Drivers using GPS navigation systems should be wary of the instructions given as a number of drivers have had some serious mishaps when relying on the devise as opposed to their common sense.

One motorist drove along 20ft of a railway line when his sat nav told him to take the next right, instructions should not be taken literally!

A school bus driver tapped Hampton Court - London into his sat nav and ended up down a narrow street in Islington as opposed to the grand Tudor palace in Richmond. The school children unfortunately missed out on their outing and the company had to reimburse the school.

Another coach driver made a huge blunder when he was taking a group of 50 workers on a Christmas shopping trip to France. The coach didn’t quite make it on time after they ended up in a village with the same name in Belgium. This shows that the driver was so oblivious to road signs and his common sense that he ended up 98 miles in the wrong direction.

Even more worryingly a footballer who broke his leg whilst playing in North Wales was left waiting for nearly half an hour for an ambulance when the paramedics sat nav sent them the wrong way.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “Don’t give up on the map just yet, drivers could all do with brushing up on their geography skills instead of becoming reliant on a piece of technology. I agree with many that sat nav’s are very useful and can allow us more freedom, but my advice is to let it guide you in the right direction but keep your wits about you and read road signs”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

The law at present allows an average built man to drink approximately 2 pints of beer and a woman a large glass of wine without exceeding the drink drive limit. The new proposed law will be half that making the legal limit 80mg of alcohol per 50mg of blood.

The tougher laws are thought to help reduce accidents and serious injury. It is not only the driver who puts themselves at risk when drink driving, but other road users and pedestrians as well.

This new limit could see the economy saving millions of pounds yearly in healthcare costs. However, some pubs especially country pubs could see their business drastically reduce.

While the new law could see more drivers being caught under the influence of alcohol, those who are over the new legal limit but below the old one will receive watered down penalties. Those who exceed the old limit will continue to face a 12 month ban.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “The new rules cannot be implemented until after the elections. However, once in place drivers should be aware that even one alcoholic drink could mean being pulled over by the police.”

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Safety measures at level crossings need to be largely improved however, this is largely due to motorists and pedestrians taking dangerous risks.

CCTV footage has captured pedestrians and drivers being narrowly missed by fast approaching trains.

12 people have died due to level crossing misuse or error this year alone, and the numbers have seen an increase every year since 2003.

Barriers, flashing lights and a warning sound seem to be insufficient. Pedestrians still jump the barrier and cars continue to stop on the tracks when queuing in traffic, surely common sense would tell you that the track needs to be kept clear at all times.

Network Rail is coming down heavy on anyone that breaks the rules. Fines up to £1000 are being handed out however, that is the lightest punishment, losing your life is a risk you take when you cross the paths of a train travelling up to 75mph. Railway companies are also pushing for the theory test to include level crossing safety.

There are a few key pieces of advice to remember when approaching and using a level crossing:

When pushing a wheelchair or pram across the track, keep the wheels at a right angle to the track so that the wheels don’t get stuck. Always carry bikes and skateboards across, don’t attempt to ride them.

Never queue on a level crossing, keep it clear at all times and then proceed with caution, checking in both directions.

Remember that it is illegal to climb over the barriers and walk across the track once the warning signs are in place.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “It is understandable when drivers rush to get across the level crossing before the barriers descend as they can be down for as long as 10 minutes at a time. However, what is 10 minutes compared to a life. Don’t run the risk!”

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Ian Jane an avid reader of Britannia’s website has provided some rather interesting information regarding driving licenses.

He is currently in possession of a driving certificate that was issued to a nurse in Finchley by the RAC in July 1916. It looks similar to the red folding card issued later by local councils.

The first drivers license of sorts was issued to a man called Karl Benz in 1988. Karl Benz was the inventor of the modern automobile. The license was acquired when local residents complained of the smell the vehicle was producing and he got written permission from the local authorities.

It wasn’t until 29th September 1905 that the first locality required mandatory driving licenses and testing. However, Britain did not make it compulsory for drivers to take a driving test until 1935, with this being suspended during World War Two.

 What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Landsdowne Venture Group (LGV), the parent company of “The Instructor College” and “Red Driving School” has gone into administration.

The company made a net profit of £3m in the year to October 4 2009, but in the 16 weeks to January 24 lost £2.5m.

LVG employs 400 people in total across three offices, but all the Red Driving School instructors are franchisees.

LVG’s 400-strong workforce includes 200 people at its head office, and 150 spread across two “operational support facilities” in Liverpool and in Bellingham near Middlesbrough. It makes most of its money from training driving instructors who pay fees of about £3,500.

Trainees who cannot afford to pay fees up-front often take out a loan to cover the cost of the course. “The Instructor College” used to offer loans through Barclays but the bank withdrew that facility after huge number of defaults by trainees unhappy with the training they received.

The company that was to become LVG began in 1992 when David little and Nick Buckingham founded Airport driving School in Croydon.

They expanded into instructor training then merged with accountancy FBTC, renaming the joint operation Landsdowne, now known as LVG.

In 2004 they launched the Red Driving School and acquired Letsdrive, after LetsDrive went into administration.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “The 400 operational staff, trainee instructors and the franchisees must be distraught at the news, not knowing what is going to happen to them next. Part of the problem is that in the two years from March 2007 to March 2009, the number of new applications for provisional licences fell 34 per cent. I’m happy to say that in the same period Britannia’s bookings have increased by 43 per cent.”

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Many accidents occur every year due to drivers not leaving enough distance between themselves and the vehicle in front.

Braking distance refers to the distance a vehicle will travel from the point the brakes are applied to when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Road conditions, speed and weather conditions can all affect the time it takes for your car to come to a complete stop. Many cars have ABS antilock brakes which helps decrease braking distances on most road surfaces in most weather conditions, it prevents tyres locking and the car skidding. However, in order to get the most out of antilock brakes, you must know how to use them.

The thinking time that it takes an individual to respond to a hazard is the same regardless of speed. If you were in a car travelling at 60mph it would take around 4.6 seconds for you to stop the car. Therefore a 3 second rule applies. Guidelines suggest that you leave at least a 3 second gap between you and the car in front and even more of a gap when the weather is bad.

It is recommended that you get your car serviced regularly to make sure that your car is in good working order, particularly the brakes.

It is also recommended that drivers take the occasional refresher lesson with a qualified driving instructor, to get the most of out their driving ability and to eradicate any bad habits they may have picked up. This of course is something that Britannia can provide.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(1)

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) fraud team have been presented an award for all their hard work. The dedicated team at the DSA have investigated many cases and arrested over 900 suspected criminals.

There are many individuals trying to make money by impersonating a pupil about to go up on test, which makes a complete mockery out of the driving test process.

Identity crime is fast becoming a huge problem in the U.K. and the DSA are working hard to make sure that people are not being passed, which allows them to drive on public roads without being vetted as a safe driver.

The team say they will continue to develop their methods and intelligence and work closely with the Home Office, DVLA and Police and Criminal Justice agencies to stop both the fraudsters and the dangerous drivers.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

A man was stunned when he discovered he had incurred a speeding ticket for his car which was parked outside his home in Nottingham.

The speeding camera located close by to his car has accidently picked up his license number when another vehicle has driven past at 37mph in a 30mph zone.

Mr Buck has now incurred two tickets on two different occasions.

He admitted that it was humorous the first time. To not even have the key in the ignition and receive a ticket is quite an achievement. However, it is slightly concerning that a speed camera is incapable of telling the difference between a stationary vehicle and one travelling at ridiculous speeds.

Unfortunately Mr Buck does not have any other option but to park on the road outside his house. He hopes that the police will examine the process involved in capturing the license plate of those speeding, but for now all he can do is pray that no one speeds past his house!

Comments(0)