Forward Vision #96

The Newsletter of Chelmsford Advanced Motorists

www.iamchelmsford.org.uk Issue 96 October & November 2012 IAM Group 7223 Registered Charity No 1059372

A picture paints a thousand words

Page 2 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 96


Associates, Full Members & Guests Welcome

Forthcoming Group Meetings These are usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month

at the Essex Police Sports and Social Club, Which is through the Police vehicle park at the very end of St. Margarets Road,

Chelmsford.

Group Meetings start promptly at 8pm, so please arrive at around 7.45pm.

Make a note in your diary and please be there!

http://www.essexexplorer.co.uk/cam.kmz

Date Topic Speaker

Monday November 12th

Driving Scenarios Various

Monday December 10th

Christmas Quiz Night & Buffet Andy Jarrett

Disclaimer—Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual writers and they do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, nor those of the Chelmsford and District Group of Advanced Motorists. Their accuracy has not been verified.

Notice—Data Protection Act: records are held of members personal details submitted on their application form. The information will be used solely for the Group’s administration purposes and will not be passed to any third party.

CM2 6DS


to our new Associate and Full Members.

We look forward to seeing and talking to them at our monthly Group nights

Peter Cracknell Chelmsford Samuel Newman South Woodham Ferrers

Carmen Tyler Wickford

We are a friendly bunch, so don’t be worried about coming to our Group nights if you are on your own.

Make yourself known to John who will greet you at the desk, he will find one of us to come and talk to you. John will also try to get you to part with some money for the raffle.

There will be Senior Observers, Observers and generally an Examiner at the evening and you will be able to get answers to any questions that you have.

Please come along, we’ll even give you tea or coffee and there is a bar - for light refreshments obviously!

Terry Joyce

Interesting Pictures. Any Ideas?

Me neither. Sent in by Scott


Please remember: Do telephone both your Observer and Scott Bannister ( Associates Co-ordinator ) immediately after your test.

Congratulations to these latest Members of our Group who

have Passed

‘The Test’.

To all those people who have passed their test: It would be appreciated if you could write a few words thanking your Observer and maybe something about the process and your test, to give those New Associates an insight into the process of learning Advanced Driving.

Roll No Name Test Date Observer

976 Lisa Turner 28th August Scott Bannister

977 John Amos 28th August Scott Bannister

978 Dena Metcalfe 7th September John Tullet

979 Toby Seers 11th September Scott Bannister

980 Ian Studd 12th September Scott Bannister


From the Chairman Well, that’s the Summer over. It’s a bit depressing really. I’m not a big fan of the heat but then again, not overly keen on the cold either. What gets me most is the lack of daylight rather than the cold. On the positive side, all the routes I use for observing become faster as the sight lines through the leafless trees means you can see further. So as long as it’s not icy underfoot, you can make some real progress. Also depressing me is the fact that I’ve recently become the owner of a car that can be-come topless. Fine in the warmer weather, but will make me look a bit of a prat if I try it in the snow. It’s my mid-life crisis – assuming I live to well over 100 !

One of the things that has always fascinated me about driving is what is going on between the ears of other road users. Mostly, it seems to be very little, but I can cope with that – I’m used to it. But, just when you think you have seen it all, you can still be surprised at just how stupid people can be. The other night for example, I was driving home from our committee meeting and just caught a glimpse in the dark of what could be movement. As I got closer, it was a cyclist. Usual story – black bike and the rider was dressed in black. Not a hint of any light at the back, or even a reflector. As I passed him, I noticed he had a front light – fat lot of good that was going to do him. Perversely, he was riding along a bit of road where the council had put in a beautiful cycle path on the widened pavement. It’s not that I have anything against cyclists - they’ve as much right to use the road as I do, but if they are feeling suicidal, why do they have to involve me in their scheme?

Same stretch of road a few days later – prevented from walking home by taped-off stretch of road. Taped off by the police. To be fair it looked from the state of the two cars involved that it had been quite a nasty one. There can be few sadder sights than a damaged car with the door open and the airbags deflated and sprawled across the steering wheel. As usual, complete over-reaction by the boys in blue. Although the collision had blocked the pavement on one side, the other side of the road was in no way obstructed, or even part of the crash, but no, that was cordoned off too. By this stage, all the dramatic ambulance and fire engine bit had passed and it was just a couple of coppers standing round scratching themselves. I can’t make up my mind whether they enjoy making pedestrians walk around the block. I understand their need to preserve a ‘crime’ scene, but they do seem to go overboard sometimes.

Anyway, drive safely and be ready for the better weather. I thought I’d leave you with a top motoring tip - The best way to prepare your car for Winter is to put it in a garage and fly to Australia for a few months.

Scott


Please contact me

by email at

[email protected]

~~~~~~~~ Editorial ~~~~~~~~

Terry Joyce

Hello,

Around 400 of you receive this newsletter and I hope you enjoy and find

the content interesting, but the newsletter would be more interesting if you

were to contribute an article or send me an idea. I am extremely grateful

that a small number of you have made contributions of articles and photos,

please keep it up.

Please check out page 26 for our group nights and events for the rest of

this year.

Many Thanks to Sue Sweetland for her patient and educated

assistance in producing this Newsletter.

We are in need of an

Events organiser

Can YOU help

or can you suggest speakers or relevant subjects for our group nights.


Our Group Enquiry number: - 07757 399897

Chairman Associates Co-ordinator & Chief Observer

Scott Bannister

Secretary Colin Snow

Treasurer John Johnston

Membership Secretary Ken Carrington

Website Editor Jon Ward

Newsletter Editor Terry Joyce

Events Organiser

Publicity John Stone

Group Contact Susan Sweetland

Committee Member Dr Clifford Murira

Committee Member Steve Wright

Committee Member John Ockmore

Committee Member Anthony Marchant

Hon. Committee Member Ken Howard

Committee Member Pat Clements

Committee

Honorary Life Members Mr Mike Corbett, Mr Glyn Jarrett, Mrs Ruth Jarrett, Mr Dave Travers

Observer Examiner Gaynor Manthorpe

Group contact information


August group night

The speaker for the August meeting was His Honour Judge Hayward Smith QC from Chelmsford Crown Court.

His Honour gave details of various trials and sentences he had carried out recently, without any mention of names of the defendants. He then passed

it back to the audience asking them what they would have given for the

sentence and why. After a lot of discussion he told us the decisions he had

made and the reasons for them.

A recent case was discussed where a young person had caused death by

dangerous driving. It was one of the incidents where it could have hap-

pened to any of us by making a error whilst driving. The driver faced a se-

rious charge but eventually he was given several conditions of community hours work, dis-

qualified from driving and compensation.

Questions flowed fast showing the great interest we all had in the judiciary

system. The public gallery is open to all so the public can listen to the

cases being held. Please take advantage of it, I know from my now retired

job I had for 12 yrs. how interesting it is to be in a court.

My thanks again to Judge Hayward Smith for such an interesting evening

and I hope we have the chance of inviting him again.

Pat Clements

September group night

The speakers for the September meeting were Phil Pickering, the Marketing Manager of the Micheldever Group and Dave Cuniffe from Su-

pertyres at Maldon. Phil told us about Micheldever and Protyres. Between

them Phil and Dave have many years experience in the tyre industry.

They emphasised the importance of checking tyre pressures regularly and

explained correct tyre pressure is vital to your safety on the road. Under-

inflated tyres affect handling and grip, potentially causing irregular or un-

predictable vehicle behaviour. They are also much more likely to suffer from a dangerous blowout, especially on high-speed motorway journeys.

By keeping your tyres at their optimum pressure, your running costs are

also reduced. Under-inflated tyres require a bigger force to make them

turn, so your car uses more fuel. Additionally, tyres which are not set to

their correct pressure wear out more quickly.

Phil and Dave covered everything that you could possibly want to know

about tyres and answered the many questions from the members.

Terry Joyce


Changes in the New Highway Code (2007)

© Crown copyright 2007

Highway Code

274

Breakdowns If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and • get your vehicle off the road if possible

• warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction

• help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility

• put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways

• if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor

• do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and on-coming traffic

• at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights

Breakdowns and incidents

The wording has been expanded.

275

Continued on Page 11

Additional rules for the motorway If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area. If you cannot do so, you should


275 continued

Changes to the Highway Code, Rule 275 continued

• pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left

• try to stop near an emergency telephone (situated at approximately one-mile intervals along the hard shoulder)

• leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure your passengers do the same. You MUST leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge. Never at-tempt to place a warning triangle on a motorway

• do not put yourself in danger by attempting even simple repairs

• ensure that passengers keep away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control

• walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway (follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder) – the telephone is free of charge and connects directly to the Highways Agency or the police. Use these in preference to a mobile phone (see Rule 283). Always face the traffic when you speak on the phone

• give full details to the Highways Agency or the police; also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist such as disabled, older or travel-ling alone

• return and wait near your vehicle (well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder)

• if you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle by a left-hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed

[Laws MT(E&W)R reg 14 & MT(S)R reg 12]

Never attempt to place a warning triangle on a Motorway, has been added to rule 275.


Driving Manners

I have come to the conclusion that driving manners are deteriorating! I agree that driv-

ing speeds probably have reduced, the exception always being the rule of course, but

the A127 and A12 are overall, more pleasant to drive along nowadays; average speed

cameras and fuel prices having a major influence here I guess.

No, I’m referring to the driving situations that are not basically illegal but just plainly

“pig headed”.

Scott’s little story at last month’s meeting is quite a major example of this but I have a

few more basic ones that in my opinion show total disregard for fellow road users.

Here’s MY list, I’m sure you have other pet examples:

Having the vehicle stationary at an angle in the “right turn” boxes; this leaves

the tail end hanging out in the “exited” lane causing tail backs. Why not pull into the

junction box earlier, the lead in lines are hatched so one can cross them, resulting

in the car being almost parallel with both lanes and ready to turn right when clear

and no obstruction to your following traffic! Aargh!

Turning right into a main road and blocking the nearside lane until the outside/far

side lane is clear, blocking my route, causing me to slow considerably or even

stop, how aggressive is that! I appreciate traffic density is high but that’s a clear

case of “me first” in my book. I must admit I have been tempted to drive around the

front of the vehicle but stopped short of doing it!

Reversing onto a main road. Another example of unplanned driving; I try and plan to

either reverse into the stop off point or turn round in the stop off area and drive out

onto the main road. However, even Councils have violated this rule in my opinion;

Southend Council recently repainted all the parking slots along the sea front to

allow vehicles to drive into the angled boxes and reverse out back into the oncom-

ing traffic, the reason for the change being that drivers followed too close behind

(another common aggravation nowadays) to allow one to stop and have enough

space behind to reverse into the bay.

Vehicles stopping over the white line at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings;

the latter being particularly anti pedestrian in my view. It’s not due to late stopping,

(if that excusable?), no, it’s done aggressively. They are often too far forward to

see the lights change, if there are none on the opposite side of the junction and in-

variably second away at the lights as a result. (No I don’t beat them away deliber-

ately….)

I often feel like getting out and explaining better driving principles to these drivers but IAM standards have at least given me an understanding of failings that I probably once had? But I don’t believe I did have………!

Eric Hoile


Ron Adams

Scott Bannister

Pat Clements

Philip Cooper

Paul Crosby

Jamie Drummond

Max Ford

Tony Hawes

Helen Jeffries

Terry Joyce

Rob Laird

George Locker

Graham Lowe

Gaynor Manthorpe

John May

Janet Miller

Dr Clifford Murira

John Ockmore

Roger Spall

Lawrence Tattersall

John Tullett

David Wall

Brian Williams

Rob Wise

Our Observers

An Introduction to 4x4 driving on Saturday November 17th.

Increase your driving skills and have fun.

Book your place. Not to be missed, contact Scott for details.

The instructor demonstrates each section of the course prior to you taking your turn. They are carried out in a light hearted but professional manner.

The course has challenges and excitement. Steep inclines, muddy pits, tight corners, deep ruts and lots of mud.

Educational and Fun. Come and have a go. Terry Joyce


Well quite a lot of thoughts for an advanced driver. When I take in information, I view it as a series of ever changing pictures. When I look at the road ahead, I look for minute changes from the previous picture. So in the new picture, if the road seems a tiny bit narrower, I instantly reduce the pressure on the throttle and if the next picture confirms the road is narrowing, for whatever reason. This might be parked cars or just that the road is getting narrower. I will continue reducing the pressure on the throttle and consider braking. By doing this and using ‘acceleration sense’ in this way, it is likely that you will reduce the need to brake considerably and in a lot of cases braking will not be needed at all. This is a matter of practise to be able to spot the small changes in the road ahead.

Looking at the picture above, the road ahead looks empty but I can see that the gap between the oak tree and the opposite hedge looks narrower than the piece of road that I’m on and also the piece of road after the oak tree. Would you cross the white line at this point? It seems appealing but the answer that you are looking for is ABSOLUTELY NOT. Firstly the road is narrowing and the purpose of crossing a white

line is to increase visibility, allowing us to drive through a bend without slowing down too much. By crossing the white line at this point you would narrow the road further and actually reduce your visibility because you can’t see the section of road on the right. It might not look much but it is possible to hide quite a lot in that space.

In the picture to the left you can see two cars approaching from the opposite direction.

A picture paints a thousand words

Continued on page 15


Commentary continued

In the picture to the right, one of the cars has disappeared. It is still on that piece of road. Imagine that it was only one car and it was in its current position and you crossed that white line. This is a national speed limit road, so it is possible to be at 60 mph, unlikely on this bend but 40 mph is possible. It could be going at 40 mph too, so a head on collision would generate an impact speed of 80 mph. A collision at this speed would be fatal because even with the modern technology of seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones etc, our bodies and in particular our organs, cannot slow down in the same way as the cars will. They will continue to move and usually rupture. The force exerted on your body in just a 40 mph collision is similar to what your body would be exposed to if you fell off a 5 storey building. Can you visualize how badly the fall would work out for your bones, internal organs and brain?

Before crossing a white line you must be able to see every inch and I do mean every inch of the right hand kerb or verge. Looking the picture to the right, illus-trated by arrow number 1 you have a white line to show you clearly the edge of the carriageway.

You can see every inch.

After checking behind you, at this point you can cross the white line. The next question is, how far? That will be determined by arrow number 2. This is our limit point, where things get a little greyer (but not 50 shades). Your speed will be a factor in the amount that you can move to the right. The faster you are going, the less you can move over because it depends on whether the limit point extends or not, the amount of forward vision and time that you have to see an oncoming vehicle. I hope this is fairly clear - if not please let me know or talk it over with an Observer.

Terry Joyce


Commentary

I said at the end of the article in the last edition: "Use Commentary to help

you identify hazards, prioritise them and plan your drive".

What should I say? A good way to start your commentary is to describe the location including the road type, speed limit, road surface and weather

conditions. This gives you an easy starting point and allows you to start

your commentary with familiar phrases. This is important

because you don't want to be fumbling around your brain looking for a de-

scription of what is in front of you, as by the time you do it will be too late. "Single carriageway road, one lane each direction, divided by hazard lines.

Road surface is dry level and good. National speed limit, which is 60 mph.

Weather is overcast".

Be succinct! Don't make long rambling statements such as "I'm checking

my rear view mirror; the road behind me is clear with no vehicles."

"Nothing or No vehicles behind" is concise and has the same meaning.

If there is traffic behind you; mention how many, "one car behind". If you have time mention its position. "four seconds behind". This will be an edu-

cated guess but could be an important piece of information if a situation

develops in front of you.

When practising a commentary it is best to develop it in stages. Describing all road signs

correctly is a good start. This will demonstrate a

good knowledge of the Highway Code and helps

your depth of vision.

The questions that you need to ask yourself are:

What is the sign and what I am going to do about it.

In this instance it is ‘Staggered Junction’. Don’t just say staggered junction

and move on; you must register in your brain what it is otherwise you are not planning your drive. “Staggered junction, left then right, looking for

junctions”. You have stated that you have seen the sign, what it is and are

that you looking for further information. Don’t just say it, think it. De-

pending on your location it may be that you will need to slow down. That is

one thing that you can do. Be mentally prepared for the junctions that you are going to see. You know the first will be on the left and the second on

the right. You can expect that there will be a car at one or both junctions

or none at all. So have all those scenarios ready so as soon as you see the

junction/s you be able to describe them.



Commentary continued

An examiner assesses the depth of vision, as, "when it has been said and

when it has been seen!" Mention a warning sign when you first see it NOT when you are passing it.

One phrase that worries me when describing commentary is "Lifting

vision". There is absolutely nothing wrong with lifting vision, actually it

is essential, however it must be understood that if you continually look at the furthest point, i.e. stare, it is possible that you will miss a lorry

directly in front of you.

When entering a new section of road, after satisfying yourself there is nothing close to your car, look to the furthest point of vision and work

back to the foreground describing the hazards in order of priority.

Alternatively, to the furthest point of vision, then come back to near your

car and work back out. Don't forget to scan from side to side as well.

Look for anything thing that is a hazard or potential hazard. Hazard is

described as anything that is potentially dangerous but in a driving con-

text we are looking for anything that may possibly slow us down or stop

us. Once you have seen it, describe it, “pedestrian standing on the

kerb” . What are you going to do about it, “no other traffic, moving onto the opposite side of the road”. Providing that you are 100% sure there is

no other vehicles around or in the distance, you can move away from a

hazard to minimise or eliminate it. Make sure when moving away from

one hazard that you don’t bring another into play.

There are a lot of phrases and observation links quoted that you can use

and if you want a copy of these please let me know.

Here is one for you: “Planning to stop, looking to go”. How do you achieve this? By

using braking to achieve the speed part of the system. When you are

approaching a junction but do not have enough information (vision) to

choose a gear, ensure you have the correct position for maximum

vision, then pick the point where you start braking and continue braking till you have enough information. This means that you may have to

increase your braking significantly in the last couple of yards before the

give way line to reach a speed where you can continue braking to stop

smoothly with three stage braking, or what we would really like is to lift off the brake, take gear and accelerate through the junction.

Terry Joyce


Driving Licence Changes

Driving licence rules will be changing from 19 January 2013. There will be

many new rules for motorcycles, cars towing trailers, buses and lorries. For

the full information see the DirectGov website

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DG_201187

New driving licence card design As part of the changes to the new rules for driving, Driver and Vehicle Li-

censing Agency (DVLA) will also be issuing a new style of driving

licence.

All driving licences issued by DVLA will be in a new format. Old format li-

cences will still be valid, they will be updated gradually as they are

renewed and replaced.

Front of the driving licence

The front of the card will record your current surname, first names, date

and place of birth. It will include your driver licence and issue number, the

start and end date of your licence and an electronic copy of your photo and signature. It will show the vehicles you are entitled to drive.

If you have a full licence your provisional entitlement will be shown on the

counterpart. If you hold a provisional licence your provisional entitlement

will be shown on the front of your card.

The new driving licence has a black and white photograph. A colour photograph will still need to be provided with your application to be stored

on your driver record.

Back of driving licence

The back of the card will have the vehicle categories the holder can and cannot drive. All categories the holder can drive will display valid from, and

valid to, dates. Categories the holder cannot drive will be crossed out.

Categories and pictograms

The letters in capitals and the pictures show all the categories of vehicles according to the European Third Directive.



Driving Licence changes continued from Page 18

If you are a full licence holder the paper counterpart will contain your pro-visional driving licence entitlement, driving offences and other

relevant information.

If you are a provisional driving licence holder the counterpart will contain

driving offences and other relevant information as all your provisional

licence entitlement will be displayed on your driving licence card.

Existing driving licence holders If you already have a driving licence, you'll keep your entitlements to drive

the different types of vehicles shown on your driving licence.

If you want to drive or pass a test for additional vehicles on or after 19

January 2013, you'll come under the new rules.

Cars

The term maximum authorised mass (MAM) means the total weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load it can carry safely.

*Age 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance (mobility allowance) at the higher rate.

The new licence is aimed at creating a single European Driving Licence and

the contradiction is that the new licence will not be completely

uniform across all European countries; the style is the same; categories are largely consistent; it is renewable every 10 to 15 years and will be

much more difficult to falsify. The exact differences across countries are

still numerous so understanding how to assess licence validity is

potentially complex. Also, any licence issued before 19th January 2013 will

become invalid in 2033.

It is worth looking at the website to make sure you are not affected in any-

way.

From the Directgov website edited by Terry Joyce

Category Description Min Age

B Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg

and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver,

with a trailer up to 750kg

17*

B+E Combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in

category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B and the MAM of the

trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3500kg

17*


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We’ve just held the annual Flower Festival at church – a sure sign that the holidays are over and autumn is on the way. I don’t like cold mornings, especially when they’re dark as well so although the leaves on the Spindle bush in the garden are glowing red and the stems are covered with wonderful bright pink berries, this is not my favourite time of year unless of course, we are treated to an Indian summer. All this brings me to one of my pet hates – people driving without lights in the early morning and at dusk. I can only think of two reasons for this; one, they think it costs money to have lights on (!) or two, they can see where they’re going and just don’t re-alise that the rest of us can’t really see them at all! This is the October edition – anyone done any Christmas shopping yet? !

Susan Sweetland


Motoring Milestones

1896 2MPH Speed Limit Abolished The speed limits of 2mph in the town and 4mph in the countryside were abolished by the 1896 Locomotives of the Highways Act. The Act also removed the need for cars to be preceded by a person on foot ( who did not-despite popular belief-have to carry a red flag.

1909 Gun Advice In her book ‘The Woman and her car’, Dorothy Levitt offered information and advice of the subject of motoring to society ladies. Included was the recommendation that all ladies should carry a small revolver.

1911 Flying Lady The worlds most famous car mascot ,the Spirit of Ecstasy, was the work of the illustrator and sculpture, Charles Sykes. He was commissioned by Rolls Royce to produce a mascot that would be exclusive to their cars. The model for the sculpture-Eleanor Thornton-was a secretary at the car magazine where Sykes worked.

1912 Motor Museum Britain’s first motor museum was opened inside Waring and Gillow’s furniture store at Oxford Street, London. The project was short lived and by 1914 the vehicles had been disposed of, with some simply left to decay on a piece of waste ground near Charing Cross railway station. Three of the survivors , the first three Wolseley cars built, are on display in this museum.

1915 Dipstick The first British car to be fitted with a ‘dipstick’ to check the level of the oil in the sump was probably the 1915 Morris Cowley. Over eighty years later dipsticks are still used on the vast majority of cars.

Selected by Terry Joyce, Courtesy of Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon.


Press Releases from the Driving Standards Agency The Highway Code, one of Britain’s most iconic publications is undergoing a digital revolution as former Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, marks the Highway Code’s 81st year by launching it as an interactive app for smartphones. The best-seller’s technological transformation will make it even easier – and more fun – for road users to keep up to date with the rules of the road. Much of the Highway Code’s content has changed considerably since its launch in 1931. For example mirrors were not even mentioned in the first edition and drivers were advised to sound their horn when overtaking. How road users access its content has also moved with the times. It is already free to read online, can be downloaded as an ebook and there are also facebook and Twitter accounts offering regular topical reminders. Now a new app for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch will make it even easier to keep up to date with the rules of the road through a more intuitive, interactive format. Former Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: “With more and more of us using smartphones and other devices it’s vital that products like the Highway Code adapt to be as accessible as possible. “The app makes it easier for everyone to keep their knowledge up to date and is a great example of how new technology can help to improve road safety. “The Highway Code has been helping to save lives for more than 80 years and, with innovations like this, I am confident it will do so for many more to come.” The new app includes the complete contents of the Highway Code with a search facility making it easy to find rules and information. There are also interactive features like quizzes, a stopping distance calculator and a tool to help users identify road signs. The Official Highway Code app is available on iTunes for £3.99. For other official Highway Code publications see www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1207776. The Highway Code is free to view online at www.direct.gov.uk/highwaycode The contract to refresh the hazard perception part of the driving theory test by introducing computer generated image (CGI) technology has been awarded to the London-based SME Jelly. The updated section is expected to be introduced in August 2013. The DSA met last October with companies that provide CGI services to identify new technologies that could be used to refresh the hazard perception test. In January the agency started a formal procurement process and two early examples of CGI clips were published on the DSA YouTube channel for comment. The DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “The hazards presented in the current clips are still relevant but the image quality is not as clear or defined as the quality available today. We are looking forward to presenting clips that are fresh and up-to-date. “The use of computer-generated images means that we can include situations with vulnerable road users such as children, cyclists, and motorcyclists without risk.”


CHELMSFORD ADVANCED MOTORISTS

LIBRARY LIST

DVDs

Drive Smarter, Essential know-how for your driving career (2 copies) By Gem Motoring Assist

Roadcraft, The Police Driver’s Course on Advanced Driving By The Police Foundation

PC CD-ROMs

The Interactive Highway Code HMSO/ Interactive Driving Systems

Hazard Perception Test HMSO/Oasis

BOOKS

Roadcraft TSO Human Aspects of Police Driving Scottish Police College The Tyre Digest (2 copies) Michelin

Driving Abroad Robert Davies

The Official Highway Code Rev. 2007 Edition HMSO

The Official Guide to Accompanying L-Drivers DSA

Sideways to Victory Roger Clark

The Myway Code Ian Vince/Dan Kieran

Paul Ripley’s Expert Driving Daily Telegraph

The Inner Game of Tennis W Timothy Gallwey

Mind Driving Stephen Haley

Older Drivers – Safe or Unsafe? IAM Traffic– Why we drive the way we do Tom Vanderbilt

CDs

Awake, Driver Reviver THINK

Advanced Road Craft Bespoke Driving Training

The Driving Test – Your Licence to Drive IAM/Safety on the Move


Notification of Events

There has been a lot of positive feedback from events organised by the Group. If you would like to be kept informed of any up and coming events please make sure that David Wall has your current email address.

Young Driver Scheme

Do you know of anyone who is not 17 years of age, but wants to learn how to drive?

In partnership with DICE ( the Driving Instructors Club of Essex), our Group has launched a road safety scheme to give people the opportunity to learn basic car control skills in Driving School Dual Controlled cars on private land before they go on the public Highway.

getting behind the wheel (again, or for the first time).

Full details of the scheme, a letter from Essex Police and a map may be viewed, and the application Form can be downloaded, from

www.youngdriverscheme.org

Lessons, lasting for one hour, are run on the third Sunday of most months at Earls Colne (near Coggeshall). There is an initial Registration Fee of £28 which covers registration and the first one hour lesson. Subsequent lessons cost £24. Lessons must be booked in advance.

The scheme is intended primarily for 16 year-olds but, if vacancies permit, places may be offered to 15 year-olds or even to older people who are nervous about

Alternatively, forms may be obtained from the YDS Organiser.

Nicola Hyland, 67 Main Road,

St Lawrence Bay, Southminster,

CM0 7NA

Dedicated Mobile number

07847 645632 or

[email protected]



Group Nights & Events 2012

Please make a note in your diary

Monday November 12th

Driving Scenarios TBC

Saturday November 17th

4 x 4 Experience

Monday December 10th

Christmas Quiz Night & Buffet Andy Jarrett

In the last edition I asked some questions about this car which was at the Maldon Car Show. I received no enquiries. It is a Ferrari 860 Monza (1956). It is owned by Chris Evans Ferrari only made three, all of which helped Juan Manuel Fan-gio and Ferrari win that year’s F1 championship. The body was designed by Pinin Farina.

I was told it was worth around £2million, so if you fancy putting in an offer.


Congratulations

Here are some of our successful members receiving their certificate from our new Chairman Scott Bannister

“Scott was a fantastic observer and this has allowed me to have

fun driving my Mx-5 safely”

Nicola Milburn

Matthew Davies

I’ve discovered that the wrong side

of the road must be close to my spiritual home! There lies a sense of

freedom, exhilaration, and of course

that wonderful view through the

next bend! Inside my head that

deeply Scottish voice – “ Move Out!...Out!...RIGHT OUT!!!”

Thanks a million, Scott! I loved

every minute, and still really miss

our weekly jaunts on those lovely bendy Essex “routes” of yours!

John Amos


The links below are to websites that you may have an interest in. Please

let me know if any of them are not working. Email me if you think of any websites that may be of interest.

IAM DrivingAdvice & Tips

http://www.iam.org.uk/driving_advice_and_tips

Online Highway Code

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htm

Know your traffic signs

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_191955.pdf

Tyresafe

http://www.tyresafe.org

Drive Alive

http://www.drive-alive.co.uk

Heritage Motor Centre http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/

A130 looking towards the A127

Photo by T.Joyce

Whoops! 35 mph perhaps?

Seen on the B187 St Mary’s Lane, Upminster. Sent in by Lawrence Tattersall

What is this beauty?

Documents

Forward Vision #96