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Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists

Advance Spring 2015

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The official magazine of the Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists

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Page 1: Advance Spring 2015

Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists

Page 2: Advance Spring 2015

JOHN F. BLACKMOTOR ENGINEERS

~Air Con ~Diesel Tuning ~Servicing ~Repairs ~Diagnostics ~Exhausts

~Tyres ~Motorhomes ~MOT testing for classes 3,4,5 & 7

6B Catherinefield Ind Estate,Heathhall, Dumfries DG1 3PQTel: 01387 267473

Your group isrun entirely by volun-

teers and we are always look-ing for more members to get involved.

With the AGM coming up shortly we would liketo hear from members who could help out byjoining the committee - see p11. Even if you don’twant to be on the committee you can still assist, forexample by just giving an hour or two to help outat one of our promotional ‘meet the public’ events

at a local show or supermarket.We also expect to need more car observers this year, not least tohelp deal with an anticipated influx of older driver assessments.

To put your name down or to find out more contact Helen Cameron 07707 035518or just have a chat with to any one of the committee members.

Page 3: Advance Spring 2015

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists

Group Committee Mmbers for 2014/15

To e-mail any member of the committee, please inthe first instance, use the group contact e-mail

address: [email protected]

1

What’s on?: check out events at www.iamdumfries.org.uk

13 April (6:30 pm) : Visit - to Dumfries & Galloway Aviation MuseumHeathhall Industrial Estate, Dumfries, Scotland DG1 3PH

11 May: AGM and quiz

Venue for meetings: Aberdour Hotel, 16 Newall Terrace, Dumfries, DG11LWstarting 7:30 pm except where otherwise stated.

This magazine waspublished by:

Dumfries & Galloway Groupof

Advanced Motorists &Motorcyclists.

For more details of our activitiessee our web site at:

www.iamdumfries.org.uk

Contact theGroup Secretary:

[email protected]

Facebook: Dumfries & GallowayIAM (Motorcycles) Group

Magazine contributions to:[email protected]

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and notnecessarily those of the Editor, Group or the Institute of Advanced Motorists, to which theGroup is affiliated. Reg Charity No. SC 023511

For membership and all other enquiries call: 07707 035518or e-mail: [email protected]

Photography notice: Occasionally we may take photos during meetings, guidance ses-sions or at other events in order to promote the Group and its activities. Photos may bereproduced in our web sites, our magazine or through other promotions. If you wish towithhold your permission for your image to be used please contact the Group Secretary.

Copy date: Latest article submission date for theAutumn 15 issue: 13 August 2015

Chair,Chief Obs

Graeme McColm 01387 720425

Vice Chair Jamie Wood 07759 260621Secretary Helen Cameron 07707 035518Treasurer Russell Wears 01387 263893M/c Coordntr Andrew Bird 07919 128305Car Coordntr Stewart Cameron 01387 264005Committee Andy Campbell

Bob SloanNeil MartyniukClint SmithChris WilsonKaren Court

07717 79810907764 34945907725 94178007952 75143307935 381722

tba

Page 4: Advance Spring 2015

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists2

A message from the ChairmanWelcome to the spring edition of our magazine.

This seems to have been one of the longest winters for quitesome time, either with rain or cold weather but thankfullyspring is here and the nights are getting lighter so we canall benefit from getting out and about in the evenings.

Despite the awful weather several associates have passed their advancedtests. See Helen Cameron’s report for names, congratulations to everyone.

Training is well underway with several new Observers on the way to becomingqualified. We have also now taken delivery of a new laptop and intercomsystems for the bikes.

Over the winter we have had a mixture of evening events held at The AberdourHotel. Talks from Chris Bardsley on MV Ross Revenge (Radio Caroline), JulieMcMorran - Rescue Dogs, Roland Proudlock from South of Scotland Car Cluband also Colin Golphin from Moffat Mountain Rescue. Thanks to all for givingup their time and also to members who turned up on the nights and supportedour group.

We all need your help to keep this group running. It seems the same peopleturn up time after time. If new members don’t take part the club will fail tocontinue. If anybody has any ideas for future events please get in touch.

We are also looking for additional members of the committee, these are notchallenging positions and needn’t take up a great deal of your time but will helpto develop new ideas and fresh approaches for future challenges. WE REAL-LY DO NEED YOUR HELP TO GIVE YOU THE GROUP YOU WANT!

We are planning to run a spring promotion in April where new Associates willhave the chance to get 50% of their Skill For Life fee refunded.

Committee members have been on several courses to aid and assist in therunning of the group. These include: National Conference, Test Standardsand DTE (an electronic system to help book tests and check membershipstatus on the IAM’s National Database).

Safer Wheels 50+More like Jackie Stewart than Lewis Hamilton? More likely to sing along toABBA than Lady GAGA? Do you believe that sixty is the new forty? Well you'renot alone.

But how's your driving? Still got what it takes to cut a dash behind the wheel?

Page 5: Advance Spring 2015

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists3

Motorcycle Chief Observer’s Diary - Graeme McColm

There is not a lot to report since the last magazine. As you are all aware theweather hasn’t been great, but thankfully spring is just around the corner.

As the nights get lighter and the weather warmer we are looking forward to anumber of events in the coming months. Hopefully we will see more and moreof you bikers joining us. If anybody has a good run in mind please mention itas we are always open to ideas.

Well done to everybody who has ventured out during the winter and workedtowards achieving test standard.

Training is ongoing for our new Observers and they will shortly be qualified,this becomes more and more involved as technology becomes more compli-cated and ALL Observers from National level down, require to update theirskills on a regular basis.

New Associates have been signed up already this year but if you know ofanybody who would benefit from a ‘Skill for Life’ course please get in touch.

Advanced driving and riding is for all and no matter age or ability a ‘Skill forLife’ course is a must.

Hopefully the weather will now pick up and we will have some spring sunshineto enjoy with the opportunity for skills to be handed down by our experiencedObservers. Lack of winter biking can lead to members being a bit “rusty” andmistakes are easily made. If you would like a refresher run just ask.

The sun is still low in the sky so watch out when approaching or leavingjunctions or brows of hills etc.

Remember to keep safe.

Ever thought of matching the experience you've gained over the years withnew skills developed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists?

Above is part of the press release issued by Iain Howie, Age ScotlandRegional Ambassador. Our group is offering free driving assessments to theover fifty's to improve their skills to meet today's traffic conditions, a projectdeveloped by Stewartry CVS, in conjunction with ourselves.

Iain Howie says ‘In rural areas such as ours it is imperative that individualsretain the independence that driving brings as long as it is safe for them to doso. However driving is a skill that needs to develop in accordance with currentconditions and as most of those aged 50 plus won’t have undertaken any formof driver training in the intervening thirty years it is perhaps time they did.’

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists

The Secretary reports - Helen Cameron

As we approach spring, the busy season for new car and motorcycle Associ-ates, we look forward to hopefully a good year for Observers. The new IMIregulations have meant there are a lot of changes going on within the trainingand accreditation of Observers and the opportunity for new Observers to betrained. Currently we are involved in a road safety initiative with ‘Safer Wheels50+’ in the Stewartry and this is proving to be very popular and will keep us allbusy for a few months.

We have had a busy winter with good speakers but unfortunately numbers atmeetings have been disappointing. A lot of time and effort goes into preparingthese talks for us by the presenters, so it would be great to have somefeedback from members who do attend. Those of you who don’t attend pleaselet us know how we can improve things - the group belongs to the membersso we would like to hear your views. In March we headed to Carlisle for theannual 10 pin bowling match against Carlisle. A good night was had by all butunfortunately we were beaten, so Carlisle retain the cup.

Please come to the AGM in May and have your say in the running of your club.

We have had a quiet spell over the winter but have still managed to keep ourexaminers busy. Congratulations to the following for passing their IAM test:

Car: Diane Thomson (Observer - David Booth); Jeanette Wilson (Observer -Nicky Riley); Aaron Jardine (Observer - G Watson); Shona Duggan (ObserverRussell Wears); Graham Darroch (Observer - Stewart Cameron); M/cycle:Andy Scott (M/c Observer Team).

Just as we are going to press I have learnt of the death of Peter Gemmell,former group Chief Observer and a founder member of the group. Ourthoughts are with his family.

Roadside detectors for mobile phones Source: Norfolk County Council

Signs that can detect the use of a mobile phone in a vehicle have been rolledout in Norfolk, following a successful trial. The Mobile Phone Detection Systemdetects vehicles in which a mobile phone is being used, whether a call orreceiving/sending a text message. A roadside sensor monitors oncomingvehicles and sends information to the sign further along the road. This thenflashes when mobile phone use has been detected in the vehicle.

The system can’t detect who is using the phone (driver or passenger) or if ahands-free device is in use. But for those drivers who are on their mobilesillegally, the system is a powerful, effective and very public reminder that theyhave been detected, and that they are putting those around them at real risk.

4

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists5

Disadvantages of steering the ‘wrong’ wayAdvice on the best method of steering can be found in advanced drivinghandbooks such as ‘How to be a better driver’ and ‘Roadcraft’. Whilst theyoffer key advice about your seating position and the most effective way ofholding the wheel they do not go into much detail about the implications ofgetting either of these two elements less than perfect.

Optimum control comes from hold-ing the wheel with your palms onthe rim, with thumbs extended, us-ing a light grip but tightening itwhen necessary. This added tokeeping both hands on the wheelat all times, unless you absolutelyhave to operate the controls, willmake you ready to deal with anyeventuality, since it leaves nothingto chance. Of course, when you doneed to take a hand off the wheelyou should try to ensure this isdone in a planned way when thereare fewer hazards. You don’t wantto end up, for instance, adjustingthe heating controls when negoti-ating a roundabout or tuning theradio when actively steering (e.g.turning into a side road).

Importantly steering control is notjust about how the wheel is heldbut about getting your seating po-sition right.

Consider the three images here.The top one shows a driver holdingthe wheel in the recommendedway, with the hands on the top halfof the wheel. The second oneshows active steering, the wheel isbeing turned counter-clockwise,but note the hands remain eitherside of the wheel. Contrast this tothe bottom photo, here the driver

Page 8: Advance Spring 2015

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists

has crossed the right hand over the top of the wheel as a left-hand corner isbeing negotiated.

Whilst it might be easy to see that steering control could be compromised bythe steering method employed in the third image what might not be quite soobvious, at first look, are the consequences in the event of a collision wherethe steering wheel airbag is activated.

Firstly the driver’s arm, being directly adjacent to the centre of the wheel, couldbe lacerated by the air bag cover which is pushed out of the way as the bagdeploys. Secondly the arm is likely to brokenand suffer other serious injury as the baginflates and thirdly the arm will probably bepushed into the driver, potentially causingserious injuries to the face. Typically anairbag inflates to about 35 litres in 25 milli-seconds so there is no chance of moving thearm out of the line of fire. Keeping the armsto the sides of the wheel keeps them out ofthe airbag deployment zone.

The seat position relative to the steering wheel is also critical, many vehiclesallow the steering wheel, as well as the seat, to be adjusted. It is particularlyimportant that the driver sits back in their seat and keeps a minimum of at least10 inches (250mm) between their breastbone and the airbag module.

Car users can minimise the downsides of airbags by following the guidance intheir vehicle handbooks and take into account following these tips:

● Drivers should not allow their arms to cross the wheel and should holdthe wheel between ‘ten-to- two’ and ‘quarter-to-three’.

● Seat belts should always be worn properly, and should be adjusted soas to be as tight as possible across the body.

● Drivers and front seat passengers should ensure that as far aspossible they are sitting squarely in their seat.

● A rear facing child seat should not be used on the front passengerseat if a passenger airbag is fitted, unless it is deactivated.

● A forward facing child seat should only be used in the front seat if itcan be positioned so the child is outside the airbag deployment zone.

● The driver’s seat should be set as far back as possible while ensuringthe driver can safely and comfortably operate the vehicle’s controls.

6

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7

Group Members and Associates can get a free basic car wash, or two jet washtokens when you fill up. Just show your membership card, or for Associates your IAMconfirmation letter. Let the staff know you would like the free bike/car wash beforeyou pay for your fuel. This offer may be withdrawn at any time.

Positioning for bends‘How To Be A Better Driver’ offers help on how to corner effectively as indeeddoes ‘Rule 160’ of the Highway Code which offers only limited advice; namely‘keep well to the left on right-hand bends. This will improve your view of theroad and help avoid the risk of colliding with traffic approaching from theopposite direction’.

The Highway Code fails to warn about the dangers often found near the edgeof the road such as broken surfacing, loose debris, puddles etc. These can bejust as much of a danger as the ones, you are trying to avoid by positioning asadvised. It also fails to mention any specific advice for left-hand bends.

When considering the position to adopt on approach to a corner you shouldconsider S.V.S, that’s:

1. Safety - this must take priority. Move away from danger if you can.2. Vision - can you adjust your lateral position to get a better view and/or

present yourself to other road users at an earlier time?3. Stability - this relates to both the severity of the bend and the surface

conditions. Don’t drive over loose debris etc just to get a better viewbut if you have to then you should slow down.

On the approach to a bend use a scanning technique both on the road andacross the corner whenever an advance view can be gained. Look for obser-vational links. Assess other road users in front, behind and oncoming, assessthe road surface conditions including the effects of weather. Use analysis ofthe limit point to determine your speed of approach and monitor it as you driveround the bend. For a left hand bend consider the limit point as the point wherethe left verge and the centre-line meet.

After considering the position work throughthe speed, gear and acceleration phases.

The dangers are related to both speed and position,if you head onto the wrong side of the road, at anyspeed, on a right-hand bend the danger could comefrom the oncoming traffic and you might not havetime or space to get you out of trouble! Maybe thisdriver could have held back to maximise safety?

Page 10: Advance Spring 2015

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Invite you to get a ‘Skill for Life’ and become an

We have helped hundreds of people hone their abilities to make their driving or ridingmore skillful, more enjoyable and safer. Our passion is to help you improve your drivingand riding standards leaving you with the ability to make good progress whilst maintain-ing the highest standards of skill, safety and responsibility... it really is a ‘skill for life’.Interested in improving your skills? Get in touch, find out more. Visit our web site,e-mail or call us on 07707 035518 - see page 1 for our contact details.

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ADVANCED RIDERADVANCED DRIVER/groups/dgiam/IAMDumfriesandGallowayCars

Page 11: Advance Spring 2015

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Telephone: (01387) 257272E-mail: [email protected]

Page 12: Advance Spring 2015

· Discounts available for IAM and Curvy Riders· We have an outdoor seated area and arelaxing indoor seated area with Sky TV

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We offer the following services for your motorcycle needs:

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www.dngmotorcycles.comTel: 01387 320312

[email protected]

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Page 13: Advance Spring 2015

11

Annual General MeetingNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by order of the Group Committee that the AnnualGeneral Meeting of “Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcy-clists” will be held at 19:30 on Monday 11 May 2015 at the Aberdour Hotel,Dumfries, to enable the Trustees of the Group (Registered Charity No. SC 023511)to present their Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March2015 for approval by the Group Members and to conduct an election.

Issued by: Secretary: Helen Cameron; Contact: 07707 035518; Group No6071; e-mail: [email protected] - 14 March 2015.

All Members, Associates and Friends are invited to attend but only Fully PaidUp Members of the IAM and of the Group may vote.

A Member entitled to vote at the General Meeting may appoint a proxy to votein his stead. A proxy need not be a Full Member of the Group.

CURRENT OFFICERS: All Officers retire annually but offer themselves forre-election. (Group Rule 3.4)Chair: Graeme McColm - Offering to stand for re electionVice Chair: Jamie Wood - Offering to stand for re electionSecretary: Helen Cameron - Offering to stand for re electionTreasurer: Russell Wears - Offering to stand for re electionCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: One third of the Committee (excluding Officers)must retire annually and may offer themselves for re-election. (Group Rule 3.4)

A. RETIRING BY ROTATION AND STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION:Stewart CameronB. RETIRING BY ROTATION AND NOT STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION:Anne Lind, John ParryC. COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOT RETIRING & NUMBER OF YEARS REMAINING:Bob Sloan (1 yr), Andrew Bird (1 yr), Clint Smith (1 yr), Andy Campbell (2 yrs),Neil Martyniuk (2yrs).NOTE: The total number of Committee Members including the Officers must notexceed twenty. See the Nomination Form (available from the Secretary) for details,which must be returned by 9 am 1 May 2015. Group Rules and the Minutes of the May2014 AGM are available on the Group web site or may be requested, from theSecretary, at least seven days in advance of the date for the AGM.IMPORTANT: we are looking for new Committee Members - no previous experi-ence necessary.The Group belongs to its Members and it will benefit from your input at the AGMand/or your participation on the Committee. Any full Member of the groupwishing to help our volunteers on the Committee should let the Secretary or aCommittee Member know in advance of the date for return of nomination papersso that a Nomination Form can be raised. Call Helen (07707 035518) for details.

Page 14: Advance Spring 2015

© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists12

What do you think about when you are driving?It seems that many people think driving is largely a physical activity, you knowpressing pedals, turning the wheel, flicking switches etc interspersed with a bitof observation and maybe then a little thinking about what is going on and howto deal with it.

Have you driven a route and found you could not remember much about it?Well when attaining a skill such as driving there comes a point when every-thing comes naturally to you, at that point it is all to easy to be effectively on‘automatic pilot’. Psychological modelling suggests that there are Four Stagesof Learning, initially individuals are unaware of how little they know, or uncon-scious of their incompetence. As they recognize their incompetence, theyconsciously acquire a skill, then consciously use it.

Eventually, the skill can be utilized without it being consciously thoughtthrough: the individual is said to have then acquired unconscious competence.

If you think about it that could be the situation when you drive; that is anindividual has had so much practice with a skill that it has become ‘secondnature’ and can be performed easily. As a result, the skill can be performedwhile executing another task, maybe whilst texting, using satnav or gettingdressed (see P16)! That is all well and good if the driving task to be carried outcould not be affected by other factors outside the drivers control, i.e. no otherroad users, no bends, junctions and only benign weather etc - you get thepicture - but that of course is definitely not the case with driving.

To get driving right it needs to be lead by thinking, with the physical actionsfollowing on. Hence the ‘Planned System of Driving’ which has observation atits foundation. Used effectively the physical driving actions (signals, steering,braking, gear changes, acceleration etc) are not carried out automatically butbased on the results of the Information phase where a plan is formulated andcarried out to deal with the particular situation(s).

Put another way we should not put our vehicle anywhere our eyes and brainhave not already been. To do this we need to keep our hands on the wheel

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists13

and our eyes on the road ahead (and behind and to the sides) with our brainprocessing the information, then formulating and modifying our driving plans.

How do you raise your game to ensure you are not driving in ‘automatic pilotmode’? Probably the best way is to practice the art of commentary, either outloud or even just by silently ‘speaking’ the words as opposed to just thinkingabout what you can see. Remember the commentary is all about taking intoaccount all available clues then formulating and revising a driving plan to dealwith a situation.

The do’s and don’ts of ‘off siding’ and ‘straight - lining’This article applies equally to riders and drivers, the sources are the IAMdocuments ‘Common Confusions Bike and Car’, both issued 2014.

Definition: ‘Off-siding’ is the crossing of the centre line/hazard line, (or in theabsence of such a line, the centre of the carriageway) in order to extend a view.

1. Off-siding – Single track road clarification:

In situations where there is no possibility of passing an oncoming vehicle dueto the width of the road and in order to enable your presence to be seenearlier, this is acceptable, providing it is both advantageous and gives no riskof conflict.

2. Off-siding (to extend view) – two-way carriageway clarification:

Experience is showing that this iscausing riders and drivers to putthemselves in danger. The IAM ac-tively discourages this practice andit is therefore not acceptable on anadvanced test.

3. Set of open bends – straightlining/trimming clarification:

Trimming or straight-lining a set ofopen bends whilst acceptable on atest must not be carried out if there is a risk of conflict with other road users orwhere it will inconvenience, confuse or cause alarm or distress, to others.

If a test Candidate compromises their own or any other road user’s safety theywill fail the advanced test.

It would be a disadvantage to move overthe white line here. Dependent on road

width and severity of bend maybe best toanticipate an ‘oncomer’ could be over the

line so keep left, away from danger!

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists14

4. Roundabouts – ‘Straight lining’/‘Trimming’ clarification:

‘Trimming’ or ‘Straight lining’ roundabouts is often encouraged to enhancesafety, stability & progress. This is correct if the situation is appropriate.

This must not however be carried out if it will inconvenience, confuse or wherethere is a risk of conflict with other road users. The risk from traffic approach-ing from the rear is also a serious consideration in the decision as to whetherto ‘straighten’ a roundabout.

Again if a rider or driver compromises their own or any other road user’s safetythey will fail the advanced test.

Daily/weekly POWDERY checksModern vehicles have increasingly sophisticated self checking/diagnosis sys-tems. Some would argue this means that there is no need to do each elementof a Powdery check frequently but there are other benefits from a thoroughcheck, especially so if you have an older vehicle.

Greater vehicle sophistication can lead to the temptation to ignore elements ofyour vehicle, for instance relying on a tyre pressure monitoring system couldmean you don’t get down and close to the tyres and so loose the opportunityfor a visual inspection of the tyre itself, when checking the pressures. Similarlyrelying on your dashboard to tell you when the engine oil is low or a bulb hasfailed probably would mean you are less likely to visually inspect the enginebay or lenses for defects.

Regular thorough POWDERY checks might highlight something which needsattention and could be especially useful before a long journey, for instance. Forthose of you coming up for an advance test it is recommended that a full checkis made immediately beforehand, if nothing less it can avoid any embarrass-ment should the Examiner spot a defective bulb, for instance. One elementthat does need checking everyday for sure is ‘Y’ i.e. YOU the driver.

• PETROL (or diesel). Have you got enough for your journey?• OIL - check engine and hydraulic levels.• WATER - check radiator and screen wash levels.• DAMAGE - check wipers, lights etc for signs of wear and tear or damage.• ELECTRICS - check lights, indicators and controls are working, battery?• RUBBER - are tyres inflated, legal, with good tread and free from damage?• YOURSELF - are you fit to drive? Have you slept well? Are you taking anymedication(s) that could make it unsafe for you to drive? Big night last night?

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists15

Free from giddy spells and excessive short sight?According to the film ‘Look at Life -Driving Test’ (December 1959) any-one who is free from giddy spells andexcessive short sight can learn todrive, or at least have a go.

The film at one point shows the IAM’sChief Examiner describing the correcttechnique for cornering, apparently atthat time the Institute believed that only1 motorist in 100 approached a bend in

the right way.

At anotherpoint in the filmthe Chief Examiner demonstrates the art of smoothdriving. He moves off in his Sunbeam Rapier with aglass of water on his bonnet, speeds up to 40 or50mph then slows to a stop without spilling any. Onecan’t help wondering if today, despite our sophisticat-ed machinery, this may not be possible with the pleth-ora of potholes and sections of distressed surface wehave to contend with!

The 9 minute film is available here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_-Rcqq39x4

You may be able to make out the glass ofwater near the windscreen

Looks like a flat cap andstring gloves were the

order of the day!

Changes to the driving testThe Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are considering an updateto the driving test, which has remained unchanged for 20 years. The idea is tomake the test better reflect real-life driving.

Around 1,000 learners throughout the country will be asked to take part in atrial test before the changes are finalised. The potential revisions includescrapping three-point turns and reversing around corners. They may alsorequire candidates to use satellite navigation. Parallel parking, seen by manynew drivers as one of the trickiest manoeuvres looks like it will be retained.Incidentally in the IAM’s advanced driving test candidates are most likely to berequired to carry out this manoeuvre.

The DVSA advise that any changes to the test would be subject to a full publicconsultation.

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© Dumfries & Galloway Group of Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists16

The Fatal Four - master of your own downfall?Traffic laws which have road safety implications are too numerous to mention.They include factors that have been shown to regularly contribute to theoccurrence of fatal collisions, known as the ‘fatal four’ – excessive speed,failure to wear a fitted seat belt, being under the influence of drink or drugs andusing mobile phones and other distractions. Apart from the seat belt law theseelements equally apply to riders as well as drivers.

People when caught typically seek to justify their actions with excuses suchas: ‘everyone else was speeding too’ - ‘I was only a few mph over’ - ‘I am onlygoing a few hundred yards’ - ‘I always wear it normally’ - ‘I only had one drink’- ‘Why don’t you go after real criminals?’ - ‘I was only checking my texts’ etc.

But consider this:

Excessive speed (for the conditions): just a few extra MPH can make all thedifference to your reaction and braking distances. Speed limits are not targets.

Seat belt offences: no matter how short your journey, always wear a seatbelt.Doing so cuts the chance of being killed in a crash by up to 50%.

Drink or drugs: any alcohol impairs your driving and the same goes for drugs;even prescription drugs can slow your thinking and reaction times.

Distraction: Your reaction times are doubled if you use a mobile whilst driving.Switch it off before you drive or put it out of reach so you have to stop to useit. You can receive a penalty for using a hands free phone too if the policebelieve you are distracted and not in control of your vehicle. There are anynumber of other distractions too.

So don’t put your life at risk or that of others; don’t ignore the rules they aretheir for everyone's safety. Better to be late than dead on time, surely you don’twant to be the master of your own downfall.

3

4Distracted? 70mph - no handson wheel - putting on a tie -outside lane of motorway!

Using any sort of electronicapparatus e.g. phone, satnav

etc will distract you.

A few extra mphcan have fatalconsequences

Page 19: Advance Spring 2015

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~ Large Mace convenience shop

~ Air/Screenwash/Vacuum/fragrance machine ~ Nectar Points

~ Special offers for Dumfries Group Members

~ BP ultimate fuels & BP Autogas

~ Car wash ~ Jet wash

~ MACE convenience store

~ Nectar Points

~ Special offers for Dumfries Group Members

Benmar GarageStat ion Road

Moffat , DG10 9ELTel: 01683 220010

~ Esso Energy and Energy Supreme Fuels

~ Jet wash

~ Mace convenience shop

~ Air/Screenwash/Vacuum ~ Cash point

~ Special offers for Dumfries Group Members

Page 20: Advance Spring 2015

CrossflagsAt Crossflags we strive to create the best customer experience in the area.Please come and see us when you are considering your next vehiclepurchase.

York House, Annan Road, Dumfries DG1 3AW01387 253473 Fax: 01387 253472www.crossflags.co.uk