Driving lessons for all type of Driver Training – Learners, ADI’s, Fleet & Taxi Training
With a wide network of DfT Approved Driving Instructors at Grade 5 or above throughout Merseyside, we can provide a variety of structured training and driving lessons that meets the needs of pre- and post-test drivers.
Our objective is to provide high quality training that reflects the needs and aspirations of each individual candidate. Instead of the usual ‘one size fits all’ approach to driving instruction, we tailor our tuition and lessons to the individual.
Poor driver behaviour is the cause of 95% of car crashes: Directions’ tuition and coaching targets behaviour and attitude as well as driving skills.
We can provide all the training you need including:
- Learner Driver Training & Pass Plus
- Advanced Driver Training
- Fleet & Taxi Driver Training
- ADI Driving Instructor Training parts 1, 2 & 3
- ADI check test training
- NVQ Assessments
Setting the standard?
Having read a recent press release from the Driving Standard Agency (DSA) one couldn’t help wonder why only ‘new drivers’ are targeted when it comes to death & serious injury in road related incidents. Sensibly the Agency is advising newly-qualified drivers to take up a course aimed to producing safer drivers, helping to reduce road deaths and injuries in the process.
DSA Chief Executive Rosemary Thew was quoted in the press release as saying that “one in five deaths on British roads involves newly-qualified drivers”. We agree this figure makes grim reading and this is the perfect time of year to drive in typical British weather; but I feel we may be missing the bigger picture. These figures are also saying that four out of every five deaths on British roads each year involve experienced drivers, yet what is being done to promote ‘safe driving for life?’ I appreciate that newly qualified drivers make up only a small percentage of all drivers and that they are over represented in KSI statistics, but what example are novice drivers being set by these supposedly better qualified drivers?
Older, not wiser
Only the other day I was following a driver displaying P-plates, who was obeying the 20mph speed limit, along a road containing a series of blind summits, hidden junctions and a continuous white line system. A following 4×4, driven by a well dressed middle-aged gentleman, decided to overtake the pair of us, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic, while on the wrong side of the carriageway, before cutting up in front of us while braking sharply, down to avoid setting off a safety camera. One could argue that just because the gentleman was driving a 4×4 and well dressed doesn’t necessarily mean he was an experienced driver; but how often have you heard drivers say “If I took my driving test again I know I wouldn’t pass,” and then offer you a lift home? It is as if they take great pleasure from being incompetent.
How many electricians do you hear say “If I wired up a house today it would probably burn down,” and then give you a quote? If you take some time to look at the drivers, who block junctions, break speed limits or drive dangerously, it is generally not the ‘at risk’ age groups. If we want newly qualified drivers to act responsibly they have to see responsible driving as the norm. we spend too much time stereotyping sections of the driving public and focusing on what they do badly rather than promoting what they are doing competently. For example: we tend to label older drivers as ‘dithery and always driving up motorways the wrong way’ and youngsters as ‘hooligans with no respect for anyone other than themselves’.
Pass Plus vs advanced
If you consider that around 11 per cent of new drivers take up Pass Plus, which some may see as disappointing, and then compare this figure with the number of drivers as a whole who undertake an advanced driving test each year, you will find those taking Pass Plus outweigh the advanced candidates by almost ten to one. Those people taking Pass Plus are to be congratulated rather than tarred with the same brush. Presentations have been made to shock youngsters into developing safer attitudes or planning what might happen to them once they lose their licence. All of which contain sound advice and do make them think; but all of the time they see other people getting away with bad driving it is hard to convince them that they could end up the same way as those unfortunate people in the presentations.
Setting the standard
As in many countries experienced drivers set their own highway code and decide on what rules they wish to break. The current ‘Think’ campaign has helped to bring the subject of road safety into the public domain, but we do need to build on this positive initiative. In France they are making encouraging progress by labelling dangerous driving as ‘road violence’. Gradually it is becoming socially irresponsible to speed and this is already having a knock on effect for less experienced drivers. Recent partnerships between DIAmond, Lancashire County Council and the Army have seen young soldiers benefit from our ‘Enhanced Driving’ Course. Although many have held their licences for just a few months they respond well to the additional training in exactly the same way as the more experienced drivers. It is noticeable while training, on a ratio of two trainees to one trainer, how the more competent driver can set a positive example. These novices do not want to drive badly – quite the opposite: the majority are responsive and enjoy the experience of tackling new situations.
Learning to drive
As for ‘safe driving for life’, the Learning to Drive consultation document indicated that vocational qualifications would be set up to help employers who feel that the current standards of the driving test do not provide them with the confidence to employ new drivers. Ever since I began to deliver fleet training it became clear there really isn’t a uniform standard for trainers to follow, or a recognised qualification for the poor unwilling company driver who is told “You’re on a driving course tomorrow”. Rewarding drivers with recognised qualifications could be a positive step forward to improving road safety and one that would relieve the ‘duty of care’ burden now placed on employers. Let’s hope that in 2009 we can put as much effort into finding solutions as we have done researching the problems.
Eco-Driving
Tips to save the environment and your money!
Regardless of the vehicle you drive there are always techniques that you can employ that will help to save you fuel and to minimise your impact on the environment. ‘Carbon-foot-print’ is the new buzz word and we all want to do our bit to save the planet – and make our local environments a nicer place to live and work.
Ask Yourself: “Do I really need to drive?” It’s the shortest journeys – usually less than 2 miles – which cause the most pollution and are the most inefficient in terms of fuel consumption. Did you know that a straining cold engine will produce 60% more pollution than the same engine would when warm? These shorter journeys are ideal for walking or cycling – you could dramatically increase your health as well!
Plan Your Route: A bit of forethought can save much wear and tear – for both the car and the driver. Try to take the most direct route and travel off-peak whenever possible. Sitting in congestion means you are often doing zero miles per gallon. If you have to commute to work, try car sharing, park & ride schemes or public transport.
Have Your Vehicle Serviced Regularly: Regular servicing helps maintain efficient running and good fuel economy. Inefficient, under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10% or more. Catalytic Converters are environmentally friendly – but only if they are properly maintained. Avoid over-revving your vehicle – most new cars do not need gas when starting the engine, in fact excessive revving of the engine can actually damage the Catalytic Converter.
Check Your Tyres: Having the correct tyres and tyre pressures for your vehicle will not only keep your fuel economy up and your tyre wear down, but it also makes your insurance legal too! Under-inflated tyres will cause you to use more fuel and will need replacing more often (itself an environmental problem) as well as being dangerous. Make a point of checking your tyre pressures at least once a week. Inflate your tyres to the recommended pressure when carrying heavy loads, extra passengers or before long journeys.
Obey The Speed Limits: Try to ‘feather’ the throttle/accelerator as you reach your cruising speed. Doing 56mph uses around 25% less fuel than 70mph and a smoother driving style can bring significant fuel savings. Never coast to save fuel (travel with the clutch in or gear in neutral); vehicle control must not be compromised.
Reduce Drag Factor: Remove roof racks and carriers when not in use. Driving with the window open also increases drag and lowers fuel economy. Remove unnecessary boot luggage, avoid heavy accessories and wide tyres that add rolling resistance. Air conditioning lowers fuel economy so use the vent settings as much as possible instead.
Buy Green Fuel – Use Less Of It: If you get stuck in traffic, switch off your engine. Find out if you can buy low sulphur diesel (City Diesel) or cleaner petrol (low sulphur) locally. Check with your dealer to see if your car will run on Bio Fuel.
Use “Accelerator” sense: Do you go straight from the accelerator to the brake all the time? You would save fuel if you planned a little further ahead so that rather than having to brake when you hit traffic, gently let the speed of the car decrease as you approach by coming off the gas earlier, gently letting the speed of the vehicle bring you to a halt as you join a queue. There is no point racing up something then having to brake harshly to come to a sudden stop.
Reverse In When You Park: When you start off again, the engine will be cold and at its most fuel inefficient. Reversing out of your drive onto a main road is also against the law; neither is it the safest or quickest way of joining busy traffic. If you reverse in, you can drive smoothly away without having to reverse when the engine is cold, and not only will you save fuel but you will have greater visibility.
