SCUNTHORPE and GRIMSBY NEWSLETTER Group No

SCUNTHORPE AND GRIMSBY NEWSLETTER Group No. 7080 Charity No. 1063129 November 2019 Issue 6

Contents

Hello & Welcome 3 Ad Lad World Mental Health Day Welcome to our New Members Advertising in our Newsletter Dates for the Diary 4 We Got Mail! Become and Advanced Driver SAGAM Team Members 5 Group Composition Chairman’s Chatter 6 Discount Vouchers Congratulations 7 Discount information 8 Planning a journey Caught My Eye 9 Dacia History Top Gear Review of Dacia Duster Social Evening Night 16 Safer Roads Humber Barry Heath Quiz Night 17 Free Advanced Taster Drives 18 Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency Rule 258 SMART Motorways Hedgehogs and small wildlife Green Cross Code Update 19 Being an Observer/ 20 New Candidate Reviews Follow-up from Cruise Control Article 22 Last Minute Christmas Diary 23 Help make it easier for Learner Drivers 24 Sign the Petition

Hello and welcome to the November edition of the SAGAM newsletter!

With Halloween out of the way now, we can say for certain that Christmas is just around the corner! It doesn’t seem two minutes since we were preparing for our summer holidays does it? I hope you have had a really great summer and as Autumn draws to a close in December, we can look forward to Christmas and the New Year. This edition includes a last-minute Christmas Countdown to ease the stress and most importantly, to make sure that you have the time to enjoy yourself. Inside the Newsletter, we take a look at some recent changes to the Highway Code as well as our brilliant social nights with Safer Roads Humber and the Barry Heath Quiz Night.

Did you find the Ad Lad in the last edition?…. he was in the bottom left hand corner of the photo ‘Big shout out to my fingers I can always count on them’ supplied by Terry. Have a good scout through this edition for him…….

The 10th of October 2019 was World Mental Health Day – the IAM fully supports this.

Every day, thousands of people with mental health challenges take to the road are drivers and riders and the IAM has put together some top tips, advice and information to help anyone suffering with mental health difficulties to boost their confidence and capability when driving or riding. For more information go to: IAM RoadSmart – You Tube/ IAM RoadSmart: stress tips for driving and riding.

To our New Members: Lynn Haith, Marcus Smith And Paul hodges

Advertising in our Newsletter

If anyone would like to advertise in our newsletters please contact Jan Burditt on 07831 170678 or email [email protected]

The cost of advertising is: Full page - £40.00 Half page - £20.00 Costs are per annum and will there will be four quarterly issues 3

Dates for the diary For 2020, your newsletters will be distributed as follows: February (Please make sure any articles are submitted before 15th January 2020) May, August and November. If there is anything you like or dislike about your newsletter, or if there are any articles you think our members may enjoy reading, please feel free to email me at [email protected] The dates for our social nights next year are: 26th February, 22nd April, 24th June (including the AGM), 26th August and 28th October (Barry Heath Quiz Night) Proposed dates for the MDU next year are: 14th March, 16th May, 13th June and 17th October all on the precinct in Scunthorpe and 11th July Rescue Day in Crowle. Waltham Windmill in Grimsby was a great day and we hope to be there again next year. Dates to follow. Committee Meeting dates for next year are: 8th January,11th March, 13th May, 8th July, 9th September and 11th November – all at The New Inn, Great Limber 12th February, 8th April, 10th June, 12th August, 14th October and 9th December – all at the Redbourne Club, Scunthorpe We got Mail!

You can email, tweet or post a letter to the following addresses; Terry Heath, 48, Vicarage Ave, Wrawby, Brigg, North Lincs. DN20 8RY Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ANDGRIMSBY

BECOME AN ADVANCED DRIVER

The price for the Skill for Life package is £149.00 We currently have an offer on whereby after completing the test successfully, you will receive £25 back. To receive your application form please send your name and contact details along with your payment to: Mr M Gothard 7, West Green Messingham North Lincs DN17 3QT

Cheques should be made payable to: The Institute of Advanced Motorists

For more information contact: Terry Heath on: 01652 655601 or visit our website www.scunthorpegrimsbyadvancedmotorists.org 4

The IAM Scunthorpe & Grimsby Team Members CHAIRMAN and CHIEF OBSERVER Terry Heath Tel: 01652 655601 Email – [email protected]

VICE-CHAIRMAN Tel: 01724 764237 Paul Johnson Tel: 01724 721156 The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual TREASURER writers and not necessarily of the IAM, Malcolm Gothard nor the Scunthorpe and Grimsby group. 01724 764237

SECRETARY The composition of our group is as follows: Dawn Kitching Tel: 01724 875276 Full Members 97

Mick Harris GDPR Associate Members 21 Tel: 01724 531625 TOTAL 118

Please note these numbers can change on a weekly basis. Paul Johnson MDU/EVENTS/GROUP CONTACT Tel: 01724 721156

Allen Hardman CH. OBS Have a look at our web page which includes lots of useful Tel: 01472 813231 information:

www.scunthorpegrimsbyadvancedmotorists.org ASSOCIATE COORDNATOR John Wigmore Facebook: @SGAMG1 Tel: 07751608127 Twitter: @ANDGRIMSBY MAGAZINE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jan Burditt Tel: 07834170678 email: [email protected]

WEBMASTER Ian Greenbeck Email: [email protected]

OBSERVER TRAINING OFFICER Sue Harris Tel: 01469 531625

AREA MANAGER Peter Serhatlic Tel: 07703 718907 [email protected]

Chairman’s Chatter

Hi folks,

It’s time for a bit of info from me, and I have to say, it’s come around very quickly.

I’ve really only got a few things to mention. Firstly, I’d like to welcome any new members to the group. One little reminder, when any observer wants a pre-test drive or check test for their associate, please contact me on 01652 655 601 or email [email protected]. Also, if you have anything that you want to ask or discus anything, please feel free to contact me.

A little higher up the page in the mag, Jan our editor has highlighted the composition of the group membership. To add to that, there are currently about 8 associates “on hold” mainly for personal reasons, so I would ask that if anyone in this situation wishes to start or restart their training, please contact John Wigmore, who’s details are found elsewhere in this magazine.

In the new year, we’re hoping to get to more venues in the Grimsby and Clee area, so we might be looking for staff in the area to help man it. Another thing I’m planning is, an event at a venue to be agreed upon yet, with a great big HGV giving us all an insight into the issues faced by the drivers on a daily basis and in particular to highlight the immense blind spots.

We’ve also got some great speakers lined up as well, really worth a visit. Dates and times will be available via this mag, the website, or direct emails.

So once again, I’d just like to thank you all for your continued help and support and I’d also like to be one of the first to wish you and yours a very happy Christmas and hope to see you all in the new year. Best wishes from the team…...

Terry Heath Chairman.

Discount Vouchers Issue 264 of the IAM RoadSmart Weekly News Magazine offers discounts to friends and family of current members and says: “As a valued member who has already experienced the benefits of our Advanced Driver or Rider Course, we would like you to spread the word amongst your family and friends. Please feel free to print and pass on these exclusive vouchers to anyone you feel may benefit from taking one of our advanced driving or riding courses. Three of them provide a £20.00 discount on our Advanced Driver or Rider Course, the fourth is a simple warm invitation to have a ‘free taster’ with a local IAM group, the perfect way to try before you buy” (Latter Voucher valid until 31st December 2019)

“Remember all your family or friends need to do is quote your membership number when buying one of our advances courses to benefit from a £20.00 saving. This offer is for telephone orders only on 0330 303 1134”

TO THE FOLLOWING ON PASSING HIS MASTERS

John Wigmore

Brilliant!

TO THE FOLLOWING ON PASSING HIS NATIONAL OBSERVERS QUALIFICATION

PAUL CASSELL

Paul attained excellent marks!

AND TO THE FOLLOWING ON PASSING HIS ADVANCED DRIVING TEST

TONY FEATHERSTONE

OBSERVER - Kal Singh

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FROM ALL OF US IN THE SAGAM GROUP!

20% Discount on Advanced Driver & Rider courses with: Lincoln IAM, Lincolnshire Advanced Motorcyclists & Scunthorpe & Grimsby Advanced Motorists.

As a current member of any of the above groups, you will receive a 20% discount when you sign up to an Advanced Driver or Rider Course in Lincolnshire.

HOW TO CLAIM

Contact us on the details below, quoting the group name of your choice and we’ll sign you up. A.D. Course with Lincoln IAM Tel:0300 365 0152 or [email protected]

A.R. Course with Lincolnshire Advanced motorcyclists Tel: 01427 616864 or [email protected]

A.D. Course with Scunthorpe & Grimsby Advanced Motorists Tel: 01652 655601 or [email protected]

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Planning a journey

All advanced drivers will of course consider the factors which may impact any journey they have to make. However, it can be extremely frustrating when you come across roadworks you didn’t know about especially on a long journey, and particularly when they include road closures and you are in an unfamiliar area. Don’t worry – help is at hand and live information about planned roadworks is available online and can help you plan a journey to avoid any unnecessary delays. Over 6,000 new works start on our roads each day. Roadworks.org is the most comprehensive source of roadworks, road closures and other live and planned traffic disruption information in the UK and is available to download from your phones App Store or visit by visiting www.roadworks.org

Information from Roadworks.org is also shared with some sat nav companies such as Waze, Google and Tom-Tom and provides information live to the devices. 8

CAUGHT MY EYE…….

We’ve all seen Dacia cars come to the garage forecourts in recent years but if like me you thought they were a newish company, then like me, you are wrong!

Dacia was actually formed in 1966 in Romania, was a top company by revenue as well as the country’s largest exporter and has come a long way since its conception as a communist state-owned company.

Finding its niche in the low-cost sector, Dacia has been the butt of many a joke from the ex-Top Gear trio. But the Romanian car manufacturer are getting the last laugh as one of Europe’s fastest-growing car brands.

So how did the brand go from being the symbol of the Ceausescu government to making around 29% of Romania’s GDP? Well, let’s take a look at the interesting history…….

Founded in 1966, Dacia was founded under the name Uzina de Autoturisme Pitesti (UAP). The main factory was built in 1968 in Colibasi, now Mioveni.

Dacia acquired the basic design and tooling of the Renault 12. However, until the tooling was ready, the decision was made to produce the Renault 8 under licence. This was known as the Dacia 1100, and was the first Dacia produced. 37,546 models of the Dacia 1100 were produced. There was another version, the 1100S, but it was produced in limited numbers and was for the police and used in motor racing. This had twin headlamps and a more powerful engine. The 1301 Lux Super was introduced in 1974 and came with features including a radio, a heated rear screen and windscreen mirrors on both sides. However, this model was reserved for the Communist Party Nomenklatura. The Dacia 2000, essentially the Renault 20, was also only reserved for the Party elite, and you could only get it in dark blue or black. Therefore, numbers of this model were very limited. The 1310 was known as the Dacia Denem here in the United Kingdom and it was considered the top of the range model because it boasted a five-speed gearbox, alloy wheels and electric windows. It was launched in 1981, under the name 1310 in Romania. The slogan for the car was “The Very Acceptable Dacia Denem” but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Sales were limited and it is thought that there are less than 10 surviving to this day but presumably they are in a dark garage somewhere covered in cobwebs as the last tax disc for a Dacia Denem is shown as being held in the last quarter of 1997 through to the last quarter in 2000. However, the Romanian Embassy in South Kensington did keep a fleet of the Danem’s until the mid- 1990’s.

The pick-up version, known as the Shifter, continued to sell into the 1990s and the Aro 10 was sold as the Dacia Duster, which is now well known to all of us. However, the Denem itself was pulled in late 1982. The Sport model was produced around the same time, and the two-door Dacia 1310 Sport, later the 1410 Sport, was available to the general public. However, they were extremely popular for rallies, and racing drivers saw huge success with them. 9

The 1980s was a time for reinvention, and towards the end of the century, a revolution. Cars such as the 500cc Mini-Dacia, the Dacia 1310 variants and the Dacia 1310 Limousine, which is still on the road today, were all produced at the start of the decade.

The Dacia 1304 Pick-Up and Drop-Side models experienced such commercial success that they remained in production (with modifications, obviously) until December 2006. Many senior officials in the Communist Central Committee owned the 1320. This was a top-of-the-range model that had two large headlights, plusher interior and a new dashboard. It was the most expensive car in the Dacia range and they were also used as taxis. However, the 1320 did not last long and it wasn’t long before there were new prototypes using the 1320 front but a new rear and other modern features. Following the 1989 revolution, Dacia struggled to keep up with the foreign cars now entering the Romanian market. After all, before the revolution Dacia’s were some of the only cars on Romanian roads.

Their factories and equipment were outdated, as were their designs. The Liberta (Liberty was in fashion straight after the Revolution, surprisingly) was launched in 1991 and continued production until 1996. But ultimately, Dacia were struggling to keep up with the designs and production of its foreign counterparts. The 1320 received a new front end, called the CN1 and there were attempts to rejuvenate the model range. These included introducing new commercial vehicles such as the 1307 double-cabbed pick-up, which sold very well on the Chinese market.

The Dacia Nova launched in 1994 to very little success but this was mainly due to the fact that its development work started in 1983, meaning that the design was outdated. There were also reports of reliability and rustproofing issues. The revamped Nova, in 1996, however saw vast improvements and was a common sight on Romanian roads. Then, Renault acquired Dacia in 1999. After failing to purchase the Skoda in a joint venture with Volvo, Renault bought Dacia and injected €2.2 billion into the company to update its facilities and product line

Their ambition was to create an entry-level car for developing markets. Their main focus was to keep costs to a minimum but also ensure that the end product was reliable. The result? The Dacia Logan which was launched in 2004 and is the most successful Dacia since the 1300’s. It also became one of the top-selling cars in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Russia. The Logan is sold all over the world, sometimes under the Renault brand and the diesel version was launched a year later.

The 4×4 version the Logan Steppe was introduced in 2007.

Dacia and Renault saw 40,000 Logan’s sold within the first year, with Romania representing 60% of the sales. Since it started exporting to Western Europe, they have seen a 10% increase in sales every year since. The pickup-model and the Sandero, the Logan based hatchback, were launched in 2008. It was also around this time that Dacia went through some rebranding, including adopting a new logo and later revealed the facelifted Logan mode

The Dacia Duster is actually now the number one selling car for Renault, worldwide. The Mioveni plant, where the Duster’s are made, is the biggest vehicle plant for the French manufacturer in terms of output. It was launched at the Geneva Motor Show and signalled Dacia’s intention to release an SUV model and it was the first crossover SUV built by Dacia since Renault acquired the company.

In 2012 Dacia launched the Lodgy, a new compact MPV that was manufactured in the new factory in Tangier, Morocco. Second generation Logan’s and Sandero’s were also launched that year with all new safety features, engine and other comfort equipment. The facelifted Duster was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, receiving modifications to the front and rear ends. A new interior on the Logan and Sandero models were also introduced. And in 2015 Dacia sold their 3.5 millionth car since the brands revival ten years prior. And so, to the present day. Dacia are now crucial to Renault and it’s surprising that there has been little competition with the brand since its success. I wonder if it will stay this way or will other car manufacturers see an opportunity in the low-cost sector? Only time will tell.

Researched by Jan Burditt

So, love it or hate it, the Dacia Duster has become a very popular family sized crossover and the following extract from Top Gears’ review of this vehicle will show the pros and cons of owning, driving and running this model.

After reading, you will be able to decide for yourself whether or not the Dacia Duster is a value for money crossover or one that is a low-spec 4 x 2. What is your verdict?

Researched by Jan Burditt

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£10,995 – £19,030 OVERVIEW

You look at this family-sized crossover’s price, starting at just under £11,000 for a low-spec 4x2 and then you wonder how it is that sister company Renault has the sheer brass neck to charge double that for the base-model Kadjar.

Start to dig deeper though and you see where the cost has been chiselled out of the Duster. Some of those savings are really clever and don’t affect the end result. But you might decide others actually do.

Every visible panel of this Duster is new, but the spirit of the original remains. It looks similar, and most important of all it’s still cheap. Almost ridiculously so.

The price gives little clue to the Duster’s size, so let’s look at the dimensions. At 4.341m long it’s only 5cm less than a Qashqai.

Owners love their Dusters. So, Dacia didn’t want the design changed much for the new generation. That’s risky of course because two or three years down the line it might look old-hat.

Still, the grille and headlights (using LED DRLs) are now wider, and the tail-lights are square not upright. The bonnet is more contoured, the wings smoother, the wheels bigger. It all makes the body look wider even when it actually hasn’t grown. This is still a handily narrow car for towns or country lanes.

But there are other reasons for the design not changing much. It re-uses the former car’s platform. That itself was a derivative of a Clio several generations old, which is one significant way of making it so cheap. Fortunately, Renault was one of the first companies to aim at five-star NCAP back then, so this platform is surprisingly safe. Many exterior parts, including windscreen and even front doors, are shared with the Sandero for the same reason.

In line with the heavy recycling of obsolete Renault parts, the cabin even smells like a new Mégane of a decade ago. How very Proustian. But it looks modern. Compared with the outgoing Duster we find an all-

12 new dash, all-new seats, a better infotainment system, and more. It’s also quieter than before, thanks to thicker glass, more sound deadening and stiffer sheet metal in the engine bay.

Under the bonnet, the choice is a naturally aspirated 115bhp 1.6-litre petrol or 115bhp turbo diesel. A 130bhp turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol joined the range early in 2019. We have a very strong suspicion that’s the engine you’ll want.

The 4x4 version of the Duster (starting at under £14k) will perform off-roading tricks you probably wouldn’t credit. It’s not just some cosmetic crossover. Even the 4x2 Duster retains good underbody clearance so if the surface isn’t too greasy and the tyres are well-treaded it’ll tackle fairly rugged scenery. And it’s got more space than say a Renegade or Vitara, the closest off-roadable rivals.

DRIVING – WHAT IS IT LIKE?

If the couplet ‘naturally aspirated’ is associated in your mental automotive lexicon with, say GT3 RS, dissociate it forthwith. The naturally aspirated Duster is slow. Really slow. The 4x2 does 0-62 in 11.9 seconds, and that’s not, er, traction limited because the 4x4 version doesn’t stop the clock ’til a second later.

But compared with the blown engines we’ve all got used to, it’s the deficit of mid-range torque that’s most telling. This is one of the few cars where, if you flatten the throttle at 3,000rpm on a motorway, absolutely nothing happens. Drop a couple of gears and main-road overtaking is possible, but really requires something approaching a five-year plan.

Flog it thus and it’s noisy, and even on motorway cruising the engine hums noticeably. But most of the time in gentle running the sound is nice and subdued compared with everyone else’s diesel crossover. In town, the stop-start is unobtrusive and it’s not poisoning anyone.

So far, we’ve driven only this petrol on the road, but the diesel 1.5-litre is the K9K family you and we have driven in a squillion other Dacias and indeed Clios, Scenics, Micras, Kangoos. It even, fact fans, became the Mercedes OM607 in the last-gen Merc A-Class. Here it’s a Euro 6 with 115bhp, and we don’t expect it to be anything other than solid.

The petrol has a five-speed manual, the diesel and the 4WD a sixer. Shifting is painless enough.

New for this generation of Duster is electric power steering, which is accurate enough if lighter than we’d choose. You wouldn’t be expecting a treatise on the throttle-interactivity of the handling, given the power available to your right foot. And you’d be right. Turn the wheel and the car turns, is all: steering is progressive, roll well-contained, surprises absent.

The ride is more troublesome, with a restless turbulence when unloaded, and yet some floating on undulating roads. It feels over-sprung and under-damped. This is the 2WD version, which has a simple torsion beam axle. It might turn out the 4WD, with an independent rear end, is better.

Tyre noise makes itself felt at times and so does wind noise, despite the fact you aren’t travelling fast.

Off-road, it benefits from a special lowered first ratio in the six-speed box, and hill descent control. Also, the approach, departure and breakover angles are high enough to let you tackle sudden dips, climbs and drops. Less clever is the wheel articulation, which isn’t enough to avoid one or more tyres departing the ground too often and the traction control isn’t always able to stop an aerial wheel from spinning away the power.

ON THE INSIDE – LAYOUT, FINISH AND SPACE

To an extent this car is being sold by the yard: a promise of lots of space for the money. So, it proves, with enough room for three fully grown humans in the back. The boot is 445 litres in the 2WD, a useful third bigger than your average mid-size hatch. The 4WD loses nearly 20 per cent of that if you have the spare wheel option – and who’d want to venture off-road with only an inflation kit?

The new dash looks modern and straightforwardly handsome, and it’s well-assembled. Sure, none of it is soft-touch materials, but that just adds to the sense of honest value. It still feels sturdier than some of the low-cost opposition. The switchgear and air-con controls operate nicely enough. You have to go to the third trim level before getting a leather-wrapped steering wheel though.

Look around the cabin and you also find other simple, cost-saving solutions. The headlight levelling operates by an old-school cable, not by an electric motor. Same for the air recirculation lever. The centre rear seatbelt is hung from the roof, so the seat-back doesn’t need strengthening. No rear armrest either. The driver’s seat height-adjusts but not the passengers. The dash has high-mounted vents, and there are five of them so you can aim a couple between the front seats towards the back, saving Dacia from installing rear outlets. The sat nav and multimedia system on the top versions isn’t connected to live traffic, but it’s simple to use and clear enough. As with the rest of the car, its simplicity frees your mind for higher things.

OWNING – RUNNING COSTS AND RELIABILITY

Dacia has been scoring very well in owner satisfaction and reliability surveys. Residuals are surprisingly strong, which is why PCPs and leases are as cheap as the sticker price would suggest.

Buying is simple anyway, because there’s a no-haggle policy and Dacia is rolling out a web-buying process where you never even meet a dealer unless you want to.

The range is simple, with few options, because complexity adds cost at the factory and dealers.

You probably want to avoid the base Access version because it doesn’t get air-con nor yet a radio. Pity, because otherwise it comes in only one colour scheme, which has a certain utilitarian chic: white paint, black bumpers, UNHCR wheels.

The Essential trim adds fancier wheels, roof bars, height-adjust driver’s seat, split-fold rear seat, stereo/bluetooth/USB, and several other bits’n’bobs, so the £1600 price step is very much justified. That’s also the level you need before you’re allowed to tick the 4x4 box.

Cough up another £1600 and you get nicer trim and wheels, plus a satnav and rear camera system and trip computer, plus nicer trim.

The nat-asp (naturally/normally aspirated) petrol is cheap to buy, but the 40.7mpg and 158g/km CO2 fuel figures for the 4x4 aren’t too appetising. The best is the 4x2 diesel, at 64.2mpg on the old NEDC test, which

14 is The New European Driving Cycle [updated in 1997] and designed to assess the emission levels of car engines corresponding to 115g/km.

The warranty’s three years and 60k miles, extendable to seven if you pay. A three-year service plan is just £575.

Insurance groups run from 9 to 14. We wonder if they wouldn’t be lower again if the Duster had auto emergency braking. There’s no lane departure system either. That’s a significant reason it scored only three stars in the (strict new) ENCAP test. Blind-spot detection is optional on the top Prestige trim and every model gets six airbags including curtains.

TOP GEARS VERDICT…………….. 9/10

A proper TG hero. Seriously over-delivers on the under promising price...

The joy of the Duster is the way it seriously over-delivers on the under promising price.

Renault has been very disciplined in keeping Dacia’s costs down. They’re built in a low-cost country, using engines and platforms and electrics that have all been long-ago amortised by other cars, and integrating the dealerships with Renault rather than starting a separate network. The Duster cleverly shares body parts across the Dacia range and the number of available options is small.

Sure, it’s a bit slow, a tad unrefined, a little light on available active-safety features but that’s by the standards of rivals that are twice the price.

The Duster isn’t trying to kid anyone. It’s not cheap in a way that insults your intelligence or makes you feel mean. It’s a far better car than it needs to be at the price, and we love it for that.

Extract taken from Top Gears Review of the Dacia Duster.

John Wigmore who has passed his Masters Test receives his certificate from Terry Heath – Brilliant!!

Terry presented his certificate to him at the Safer Roads Humber Social Evening.

Anthony Featherstone who had his Advanced Driving Test Certificate presented to him, also by Terry. Kal Singh was his observer.

Pictures kindly supplied by Pete Batty

SAFER ROADS HUMBER SOCIAL EVENING

Well what can I say but Wow!! We had one of the most interesting and brilliant nights. The two members of Safer Roads Humber, Sue Smith and Kevin Hoff, gave such an interesting presentation we were glued to their every word! Lots of statistics were given out depicting the numbers of road accidents and their cause(s) along with details of the work they are currently undertaking to help reduce both injury and fatal accidents in our areas. SRH is the regional road safety partnership with a mission to reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads and maintain that casualty reduction, through effective partnership working with organisations such as local councils, highways England, the police and fire service. They have the task of educating drivers and riders about the dangers of exceeding the speed limit with the aim to help motorists drive at an appropriate and safe speed within the limit. Placement of Safety Cameras is based both on locations which have a history of crashes which have resulted in individuals being injured and locations that have a problem with speeding. Covert speed cameras are legally used to track down high speeders of both cars and bikes in the hope that they will realise their error once they attend one of the Speed Awareness Courses which are run throughout the county. The Average Speed Cameras are working well and are aimed at stopping ‘camera surfing’ whereby drivers slow down when they see a camera and speed up again after they have passed it. Fixed Point Cameras are designed to measure the speed of approaching/departing vehicles (depending on the type of camera) and are calibrated so that vehicles moving within the relevant speed limit are invisible but those vehicles travelling above the limit, seen and recorded.

We were also given a ‘tour’ of a working Mobile Speed Camera van and the importance of the calibration of the cameras was explained. The checks of the highly sophisticated and accurate laser technology cameras are rigorous in the extreme, to ensure that no innocent motorists are accidentally caught by the camera. The cameras are also able to operate in poor light conditions, including night-time as well as in the rain and snow, enabling the mobile units to assist motorists more often and for longer during the winter months when road conditions are generally more hazardous, road surfaces are more slippery and driving at an appropriate speed becomes even more important. The Mobile Units are manned throughout the duration of the deployment which was actually a surprise to me as I believed they were automatic! However, those manning the units have availability of a comfy chair and a place to put their flask and pack-up!

More information about the above can be found at:

TWITTER:@HumberRoads http://www.saferroadshumber.com/ FACEBOOK: Safer Roads Humber PO Box 183, HU17, Beverley

BARRY HEATH QUIZ NIGHT

We all had a brilliant night at our annual quiz night with all three teams getting great results throughout. SAGAM group consisted of Steve Boam, Ian Walpole and Will Lee all of who were very knowledgeable and managed to get some good marks in all sections of the quiz. They were second in rounds 1,2,3 and 4 with the Lincoln group coming a close third. The Quiz Master, Mick Harris did a fantastic job of putting the questions together and preparing the Powerpoint presentation enabling the teams to work together to arrive at their answers.

The Bikers team with John Harrison, Dave Hall and John Wigmore did exceptionally well in all sections, leading in the first four sections and ending up with a winning total of 54 points. Being a motoring organisation, of course there were lots of qustions around car and bikes and Mick had done a lot of research to ensure they were not easy but not too hard either (athough as an audience participant, I have to admit there were quite a few I didn’t get the answers to!) One example is the teams were asked to estimate the cheapest price of several cars in 2019 within a scope of either £500 or £1000.

The team from Lincoln were on top of their game and also did very well. Simon Clayton, Ashley Behan and Peta Steadman Bee worked together to attain a very respectable score of 31 by round 4, but did not manage to catch SAGAM or the Bikers group and finished in third place.

The audience also took part in a fun capacity, with two teams also finishing up with a total of 54 points!

Once more, many thanks to Mick Harris for putting the quiz together, to all our teams for taking part and last but not least, to all those who attended to make the night a great success.

John Harrison from the winning team being presented with the Barry Heath Trophy by his brother, Terry Heath.

Pictures kindly supplied by Pete Batty

Free Advanced Taster Drives still available

The most popular way to engage with IAM RoadSmart for free is with a free advanced test drive. These drives are still available throughout the UK.

Those interested can sign up at: www.iamroadsmart.com/drivefree or by calling 0300 303 1134.

Spread the word—IAM’s most successful promotion is through word of mouth from its members. Speak to your colleagues, friends and family about the work IAM RoadSmart does and the availability of the free tasters!

Highway Code: rule changes for signs on motorways

From 25th July 2019 Highway Code rule 258 has been updated to provide details about red ‘x’ signs on motorways. The changes are to reflect amends made to The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2016 regarding lane closures.

Rule 258

Red flashing lights. If red lights flash on a signal and a red “X” is showing, you MUST NOT drive in the lane shown as closed beyond the signal. This applies until you pass another signal indicating that the lane is no longer closed, by displaying the word “End” or a speed limit sign and you are sure that it is safe to proceed. Red flashing lights. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or on the side of the road and lane closed sign is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.

Further information can be obtained by following the links below:

Laws; RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 3 and sch15

In addition, on 20 August 2019 Highway Code annex 7 on providing emergency care has been updated. This is following new guidance from the British Burns Association. Click on the link to see the full rules change. See the full rules changes to the Highway Code

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Drivers found to have ignored a lane closure on a SMART motorway have been liable to punishment from June 10th 2019. SMART motorways are known for their electronic gantries, which give drivers instructions from overhead. If caught, motorists will be automatically be handed a £100 fine as well as three penalty points. The most famous symbol as discussed above in the Department of Transport, is a red cross indicating that a lane has been closed. Various cameras will be in operation to catch drivers who ignore the instructions and once caught, rather than receiving the warning letter sent out previously, will receive the new punishment.

Since the beginning of 2017, highways England who operate England’s motorways along with major A- roads have issued more than 180,000 warning letters to those drivers who chose to ignore the red signs. The AA president, Edmond King has said:

‘Although it has taken far too long this is a welcome measure to improve safety on motorways. Our research shows that one in twenty drivers continue to drive in the red X lanes even when they have seen it. Red X’s are put up to warn of an obstruction so drivers must get out of the lane when they see them. We have had several incidents recently where AA members’ cars have been hit in a live lane on SMART motorways’

Highways England says that SMART motorways use pioneering technology to:

 Monitor traffic levels

 Change the spend limit to smooth traffic flow, reduce frustrating start stop driving and improve journey times

 Activate warning signs to alert you to hazards and traffic jams up ahead

 Close lanes – for example to allow emergency vehicles through

So, as advanced drivers we are all aware of the above…………. But are your family and friends?

Information taken from Lincolnshire Live website.

Hedgehog sign warns drivers of small wildlife hazards – 17 June 2019

New signs featuring a picture of a hedgehog are to appear on UK roads to warn motorists of potential hazards caused by the spiny creatures and other small wildlife.

They will be placed in areas with large numbers of animals such as hedgehogs, otters, squirrels and badgers.

Current signs focus on smaller species such as toads, or deer and livestock.

The Department for Transport says it hopes to help prevent accidents and reverse a decline in wildlife numbers. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling called on local authorities and animal welfare groups to identify accident and wildlife hotspots where the new signs should be located.

Hedgehog numbers ‘down by half’

Recent estimates put the hedgehog population in England, Wales and Scotland at about one million, compared with 30 million in the 1950s.

The DfT says its new sign is “filling a gap” between the existing signs carrying warnings about smaller animals such as migratory toads and wildfowl, and those highlighting larger animals. Jill Nelson, from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), says the signs were created after the charity and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) discussed their concerns with Mr Grayling.

“We welcome this focus on road safety and protection for all small mammals,” she said. Research by PTES and the BHPS in 2018 suggested hedgehogs are disappearing more rapidly in the countryside, as hedgerows and field margins are lost to intensive farming, and the DfT says the sign is designed to reverse their decline “in particular”.

Taken from BBC News – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48660420

Green Cross Code to be brought into 21st century

The Department for Transport (DfT) is investing £200,000 over the next two years in part to roll out Augmented Reality road safety teaching resources and research for schools, to bring the green cross code into the 21st Century. Augmented reality is a type of interactive, reality-based display environment that takes the capabilities of computer generated display, sound, text and effects to enhance the user’s real-world experience.

Road Safety GB have used DfT funding to develop a world-first safety App – Arility – that allow pupils to run through road safety scenarios in lessons, helping them to improve their road safety knowledge and skills. The resources will test children on a range of common scenarios, including how to use a pedestrian crossing, retrieving a ball from the road, and how to cross the road with a bike.

Transport Minister Michael Ellis said: “Road safety is a priority for this Department. It is vital that we find new ways to make sure young people learn about and are interested in road safety.

“This exciting project will help schools deliver engaging lessons for pupils, and I’m delighted to hear that it’s already having a positive effect in its trial runs.”

Trials have already begun in Warwickshire, where Westgate Primary School is using the technology, with teachers saying it is a fun and interesting way to engage children in important road safety matters. The full roll out of the tools will be available from 2nd September 2019 – the start of the next school year – on Road Safety’s website. – Source Department for Transport Site.

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Being an observer for the first time with a new candidate, is probably just as nerve racking as being a new candidate. Here, we take a look at how some new candidates felt throughout the time they went out with their observer.

I hope that the following will help both observers and their candidates to understand how each other is feeling during the training period up to and including the check test and actual test.

“The demonstration drive was interesting, and I have to admit I thought, “but I drive like this anyway, more or less”. Then came the first observed drive and the feedback, and the uncomfortable revelation that my driving wasn’t perfect after all! Over the next few weeks, with infinite patience and great skill, my Observer observed, commented, guided and praised until “The System” slowly dawned, came together, made sense. Right speed, right position, right gear, right frame of mind. Careful observation worn like a seat belt. Searching for the perfect gear change, the precise steering movement, finesse in everything. Learning to predict traffic behaviour like a motoring psychic.

When I successfully completed the test, I was really pleased, and knew I had achieved something important. But of course, this was still near the bottom of the learning curve. This is without 20 doubt one of the best decisions I have made, and has not only improved my driving, but also my attitude in the driving seat. In a paradoxical way, greater awareness of the sometimes strange and irrational behaviour of others can actually result in a more tolerant attitude. And certainly, greater insight into one’s own driving makes for a safer and more relaxed experience.” – David

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“As soon as I heard that I had been accepted onto the ‘Skill for Life’ programme, I was initially nervous because I didn’t know quite what to expect. Very soon after being accepted I had my first drive with my Observer, in this he explained the basis of the system of driving which should be used. During this drive I became aware of how many bad habits I had developed; ranging from the common crossing of arms on the steering wheel, to the rather more concerning lack of mirror checks and general observation. I found that applying new concepts like the system, and new techniques such as sustained-rev gear changes, made my driving much more enjoyable. In every observed drive I was being coached to drive in a much safer way and I quickly decided that this was a far better way of driving. The type of safe driving coached by IAM is not checking mirrors all the time and driving excessively slowly; it is how to handle a car safely at all speeds and in all environments. In fact, one of the things my coach was most keen for me to do was to drive faster and make more progress.

When the time came for my test, I was both apprehensive and excited, however the Examiner’s attitude immediately put me at ease. The test was a drive that lasted about an hour and half and all that was required was that I drive the way I had been coached. I actually enjoyed the test and was pleased that my driving was up to the required standard.

“The ‘Skill for Life’ programme has led to me being a safer and more confident driver and I would thoroughly recommend it to people my age; it allows you to be a safer driver without making driving any less enjoyable.” – Will

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“As for the test, I was informed in advance that there would be more than one other person in the car with me; the Examiner was to be observed by no less a person then IAM’s Chief Examiner for Scotland. No pressure, then!

On the day itself the weather could not have been worse. It had already been raining on and off for weeks, but on this particular day I could have taken the test in a canoe. I met the test Examiner and the Chief Examiner in a car park in Dumfries with the rain still hammering down. It remained pretty much like that throughout the test. Nevertheless, I kept my cool and just made the best of it. To my surprise, I felt remarkably relaxed, despite the weather conditions and the presence of the ‘Chief’ in the back seat; to be honest, I forgot he was there! By the end of the test we were back at the car park where the Examiner wasted no time in informing me that I had passed. He briefly discussed the errors I had made during the drive and I was surprised how few there seemed to be.

Now that I am a member of IAM I am determined not only to maintain my standard of driving but to improve upon it. The opportunity to develop my driving skills in this way has been great for me; I would thoroughly recommend the IAM Skills For Life programme to anyone considering doing it.” – Kevin

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Cast your mind back to the May edition of our Newsletter which contained a piece headed ‘An interesting article on cruise control’.

We received the following response from Steven Hancock which demonstrates that not only should we be mindful of using the gadgets in our modern cars but also when we purchase ‘new’ tyres, are we really 100% sure they are new?

I am writing to you about the article “an interesting article on cruise control” in the May edition. As I have had similar issues and concerns using cruise control myself and a lot of the article could have been written by me.

Let me elaborate a bit. I first came across the cruise control system in my first BMW. I too found it quite un- nerving that the car carried on regardless along the road at the same speed without any input from me and I too felt the speed was increasing and kept checking the Speedo to make sure it hasn’t. I also found that when coming up to red lights and catching up with slower vehicles I was reluctant to take the cruise off till the last minute. It concerned me and my wife even more. So, working on my rule “happy wife happy life” I stopped using it. My 2nd BMW had cruise control and speed limiter which I wasn’t bothered about and thought I would never use. But I soon learnt that I preferred the speed limiter to cruise control as I can drive the car normally and not go over the maximum speed set. My present car also has a satnav but I still have a paper road map in the glove box just in case. It also has a reversing camera which I do not rely on either, as I am always checking my mirrors and looking around to confirm that the Camera view is correct. I was very interesting to read the paragraphs about the age of tyres as my understanding on this is 'that a tyre retailer can sell you tyres up to 5 years old'. So even though you buy a new tyre it could be five years old. The tyres on my present car are dated 5116, 0319, 0217 and 1818. (The 1st two numbers are the week of the year the 2nd two are the year. (5116 equals week 51 year 2016). I was interested in the final paragraph that mentioned about a machine to x-ray the condition of tyres. Please see the enclosed attachment of a resent scan of my tyres.

Stephen Hancock IAM member since 1992

Very many thanks to Stephen for supplying this article to us.

Last Minute Christmas Countdown

By now, you will have a list of people you need to buy presents for and to make it a little easier, ask family and friends if there is anything specific they would like. Also don’t forget to get children/grandchildren to write their letters to Father Christmas – post by Friday 6th December to: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ

Four Weeks Before: If you’re having an artificial tree order it now so you have it in plenty of time and check your existing decorations to see if you need any more and that the tree lights are working! If you are ordering presents on-line, do it now as the more popular items may have a longer delivery time. Some stores offer a free collection point so where possible you could use this to save on delivery costs or order items in one go so you only pay one delivery charge. Plan what you will be cooking on Christmas day and write a list of all the ingredients you will need. Pre-order the turkey/chicken/duck and other Christmas food now but most supermarkets will let you order up until mid December. Don’t forget to buy your wrapping paper and cards before the big rush in the coming weeks. Three Weeks Before: Start wrapping those presents! Even better, wrap them as you get them and you won’t end up having to wrap them all together. If you’re feeling really organised, use different paper for each family member so you know who to hand them out to. If you are having a real tree, then now is the time to get it. Make sure you water it regularly so it stays in tip top condition for the whole of the Christmas period. Write and send out your Christmas cards and check the latest recommended posting dates. This year for the UK, it’s: Wednesday 18th December 2nd class and 2nd class signed-for Friday 20th December for 1st class and 1st class signed-for Monday 23rd December for Special Delivery Guaranteed. For International postage please see: https://www.royalmail.com/last-post https://www.parcelforce.com Two weeks before: Think about what you need for your Christmas table and buy anything extra from last year. Get all your store cupboard ingredients like drinks, batteries and bin bags so you only need to get the fresh things a few days before the 25th December. Don’t forget the Foil! One Week Before: Get your spare room ready for any expected (or unexpected) guests and have a basket of essentials ready just in case they forget anything. If you are the host/hostess set your TV to record all your favourite programmes now so that you and catch up with them over a nice Christmas duvet day.

Three Days Before: Go food shopping for the last of your essentials. Pick up the turkey/chicken/duck and all the veg and make sure you take a list with you so you don’t forget anything. Check the local supermarket opening times so you can shop in peace without panicking! Check you have enough chairs for everyone to sit around the table and if you are borrowing anything from family and/or friend get it now to its not a last-minute rush.

The Day Before: Chill the drinks for when guests arrive, lay the dining table and decide where everyone is sitting. Don’t forget the crackers! Prepare as much food in advance as you can, peel the veg, make the stuffing and write a cooking timeline so you know when everything needs to be cooked. Charge up the phone, iPads, cameras and any other devices you are likely to use on Christmas day.

Hope this helps somewhat but whatever you do to prepare for the Big Man coming, your SAGAM Committee would like to wish you a great Christmas and very Happy New Year. Have a fabulous time, relaxing and enjoying whatever you decide to do with your friends and family.

nd finally…… A This Photo by Unknown Author is Help make it safer for learner drivers on the road Our partners ‘We Are Marmalade’ have recently conducted research into the abuse learner drivers receive whilst out on their lessons. The infographic on the left shows the results and reveals a very high amount of abuse towards learner drivers. You can read more about the research here.

We Are Marmalade have launched a petition to the government to increase penalties for dangerous driving around cars displaying L- Plates. Read more: Ctrl + click (or double click) to follow the link below Sign the petition here

www.scunthorpegrimsbyadvancedmotorists.org Facebook: @SGAMG1 Twitter: @ANDGRIMSBY