July 29th, 2010 Administrator
Learner drivers could fail their driving test if they pose a threat to the planet, under proposals being draw up by the European Commission.
Braking suddenly, revving the engine or wasting fuel by being too heavy on the accelerator pedal could prove costly.
This is because Brussels wants to include “eco-driving” – cutting carbon emissions at the wheel – in the practical driving test.
The plans, which could consign “boy racer” drivers to history, were unveiled earlier this week by Siim Kallas, the EU’s Transport Commissioner as part of a comprehensive road safety strategy for the next decade.
It would be achieved by widening the current EU Driving Licence Directive, which is binding on all member states.
In Britain “eco-driving” has been included in the written test since September 2008.
But making it part of the practical examination would mean that learner drivers would not only have to be safe drivers but also “clean” ones as well.
“This is absolutely ridiculous,” said Claire Armstrong of the motoring group, Safe Speed.
“How is driving in an environmentally unfriendly manner posing a danger to other road users.
“In any case people want to drive in an economical manner, because keeping a car on the road is so expensive.”
Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety, also voiced some misgivings.
“My concern that somebody could be mark down twice for the same piece of bad driving such as accelerating too fast,” he said.
“I suppose there would be one benefit, the young say they are short of money and this would encourage them to save fuel.”
But Stephen Joseph, executive director (check) of the Campaign for Better Transport, welcomed the initiative.
“This is a practical and common sense measure. Training people drive in this way would save them money and the planet as well.”
Eco-driving is one of a number of initiatives aimed at improving the next generation of drivers.
The EU also wants to introduce a probation period for newly qualified drivers, who would be subject to stricter restrictions than other motorists.
The Government gave the proposals a cool response. “We will study with interest the EU road safety strategy and the specific proposals within it,” said Mike Penning, a transport minister.
“This strategy outlines plans for the next ten years and at present there is no specific legislative proposal in this area.
“Any new proposals that emerge – including the widening of the EU driving licence directive – will be subject to scrutiny by the UK and European parliaments and subject to negotiations between Member States.
“We will negotiate strongly to ensure any changes to current legislation are consistent with our domestic road safety policy and represent the best interests of UK citizens.”
From : Telegraph.co.uk
Bedfor driving school Txt-Drive teaches learners on how to drive in an eco-friendly way. Driving lessons in Bedford with a Txt-Drive driving instructor cost from just £12.00 (call FREEPHONE 0800 8600 983 or visit www.txt-drive.co.uk for more information). Txt-Drive uses FULLY QUALIFIED driving instructors & give driving lessons in Bedford in the new BMW Minis.
Posted in Bedford, Driving, Driving Instructors, Driving Lessons, Driving Tests, Eco-Safe Driving, Txt-Drive | No Comments »
January 29th, 2010 Administrator
Bedford driving school Txt-Drive will be in the Harpur Shopping Centre on Saturday 30th January from 9am – 5.30pm.
We will be advertising the driving school to people in the shopping centre. People will be able to book driving lessons on the day with one of the Txt-Drive driving instructors.
You could even book a driving lesson or two for a friend or relative in the form of a Txt-Drive Gift Voucher. That way the receiver can set a date & time that suits them.
Special offers will be available on the day to those that book driving lessons.
If you are in Bedford town centre, come & speak to us about Txt-Drive driving lessons in Bedford.
To more information or to book driving lessons call : 0800 8600 983 (FREEPHONE).
Posted in BMW Mini, Bedford, Driving, Driving Instructors, Driving Lessons, Driving Tests, Eco-Safe Driving, Pass Plus, Road Safety, Special Offers, Txt-Drive | No Comments »
October 15th, 2009 Administrator
An electric Mini that will run for as little as 1p a mile hit the streets yesterday – with batteries included.
A trial fleet of pollution-free Mini Es was launched as the car-maker also announced a deal for public electricity charging points with Marks & Spencer.
The plug-in Mini can manage up to 150 miles on an off-peak £1.50 battery charge, giving drivers an astonishing 1p-a-mile motoring.
Twenty guinea-pig drivers in the South East will use the cars for six months on a £330-a-month leasing deal, with home chargers installed in their garages.
Each must commit to doing at least 300 miles driving a month and have their motoring and charging habits monitored.
Smart meters will also track charging and usage patterns to help power firms and Mini plan for the future.
Twenty more will run on the car fleets of Oxford city and Oxfordshire county councils.
Each car can fully charge in around four and a half hours for as little as £1.50 if juiced up overnight at off-peak rates, or £4 at peak time.
On a full charge it has a range of around 100 miles, but that can increase to 150 in ideal conditions.
Yet few are prepared for the blistering performance – like a supercharged but silent electric go-kart – that sees the electric Mini sprint from 0 to 62mph in just 8.5 seconds.
There are only two pedals – the accelerator and the brake – and just one continuously variable gear.
Only the slight whirr of the electric motor gives away the game that this is no ordinary Mini.
M&S announced it was to fit ‘top-up’ electric charging points for the cars at more than a dozen of its out of town sites in the South East.
The launch came as the Government’s Climate Change Committee said more must be done to promote-electric cars and cut pollution.
It said there must be a fleet of 1.7million electric cars on roads, with sufficient on-street charging points to keep them charged.
Based on the current Mini hatchback, the downside of the two-door Mini E is the loss of the two rear seats to make way for the massive lithium ion battery, plus the tiny boot which is just about big enough for two lap-top cases.
The batteries are based on technologies-proven in power units for mobiles and portable computers.
Mini is owned by Germany’s BMW. Production of the 40 electric cars for the UK trial is taking place at the company’s factories in Oxford and Munich.
Partners in the trials include Scottish and Southern Energy, which will be installing the 40 private and more than 100 public charging points required for the test cars.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1219971/Causing-whirr-penny-mile-Mini-plug-charge.html#ixzz0U1mrXeNI
Txt-Drive do not use the Electric BMW Mini but do use the BMW Mini One car for driving lessons in Bedford. To book cheap driving lessons in Bedford with a driving instructor please call Txt-Drive : 0800 8600 983 (FREEPHONE).
Posted in Driving, Driving Lessons, Eco-Safe Driving | No Comments »
May 11th, 2009 Administrator
A chocolate-powered biodegradable car could be one of the world’s fastest green fuel vehicles, its creators hope.
Scientists from the University of Warwick believe their design could reach speeds of 145mph and give manufacturers ideas about how to build more ecologically-friendly vehicles.
The car runs on a biofuel that uses vegetable oils and waste from chocolate factories. Built to Formula 3 specifications in size, weight, and performance, the vehicle’s steering wheel is made out of plant-based fibres derived from carrots and other root vegetables, while the seat is built of flax fibre and soybean oil foam. The body is also made of plant fibres.
The team will be testing their theories on a racetrack in a few weeks’ time. They have already taken the bio-car to speeds of 60mph and are preparing final adjustments to the engine before driving it at top speed.
Warwick’s project manager, James Meredith, said the design is proof that it is possible to build a fast, efficient, environmentally-friendly car.
The car, named the WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car, will go on display at several races including the European Grand Prix and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Copyright © Press Association 200
From : RAC website
University of Warwick
A driving school in Bedford, Txt-Drive, encourages driving in an eco-safe manner. The current driving test will include a short debrief, if required, from the driving examiner explaining ways to improve your eco-safe driving. At this moment in time you can not pass or fail your driving test due to your eco-safe driving.
Posted in Driving Tests, Eco-Safe Driving | No Comments »
January 31st, 2009 Administrator
Satellite navigation company Garmin is about to release a free software update that adds new features to its personal navigation devices aimed at helping drivers save money and fuel.
The ecoRoute software, which will be available to download from February, will provide detailed fuel and mileage expense reports, information on CO2 emissions, economical route-planning, and tips on how to improve driving to become more environmentally friendly.
Clive Taylor, director of products and marketing at Garmin, said: “Many of the biggest challenges currently facing people across Europe involve the economy and the environment.
“Using ecoRoute on your Garmin nuvi helps you to be a smarter driver at a time when everyone is trying to make their salaries and fuel tanks go the extra mile.”
The new software also includes a “Driving Challenge” option, which gives live continuous feedback on how economically the motorist is driving. At the end of the journey an overall score is shown, along with driving tips on how to improve the score, save on fuel costs, reduce the vehicle’s carbon foot print and help the environment.
Garmin’s website gives full details of which nuvi models are compatible with ecoRoute.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
RAC Homepage – http://www.rac.co.uk/
ecoRoute – http://www.garmin.co.uk/ecoroute
From : RAC
Posted in Driving, Eco-Safe Driving, Road Safety | No Comments »
