSA general manager John Lepine check out one of motorbikes on display in the Cardington testing bays
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ransport Minister Stephen Hammond appeared to rule out permanently any plans for reforms to legislation on new drivers at the official launch of the DVSA on April 2. Speaking to the MSA at the agency’s Cardington testing HQ, Mr Hammond said that he was exploring a number of new avenues, but while “we want to encourage new drivers not to think about the driving test as the end of their driver training but to continue their education, there are ways to do this that do not require legislation.” When pressed as to whether this suggested a new phase of Pass Plus could be imminent, he was reluctant to agree, simply repeating that new drivers taking extra lessons on motorways was something he would encourage. The minister’s comments came during a Q&A session with journalists at the DVSA launch day. Earlier, the minister had joined DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples in a traditional cake-cutting ceremony to mark the official launch of the DVSA. During his welcome speech Alastair remarked on how surprised he was to be back at Cardington in his new role some 30 years after he had studied there to become a driving examiner. He was delighted to be back – though glad to see the new accommodation block had replaced “the old Nissan huts of my day.” He stressed that the new agency had a unique chance to alter new drivers’ behaviour; with a clean sheet of paper in front of it, “we can be innovative to bring out the best in new drivers.” Stephen Hammond praised the role of the driver testing and training profession in giving the UK “the safest roads in the
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News: DVSA launch
debate and rumour are finally over...
SA is here! world”. Bringing together DSA and VOSA into one agency had been a mammoth task but a sensible one, as it married two agencies whose staff “had a passion for road safety and improving standards.” He acknowledged that there was greater pressure than ever on the road network and it made greater demands on drivers than ever before. “We need to ensure our driver training and testing is relevant to today’s roads,” he said. Mr Hammond added that he was very excited by the new Standards Check grades, which he hoped “would highlight to the public the best instructors and allow them to make more informed decisions over who to learn with.” Backing up his words, DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples made the point that with the new agency would come new opportunities for reform. “When I was with VOSA we had a number of challenges that people said we couldn’t get over, and we did, by working hard with the industry and pressing on with change. “There are challenges within the driver training and testing industry but at the moment, we have a clean slate and can look forward to some exciting changes in the future.” He would not be drawn on what these changes were, preferring to repeat the comments that no one at the agency was satisfied with the current position, and that the Continued on page 22 » » »
Ready to start work: Transport minister Stephen Hammond arrives at the official launch, accompanied by DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples
Tradition: The ‘official’ act to launch the new agency was the cutting of the ceremonial cake by the minister (right)... while John Lepine notes the new signage at the Cardington site
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 21
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The gang’s all here: The minister and chief executive takes centre stage among the VIPs at the DVSA launch
The DVSA is here! « « « Continued from page 21 management has aspirations for improving the quality of the training of new drivers and their skill sets. During the Q&A session, a range of questions were asked by journalists covering industry sectors including commercial operators and LGV. One that suggested an interesting overlap between the two former ‘halves’ of the new agency was on the future use of Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) for LGVs. It appears that these are currently under-used in many areas and those ATFs with spare capacity could be used to host driving tests in the future in an extension of the ad hoc test centre programme – although Mr Peoples was quick to give that project its official title, ‘taking testing to the customer’, which was, he stressed, a key component of the DVSA’s future remit. Ensuring the integrity of the tests themselves would be central to any decisions made over using ATFs. While he rejected suggestions that the driving test centre estate would be reduced, it was important that the DVSA offered tests in places where the public wanted them. When questioned later over the MSA’s concerns over the value-for-money offered by the MPTCs on the agency’s books, Alastair said he was continually looking at ways to utilise them further, including possibly hiring them out to motorbike trainers. The minister was also keen to look again at the L-test and ensure they were appropriate for modern roads. Speaking about motorcycle testing, he said it was important it was made more relevant and focused on road safety rather than simply a succession of manoeuvres. It was important it tested the rider’s ability to stay safe. The launch gave the DVSA a chance to show off its latest CGI clips for the theory test. Both the minister and chief executive were clearly impressed with the work that had been put in to the images, which, as well as being stunning to look at, were a huge step forward for driver training, as they offered the chance to create really challenging questions and scenarios on future tests. The minister was brave enough to take the short sample theory test offered to launch guests, and after studying the questions closely – clearly seeing a ministerial career disappearing at the click of a mouse if he got this wrong – he actually walked away with a very comfortable pass, obtaining the same mark as John Lepine on the neighbouring computer. DVSA’s Peter Weddell-Hall highlighted how these new images would give the UK a lead in the computerised testing of new drivers. He was looking forward to demonstrating them to other EU countries, with a few to exporting DVSA skills abroad.
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Now hang on, this is tricky... The minister tries the new theory test, alongside John Lepine (both passed) while right, he gets behind the wheel of an LGV on the testing ground
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News extra
Road signs face axe as DfT eases rules New plans to allow local councils in Great Britain the freedom to cut down the number of road markings and signs, were announced by Roads Minister Robert Goodwill on 1 May. The changes are included in a new consultation which also contains proposals for clearer road markings and new low-level signals for cyclists which will help improve safety on the roads. The proposals will reduce the number of signs that the Department for Transport will need to authorise and streamline the approval process for councils, cutting regulation. Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said: “The number of signs have soared from two million in 1993 to over 4.6 million today. This is causing unnecessary clutter in our towns and cities. “The proposed changes will mean greater flexibility for councils to cut the number of signs, while ensuring consistency and making sure our roads are even safer for cyclists and motorists.” The changes will mean road users will have signs that are easier to understand and could cut clutter on the roads. The proposals will also look to relax regulations for parking bays and yellowbox junctions to give local councils greater flexibility in designing road layouts and markings. The Department for Transport also plans to introduce a range of measures to
Official statement
Ministerial statement, May 1, by Robert Goodwill: “I can today inform the House that the Department for Transport has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. The consultation will close on 10 June 2014. “These proposals represent significant changes to the existing regulatory regime, arising from the recommendations of a broad range of stakeholders as
part of the traffic signs policy review. The proposed changes include: reductions in sign lighting requirements; measures to help improve road user understanding, reduced sign clutter and a range of improvements for cyclists.” To supplement the consultation process, officials have scheduled a series of industry seminars to be held around Great Britain during May (2014). The successor regulations will come into force in early 2015.
Robert Goodwill MP
help local authorities make roads safer for cyclists and encourage more people to take to two wheels. These include: bigger cycle boxes at traffic lights to make it safer for cyclists at junctions; low-level traffic light signals and filters that give cyclists a ‘head start’ on other traffic; the roll-out of shared crossings for pedestrians and cyclists which allow those on a bicycle to cross the road safely; and removing the ‘lead-in’ lanes at advance stop lines, which force cyclists to enter a cycle box alongside the kerb. The Department has worked closely with local councils, traffic authorities, sign makers and consultants to revise the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), which offers clear guidance to local councils on road signs and makings. As part of the consultation, the Department is also holding nine events across Great Britain to explain the improvements and proposed changes to over 700 practitioners. Details about the event can be found at: www.theihe.org. The consultation closes on 12 June 2014.
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 23
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Membership offers
MSA offers
Giving you the benefits of membership Save cash on MoTs and servicing at Halfords
Offers and discounts
Our slogan at the MSA has always been Information Representation - Services and Support to explain the benefits you get as a member. But we want to help you in more ways than that. We know that some ADIs are struggling financially at the moment, so that’s why we are keener than ever to deliver real cost savings, special offers on goods and discounts on key services to our members, putting money back into your pocket and making your membership fee pay for itself many times over.
That‘s why we’ve negotiated special discounts with Halfords and through the EeziBuy scheme. But that’s not all: we’re also always on the look-out for companies who are happy to offer discounts to our members. In every issue of Newslink we’re going to feature some of the best. The goods and services you’ll see on this page will be ideally suited to ADIs: whether for the car, for the office or in line with a busy instructor’s lifestyle. So have a read of the latest offers and get saving!
NEWSLINK MEMBERSHIP OFFER
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 your annual membership on its own.”
How to take advantage of this offer Members should visit 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.
24 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Buy one, get one free on MSA appointment cards Take advantage of this month’s superb offer from Driving School Supplies. MSA appointment cards – just £8.99 for a pack of 100 – but for this month, buy one pack, get a second pack completely free. Alternatively, have the pack overprinted with your school details for just £18.50 – and get a second pack overprinted free of charge. To take advantage of this offer, go to the MSA‘s official supplier, Driving School Supplies, at www.d-ss.co.uk. Quote this reference code APC2B1GOF and your current MSA membership number. Alternatively call Driving School Supplies on 0121 328 6226 with the same information. Offer runs until May 31
Keep safe:
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Every ADI should carry out checks on the licences presented to them but how do you spot a counterfeit licence from a real one? Don’t leave it to chance: get one of these special UV security key rings for just £5. It can be used to verify driving licences AND bank notes. Don’t chance being left with a load of dud cash or giving lessons to someone on a forged licence. Be safe, be certain with a UV securitykeyring. Available direct from the MSA; call 0161 429 9669 with your credit/debit card details.
Don’t forget - save cash with EeziBuy! Register now at www.MSA.eezibuy.co.uk and start saving money on key business products and services. Running a business can be costly - so start saving money now on everything from printing and computers, energy to hotels, legal services to office supplies 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.
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News
‘Woop’ it up: £50 bonus referral fee from Collingwood Insurance Collingwood Insurance Services, which once agains this year supported the MSA Annual Conference in March, is extending its conference offer of “£50 for the first referral” to all members who join its Learner Driver Referral Programme using the special promotion code MSA2014. The MSA chairman, Peter Harvey MBE, is just one of many MSA members who have benefited from the Collingwood Learner Referral scheme over the years. He says: “Give it a go: your pupils will like
the extra freedom –and I’m sure you will like the extra income it generates”. Instructors on the scheme can introduce their pupils to Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance using a variety of free promotional items and can track any referral fee income on the company’s 24/7 online system. By taking up the insurance, your pupils know that any private practice they do is fully insured, and there are discounted renewal premiums when using their instructor’s unique discount code.
And now to compliment the successful Learner Driver Insurance, Collingwood has recently launched its new telematics full insurance offering, Woop Cover which, subject to underwriting criteria, is available to 17-24-year-olds who owning their own vehicle. For more information or to join the Collingwood Learner Driver Referral Programme, visit www. collingwoodinstructors.co.uk and don’t forget to use that all important code MSA2014 to get £50 for your first referral.
What Car? urges buyers caution over mpg figures Do you trust ‘official’ MPG figures on cars? According to What Car?, you’d should take them with a pinch of salt as it reckons the official figures could be as much as £1,000-worth of fuel too high over an average three-year period. That is because the official figures are achieved under laboratory conditions that can rarely be replicated in the real world. What Car? True MPG data is scientifically calculated by experienced engineers, the magazine says, who drive test vehicles over a variety of real roads, including motorway, A and B roads and through towns and villages. Since launching True MPG two years ago, What Car? has tested almost 400 cars in real-world conditions using cutting-edge test equipment, achieving economy figures that
are an average of 19% lower than the government figures. Editor Jim Holder said: “Our True MPG tests are the only reliable source of real-world fuel economy. With such a discrepancy between the official figures and our real-world data, it’s clear that the official test processes need to be updated so that car buyers can place more trust in the figures they are being told. “We’d like to see more transparency at play.” The company which consistently got nearest to its official figures was Audi, where there was little discrepency between the two sets of mpgs. However, Toyota and Volkswagen, for example, were suggesting mpg that was 25% better than the actual figure you can expect – and Ford was nearer 50 per cent.
inbrief Start it up – it’ll give you satisfaction
Fancy a new car with a rock ‘n’ roll pedigree? Then check out a car that’s going on sale under auction in Monaco this month. It’s a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT, first owned by the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards. The Dino 246 was a true ‘collector’s car’ while still in production and gained a fairly star-studded list of owners. Richards bought his in California in 1972. He kept the Dino for 14 years – but covered only 25,000 miles in that time. Price? if you have to ask...
MG’s back with power to add An old name is making a new reputation for itself after MG was voted the third best manufacturer in the UK in the 2014 Auto Express Driver Power Survey. This tops off a superb return for MG, which also saw the MG6 take sixth place in the model rundown as well as being crowned best-handling car.
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 25
Towards your CPD: Standards Check
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Meeting the Standard: first impressions give it Grade A I After months of talks, the DVSA finally conducted its first Standards Check on April 7 – and one of the first ADIs in the country to experience the new assessment was MSA Western chairman and editor Colin Lillly. So now the talking’s stopped, how was the new check in practice? Colin offers his view
The Standards Check in the flesh: 45 out of 51 marks, just outside Colin’s target of a 90 per cent mark. Where marks were dropped, ‘in true client-centred learning an understanding exists between trainer and pupil so that words do not always need to be used. This leads to independent driving. The examiner is not always aware of the detailed previous experience and demonstration of understanding and ability. This, I felt, led to me dropping at least three marks.’
26 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
n early March I was not surprised to receive my invitation to attend an ADI Standards Check. I knew I was probably due for a check this year, and for some time had joked I would probably be one of the first. I duly e-mailed my acceptance to attend; it is difficult to refuse. The invitation was six weeks prior to the appointment, which gave me plenty of time to arrange a pupil. My pupil base is small, as most of my work is related to NDORS courses. I got the agreement of one pupil to be my pupil for the test. By coincidence, his sister had been my pupil on my last check test. From that point on I felt there was very little more I needed to do. I was never comfortable with the check test; I felt there was too much formality to it. My view was that it was akin to the ADI instructional test which requires a formal lesson based on restricted topics. This left the instructor almost nit-picking through every fault with little opportunity to prioritise. On reflection I feel my instructional style, almost since I joined the profession 36 years ago, has been client-centred. Every pupil is an individual. Over a course of lessons the instructor builds up knowledge of that pupil and adapts. I accept that for many pupils, the goal is to pass the driving test, whereas mine is to produce a safe driver. Eventually they see that this is the same. I was totally relaxed about the whole process; I decided there was no point in taking special training. I already hold a level 4 teaching qualification and have attended a number of CPD events, some of which had included information on the Standards Check but more importantly had given me new ideas for everyday training techniques. So far this year I have attended six days of events that could be classified as CPD. The total cost of these events was less than £100. About 10 days before the appointment I received a phone call from the examiner to check my plan to attend. Apparently my e-mailed acceptance had not been forwarded to them. The Standards Check may be new but some of the old processes remain intact at the DVSA. The pupil had taken 16 hours’ tuition and was making reasonable progress in most areas but lacked confidence at higher speeds. The lesson a week before the check was spent on dual carriageways which included some overtaking. So it was decided that for the check lesson we would cover higher speed single carriageways on a road that frequently presents opportunities for overtaking. We arrived at the test centre. I went to meet the examiner and offered the usual pupil profile; in return I was asked if I was familiar with the new check format. We returned to the car and I introduced the examiner to the pupil. So far, much the same as the check test. The lesson began with a recap on the previous lesson and the experience gained, including how the pupil felt. Then the critical question of what the pupil felt that they needed to do to develop. They decided to stick with the topic of continuing with higher speed limit roads, but this time focusing on single carriageways. I
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Towards your CPD: Standards Check
‘
I know that many members are feeling nervous about the new check. My advice is to give a good lesson that truly benefits the pupil. If you prefer the formality of a rigid instructor-led lesson you may need to work on this style. lane. This was an opportunity to focus on the particular hazards involved. The rest of the journey back to the test centre was much of the same thing. On arrival back at the test centre we had a recap of the lesson, highlighting strengths, valuable experiences and plans for further development. The pupil agreed that some of the mistakes were due to feeling nervous with someone else in the car. The examiner returned to the office to complete the report and the pupil went to the waiting room. After about five minutes I returned to the car with the examiner. We discussed my feelings as to how the lesson went. I generally felt it went well, with a couple of areas that could have been better. The examiner then said that they judged the lesson to be satisfactory and at the Grade A level. Obviously this pleased me. They said I had achieved a score of 45 out of 51. Some comments were made on the lesson and highlighted the question of anticipation at the traffic lights. I have included a copy of the report form. Certain areas have been blanked for security and
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‘
agreed that this was a reasonable topic for the lesson. We then had a discussion on the different conditions we may meet, including different categories of vehicles and any special considerations when overtaking these. We set off. The first part of the lesson included some Q&A, and support at junctions with a restricted view. Five minutes into the lesson we were faced with traffic lights changing from green. The pupil decided to risk the amber. This necessitated a temporary change in lesson plan. We turned into a side road for a discussion on the meaning of traffic lights and set off to approach the lights a second time. This time, of course, they remained stubbornly on green. So back to the original lesson plan rather than spend any more time, at that moment, on traffic lights. As we left town we encountered a blue light vehicle, which was an ideal opportunity to build on an experience in the previous week’s lesson. We then joined the higher speed limit ‘A’ road. This road was selected because of its changing speed limits and frequent opportunities to overtake. It soon became apparent that this day the traffic was very light and there was unlikely to be any opportunities to overtake. The circumstances meant that the lesson tended to focus on forward planning, scanning and recognising hazards in the far distance. This was a good opportunity for plenty of Q&A and feedback. Due to the detour to deal with traffic lights the route had to be shortened so we turned for the return journey at a roundabout. On the return the traffic conditions were much the same. We did, however, encounter a cyclist in an area with two traffic islands and a dedicated right-turn
Contact e: cglilly@bt internet.com t: 01934 514336 07768 367056 a: 7 Bampton, Tamar Rd, Worle, Westonsuper-Mare BS22 6LD
confidentiality reasons. One weakness I found in the Check Test system, and which remains with the Standards Check, is that in true client-centred learning an understanding exists between trainer and pupil so that words do not always need to be used. This leads to independent driving. The examiner is not always aware of the detailed previous experience and demonstration of understanding and ability. This, I felt, led to me dropping at least three marks. However, having said that, I cannot think of a way to take this out of the system. In the past, under the Check Test system, I was usually a Grade 4, occasionally a Grade 5. It is almost impossible to equate the new grading system with the old so the Standards Check is a fresh start. Next time I would like to get into the 90 per cent band, which is at least 46 out of the 51 marks on offer. The Standards Check was introduced as part of a process to modernise driver training and I feel it makes a valuable contribution. I do, however, feel that the biggest step in modernisation has occurred within the DVSA. If this can be extended into driving instructor training, real changes will take place. I know that many members are feeling nervous about the new check. My advice is to give a good lesson that truly benefits the pupil. If you prefer the formality of a rigid instructor-led lesson you may need to work on this style. If necessary, seek the advice of a good practical trainer. There are many courses available which focus on specific teaching strategies but they are only part of the holistic approach needed. If development is needed do not wait for the appointment letter; begin the process now and make it your everyday teaching style.
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» » » The MSA’s nationwide network of editors with the news and opinions that matter at local level
Changes to pensions offer a glimmer of retirement hope Editor, South East
MSA Editor of the Year
You may have noticed in the last issue of Newslink, amid the extensive coverage of the MSA National Conference, that I was awarded the Jon Gross Memorial Trophy for Editor of the Year, and mighty proud I was too. It is 10 years almost to the day since I was first awarded this honour, which at that time was named the Denis Phillips Memorial Trophy. All the regional editors, with their individual views on the industry and associated aggravations, sweat blood over their keyboards in order to get their copy in before the looming deadline, which always comes quicker than time will allow. It is their input that makes Newslink all encompassing for MSA members throughout the country. Although I am this year’s recipient it is an honour to be shared with all, and I look forward to passing this rather iconic trophy on to the next worthy winner in 2015.
Pensions - your future*
You may recollect that a year or so ago I wrote about pensions (boring – or is it?), in which I commented that I thought the private pension industry was a rip-off. Up to now the system has been that by paying to a pension company a certain amount each month they, using their financial expertise at a cost to you, accrue for you a ‘pension pot’ which you then have to give away in exchange for a minuscule annual payment, a pension, which will probably never allow you to recoup the amount of money which you ‘gave’ away in the first place. Well, how things have changed: the Chancellor of the Exchequer obviously reads Newslink! In the latest Budget it is proposed that you will be allowed to keep your pension pot and spend it however you wish, pay off the mortgage, buy a Lamborghini or even invest it wisely to provide an income. Paying off the mortgage is beneficial because mortgage rates are generally a lot higher than the rate of return on investments, be it a new ISA, a bond or a savings account. Obviously, there is no point in paying out five per cent on the same amount of money that is earning one per cent. Buying something expensively frivolous is irresponsible unless you are terminally ill, have no relatives or are wealthy.
28 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
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Investing wisely is a dark art when involving the financial sector, an industry which is no doubt at this moment preparing devious schemes to recoup the loss of the money which they have had to pay out when people asked for the contents of their pension pot.
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ROD CAME
* Guess what: Here’s the financial caveat... Rod Came is speaking in an independent capacity and is making a general comment about how to provide for old age. As this is general advice it should not be taken as authoritative. However, next time you speak to a financial adviser, you might mention Rod’s plan as an option and see what they say. Editor, Newslink
Contact e: camedt@one tel.com t: 01424 883333 / 07930 842833 a: Crown Cottage, Cackle Street, Brede, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6EA
Investing wisely is a dark art when involving the financial sector, an industry which is no doubt at this moment preparing devious schemes to recoup the loss of the money which they have had to pay out when people asked for the contents of their pension pot. In my previous article I advocated buying as big a house as you can afford and when you have bought that buy an even bigger (more expensive) one until you come to a point when you want to downsize, whereupon you can then use the tax-free released capital to fund your lifestyle. Several people have pointed out to me that there are areas of the UK where the difference in house prices does not release a great deal of capital, therefore my advice is flawed. I am not a financial expert and appreciate that one size does not fit all. I have only owned houses in the south east of England and one which I bought in Wales, but each one has made good money, even the one in Wales. What the situation is elsewhere in the country I do not know, but it follows that there must be a difference in value between a two-bedroom terrace house in town and a four/five-bedroom house in a desirable location on the outskirts or in the country, so the opportunity still exists. However, if you already have a private pension, have no mortgage and no debts, you have a choice of what to do with your wealth. One option is the original route, that is to let a pension provider have it and allow you to receive a little bit back for the
remainder of your time on Earth. You will get a better return than a bond or bank account will provide, but you will lose your capital. The new rules are that you can take 25 per cent of your pot tax-free as before, but now you can take the rest in cash, bear in mind you will have to pay tax on it at your highest rate for that year. For example, if you retire with no income other than the state pension, you will pay no income tax. The proposed lowest rate of income tax at 20 per cent will start at £10,000, leaving you a balance of about £5,000, depending on your state pension rate, before you need to pay any tax. In which case you could take that £5,000 from your pension pot annually without incurring any liability. But is £10,000pa enough to live on? Probably not - for a couple it is likely to be nearer £30,000 to live comfortably. However, if you take too large an amount from your pot you will fall into the 40% tax band, a situation to be avoided if ever there was one. So what to do? My original advice still stands. You can now take your pension pot from age 55, an age when I presume most people would still be working, so take it, ensuring that you do not enter the 40 per cent tax band, and use the money to buy a more expensive house, because that is the only way I know of to legitimately make an unlimited amount of tax-free money. If you have a better idea please share it with us all.
www.msagb.com
Watch where you put that sucker!
L-test fraud: how far will it go?
John Lomas North West p34
David Jones South Wales p31
Suffolk ADIs flock to latest meeting Rod Tipple Eastern p38
Don’t be a charity: charge what you are worth The ‘L’ driver charity
A charity is described as ‘an institution for helping the needy’, and many worthy causes are promoted by way of being charities. They collect money from those who wish to support the cause and use the cash to alleviate the suffering of people and animals who qualify. An admirable aim indeed. However, there are some causes which are not worthy of the title ‘charity’ and often accept donations under false pretences, the ‘L’ Driver Charity is one of those and must be revealed as such. Let me explain. Using an average franchise fee as our guide for the industry as a whole, the average fee is about £200pw (£10,000pa). Add on fuel for 30 lessons a week at 25 miles a lesson, including travelling between clients, at 30mpg @ £6 per gallon comes to £150pw (£7,500pa). Add on health insurance, holidays, accountant fees and telephone costs to total £3,000, and a miserly £300 (£3,600pa) into an ISA – this totals £24,100.
At 30 lessons a week for 39 weeks this means the costs of providing the lessons works out at £16.40 a lesson, and you haven’t made a penny yet. The average wage in the UK is £26,000pa, ie. £530pw, which represents £17.66 per lesson. This, added to the cost of providing a lesson becomes £34.06, which does not allow a margin for any profit or cost increases. Therefore, a lesson fee should be £35 an hour – anything less than that is a contribution, no matter how unwillingly it is made, to the ‘L’ Driver Charity. It has to be noted that although pupils plead poverty in relation to driving lessons, as soon as they pass their test they miraculously find the cash to feed petrol into a car as though it is going out of fashion. How generous can you afford to be to their charity?
ADIs lose out again as vehicle recalls hit lessons Who pays?
DVSA has, in its infinite wisdom, and in this case quite rightly so, adopted a policy that any vehicle subject to a manufacturer’s recall for a safety problem cannot be used on a driving test until there is proof that the vehicle which may have a fault has been inspected and, if necessary, suitable remedial action taken. The latest recall notice refers to Toyota Yaris models where there may be problems with the front seats and a bracket on the steering column. This is just the type of car that ADIs may well have and the defect is most likely to occur with just the sort of use that driver training vehicles are put to. The Yaris is not the only car that has been subject to a recall in recent years, either.
So the question is - in a case of a recall, who pays? Not for the remedial work on the car – that is usually covered by the manufacturer at their own cost – but for the lost lesson time. A small number of ADIs may have a pupil booked for a test;
DVSA will allow the test to be re-arranged with no loss of fee, so from that angle the pupil is catered for, but the ADI may well miss out unless they can sell the two hours lost by the cancellation to that pupil or another. But there is also a wider issue. A safety recall having been issued, in this case by Toyota,
must mean that the ADI cannot use their car for driver training until such time as it has been inspected and corrected, which could be several days. So the question stands: Who pays for the lost lesson time? Most dealerships will put themselves out for a good customer so maybe only one day will be lost, but that could be £200 of lost earnings. If you are not considered to be a good customer, in that the vehicle was not purchased at the dealership, you may be further down the waiting list and lose several days earnings or have to hire a replacement car. Who pays? I think you already know the answer. It won’t be the manufacturer, it won’t be the dealer – it will yet again be the ADI who loses out.
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 29
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Regional News: Greater London TONY PHILLIPS
Editor, Greater London
We’ve got a problem. It’s a big problem, one that we’ve been trying to deal with for years, but a recent work issue has really brought home to me the enormity of the problem facing us. That problem is driving, or rather, attitudes towards driving, not just in this country, I suppose, but everywhere. However, from what Lesley Young said publicly at our Conference and was reported in Newslink, it concerns me a great deal. A young woman contacted me recently asking if I could conduct a Pass Plus course for her. She had passed her test in another part of the country but lives locally and wanted to get used to motorway driving as well as driving in London. I met this young woman, let’s call her Mary, and went through various aspects of the day with her. We had previously agreed to do four hours on the first day and two hours on the second. If any further training hours were needed after that we would discuss it at the time. During the drive through and out of town, she demonstrated an inability to negotiate road cushions (road humps), use bus lanes when out of operational hours, deal with roundabouts AT ALL, deal with buses pulling away from bus stops, cross approaching traffic when turning right, park in a car park bay, emerge from a car park safely and deal with slow-moving heavy traffic by using clutch control on a hill. She didn’t notice speed limit signs, either gateway or repeater, or know how to use fifth gear. Naturally, motorways were a new situation and with advice and help I’m pleased to say that she dealt with the M40, M25 and M23 very well. During the drive and the break at the motorway service station, she expanded on her experiences. It turns out that she had passed her test in Sale in Cheshire, which she said is a suburb of Greater Manchester. (Those of you from that part of the world can enlighten/correct me on that if you wish) [it is indeed, comments north-west based Editor] She originates from the Manchester area and has family up there, although she’s been living in London for many years. She took her test in Sale because she could stay there while taking an intensive course over five days in an area that has quieter roads than London. She purposely took her test early in the morning because, in her own words, she couldn’t deal with roundabouts and that would mean she wouldn’t have had to deal with them on her test, but I think she meant that she wouldn’t have to deal with traffic on roundabouts at that time. To cut a long story short, she took more training and by the end of it I felt happy that she could deal with things independently and more to the point, with reasonable safety all round. Coincidentally, we (my school) was contacted recently by someone who had failed their test miserably having also taken an intensive course, locally this time. Once again, this poor soul could hardly drive and was in an even worse level of competence than the previous person. At least this one didn’t pass her driving test and can now take some real tuition and coaching to drive safely, especially once she’s passed the test. So, referring back to Lesley Young and the points that she made at our national AGM and Conference, I was pleased that she said words to the effect of ‘I want to get rid of the poorer
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Modern driving test is failing pupils as it leaves them a long way short of the standard required
Start again? It’s not just the L-plates that need ripping up, it’s the whole L-test
Contact e: tony@tonys trainees.co.uk Please ensure all emails contain MSA Greater London in the subject
instructors’, but I was less pleased with her comment about publishing pass rates. After all, and as one of our MSA Greater London committee members pointed out, we teach ’em but YOU pass ’em! Not us!! Very often it’s the people who pass after more than one attempt at the L-test who go on to make better drivers, better than those who pass on their first attempt. As a tragic example, I was told recently about an ADI who had a star pupil – a young man who passed on his first attempt with no faults. Yet a very short time later this same young man was killed in a fatal collision, caused by driving too fast for the conditions and, more poignantly, his experience. YOU pass them, Lesley Young, not us. To her credit, Lesley made the point that the test is inadequate and needs to be updated but always this idea of making it affordable comes into play. Well, guess what? Driving, for most people, and especially new drivers, isn’t affordable, especially because of the very high cost of insurance. The insurance companies, being experts in risk assessment, have a pretty good idea of how to put value on the risk of new drivers. So what’s the point of keeping a driving test ‘affordable’ when the successful test candidates can’t afford to drive anyway and are more likely to be involved in collisions, serious or otherwise, soon after? Is it right that there is an acceptance of most probably having a collision in the first year of driving? Most people train and learn to reach a standard that will get them through a test; any test, whether it’s driving, at school or some other educational or
vocational assessment. If that’s the case, it’s up to those who design the tests to make sure that they are fit for purpose, ie, in the case of the driving test, making sure that drivers are assessed at a level that gives them the best possible chance of not getting in collisions in their first year, or any year for that matter! Why not get the costs the correct way round and design a test that makes it possible to really have newly qualified drivers who can actually deal with their independence as safely as experienced drivers, or even more so? The extra cost spent on training for it and the test itself would take out the ‘bad’ instructors, give those instructors (I only use that word because it’s the standard term; I prefer to refer to myself as a trainer and coach) who have the correct professional, supportive and positive attitude the chance to charge what they’re really worth, and make driving after the test safer and therefore, long-term and overall, more affordable? I note that one of the recommendations brought forward recently by the Association of British Insurers concerning making it safer and more affordable for new drivers was to abolish intensive courses. Well, there are two examples I’ve given today why this wouldn’t be a bad idea. It’s all to do with the attitudes that most people have towards driving, but the reason why the insurance companies don’t share this attitude is because they’re the ones who have to bank roll it, and they’re not going to. n Continuing on the theme of the attitude towards driving and learning to drive. There has been quite a lot of discussion lately about a TV company which is looking to put on a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary on learning to drive. What’s different about this offering from other similar-sounding programmes is that it would really be a comedy programme and involve celebrities as the instructors, with some of those being flagged up as possible ‘instructors’ – Jim Davidson springs to mind – having chequered driving histories of their own. My view: I’m all for it, and the reason is as mentioned by one of our committee members. Because if it goes ahead without being challenged, a precedent will have been set. Then it’s goodbye ADI Certificate, Standards Check, CPD, the whole lot. DVSA can hardly make us have to jump through hoops to be professionals when famous people can do it for money without any qualification save for a driving licence, can they? Watch this space!!
www.msagb.com
Regional News: South Wales
L-test fraud just proves how far some will go for a licence DAVID JAMES
How far will criminals go to obtain a driving licence?
Editor, South Wales
A Freedom of Information request made to the DVSA recently has revealed that in 2012, 10,797 drivers had their licences revoked under the new driver scheme. What a shame, it seems, that all that time and money spent on getting a driving licence in the first place was wasted. Apparently, most of the losses related to either driving with no insurance or driving under the influence of alcohol. But that wasn’t the end of the driving licencerelated crimes in place. I watched a TV programme recently which was made with the co-operation of DVSA fraud investigators and police officers, investigating fraud surrounding the licences themselves. I was surprised to see the extent to which organised criminals are taking this kind of fraud to. With over 600 other cases on the list still to be investigated, I wonder how widespread this crime
is. Some of the schemes uncovered were sophisticated and widespread around the country. There were people paying hundreds of pounds for a fraudulent theory test ‘pass’ and over £3,000 for a practical test ‘pass’. The good news was they were often caught and prosecuted and the fraudulent passes were revoked. All this made me think just how much some people are prepared to pay to gain a full UK driving licence. There are lots of reasons given for this; some of them cannot drive at all; some cannot speak English; some of them are suspected of buying a
Contact David James can be contacted via e: d.james869@ btinternet.com t: 07733 070888
licence to gain a legal identity, as the licence opens the door to many other kinds of identity fraud. What effects are these crimes having on the driver training industry? Obviously if people are able to buy their way around the testing system, there is a strong likelihood they will not be safe on the roads. Does it cause a lessening of confidence from learners in a system which many feel is not affordable for them in the present economic climate? There must be more ways in which this crime is having negative effects on us all, including on learner drivers. Many ADIs are finding that keeping their prices reasonable, even to the point of losing money, does not ensure a regular source of income. It is a fact that it is sometimes necessary to give a special offer to get your name out there. I learned years ago – thanks to an MSA training day I attended – the folly of not charging a fair price for a lesson and how it might lead to possible business failure. n The MSA training day and AGM at Bristol was really interesting and very well attended. The MSA team, the host Western Region and all those who were involved in putting on such a great weekend deserve our thanks.
99 £1
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www.msagb.com
Regional News: East Midlands
Cyclists giving themselves a bad name as they ignore road safety DAVE pepperdine Editor, East Midlands
Another MSA annual conference over. The years just flash by, don’t they. I am not going to report on it as it has already been done by people who were there. It did look very interesting though, with all the goings on at DVSA and the Standards Check now up and running.
Chairman steps down
First this month, I am sad to report that Derek Brutnell has resigned as chairman of MSA East Midlands. Derek writes: “Earlier this month I decided, after seven years representing you as the Chairman of MSA East Midlands, to step down from my post. This was not for any personal reason or one taken lightly either, more allowing the region to hopefully grow and flourish in the future. “I have made many friends while being Chairman of the region, serving around 16 years in total on the MSA East Midlands committee. I will no doubt see you in the future at some MSA or other event and I will look forward to meeting up with former colleagues on the board of management at MSA national events.” Steve Sentence, the deputy chairman, is now in charge and a new chairman will be elected at the AGM in the autumn.
Cycling
I have been looking on some forums and came across a video about cycling in York, and having watched it, I am afraid I can only sympathise with the motorists. If cycle riders act in this way there is no wonder they are on the receiving end of negative attitudes from other road users. The ones on the video are the worst ambassadors for cycling I have come across. In driving we have ‘drivers’ and ‘vehicle handlers’, and it would appear that in cycling we have ‘cyclists’ and ‘bike riders’. There is a distinct difference in both of these. A driver is someone who will drive with some dedication to road safety and car sympathy, adhering to the laws of the road and being courteous to other road users. A vehicle handler is someone who can control a vehicle with some aplomb but has no regard for anyone else on the road and could not give a jot who is put at risk in the process. In the same way it would seem that we have bike riders who have the same attitude (logical, I suppose); they ride on the pavement, go the wrong way down one way streets, jump red lights and perform many other risky practices, too. My personal thoughts on this (hornets’ nest approaching) are that with the modern ways of
32 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
letting people have free rein (CCL included), not enough discipline and the attitude of ‘I will because I can’, we’re in for a lot of trouble on the roads in the future. It’s a situation not helped by cutbacks in policing which have left us with people reiterating the ‘I will because I can’ mantra as they know there is no one to stop them. Most people moan about ‘Big Brother’ but I’m sorry, Big Brother is what you get after you’ve given people free rein. In many ways the same applies to road maintenance. Councils are cutting back on some things, which means that pot holes are left and only sorted when road users start to take them to court, signs are only repaired when someone makes a nuisance of themselves at the council office. Nothing is done by proactivity. Surely council staff travel on the roads as we do, so why don’t they report on the things they see? On the roads in my town it would appear that they have no intention of repairing them as they have just completed a scheme of line painting on roads that have foot deep potholes in them.
Clients
Reading David James article in last month’s Newslink it reminded me of a client I taught many years ago. She was a nurse; after completing about 15-16 hours she commented that she had had ‘no end’ of lessons and shouldn’t she be putting in for her test? I explained to her that she needed to put her learning experience into perspective; she had
Cyclist... or bike rider? The difference is important
Contact Dave Pepperdine can be contacted via e: pepsphx7@ hotmail.co.uk
actually been behind the wheel for just over a working day with overtime – the kind of day that as a nurse, might even be classed as average. I asked her how long it took her to qualify as a nurse, adding “I bet it was more than 15 hours”. After that she could see the point I was making and went on to pass after about 35 hours.
Older drivers
Stepping down: East MIdlands regional chairman Derek Brutnell has announced his resignation
I don’t know whether it is just my home town or if it is general but the apathy that exudes from the locals is amazing. Reading the article on ageing drivers’ assessments in last month’s Newslink reminded me that over a year ago I contacted local GPs surgeries with the idea of working with them and SAGE to assess older drivers. I followed up the letters with a call, the first one was to my local surgery, only to be greeted with the comment: “we do not advertise businesses or have any liaison with independent businesses, therefore we would have no interest in your work”. That, as they say, took the wind out of my sails and I was deflated to the point of ‘why bother’ if that is all the response I am going to get. Shame really as the population is getting older and the bus ‘service’ in my area is appalling. I think that is everything for this month so remember, keep well to the left. Until the next time. Live to drive... drive to live!
Grantham area meeting My local instructors’ association is the GTA – the Grantham Test Area Instructors Association. It is holding a free CPD event for all instructors at Listers Toyota on Monday, May 12. All are welcome. The doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. They’ll be a representative from Listers Toyota on hand to welcome everyone, followed by a solicitor who specialises in motoring issues, who will make specific reference to ADI responsibilities. The final presentation will be a representative from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership ADIs, who assist in young driver safety strategy. There will also be a raffle and a ‘learners’ quiz’ with a £50 prize. Refreshments will be served during the evening. The full address of the venue is Listers Toyota, Tollemache Rd, Spittlegate Level, Grantham ng31 7 uh
www.msagb.com
Regional News: West Midlands
TERRY PEARCE
Editor, West Midlands
Our regional chairman, Geoff Little, has been holding meetings around the region on the twin topics of ‘The New Standards Check & Industry Update’. Two have been held so far, one at the South Staffs Association, where there was a turnout of 48 instructors, and the second at Westlands Toyota, Stourbridge, where 32 attended. There is another evening meeting planned for Wednesday, 4 June at Westlands Hereford, Ross Road, Portway Callow, Hereford, Herefordshire. HR2 8BT. Reception opens at 18.30am – Meeting from 19.00pm - 21.00pm. £5 for members, £8 for non-members. Refreshments provided. Booking is essential, please book on www.msagb.com.
Cortege quandry
Here’s an interesting scenario for you. On a driving lesson you come up behind a slow-moving funeral cortege. Would you expect your pupil to overtake or is it acceptable to wait behind? A number of years ago a good friend of mine asked the examiner what they would expect the candidate to do if on a driving test. Initially, the examiner said they would fail the candidate if they waited but after a friendly, but passionate discussion they accepted it should be okay to follow behind. But what if you are on a 50 mph dualcarriageway; it may be respectful to stay behind but is it reasonable? Realistically, you would find yourself overtaking because all you would see on approach are slow-moving family cars before realising what it was. The reason I thought about this dilemma was because I passed a cortege going the other way on the opposite side of a 50 mph dual-carriageway. It was headed by a horse-drawn hearse, which you can imagine was moving slowly but the limousines behind were using both lanes, deliberately blocking
Regional chairman has the low-down on the Standards Check both carriageways, resulting in about a half a mile tail back. Was that reasonable? What would you expect your pupils to do on a lesson? Let me know and I will print a consensus.
Hand-held horrors
I am concerned about the number of driving instructors I have seen using hand-held mobiles while teaching learners to drive. One instructor who I had never seen before was quite happily holding a conversation while her pupil reversed around a corner. My concern is; do they know it’s illegal? Can I ask any new ADIs if they were aware of the law when they qualified or is this something else that is missing from their training? If you have recently qualified please let me know if you were not made aware of this or any other thoughts you have on the subject. My contact details are shown right. Thank you.
Contact e: terrysom@ aol.com t: 02476 335270 a: 20 Brownshill Green Road, Coventry CV6 2DT
On our side: The crusading ADIs in the Coventry Telegraph
Bus lane update
Update on my longrunning bus lane saga. I had a meeting with the local council’s cabinet member responsible for this matter, and a council official. I was accompanied by our friendly councillor who has helped us on this and my colleague Geoff, who had successfully appealed against his penalty notice
for driving in a bus lane. In previous correspondence with the council I was already aware that it would hide behind the written word. As an example, when I pointed out that some signs before the zig-zag markings were missing I was told that the Traffic Signs Manual only said they ‘should’ be there. As I explained in a previous editorial, the word ‘should’, “indicates a course of action that is strongly recommended and represents good practice.” Therefore, my concerns had no legal consequence. Knowing that my points at the meeting were only going to be valid if they were legal, I was disgusted that they talked about things that were not legal, leaving my questions unanswered. Eventually the cabinet member said it is obvious that we are not going to agree and closed the meeting. I am sure she thought that we would go away but as our regional chairman Geoff Little said, ‘I am like a dog with a bone’. I have now contacted the Local Government Ombudsman. They said they would look at the case but first I must send a formal complaint to the chief executive, which I have done. Watch this space.
Drawing attention to our offer
Another reminder about the opportunity to go into our regional draw. 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, but you will go into our regional draw for £100. What better incentive to get your colleagues to join us!
Are you ready for your Standards Check...? ...Then it’s time to find out what you need to know Hear the latest from the MSA on this crucial topic at
Westlands Hereford, Ross Rd, Portway Callow, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 8BT
West Midlands
Wednesday, June 4 • Doors open 6.30pm • Meeting 7-9pm ADI meeting: Topics to include
Just £5 members, non-members £8
n The new Standards Check: what you need to know,
n Admission is limited and we are expecting this event to sell-out so book now.
what you need to do
n Industry update
by MSA Deputy National Chairman Geoff Little
n Advance bookings only. Please book www.msagb.com. Click on Services menu
and then Sales n All drivers trainers, including ADI trainers and PDIs, welcome
Buffet and drinks will be available on the night • Networking opportunities with your fellow ADIs • Don’t isolate yourself - get out into the ADI community and find out what’s going on! MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 33
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Regional News: North West
It’s the year of the beard!
MSA Honorary Member John Lomas spots the connection between the individual MSA Conference winners JOHN LOMAS
Editor, North West
The hirsute hierarchy
I was surprised and greatly honoured by the kind words with which John Lepine announced my Honorary Membership at Conference last month, and also by the many congratulations received from so many of those present. It was only when reading Newslink in April that the full text of what was said really hit home. Thank you very much for all the encouragement and responses I have received over the years. It was also very interesting to see on page 33 that this appears to be the ‘Year of the Beard’, with Bob Butterworth (Member of the Year) Rod Came (Editor of the Year) and myself all together. I wonder if that “passing the baton” idea could become a tradition for the photographs.
Road signs
In recent weeks I have noticed a few ‘new’, or should it be ‘different’, road signs on my travels around the country. The photographs referred to in this piece can be found at the foot of the page. In Preston there is a sign which appears to depict a pedestrian staggering across a red exclamation mark, on a pale yellow background. The whole sign
is mounted on a lamp standard near some local area shops and approaching a traffic light junction. What is the sign’s meaning – or the council’s intentions? Up in Durham on a two-lane hilly stretch of the A1M I noticed some large, blue signs banning LGVs from the outside (2nd) lane during the day. I can’t remember the exact times but it was something like 7:00am to 7:00pm. This struck me as an extremely good idea because it would prevent lorry drivers getting involved in those two- and three-mile-long drag races which they sometimes so fond of. Another is in the Lake District. At the Bowness terminal of the Windermere ferry there is an unfamiliar sign (see below). The standard warning sign for the quayside is evident but what is the sign with a car rushing down a slope? The little lines emerging from behind the car seem to imply speed. Is it because there is a slipway which is not only for launching boats but also for accessing the ferry, which involves dropping down the slipway and then a change of angle to upwards on the ramp into the ferry? Is the sign warning that too much speed might cause problems when accessing the ferry? The problem is that these signs do not appear in KYTS and I can’t even find them in the Traffic Sign Manual. You can see for yourself at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ traffic-signs-manual If they are new, official signs I could understand them not being in KYTS, after all printed matter can be out of date as soon as it has been proof read, but surely the online manual should be up to date? Anyone else seen any new signs that are possibly ‘unofficial’? Let the Editor, Newslink, know.
Contact e: johnstar driving@ hotmail.com t: 01254 705999 m: 07796 091767 a: 7 Devon St, Darwen, Lancashire BB3 2JZ
The digital conundrum
I read with interest John Lepine’s report following his appearance at Westminster in front of the Transport Select Committee. I go along with his views about accessibility on the .Gov site for those who wish and are able to do it, and also his concerns for those who aren’t able to use it; but there is also the matter of the increased inaccessibility of accurate fact searching for those of us who are making general searches for information on regulations. I know I am repeating myself, but you can no longer search easily for the information which used to be carried by the individual DVLA and DSA sites, because when looking for such knowledge they too often require you to enter details about a particular personage/scenario and then tailor their answers to fit instead of letting us read all the variables and do our own filtering to determine what fits and what doesn’t. If you use a general search engine for asking questions then generally you will come up with links to other sites, forums where the question may have been asked previously, or blogspots. Personally, I then have to ask myself, who has written this? Can it be trusted? Even occasionally; “Has this been written for the UK situation or does it actually apply for somewhere else?” This is why so often, despite John’s kind words referred to earlier about my “knowledge”, my own articles will often make points which are aimed at getting the authorities to make clarifications and will prompt you to also ask the difficult questions. I should also point out that many of my articles are prompted by other instructors raising points at meetings and posting on the various instructor forums – though perhaps the more contentious one are products of my devious mind.
Anyone else seen this sign? Left, do the lines originating from the back suggest speed... or is the car just a bit frightened? Picture taken in Bowness, Lake Windermere Meanwhile, this trendy-looking sign (right) was spotted in Preston recently
Don’t be a sucker on your MoT! As John Lomas points out on the facing page, the position of any in-car gadgets can impact on whether you pass your MoT, as this article confirms. If you use a suction-mounted car camera in the UK, if the device (camera and / or cradle and / or suction cup) intrudes more than 4cm into the secondary (pink) wiper clearance zone, or intrudes more than 1cm into the primary (red) wiper clearance zone of the windscreen, you are committing a
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serious traffic offence (dangerous driving) under the UK Road Traffic Act 1988, and your vehicle is not roadworthy (it would fail an MOT). In addition, if you use a car camera with an LCD screen, if the screen is on for any of the time while you are driving and you, the driver, can view that screen, you are also committing a serious traffic offence. If someone has sold you a windscreen suction mounted car camera, they have a legal duty to ensure a) that the camera
can actually be attached to a section of the windscreen of your vehicle which does not result in an unlawful intrusion of the primary (red) and / or secondary (pink) wiper clearance zone, b) that the screen does not remain on or visible to the driver and c) that you are aware of the law. If they sold you a suction mounted car camera without doing this, they have committed a crime. Remember, you can be fined, get points on your licence, lose your licence
and / or even go to jail for dangerous driving, which includes driving with an obscuration (obstruction) of the windscreen area. If you are involved in an accident, the very thing you hoped would give you legal evidence can easily be turned against you. If you take your vehicle to a MOT centre with an unlawful suction mounted car camera in place, your vehicle will fail its MOT. n See http://suction-mounted-carcameras.blogspot.co.uk
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Regional News: North West
Legal position on sat navs is open to debate I recently came across some interesting info and warnings about in-car cameras and sat navs. I believe the MSA is also investigating this and hopefully a more comprehensive article will appear in a future issue. Apparently, many of the cameras have screens on the rear face and if that screen is visible to the driver it falls foul of the law relating to games, TV and other entertainment screens in cars. They MUST be positioned so that they are not visible to the driver. I presume that there is some sort of exception rule for: A) Reversing cameras B) Those high-priced sports cars which are now using ‘lipstick’ cameras and screens in the appropriate doors instead of external mirrors. Also the positioning of such cameras often impinges the ‘swept area’ regulations with regards to obstruction of view; for a full account of what these are, see the MoT rules at www. motuk.co.uk/manual_830.htm; note the rules no longer refer to Zone B, which is the light pink area, however Zone A, the red area, is still critical, but there is a proviso that: Where items are present in the driver’s view (such as a sat nav, air freshener, etc) that would justify a Reason for Rejection, the tester may, at their discretion, remove the items prior to the inspection. This fact should be noted on an Advisory Notice. While not condoning such positioning I find it hard to believe anyone would leave a
sucker affixed camera or sat-nav on their screen while their vehicle is being tested. Personally, I don’t have a camera but do use a Sat-Nav. My own preferred position for this is mounted on a quarter light so that it is close to, but not obscuring, my line of sight to the RH door mirror. I have never understood those who put them near the centre of their screens. This works well on the minibus I drive and has also been used on a Corsa, however, my own car has no quarter light and sticking it to a dropping window is not a good idea, particularly if it has ‘one touch’ dropping, so I place it as far down and to the right as it will go on my windscreen. This puts it just legal at 1cm into the edge of the red zone, though the sucker is about 6cm into the pink zone but it is out of sight to the driver because it is behind the display unit. You can see this positioning on the photos on this page. The interior shot was taken from as close as possible to my normal driving position and eyeline and I used window cleaner to delineate the wiper Zone A in the exterior picture where you can see how much the sucker impinges on it. (so it wasn’t that you just had a very mucky windscreen? - Editor) There is another issue with the use of cameras in the course of business. The dreaded Data Protection Regulations: do you need to be registered? I have heard about an instructor who
In position: Above, the MoT ‘Wiper Zone A’ is delineated with window cleaner to show how much the mounting intrudes into the most important part of the windscreen Right, the sat nav’s position on the windscreen; to the right and not placed centrally, as so many sat nav owners do
is currently in correspondence about this and he has been told “Yes, you do, because anyone, inside the vehicle or outside of it, who is caught by the camera (vehicle registrations identify owners if not necessarily drivers) can demand to see what footage
you have of them”. Now, it is possible that people outside the vehicle may not know you are recording, but equally they might. This does not seem to apply to those systems which only record for short periods
and then overwrite and are only saved for incident reporting purposes. I think this issue could be usefully investigated and reported on by the legal experts who write in Newslink periodically. What about it, Mr Editor?
MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 35
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Regional News: East Midlands
inbrief Sandy’s in for Scotland ROSPA has welcomed a new road safety manager to its Scotland team, who will promote the charity’s life-saving work and help reduce casualties. Retired senior police officer Sandy Allan will use his wealth of knowledge and experience to develop the charity’s mission to save lives and reduce injuries. A key focus for Sandy will be raising awareness of the risks of driving for work. He already has extensive road safety experience under his belt and has spent the last five years as a road safety co-ordinator for Police Scotland, where he was responsible for the creation, interpretation and implementation of road safety policy in the south east of Scotland.
New CO2 low
CO2 levels are heading for a new low after Peugoet announced its new 108 city car would drop it to 88g/km from its 1.0-litre engine. Prices start at £8,245 otr for the Access three-door, with the Active model beginning at £9,495. Personalisation will be a key element of this city car’s appeal to customers, with a huge range of colours, ambiences, trims and themes. However, it will also offer new levels of technology in so cheap a car, with a seven-inch touch-screen infotainment system with DAB digital radio, Mirror Screen with MirrorLink™ and Bluetooth connectivity.
My mate, the IQ marmite, gives you more sph*! * that’s Smiles Per Hour
by Dave Pepperdine As I mentioned last month, I thought I’d resurrect a feature I used to run in my original stint as editor, the tales of the H7 PEP. What’s that, I hear you cry? It’s a car registration that has adorned several of my cars over the years, and is now sat on our treasured Toyota IQ. The car is now 17 months old, with nearly 10k on the clock. The number used to reside on my Yaris until I sold it. The IQ is 100 per cent Marmite: you either love ’em or hate ’em. I love em; it is our second one. When I first saw one, my first thoughts were uggh, how horrid can a small car look, and that thought remained with me until 2010 when the Fabia was being replaced and I was returning to driver training. I got a C3 Citroen (another story in itself) and we went along to have a look at what Toyota had to offer for our private transport. The salesman at Listers Toyota was brilliant: he showed me every detail of the IQ including the paint colours down to chrome strips across the tailgate. After a comprehensive rundown on all this I was
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.
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somewhat surprised at being offered a test drive without even asking. The first impression was of space: it was like driving a large car until you glanced over the left shoulder to see a rear screen that you could ‘almost ‘ reach to demist with a cloth. I drove for a few miles and then the salesman said, ‘when you turn the car round it will put a smile on your face’. Me thinks why? As we came to a T-junction with very little traffic he said here is a good place to try it out. I was thinking ‘a bit tight for a U-eeee!’ So, on goes full lock and it turned in a space that would make a London taxi driver green with envy. As stated earlier about smiling, my grin was ear-to-ear and then some, in fact I did a non-skid doughnut three times. I was hooked. The ‘new’ one is in burnt orange which on a bad day looks brown but in the sun it just looks brilliant. We have travelled as far as Selsey in it complete with two suitcases and other luggage, it has moved my daughter’s belongings twice and it has been on short journeys with four on board. One of the things that always makes me smile is
like the journey we did last week to take Mag’s daughter to Stanstead Airport. We arrived in the drop zone with all the BMWs, Mercs and VW T4s, parked up, I got out, then Sarah got out and then Mags got out, I went round the back, opened the tailgate and pulled out a suitcase and various bags – by which time some onlookers were quite astounded at what was emerging from the Tardis that is the IQ. I managing to get over 60 to the gallon – and no, it’s not a diesel! The ride is a little choppy as it has such a short wheel base but it makes up for that in handling as it is as wide as a ‘normal’ car and holds the road very nicely. The steering is adjustable only for height but that is not really an issue as the seat movement, both laterally and height, are quite satisfactory, although there is an artificial feel to the steering with a dead feel at straight ahead (not like a Ford). I often get people watch me reverse park in a slot that most cars would not stand a chance of getting in; more smiles. Yes, you could say that with a Toyota IQ, you get very good smiles per hour.
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Available only to MSA members Great advice from just £6.50 each THE MSA has three popular ADI guides, which are bang up-to-date with the latest changes to the driver training and testing sector – and we are publishing a new guide soon on the Standards Check The MSA Part 2 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 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. Coming soon... Watch out for a fourth guide, to replace our best-selling Check Test Guide, on the new Standards Check. This is still being written but copies will be available to purchase within weeks, giving you all the advice, information and details you need to make sure the Check goes off without any problems
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.
* Initial application £90, includes one-off joining fee of £25 MSA NEWSLINK n MAY 2014 n 37
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Regional News: Eastern
Suffolk ADIs flock to latest Standards Check meeting ROD TIPPLE Chairman, Eastern
MSA Eastern held a very well-attended meeting on Monday, 7 April in Bury St Edmunds, where our venue was the Fornham All Saints Community Hall. It was great to take the MSA roadshow out into the Suffolk countryside, and the local ADIs were delighted to welcome us. The meeting’s theme was, as the previous meeting in Norwich, the new Standards Check. Again we enjoyed a presentation by Owen Corrigan from the DVSA. He made it clear as to what the future held for ADIs – though obviously, given that the day of the meeting coincided with the advent of the Standards Checks themselves, it was actually ‘the present’. It was only through attending meetings such as this one that he thought ADIs could appreciate the full significance of
what the new Check entailed. What made the evening go so well was that it is clear Owen understands the system, ADIs and appreciate what their fears and difficulties will be. As a result he delivered the presentation in a very open and easy-to-follow style, and was very approachable afterwards if anyone had any particular queries. It’s clear that he is there to help. A Big Thank You to Owen. There were ADIs present who questioned the wisdom of the changes but things do move on and this is why we have these meetings so we can all keep up to date – CPD, know what I mean. I would like to thank all who attended and all who help in the running of these meetings. When we get a good attendance like we did with the last two meetings it makes it all worthwhile. Finally, one of the good things about these meetings is that it gives the committee the chance to recruit new members; we’ve had quite a few at these past two meetings and I would like to welcome them all to the association. Remember, we are here to help if you need us. I hope we can serve all ADIs well into the future. Look out for another meeting in your region soon, especially if you missed this one. If you want to get in touch, I can be reached on 01508 521161
Norwich: Are you ready for your Standards Check...? ...Then it’s time to find out what you need to know
Owen Corrigan
DSA Sector Manager will give you the latest on the new Standards Check, including Q&A
followed by ADI networking – find out what your colleagures think about the new ADI assessment
Heartsease Lane Methodist Church, Norwich NR7 9NR on Thursday, June 5 • Meeting starts at 6.30 n Payment on entry n Light refreshments will be provided
38 n MAY 2014 n MSA NEWSLINK
Eastern Just £2 members, non-members £5 For further information, contact ROD TIPPLE, MSA Eastern regional chairman, on 01508 521161
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