Newslink October

msagb.com
Newslink
The Voice of MSA GB
Issue 357 • October 2022
ADIs, you’re welcome
to Hillingdon...
We work for all Driver Trainers. Want to join? See pg 39 for a special OCTOBER offer

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Hillingdon’s plight carries
a warning for ADIs who
insist they can go it alone
Peter Harvey MBE
National Chairman
MSA GB
Welcome to this issue of Newslink. I’m
writing this welcome column this month
because our editor, Colin Lilly, has been
laid low by Covid-19. That news is a
timely reminder to us all that the virus
has not gone away, and we should still be
on our guard. Get well soon, Colin.
As you will read in this issue, ADIs in
the Hillingdon borough of west London
are not having a great time of it of late.
They have been effectively banned from
all council-owned car parks, at risk of a
fixed penalty notice, after complaints
were made about ADIs using them for
bay parking practice.
You can read the story on page 16 so I
won’t cover it too deeply here, but I will
say, in all the many years I’ve been
working on behalf of ADIs with MSA GB,
I’ve never heard of a council imposing
such a blanket ban on its car parks being
used for practice: one or two, perhaps,
usually busy ones near playgrounds or
DTCs, yes; but never every car park.
It does make one wonder where the
DVSA will go for tests in the borough!
Let’s hope it’s not the local pub.
Read about it on 16, but what I want
to do here is point out how Hillingdon
could be a salutary tale for all ADIs, not
MSA GB Conference 2023
10-11th March, in Scotland
Top speakers | Social events
For full details, see pg 15
just those in London. Because if that
council gets away with this action, could
it happen in your borough?
There are two pieces of advice I always
give in these cases. First, think carefully
about where you take learners. If you see
a number of other ADIs in the same area,
ask yourself whether it might be better to
move your lesson elsewhere. Whether it
be parking, using quiet suburban roads
for initial lessons or anything else on the
driver training syllabus, don’t let a
potential problem escalate.
The second thing Hillingdon illustrates
is how vulnerable individual ADIs can be
if the local authority acts against their
best interests and they don’t have an
association – be it a national one like the
MSA GB, or a local one – in their corner
to help them. Only by working with
others in concert will you have a hope of
turning the tide in your favour.
I hope Hillingdon ADIs can force a
change in policy. MSA GB will assist
them in any way possible.
On that note, please see pg 10 of this
issue, which details MSA Area meetings
planned for the coming weeks. Book on
your local one, meet fellow ADIs and let’s
work together for a better industry.
CONTACT
To comment on this article or any other
issue surrounding driver training and
testing, contact Peter via info@msagb.com
Her Majesty the Queen
Along with the rest of the UK, everyone at MSA GB
was greatly saddened by the death of Her Majesty
on 8th September. MSA GB paused all activity on
the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and our
condolences go to other members of the Royal
Family and all those left saddened by her death.
Thank you for your service, your Majesty, and long
live the King.
Welcome to your
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Newslink
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or on an advert? It it contains a
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interactive. Just click and it will
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information on any given subject.
To get the
full story,
click here
How to access this
magazine
You can read Newslink in three
ways:
Go online and read the interactive
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when you don’t have a mobile
signal or WiFi, you can download
the magazine to your tablet, PC or
phone to read at your leisure.
Alternatively, a pdf can be found
on the MSA GB website,
at www.msagb.com
Follow the
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GB sends
you to
access
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and then
just click
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COVER STORY
A sign greets drivers
in a Hillingdon
Borough Council car
park, putting ADIs in
the same bracket as
fly-tippers, hot rod
rallies and drug
addicts. See page 16
Photo: Paul Kelly
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
03

08
News
Last chance to have your say
There is still time to respond to the
DfT’s consultation exercise on who can
drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in the
future – Pg 6
Use a bot to beat a bot
DVSA has seen a reduction in AI bot
activity as part of its crackdown on
third-party booking sites hoovering up all
the available L-tests – Pg 8
MSA GB events and AGMs
Book your place now at your local
autumn meeting, plus two new training
events – Pg 10 and Pg 12
16
Red light for smart m-ways?
The new Prime Minister doesn’t like
smart motorways – so could they be on
their way out? – Pg 14
MSA GB Conference
First details revealed for our first major
conference since 2019, with Paisley in
Scotland to host event – Pg 15
A Hillingdon row
Watch where you take your tuition car
in Hillingdon after the local council
ushers in toughest ever rules on
where ADIs can practise manoeuvres
– Pg 16
23
26
Acronym city
The increasing use of acronyms in driver
training and testing is getting right on
Rod Came’s wick: He told Newslink:
“ngl, been left smh; I’m not lmao about
it.” More, on Pg 18
Newslink
The Voice of MSA GB
The Motor Schools Association
of Great Britain Ltd
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E: info@msagb.com
Newslink is published monthly on behalf of the MSA
GB and distributed to members and selected
recently qualified ADIs throughout Great Britain by:
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Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily
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made to ensure the
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contained within this
publication, neither MSA
GB nor the publishers can
accept any responsibility
for the veracity of claims
made by contributors in
either advertising or
editorial content.
©2022 The Motor Schools
Association of Great
Britain Ltd. Reprinting in
whole or part is forbidden
without express
permission of the editor.
04 NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Area Focus
The Chatham Bus Disaster – pg 26
Well, it felt like 500 miles... one
ADI’s experience after he worked in a
hospital during Covid – pg 28
Why are we in such a rush, asks Janet
Stewart – pg 30
John Lomas: Changing times – pg 32
Terry Pearce: One more to go – pg 33
Mike Yeomans: IAM and me – pg 34
Features
Making sense of safe driving
Why all five senses have a role to play in
good driving – even taste and smell! – and
why the sixth sense is vital – Pg 20
Get out of my boot
James Gibson has had enough of tailgaters
– Pg 23
The perils of autumn driving
The extra risks associated with winter
driving are well known, but what about
driving in the autumn? Steve Garrod looks at
the dangers – Pg 24
Keep in
touch 1
If you have updated your
address, telephone
numbers or changed your email
address recently, please let us
know at head office by emailing
us with your new details and
membership number to
info@msagb.com.
If you can’t find your
membership number, give us a
ring on 01787 221020.
Keep in touch:
Just click on the icon
to go through to the
relevant site
2
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
Q&A with
Russell Jones
Follow MSA GB on social media
36
28
Keep in
contact with
the MSA
MSA GB area contacts
are here to answer your
queries and offer any
assistance you need.
Get in touch if you have
any opinions on how
MSA GB is run, or wish
to comment on any
issue affecting the
driver training and
testing regime.
n National Chairman:
Peter Harvey MBE
natchair@msagb.com
n Deputy National
Chairman:
Mike Yeomans
deptnatchair@msagb.com
n Scotland:
Steven Porter
chair.os@msagb.com
n North East:
Mike Yeomans
chair.ne@msagb.com
n North West:
Graham Clayton
chair.nw@msagb.com
n East Midlands:
Kate Fennelly
chair.em@msagb.com
n West Midlands:
All enquiries to
info@msagb.com
n Western:
Arthur Mynott
chair.ow@msagb.com
n Eastern:
Paul Harmes
chair.oe@msagb.com
n Greater London:
Tom Kwok
chair.gl@msagb.com
n South East:
Terry Cummins
chair.se@msagb.com
n South Wales:
All enquiries to
info@msagb.com
n Newslink:
All enquiries to
editor@msagb.com or
rob@chambermedia
services.co.uk
05

News
06
134 examiner
roles still up
for grabs
The DVSA is continuing its driving
examiner recruitment drive as it
look to bring in additional
examiners to help meet the current
demand for driving tests.
As at the end of September it
was looking for an additional 134
driving examiners around the UK.
So far, DVSA has managed to
recruit more than 300 additional
examiners, but it still has roles to
fill across England, Scotland, and
Wales. The roles on offer can be
part-time flexible working hours,
including evening and weekend
working opportunities. New
entrants are coming in on flexible
working patterns where they work
five in seven days.
The DVSA has roles in the
following regions:
• 41 in London and South-East
England
• 40 in East England, South-
West England, and East Midlands
• 30 in Scotland, North-East,
Yorkshire, and Humber
• 23 in Wales, North-West
England, West Midlands
Full details about the examiner
vacancies and how to apply are on
Civil Service Jobs. Click here for
details.
The deadline for applications is
10 October.
Deer me, there’s a
new risk on the road
ADIs in more rural areas have been
warned to watch out for a new
menace on the roads: randy deer!
GEM Motoring Assist is advising
drivers to take extra care in areas
where deer are common, as their
breeding season is now underway.
It’s no laughing matter: estimates
indicate that up to 75,000 deer are
killed each year in road collisions,
with between 10 and 20 human
deaths linked to the hefty beasts.
Periods of highest deer ‘activity’
tend to occur at dawn and dusk,
coinciding with human rush-hour
traffic.
Have your say on DfT
licensing plans for LGVs
You still have time to put across your
views on proposals to scrap the
requirement for holders of car driving
licences to undertake further testing
before they can drive larger vehicles of
up to 7.5 tonnes.
If the proposal becomes law, new
drivers would be given the automatic
right to drive LGVs up to 7.5 tonnes and
minibuses without any further training or
testing as soon as they pass the L-test.
Such a move would essentially scrap
the regulations brought in on 1st January
1997 which restricted the types of
vehicles new licence holders could drive.
Do you agree? Or do you think this is a
U-turn that will turn back the clock in
Newslink erratum... sort of...
In the September issue of Newslink we
carried an article on the Government’s
consultation for the above licence change,
but it (sort-of) contained a couple of
publisher’s errors.
In the copy a reference was made to
the fact that if the proposal was
implemented, it would mean ‘pupils
could learn to drive and pass their test in
a Vauxhall Corsa, then jump straight into
a Movano’, infering that driving
something of a much greater weight
would present a challenge that their car
training had not prepared them for.
But that’s not quite accurate... as MSA
GB North West’s John Lomas pointed
out, that Corsa-Movano leap is in fact the
current position. “The current L-test pass
lets you drive up to 3,500 GVW vehicles
terms of road safety and driving
standards? Whatever your views, make
them known to the DfT.
See the panel below for instant access
to the consultation document and a
smart survey on the issue.
You can have your say now, until 28
October 2022. Please ensure that your
response reaches the Government before
the closing date.
Click here for full details
of this proposal.
Or respond online here:
https://www.smartsurvey.
co.uk/s/OF07U7/
(larger if they are carry disabled access
equipment or are electric), so a current
new driver could drive a Movano, as they
have a GVW of 2,800kg,” he said. “It’s
vehicles above 3,500kg they can’t drive.”
However, even John is not entirely
correct here, as while the vast majority of
Movanos come in at under three tonnes,
some weigh more than that amount: if
you were to drive the L3 H2 (longer
wheelbase and greater roof height), for
instance, it has a GVW of 4,500kg, so
would require an LGV test pass.
Confused? Not surprised – and don’t
get us started on the speed limits set for
two tonners, or the challenges of driving
a petrol Transit Custom or a diesel!
Click here for a definitive guide to what
can, and can’t, be driven.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

Safety at
your feet
Protecting instructors and
pupils for over 60 years
He-Man Dual Controls Ltd
023 8022 6952
www.he-mandualcontrols.co.uk
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022 07

News
DVSA vows to beat the bots as it looks
to get tough on third party test bookers
‘Use a bot to catch a bot’
strategy proves success
The DVSA says it is winning its battle with
the AI bots which were hoovering up all
the available L-tests – and seen a big
reduction in the number of candidates
who fail to show up for their L-test, too.
Lianne Parkinson, Head of Driver
Policy at the DVSA, said: “Over the last
few months we’ve introduced a number
of measures to stop learner drivers from
being exploited by people and companies
selling them driving tests at a profit, and
to make sure pupils are aware of when
their test is taking place.”
The DVSA’s own research found that
more than 1 in 4 learners used apps to
book tests, and 41.8% of ADIs said
candidates’ tests were being moved by
unofficial companies, causing confusion
and missed tests.
Ms Parkinson said steps taken by
DVSA have seen a decrease in the
number of learners who failed to attend
their driving test. “On 30 June, we
launched our text message reminder
service for candidates to remind them of
the details of their test 10 days and 6
days before.
“The text service has helped reduce
the number of learners who fail to show
up for their test fall by 4,625 between
June and August. This is the lowest it’s
been since September 2021 and meant
nearly 2,000 more tests could go ahead.”
Measures tackling bots have also
proved effective. The DVSA’s Advanced
Bot Protection (ABP) programme has
successfully reduced ‘bot traffic’ to the
booking sites, with some companies
ceasing to operate since DVSA
introduced more robust controls.
Ms Parkinson said the DVSA
has had success after it
“stopped accepting new
automatic online
registrations to use the
service. New
applications must be
made by email, giving
DVSA the opportunity
to check them
thoroughly. We have
also stopped accepting
any new registrations from
DVSA is
receiving
7,200
calls per
month,
on
average
companies that do not have an ADI
associated with the business.”
This strategy has led to the suspension
of around 4,500 registrations that were
not linked to driving instructors and
removed around 7,500 dormant
businesses or where the registration
process was not fully completed.
She stressed that the DVSA was not
remaining complacent, however. “We’ll
continually monitor bot traffic on our
service and regularly review the
effectiveness of the ABP. We will
continue to work tirelessly to crack down
on people and companies that are
exploiting learner drivers.”
Updating terms and conditions
The DVSA has also called on ADIs to
help it manage pupils swapping tests.
A survey will be launched shortly on
this, with a separate survey for
businesses who are using DVSA services
to book and swap large amounts of tests.
The agency stressed it wanted to work
with ADIs on this issue, but the
workload involved was very
high. As Ms Parkinson
pointed out: “On average
we are receiving 7,200
number of calls per
month. This has
doubled since the
pre-pandemic average
of 3,500. We now
carry out over 4,000
test swaps per month
via the customer service
centre, up from 560 per
month pre-pandemic.” In addition, “the
number of test swaps carried out via the
‘book and manage your pupil’s tests’
service has also increase from 3,200
swaps per month (pre-pandemic) to over
17,000 per month.”
Reminder: swapping tests
Due to the high volume of calls DVSA
is receiving, if you have access to the
book and manage your pupil’s tests
service and have booked tests via the
service, ADIs can also swap tests using
the service.
Using the online business service only
takes a matter of minutes to:
• book car, motorcycle and other types
of driving tests for your pupils
• change, swap or cancel
appointments you have booked
• confirm your pupil’s details before
the test
• manage your availability for car
driving test
If you want to register for the ‘book
and manage your pupils test booking’
service, contact DVSA.
For all other swaps you can call our
dedicated ADI priority telephone number
on 0300 200 1122 (press the 2-digit
fast track code) from Monday to Friday,
8am to 6pm to fast track your call.
Click here to read
Lianne’s blog in full
08
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Helping your pupils stay
Tyresafe for life
TyreSafe, the UK’s charity for promoting
tyre safety, is working with MSA GB to
offer members the chance to take
advantage of its expertise so they can
pass on to learner drivers an
understanding of the importance of
regular tyre checks and how to carry
them out.
Leaflets, electronic assets and, most
importantly, the best practice knowledge
can be yours without cost, apart from the
postage of print materials.
Tyres are fundamental to how a vehicle
accelerates, brakes and steers, and the
only automotive technology unlikely to
change in the near future. Maintaining
tyres in a roadworthy condition is an
essential skill for all drivers but
unfortunately, there are few opportunities
for them to learn how to.
To give you an introduction to TyreSafe
and its educational materials, three dates
have been arranged for half-hour online
webinars, which you would be welcome
to join. There will also be time for a Q&A
session at the end of the webinars.
If you would like to join on of these
sessions, please write to info@msagb.
com and indicate which one you’d like to
attend.
1. Monday, 3rd October 7pm
2. Thursday, 6th October 7pm
3. Sunday, 9th October 2pm
Please note that each
session is the same,
you just have a
choice of which of
the sessions
works best for you.
Open house at
Wanstead DTC
Wanstead driving test centre is holding
an open day on Saturday, 8 October,
from 10am to 3pm at 2 Devon House
Hermon Hill Wanstead, E11 2AW.
The event is for ADIs, learners, their
families, and anyone with an interest in
road safety.
Previous DTC open days have been
well received and help get rid of some
pupils’ nervousness as they approach
their L-test. 97% of learners who came
to a test centre open day in the past said
it helped them feel more confident about
their upcoming driving test.
Pupils will have the chance to meet
and talk with examiners, learn more
about the L-test and what driving
examiners assess and find out more
information about the DVSA’s ‘Ready to
Pass?’ campaign.
There will also be some ‘myth-busters’
on hand, plus a guide to the top reasons
why candidates fail at Wanstead.
You do not need to book to come to
the open day – just turn up on the day.
Help your pupils find a great
car insurance deal and
earn yourself £50! *
Adrian Flux Insurance Services have introduced a driving
instructor referral scheme, whereby driving instructors can
earn up to £50* for each policy taken out by their pupils.
How does it work?
1
You will be allocated a unique
reference number, (“i”Number)
2 4
You will be sent a batch of
personalised cards to hand out
to your pupils
3
When your pupils call 0800 587 5291
for a quote we’ll ask for your i Number
We’ll pay you up to £50 for each
new policy sold by your referral
Start earning today, click here to email your enquiry
adrianflux.co.uk/di
Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority *Referral rates may vary.
The £50 fee is based on the pupil taking out a 12 month comprehensive policy.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
09

Area events and AGMs
MSA GB will be hosting a series of training events, seminars and area AGMs in the autumn.These
are a great opportunity to find out what’s going on in the profession, question those at the top,
including in some cases DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder, and have your say on the issues
that matter. The events also offer you the chance to get involved in MSA GB at a local level by
joining the area committee.
See the full list of events below. Please note that attendance at any of these events is not only for
ADIs in that area; if there is an event being held outside your area but closer to your home, feel
free to come along. Attendance is not exclusively for MSA GB members either: non-members are
sometimes welcome (see below to check), but will generally pay a little more to attend. However,
the difference is usually reimbursed if they join MSA GB on the day.
NORTH EAST
Area Event & AGM
Date: 30th October
Venue: Gomersal Park Hotel, Moor Lane, Gomersal,
Cleckheaton BD19 4LJ
Time: 12noon - 4.45pm
Cost: £8 members, non-members £10
(difference reimbursed if joining MSA GB
at the event)
Details
This October event marks a welcome return to face-toface
events. The doors open at 12noon and we hope to
wrap proceedings up at 4.45pm.
Confirmed speakers at present include Dr Fiona Fylan,
with a topic relevant to driver training behaviour
changes; and Peter Harvey MBE, National Chairman of
the MSA GB, who will give us up-to-date information.
There will be plenty of time to get ask
questions about future plans for the
driving test, discuss the TIP,
privatisation and updates from the
DVSA, and for networking.
WESTERN
Area Event & AGM
Date: 7th November
Venue: Hampton by Hilton Hotel,
Exeter Airport EX5 2LJ
Time: 9.30am - 4pm
Cost:
£35 members if booked before 30th September.
After that date, £40 members. Non-members
£40 (difference reimbursed if joining MSA GB
at the event)
Details
Speakers to include DVSA Chief Executive Loveday
Ryder and her colleague, Linda Gisbey, and Ollie Tayler
from ‘The Honest Truth”. AGM at 12.30 followed by
two-course lunch. Ruediger M. Preiss from YES! School
of Motoring Ltd talking about teaching in electric cars
and MSA GB National Chairman Peter Harvey with an
industry update and question time.
Tea/coffee and refreshments throughout
the day. Last date for booking will be
Friday, 22nd October to allow for
confirmation of numbers to hotel.
Contact Arthur Mynott for further
information on chair.ow@msagb.com
NORTH WEST
Area Event & AGM
Date: 14th November
Venue: Houldsworth Working Men’s Club,
35 Leamington Road Reddish Stockport SK5 6BD
Time: 7pm-9pm
Cost: Free
Details:
Our speakers will include Julie Ford DVSA Test Centre
Manager at Bredbury; and Mike Yeomans, MSA GB
Deputy Chairman. Admission is free, with
refreshments on arrival. In the first instance
to reserve your place email Geoff Capes
at Geoff.at@btopenworld.com
Discount on membership of the
MSA GB if you join on the night
SOUTH EAST
Area Event & AGM
Date: 14th November
Venue: Brede Village Hall,
Cackle Street, Brede Rye TN316DX
Time: Doors open 6pm, meeting starts 7pm
Cost: tbc
Details
Speakers are George Kountouros and Russell Cloke,
both from the DVSA; Justin Parker, Highways
England; and MSA GB National Chairman
Peter Harvey MBE.
For further information contact
Terry Cummins via chair.se@msagb.com
Book for any of the events above via the MSA GB shop
at https://msagb.com/shop/ or call 01787 221020
10 NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
SCOTLAND
Scottish Annual Conference and AGM
Date: 20th November
Venue: The Castlecary House Hotel, Castlecary Road
(just off M80) G68 0HD
Time: Doors open 8.45, Conference begins 9.30am
until 4.30pm
Cost: £50 members, non-members £55
(difference reimbursed if joining MSA GB
at the event)
Details
Conference fee includes coffee breaks,
two-course lunch, all paperwork.
Speakers line-up to be advised
SCOTLAND
EASTERN
Area Meeting & AGM
Date: 27th November
Venue: to be held online via Zoom
Time: From 6.30pm-9pm
Cost: tbc
Details
This event is still in the planning stage: contact area
Chairman Paul Harmes for more details, via
chair.oe@msagb.com
GREATER LONDON
Area Meeting & AGM
Date: Sunday, 6th December
Venue: via Zoom
Time: 4-6pm
Cost: Free
Details
To be held via Zoom, hear from Greater London Chair
Tom Kwok and MSA GB National Chairman Peter
Harvey. More details and to book, contact Tom at
chair.gl@msagb.com
EAST MIDLANDS
Area Meeting & AGM
Date: Sunday, 13th November
Venue: via Zoom
Time: from 2pm
Cost: Free
Details
To be held via Zoom. Hear from MSA GB National
Chairman Peter Harvey and Deputy National Chairman
Mike Yeomans. To book, email info@msagb.com and
put East Midlands in the Subject line. We will send you
a joining link and paperwork nearer the event. We hope
to see you there.
NORTH WEST
SOUTH WALES
WESTERN
WEST MIDLANDS
WEST MIDLANDS
Area Meeting & AGM
NORTH EAST
EAST MIDLANDS
SOUTH EAST
EASTERN
GTR LONDON
Date: Monday, 21st November
Venue: via Zoom
Time: from 7.30pm
Cost: Free
Details
The West Midlands has organised its AGM be held via
the Zoom platform. Hear from MSA GB National
Chairman Peter Harvey and Deputy National Chairman
Mike Yeomans. To book, email info@msagb.com and
put West Midlands in the subject line. We will send
you a joining link and paperwork nearer the event. We
hope to see you there.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022 11

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News
New training events help put your
focus onto the client’s goals
MSA GB is hosting two training events
in November.
Coventry CPD/Training Session
Theme: Standards Check & Part 3
Speaker: Bob Morton
Venue: Holiday Inn, Hinckley Rd,
Coventry CV2 2HP
Date: November 20
Time: 09:30 - 15:30
Price:
£99 MSA GB members;
non-members, £109
Scotland
Theme: Standards Check & Part 3
Speaker: Bob Morton
Venue: Castlecary Hotel, Castlecary
Road, Castlecary, Glasgow
G68 0HD
Date: January 15, 2023
Time: 09:30 - 15:30
Price:
£99 MSA GB members;
non-members, £109
Now that things are settling down and
people are more comfortable attending
face to face events, it is time to see the
return of face-to-face in-person
workshops. The Standards Check/Part 3
exam workshops help you deliver up-todate,
focused, goal-driven, client-centred
lessons, using simple strategies that have
a proven track record.
These strategies will also prepare you
for your Standards Check or Part Three
Bob Morton
exam by making sure you meet the
competencies you are being assessed on
and making sure through proper
preparation and understanding that it is
the real you who shows up on the day.
The course will look in detail at:
n The changes to the exam (45 mins
with 40 mins wheels rolling)
n The trigger system and how to do
your own monitoring
n Which pupil to take
n Which lesson to do
n How to get non-compliant pupils to
engage
n How to structure lessons that are
more client-centred
n How to work in ways that meet the
criteria for the assessment
You will develop ways of working that
not only enhance lessons for you and the
‘‘
The workshops will
help you deliver
up-to-date, focused,
goal- driven,
client- centred lessons,
using strategies with a
proven track record.
‘‘
pupil, getting more out of each session,
but will ensure you work in ways that
mean you CAN just turn up and do your
normal lesson on either test.
Lunch is included in the price.
Workshops and courses are provided
proudly in partnership with the Motor
Schools Association GB. If you are an
MSA GB member, use this code to obtain
your discount: MSA-GB
Book on either event here:
FOR COVENTRY...
https://msagb.com/events/
msa-gb-training-event-coventry/
FOR SCOTLAND
https://msagb.com/events/
msa-gb-training-event-scotland/
Don’t forget to claim your member’s
discount!
Highway Code: is yours up to date?
It’s never been more important for ADIs to have
the latest copy in their glovebox
The new print version of The Highway
Code is available to buy in shops and
online from our official supplier - www.
safedrivingforlife.info/shop
The new print version includes the
recent changes to the Highway Code
including:
• self-driving vehicles
• hand-held mobile rules change
• changes to sentencing for driving
related offences
• The new hierarchy of road users,
including extra provisions for keeping
vulnerable road users liked pedestrians
and cyclists safe
Since January, The Highway Code
has included improved guidance on
taking responsibility for one’s own
safety and that of people around you,
based on their relative vulnerability.
You can review a list of all the recent
changes on GOV.UK
How to stay up to date
Remember, the full version of The
Highway Code is available, free of
charge, on GOV.UK.
The new Highway Code also appears
in the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit
app, available from the App Store and
Google Play.
The Official
Highway Code
NEW EDITION
Updated with the new rules and advice
Essential reading for all road users
New edition publishes in April 2022
Bulk discounts available to driving schools
RRP
£4.99
and road safety organisations
www.safedrivingforlife.info
If you’re interested in advertising in The Official Highway Code or on
www.safedrivingforlife.info please contact dvsaadvertising@media-shed.co.uk for details
12
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Time to focus on
child road deaths,
says the ETSC
The European Transport Safety Council is
calling for renewed action and targets to
protect child road users as its latest
report showed that more than 6,000
children up to the age of 14 died
between 2011 and 2020 in road
collisions in the European Union.
Among some 40 recommendations to
national governments and the EU, ETSC
is calling for safe cycling and walking
routes to schools.
Just seven countries in Europe set
compulsory lower speed limits around
schools, but ETSC says roads around
child care facilities and in urban areas
with lots of cyclists and pedestrians
should be have a default 30 km/h limit
and low volume traffic.
The study authors also found vast
differences in the safety of children
between countries, with child road
mortality in Romania ten times higher
than in Norway, Cyprus and Sweden.
Despite major advances in car safety
in recent years, almost half of child road
deaths occur while travelling in cars,
with incorrect usage of car seats a
significant problem. From September
2024, only child seats meeting a new
UN ‘R129’ standard can be sold in the
EU.These seats are safer by design and
can only be fitted with an ISOFIX system,
reducing the risks of incorrect
installation. The provision of ISOFIX
anchorage points has been compulsory
on new cars in the EU since 2014.
ETSC says safer rear-facing seats
should be made mandatory for as long
as is practicable, preferably until the
child is four years old. Child seats
should also be subject to reduced VAT.
With the European Union set to review
rules on driving licences this year, ETSC
is also calling for mandatory theoretical
and practical training, as well as a
practical test, to obtain an AM (moped)
driving licence.
ETSC also warns that 16 European
countries allow children to ride a moped
at 14 or 15 years old, despite a
recommended EU minimum age of 16.
Above the age of 14, 20% of child
road deaths are moped riders, the vast
majority of which are boys. ETSC says
the minimum EU recommended age for
solo car driving of 16 should not be
lowered.
DVSA on the move
The DVSA is on the move, with the
agency relocating to a new office in
Nottingham shortly.
It would be customary at this point to
tell you the new address... but
unfortunately, despite kindly informing
the MSA GB over a week ago about the
move, for some reason they can’t quite
bring themselves to tell us where they’re
heading.
We’ll let you know when we know, but
it doesn’t bode well for the crystal clear
and speedy communications we’ve been
promised between the agency and ADIs!
Right, saying goodbye to the Axis
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
13

News
Smart motorways blamed for death as
new PM says she will stop ‘experiment’
The lack of a hard shoulder on a stretch
of smart motorway contributed to the
death of a grandmother after the car she
was travelling in broke down and was hit
by another vehicle, a coroner has ruled.
Mother-of-five Nargis Begum, 62, had
got out of the passenger seat of a Nissan
Qashqai on the M1 in South Yorkshire
when a Mercedes car, which appeared to
take no avoiding action, collided with the
stationary car, causing her fatal injuries.
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy told
Doncaster Coroner’s Court the fact none
of drivers of the 153 vehicles which
passed the stranded car before the
collision alerted National Highways to its
presence also contributed to Mrs
Begum’s death.
Recording a conclusion of “road traffic
collision”, Ms Mundy said: “The absence
of a hard shoulder and of any report to
National Highways to notify them of the
stationary vehicle so that lane closures
could be put in place contributed to Mrs
Begum’s death.”
Mrs Begum’s Nissan had driven past
an emergency refuge by about 250 yards
and was stranded in the live lane one
undetected for 16 minutes and 21
seconds before the crash.
Ms Mundy expressed concern that the
public appears to wrongly believe that
the cameras on smart motorways are
constantly monitored by control room
staff. One witness told the inquest how
he did not report the stationary Nissan
because he believe it would be picked up
by the cameras.
But a number of National Highways
directors and employees, including chief
executive Nick Harris, told the coroner
that this was not practicable. The
coroner asked whether more could be
done to educate the public about this
fact, adding that she would be writing to
National Highways about this.
Mr Harris told the inquest how
technology which can detect more than
80% of stranded stationary vehicles
within 20 seconds was being rolled out
on All Lane Running motorways.
Mrs Begum had been travelling in the
car with her husband when they suffered
mechanical failure and stopped close to
Woodall services.
Mrs Begum’s daughter, Saima Aktar,
told the inquest: “We believe the smart
motorway system is dangerous and flawed
– if there had been a hard shoulder, my
dad would have stopped there.”
The inquest heard the driver of the
Mercedes, Kantrimas Zukauskas, was
initially arrested on suspicion of causing
death by dangerous driving but never
prosecuted. He refused to give evidence
at the hearing.
Last year, Ms Mundy asked South
Yorkshire Police to consider whether
Highways England should face corporate
manslaughter charges over Mrs Begum’s
‘‘
Roads should not be designed
with the lives of drivers
dependent on other
drivers reporting a
breakdown in a live lane
‘‘
death, but the force said the now
renamed National Highways could not be
charged after Crown Prosecution Service
advice that it did not owe road users a
“relevant duty of care” under the terms
set out in the Corporate Manslaughter
and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
Campaigner Claire Mercer, whose
husband Jason Mercer also died after
stopping on a smart motorway in South
Yorkshire, told the PA news agency: “She
(the coroner) concluded that a lack of a
hard shoulder contributed to the death.
There’s not really much else to say.
“If there had been a hard shoulder,
Nargis Begum would not be dead.”
AA president Edmund King said: “The
conclusion that the absence of a hard
shoulder and the absence of any drivers
telling National Highways about the
stationary vehicle both contributed to
Mrs Begum’s death surely calls into
question the whole concept of ‘smart’
motorways. Roads should not be
designed with the lives of drivers
dependent on other drivers reporting a
breakdown in a live lane.”
The AA has called on the new
Transport Secretary, Anne-Marie
Trevelyan, to follow up on comments
made by Prime Minister Liz Truss during
the Tory leadership hustings in which she
criticised smart motorways.
Answering a question Ms Truss said:
“We need to review them and stop them,
if they’re not working, as soon as
possible. All the evidence I have agrees
with the point you’re making on smart
motorways... I do believe that the smart
motorways experiment hasn’t worked.”
Asked to clarify if she would stop
them, Ms Truss replied: “Yes.”
Mr Harris acknowledged that All Lane
Running smart motorways increased the
risks associated with cars becoming
stranded in live lanes, but the balance of
risks meant they were safer overall than
conventional motorways.
A National Highways spokesman said:
“Our deepest sympathies remain with the
family of Mrs Begum. We are absolutely
committed to making our roads as safe
as possible and have an ongoing road
safety campaign intended to provide
important guidance to drivers.”
14
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Conference 2023
Join us for the MSA GB
Annual Conference
Fri 10th & Sat 11th March 2023
Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport,
Paisley PA3 2TE
We’re really excited to announce that after three years when we’ve not been able to
host an MSA GB Conference, we will be returning to a major in-person event on
10th-11th March 2023. To be held at the Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport, Paisley, our
speakers will include senior DVSA officials and leading figures from the motoring,
driver training and road safety sectors, all ready to impart their knowledge, opinions
and expertise to our delegates. In addition there will be a trade stands exhibition
and plenty of time to catch up with friends old and new.
Book
your place
now. Click
HERE!
ITINERARY
Friday, 10th March
For those guests staying for the night/weekend, we will be hosting an informal buffet supper,
with plenty of time to renew old friendships and catch up with MSA GB colleagues.
Saturday, 11th March (day)
Conference opens at 9.30am with a packed programme of speakers, workshops
and presentations. To include Conference Lunch.
Saturday, 11th March (evening)
A great night is planned with a traditional Scottish theme.
PRICES
There will be several ticket options available:
n Day ticket, conference only (plus lunch): £48
n Full delegate package: Two nights’
accommodation on a B&B basis, plus
conference and social events: £228
n One night’s accommodation, on either
Friday or Saturday night, conference ticket plus
the appropriate evening’s social event: £138
n Bringing a non-delegate? Just £98, based on
double occupancy of room, including social
events on Friday and Saturday.
n Making a proper break of it? Special rates available for
extra nights. Contact the hotel for details.
GETTING THERE: The hotel is situated in Glasgow Airport and is easy to get to:
By Air: Just 2-3 minutes walk from Glasgow Airport
By Car: Right next to the M8
By Bus: From Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, every 10 minutes, takes about 15 minutes
By Train: To Paisley Gilmour Street, 3km from the hotel and is approx. £5 by taxi
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
15

News
ADIs’ fury as council car park ban groups
them with fly-tippers and boy-racers
Rob Beswick
Driving instructors in the London borough
of Hillingdon have voiced their anger
after the local council began issuing
warning letters and, in some cases, £80
Fixed Penalty Notices, to ADIs who use
council-run car parks to practise the bay
parking exercise with pupils.
While from time to time MSA GB is
aware of councils making some of their
car parks out of bounds to ADIs,
particularly ones close to driving test
centres or local beauty spots where they
tend to be busier, we have never come
across such a blanket ban before.
Local ADI Paul Kerr told Newslink that
the row had been simmering since
2019. Paul said: “The issue began with
car parks near the Hayes driving test
centre (now closed). One particular car
park was used by the examiners on tests,
and so quite a few ADIs used it too.
However, a local councillor took
exception to this and before long a notice
was displayed telling ADIs they could not
use it.”
Local ADIs were particularly upset by
the tone of the notice, which “operates
under existing public space protection
orders (PSPOs),” Paul said, “and is used
to guard against anti-social behaviour
such as fly tipping, car racing groups or
drinking.
“Why are ADIs being placed in with
these people, when all we are doing is
teaching learners a legitimate manoeuvre
that they are required to perform on the
Government’s L-test?,” he asked.
Paul believes the council’s ‘get tough’
crackdown is the work of one councillor.
“I received a letter from the council
warning me that I would receive an FPN
if I continued to use that car park, so I
stopped using it. However, I know that
after that another ADI was caught up in
a verbal altercation with a councillor
about the ban. Following that we were
told that ‘residents had complained
about ADIs using the car park’.
“It’s strange though,” said Paul. “Why
would residents use a local council car
park? If they are local residents, wouldn’t
they park at home? And which residents?
We were never told who had
complained, when, or who to.
“My gut feeling is the residents should
actually read resident.”
The current position is that for now,
practising the bay parking manoeuvre in
every council car park in Hillingdon is
not allowed, though the council has
promised to review the PSPO.
Paul was also critical of how the PSPO
was communicated to ADIs. “On some of
the car parks there is a tiny addition
tacked on to the bottom of an existing
sign that listed the activities that are
prohibited, including driving lessons, but
it’s not on every car park. An ADI could
take their pupil into a council car park
and be none the wiser that it was
banned, and be fined as a result.
“We’re not sure what happens to
learners who use the car parks for private
practice either.”
The council says that under the rules
governing the issuing of PSPOs it does
not have to display a sign on every car
park, and the fact that its car parks
cannot be used by ADIs is advertised on
the council website.
MSA GB national chairman Peter
Harvey said the council’s actions were
“heavy-handed and draconian.”
They are also unprecedented: “I have
heard of several councils that have
brought in banning orders on specific car
parks, but never a borough-wide ban. It
seems hideously oppressive. Where does
the council expect learners to practise a
manoeuvre for the L-test?”
The DVSA has admitted its hands are
tied on the issue, despite chief executive
Loveday Ryder expressing her sympathy
with the ADIs’ plight and calling on the
council to reconsider.
She told Paul in a letter: “I am sorry
the council has not changed their stance.
It is important that new drivers can park
safely, and they need to practise this.”
A meeting has been organised between
Paul and DVSA operation delivery
manager Rosie Gaines and operations
manager Rowland Williams to see if a
solution could be found.
Paul said Ms Ryder’s support was
welcome but he found it frustrating that
“someone as senior as Ms Ryder could
not sway the council. We’ve raised a
petition among ADIs to have the PSPO
lifted for us, and have the support of the
local MP, but the ban is still in place.”
The matter has been given more
publicity after another local ADI, Mo
Uthaq, was interviewed by London
Tonight to discuss the issue. “It’s totally
unfair,” he told the TV programme. “We
are just trying to do our job and now we
are being threatened with fines. With the
cost of living crisis it’s the last thing we
want.”
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NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
The council said it was standing by its
decision, however.
A spokesman for the Council said:
“Many of the car parks covered by the
PSPO are in our parks and open spaces,
where the safety of park users –
especially young children and the elderly
– is paramount and where vehicle
owners have a rightful expectation of
safety.
“This PSPO was introduced in 2020
following complaints from residents after
numerous near-misses from learner
drivers.
“While we appreciate learner drivers
need somewhere to practice, it’s not the
council’s obligation to provide that.
Hillingdon is a large borough and there
are numerous alternative locations local
driving instructors can use.
“The PSPO is currently in its third
year and will be reviewed.”
The DVSA added: “Our priority is to
help everyone through a lifetime of safe
driving, and we engaging with local
instructors to find a way forward for
learners in the Hillingdon area.”
However, it stressed that the DVSA
“does not have any authority over car
park owners, but will work locally with
them to agree that car parks can be
used on tests and where possible, for
practice, too.
“Due to the large number of different
car park operators and owners, local
Driving Test Managers are tasked with
approaching the car park operators /
owners to seek consent to use their car
park for the forward park exercise if they
consider that approval is required.”
However, it stressed that “if any car
park operator expressly refused
permission or uses signs indicating that
it would not be appropriate to use their
car park, then that car park would not
be used for the purposes of the driving
test.”
“The manoeuvre on the driving test is
only carried out on one-in-four tests and
a wide variety of car parks will be used
within the area of the test centre.
“DVSA examiners only use the
quietest part of the car parks and if
suitable spaces are not available or the
car park is too busy, the examiner will
either not enter it or drive around it and
exit without conducting the manoeuvre.
Is this fair by Hillingdon Council,
or heavy-handed? Let MSAGB
know at editor@msagb.com
Kent escooter
trial to end
Kent County Council has decided not
to further extend a trial of electric
scooters. The pilot scheme launched
in Canterbury in November 2020 for
an initial 12-month period and has
twice been extended, despite public
opposition.
However, the council has declined
an invitation from the DfT to further
extend the trial until May 2024 and it
will end in November.
Despite criticism, the council says
the trial has been useful and safe,
with more than 67,000 rides taken in
Canterbury since it started, with just
one collision recorded. That equates
to a collision rate of 0.0014%.
But Cllr David Brazier, Kent’s
cabinet member for transport, said he
decided to “truncate it before
someone was seriously hurt”. “I
favourws the trial going on, but it was
quite obvious now accidents could
have been worse than they were.”
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
17

Comment
You know what I mean...
Rod Came
MSA GB South East
The National Associations Strategic
Partnership and the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency have regular meetings
to discuss subjects relevant to the driver
training industry.
Minutes are published about a
fortnight after the latest meeting. It is
obvious that the whole content of a
discussion on a particular subject cannot
be recorded verbatim so the minutes are
of necessity a very abridged version.
Nevertheless it is necessary for the
reader of those minutes, whether they be
regular or occasional, to be able to
understand the content.
Minute writers tend to abbreviate,
which is all very well if the reader is
familiar with the meaning of the
abbreviations, but if not the report can
become meaningless.
The minutes of a NASP/DVSA meeting
held on 22nd August 2022 and
published on 1st September are a case
in point. They contain the following
acronyms, see how many you know the
meaning of;
DVSA, NASP, DE, ADI, ANTI-BOT, Ts &
Cs, F & P, SLA, CFI, ORDIT, TIP, DfT,
TARS, OBS* (see panel)
I can be confident of naming eight of
them correctly, others I haven’t got any
idea of their meaning. TIP, what’s that all
about, it is even used as a heading to a
couple of paragraphs. * (see panel)
There is also a serious side to this
because when you are teaching new
drivers you may well use a word or
words that they do not understand. Let’s
face it, left and right go out of the
window sometimes.
Whether you write or speak it is
essential that the reader or listener
understands what you mean. If reading,
a misunderstanding can be confusing,
but when driving it could become very
serious, so let’s make the meaning clear
to our audience whom so ever they may
be.
The joy of driving
Do you enjoy driving, I mean really
enjoy it? Do you go ‘out for a drive’ on a
Sunday afternoon or do your very best to
stay at home in peace and quiet while
sitting watching the grass grow?
Cars produced immediately after WW2
very much reflected the designs that
were prevalent before the war: a pointed
bonnet, separate front mudguards,
perhaps a running board and rear hinged
‘suicide’ back doors, awful brakes, a
three-speed gearbox and heavy steering.
As time moved on body shapes began
to change, the Ford Anglia of Harry
Potter fame was quite a big step forward.
No pointed bonnet, integrated front
wings and a characteristic forward
sloping rear window. Powered by an
overhead valve engine, a four-speed
gearbox and all-round hydraulic drum
brakes, they were a revelation.
Motoring for the masses had arrived,
Sunday afternoon drives with mother-inlaw
in the back became the highlight of
the week for adults and a source of
boredom for their kids.
Motor clubs organised circuit events for
modified road cars which, if they
survived, could be driven home after the
meet. Driving became exciting.
Excitement is created by danger.
Unfortunately not restricted solely to race
tracks, consequently around that time
7,500 people were killed annually on the
UK roads.
Although the penalties for reckless,
dangerous and careless driving were
quite severe, such incidents did occur
and with increasing frequency.
Something had to be done.
To change the attitude of the nut
behind the wheel would have taken too
long and then not have been entirely
effective. The alternative was to make
vehicles safer.
Volvo took on the mantle of making the
safest cars in the world. This they did by
being the first manufacturer to introduce
seat belts. WW2 fighter pilots used them
to great effect, quite handy when flying
upside down, so the introduction to
having them in cars was a logical step
forward. As always it was the diehards
(who obviously wished to) who fought
against their use, so legislation was
18
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

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The legendary Ford Anglia.
This version does not fly
introduced to make the wearing of seat
belts mandatory. The diehards are still
following their chosen course.
Laminated windscreens, which are
now almost universally fitted to
passenger cars, are a great life-saver, a
head hitting a laminated screen can be
painful and may cause serious injury,
whereas a head going through a safety
glass screen forms a throat-cutting hole
which was often fatal. Correctly worn
seat belts usually prevent such injuries.
Crumple zones which bring a vehicle
to a stop in a couple of feet reduce the
impact force rather than coming
(literally) to a dead stop. Impact bars in
the doors have also helped in the case
of a T-bone collision.
But the greatest life saver in a modern
car is the air bag* (see note). Initially
one for the driver, then for the front seat
passenger and latterly scattered all
around the car to prevent as far as
possible, any occupant contact with
something hard and injurious.
Modern cars with their built-in
‘‘
Modern cars’ built-in safety
features have gone a long way
to reducing the annual death
total...driver training still has a
long way to go to improve the
nut behind the wheel...
‘‘
electronic safety controls are a feat of
engineering which has gone a long way
to reducing the annual death total to
about 1,750.
Although improved driver training and
a more stringent driving test may have
had some effect to achieve that figure,
there is still a long way to go to improve
the capabilities of the nut behind the
wheel.
Let’s go back to the original question
‘Do you really enjoy driving?’ Or does
just following the dozen cars in front of
you in your homogenised safety cell
listening to quadrupal stereo sound
while checking the various screens and
occasionally the road ahead bore you to
tears?
Here’s a TIP
Just in case you are in the dark along
with Rod, TIP stands for Test
Information Programme and it is the
lynchpin of the DVSA’s strategy to link
Standards Checks with ADIs’ pupils;
L-test performance
Editor’s note:
We don’t want to pick holes in any of
our contributors’ articles, but we
thought we’d pull Rod up for his praise
of the airbag.
A quite wonderous investion, but it’s
contribution to road safety is nothing
when compared with the humble
three-point seat belt.
A few seatbelt facts...
• If you don’t wear a seatbelt, you’re
twice as likely to die in a car accident.
• About 7% of road users don’t wear
seatbelts. If seatbelts halved the risk of
death, this means not wearing one
should account for about 15% of road
deaths. In actual fact, over a third
(34%) of car occupants killed in road
crashes are not wearing a seatbelt.
From that we can presume that without
seatbelts death tolls would be a third
higher than they actually are
• Drivers and passengers aged 17-34
are least likely to buckle-up. It’s
probably no coincidence then that road
accidents are the single biggest killer of
young people in the UK.
• Wearing a seatbelt became a legal
requirement in the UK in 1983 – a
legislation change that has saved an
estimated 50 million lives globally
• Women are more likely to wear
seatbelts than men.
• More crashes take place at night, and
more non-seat belt wearing takes place
at night, perhaps because it is harder
for police to spot non-compliance
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
19

Towards your CPD
Safe driving and the
sensory system
Tom Harrington considers the role of the main five senses in safe driving, and
highlights the crucial role of the all-important ‘sixth sense’
Using transportation is an everyday
practice that is taken for granted. People
use different transport modes every day,
and driving as a function is seen as part
and parcel of everyday life.
So, sadly, are deaths and injuries
occuring as a result of this practice. More
than 1.2 million people die on the
world’s roads every year, and as many as
50 million more are injured.
As driving instructors we aim to cover
all bases in our quest to keep our pupils
safe, but how often do we prioritise
technical skill over our pupils’ awareness
of what’s around them? How often do we
ask them to make their senses work as
hard as their hands and their feet?
We know that driving can be very
tiring. One reason for this is that driving
requires us to activate all of our senses at
the same time, putting ourselves in a
heightened state of alertness. Our senses
provide us with information about the
environment in which we are operating.
Indeed, much of our learning is the result
of information from our senses: sight,
hearing, touch, taste and smell.
They are the big five we all learnt
about at school but there are more:
cold, thirst, hunger, pressure, pain and
muscular movement. A key one is
proprioception – the sense that is
actually tested by walk-the-line or
finger-to-nose sobriety tests. Loss of
proprioception, a rare disorder, can cause
lack of co-ordination, and eventual
complete lack of awareness of the body.
It causes a disembodied feeling, as if the
mind and body had separated.
They all have to be at their best while
we’re operating vehicles. That’s why it’s
always harmful to distract or hinder any
of these senses – as we saw last month
when discussing hands-free phone use.
Obviously, of all the senses we
possess, sight is the most relied on while
behind the wheel of a car. However, the
other senses are all very important too.
Our ability to hear, smell, touch and taste
increase our chance of operating a
vehicle in safety.
Let’s take a look at how every driver
should take full advantage of these five
senses to maximise safety.
Sight:
Sight is determined by the capabilities
of the eye and the ability of the human
brain to process the gathered information.
Thus, the sense of sight depends on
the eyes, visual acuity and the visual
field as well as the ability to recognise
colours, brightness, speed and distance.
The breakdown of information our brain
receives from our five senses is as
follows: Sight: 75%: Hearing:10%:
Touch:10%: Smell and Taste 5%.
From these percentages it is clear the
vast majority of our driving information is
gathered by our eyes. Traffic flow, road
conditions, pedestrian movement,
cyclists and bikers, and even the
‘‘
We need good, clear distance
vision but our peripheral
vision is important to see
movement off to the sides. But
that is less than half the battle.
How we use our eyes, or vision
technique, is even more
important.
‘‘
weather. All this driving environment
information is relayed to our brain
through our eyes, processed and
hopefully translated into good judgement
concerning vehicle placement in traffic,
speed and direction. If we don’t give our
brains all of the important driving
information, if we miss one detail, it can
lead to a disastrous decision.
To start with, drivers must meet a level
of vision that allows all that important
visual information to be gathered
properly. We need good, clear distance
vision to pick up other vehicles,
pedestrians, signs, etc. Our peripheral
vision is important to see movement off
to the sides. But that is less than half the
battle. How we use our eyes, or vision
technique, is even more important.
Unfortunately, this good vision technique
is not natural, and developing the vision
skill of looking to where you want to go
and not at the immediate threat is not
easy and requires coaching and practice.
It is instinctive to look at and assess the
driving threat. However, you will drive
where you are looking and that will send
you directly at the threat. Look away
from the threat and then you’ll steer
where you want to go.
In other words, let your eyes do the
steering.
Hearing:
It’s quite dangerous to wear
headphones or earphones while driving.
With something blocking our ears and
flooding it with music, we lose our ability
to hear ambient noises and maintain our
awareness of what’s going on around us.
When listening to the radio while driving,
on the other hand, at least we’re still
able to hear what’s happening outside
the car. Hearing can aid drivers with
placement of other vehicles and
determine where they are. Our sense of
hearing can also be used to sense if the
vehicle is near its limits of adhesion,
particularly if the tyres are starting to
growl or squeal. You can even hear a
change in the road surface that indicates
smooth/rough and wet conditions or ice
conditions. Last but not least, our
hearing is essential to determine the
presence of emergency vehicles, their
location and direction.
For these reasons, we should keep all
the unnecessary noises to a minimum.
Car stereos, phone calls or even in-car
conversations can impair our hearing
senses to the point where we cannot
hear emergency vehicles approaching or
sounds that tell you information about
your vehicle. I know of an unfortunate
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motorist who always listened to his
stereo at a level that meant he missed
the mechanical sounds of low oil
pressure that resulted in the expense of a
new engine. He didn’t hear his engine
tell him it’s time to stop and investigate.
Listen out for other drivers sounding
horns, to warn or communicate,
especially approaching a blind bend or
hump-backed bridge
The ability to hear is important to
helping you stay safe on the road. Make
sure your radio or podcasts aren’t so loud
that they drown out the sounds around
you.
Sense of touch and kinaesthesia
Our sense of touch may not seem like
an obvious one, but it plays a role in your
ability to drive safely. Called kinaesthetic
sense, it’s the ability of a driver to “feel”
what the car is actually doing at any
given moment. A skilled and
experienced driver uses this
feedback to intuitively compare
what he wants the car to do
versus what the car is actually
doing.
You should always drive with
both hands on the steering
wheel to give you maximum
stability and control. Placing
both hands on the wheel can
also help you sense
mechanical issues such as a
poorly balanced tyre or a tyre
that is deflating. Your sense of
touch is vital in controlling
your vehicle effectively.
Without touch, you would
not be able to sense your
hands on the steering
wheel, or your feet on
the pedals to apply the
appropriate amount of
pressure.
Through kinaesthesia, a
driver can gauge the position of
the car on the roadway in
relation to other objects. This
combined sense is also
necessary to position yourself
correctly with the vehicle. It
allows you to find the brake and
gas pedal with your feet and
operate in-car controls without
averting your gaze from the road.
Touch is one sense most
motorists wouldn’t think of, but it does
play a part in safe driving. The sense of
touch on the steering wheel can also tell
the driver when the vehicle is
approaching the limits of adhesion. If the
steering feels lighter than normal it can
mean the tyres are sliding on a wet road
(aquaplaning) or are on ice. A front end
skid can also be felt as a light vibration
in the steering wheel as the tyres slide
across the pavement.
It is important for all drivers to be able
to feel the pedals properly. Heavy winter
boots can desensitise the driver’s feet
and make telling which pedals or how
much pedal effort is being applied
almost impossible.
Through the driver’s seat we can sense
how much cornering force we are
generating which can tell the driver if
they are going too fast into a corner or
bend. We can also sense direction to
help us determine if we are in a skid.
That “seat of the pants” feeling can also
tell a motorist of possible mechanical
problems.
Another way that touch enhances
driving is that it helps you pay attention
to the road while accomplishing other
tasks with one of your hands. Once you
become very familiar with a car, you can
tell where buttons are by touch. Instead
of having to try to find where everything
is, you learn by feel to find the wipers,
indicators, and headlights.
Continued on page 22
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
21

Towards your CPD
Safe driving
and the
sensory
system
Continued from page 21
Smell:
Believe it or not, a keen sense of smell
can also come in quite handy sometimes.
It can help you notice unusual smells or
odours that signal something serious is
happening to your car, for example, that
your engine or brakes are overheating. A
damp smell may mean that somehow
your car is letting in water when it rains,
or let you know that the cabin’s air filters
are dirty and need to be changed.
Electrical shorting can give off an aroma
that can mean the difference between
calling for a tow truck or a fire truck!
Other smells to watch out for include
burned plastic or rubber, which can
indicate an electrical fault, a sharp,
chemical odour can be a sign that your
brakes or clutch have overheated and a
leak in engine coolant can cause a
sweaty odour throughout the vehicle.
If you pick up on an unusual smell
coming from your car, avoid driving it
until you’ve had it checked out and given
the all-clear by a certified mechanic.
Taste:
Confucius said, “Everyone eats and
drinks, but few appreciate taste.” When
you understand a bit about taste, you
may join the few who appreciate it.
In fact, the science of taste is amazing.
The human sensory systems allow us to
distinguish about 100,000 flavours.
Though we begin with a Chinese quote
about taste we shall continue with a
Portuguese proverb, “For each mouth, a
different soup.”
What it means simply is that what
tastes good to one person does not
necessarily taste good for the next.
The biological processes for taste all
work in the same fashion yet perception
and preference can vary by individual. It
could make sense then to conclude that
something in an individual’s environment
may impact their taste preference.
Taste is crucial for the sensory
evaluation of food but not as much for
driving. However, it does give us warning
signals as the sense of taste is closely
linked with a sense of smell. You may
notice a strange or unpleasant taste in
your mouth if a mechanical problem in
the vehicle is giving off a subtle odour.
Finally, the most important SIXTH
sense: Common sense
It is said that common sense is not a
gift: it’s a punishment, because you have
to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it.
Common sense is something too many
drivers have not either developed or they
do not take advantage of. It is one of the
most important senses and the one that
tells us to do the right thing while driving.
Common sense tells us to focus on our
driving and not to allow ourselves to be
distracted by mobile phone calls, texting,
conversations or day dreams etc.
Common sense tells us that driving can
be fatal and as such requires our
complete concentration and attention.
This important sense tells us it is stupid
to race other drivers or to drive impaired
under the influence of alcohol or drugs or
anything likely to affect our driving.
Common sense tells us to slow down
in less than ideal conditions and not to
go out in severe weather situations.
This one sense is developed over many
years and should never be ignored.
However, it is said that common sense is
not as common as is commonly thought.
Yes, some smart people lack common
sense. Why? Intelligent people often
override common sense with their
considerable brain power – but this isn’t
always a good thing. Smart people think
in situations where they should feel, like
in relationships. They may avoid the
correct response because it doesn’t seem
rational when we all know that life isn’t
always rational. Intelligent people,
however, have a tendency to over apply
their analytical and logical reasoning
abilities derived from their general
intelligence incorrectly to such
evolutionarily familiar domains and, as a
result, get things wrong. In other words,
intelligent people lack common sense
because their general intelligence
overrides it. They think in situations
when they are supposed to feel. In
evolutionarily familiar domains such as
interpersonal relationships, feeling
usually leads to correct solutions whereas
thinking does not. Finally, remember
common sense is developed over time
through practice. It’s not something that
just “appears” from nowhere.
Conclusion.
The five senses (sight, hearing, taste,
touch, smell) are all important to
accomplishing daily tasks. Even though
taste gives us the least information, it is
still important, as the senses work
together to help us stay safe on the road.
Sight is obviously most crucial, but
being a safe driver will need to use all
your senses. People can drive without
the other senses, but if you know how to
rely on these abilities, driving is easier
because the experience is enhanced.
When you use these other senses to
stay alert to different dangers on the
road, you are much more likely to get to
your destination safely.
After all, it’s only common sense to use
all of our senses when driving as they
continuously gather relevant information
for safe driving.
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Get out of my boot!
James Gibson, Road Safety GB’s executive director, explores the ‘ongoing
challenge’ of getting more road users to value the importance of space
when following other vehicles or passing cyclists and horse riders.
In many aspects of life, getting extra
space comes at a price. Think of airline
seats with extra legroom, seats at the
cinema or theatre with that bit more
room, a higher price is always charged.
Hiring a larger room for a party, buying
a house with a larger garden, you name
it, more space usually comes with a
higher price tag.
In fact some people will pay
significantly more. Space has value.
In my opinion the same value isn’t
placed on space on the road. Far too
many drivers don’t value the importance
of space when following other vehicles or
passing others. Leaving more room
between you and the vehicle in front is
an extremely simple but highly effective
way to reduce your chance of being
involved in a collision.
As road safety professionals we
recognise this. To put it simply – space
gives more time to react.
The ongoing challenge is how to get
more road users to follow our advice.
Long standing messages such as ‘only a
fool breaks the two second rule’ are
remembered by the majority but regularly
implemented by the minority. What is it
with some drivers and their obsession
with tailgating? Where does this come
from?
National Highways have run
campaigns such as ‘Space Invaders’ and
used lines and markings to remind
drivers on the strategic network to leave
safe following distances.
Space for vulnerable road users as we
all know is especially important. Great
strides have been made to increase the
amount and quality of dedicated cycle
lanes and routes.
The recent changes to The Highway
Code and the THINK! ‘Travel you know
them’ campaign have helped to refocus
the need for drivers to pass cyclists and
horse riders with more room. Colleagues
at the British Horse Society have run
excellent campaigns, again to remind
drivers of the importance to drive slowly
and give lots of space.
Good advice isn’t totally ignored. I see
space being considered, but there is
certainly more for all involved in road
safety to do, to impart the significant
benefits of giving more room.
To conclude, space on the road doesn’t
come with a financial price tag but we
should all value the importance of
leaving sufficient space when following or
overtaking others.
To quote Oscar Wilde: “Nowadays
people know the price of everything and
the value of nothing”.
As road safety professionals let’s keep
on spreading our knowledge and getting
many more to understand the true value
of space on the road and the fact that it
costs nothing!
‘Colleagues at the British Horse Society
have run excellent campaigns, again to
remind drivers of the importance to
drive slowly and give lots of space.’
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
23

Towards your CPD
The winds of autumn....
The perils of driving in winter
are well-documented, but
what about the specific
challenges of autumn?
Steve Garrod considers what
you should be warning your
pupils to look out for
While waiting in my dentist’s waiting
room last week (yes, I still find these
more daunting than driving test centres),
I picked up a well-thumbed copy of
‘Better Homes and Gardens’ magazine.
The cover featured a picturesque
autumnal scene of a garden shed
surrounded by red and golden trees, with
low sun casting long shadows across the
fallen leaves settled on a slightly
neglected lawn.
In an effort to take my mind off my
appointment I began to flick through the
publication and recognised similarities
between home maintenance and driving.
For example, I read a couple of articles
on why I should check and clear my
guttering and paint my decking in
preparation for the winter months.
Above all, it was the picture of the low
sun which reminded me of the recent
problems I have experienced while riding
and driving into the sun, and it made me
think about the risks this poses to us
while we are on the road.
Just as Better Gardens and Homes
prepares its readers for the coming
seasons, it is equally important for us, as
professional trainers, to ensure we prepare
our students, whether they are a full or
provisional licence holders, for driving in
all types of road and weather conditions.
Even if you are engaged in fleet work
then it is worthwhile including a ‘bit of
the obvious’ into your training sessions.
Likewise learners will cover driving in
autumn and winter in their theory, but
few will make the connection unless it is
covered out on the road.
My reason for saying this is because,
according to the AA, each year just under
4,000 road users are involved in crahe
linked to being dazzled by the sun. One
road where dazzle is a particular problem
is the M4, which carries thousands of
drivers towards London each morning
and runs in a fairly straight west-east line
from South Wales to the capital.
With this in mind I thought it might be
One of the biggest
problems drivers face
in autumn is low sun
useful to take a leaf (no pun intended)
out of BH&G and to cover a few obvious,
but often forgotten tips to help keep you
and your learners safe this autumn.
Don’t feel embarrassed about including
them into your lessons or fleet
presentations, because they are potential
life savers and good risk management.
Low sun
Glare is worsened by dirty
windscreens. It is important to clean the
inside of the windscreen clean as well as
the outside. Grime can build up during
the summer months as residue from
fumes being drawn in through the car’s
ventilation system hits the screen. I often
see drivers using a rag as old as the
magazine in the dentist’s waiting room. It
is better to use paper towel then throw it
away because the rag or de-mister pads
will just drag the grease around the glass.
Part of the vehicle checks should also
include the windscreen wiper blades.
They are generally good for two years but
will need replacing after that period to
ensure they clear the water as effectively
as possible. I normally tell students to
collect the sachets of vinegar from cafes
etc and to keep them handy for use
when on a longer journey. Vinegar on a
paper towel run along the blade will
remove the grease and help the blade to
run smoothly across the screen. Collect a
sachet or two next time you’re in a cafe.
Once on the road, remember to make
use of the ‘Show Me’ questions such as
washing the front and rear windscreens
and operating the front and rear demisters.
You can also include the open/
close the window question as this will
also allow fresh air into the car.
Where visibility is reduced, lower your
speed to allow more time to respond to
hazards. Something also to be aware of
is that if there is low sun and it is not in
your eyes, it could be in the eyes of
oncoming drivers or those who may be
waiting to emerge from a junction. Just
because the driver is looking in your
direction does not mean they can see you.
Pedestrians and cyclists could be more
difficult to see, so give your students
advice of where they should be looking,
for example some observation links,
particularly with this year’s new
‘Hierarchy’ laws introduced in the
Highway Code earlier this year.
There is also a myth that you can’t
take driving lessons or a driving test
wearing sunglasses. This IS just a myth!
Of course you can. Examiners need to
see that drivers respond to what is
happening around them, not just looking
at the mirror. The same is applied for
driving forward. Drivers look out of the
front windscreen but do not always act
on what they should, possibly because
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they haven’t seen a hazard or have poor
judgement of what might be a hazard or
are unable to judge the speed of other
road users.
Above all, do not look directly at the
sun! I had a pupil the other week who
did just that. His excuse was that he ‘has
brown eyes’ and that they can withstand
the sun better than those of us with blue
eyes!
Puddles and lying water
With the combination of heavy rain
and leaves blocking drains, large sections
of road surfaces are often covered by
water, some surprisingly deep. It is easy
to lose control if you drive through deep
water too quickly.
You can link this to the theory question
of how to drive through flood water.
Sometimes puddles disguise potholes, so
they should be avoided if possible.
On the subject of standing water, I
remember attending a seminar at which I
saw a presentation from tyre
manufacturer who said we should avoid
parking in puddles too as the water
breaks down the composition of the
rubber. He said that is the main reason
that the majority of punctures happen to
nearside tyres due to the combination of
the sharp objects that can be found by
the kerb and the standing water.
Leaves on the road
Leaves cause two main problems,
apart from blocking drains. They often
cover road markings, a particular
problem at junctions, where you also
need to be aware that braking will be
more hazardous. It has been said that
driving in the autumn is more dangerous
than in the winter because drivers
underestimate just how slippery leaves
can be, but they understand the
problems caused by snow and ice. Pupils
do need to understand that the mulch
caused by the leaves is as dangerous as
ice, therefore using acceleration sense
early to prevent heavy braking at
junctions is essential.
Wind
On open roads, and particularly on
bridges and motorways, high-sided
vehicles not only swerve from side to
side but can actually topple over. And if
you overtake one, having been sheltered
while overtaking, when you get past the
vehicle a strong wind will actually force
you towards the centre of the road. In
towns, wheelie bins, dustbin lids and
other debris can appear from nowhere
and cause you to swerve to avoid them.
Verges
When you’re driving out of town and
meet a driver coming towards you on a
narrow road, verges will be soft. If you
drive on to one your car will sink in, often
disastrously. New drivers who have
perhaps been driving since the spring
need to be far more aware of road
conditions and their surroundings in the
autumn than they can possibly realise.
You may have seen these signs during
their lessons but the risk element will not
have been so obvious on a sunny day. All
drivers need to be more observant, more
cautious, and need to take account of the
changing road conditions and drive
accordingly.
So, with the above in mind you should
be able to make your training sessions
more topical, which is good risk
management. And, as for clearing my
gutters, I’ll get someone to foot my ladder.
Due to our rapidly growing
business, we are looking
for self-employed ADIs to
support our Operational
Training Team across the
country in managing our
Occupational Road Risk.
LOCATIONS
Northern region - Knowsley/Manchester/Sheffield/Leeds
Central region - Dordon/Milton Keynes/Peterborough/Luton (coming soon)
Southern region - Bristol/Andover/Bicester
London - Multiple locations within or around M25
n Training sessions are full days (2 x 3.5 hour assessments)
n All training vans are automatic transmission
n Fleet registered preferred but not essential
n Good rates of pay plus mileage allowance
INTERESTED?
Please email zubair.esmail@ocado.com for more information.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
25

Special feature: The Chatham Bus Disaster
Road safety progress
has always stood on the
shoulders of tragedy
The scene
at Chatham
Docks after
the tragic
death of 24
young
Marine
cadets
Tom Harrington
and Rob Beswick
The September issue of Newslink carried
a number of articles on the
Government’s decision to consult on
whether to ease the qualifying rules for
driving larger vehicles, which could
mean that holders of car driving licences
would be allowed to drive larger vehicles
of up to 7.5 tonnes without further
training or testing.
It’s a controversial move that overlooks
the tragedy that was to be a major driver
in introducing testing and training for
larger vehicles, the M40 minibus crash.
As Rod Came pointed out last month,
this tragic incident in 1993, which saw
11 schoolchildren and their teacher die
in a crash on the M40, prompted the
government of John Major to act after it
was revealed the teacher had never been
trained to drive a minibus, and driver
error was blamed for the disaster.
The Government vowed to tighten up
the rules on minibuses and LGVs, though
the heavy lifting was done for them by
the EU, which was already looking at
bringing in legislation so that all drivers
were tested and licensed to a minimum
standard across Europe. Those proposals
coming into law at the start of 1997.
What’s clear from this is, like a lot of
Government policy, it was driven by
necessity and the need to be seen to act
in the wake of a tragedy or calamity.
The M40 crash wasn’t the first time a
multiple fatality has driven change on
Britain’s roads: as Tom Harrington
highlights here, the Chatham Bus
Disaster of 1951 helped pave the way
for a number of changes in the way the
UK ran its road network...
The Chatham bus disaster occurred
outside Chatham Dockyard, Kent on the
evening of 4 December 1951. A doubledecker
bus ploughed into a company of
52 young members of the Royal
Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps, all aged
between nine and thirteen. Twenty-four
of the cadets were killed and eighteen
injured; at the time it was the highest
loss of life in any road accident in British
history, until it was surpassed by the
1975 Dibbles Bridge coach crash which
killed 33.
This incident in Chatham deserves a
greater focus as it is now, sadly, an
often-overlooked tragedy, but one that
highlights how lax traffic regulations were
at the time. It also paid a key part in
awakening the authorities to the need to
tighten up the rules.
What happened
As the name suggests, the Chatham
Bus Disaster occurred outside HM
Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. A
detachment of 52 cadets from the
Chatham Division RMVCC were
marching from Melville Royal Marine
Barracks, Gillingham, to the Royal Naval
Barracks, Chatham, to attend a boxing
match. They were divided into three
platoons, with the rear one consisting
of new recruits who had not yet
received uniforms. They were generally
under the command of cadet NCOs –
older cadets – and the only adult present
was Lieutenant Clarence Murrayfield
Carter RM, a regular officer and the
unit’s adjutant.
No warning lights
The column was about fifteen yards
long and marching three abreast on the
left-hand side of the road. The cadets in
uniform were wearing Royal Marines
standard-issue dark blue battledress
and berets, although they had
white belts and white lanyards on their
shoulders. They were carrying no lights,
that not being a requirement at the time.
They left Melville Barracks at about
17.40 hours and at approximately 17.57
hours they were marching down Dock
Road, just past the gates of the
Dockyard. Street lighting was poor and it
was reported to have been a very gloomy
and foggy night (although Lt Carter
denied this). As the cadets marched
passed the municipal swimming pool, in
what was a particularly dark part of the
street because a street lamp had failed,
they were hit from behind by a bus
belonging to the Chatham & District
Traction Company.
Bus speed
The bus driver claimed to have been
travelling at 15 to 20mph, although Lt
Carter and another witness estimated its
speed as being more like 40 to 45mph.
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The driver, John William George Samson
(aged 57) was an experienced driver: he
had worked for the company for 40
years, 25 of them as a driver, and was
familiar with the route.
He told the inquiry he had his
sidelights on, but not his headlights, but
this was perfectly legal and considered to
be normal practice at the time.
However, other bus drivers told the
inquiry that on the night in question they
were using headlights at that time as it
was particularly gloomy and dark.
Lt Carter, who was moving up and
down the flanks of the column of cadets,
told the inquest that he saw the bus
coming and told the cadets to move into
the kerb as far as they could, assuming
the bus would move around them.
However, Samson told the inquest that
he did not see the cadets at all and was
only aware he had driven into something
when the bus started to wobble “as
though it had run over a lot of loose
stones or something”, although it was
also reported that he felt bumps and
heard the high-pitched screams of the
cadets.
At that point he braked, and his
conductress, Dorothy Dunster, called out
“What’s happened?”
Lt Carter, who was knocked over and
dazed but not injured, said the bus
continued about 50 yards before braking.
The inquest, held before the North-
East Kent Coroner, returned a verdict
of accidental death on the young cadets.
The coroner said that he believed that Lt
Carter and the other witness, George
Thomas Dixon, were probably mistaken
about the speed of the bus and accepted
the driver’s estimate of his speed. He did
not believe that either Carter or Samson
had been negligent in legal terms,
although Samson was charged with
dangerous driving. He was found guilty
at the Central Criminal Court in London,
but with a recommendation of leniency
from the jury. The judge banned him
from driving for three years and fined him
£20.
The parents of the boys who died
received a total of £10,000
compensation from the bus company,
which accepted liability under
the tort of negligence.
Changes in rules
The biggest impact of this incident was
for councils and authorities to upgrade
street lighting. It was largely agreed after
the inquest that the luminosity of street
lighting was poor in many places, and
over the next few years many councils
moved to upgrade the lighting used.
The tragedy also gave impetus to the
calls for all drivers to show full headlights
at night. Unbelievably, in 1951 it was
not a legal requirement to show lights,
and ‘experts’ even believed doing so was
a distraction to other drivers, if street
lighting was present. Showing full
headlights could, they claimed, dazzle
other drivers where street lighting was in
use, and driving with side lights only was
recommended.
It was not made compulsory to show
headlights after dark in Britain until the
1970s.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport
recommended that all UK buses should
be fitted with a single kerb spot light.
But perhaps the biggest change was a
push for a greater emphasis on training
and testing for drivers of larger vehicles.
Until 1951 the system was very loose:
the Road Traffic Act 1930 introduced a
licensing system for public service
vehicle (PSV) drivers, who could be
required to take a test, but it was at the
discretion of Traffic Commissioners.
Licences for lorry drivers were
introduced on 16th February 1934
Barbara Castle: The non-driver who
saved thousands of drivers’ lives
A plaque remembers the tragedy, which
is also marked every year on the Sunday
closest to the event when the Chatham
Royal Marines Cadets (as the successor
to Chatham Division RMVCC) holds a
memorial parade at the cemetery in
which the cadets were laid to rest.
under the Road Traffic Act, 1934, which
could require, but didn’t always, the
applicant to submit to a practical test of
their ability.
With the onset of the Second World
War all testing was cancelled and driving
licences were granted to anyone who
wanted on: it was considered expedient
to do so, for the war effort. That mean
that post-1945, many drivers of LGVs
and buses had had no formal training or
testing at all, but were relying solely on
accrued rights to drive – so called
‘grandfather rights’.
The Chatham Bus Disaster was one of
a number of issues that pushed those
concerned about road safety standards to
demand change. It took a while coming,
but in 1967 The Road Safety Act paved
the way for the first comprehensive set of
regulations covering the licensing and
testing of HGV drivers. It was overseen
by that doyen of transport secretaries of
state, Barbara Castle.
Despite being a non-driver herself,
Castle brought in some of the most
far-reaching regulations governing our
roads, many of which have stood the test
of time, including the aforementioned
Road Traffic Act. She was also
responsible for the the mandatory fitting
of seat belts to new cars, the use of
breathalysers to combat drink-driving,
the national speed limit (70 mph), and
vocalised plans to introduce a London
congestion charge after concerns were
raised over air quality in the capital
caused by traffic fumes.
In one of her more memorable
speeches she chided those who said car
and van drivers could be trusted to drive
safely without regulation, training or
testing: “We need a change in culture
about our roads. Hitler did not manage to
kill as many civilians in Britain as have
been killed on our roads since the war”.
The statistics bore her out; between
1945 and the mid-1960s approximately
150,000 people were killed and several
million injured on Britain’s roads.
Let’s hope that we’re not returning to a
culture where training and testing are
concerned a bad thing.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
27

Special feature
During the pandemic, with driving lessons paused by lockdowns, many ADIs found themselves
at a loose end and were looking for things to keep them occupied. MSA GB Scotland member
Liam Baird took the chance to not only keep himself busy but contribute to the national fight
against Covid-19, by taking up a sort-term contract at his local hospital. Here is his view on what
life was like in his ‘other’ job, which swapped driving miles for walking miles
‘Well, it feels like I’ve
walked 500 miles...’
On 6 April 2020, two weeks after the
start of the national lockdown, I started
working in my local hospital, University
Hospital Wishaw General as a porter.
Well, driving lessons were out of the
question!
This wasn’t a totally alien environment
to me as I had worked in a hospital
before – indeed, in the hospital which
was there before this new one was built
– so I was accustomed to the
surroundings and looking forward to
starting.
Not everyone was impressed, mind:
One of my friends asked, when I said
that I was going to start at the hospital,
are you mad!
When I started my shifts I quickly
realised how different working in a
hospital is to being an ADI. For a start, I
had forgotten that I would need to do a
lot of walking and boy did I; those first
couple of weeks my feet were in pure
agony every day. I was used to driving
miles – I wasn’t used to having to walk
them! I wouldn’t mind but I’m not totally
unfit; I do martial arts and go to the gym
regularly, but I wasn’t prepared for being
on my feet for eight hours a day and
walking miles around the corridors. I’ve
got to admit that for those first few
weeks my whole body was aching.
One of the great things about working
in a hospital is the camaraderie. People
working there made me feel really
welcome and I had forgotten what it felt
like to work in a team rather then being
on your own all day: it felt really good.
One thing that was interesting was
comparing my experience to the time
previously when I worked in the old
hospital, and seeing the differences. Was
working in the new hospital going to be
different from working in the old one?
Back then there was a genuine sense of
being part of a team. There was a
hierarchy – you know, doctor, nurses,
physios, radiographers, ancillary staff,
etc, on one side, and the porters,
cleaners, maintenance stores and clerical
staff on other. There was a bit of a
them-and-us mentality but there was
also a feeling that we were working
together as well. When I talked to
members of staff who had worked at the
old hospital they all said it was better
then; “we could all have a laugh and it
seemed like we had time to talk to each
other and the public”, was a common
refrain.
While the team ethic is still there, it
feels a lot tighter than before.
To give you some idea of the respect
shown to each, a few weeks into my new
role pushing a trolley along the corridors,
I noticed some members of staff coming
towards me. In the group were a couple
of administrators, consultants and a
senior nurse, so I stopped and pulled my
trolley to the side to let them pass. One
of the consultants looked at me and
stopped himself, moving to the side and
indicated that I should continue my
journey. I promptly replied that I was just
a porter and that they were more
important than me so should have ‘right
of way’, but he immediately said, “no,
you are as important a member of our
team as anyone of us, you’re not just a
porter.” I thanked him and promptly
28
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
moved on.
A couple of days later the same
consultant spotted me again and
stopped to have a chat. He asked me
why I had decide to come work in the
hospital. I told him it was mainly due to
not being able to do my own job as an
ADI; the other reason, I joked, was to
save me from becoming single, as I
wouldn’t be able to sit still in the house
and I would probably wanting to start
doing stuff to it, much to my other half’s
annoyance.
He laughed then thanked me for
coming to help the team. His words.
He also asked if I was scared of the
pandemic. I admitted I was but I had
worked in the old hospital and I knew
that I would be safe here. He too was a
veteran of the old hospital and we
reminisced about the old times.
Every time I see him on the corridors
to this day he always says hello and has
time for a quick chat.
As I said, I started only two weeks in
to the start of lockdown, and I noticed
that the staff were always in a hurry to
get on with their jobs. They never had
time to take things easy – they still don’t
– they were always rushing around
trying to do their jobs. You could see the
stress and strain that the staff were
going through, and after time it was
really starting to show.
Looking back, it’s interesting to
compare life as a hospital porter with
being an ADI. When I started at the
hospital I was able to just get up, go to
work, do my eight-hour shift, come
home and just get on with whatever I
wanted to do.
As an ADI your work day doesn’t end
once you got home; I had things to do
before I could relax. I had to do the
day’s accounts, check that the money I
had taken tallied up, then adding it to
the week’s, then month’s and year’s
takings. Then check my notes on each
client, write up a report on that day’s
lessons then check my diary to see who
‘‘
The staff were always in a
hurry, never having time to
take things easy. You could see
the stress and strain the staff
were going through... after time
it was really starting to show...
‘‘
University
Hospital
Wishaw
General
I had the next day. After that it was look
at the report on their previous lesson
and see what the lesson plan was for
this week’s lesson, and make some
notes for tomorrow. All that would
normally take me about an hour or so to
do, and it was only after that that I
could sit down and relax and catch up
with my partner’s day.
I hope you don’t think I’m bitter about
being an instructor, I’m not, I love doing
the job. I love the fact that I am helping
people to develop into drivers. I enjoy
watching clients on the day of their test
and when they pass, the feeling you get
watching them with their pass certificate
and the realisation that they can now go
driving on their own, how it helps to
change their lives and give them the
freedom and independence they want,
it’s amazing.
My job at the hospital finished on
20th August; it was only a short-term
contract. When I left the job I felt as if I
was abandoning my work colleagues,
and I felt like the job wasn’t over yet as
the virus was still prominent and there
were rumours of more lockdowns.
Of course, the return of lockdowns did
happen, and I was asked to go back to
work at the hospital again in the
November. I am still there; I feel lucky
that I am doing two jobs that help
people, one helping them gain their
driving licence, the other in helping
people to get better.
Older drivers
in focus on
ADI course
Road Safety GB Academy has
launched two new online training
courses relating to older road users
– one for ADIs and the other for RSOs.
The Ageing Driver (ADI Training
Course)
The Ageing Driver is intended for
ADIs and PDIs who have limited
experience of older drivers and want to
learn how to better support them.
The challenges faced by older
drivers are complex, with few
instructors receiving advice on these
issues as part of their ADI training.
In 2019 Road Safety GB was
awarded funding to develop and
evaluate a training course for ADIs and
PDIs. The Ageing Driver course is now
recognised under the DVSA’s
accreditation scheme.
Topics covered in the course include
the type of collisions experienced by
older drivers, eyesight, hazard
perceptions skills, diabetes and
preparing for retirement from driving.
Many local authorities deliver an
older driver support scheme but often
struggle to recruit ADIs with the
specialist knowledge to support older
drivers. To address this, ADIs who
complete this course can have their
contact details added to a list that is
available to local government road
safety officers.
The course is delivered online, as 2
x 3-hour facilitator-led sessions, from
6pm-9pm. As well as the two
facilitated sessions, participants are
required to complete two e-learning
modules. The course will be held for
the first time on 14 & 21 November,
from 6pm-9pm. It costs £79 plus VAT.
Click here for more information,
and to book
A second course is an Introduction
to the needs of Older Road Users (for
Road Safety Practitioners), and
introduces medical conditions and
societal challenges faced by older
drivers. The one-day online course is
scheduled to run for the first time on
23 November and the cost is £145
plus VAT. Click here for details.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
29

Driving overseas
Why are we in such a hurry?
It’s all Greek to me
Janet Stewart
MSA GB Greater London
I have just returned from a brief holiday
in Crete and thought I would write a little
about the driving over there.
In one word, it is slow. They seem to
have the Spanish idea of ‘mañana’ but
without the same degree of urgency; it all
pleased me greatly.
There are quite a lot of pedestrian
crossings in the towns but they are
completely ignored. If you want to cross
the road you simply start to walk and the
motorist will stop and smile at you.
Admittedly, in the small and twisty
streets of Agios Nikolaos there is not
much opportunity for driving fast but
no-one seems to want to.
Out of town, the roads are good and
fairly free from traffic but still everyone
drove at a leisurely pace. There were no
speed bumps, no chicanes and no other
sort of traffic calming measures. So, why
do we have them? Because we Brits are
always in such a goddam hurry. Making
up that extra few seconds seems to drive
us (pardon the pun) to keep on pushing to
get that little bit of advantage, despite all
the evidence points to this not being
worthwhile. One would have to drive a
long way for a five mph increase in speed
to be of any real benefit. So I am forced to
conclude that it is a cultural phenomenon,
which means we can change it. When I
say “we” I do not mean driving instructors
because, as we all know, we can make
only the smallest dent into the mindsets
of pupils who spend so short a time with
us. However, that does not mean that we
should not try.
I talk to my pupils about speeding,
drink-driving, using a mobile phone, etc,
and discuss the New Driver’s Act and
possible consequences of breaking the
rules. They nearly all believe that they
are invincible and invulnerable. This is
the “optimism bias” which nearly all of
us have – but young people more than
older people. I try to talk to them about
the possible further consequences of
An interesting observation
Above is a Cretan driving school, with
the owner stood outside. You’ll note
the big red L, to indicate it is a driving
school. Yet what’s Greek for learner?
My keyboard won’t allow me to
translate the letters accurately but it
roughly translates as Mathitís.
So why not a big M on the back of
Greek ADI cars?
breaking the rules of the road, such as
losing their licence and as a result
potentially losing their job, that their
insurance will go up, they might crash
and damage property or even, Heaven
forbid – kill someone. I feel like
Cassandra – I am never believed.
Several years ago now I developed a
lesson plan which I call “Speed, Surprise
and Space”. The main question in this
lesson is “At the speed you are travelling,
would you be able to stop in the space
that you have available?”
What I discuss is that it is rare on our
roads that people are travelling at a
sensible speed with plenty of road space
and nothing unexpected happens. In my
judgement, most people are driving with
two out of these three elements in their
favour; for example, nothing surprising
happens but they are going too fast,
though there is space to swerve into if
something goes wrong. In this case it
takes three to tango. I go through all the
possible permutations of these three
elements and then go on to point out
how many people are driving with only
one of the three in their favour – ie, they
are going too fast and there’s not much
room for manoeuvre, but no surprise
element is at play: no child has run out
in front of you, no car has unexpectedly
reversed off a driveway. But what if it
does...?
Going back to the “optimism bias”, up
to a point we all need it. If we got up
each morning thinking that this is the
day we might crash, all the lights will be
red and we will be late for every lesson,
then we would be miserable indeed.
Who remembers Marvin the paranoid
android? We don’t want to end up like
him. Hence, we do risk assessments and
work on the balance of probabilities.
However, if we all drove as if we were
in Crete, life would be much more
comfortable. We might frequently arrive
late but, it being Crete, no-one would
care.
30
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Drivers still clueless over
Highway code update
More than three-fifths of UK motorists
have not read updates to the Highway
Code, a survey by the AA has found.
The motoring group’s survey of
13,327 members suggested 8,090 (61
per cent) drivers had not read changes
made in January.
Some 6,972 motorists had heard
about the new rules but had not read
them yet, while 1,118 drivers were
completely unaware of the changes.
The main thrust of the new rules is to
give pedestrians, cyclists and horse
riders greater priorities on the road.
For instance, vehicles have been told
to give at least 1.5m (4ft 11in) space
when overtaking cyclists, and 2m (6ft
7in) for horses, and now must give way
to pedestrians crossing at road junctions,
and are not allowed to cut across
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
vulnerable users when exiting a junction.
The Highway Code also now advises
cyclists to ride in the centre of lanes on
quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic
and when approaching junctions.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA
Accident Assist, said the group was
“concerned that so many still haven’t
read the rules”.
He said: “While we are pleased that
many of the changes can be successfully
recalled, we’d like more drivers to know
the rules outright so they can keep
themselves and others safe.
“It is in everyone’s interest to take
every measure that helps avoid collisions
and remove confusion from the road, so
we urge those that still haven’t read the
updated code to do so as soon as
possible.”
Borders’ 20mph limit wins
leading road safety award
Scottish Borders Council has picked up a
leading road safety award for the
creation of a 20mph default limit across
the Scottish Borders region.
It won the annual Chartered Institution
of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)
Road Safety Awards after initially
beginning as a trial project in 2021.
The council made 20mph the default
speed limit across towns and villages in
the region, following a year-long trial.
The 20mph limit was initially
introduced to more than 90 settlements
in a bid to encourage more walking and
cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was run in conjunction with
Transport Scotland and Sustrans and
with input from academics from
Edinburgh Napier University, who
carried out an independent
evaluation from 125 survey
sites over 97 towns and
villages.
They found vehicle speeds
had reduced in almost all
locations, in some instances
by 6mph, with an average
reduction closer to 3mph.
Other awards saw a research project,
part-funded by Road Safety GB, which
sets out to establish the best way to use
pre-driver theatre and workshop
education to enhance young and novice
driver safety, highly commended by the
awards’ judges.
The Pre-driver Theatre & Workshop
Education Research (PdTWER) project is
headed up by Elizabeth Box, research
director at the RAC Foundation and
doctoral researcher at Cranfield University.
The aim of the study is to evaluate
whether the content and format of theatre
and workshop interventions can help
pre-drivers develop effective strategies for
coping with road related risk and have an
impact on future collision involvement.
Speaking after the ceremony, Neil
Johnstone, CIHT president, said: “These
awards demonstrate real evidence of
how, through hard work and
dedication, the transport sector
is delivering professional
standards and best in class
solutions.”
He added: “The last few
years have seen
transportation professionals
react positively to the challenges
of the pandemic and embraced
change and innovation to continue to
look to solve the challenges we all face
today.”
New transport
secretary urged
to get UK back
on track as road
safety leader
Anne-Marie Trevelyan is being urged to
take the “strong, immediate action”
needed to get the UK back on track as
a world leader for road safety.
Ms Trevelyan was
handed the role
by Liz Truss as
part of the new
PM’s first
cabinet since
taking office.
She joins the
DfT following a
decade in which the number of
road deaths has remained close to the
1,700 mark each year, apart from the
exceptional years of the pandemic.
While welcomg Ms Trevelyan’s
appointment, IAM RoadSmart CEO
Antony Kildare, said following a
“decade of stagnation”, expectations
were high that “real progress could be
made this year”.
However, he warns the absence of
“important decisions” by the previous
government has created a “vacuum in
road safety leadership and strategy”.
Mr Kildare said: “The UK is waiting
for new legislation on road safety, and
we believe that Ms Trevelyan needs to
bring forward these announcements to
give clarity on our road safety future.”
These focus on a number of areas,
such as older drivers, driving for work
and e-scooters.
On the latter, Mr Kildare said:
“While we welcome innovation,
transport changes and trends are
happening faster than the network is
developing to accommodate them.
“Mixing unregulated e-scooters with
pedestrians and motorised traffic is
potentially deadly and requires urgent
legislation to ensure the safety of all
road users.”
He is also calling on the new
transport minister to focus on selfdriving
technology and drug driving, as
well as creating a new motorcycle
strategy, and “have a vision for the
future of road safety.”
31

Area News
A case of mistaken identity, a concern
over what’s to come and M-way moves
John Lomas
Editor, MSA GB North West
We have all, no doubt, been affected by
the sudden loss of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II.
Some of our number will have personal
memories of meeting her. Personally I
only saw her once when driving past the
end of our road in Guildford on the way
to one of the civic events in the district.
Strangely, she may well have travelled
that road more often as her goddaughter
and her parents lived in the rectory at the
next village along that road.
‘Old’ car photos
I was just taking another look at the
photos Brian Thomson had in his article
in August and realised that he had misidentified
number 9. That was a “real”
Citroen DS, which is quite large
compared with the Diane which he
thought it was. It had the hydraulic
suspension which visibly raised the car
up from its resting position when the
engine was started. For an advertising
gimmick Citroen once filmed it being
driven with one rear wheel removed and
the suspension was so good it was able
to keep that wheel hub off the ground
He also asked what Pic 10 was. After
a bit of research I reckon it was a Nissan
Pao, (988cc engine) a Japanese home
market vehicle brought into GB as a grey
import in 2007.
I actually manged to get my old tank
into the vehicle show lines at a local
village show during August.
Do turkeys sometimes vote for Christmas?
Many years ago, a Chief Driving
Examiner said that existing, long serving,
driving instructors would protest if they
were asked to fully requalify when the
Part 1 qualification exams were changed
to include the Hazard
Perception tests and the
multiple choice questions.
Existing ADIs had been tested
only with a proper exam paper
including short answers and
essay answers as well as just
identifying signs etc.
He used the phrase “Well,
you can’t expect Tukeys to
vote for Christmas” about us!
Well, I have a strange
feeling that a relatively small
flock of turkeys have just voted
for Christmas for everyone, a Christmas
which may well leave us all trussed and
stuffed.
The pause in political life over summer
meant there was a period when the
Department for Transport was very quiet.
We now have a new woman in charge:
the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP.
She has an interesting back story; she is
in support of fracking and wrote a series
of tweets in which she denied global
warming was taking place, including
stating “[there is] clear evidence that
the ice caps aren’t melting after all” and
“global warming isn’t actually
happening”.
The Minister responsible for DVSA has
not been changed but, is it her views or
those of her boss which will prevail?
The classic
Citroen DS and
below, the micro
Nissan Pao, a
rare Japanese
import. I suppose
we should have
guessed what it
was from the
number plate!
Other changes afoot: it appears that
our new PM is against smart motorways
and she remove them.
However, there have been signs during
the Tory leadership campaign that what
is said one week doesn’t apply the next
week, so we shall have to wait and see.
(see page 23)
Editor’s note. MSA GB Newslink aims
to be apolitical. We deal with the
Government of the day to represent the
interests of our members.
From time to time, we may publish
the views of contributors to reflect some
of the opinions that exist among the
membership. The views expressed are
not necessarily those of MSA GB or the
management.
32
North West Area Event & AGM
Date: 14th November
Venue: Houldsworth Working Men’s Club,
35 Leamington Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 6BD
Time: 7pm-9pm
Cost: Free
Details: Our speakers will include Julie Ford DVSA Test Centre
Manager at Bredbury; and Mike Yeomans, MSA GB Deputy
Chairman. Admission is free, with refreshments on arrival.
Reserve your place at Geoff.at@btopenworld.com.
Discount on membership of the MSA GB if you join on the
night
• Thinking of coming along? Use it as part of your keep fit
regime. According to QI, sitting in a 15-minute meeting uses
more energy than Usain Bolt expends over three 100-metre
sprints....
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
One more to go... then it’s feet up time
Terry Pearce
MSA GB West Midlands
I have recently been using two main roads
where, because of roadworks, the speed
limits have been reduced from 60 and
50mph down to 30mph.
I have never seen any breakdown
vehicles waiting to rescue anyone who
has a mechanical problem, but when you
enter the road works there is a sign telling
you that in case of breakdown to phone
the displayed mobile number.
Do they really expect every motorist to
memorise the number just in case they
need it? I don’t think that’s likely, do you?
I get the idea that there is no one on
permanent standby so if you did
breakdown blocking the single lane
carriageway and managed to phone them,
I wonder how long it would take
breakdown service to arrive.
End of an era
I have just got one pupil left, with a
driving test at the start of November, and
then I am retiring, and I am thoroughly
looking forward to it.
One thing I certainly will not miss is the
Standards Check. My results over 32
years have varied on my many check
tests/standards checks from between
grades 4, 5 and 6 and now, on my only
standards check, to a B.
I consider that I was taught to instruct
to a very high standard by an extremely
capable instructor, and I have always
taught the same in every one of my
previous check tests/standards checks I
have taken. So what puzzles me is why,
when my method of teaching on every
occasion was the same, the results are
different?
We all have off days, so is it fair that
our professional standing can be recorded
for the next two or more years on just one
hour’s contact?
Keeping the council on its toes
Over the years I have been a constant
thorn in the side of my local council. One
question I have never got an answer to is,
if I report a road sign or marking that is
faulty, how long should it be before it is
corrected?
I will be sending a list of outstanding
faults with that question again in the next
few days and who knows, I might get an
answer, but I will not hold my breath as
some signs have been faulty for over a
decade!
Pictured left this is one of my favourite
faulty signs. The picture is dated 2003,
after the home for elderly residents that it
was needed for was closed.
It is still there and over the years, it has
been graffitied and overgrown, but the
council keep it maintained, cut the trees
back and clean it.
Finally, see page 11 for details of our
Area Meeting, on Monday, 21 November.
It’s being held by Zoom, and we’ll be
joined by Peter Harvey and Mike
Yeomans. I hope to see you there.
CONTACT
To comment on this article, or provide
updates from your area, contact
Terry at terry@terrypearce.co.uk
Faithful NW committee man
Peter Barnes passes away
Many members in the North West, and
further afield, will be saddened to hear
that Peter Barnes has passed away, on
Sunday 18th September, writes John
Lomas.
Peter was a long standing committee
member for MSA GB North West, for
20 years+. He never sought one of the
officers’ posts but you could guarantee
that he would be there for both
committee meetings and members’
events, to which he always seemed to
bring along a contingent of Liverpool
instructors.
He often took the photos of events
that were subsequently published in
Newslink, so we’ve very few photos of
him, but we’ve managed to grab a shot
of him. Typically he was lurking at the
back of the room, supporting the MSA
GB event but not looking to take any of
the spotlight.
Peter was the sort of hard working,
in the background, committee member
who could be depended on to back up
the officers. He would always turn up
to events with a table full of raffle
prizes, which we always raffled off for
which ever charity was that particular
meeting’s beneficiary.
He also never worried about taking
on the DVSA, which did not endear
him to some in authority but made him
popular with his peers.
A good bloke, the kind whom
associations like MSA GB depend
upon.
Rest in peace, Peter.
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
33

Area News
IAM has taken me on an
incredible journey
Mike Yeomans
MSA GB North East
I recently completed an IAM RoadSmart
advanced driving test.
Nothing remarkable about that, you
might think. As an ADI it should be
simple, but I was pleasantly surprised at
the journey it took me to be sufficiently
competent to pass.
RoadSmart is the perfect addition to
any ADI’s list of must-have qualifications
and I now think, after the mentoring and
training I received, it is an essential
addition after passing the L-test.
There are other advanced tests on the
market. Some are simply the DVSA test
for licence acquisition with fewer faults,
some are heavily involved in Roadcraft at
a high level and are perfect for employers
whose drivers encounter extreme high
risk in their everyday journeys.
To understand what RoadSmart is
about, look at Roadcraft – the driving
handbook for police drivers – and read
the references pertaining to IPSGA
(Information-Position-Speed-Gear-
Acceleration). Take those references and
create a brilliant course, and you have
the IAM RoadSmart advanced test.
My journey started by meeting my
observer in a car park. We exchanged
pleasantries, and immediately I was put
at ease. We chatted for a while about my
experience, and then my eyesight and
health to drive were checked.
I talked a little about my car and we
discussed my expectations of the course.
If I am to be fully honest, over the years I
had lost enthusiasm for driving. Yes, I
train drivers both for the L-test and for
work, but my personal interest or
enjoyment is a low priority. I started the
Advanced Test because I wanted to know
more about it and what its benefits were.
After signing the IAM document
disclaimer and being fit to drive, we set
off on a 90-minute drive, though it like
only 40 minutes due to the engagement
by my observer, who made me feel very
welcome and relaxed. I must admit I
expected a lot of criticism, instead it was
encouragement with very little training
comments, it was a more subtle series of
encouragements and I felt I was out on a
drive with a friend.
Over the years I have been involved
with fleet work, I have helped shape
several diversionary schemes, yet no one
can ever say they know everything, nor
should they even suggest that. In that
first relaxed drive I found many aspects
of the training I already give and training
I have given in the past were confirmed.
To see my driving and knowledge from a
different perspective was enlightening.
My second drive involved a demo drive
from my observer. I found myself
dropping into work mode and mentally
marking the drive. To my observer’s
‘‘
Developing a commentary
drive allows you to talk
about what you see, what is
developing ahead and how to
read the road...
‘‘
‘‘
The main parts that
really resonated and have
improved my training include
approaches to roundabouts,
mainly observation
and timing
‘‘
credit there was very little I would have
to comment on, but it was beneficial we
had a debrief so we could check notes
and be on the same page for when we
went out next.
Over eight drives, (which due to work
commitments took me from April to
September to fit in), I was not in a rush,
and it gave me plenty of time to practice.
To be successful, whether a recently
passed driver or an experienced driver,
you must accept we can all improve,
leave any driving prejudices behind,
accept the person sat next to you has
your best interest at heart, be open to
suggestions and improvements.
Over the eight sessions I covered the
whole syllabus: Core driving skills,
POWDERY predrive checks, Cockpit
Drill, moving onto IPSGA, Bends/corners,
junctions, roundabouts, overtaking,
motorways, dual carriageways,
manoeuvring and Spoken Thoughts.
Developing a commentary drive, now
referred to as spoken thought, and what
a good expression that is, allows you to
talk about what you see, what is
developing ahead, what to anticipate and
how to read the road ahead.
For me, the main parts that really
resonated and have since improved my
34
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Know any ‘Jekyll and Drivers’?
own training, include approaches to
roundabouts, mainly observation and
timing, certain aspects of overtaking,
plus acceleration sense (which I still
need to work on).
I have since developed a better
method for spoken thought that suites
me, it has also benefited my students.
In fact, this development has made
many of my own business and personal
journeys much easier and seem shorter
in time than the time they take.
To fully understand that comment
you would have to appreciate I travel
around the country working, in addition
to local ADI work, and reducing
distraction and monotony on
motorways has been achieved through
thinking my spoken thought while
driving.
In summary what a journey it’s been,
I am so grateful to the IAM for the
opportunity to take part in the
advanced training/test, I really do enjoy
my driving now, which has rubbed off
on my clients and students. I feel they
are getting a better service from me.
I have since been out observing some
observer training; it is remarkable to
see the dedication these volunteer
observers give to help make the roads
safe. Any new driver should be
encouraged to take the course; look for
special offers that local groups are able
to give to help with the cost.
And finally, a comment made by a
national observer who I observed while
the driver was travelling along a country
road with many tight bends. “You can
see the limit points ahead and when
the road opens up, if you look ahead
and travel at a speed, you can stop to
the limit point, look for features such as
buildings and the rise and fall of the
road in the distance. Then it does not
matter how unfamiliar you are to the
road, you can travel it safely and
progressively.”
There was almost no need for the
advanced warning signs as the road
held its own advance warning if you
observed it correctly.
My gratitude to the team at my local
group, the ‘Hull and East Riding
Advance Motorists’ (HERAM), my
observer and mentor plus my examiner,
John.
Arthur Mynott
MSA GB Western
Hello again from deepest Somerset.
I’ll begin with an explanation about
the interview I gave to our local BBC
Radio Station a few weeks ago, which
was reported on in the September
iossue of Newslink.
I was approached by BBC Radio
Somerset to discuss the long driving
test waiting lists we are all
experiencing at the moment. I did
explain that these were my views and
not necessarily the views of the MSA
GB but that seems to have got omitted
when they done a write up about it,
and this did cause me a little bit of
bother!
As was stated in last month’s
Newslink, I said that the cost of the
driving test was way too low and
should be doubled. My reasoning
behind this was that if learners had to
pay in excess of £120 for a test then
they would be more likely to think
twice about going for an earlier date,
especially when their instructor says
they are not ready.
I gather, as our editor said, that it
even got a mention in the Telegraph.
Still, it all adds to the spice of life!
Changing the subject slightly, those
that know me well know that I enjoy a
round or two of golf every week. I
belong to a small group at our local
golf course called ‘Taunton Old Geezers
Golf Society’ (TOGGS) and obviously I
am the youngest one there! We play
every Tuesday and Thursday morning
and I reckon it helps with this job
because of the exercise you do by
doing all that walking.
Quite often the others in this group
ask about my job and have queries
related to things they may have come
across while driving their own car. I
answer them as best I can but also try
and get them to think about doing
some advanced driving. I am becoming
a tutor for our local advanced driving
group, Advanced Driving Association
Somerset (ADAS). We used to be part
of RoADAR (Rospa Advanced Drivers
and Riders) but things changed within
Rospa so we became an independent
group with our own ex-police
examiners and our own accreditation,
which is slightly higher than RoADAR.
I have done four advanced tests myself
over the years, passing each one with
a Gold.
Whenever I have asked any of them
to come along they, along with many
other drivers, become very defensive
about their own driving: typical replies
include “I’ve been driving for over 40
years and there is nothing wrong with
my driving” and “I’ve driven all over
this country with no problems
whatsoever”. I usually reply “have you
ever had any points on your licence,
ever had an accident where you may
have been at fault, ever had any close
shaves?”
I very often think that some drivers
are what I call ‘Jekyll and Drive’
drivers. Outside of the car they are
really nice, courteous, pleasant people
who would do anything for anyone but
once they get behind the steering
wheel their character changes
completely. Then its ‘get of my
backside’, ‘why did you pull out in
front of me’, ‘you can get a bus
through there’, ‘get a blxxdy move on’
and ‘it’s 30 not 20.’
I’m sure we all know people like
that, obviously not ourselves, of
course!!
I’ll finish now with a reminder that
our Area Conference and AGM is on
Monday, November 7th November at
The Hampton by Hilton Hotel, Exeter
Airport.
We have the Chief Executive of the
DVSA coming along with a few other
speakers.
All the details are on the Events
Page in this Newslink (10-11) and you
can book via https://msagb.com/
events/western-area-annual-event-agm/
Looking forward to seeing as many
as possible there.
CONTACT
To comment on this article or any
other issue in driver training and
testing, contact Arthur on chair.ow@
msagb.com or on 07989 852274
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
35

Q & A with... Russell Jones
Be confident and professional
and get those prices pushed up!
This month’s ADI in the
spotlight is East Midlands
member and editor Russell
Jones: how did the former
RAF man end up teaching
driving – and what hope does
he have for the DVSA?
When did you become an ADI, and
what made you enter the profession?
I became an ADI in early April 1992.
Why? I’d attended a parents’ evening at
my son’s school in (West) Germany, I
was there with the RAF for my third tour
of duty in the country.
I had the most truly fascinating job
available to my role, rank, and
experience. I was in clover (!) and
amazingly, for the third time, too, plus I
could have stayed longer, which was
very, very tempting.
However, the most important decision
was what to do about my son’s
education and his future. When the
teacher said, ‘’He’s doing quite well, but
is a bit casual, and could do better’’, it
was a very big moment in our family’s
life.
I made the decision not to stay in the
RAF for the rest of my working life,
realising that I would be giving up a huge
amount of, for example, free skiing every
year, free trekking expeditions to hot and
sunny places - as I was qualified to Lead
such expeditions I could choose where to
go, plan them, with the RAF paying the
bill. Such a wonderful life, but of course
all good things come to an end.
However, as our son is a now an
Airbus captain based in a tax-free
country and earning mega bucks which
has enabled him to become a millionaire
twice over (so far) through property
investments, I have to admit I don’t
regret my decision all those years ago.
What’s the best bit about the job?
Difficult to choose the best bit about
the job, which is so varied, with some of
the best ‘kind of people’ being
customers, which makes a great way to
spend a working day. Day after day.
And the worst?
Thankfully, my worst days are long,
long ago. That was when every ‘Tom,
Dick and Harry’ would ring up and buy
lessons. I had the smokers, and those
who did not seem too keen on hygiene.
Eventually I was able to filter those kind
out of my customer base, never to return.
I did a great deal of research into
working as a sole trader and discovered
that being an ADI could be a very
rewarding job, and lucrative too, if I ‘got
my act together’!
‘‘
The DVSA is broken and should
realise its limitations...bring in
outside resources from a few
northern European countries
which produce better drivers
and rebuild the agency...
‘‘
And to be blunt, I saw much that I
disliked about the ‘profession’ during my
research: scruffy ADIs huddled outside
local driving test centres while sharing
cigarettes with their learners, horrible
scenes, and driving examiners alighting
from cars on completion of conducting
tests to hastily light up a fag too before
re-entering their office.
Discovering the high turnover of ADIs
in various franchise companies, plus
those jumping ship to become driving
examiners, horrified me so much I
determined to never leave my sole trader
status.
I was going to do things my way, no
matter what happened.
Having done a training course in
‘working for oneself’, financed by the
RAF before leaving the service, I soon
found I was able to charge learners more
for an hour’s tuition than other local
ADIs, and it’s been the same for the past
three decades.
It is easily done, it really is, and I’m
shocked that others not so lucky don’t
realise they have to change their act.
36
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
‘‘
I couldn’t do without my ‘ADI
eye mirror’... it helps me read
the driver’s facial expressions
and should be mandatory for
all instructors, as it is in some
other countries
‘‘
What one piece of kit, other than your
car and phone, could you not do
without?
I couldn’t do without my ADI ‘eye
mirror’. It’s indispensable, enabling me to
read the driver’s facial expressions.
It should be mandatory for all ADIs to
have one fitted, as is the case in some
other countries.
What’s the best piece of training advice
you were ever given?
A senior RAF officer, at a farewell
formal function to those working under
his command, told guests “Respect the
aspirations of those working for you’’.
What needs fixing most urgently in
driving generally?
A minimum of 60-70 hours of training
for each learner before taking a test.
What should the DVSA focus on?
The DVSA is beyond broken and should
realise its limitations, admit the
unpalatable truth, bring in outside
resources from a few northern European
countries which produce better drivers
and rebuild the agency to what it should
be.
What’s the next big thing that’s going to
transform driver training/testing?
The next big thing that’s going to
transform driver training /testing is ....
‘Wave a magic wand and make a wish!’
There is no political desire to spend the
money to find a transformation, let alone
implement it.
Electric cars – yes or no? And why?
Not for me. Cost of electricity to charge
them is going to be painful, too painful in
my view.
Best to wait for hydrogen cars, which
may not be too far away.
One of my learner’s thinks ammonia
might be an option; he is a genuine
whizkid at science so he might just know
something we ADIs don’t yet know.
Who/what inspires you, drives you on?
The thought that any local/regional ADI
could get anywhere close to having a
higher hourly rate than me.
What keeps you awake at night?
In my previous career in the RAF the
thought of NATO’s early warning systems
failing and the Warsaw Pact rushing at
high speed across the borders could affect
my sleeping pattern, but nowadays,
nothing stops me having a good sleep.
No one is the finished article. What do
you do to keep on top of the game?
I’m constantly reading new material
about driver training from around the
world, (the internet is a great asset) and
picking items which I like to incorporate
into my lessons. Learners like my ‘foreign’
inputs. I’ll do anything which keeps me
different from all the other ADIs.
What’s the daftest /most dangerous thing
that’s ever happened to you while
teaching?
A male voice booming from a tanoy
across a petrol station forecourt when my
teenage driver was attempting to refuel
my car. ‘’She is not 16’’ the man shouted,
repeating it twice more.
I walked into the shop and the man
repeated it again.
My driver, though 17, did look about
15, as she was quite petite in stature. I
returned to my car and continued to
supervise her refuelling task, and close by
drivers gave her encouragement. She was
highly amused by the incident, though.
Most dangerous thing? Having had my
car ‘rear ended’ numerous times it would
have to be any one of those that involved
sustaining whiplash injuries.
If you had to pick one book/film/album
that inspires, entertains or moves you,
what would it be?
Difficult to choose, but if pushed I’d
look for a book which covered the
conflicts in the Middle East during the
past 200 years; any of the first dozen
James Bond films; and any album
featuring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
When or where are you happiest?
Happiest when setting off up various hills
in mid-Wales, with picnic in ruck sack to
be enjoyed at the top as I scan all below
with binoculars.
Queen’s funeral
leads to new
date for road
safety week
One of the road safety sector’s most
high-profile events has been
rearranged after its original launch
date clashed with Her Majesty the
late Queen’s funeral.
Project EDWARD 2022 was
scheduled to run from 19-25
September but will now take place
from 17-21 October.
Project EDWARD (Every Day
Without A Road Death) is described
as “the biggest platform for
showcasing good practice in road
safety in the UK”.
A message from the Project
EDWARD team said: “With the sad
news of the passing of Her Majesty
The Queen, the Project EDWARD
team, in conjunction with the
organisers of the various associated
events, have taken the decision to
postpone the planned Week of Action.
“It will now take place from 17-21
October 2022.Our thoughts are with
the Royal Family at this time.”
The week-long annual campaign is
backed by government, the
emergency services, highways
agencies, road safety organisations
(including Road Safety GB) and
businesses.
Project EDWARD promotes ‘an
evidence-led, safe system approach
– the long-term objective of which is
a road traffic system free from death
and serious injury’.
In the 2021 week of action the
campaign team covered more than
3,000 miles and reached almost 9
million twitter users, with more than
60 million messages promoting the
campaign’s ‘fit to drive’ theme.
The theme for Project EDWARD
2022 is ‘Changing minds, changing
behaviours’. We will publish details of
the revised programme as soon as we
receive them.
Click here for
event details
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022
37

Membership
Members’ discounts and benefits
MSA GB has organised a number of exclusive discounts and offers for members. More details can be found on our website at
www.msagb.com and click on the Member Discounts logo. To access these benefits, simply log in and click on the Member
discount logo, then click the link at the bottom of the page to allow you to obtain your special discounts.
Please note, non-members will be required to join the association first. Terms and conditions apply
Ford updates special offer
for MSA GB members
Some exciting news for members: Ford has partnered with
MSA GB to offer exclusive discounts on all car and
commercial Ford vehicles.
Take a look at the Ford website www.ford.co.uk for vehicle
and specification information.
For further information, to view frequently asked questions,
to request a quote and to access the member discount
codes, please go to the Members’ Benefits page on the MSA
GB website and follow the Ford link.
Please note these discounts are only available to MSA GB
members and their immediate family if they are members
who pay annually.
ACCOUNTANCY
MSA GB’s Recommended
Accountancy Service, FBTC
offers a specialist service for
driving instructors. It has been
established over 20 years ago and
covers the whole of the UK. The team takes
pride in providing unlimited advice and
support to ensure the completion of your tax
return is hassle free, giving you peace of mind.
MSA GB OFFER:: FBTC will prepare you for
Making Tax Digital and will be providing
HMRC compliant software to all clients very
soon. Join now to receive three months free.
ADVANCE DRIVING
AND RIDING
As the UK’s largest road
safety charity, IAM
RoadSmart is proud to
partner with the Motor
Schools Association GB.
Working together to promote
and enhance motorists skills on our
roads.
MSA GB OFFER:: Get 10% off Advanced
courses; visit www.iamroadsmart.com/
course and use the code MSA10 at the
checkout or call 0300 303 1134 to book.
CAR AIR FRESHENERS / CANDLES
Mandles’ handmade scented
collections use quality
ingredients to ensure superior
scent throw from all its candles
and diffusers. Check our our
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MSA GB OFFER:: Special discount
of 20% on all car air fresheners and refills.
CARD PAYMENTS
MSA GB and SumUp believe in
supporting motor vehicle
trainers of all shapes and sizes.
Together we are on a mission to
ease the operational workload of
our members by providing them
with the ability to take card payments
on-the-go or in their respective training
centres. SumUp readers are durable and
user-friendly. Their paperless onboarding is
quick and efficient. Moreover, their offer comes
with no monthly subscription, no contractual
agreement, no support fees, no hidden fees
– just the one-off cost for the reader coupled
with lowest on the market transaction fee.
CPD & TRAINING COURSES
As part of its new relationship
with MSA GB, Tri-Coaching is
delighted to offer a massive
20% discount across the board
on all our training products and
courses, exclusively to MSA GB
Members.
MSA GB OFFER: 20% off all Tri-Coaching
courses.
DISABILITY AIDS
Driving shouldn’t just be a privilege
for people without disabilities; it
should be accessible for all and
there’s never been an easier
time to make this the case! MSA
GB members can take advantage
of BAS’s Driving Instructor Packages which
include a range of adaptations at a discounted
price, suitable for teaching disabled learner
drivers.
MSA GB OFFER: Special Driving Instructor
Packages for MSA GB members.
To get the full story of
the discounts available,
see www.msagb.com
38 NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Membership offer
Welcome new ADIs
HEALTH / FINANCE COVER
The Motor Schools Association
of Great Britain has agreed
with HMCA to offer
discounted rates for medical
plans, dental plan, hospital
cash plans, personal accident
plan, travel plan, income protection and
vehicle breakdown products.
MSA GB OFFER: HMCA only offer medical
plans to membership groups and can offer
up to a 40% discount off the
underwriter’s standard rates. This is a
comprehensive plan which provides
generous cash benefits for surgery and
other charges.
PUPIL INSURANCE
Help your pupils private practice
by signing them up to
Collingwood’s instructor
affiliate programme.
MSA GB OFFER:: £50 for your
first referral and a chance to
win £100 of High Street
vouchers!
PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING
Confident Drivers has the only
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drivers offering eight different
psychological techniques
commonly used to reduce
stress and nerves.
MSA GB OFFER: One month free on a
monthly subscription plan using coupon code.
PUPIL SOURCING
Go Roadie provides students
when they need them, with
all the details you need
before you accept. Control
your own pricing, discounts
and set your availability to
suit you. Full diary? No cost!
MSA GB OFFER: Introductory offer of
50% off the first three students they
accept.
To get the full story of
the discounts available,
see www.msagb.com
We’ve a special introductory offer for you!
Congratulations on passing your
Part 3 and becoming an ADI.
There’s an exciting career
open to you from today.
It’s one that is alive with
possibilities as you build
your skills, your client
base and your income.
But for all the excitement,
it can also be a
challenging profession. Who
can you turn to if you’re
struggling to get over key driver
training issues to a pupil? Where can you
go to soak up advice from more
experienced ADIs? Who will help you if
you are caught up in a dispute with the
DVSA? If the worst happens, who can
you turn to for help, advice and to fight
your corner?
The answer is the Motor Schools
Association of Great Britain – MSA GB
for short.
We are the most senior association
representing driving instructors in Great
Britain. Establised in 1935 when the
first driving test was introduced, MSA GB
has been working tirelessly ever since on
behalf of ordinary rank and file ADIs.
We represent your interests and your
views in the corridors of power, holding
regular meetings with senior officials
from the DVSA and the Department for
Transport to make sure the ADIs’ voice is
heard.
SPECIAL OFFER
We’d like you to join us
We’re there to support you every
step of the way. Our officebased
staff are there, five
days a week, from 9am-
5.30pm, ready to answer
your call and help you in
any way.
In addition our network of
experienced office holders
and regional officers can offer
advice over the phone or by email.
But membership of the MSA GB doesn’t
just mean we’re there for you if you’re in
trouble. We also offer a nationwide
network of regular meetings, seminars
and training events, an Annual
Conference, and a chance to participate
in MSA GB affairs through our
democratic structure
In addition, you’ll get a free link to our
membership magazine Newslink every
month, with all the latest news, views,
comment and advice you’ll need to
become a successful driving instructor.
You’ll also automatically receive
professional indemnity insurance worth
up to £5m and £10m public liability
insurance free of charge.
This is essential legal protection covering
you against legal claims ariving from your
tuition.
Special offer for October, join for
£60 for the first year with your PI
& PL insurance included!
Join MSA GB today!
OCTOBER OFFER
Special offer for September, join for JUST £60 for
the first year with your PI & PL insurance included!
Call 01787 221020 quoting
discount code Newslink 09, or join
online at www.msagb.com
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Just for 12 months membership
NEWSLINK n OCTOBER 2022 39