Category: News

The not-so-daft new Highway Code rules

Dave Foster
new highway code rules 2022

You’ve probably already seen that the Highway Code is due to get an update on 19th of January. So, what’s it all about? Well, it comes down to road safety. As the article in Despatch says in its first section, these changes are all about ‘reinforcing good driver behaviour’. A new road-user hierarchy has been added to the Highway Code. This isn’t really a new hierarchy, just that it’s now been added to the Highway Code. Those of us who have been delivering speed awareness course and other types of driver rehabilitation courses have spoke of this for years. It’s Read More …

The standards check announcement should be nothing to worry about

Dave Foster

So, as you’ll know by now, the DVSA have given more information on how the standards check will be changing. For the full communication from the DVSA, you can click here. I wrote an article detailing my reaction in a blog post in the immediate aftermath of the initial announcement earlier in the week, which you can read here. There seems to be a lot of concern within the driver training community around the recent news from the DVSA, particularly over the way driving instructors will be called for the standards check. In fact, it’s sent people into a bit Read More …

📹 Video: Dave Foster on ITV News

Dave Foster
dave foster 1st 4 driving

Viewers in the South West may have noticed Dave making an appearance on ITV News this week, with the TV crew visiting 1st 4 Driving HQ in Callington on Monday. Dave was asked about new statistics that state a third of people are nervous about getting back behind the wheel having not driven in some time. With the UK starting to get back to normal after almost 18 months of disruption, what do we need to be thinking about when it comes to road safety? And what can nervous drivers do to feel more at ease behind the wheel? “[a] Read More …

DVSA update on masks after 19th of July

Dave Foster
wearing a face covering during driving tests

The DVSA have given a highly anticipated update on wearing masks during driving lessons and tests as the UK starts to emerge from lockdown on the 19th of July. Since the Prime Minister announced that mandatory face coverings indoors will come to an end, there has been much debate as to whether they should remain for people coming into close contact situations such as driving lessons. This has left many driving instructors and pupils asking “do I still have to wear a mask during my driving lessons?” Please note: the below guidance only applies to England. Current measures will remain Read More …

Interactive map: UK’s deadliest rural roads revealed

Dave Foster

71% of fatal accidents involving 17-24 year olds happen on rural roads New interactive map from the AA Charitable Trust reveals deadliest rural roads Poor road surface and blind spots have been given as possible reasons The AA Charitable Trust have put together a new map to help raise awareness of the problem of young people being involved in fatal crashes on rural roads. The map, below, shows the worst roads in the country for collision density, the worst of which being the A229 in Kent. While rural driving is included in the DVSA’s ‘learning to drive’ syllabus, many inner-city Read More …

Report: Nearly a fifth of UK drivers admit to driving over 100mph

Dave Foster
speeding car

According to a new survey, some 18% of UK drivers have admitted to exceeding 100mph. The road safety charity Brake polled 2,000 UK drivers on breaking the speed limit and found some alarming results. This figure rises to 33% for 25-34 year olds. Men are much more likely to break the 100mph barrier with 28% admitting to driving as fast. By contrast, only 9% of women were reported to hit 100mph. The highest speed recorded in the survey was 180mph on a motorway in Nottinghamshire The highest speed driven over the speed limit was 152mph in a 30mph zone in Read More …