Exits on Roundabouts and Push & Pull

There are two recent changes to the instructions that examiners give to learners on test.

Rondabouts
The first involves how the examiner will explain which exit they wish you to take as you approach a roundabout.
The old way was to say something like, 'At the roundabout, I would like you to turn right, that's the third exit'.
Now they will say 'At the roundabout, take the third exit'
Not alot of difference you may think, but there is now no idea whether the third exit is straight ahead or to the right as you approach. This will mean you may not be aware that you need to indicate right if the third turning is on the right, or don't need to indicate right at all and only indicate left when you have gone past the second exit.

Lets break it down:

• At a standard four-exit roundabout, turning left (first exit), you will indicate left and take the first exit. Your examiner will now just say 'Take the first exit'.
• If going straight ahead (second exit), you will not need to indicate until you have gone past the first exit, then check mirrors and indicate left to leave by the second exit. Your examiner will now say 'Take the second exit'.
• If turning right, you should be indicating right on the approach, go past the first and second turnings, then check mirrors and indicate left and take the third exit. Your examiner will now tell you to take the third exit.

The problem comes when dealing with roundabouts that are non-standard, such as three-exit or five-exit roundabots. In some cases on three-exit roundabouts, the 'first' exit may be 'stright ahead' in which case you may not need too indicate (Re: mini roundabouts). Another issue comes with five-exit roundabouts, where the 'third' exit may be more straight ahead or right, depending on layout. The layout will then dictate whether you indicate right, then left or just left after the second exit. The only way to understand the correct indicating will be experience of the road layout from lots of practice.

Push and Pull

This method of steering is no longer essential and the lack of this style of steering will no longer be marked down as a fault. It is now OK to cross your hands, just as long as the steering is smooth, safe and you have full control of the car at all times.

Also the holding of the steering wheel at ten-to-two or quarter-to-three is no longer necessary. This means that 'smaller' pupils, who may find it difficult to hold the steering wheel so high up, can hold the wheel lower down at twentfive-to-five for example.

More advice on passing you driving test can be found at the GT Driving School website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Drink, Drugs and Young Drivers

I have just found some research about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink and/or drugs:

21% UK drivers aged 17-18 admit to driving on drink or drugs.
32% said they had been in a car with a drunk or drugged driver

There have been a lot of campaigns trying to raise the awareness of the issue but young drivers still appear to think it is OK to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, particularly ‘the morning after’. Nearly 1 in 6 convicted drink-drivers are caught the morning after.

1 in 6 deaths (478 people) were caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit on UK roads in 2007.
At least 15,935 people in the UK were killed or hurt by drink and drug-drivers in 2007. That’s:

• 1328 people every month
• 306 people every week
• 44 people every day
• 2 people every hour

If you are at twice the legal alcohol limit, you are 30 times more likely to cause a road crash. Your reactions are slower after only 1 drink. You can’t judge speed or distances accurately. You are over confident and are likely to make bad decisions, possibly leading to an accident.

Equally, drug taking will impair your ability to drive safely.
Drugs (legal or otherwise) can affect you in the following ways:

• Slower reaction times
• Poor concentration
• Sleepiness / Fatigue
• Confused thinking
• Distorted perception
• Over-confidence

Drugs can stay in your system for days – possibly even months and will effect you for the same period. Research has found that 17% of drivers who die in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their system. A further 6% of fatalities have traces of medicinal drugs in their system.

What can you do about it?

• Simply, DON’T drink, DON’T take drugs if you are going to drive.
• If you have taken some medicine, check the label to see if it is likely to make you drowsy (e.g. some cough medicines or pain killers). If it is, DON'T drive and get someone else to take you.
• DON’T get into a car with someone you suspect has drunk too much or has taken drugs – it may be the last time you do!
• Use public transport (bus or train) or a recognised taxi service / black cab.
• Call a friend or relative that can collect you – they may be annoyed at being called out late at night, but tell them why you're calling. They would rather take a drive to pick you up rather than visit a hospital or mortuary!
• DON’T become an accident statistic.

For more information about driving safely, please go to my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/ or contact me on 07906 302910.