April 30th, 2009 Administrator
The number of learner drivers taking their test without being able to speak English has increased by almost half in just three years, figures show.
Almost a quarter of a million foreign motorists required voiceovers to help them sit their theory tests last year – at the taxpayers’ expense.
Hundreds more have translators but have to pay for them themselves.
The figures sparked fresh concerns over road safety with drivers not being able to even read road signs while a group of MPs and peers warned it was a further sign of the impact on society from immigration.
Labour MP Frank Field co-chairman of the cross party group on Balanced Migration, who received the figures, said: “These figures show not just the pressure on our roads, but also on our society. In just five years, additional language assistance was provided in 863,783 theory tests for people who needed help in understanding simple English.”
Statistics from the Department for Transport showed some 211,53 people had a voiceover provided when taking their driving theory test in 2007/08.
Around half were in a foreign language while the other half were in English because the learner could understand spoken English but not written.
The total was up 43 per cent on the 147,756 who were provided with a voiceover in 2004/05.
Similarly, the number of learners needing a translator increased from 805 to 996 over the same period.
Tory MP Nicholas Soames, the other co-chairman of the cross party group added: “If uncontrolled immigration continues at this pace, how can we hope to integrate newcomers into our society?”
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “This is seriously concerning, both in financial terms and when it comes to road safety.
“There is no way the taxpayer should have to pick up the bill for driving tests to be provided in foreign languages and a lot of people will be uncomfortable with the idea someone could qualify to drive even if they cannot read English road signs.
“Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see the problems this throws up.”
Figures last year showed accident on British roads involving Eastern European drivers increased eight fold in just six years.
Cars registered in countries like Poland were in 7,266 crashes in 2007 – up from 933 in 2001.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “The practical and theory tests provide a comprehensive assessment of whether someone is safe to drive. The detailed questions in the test can be translated into other languages to ensure everyone is tested fairly but all candidates are required to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and skill to pass the test.”
:: A revised list of jobs available to migrant workers without having to be advertised here first will be published today.
The Migration Advisory Committee has reviewed it’s so-called “shortage occupation” list – jobs that cannot be filled by workers here – in light of the economic downturn.
The Home Office signalled earlier this year that it wanted to reduce the number of work permits being issued to foreign workers as unemployment among Britons increases.
From : Telegraph website
Txt-Drive driving instructor Chris Deverell has taught many pupils, for who English is a second language, to drive. These include a large number of German students who board at Bedford School.
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April 30th, 2009 Administrator
Learner drivers are turning to family and friends for lessons in a bid to save cash, a survey has revealed.
According to car insurance firm Swinton, the average number of professional lessons per driver fell from 43 in the first three months of 2008 to 32 in the same period this year.
Drivers who passed their test in March, had an average of 41 hours of paid-for tuition compared with 63 hours of teaching from relatives or friends, the survey found.
Eight out of 10 of the drivers questioned said that cutting costs was the reason why they had chosen “home tuition”.
The survey showed that fathers were the most popular budget instructors (64%), with mothers second (23%), and aunts and uncles third (17%).
Steve Chelton, development manager at Swinton, said that approved driving instructors go though a number of tests to ensure they are equipped with the skills needed to teach safely.
He recommended that all learners taken professional lessons and only practise with friends or family when the instructor says they are ready.
“Following the Driving Standards Agency’s recent reform of the learner driver training and testing process, it is now more important than ever to take lessons from a fully-qualified instructor,” he added.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
From : RAC website
In view of the current economic situation Txt-Drive has recently REDUCED the price of driving lessons in Bedford. This means that learners are now able to buy cheap driving lessons from a Bedford driving school.
With the price of car insurance increasing, the cost of fuel rising & most importantly the time required to take a son or daughter for driving lessons is it REALLY cost effective & saving you money?? When you will take your son or daughter out to practise? After a long day at work – will you be tired or stressed? If so is this best for your son or daughter? Will you take your son or daughter on suitable roads? Do you have any bad habbits that could be passed on to you son or daughter when you take them out to practise in the car?
People will often look at ways to cut costs when learning to drive -especially now with the ‘credit crunch’ effect. Is scrimping a few pounds on driving lessons the answer?? What other skill are you likely to use for nearly the rest of your life?
Txt-Drive has the answer with cheap driving lessons in Bedford. With prices from just £19 per hour + a FREE one hour lesson – it’s the perfect time to call!! The Txt-Drive FIRST TIME PASS RATE in 2009 is just below 90% (the national average is 43% overall pass rate – LOWER for first time pass rate!).
FREEPHONE : 0800 8600 983 or Text DRIVE to 80039.
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April 27th, 2009 Administrator
Government begins consultation in attempt to reduce number of fatalities from 3,000 a year.
The government is planning to introduce measures such as reduced speed limits and a tougher driving test to improve traffic safety and reduce road deaths.
A consultation document, being published today, will seek views on the government’s road casualty reduction targets; the aim is to cut deaths by up to a third from the current annual level of 3,000 over the next 10 years.
The proposals include allowing local authorities in England and Wales greater powers over deciding speed limits, which could see a 20mph limit introduced more widely in many urban areas, especially around schools.
Road safety researchers say people hit at 20mph have a much better chance of survival than those struck at 30mph. Only one in 40 die at 20mph, compared with one in five at 30mph.
Robert Gifford, of the parliamentary advisory council for transport safety, said: “The 20mph zones are proven to save lives and that is especially important when thinking about children and the elderly.”
Overnight speculation suggested the government’s plans also include:
• Increasing fines and fixed penalties for traffic offences such as driving without wearing a seat belt..
• Increased police powers to stop vehicles without suspecting an offence.
• Limit motorists’ rights to contest some charges.
There are also plans to update the driving test to include asking candidates to find a given destination using road signs.
Steve Garrod, the chief examiner for the Driving Instructors Association, said the proportion of people passing the test could be expected to fall from its current level of more than 40% following the introduction of the changes.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The main point of some of the new initiatives is to test people on how they will be driving once they have passed the test. I would imagine that the pass rate initially will drop.”
But Garrod said the goal of improved safety might be better served by changing the process of learning to drive, rather than making the test harder.
“You could argue that a lot of emphasis is being put on the driving test, rather than the learning that goes into learning to drive,” he said. “Maybe if we looked at a more modular system, where people have to complete various modules, such as driving on rural roads or motorways, then when they come to the test that is the final sign-off by somebody independent.
“If you focus purely on the test, people may pass a harder driving test but it doesn’t mean to say they will be any safer.”
From : Guardian website
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April 21st, 2009 Administrator
Bedford driving school Txt-Drive launched the new LOWER pricing structure for April 2009.
In the current economic climate it means fantastic value for money for ALL those learning to drive in Bedford. The new CHEAPER prices in Bedford mean that pupils can have driving lessons for £19 per hour (based on block booked, student rates) & save upto £120 on the equivalent in one hour lessons!!
Txt-Drive has reduced the price of 2 hour driving lessons in Bedford. The standard rate & student rate have been discouted in Bedford!
With Summer just around the corner plus Txt-Drive’s 1st time pass rate in 2009 at 88% and driving lessons from £19 per hour, what a time to start learning to drive!
Txt-Drive driving lessons in Bedford are in a new 2008 BMW Mini, fitted with dual controls, air conditioning, fully adjustable seats….
Book your Bedford driving lessons NOW!! Call FREEPHONE : 0800 8600 983 or Text DRIVE to 80039.
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April 21st, 2009 Administrator
Speed cameras could be installed in residential areas to enforce a new limit of 20mph.
The limit on A-roads could also be lowered and random breath testing introduced under Government plans to reduce road deaths by a third.
Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick is launching a consultation on a 10-year safety strategy.
The default speed limit on rural single carriageways is likely to be reduced from 60mph to 50mph unless councils can provide a “good reason” why the higher limit should remain.
It would also be easier for local authorities to lower speed limits on all residential roads to 20mph.
Road safety researchers say people hit at 20mph have a much better chance of survival than those struck at 30mph.
One in 40 dies at 20mph, compared with one in five at 30mph.
Robert Gifford, of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: “The 20mph zones are proven to save lives and that is especially important when thinking about children and the elderly.”
Other initiatives could see cameras that detect average speed, covering all exit and entry points to residential areas, installed.
And harsher penalties for driving over the limit and failing to wear a seatbelt may be introduced.
Police would also no longer need to suspect that an offence has been committed in order to stop and breath-test a driver.
There are similarly plans to make the driving test tougher, requiring candidates to complete a year-long course before taking the test.
From : Sky News (Yahoo!)
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