Perhaps THE biggest driving mistake

This blog details not just the biggest driving mistake you can make, I would say this affects anyone and everyone who uses roads; including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.  

The reason for that is because all of those road users are humans, and humans do have a tendency to make assumptions.

Assume nothing.

When you are learning to drive, or have just passed your test, get a 'post-it' note, and write in big capital letters:

ASSUME NOTHING

and stick it on your dashboard somewhere.

The reason why I offer this advice is because to "assume nothing" is not natural for humans.  We all make assumptions every day of our lives, you could say, we NEED to make assumptions, because if we didn't, it would make for a very dull and monotonous existence.  However, when it comes to road safety, it really is sound advice.

When you hear 2 or more people having a heated discussion on any subject you care to mention, putting differences of opinion aside, very commonly you will hear these words:

"But I thought......"
"You never said....."
"How was I to know....."
"What made you think that....."
"I can't believe you did......."
"I had no idea....."

and when the issue is sorted, inevitably people are thinking:

"I wish I had checked......"
"If only I had known......"
"I didn't realise......"
"I would never have thought....."
"I wont make that mistake again"

....and there is the dawning realisation that assumptions have been made.  You will hear precisely these words and phrases used by people immediately after a road accident.  This is a matter of 'mindset', and it can be very difficult for us to consider the perspective of another person.

A month ago, one of my pupil's drove through a puddle on a rainy day and splashed a female pedestrian on the footpath.  Big deal?  Funny?  Not worth mentioning?   Until you have walked on a footpath and had a vehicle soak you with dirty, cold rainwater from the side of the road, then are you really in a position to judge?  Can you imagine what it might feel like to have that done to you?  Would you find it funny, would you be upset, would you be bothered?

This morning, while walking my 9 year old to school we came to a zebra crossing.  We've walked across this particular crossing dozens if not hundreds of times.  This morning we approached it while he was deeply involved in telling me a funny story about what happened at his school the day before.  He was animated, enjoying himself, having a joke, and deeply involved in this story.  As we got to about 8 feet from the crossing, traffic to our left had already slowed and the lead vehicle had stopped at the crossing for us, but to our right, the oncoming car was still driving towards the crossing and it was not even slowing.  I immediately took hold of my son by the shoulder, said "Stop" and we stood there looking to our right, and watched this car shoot straight through the zebra crossing.  It did not appear to be speeding (over the 30 mph limit), but I reckon it was doing about 30 mph and no slower.  Wow!  Have you ever had that happen to you?  Can you imagine how it made us feel?   

Why did this happen though?  What are the possible reasons?   

Maybe the driver did not see the two of us and our dog.  Maybe the driver was distracted doing a text, or making a call on the mobile.  Maybe the driver did see us, but was running late and did not want to stop.  Maybe the driver has never passed the driving test, not done the theory, and does not even know the law regarding zebra crossings.  Maybe the driver was drunk or high on drugs.  Maybe the driver saw us but mis-judged how close we were to the edge.  Maybe the driver needs to get his eyesight tested.  Maybe the driver had some friends in the car at the time and they "dared" him not to stop at the crossing.  Maybe the driver felt he would lose face by complying with the law with friends in his car.  Maybe the driver was unable to see clearly out the front windscreen because the wipers were not working.  Maybe the driver had just had a massive argument with his partner and the "red mist" had come down, and he was emotionally unstable at the time, and not in any fit state to be driving.   Maybe he had previously learnt the law regarding pedestrian crossings but has since forgotten it, or has little regard for the law.

The point is....... we simply don't know.  

There are two ways of viewing this.  The assumption made as pedestrians, that traffic will stop at the zebra crossing when pedestrians are waiting.  And the assumptions that some drivers will make as they drive.

We should not assume anything when it comes to road safety.  The car may not slow and stop, just as the 9 year old may walk straight on to the zebra crossing.

We don't have to live in fear of the most bizarre and unexpected thing that could crop up, but we most certainly should not assume people are going to take a certain course of action.  

Cyclists will avoid pot holes in the road and so can, and will swerve while riding, we should not assume all cyclists will ride in a straight line.  Pedestrians will walk straight across a busy road regardless if there is a pedestrian crossing nearby.  Cyclists will ride through red traffic lights, so when you have a green light, don't assume that cyclists will be patiently waiting on the red light.  Not all drivers can turn and see behind their vehicle when reversing in car parks, don't assume that the driver is able to see you walking near their car.  Motorbike riders will like to make progress in congested traffic, don't assume that they are going to patiently sit behind a car in slow moving traffic.  Bus drivers will want to pull out of a bus stop soon after putting on their right signal, don't assume that they will wait for a gap in traffic.  Drivers will edge out of junctions to improve their vision in certain circumstances, do not assume that everyone must wait behind give way lines on junctions.  Lorries will take up more space on roads, roundabouts and other junctions due to their sheer size, don't assume that the lorry driver can see where you are in relation to the lorry.

Stay safe.

BIG TOM Driving School   Intensive Driving Course in Peterborough, Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Spalding, Boston, and Sleaford.   0800 689 4174

Good Driving Examiners

Another example of good Driving Examiners cropped up yesterday at Peterborough Driving Test Centre.

David seen here proudly displaying his Test Pass Certificate, had his driving test after completing his Intensive Driving Course in Spalding

He had the reverse parallel park and emergency stop on his test.  After doing the parallel park, having got within 2 car lengths behind the parked car, the Driving Examiner asked "Are you happy with this?" which is code for, "Take a look at your position, and check you are ok".  In David's case, he needed to be just a bit closer to the kerb for the liking of the Driving Examiner.  It is worth making a mental note of these things.  If a Driving Examiner asks you a question like that, you need to be checking all around you to ensure everything is as it should be.  

Generally speaking, you need to finish up, no more than a drains width from the kerb on that manoeuvre.  Any more than about a foot, and you may get marked down, as David was yesterday.  He still passed his test, but just picked up a fault for the end position.

Badly parked cars on the side of the road can cause hazards for cyclists, motor cyclists, pedestrians and can even end up with damaged side mirrors if they are really sticking out, so it is good to pay attention to the final position.  

BIG TOM Driving School observes over 95% of the driving tests that our customers take at Peterborough, Lincoln, Grantham and Boston Driving Test Centres.  Whilst we respect our customers wishes, there is a lot of good sense in having the driving test observed independently.  This means that we are able to see the very high standard of assessment being consistently applied by Driving Examiners, regardless of location.  They are highly trained professionals with a very important job on their hands; they are responsible for allowing drivers to then drive for the rest of their life unsupervised.  

UPDATE:  6/11/15  They are also in short supply!  There is currently a national recruitment of Driving Examiners over literally several dozens of driving test centres across the UK.  The DVSA have publicly apologized for the shortfall in Driving Examiners to service the increasing demand for driving tests.  

BIG TOM Driving School - Intensive Driving Course in Spalding -Bookings 01775 660525

Where is Grantham Driving Test Centre

I am very often asked the question ‘Where is Grantham Driving Test Centre?’, it used to be tucked away in a dense residential area.  Unless you are specifically going there, you were very unlikely to stumble across it in your travels.

But how things have changed!  Now it is on the main A52 road coming into Grantham where the goods vehicle testing station used to be.  If you google it, there are still many links that direct you to the old location, but the address is now:

Grantham (Somerby)

Spitalgate Airfield
Blue Harbour
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 7TX

Latest figures from the Driving Standards Agency, indicate a continuing trend of above national average pass rates.  Grantham Driving Test Centre itself is rather large, with loads of space around the bay parking spaces in the car park, and the town itself is strikingly small in comparison to the catchment area of nearby Peterborough Driving Test Centre.  As such, it does not offer the diversity of driving conditions experienced elsewhere.  Putting the A1 dual carraigeway aside, there are not many other dual carriageways, there are few what I would call ‘large’ roundabouts, and even fewer multi-laned roundabouts.  This may go some way to explaining the consistently higher pass rates achieved at this test centre.

A very large new bypass is currently underway in Grantham and has resulted in even more traffic congestion in what was already an excessively slow moving traffic flow through the town.  As a consequence, it is not unusual for the driving test to last longer than the target of 38-40 minutes, while you make your way through very slow moving traffic.

One other notable feature of the driving tests offered at Grantham Driving Test Centre is the fairly high frequency of driving up and down relatively steep gradients.  This is not immediately apparent when at the test centre itself, but within a few minutes drive, it is very likely that you will experience driving up and down hills, being stopped at traffic lights on a hill, and of course, you will certainly be asked to pull over, and move off from a gradient at least once on the driving test in Grantham.

Feel free to ask any questions below relating to Grantham Driving Test Centre and I will be happy to assist.

BIG TOM Driving School   Intensive driving course in Grantham 01476 850 050