ZOOM ~ The Forward Vision For Group Nights
Notice:- Chelmsford Group AGM 14/09/2020
Long Term Technology Comparison & Review
Getting Back On The Road ~ Cars & Condition
Getting Back On The Road ~ Uninsured Drivers
Getting Back On The Road ~ Collisions are UP!
Getting Back On The Road ~ “Crash for Cash”
Getting Back On The Road ~ Cars Stranded
Getting Back On The Road ~ Cheap Car Wanted
Chelmsford Advanced Motorists www.iamchelmsford.org.uk
Issue 133 June 2020 IAM Group 7223 Registered Charity No 1059372 Just One Hour a Day could make all the difference for someone who is vulnerable and needs our help
...and what did you do during the pandemic?
Page 2 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Group Contact Information Telephone: 07757 399897 - Email: [email protected]
Honorary Life Members
Mr Mike Corbett, Mr Glyn Jarrett, Mrs Ruth Jarrett, Mr Dave Travers, Mr Colin Snow, Mr Scott Bannister, Mrs Gaynor Manthorpe, Mr John Stone. IAM RoadSmart Chelmsford Group Committee Chairman Rak Rehal Vice Chairman Richard Sneader Secretary Frank Ferguson Treasurer John Johnston Membership Secretary Mick Gilbert Chief Observer & Associates Co-ordinator Graham Lowe Training Officer Pat Clements Editor “Forward Vision” & Data Controller Simon Bolingbroke Speakers Co-ordinator & Young Drivers Terry Hyland External Events Organiser & Marketing Malcolm Kentish Group Contact & Website Terry Joyce Committee Member & EPSA Contact Ken Howard Committee Member John Ockmore Committee Member Richard Young
Observers Pat Clements Terry Joyce John Ockmore John Tullett
Mark Criddle Michael Klaber Glen Olley Rob Wise
Paul Hill Graham Lowe Norman Smith Richard Young
Brian Hudspith Chris Pond Richard Sneader Are you interested in becoming an Observer? Contact Pat Clements on 01245 223427
Chelmsford Group Contact Telephone Number - 07757 399897
Chelmsford Group Contact Email Address - [email protected]
Chairman: [email protected] - Editor: [email protected]
Chief Observer: [email protected] - Training Officer: [email protected]
Please contact other Committee Members or Observers via the Group Contact Number or Email.
Page 3 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Forthcoming Group Meetings
These are usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month
at the Essex Police Sports and Social Club, which is through the Police vehicle park at the very end of St. Margarets Road, Chelmsford.
Group Meetings start promptly at 8pm, so please arrive at around 7.45pm.
http://
CM2
Associates, Full Members & Guests Welcome Date Organisation/Topic Speaker 08/06/2020 ZOOM Virtual Quiz Night Rak Rehal 13/07/2020 ZOOM Virtual Group Night It’s a Surprise! 10/08/2020 ZOOM Virtual Group Night It’s a Surprise! Group Annual 14/09/2020 ZOOM Virtual Group Night General Meeting Make a note in your diary and please be there! Disclaimer—Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this House Magazine are those of the individual writers and they do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, nor those of the Chelmsford and District Group of Advanced Motorists. Their accuracy has not been verified.
Notice—Data Protection Act: records are held of members personal details submitted on their application form. The information will be used solely for the Group’s administration purposes and will not be passed to any third party. A copy of an individual’s data held is available to them free of charge upon written request. To comply with General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) the House Magazine does not publish Personal Information including Contact Details unless explicit consent has been provided by the individual. Please contact other Committee Members or Observers via the Group Contact Number or Email.
Page 4 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 ~~~~~~~~ Editorial ~~~~~~~~
Greetings to all Members and Associates,
You would probably imagine that with the best part of three months lockdown and social distancing, there would be little to write about in this June Issue #133 of “Forward Vision”; but this is just not the case now that Government restrictions are very gradually easing and motorists are starting to take to the roads again.
In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has created situations for all of us that required even more information being sent to you in the form of an additional and interim monthly magazine ~ “In Touch” ~ just to keep you informed of what was happening within both IAM RoadSmart and our Chelmsford Group; together with some practical advice as to how to cope as a motorist during the lockdown.
I hope you all have found the “In Touch” magazine both instructive and useful because it is my intention to continue producing and publishing “In Touch” as an infill magazine during the non-”Forward Vision” months for the foreseeable future.
I also thought long and hard about whether to lighten the mood with some humour bearing in mind the very serious situation we are all facing currently; however, I concluded that as bad as everything is, we all needed cheering up a little bit!
Whatever, I regret to say that this edition of “Forward Vision” contains necessary cautionary words for you all within “Getting Back On The Road” because the effects of lockdown and social distancing are bubbling out to affect us all as restrictions are gradually eased and we all start driving again.
I am neither a Mathematician, nor a Statistician, but I wanted to work out for myself just how accurate the forecasts and predictions I have been reading about and researching actually are before publishing my conclusions here in “Forward Vision”.
I can assure you all that I have thoroughly investigated both the sources and the actual data I have presented within the article and it is actually my Maths that has produced near parallel confirmation that what I am presenting is actually correct.
This is really concerning and I urge you all to take close and very serious heed to “Getting Back On The Road” for both your Safety and Finances. Continued...
Page 5 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 ...Continued
The Chelmsford Group Committee have not been idle and twiddling their thumbs whilst all IAM RoadSmart activities have been suspended due to lockdown.
In fact, Committee Members email boxes have been bursting with suggestions and discussions as to how we, as a Group, can maintain contact and re-introduce any form of activities for the benefit of our Members and Associates.
This, of course, has necessarily needed the Committee to heed both the current legislation and evolving advice issued by the Government as well as ensure the safety of our Members ~ Hence, we have trialled Zoom Committee Meetings.
Consequently, I am pleased to announce of behalf of the Chelmsford Group Committee that we will be introducing “Virtual Group Nights” via Zoom with effect from 8th June being our normal second Monday in the month Group Night and thereafter.
A long term date for your Diary is the September 14th “Virtual Group Night” via Zoom which will also be the Chelmsford Group’s Annual General Meeting for which you will all receive invitations via email to join the meeting and ability to “propose and vote”.
Those of you without email will receive written postal “propose and vote” forms.
You may imagine that with lockdown I would not be able to continue my article from the last edition of “Forward Vision” March 2020 Issue #132; in respect of my detailed “Long Term Test and Technology Comparison” between my two Marks of Skoda Octavia vehicles ~ Just because I would not have driven and actually been anywhere.
You would be wrong!
In fact and in reality, I am both an NHS / Royal Voluntary Services Responder, and an Essex County Council / Essex Welfare Services (EWS) Responder, providing SafeGuarding Visits to, and Emergency Transportation for treatment of the Vulnerable, Sick, and Isolated.
Consequently, during lockdown, I have legitimately driven well over 2,500 miles throughout the whole of Essex and clocked up over 1,500 hours on voluntary duties.
This has enabled me to thoroughly explore the Autonomous features of my new Mk 3 vehicle and make some keen observations in comparison to my older Mk 2 vehicle.
Moreover, the “Driver Assist” features have already “assisted” me in conjunction with my Advanced Driver skills in avoiding a “Crash for Cash” attempt back in December when I had only owned the vehicle for Eight Days! ~ More on that in this Issue.
Stay Alert. Control the Virus. Save Lives, & Drive Safely,
Simon Bolingbroke
Page 6 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133
Join the Chelmsford Group for a virtual Group Night via Zoom on June 8th at our usual meeting time of 20:00
Our Chairman, Rak Rehal has organised a fun, interesting, and challenging Quiz Night
To Join the Zoom Meeting using your Browser Simply Click on the Hyperlink below
Topic: IAM Chelmsford Group Zoom Meeting Time: Jun 8, 2020 @ 20:00 London
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7710298290
Meeting ID: 771 029 8290
You will also receive an email invitation with this Hyperlink nearer the meeting date
For technical support put a “0” before the Meeting ID Number and you have my Mobile Phone Number
Electronic Back Issues of “Forward Vision” and “In Touch” are available to download from http://www.iamchelmsford.org.uk/
Page 7 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #1
Many people throughout the UK will not have driven for over Ten Weeks; whilst others will only have driven intermittently and then only to the nearest supermarket and back.
There are going to be a number of factors that could potentially make driving a far more hazardous prospect for unwary drivers and I bet you have not thought of them.
Cars & Condition
The Government introduced an automatic six month extension at the end of March to MoT tests and detailed analysis of current surveys in conjunction with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) statistics paint a frightening picture of exactly who you will be sharing the road with.
Statistics show that there are potentially 1,096,000 unroadworthy vehicles set to return to the UK’s roads as lockdown restrictions are progressively lifted because this is the number that typically fail an MoT test in any six month period.
Of this One Million plus vehicles, 316,000 would have failed with a Dangerous Defect; with a further 780,000 failing with a Major Defect.
What makes these figures even more concerning is that in a recent survey of 2,000 UK Drivers who will have been exempted an MoT test for six months, 49% did not plan to get their car tested until the very end of the extension period.
Even more staggering was that 8% believed there was something wrong with their car and expected it to fail the MoT test were it tested now.
Studying these figures further and in conjunction with statistics for the whole of the UK we find that there are about…
38,400,000 cars on UK roads, of which about 9,900,000 are under three years old and exempt the MoT test anyway; leaving 28,500,000 requiring an annual MoT test.
We can probably discount a further 500,000 Classic Vehicles which are maintained to a very high standard by enthusiastic owners, leaving 28,000,000 of which half will typically require an MoT test within six months.
That leaves 14,000,000 that have not been MoT tested of which our original Survey figure of 8% of drivers who believed their vehicle to be faulty produces a figure of 1,120,000 cars that are unroadworthy and potentially on the road.
This compares almost exactly to the original estimate of 1,096,000 cars statistically.
Furthermore, our Survey shows that 71% of Drivers said they wanted the Government to end the MoT Extension now, and a further 18% very soon as traffic returns to normal levels ~ In other words, Everyone who believes their car is Roadworthy!
Page 8 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #2
So you think One Million plus unroadworthy cars being driven is bad enough?
Uninsured Drivers
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, statistics from the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) revealed that there were around 1,000,000 uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads.
As a result of the pandemic, One in Four employers expect to make permanent redundancies and although estimates vary, it is expected that around 7.6 Million jobs, or 24% of the UK workforce, are at risk; and that People and Places with the lowest incomes are the most at risk.
It has been estimated that up to a further 2.5 Million additional drivers could be added to the original pre-pandemic figure giving a total of around 3.5 Million uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads.
That means there are potentially 8.5% of drivers on the roads without insurance; or very, very approximately, every tenth car on the road is uninsured.
So why is this figure of uninsured drivers potentially so high?
There are three main reasons of which the first is that with most redundancies occurring amongst the poorest in society, they will be least able to afford to insure their cars and the most desperate to accept any job, however far away, to pay rent or mortgages and keep food on the table.
The second reason is that public transport will be more restricted through both limited services and limited capacity due to social-distancing.
The third reason, specifically as a result of the second reason above, is that the Government are recommending that workers use their cars to travel to work and not use public transport.
Bearing in mind that the most disadvantaged in society will not be able to afford to insure their vehicle and also that they will most likely be the ones with vehicles that are not roadworthy and without an MoT; the risk of you becoming involved in a road traffic collision with a faulty vehicle is substantially increased and with the added likelihood that the driver is uninsured.
Of course, anyone driving without an MoT is driving contrary to the terms and conditions of their policy and automatically forfeits their insurance anyway.
This is going to affect all other Motorists with future substantially higher premiums on their own car insurance to cover the costs of claims.
However, I am sorry to say this is not the end of the bad news for motorists.
Page 9 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #3
So, not driving much, or at all, during lockdown has not affected your driving skills?
Think again!
Skills are maintained through Practice, Familiarity, and Concentration
We all think that once we have been trained and learnt how to do something that we have those skills for life but this is simply just not true.
Moreover, any sportsperson (and even yourself for that matter) will know that if you do not practice your skills then they will deteriorate over time ~ even a few weeks!
Similarly, to reinforce the point, the Military conduct exercises to refresh knowledge and hone skills to meet evolving situations and scenarios in preparedness for war.
Furthermore, we all know the difference between driving a regular route between home and work or the shops; and driving an unknown route when away on holiday which takes far more concentration because there is more to think about.
I most seriously suggest to you that the factors I have presented to you on the previous two pages should make you realise that you will be facing far more risks that require far more concentration and alertness to stay safe.
If you do not believe me then here is the proof!
Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) statistics show that road traffic collisions with unattended vehicles (parked cars) are now the most common form of collision since lockdown having risen from 19% up to 29% of all claims in this period but with 80% less traffic.
Interestingly, these collisions include both manoeuvring within confined parking areas for example as well as passing parked vehicles at the side of the road.
Bearing in mind that there is only one driver who can be at fault in this situation, the reason is that drivers have lost their instinctive awareness of the length and breadth of their vehicle together with their judgement of distance and space.
Consequently, they have simply become completely unfamiliar with their vehicle and out of practice in their driving skills.
Moreover, when questioned, many motorists stated they had been distracted by worry and concerns about the current pandemic situation, financial problems, and family members either at risk or even ill.
Clearly, it is too easy to lose concentration because of our changed circumstances.
Yet again, there is more bad news to come...
Page 10 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #4
Last Christmas Day evening I attended a splendid Christmas dinner hosted by my sister and brother-in-law together with their family and friends.
I left just before midnight and on my way home, I was the victim of an attempted “Crash for Cash” scam which fortunately failed due to a combination of my Advanced Driver skills, concentration, and awareness; together with the autonomous technology built into in my new car. (Full details here)
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) say “Crash for Cash” increasing
The lockdown period with so few vehicles on the road made it very difficult for scammers to get away with this sort of incident convincingly.
However, with more traffic coming back on to the road, and drivers a little rusty with their skills; the IFB believe that “Crash for Cash” will come back again with a vengeance and particularly because the scammers have had many, many zero income weeks.
Crash-for-cash scams work by using dangerous and misleading driving manoeuvres to cause an innocent driver to collide with the con artist’s car.
The criminals then make false or inflated claims for damage, personal injuries and loss of earnings.
The IFB estimates that 10 per cent of all personal injury claims are linked to crash-for- cash scams and the fraud costs the insurance industry almost £340 million a year. Staged accidents are also the cause of many real injuries to innocent victims and have resulted in deaths.
Crash-for-cash “accidents” often sees fraudsters attempt to cause collisions by slamming on their brakes at busy junctions or roundabouts in hope that the driver behind will not be able to stop in time.
In some instances, the fraudsters use a decoy vehicle in front of them, which drives erratically or suddenly brakes then drives off, the fraudster behind can brake sharply to cause a collision while diverting suspicion to the vehicle that left the scene.
‘Giving way’ is another tactic used, where fraudsters either encourage unsuspecting motorists to pull out of a side road or remain stationary until they creep forward for a clearer view of a junction, then deliberately drive into them.
It’s also important to pay close attention to the vehicle ahead and not focus only on its lights as some fraudsters have been known to disable brake lights when attempting crash-for-cash.
My message to you all is simply, “Take much greater care when out on the road!”
Page 11 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #5 Motorists face being stranded in breakdowns as recovery industry faces crisis.
With many cars stood idle for weeks it is feared more motorists will suffer breakdowns, but the industry could be near collapse.
Motorists whose cars breakdown face being abandoned because the independent roadside recovery industry is facing collapse due to the coronavirus lockdown, a new study has found.
Research by an all party parliamentary group has found four out five rescue companies are warning they face bankruptcy in the next three months.
The prospect of so many independent recovery companies closing comes as more restrictions on movement are expected to be lifted with the likelihood of a ‘staycation’ seeing the number of motorists taking to the roads increasing dramatically.
It is feared that because so many cars have been standing idle for so long a greater number of them will be susceptible to suffering mechanical problems.
Independent recovery companies, which are usually family owned small businesses, respond to a significant number of breakdowns.
A survey by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Roadside Rescue and Recovery showed 46 per cent of such companies have been operating at below one fifth of their usual capacity, with four in five businesses operating below 40 per cent capacity.
As a consequence, 78 per cent of businesses said they could survive for fewer than three months at current levels, and 77 per cent of businesses admitting they were not confident about surviving the crisis.
The companies are particularly vulnerable because, unlike motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC which get monthly or annual subscriptions, they are paid per job.
Sir Mike Penning MP, the Conservative MP and chair of the parliamentary group, said: “These survey results make for harrowing reading. The nation depends on a sustainable roadside recovery industry to keep our roads moving. This will be as true after lockdown as it was before.
“I am worried that if many of these independent recovery businesses fold we will be looking at a congested road network further down the line. The government should take steps now to extend the business rates holiday to include recovery operators, and look at other forms of tax relief to ensure this essential industry survives intact.”
Richard Goddard, chairman of the Professional Recovery Operators Federation, said the country faces a “log jam” as demand picks up later in the summer when people who cannot travel abroad choose to have holidays in the UK.
Page 12 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #6
Surge in demand for cheap used cars and 'old bangers' due to Covid
Data shows there has been a spike in enquiries about older vehicles as people plan a return to the roads.
Fears about the safety of public transport are driving a surge in demand for cheap cars and even old “bangers”.
Automotive industry data shows a spike in enquiries about older vehicles as people plan a return to the roads.
Research by car sales website Auto Trader revealed 56pc of commuters with a driving licence who used public transport before the pandemic said they now expected to buy a car to get to work after the lockdown ended.
Coronavirus concerns also drove searches for lower-priced vehicles. Auto Trader said compared with pre-lockdown levels, there had been a shift in demand, with enquiries for cars priced below £1,500 up by 11pc; 13pc rises in the £1,501 to £3,000 and £3,001 to £5,000 price brackets; and a 12pc rise for cars valued at £5,001 to £7,500.
Higher-priced cars also saw increased interest, but less significant rises. According to the company, the average price of a used car in the UK is £13,542. While still not allowed to open their showroom doors because of the lockdown, car dealers have described similar interest.
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, one of the UK’s biggest with 133 outlets, said orders for cars at the lower end of the market were rising fast.
He said: “Cheap used cars are flying out the door. Demand for anything under £9,000 is flying out the door.”
Although shuttered showrooms mean overall demand is low, 31pc of orders taken by Vertu in April and May have been for cars priced at £9,000 or less, a jump of 17pc on normal levels.
The findings came as the car industry lobbied the Government to be allowed to reopen dealerships, saying their large premises meant social distancing could be enforced, and claiming each day’s closure cost the taxpayer £61m in lost tax receipts, and funding for the job retention scheme to pay for the wages of furloughed sales staff.
Article Source:- The Telegraph
By Alan Tovey, INDUSTRY EDITOR
Page 13 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #7
The Bank of Mum and Dad, or even GrandMa and GrandPa, is going to become more important to young drivers post pandemic in the new normal.
When I was young passing your Driving Test was a Right of Passage for 17 and 18 year old males, closely followed by females aged 19-20 years old; whereas, the average age of younger adults starting to drive today has risen significantly to 26 years old.
Furthermore, the number of those actually taking an ever harder Theory Test and failing more than once has also increased; together with those actually making it to the Practical Test and also failing.
Similarly, for the past 20 years more and more young people have been postponing obtaining their Driving License, or even not bothering at all, owing to the ever rising costs of motoring and especially Car Insurance because they simply cannot afford the costs.
The good news for younger drivers today is that almost all models of cars have become far more durable and reliable because of both technological advances and legislation in respect of the build quality of cars compared to the rust buckets available back in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.
Consequently, it is far more likely for a young person to buy an older and cheaper car which will be far more practical, economical, and reliable; although the car insurance for the young driver could be typically twice the value of the car just because of the weighting applied against young drivers by insurance companies.
The measure for this insurance premium weighting has also crept up over the years in stages from over 21 to over 29, and in some instances over 35 depending upon the company; just because the average age of a newly qualified driver has risen over the years from 17-18 to 26 years old.
The consequences of the pandemic are going to force more people to drive, and to drive further, and for lower wages, just to hold down any job they can find; and the likely source of funds for them to do this is most likely, almost inevitably, to be the Bank of Mum and Dad.
So here is some advice for what to buy that is cheap, and reliable.
Page 14 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #8
ByAlex Robbins, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ~ The Telegraph
What to buy that won’t break the Bank of Mum and Dad The best used family cars for less than £2,000
5: Renault Twingo (2007-2014) ~ If you’re looking for the newest city car within this budget, then look no further. Low prices mean you can buy a newer, lower-mileage Renault Twingo than you can any of the other cars here, so if you want a car that feels comparatively up-to-date, this is a good bet. But the Twingo’s appeal doesn’t end there. Soft suspension means it rides over the sorts of potholes we’re used to in British towns easily, and there’s a good-sized boot by city car standards; higher-specification models even come with a sliding rear bench, so that you can extend the boot space while still making use of the back seats. Inside, it’s pretty cheap and cheerful – although the dash is stylish, it’s rendered in flimsy plastics – but there is a surprising amount of space for a city car. The biggest downside is that there’s no five- door version, so if you regularly load a baby into the rear seats, you might like to look elsewhere – but if you’re happy with a three-door runaround, the Twingo is a strong option. Price to pay: from £1,000 We found: 2010 Twingo 1.2 Extreme, 58,000 miles, full service history, £1,695 Watch out for: Electrical glitches, broken interior plastics, rattles, squeaks, sticking electric windows.
4: Kia Picanto (2004-2011) ~ Are you buying your city car with your sensible head firmly in place? If so, the Picanto makes a very strong case for itself. Not only is it one of the most spacious little cars you can buy for this sort of cash, seating four adults with ease, but it’s easy to drive, cheap to run, and oh so reliable. Picantos are mechanically very simple, and very rarely go wrong – and even when they do, they tend to be as cheap as chips to put right again. The downside is that the Picanto is rather bland to drive, and its slightly unsettled ride isn’t the most comfortable. What’s more, while the interior is well screwed together, it isn’t particularly exciting to look at and, for that matter, the same goes for the exterior. You do get lots of equipment, though, and combined with the Picanto’s terrific value, that makes it a smart buy. Price to pay: from £500 We found: 2009 Picanto 1.1 Strike, 42,000 miles, full service history, £1,995 Watch out for: Worn, knocking suspension bushes, anti-lock brakes (ABS) issues.
Page 15 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #9
3: Toyota Aygo (2005-2014) ~ Despite being 15 years old now, the Aygo still looks fresh. Inside it’s a bit cheap, but smart styling makes it at least feel funky, and you get the choice of three or five doors. The Aygo’s also super-cheap to run, with very low fuel and tax costs, and insurance should set you back very little, too. And while it’s a push to call it fun to drive, the little three-cylinder engine is characterful, even if it can get a little bit strained during motorway journeys. There are loads of Aygos around to choose from; if you can’t find one you like, you could try either of its sister cars – the Peugeot 107 or Citroen C1 – instead; they’re almost identical. However, the Aygo benefits from slightly more generous equipment, so it’s our choice here, even though it’s a fraction more expensive. Price to pay: from £1,000 We found: 2009 Aygo 1.0 Blue, 60,000 miles, full service history, £2,000 Watch out for: Leaking coolant pumps, worn clutches, water leaks in boot, failed power steering.
2: Fiat Panda (2004-2012) ~ The second-generation Panda was a terrific little car when it was new – so much so, in fact, that it was on the receiving end of the European Car of the Year award in 2004. Not only is it great looking inside and out, but it’s also extremely spacious. What’s more, it’s ideally suited to its urban remit; light steering and easy controls make it a doddle to drive, while its tall, narrow shape and excellent visibility make parking a cinch. There’s a decent amount of space inside, though beware that a folding rear seat was an optional extra, so seek out a car that has it fitted. The interior plastics and seat fabrics aren’t exactly the hardest- wearing things in the world, either, which can make them look a little tired at this age.
Nevertheless, the Panda is actually one of the more reliable cars Fiat has made, and a well cared for example should still be dependable. What’s more, if money’s tight, the super-frugal Eco models will doubtless be of interest – and if you fancy something a little more fun, this budget will even afford you one of the excellent 100HP models, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Price to pay: from £600 We found: 2008 Panda 1.2 Eleganza, 55,000 miles, full service history, £1,999 Watch out for: Failed or intermittent power steering, problematic Multijet diesels, dodgy Duologic automatic gearboxes.
Page 16 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #10
Best buy: Hyundai i10 (2008-2014) ~ OK, we’ll admit it: the i10 probably won’t be your choice if you’re after style in your city car. But if you can get past its frumpy looks, it’s a cracking all-rounder that should do everything you need it to. Firstly, it’s practical. Not only is it spacious thanks to a tall roofline, but there’s a decent- sized boot too. In the front, the dashboard is well laid-out with big buttons that are easy to find your way around. It’s frugal, too – not only is it good value to buy, it’s economical and cheap to maintain. What’s more, the i10 is one of the more reliable small cars, with very few common problems of note. It’s even good to drive. Granted, it won’t challenge any hot hatchbacks for driving thrills, but the i10 handles tidily and feels composed in corners. It rides comfortably, too, so it doesn’t feel out of its depth when you leave the confines of the town. And it’s well equipped, with more toys than you might expect for your cash. So while it won’t be the most fashionable choice, it’s still a very canny way to spend your £2,000. Price to pay: from £1,400 We found: 2008 i10 1.2 Style, 65,000 miles, full service history, £1,995 Watch out for: Corroding rear brakes, premature clutch problems, electrical niggles, surface rust on bodywork.
The best used family cars for less than £1,000
Ford Focus Mk2 (2004-2011) ~ Why: The original Focus was one of Ford’s most avant-garde mainstream offerings ever, and while this second-generation model was a touch less adventurous, it brought improvements in quality and space, and was still plenty of fun to drive. Today, there are plenty of Focuses around, which means lots of choice for buyers at this price. Pick a petrol version for simple mechanicals that any local garage will be able to find its way around, and you’ll also get a car with plenty of space for the family and a boot that’s more than big enough for the weekly shop. Later models were offered in top-spec Titanium form, but you won’t find these for your budget, so the best version you’ll find for the price is the Ghia, which comes with climate control and faux wood trim; Zetec and Sport versions are less well equipped, but easier to find, and slightly cheaper to buy. You pays your money, you takes your choice. Either way, a second-generation Focus is currently a very smart and usable way to spend £1,000. The one to have: 1.6 Ghia 5dr What to pay: £1,000 for a clean example with a long MoT. What to look out for: 1.6 diesel versions can be troublesome, so for this price they’re best avoided. As with all older Fords, rust can be an issue, particularly around the rear wheel arches. Electrical problems are not unknown, either, so check everything works, and watch out for odd dashboard lights and unusual behaviour from the gauges.
Page 17 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #11 Suzuki Swift Mk3 ( 2010–2017) ~ Why: The third-generation Suzuki Swift is that rare thing: a small, reliable hatchback whose ownership experience isn’t mired in drudgery. Not only does it look good, but it’s surprisingly good fun to drive; while the ride is a little firmer and noisier than some small cars’, the payoff is good body control which, combined with the quick, direct steering, results in a sense of agility you might not have been prepared for. For this sort of money, you’ll probably have to make do with the mid-range GL, rather than the top-spec GLX, so the Swift might feel a little more basic than some alternatives here, but you do at least get electric windows, power steering and central locking, so it won’t feel like you’re missing out on too many toys. The 1.3-litre engine is perky and very economical, too, so this is a great choice if cheap running costs are all. Also of note is the fact that Swift owners tend to be low-mileage drivers and careful with servicing, so there plenty of tidy examples around with lots of life left in them. Downsides? Well, apart from that slightly firm ride, you’ll have to live with some cheap interior plastics and a small-ish boot. The one to have: 1.3 GL What to pay: £900 gets you a good one with low miles and a decent MoT. What to look out for: On the whole, the Swift is very reliable and has few common faults, but do be aware that bumpers can be very expensive to replace, so beware accident-damaged cars. You’ll also want to look out for excessive tyre wear on the edges of the rear wheels, which is a sign they’re misaligned, possibly due to a bent rear twist-beam.
Honda Civic Mk7 (2000–2005) ~ Why: The ‘bread-van’ Civic wasn’t exactly well-liked when it came out thanks to its rather unlovely styling, but those boxy looks were there for a reason. With its high-riding, almost MPV-like seating position, this generation of Civic not only offered loads of space, but made it easy to slide in and out – and to install your nearest and dearest into child seats in the back. This Civic hails from an era when Honda was building some terrific cars, and it shows. Inside, it’s beautifully built, with an unusual dash-mounted gearstick that falls neatly to hand, making it a doddle to drive. And under the bonnet sit a range of zingy engines that nevertheless manage decent fuel economy and feel beautifully smooth. What’s more, while there’s no guarantee that a car of this age will be impeccably reliable, the Civic’s reputation is as one of the most dependable family cars around, meaning you’re in with a good chance. If you’re really lucky, you might be able to find an attractively priced example of the top-of-the-range Executive for this money, though more likely, you’ll have to stick with the SE, which has a slightly lower specification, but still gets air conditioning and electric windows all round. The one to have: 1.6 SE What to pay: £1,000 for a solid SE or perhaps even a high-mileage top-spec Executive, if you’re feeling bold. What to look out for: The then-innovative electric power steering can pack up, so be wary of any car that steers oddly or heavily. Check the air-con works on early cars as condensors can fall apart causing gas leaks. for rust on the rear hatch and water ingress toward the rear of the roof, from perished aerial seals.
Page 18 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Getting Back On The Road #12 Toyota Yaris Mk1 (1999-2005) ~ Why: If sensible, economical and reliable are your watchwords, the first-generation Toyota Yaris should be on your list. Toyota built its reputation on reliability, and a well-maintained Yaris should go on for years and miles without needing much more than simple, basic maintenance. Both the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engines are zippy and smooth, and while the rare 1.4-litre diesel is a little more mechanically complex it’s extremely efficient. Inside, there’s a wacky but well-built inte- rior with a digital speedo mounted in the centre of the dash top, but you also get loads of cubbies to store your odds and ends, while in the back there’s plenty of room, albeit with a rather small boot. The Yaris is no ball of fire to drive, but neither is it a mess, with tidy, safe handling that won’t cause any problems. And if you choose the 1.3-litre, you even get the option of a decent torque-converter auto- matic gearbox (though avoid the so- called Freetronic available on the 1.0 cars). Happily, this budget will afford you one of the later, facelifted cars, which look a little more modern and come with more toys. High-specification T3 and T-Spirit versions are the models to aim for. The one to have: 1.3 T3 5dr What to pay: £1,000 for a tidy, low-mileage example with evidence of careful maintenance. What to look out for: Engines can be quite oil-sensitive and use quite a bit, so keep them topped up and change it regularly. Surprisingly prone to suspension bushes wearing, but not too pricey to re- place – listen for clonks. Rust within rear wheel arch area can be an issue, so check up inside the arch.
Skoda Fabia Mk1 (1999–2007) ~ Why: The first-generation Fabia now offers so much, for so little. It’s one of the largest small cars you can buy for the price, which means that while it sits on the same basic underpinnings as the Volkswagen Polo, you get a lot more space inside. What’s more, the Fabia borrows some solid, dependa- ble Volkswagen engine technology, from times long before emissions cheating was a concept anyone had heard of. Consequently, it’s cheap to run and cheap to maintain, and when it does go wrong it shouldn’t be too costly to repair, either. There’s even a good diesel option in the shape of the 1.4 TDI, should you need to keep fuel costs to an absolute minimum, though if you don’t, we’d still recommend one of the petrol versions. None is a ball of fire, but all should pro- vide more than enough poke to get you up to speed on the motorway. For this sort of money, you should have your pick of versions and engines, and late, post-facelift cars with their more upmarket interiors and bolstered equipment levels are well within reach. And with its smart interior and chunky styling, the Fabia should bring a smile to your face even though you’re motoring on a budget. The one to have: 1.2 HTP Ambiente What to pay: £900 for a clean, tidy example with plenty of service history and a long MoT. What to look out for: Wet carpets caused by leaks into the driver’s footwell, electrical issues caused by damp wiring looms, cooling system problems with 1.4 8v engine, snapping timing chains on early 1.2s.
Page 19 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 REST AREA
Page 20 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The Chelmsford & District Group of Advanced Motorists
24th Annual General Meeting – Monday 14th September 2020 at 8.00 p.m.
NOTE :- This meeting will be conducted remotely using Zoom.
Details about how to join the meeting will be issued by Simon Bolingbroke nearer the time.
Agenda
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the last meeting (AGM on 8th July 2019) are published herewith
Matters arising from the Minutes
Reports from the Chairman and Treasurer.
These are published in this edition of Forward Vision
Financial Report for year ended March 31st, 2020, published herewith.
Election of Officers
The following Group Officers retire and offer themselves for re-election.
Rak Rehal – Chairman Richard Sneader – Vice Chairman
Frank Ferguson – Secretary John Johnston – Treasurer
Election of Committee Members
The following Committee Members retire by rotation and offer themselves for re- election:-
Mick Gilbert, Malcolm Kentish, John Ockmore.
Nominations from full members are invited for the above positions.
Nomination forms are available from the group secretary and anyone wishing to make a nomination must send their signed and seconded nomination form to the secretary to be received by September 5th. (This can be by e-mail or post)
Any Other Business
Frank Ferguson Group Secretary
E: [email protected] T: 01268 546 444 #5 M: 07966 763 042
PLEASE NOTE: It will be helpful if members wishing to raise questions about any matter would put their question to me in advance of the meeting so that an answer can be available.
A system of electronic voting will be in use on the night.
Page 21 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Chelmsford & District Group of Advanced Motorists
Minutes of the 23rd Annual General Meeting 2019 held on 8 July
At the Essex Police Sports & Social Club, Chelmsford, Essex The meeting commenced at 20:00.
Apologies for absence - Richard Sneader & Graham Lowe.
Adoption of the Minutes.
Minutes of the previous AGM were accepted. – the motion to accept the Minutes was proposed by Rak Rehal & seconded by Colin Snow and was passed without objection.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising from the Minutes.
Reports from the Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer & Chief Observer.
These were published in the June edition of Forward Vision. A question was raised about why the Chief Observers Report covered a period of only four months instead of twelve. It was noted that this report did not normally form part of the reports required for the AGM but was a report which was provided to the committee on a bi-monthly basis. The motion to accept the reports (noting that proviso) was proposed by Steve Wright & seconded by Pat Clements and was passed without objection.
Financial Report for year ended 31 March 2018.
The accounts were published in the June edition of Forward Vision. The motion to accept the accounts was proposed by Frank Ferguson and seconded by Chris Gardner and was passed without objection.
Election of Officers
The Chairman (Rak Rehal), Vice Chairman (Richard Sneader), Secretary (Frank Ferguson) and Treasurer (John Johnston) all retire and offer themselves for re-election. In the absence of any other nominations, all four were elected unopposed as follows:-
Chairman – Rak Rehal. Proposed by Frank Ferguson and seconded by Malcolm Kentish. Vice Chairman – Richard Sneader. Proposed by Terry Joyce and seconded by Colin Snow. Secretary – Frank Ferguson. Proposed by John Johnston and seconded by Martine Compton. Treasurer – John Johnston. Proposed by Steve Wright and seconded by Malcolm Kentish.
Election of Committee Members
As dictated by the rules, approximately one third of ordinary Committee members retire each year by rotation. Those retiring this year are Pat Clements, Dagmar Hampton, Ken Howard, Terry Joyce and Graham Lowe. All offered themselves for re-election. In the absence of any other nominations, all were re-elected unopposed. The motion was proposed by Martine Compton and seconded by John Johnston.
Any Other Business
There was no other business
The meeting closed at 20:24. Prepared by FF 11/07/2019
Page 22 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Chair’s Report for the Annual General Meeting 2020
Our AGM this year will clearly be different to normal as we will be conducting it virtually via a Zoom video-conference. Prior to the AGM we will of course be holding our Group Nights by the same medium.
As usual, we have had a busy year in our Group and have focused most importantly on training (Observing) people to give them valuable advanced driving skills. Our mandate is to “make better riders and drivers” and at the end of the day make the roads a safer place. I still passionately believe that through our actions each one of us has made some tangible difference; so well done and let us all feel really good about that.
Even though we always have plenty of people waiting to join us we still attend a number of events to get the word out of who we are, what we do, and talk to the general public to explain the benefits of IAM Observed Driving, including the offer of a “free taster drive” and if people feel appropriate taking a test as well.
We have great Group Nights with some excellent, entertaining and thought provoking speakers and the Committee will keep arranging this. As these events are for all of us, we would be really interested in subjects you would like us to cover as well as introducing us to people you think the Group would like to hear from.
I am sure you would all like to join me in giving my thanks to all the Committee Members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep Chelmsford IAM as active as it is, and of course special thanks to all our voluntary Observers.
We are always looking for new Committee Members to help and support the Group, so if you would like to get more involved please let us know. Any additional support is always appreciated and welcome.
At the end of this year Graham, our Chief Observer would like to relinquish that role, so we are now on the look-out for his replacement. I think you would all agree on what an outstanding job Graham has done and he will clearly be “big shoes to fill”.
Looking forward, the next year will clearly be different following the current COVID-19 pandemic, but at the moment it’s difficult to say exactly how. As a Group we will keep focusing on our mandate to “make better riders and drivers” in whatever the “new normal” is.
You will have heard us talk about an initiative to get better engaged with younger drivers, as soon as we can after they have passed their driving test, and this clearly is still a priority for us.
Finally, the usual request from me to everyone, please get in touch with me or any Committee member on anything that is on your mind.
Regards,
Rak Rehal Group Chair, Chelmsford IAM RoadSmart
Page 23 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The Chelmsford & District Group of Advanced Motorists
Treasurer’s Report
The Group’s accounts for the year ended the 31 March 2020 are set out together with the figures for 2018/19.
This year there was a deficit in income against expenditure of £846.00. The bulk of this was due to a significant increase in the cost of telephone and postage, the committee took the decision to purchase sufficient stamps to cover the posting of Forward Vision for at least the next 12 months before the recent increase in the cost of stamps.
As you are aware as members you are being encouraged to receive this magazine electronically for as well as reducing the Group’s costs, with all the links now incorporated into the publication it is a better package. However those that still wish to receive a copy in the post this option will continue to be available..
Other highlights of the accounts income from new associates is reduced, no doubt reflecting the economic climate before the current situation. It can be expected that the income from this source will be lower for the next 12 months due to the Groups inability to undertake observer drives. general room and admin costs are lower for as a committee we have maintained a control on expenditure and will continue to do so.
The financial position of the Group is still strong and it has assets in the Charity account of £11,715.29 . In view of this, at the moment it is not considered a need for those that are making the £10 per annum donation to the Group by standing order to be asked to increase this figure. The situation in respect of those who pay by cheque is continually under review as with the closure of our Bank’s local branch, dealing with cheques becomes more expensive. It would be helpful to the Group if everybody has a standing order, so if you do not, please reconsider your decision.
It is the wish of the Charity Commission that we do not retain a high level of assets as they should be used by the Charity. To comply with this requirement the committee of the Group is continually looking at further ways of using the funds we have to promote our objectives.
In respect of the Social Account, there was a small deficit last year which was caused by payments to speakers, significant costs at the December meeting and the balance to be carried forward is £3,470.76
I am pleased to advise you that the Group’s accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020 have been reviewed by an Independent Examiner and they have received a Clean Bill of Health.
John Johnston Honorary Treasurer
Page 24 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Chelmsford & District Group Institute of Advanced Motorists
Income & Expenditure account for the year to 31 March 2020
Income year ending 31/03/2020 year ending 31/3/2019 Gift Aid £1,348.50 Full Member Renewals £2,735.00 £2,750.00 Associate member joining fees £899.00 £1,240.00 4x4 days £700.00 Skid pan Newsletter Book Sales Donations £70.00 £4,404.00 £5,338.50
Expenditure Other £526.81 £1,495.43 Books General admin & room hire £575.79 £1,038.78 Telephone & Postage £1,101.36 £596.58 Printing & Stationary £343.51 £179.49 Travel £548.33 £340.50 4x4 Days £761.20 Skid Pan Newsletter £1,393.00 £5,250.00 £1,378.60 £5,029.38
Surplus for year -£846.00 £309.12
General Fund Balance brought forward £4,513.27 £4,204.15
Surplus for year on activities -£846.00 £309.12
General Fund Balance carried forward £3,667.27 £4,513.27
General Fund Balance carried forward £3,667.27 £4,513.27 Capital Assets Virgin Deposit brought forward £7,988.00 £7,943.28 Interest 2019/2020 £60.02 £8,048.02 £44.72 £7,988.00 Total Assets £11,715.29 £12,501.27
Social Fund brought forward £3,586.53 £3,655.27 Income £803.95 £666.50 Expenditure -£919.72 -£735.24 £3,470.76 £3,586.53
Page 25 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Is drug driving becoming a big problem?
By ROB HULL FOR THISISMONEY.CO.UK
Offences in England and Wales increased by a fifth last year, government figures show and Drug driving prosecutions rose from 9,687 in 2018 to 11,614 last year.
Ministry of Justice figures show 'other offences related to drink- or drug-driving' also increased by 12% in 2019.
The AA has warned that the issue could reach endemic levels in Britain.
Essex Police reported the highest number of drug-driving arrests in a single month during April, with 266 in total despite most people being in lockdown.
Drug driving is becoming an increasing problem in Britain, new statistics released by the Government suggest.
Last year, there was a 20 per cent increase in the number of prosecutions for driving while over the limit for specified controlled drugs in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice says.
More than a third of people in England and Wales have admitted to using narcotics on a regular basis a recent Home Office survey revealed and the AA says more need to be done before the drug driving becomes 'endemic.'
'Other offences related to drink- or drug-driving' also increased by 10 per cent, from to 9,541 in 2019, with 'vehicle test offences' also up 10 per cent to 4,036 for the entirety of last year.
Edmund King, AA president, said we should 'all be concerned' about the number of drug drivers on our roads and the rising number of convictions.
'Drug Driving, like drink driving, is never conducive to road safety,' he said.
'Police forces are rightly testing drivers where they see that driving ability is impaired, and some have seen a record number of arrests recently.
'But we need to get to the root cause of the problem and stop this before it becomes endemic.'
Despite most drivers being in lockdown in April, Essex Police said it recorded the highest number of people arrested on suspicion of drug driving last month.
Page 26 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The Essex force made 266 drug driving arrests during the month - the previous highest was 184 in November 2019.
Adam Pipe, head of roads policing at the constabulary, said: 'While the vast majority of people in Essex have been doing the right thing and staying at home, my officers have continued to be out across the county keeping the roads safe.
'There are fewer vehicles on the roads and calls to some types of crimes have reduced but officers have continued to work proactively to identify drug drivers.
'This figure also gives an indication as to the scale of drug driving in Essex.
'You could test positive for drugs in your system days after you last had them and with more than 500 officers trained to use drug wipes, you're really likely to get caught.
'That could mean you could lose your licence, you job, your home and even kill yourself or someone else. Is the high worth the low?'
A survey by the Home Office in 2019 of 16 to 59-year-old residents in households in England and Wales found that 36 per cent regularly take drugs.
'While more than a third of people admit they take recreational drugs like cannabis on a regular basis, they could be unaware of the consequences drug driving can have,' Edmund King warned.
'More action is needed to improve driver education and to stop the supply of illegal drugs,' he added.
The MoJ's figures revealed a 3 per cent increase in the number of people found guilty of drink- driving, rising from 33,634 in 2018 to 34,713 in 2019.
Dangerous driving offences were also up by 4 per cent to 3,789 and while the number of drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving rose 11 per cent from 157 to 174 cases.
In more positive news, recorded prosecutions for careless driving increased by just half a per cent over the 12 months, while the number of people found guilty of using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel fell by a fifth from 11,901 to 9,391.
Page 27 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Car battery conditioners and trickle chargers everything you need to know
There are plenty of reasons why your car might not be seeing regular use, and this could cause permanent damage to your battery.
So whether it’s lockdown, you’ve declared your vehicle off road, or you want your classic car to keep ticking over in storage, find out how a battery conditioner or trickle charger might save you from facing a flat battery.
What are battery conditioners and trickle chargers?
Battery conditioners restore the capacity of lead acid batteries by targeting lead- sulphur deposits which reduce the battery’s ability to hold charge. These deposits build when a car is repeatedly driven on shorter trips or is left unused.
Trickle chargers prevent car batteries from losing enough charge to stop them working. The low-voltage charge is designed to improve the health of your battery on a long-term basis, with a reduced risk of overcharging.
Both are especially useful for second cars, classic cars or any vehicles that aren’t used regularly that you want to keep in a usable condition. Although alternators maintain batteries that are near a full state of charge they’re not designed to recharge a heavily discharged battery.
It’s worth noting that there are 3 main varieties of car batteries
AGM - Absorbent Glass Mat EFB - Enhanced Flooded Batteries SLI - Starting, Lighting, Ignition. These are standard flooded lead acid batteries.
Not all chargers can charge all of these varieties, so always ensure compatibility by reading the manufacturers instructions before you hook up your charger.
How do battery conditioners and trickle chargers work?
Battery conditioners typically dissolve sulphur deposits that build electrical resistance on the plates of batteries.
The resistance prevents the battery from holding a full charge and can make it appear as though it’s dying.
High-frequency pulses are sent through the battery to bypass its lower current flow and, once a small charge occurs, a higher voltage can be used to regenerate full capacity. Conditioners may also trickle charge the battery to improve its performance.
Trickle chargers top-up batteries at the same rate as self-discharge; the slow process uses a low voltage so the devices can be left for an extended period of time. Check your charger to see if it can be left on a battery indefinitely.
Page 28 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 How long does a car conditioner or trickle charger take to work?
The amount of time needed to use a battery conditioner or trickle charger will depend on the condition of the battery and the performance of your conditioner/charger.
A battery conditioner can take up to four weeks to break down lead-sulphate deposits and condition your battery to take a full charge. This does depend on how low the voltage has dropped and the length of time the battery has been left in this condition, though.
A trickle charger can take up to 48 hours to charge a battery to full capacity as most only use one to two amps of power. You can even leave some smarter trickle chargers for days or weeks at a time, but it’s best to check with the manufacturer if this is suitable.
The benefits of using battery conditioners and trickle chargers
Battery conditioners will restore the capacity of your battery after its performance drops. They’re particularly useful if you’ve left your car parked since lockdown measures began, or declared a car SORN and left it unattended in storage for an extended period of time.
Trickle chargers are handy for maintaining the performance of your battery before any problems arise. Owners of classic cars or vehicles with weaker batteries can benefit from using the devices to minimise future issues.
You are heading for trouble if your battery looks like this one!
Page 29 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 How else can I keep my battery healthy?
A booster pack or jump start may help your battery start your engine, but they won’t improve performance in the long term.
Power packs do not target battery capacity or condition. Instead, they simply allow your engine to start, after which your car’s alternator will begin to maintain charge or recharge your battery.
If you plan on not driving your car for a long period of time, it’s best to use a trickle charger before the battery’s capacity reduces. A conditioner that has a float mode should be used after your battery shows signs of holding a lesser charge.
Using these devices could be impractical if your car is parked on the street as you may need to drape cables across the pavement, which can become a tripping hazard for passers-by. So what to do if you can’t use one?
If there are two cars in your household you may want to consider alternating your trips in them. You should also be mindful that repeated short journeys will flatten your battery faster than usual.
Most importantly, you should avoid turning your engine on, only to turn it off again shortly after.
How to use a battery conditioner or trickle charger
Although they work differently, setting up battery conditioners and trickle chargers are virtually the same:
1. Make sure your car is parked in a well-ventilated environment, turn off the ignition and remove the key. 2. Select the appropriate power settings for your battery using the device’s controls – most use 12 volts. 3. Scrub any corrosion that’s on the posts of the battery with steel wool to ensure a better charging connection. 4. Ground the charger by attaching it to a metal part of the engine or chassis to reduce the risk of an electrical surge. On newer cars there may be jump posts specifically for this, it’s worth checking your vehicle handbook if you’re unsure. 5. Take the red clip and attach it to the positive terminal on the battery. 6. Connect the black clip to the negative terminal on the battery. However, on a modern vehicle the battery negative should not be used as this may bypass the battery management sensor. Again, always consult the vehicle handbook 7. Your charger should be turned off and now plugged into the socket. 8. Turn on, charge and make sure there are no sparks or heat given off.
Check with the manufacturer to see how long you can leave the product charging your battery.
Page 30 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Are battery conditioners and trickle chargers safe?
It might seem strange to leave something hooked up to your battery for an extended period of time, but these devices are designed to be used in this way.
However, it’s worth checking with the manufacturer how long their products should be left switched on for.
The heat from charging can also lead to off-gassing – the release of an extremely flammable gas that’s unsafe to breathe – so you’ll need to restore your battery in a well-ventilated environment.
You should make sure you charge or condition your battery in a dry environment as well. Check your vehicle handbook to see if the conditioner or trickle charger is suitable for your battery.
A Fully Charged Battery in Good Condition should register greater than 12 volts when measured using a Multi-meter
Cost effective and adequate Multi-meters are available from multiple sources including Motor Accessory Outlets, Amazon, and e-Bay for around £10—£20.
Similarly, cost effective and adequate Battery Conditioners are available from the same sources for around £20—£40.
Page 31 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Dangerous driving - what it is and how to report it
Dangerous driving offences include the most serious motoring charges on UK roads.
Here we help you understand what dangerous driving involves, its punishments and how you can report other motorists for endangering others.
Dangerous driving
Dangerous driving is committed when a motorist’s driving falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious that driving in that way would be dangerous. Dangerous driving examples
A range of situations are covered by dangerous driving, from the seemingly obvious, like speeding – to lighting a cigarette in your car.
Other examples include driving under the influence of drink and drugs, just as one driver did in March while reporting another motorist for drink-driving.
Ignoring road signs could also lead to a high-risk situation and a dangerous driving charge.
Examples of dangerous driving can include:
Speeding, racing or driving aggressively
Ignoring road signs and traffic lights
Drink or drug-driving, including prescription drugs
Driving with an injury or while being unable to see clearly
Knowingly driving with an unsafe load or dangerous fault
The driver being avoidably and dangerously distracted, for example by:
using a mobile phone or other equipment
reading, or looking at a map
talking to and looking at a passenger
lighting a cigarette, changing a CD or tape, or tuning the radio.
Page 32 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The penalties for dangerous driving
Dangerous driving is split into five different offences. The penalties awarded to a driver will depend on the offence they’re charged with and the severity and circumstances of an incident.
The table below shows the points drivers face for different charges, these stay on record for four years from the date of the offence
Code Offence Points DD10 Causing serious injury by dangerous driving 3 to 11 DD40 Dangerous driving 3 to 11 DD60 Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle 3 to 11 DD80 Causing death by dangerous driving 3 to 11 DD90 Furious driving 3 to 9
A DD80 and DD40 endorsement come with an obligatory driving ban, the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving carries an obligatory 2-year ban. Any driver acquiring more than 12 points on their licence within 3 years will also face a ban. Dangerous driving charges carry an unlimited fine, while prison terms can reach 10 years for causing death by dangerous driving (DD80).
Can you go to jail for dangerous driving?
Whether somebody ends up in jail, and the length of their sentence, depends on the severity and circumstances of an incident.
A dangerous driving charge doesn’t necessarily carry a prison sentence as a recent case in Durham proves, however, the maximum jail term for causing death by dangerous driving (DD80) is 10 years.
Careless driving
Careless driving, or driving without due care and attention, is a less serious offence than dangerous driving. It’s defined by law as “allowing the standard of driving to fall below that of a competent and careful driver”. Where dangerous driving focuses on driving standards dropping ‘far below’ the standard expected, careful driving relates to any drop in standards, no matter how small.
Examples of careless driving could include:
Tailgating Lane-hogging Allowing yourself to be distracted by eating or drinking Allowing yourself to be distracted by passengers Missing traffic lights, road signs or signals
Driving without due care and attention can result in receiving a fixed-penalty notice – with a £100 fine and three points on your licence, although some police forces may offer a driver education course.
Page 33 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Someone using a phone while driving
What is considered using a mobile phone while driving?
Driving while using a mobile phone is a controversial and dangerous issue. The RAC even runs its own campaign called Be Phone Smart - partnering with police and road safety groups to educate and offer advice about in-car mobile phone use.
It’s important to remember that using a phone with hands-free technology or as a sat-nav also has legal implications. As a simple rule, remember that you shouldn’t be distracted by your phone at any time while driving, even when stationary.
The CU80 charge or ‘breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone’, could see a driver awarded six points and a £200 fine.
How to report someone using a phone while driving
Members of the public can report repeat offenders anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the police’s non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, many police forces now accept online reports of using a mobile phone while driving, you may need to be willing to attend court to give evidence and the following information:
The driver’s number plate Video evidence to upload Independent witnesses or evidence
Drink-driving
Drink driving limits vary across the UK. In England, Wales & Northern Ireland the limit for drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. In Scotland, the limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Converting these limits into units is often inaccurate, as body mass, metabolism and other variables affect your blood-alcohol level. Department for Transport statistics show that there were between 230 and 270 fatalities in 2017 where at least one of the drivers was over the limit, the highest number since 2009.
A DR10 charge is issued when a driver is above the legal limit and has attempted to drive. A DR20 can be given if you are deemed unfit to drive through drink, this can apply while you are not strictly above the legal limit.
Drivers can expect punishments of up to six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a year-long driving ban for either.
Page 34 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 How to report a drink-driver
Always prevent drink-driving where possible. If you’re familiar with someone who may be about to drink-drive, offer them a lift as a designated driver, or convince them to use a taxi.
Think twice before approaching a stranger about drink-driving. If someone is trying to operate a vehicle while drunk, you should call 999 with details of the car and driver.
If you wish to report someone after the incident has taken place you can call 101 to talk to the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Report dangerous driving
Reporting dangerous or careless driving relies on evidence. If you see a driver putting others at risk make sure you note their registration number, the make, model and colour of their car, the time and location of the incident and any other useful information.
If it’s safe for you to record the incident, this will also help, as some police forces provide portals for reporting crime that allow video uploads. If you have a passenger with you, ask them to film footage of the incident using a mobile phone – never attempt to use a phone while driving yourself.
You can also contact the police on their non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Things to remember when reporting illegal driving
Doing our bit to make the roads safer can seem like a daunting task. However, there are a few things to remember.
Firstly, you have the right to remain anonymous when sharing information.
Secondly, capturing evidence can be a difficult and an illegal act. A dash-cam could help you record these incidents without compromising your attention on the road.
And lastly, although witnessing illegal behaviour on the road can make you angry, even to the point of wanting to get their attention, but don’t become part of the problem! No matter how much you want to honk or holler out of your window, please stay calm and concentrate on your own driving.
Your passenger can take details for you, or you can pull over and jot down some notes when it's safe to do so.
Page 35 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Long Term Technology Comparison & Review
I covered my first impressions of my new (to me) Skoda Octavia Mk3 in the last issue of “Forward Vision” and how the vehicle was instantly familiar to me compared with my old Mk2 model. Everything within it was exactly where I expected it to be and the new features had been incorporated logically into the older controls systems.
Driving the Mk3 compared to the Mk2 is like having a rejuvenated “old friend” on steroids with all the handling characteristics just that little bit tighter, firmer, precise, and more responsive.
Performance was just that little bit more crisp in both Drive and Sport modes using the Seven Speed DSG gearbox which had also been improved dramatically by altering the gear shift to Flick Change from Position Change.
Even better performance response was obtained by switching to Sport Mode from Drive Mode on the Engine Management System controlled by a button adjacent to the gear shift. This feature also supports Economy and Custom Modes too.
Once the engine had warmed up, the Engine Stop/Start system took me a little by surprise at the first set of red traffic lights which I was not expecting ~ by default the Engine Stop/Start is on.
There is another button adjacent to the gear shift to switch on or off the Engine Stop/ Start which is particularly useful when creeping in heavy traffic or for those momentary pauses when entering roundabouts when you do not want to wait for the engine to start again.
Another feature I liked was the Indicator Repeater mounted on the wing mirrors to inform/confirm to the driver when an indicator is on ~ it is instantly seen when using the mirrors ~ Good for others although I always manually cancel indicators.
The Auto Head Lamps work especially well and never blind an oncoming vehicle and always switch to Main Beam appropriately in low light conditions. Rather cleverly, they also recognise fog and maintain Low Beam preventing glare.
I arrived home at night having collected the car from Esher in Surrey in the late afternoon and appreciated the Puddle Lamps also mounted on the Wing Mirrors which light the ground even with the doors closed ~ They operate in response to the remote key fob switching on or off when you unlock or lock the car.
Similarly, the Lights Delay enables you to see the ground in front of the car to your front door ~ a feature I first experienced with my 1998 P38 Range Rover.
The Folding Mirrors are a nice touch (although common on many cars today) and the manual fold is useful for those narrow garage doors or parking spaces. The switch is an added position on the electric mirror positioning switch together with a position to turn on the Mirror de-icer on frosty mornings.
In all, a very successful first journey and no regrets having bought the car!
Page 36 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The Reverse Assist is equivalent to many cars with sensors mounted across the rear of the car and on both rear quarters providing an audio-visual warning of obstructions behind and approaching from each rear side area ~ great for reversing out of spaces in supermarket car parks with obstructed view and many shoppers with trolleys intent on their right of way.
My car has the lesser featured Forward Assist as opposed to the more sophisticated (and expensive) Automatic Cruise Control with Lane Assist ~ both of which I am not that comfortable with as I believe they lull the driver into a false sense of security.
However, the Forward Assist which automatically applies the brakes if it senses a collision is excellent and works well for those unexpected drivers cutting in across the front either by accident or design as in the case of Crash-for-Cash.
As I mentioned in the Editorial, I had only owned the vehicle for eight days when on Christmas Day evening travelling home from a dinner, I was the victim of an attempted Crash-for-Cash. I was already suspicious of the behaviour of the two vehicles involved in the attempt and was already cautious; but the Forward Assist worked perfectly when one vehicle cut in sharply and braked hard. I stopped well short of the vehicle immediately in front, whereupon the Engine/Stop start operated.
I believe this made the occupants think I had stalled and they got out of their car with the driver clearly brandishing what appeared to be a large tyre lever or jack handle and a very threatening attitude.
I immediately took my foot off the brake and the engine started instantly enabling me to swing hard right out and around the blocking vehicle which clearly surprised the other driver who I am sure never expected it.
The Infotainment System is fitted with Dual Screens ~ one large screen in the Central Dashboard and a smaller one immediately in front of the driver between the Speedometer and the Rev Counter. This is a very clever arrangement because all the important things that you need to know immediately; or all the things you want to know by selection at the time are just a glance down as opposed to across to the main screen.
This mini screen is controlled using the buttons and wheels mounted on the steering wheel enabling the driver to maintain proper steering control of the vehicle at all times; yet still be able to control the mobile phone, or entertainment, or SatNav, or vehicle management completely Hands Free which, of course, is a legal requirement.
In effect, the Infotainment System has Dual Controls ~ The Main central dashboard controls and the Driver’s steering wheel controls.
As an aside, you can have great fun with this dual feature when younger children are in the car and they change your news programme on Radio 4 to pop music on Radio 1 ~ You simply surreptitiously switch the radio back again and the child has absolutely no clue as to why it happened. After about their third attempt they ask you how it is happening, You reply, “It is my car and the computer knows me so well it knows exactly what I like to listen to” ~ And they believe it! ~ Oh the gullibility of Youth!
Page 37 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 The Infotainment System SatNav facility is absolutely excellent except for one very, very annoying feature which I come onto at the end of this description.
Unlike some in car systems, the SatNav can be updated by periodically downloading for Free from the Skoda website. (You will need your VIN number). Of course, there is no way of knowing if an update is available unless you go and look on the website.
I do use the in car SatNav but always have my Samsung Mobile mounted in the car as well; and connected to the Infotainment System for phone calls.
The mobile has the “HERE WeGo” SatNav App loaded and I prefer it because it knows when to be updated and does so automatically.
Also, the “HERE WeGo” App provides live traffic congestion information which often enables me to avoid being stuck in long traffic queues on motorways with no exit until the inevitable major collision has been cleared by Police and Highways England.
Whatever, the in car SatNav is extremely accurate when it comes to House Numbers and usually navigates to within one house and which side of the road it is located.
The bit that really annoys me about the in car SatNav is that it cannot accept UK Postcodes which is really frustrating in deep rural areas or New Town Cluster style estates where a road can be split by two or three unconnected sections.
Roll-On the day when SatNavs use “What3Words” as a precise destination point!
The in car SatNav employs classic Germanic Logic in that you enter Country, Town, Street, and House Number (or nearest junction) in that order ~ Whereas, the “HERE WeGo” App accepts any form of Address including just Postcodes.
Of course, my Mobile can also use the “What3Words” App too!
The Infotainment System Phone Control is fully integrated with your phone and can interrogate (share) data with your Contacts, Recent Calls, Speed Dial lists and present them on both the large and mini screen system ~ All controlled by the Hands Free controls on the steering wheel.
Some of you may wonder how the Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) actually works which is really a very sophisticated piece of engineering that employs data from the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
TPMS monitors the rotation speed of each wheel provided by the ABS in relation to the ground speed of the vehicle and in relation to the rotation speed of the other three wheels on the vehicle.
If a tyre loses pressure the tyre becomes flatter reducing the diameter which means the wheel has to rotate faster in relation to the other three wheels and ground speed.
This enables the TPMS to identify a wheel losing tyre pressure and exactly which wheel has the problem ~ Clever stuff this! ~ See you again in 3 months.
Page 38 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133 Internet Resources
( Submit useful Web Sites or Video with Web Address to the Editor )
There is something for Everyone…
“Forward Vision” Back Issues FV Issue #130 September 2019 - FCEV Hydrogen Cars Explained Special FV Issue #131 December 2019 - BEV Cars / Creeping Technology Special FV Issue #132 March 2020 - Hybrid Cars & Spacesavers Explained / Bad Drivers
The Highway Code… Updated as of 20 August 2019 Here Main Index and Search.
Live Traffic Alerts for England, Scotland, and Wales The Traffic England interactive map is particularly useful with selectable Map Layers.
All DVLA Resources… Home page for DVLA Services Here
The DVLA continue to add new ways to do everything online or get information. Get MOT Reminders ~ Get a DVLA Text or Email Reminder for your MoT. Check a Car’s MoT & Recall History ~ Check MoT and Outstanding Recall History.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)…
Confused about Cables? BEV Charging Cables explained and where to get them. Find a Charging Point ~ Use ZAP MAP to find Charging Points and plan journeys.
Driving Skills Videos and Resources…
IAM RoadSmart resources ~ Tips and blogs IAM RoadSmart more resources ~ Policies and Manifesto
1stDrive.com ~ Lessons, Tests, Show Me/Tell Me, Motorway (Search also YouTube ) RegLocal.com ~ A series of videos on all aspects of Driving (Search also YouTube )
UK Government information and Law…
Child car seats: The Law ~ When a child car seat or booster seat is required or not. Driving with medical conditions, Blue Badges and public transport if you're disabled Penalty points, fines and driving bans Driving licences Vehicle tax, MOT and insurance Number plates, vehicle registration and log books Buy, sell or scrap a vehicle Vehicle and driver data and information Driving in the UK and abroad
NextBase ~ Caught an incident on DashCam or another Device? Submit to your Local Police
Safer Essex Road Partnership (SERP)
Page 39 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133
Advanced Drivers are not just the Best Drivers on the Road They have Fun too!
Page 40 Chelmsford Advanced Motorists Issue 133