Licence To Kill

Driving Lessons in Bourne

I put up on my Facebook page notice of a programme being shown about road safety.  It was shown last night – ‘A Licence To Kill’ on BBC3 (will still be available on iPlayer).  A young lass who was paralysed after losing control of her car while with a bunch of mates, tells her story of how she would like things to change.

It struck a chord with me, as I was told of an incredibly similar event whilst on a driving lesson in Bourne very recently.  A lass suffered severe injuries when her friend lost control of the car at speed.  There was also a similar theme to the programme last night.  Often the collisions were on rural roads, often the driver was with others at the time (either in the car, or another car nearby), and without exception, they all involved excessive speed for the driving conditions.

Are the drivers allowing themselves to be distracted too easily, are the friends distracting the driver, are the drivers not being taught well enough, is the test standard high enough, should there be more testing, should driving safety education start in the schools, are the drivers trying to impress with the high speed, do they not apply safe driving techniques once the pass certificate has been obtained, are driving instructors not teaching to a high enough standard, is there a need for a more extensive driving syllabus when learning.  So many questions, it is a massive subject.

Part of the problem as I see it though, is the issue of awareness.  I’m passionate about road safety, so on my driving Facebook page I put up a link about a programme that could not be more relevant to people learning to drive right now.  How many saw my post about it on Facebook – the answer to that appears to be 11.  How many of those 11 were actual Learners – impossible to identify, I suspect probably less than 5.  Did it spark anyone to watch the programme – no idea, the post was not ‘liked’, there has been no comment made of it.  How many Learners will read this blog and go and watch the programme – time will tell, I rather suspect zero.  And this, in a nutshell, is the problem – engagement, or lack of engagement. 

Since I’ve been a Driving Instructor I have offered people who learn with me, free ‘refresher’ training on the anniversary of their test pass – not one has ever taken that up.  Very few take advantage of the free motorway session I provide after they have passed.  How many are watching the driving videos on my YouTube channel – I’ve had just 11,000 views in 3 years... pitifully low compared to videos on gaming, music and the like. 

People like the presenter last night will soon recognise (if she hasn’t already), that until the people who you are intending to engage with, actually hear/watch what you are saying, then exactly how much are you going to achieve?  So until we make it compulsory by adding it to our school syllabus, the testing frequency/standard will have to be raised.

www.BIGTOM.org.uk

Passing the Driving Test but then, not driving...

Driving Lessons in Bourne.

You've taken your driving lessons, you've passed your test, but then you realise that you simply can't afford to drive.  Might be the cost of the car, cost to maintain it, tax it, insure it, cost of petrol even.  So you then just sit back and don't drive.... waiting for a time when you can afford it.  If this sounds familiar to you, then you appear to be not alone.

I've recently heard of two such cases, where people who learnt to drive with me have not driven since the driving test - for one of them, it's now been over 2 years.  It's sad to hear this; for most, it is quite some achievement to pass the driving test, and once you've done that hard work, it seems only right you experience the benefits.  

In terms of insurance, it certainly wont do you any harm to be able to say you have had your driving licence for 2 or 3 years, but that is not the same as saying you have 2-3 years of accident free driving experience.  But my concern would be the practicalities of getting behind the wheel again, having had such a long gap from when you passed your driving test.  

I'm very happy to offer free 'refresher' training to the people who learnt and passed with me, as a token of thanks for their business, but I would urge any others to not ignore this potential problem.  If you were to start driving after a lengthy gap, and were unfortunate enough to get into an accident, then your insurance premiums are very likely to rocket anyway - so putting the risk of injury to you or others aside, it would be sensible just from a financial point of view to get yourself some refresher training.

www.BIGTOM.org.uk

Driving in Bourne - BIG TOM Driving School 07894 262 718

Driving Lessons in Bourne.

I like my Learners who take driving lessons in Bourne to experience the different types of surrounding roads.  One of the challenges for people who live and drive in more rural areas is appreciating the hazards that are around them when they are driving on what appear to be quite basic, simple roads.

It is a fact, that statistically, serious injuries and fatalities occur on these rural roads in higher frequency than on town (urban) roads.  This is quite a surprising fact when you consider the differences in volumes of traffic between the two types of road.  One way I describe this is to say that when it does go wrong on a rural road, it really goes wrong.  Often the roads are quieter, sometimes straight and long, and as such the average speeds travelled on them tend to be higher.  Look how often when you are on a single carraigeway rural road, the national speed limit of 60mph is in force.  Because of the way the road looks, many drivers look upon that speed as a target speed as a minimum, some even regularly drive over that speed. 

So average speed is certainly one factor that makes these rural roads hazardous, and the other factor is how unforgiving they are.  By that I mean, they often have quite unique characteristics that when combined with the speed issue, really does raise the potential for problems.  Some of these characteristics include, no street lighting, very sharp bends, no 'escape routes', no footpaths for pedestrians, unstable road surfaces, long straight roads inviting overtakes, blind junctions, lack of vision due to hedges/trees and there are more.

Just to illustrate this point, I made a video of one of these roads, inviting my Learners in Bourne to think about what hazards they saw on the Spalding Road, between Bourne and Spalding.  When the video starts, have a look at the road and conditions, see how it looks on first appearances as a calm, hazard free road.  As it goes on, have a go at listing any potential hazards you can spot (there are a list I've added on the text underneath for you to compare).

Then..... freeze the video at precisely 2mins 22secs.  What do you see on the road surface?  No better real example of the hazards these rural roads bring with them.

So my message really is, no matter how 'easy' a road looks to drive on, it's important to stay switched on, thinking about the potential hazards around you.

www.BIGTOM.org.uk    Tel: 07894 262 718

Driving Lessons in Bourne - www.BIGTOM.org.uk

Driving Lessons in Bourne

If only it were possible for there to be a driving test centre nearby when you are learning to drive.  My local town in Bourne Lincolnshire is a good example of being stuck in the middle of test centres.  Spalding had it’s test centre closed down some time ago, so Learners in Bourne have to choose between Peterborough and Grantham.

The reason why this is actually a bit of an issue, is because the range of driving conditions in Bourne are pretty limited when compared to the likes of Peterborough.  Look at how many dual carriageways there are around, or multi-laned roundabouts, multi-storey car parks, pedestrian crossings. 

Not a problem to start off with, in fact, quite useful for the first 5 hours, but after that, there is not much around that will be challenging you.  If you were to take all your driving lessons in Bourne for example, and then go to test in either Peterborough or Grantham, then I think you would be in for quite some surprise, as the road design and volume/speed of traffic are so different.

Where does this leave people who live in Bourne then?  Well there is some good news for you.  

Firstly, the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) do recognise this is a problem, and are currently trialling conducting driving tests in locations that are more common in communities eg Halfords.  Bourne actually doesn’t have a Halfords, but the fact that the DSA are making attempts to combat this problem is encouraging.

Secondly, I have designed my Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough and Grantham so that you train where you will be tested.  So Learners in Bourne are still able to get driving lessons for £18/hour where they will be tested.

Lastly, in an attempt to make it more affordable for Learners in Bourne, I offer them 5 hours of driving lessons in Bourne for just £49.  This gives local residents the opportunity to ‘get driving’ in and around Bourne, and after that, the training can be in Peterborough or Grantham.  I do this because I appreciate that in order to train in Peterborough or Grantham, a Learner has to travel there first, making a 50 minute round trip.

If you know anyone wanting driving lessons in Bourne, be sure to +1 them this blog.... it will save them a lot of cash.  Call Tom on 07894 262 718.

www.BIGTOM.org.uk

Pass Your Driving Test With BIG TOM Driving School

Driving Lessons in Grantham.  Driving Lessons in Peterborough.

Wouldn't life be so much better if you could find a way of learning to drive that does not involve any risks?  The problem when you speak to some friends is that there is all kinds of drama that can develop which you just don’t need.... am I right?  If things could just be simple.

Well I found this problem when I originally passed my driving test.   From trying to find a suitable car, to getting to view and inspect it, to finding the funds to buy it, and once you have it, discovering about things like insurance costs, servicing, MOT’s.  There certainly is an awful lot involved, and it can become quite a headache.

When you are about to start driving lessons, you really do need to have some kind of plan.  If you are thinking that you can just plod along, taking lessons here and there, as and when you can afford them, then you are setting yourself up for a fall.... and it’s entirely avoidable.

How can I assist you with this problem?  Well let me provide a little clarity, focus your mind.  There are generally 3 things to consider:

The money needed to pass your test

The time needed to learn to drive

The chances of success

The amount of money needed is going to be related to what your actual needs are and how effective your training is.   The time needed will depend on your previous experiences and your learning styles.  Getting success in achieving your goal is all about finding a winning strategy, that will truly work for you.

Take a look on my website and Facebook timeline to see how I have helped previous customers find the right solution to this problem.  Take a look at what some are quoting in terms of number of lessons.

It’s just too easy to plod along paying for a lesson a week, in the hope that some day, you will pass your test.  Success rarely comes in that form – what you need is help to find a plan.

Your next step is to identify a plan.  I have helped many people do just that.  

Only last month I was contacted by someone who had been told he had to wait another 8 weeks before going to test.  He passed his test just 4 days later with me.... take a look at my Twitter on 14/3/13 to see what Lea Jordan (Wisbech Town goalkeeper) had to say.    Call me now on 07894 262 718 

www.BIGTOM.org.uk