SCUNTHORPE AND NEWSLETTER Group No. 7080 Charity No. 106312 February 2020 Spring Issue

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Contents

Hello & Welcome 3 Ad Lad Advertising in our Newsletter

Dates for the Diary 4 Social Nights MDU Committee Meetings Observer Meetings Become and Advanced Driver

SAGAM Team Members 5 Group Composition

Chairman’s Chatter 6

We got Mail! 6

Congratulations 7

Discount information 7/8

Caught My Eye 8 Volvo History Top Gear Review of Volvo V60 Hybrid

Free Advanced Taster Drives 13

Catalytic Converter Thefts 14

Mobile Phone Loophole 15

Car & Bikes Sharing the Road 16

Get Ready for the Holidays 18

Valentine’s Day 21

Check out the IAM YouTube Channel 22

And Finally…. 22

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Hello, welcome to the Spring edition of your newsletter and Happy New Year to you!

New Year, New Decade…what else do we need? An IAM newsletter full of interesting articles, our Chairman’s Chatter and other bits and pieces to keep us occupied for a while. Our committee met for the first time this year on the 13th January and discussed amongst other things, the MDU (Mobile Display Unit). We generally have a pitch on high street but the council have made changes to the way they charge and so although we would be there for one day only, we would have to pay for a full week, which makes it expensive. So, any suggestions as to other places we could visit would be appreciated. Please send to [email protected] You may have noticed a change on the front cover whereby rather than an issue number, following a suggestion by one of our members, I have changed this to a quarterly edition so future editions will be Summer, Autumn and Winter. So as always, I do hope you enjoy this edition and I would be grateful for any of your Christmas and/or New Year stories for the next edition or anything else you would like to see included. Please email any articles by 15th April to [email protected]

Did you find the Ad Lad in the last newsletter? He was in the bottom left hand corner of the old IAM Scunthorpe Group Logo on Page 8. Have a good look through this edition for him…….

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

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Dates for the Diary

For 2020, your newsletters will be distributed as follows: May (Please make sure any articles are submitted before 15th April 2020), 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 – Robert Fox from Highways will be giving a presentation 22nd April – Richard Gladman from IAM RoadSmart who is the head of Driving and Riding Standards 24th June – Stuart Donald QPM will be talking about Traffic Policing in the Middle East - this meeting also includes the AGM, 26th August – Alistair Kennedy is from the Cyber Crime Unit and 28th October is the Barry Heath Quiz Night where SAGAM, Lincoln and Lincs Bikers Group will be battling it out to win the desirable Barry Heath Trophy. Proposed dates for the MDU so far next year are: 11th July Rescue Day in Crowle. Waltham Windmill in Grimsby was a great day and we hope to be there again this year. Date to follow. The Winterton Show along with the Equestrian Show are also being looked into and any dates arranged will be listed here in the May edition Committee Meeting dates for this year are: 12th February, 11th March, 8th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 12th August, 9th September, 14th October, 11th November and 9th December. As the New Inn is currently undergoing refurbishments, the venue for each of the above dates will be announced in the May edition of the newsletter and committee members will be informed of the venue for the February, March and April meetings individually. Observer Meetings for this year hosted by Paul Cassell are: Wednesday 4th March, Wednesday 15th April, and Wednesday 30th September, all at The New Inn, New Limber and all with a 7.30pm start.

BECOME AN ADVANCED DRIVER

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 Cheques should be made payable to: 7, West Green The Institute of Advanced Motorists For more information contact: Terry Heath on: North Lincs 01652 655601 or visit our website DN17 3QT www.scunthorpegrimsbyadvancedmotorists.org

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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 113

Mick Harris GDPR Associate Members 7 Tel: 01724 531625 TOTAL 120

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]

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Chairman’s Chatter

Hi everyone, happy new year to you all. I hope the festive season brought everyone happiness, peace and goodwill, oh and some nice pressies.

My main theme for this edition is, we desperately need to pick your brains, and ask if can anyone come up with some new ideas as to where we can take the Mobile Display Unit, to try and get more members, mainly in the Scunthorpe area. One of our best places in the Scunthorpe area has always been in the High Street on the precinct. Sadly, now North Lincs council have decided to price us out of play. They have stopped allowing people on for odd days, everyone now has to pay £180.00 for a week. Not only can we not afford this, it also means we would have to remove the MDU every night and finding the members to staff it would be an impossibility. So as you can see, we are really struggling to find anywhere. at Gallagher retail Pk will allow one visit per year, only bookable 6 months in advance. We are currently looking at asking Aldi in Scunthorpe, Lidl in , and Sainsbury’s. Morrison’s aren’t so keen now. We’ve found, that anywhere with multiple outlets are a real problem as it’s not down to the shops but the letting agents for the retail parks, and they are simply not interested if it’s not making them big bucks. So if you have any ideas, please get in touch with me, any ideas would be very much appreciated.

On the social side we have a full year already booked up at Redbourn Club, with 4 very good meetings and then a quiz to finish the year off. We are going to be busy busy, so we need your help and support please!

The MDU is already booked out at the 7 Lakes rescue day on 11th, July, and Waltham weekend is planned along with other events in the Grimsby area.

On the driving front, we have a new “observer training officer” as you may or may not have heard. His name is Paul Cassell. Paul is a National Observer and has booked three evening sessions at the New Inn at , and as it’s about halfway between Grimsby and Scunthorpe it seemed a good venue. If he hasn’t already, Paul will soon be contacting you all to invite you as an observer to the first of these three meetings. Keep an eye out for the invite and please make every effort to attend the meeting. Thank you.

If there’s anything that you want to ask about please make contact with me and talk to me, about your group, because after all, that’s exactly what it is. YOUR GROUP. THANK YOU

Kind regards,

Terry Heath.

Chairman. Scunthorpe & Grimsby Advanced Motorists Ch.Ob/Nat Ob/L.O.A.

We got Mail!

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

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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” PLEASE NOTE; Latter Voucher has now expired

“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 THE ADVANCED DRIVING TEST

MARCUS SMITH LYNN HAITH

Observer Observer

Ian Greenbeck Ady White

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO BOTH OF YOU FROM ALL OF US IN THE SAGAM GROUP!

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20% Discount on Advanced Driver & Rider courses with: Lincoln IAM, 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]

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by by Photo This CAUGHT MY EYE…….

History of the Volvo Car

Source: Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo, Latin for "I roll", was born on April 14th, 1927 when the first car "Jakob" left the factory in Gothenburg, Sweden.Founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, the company was formed on a background of quality and safety which were both of paramount importance, a concept that still applies to the Volvo cars of today.

Volvo ÖV4 (1927-1929) The fledgling company produced both closed top and cabriolet models of their new four- cylinder OV4 and PV4 models, which were

8 constructed to better withstand the harsh Swedish climate, than contemporary US imports. Both carried the Swedish symbol for iron attached to a diagonal piece of metal on the front grille – another aspect of Volvo’s heritage that can still be seen on todays models.

In 1929 a six-cylinder PV651 model had been introduced which was both longer and wider than the Jakob. Its success helped the company to purchase its engine supplier and buy its first factory and by the end of 1931 return its first dividend to shareholders.

The first production milestone of 10,000 Volvo’s was reached in May 1932 and it was not long before Volvo dealers were asking the company to develop a more inexpensive car "for the people". This was the PV 51 model of 1936, similar to the more expensive PV36 in design, but smaller in size and less well equipped.

The Second World War significantly restricted Volvo’s production of cars, but by the autumn of 1944 the company had unveiled one of its most significant cars – the picture to the left, show the PV444 which was Volvo’s first "true" small car. Its stylish design combined American flair with European size and it was an instant success. The PV444 and the PV544 would dominate Volvo production through to the mid 1960’s and be the first models to gain Volvo a slice of the important US market during the 1950’s.

Another popular model was the Volvo 120 introduced in 1956 and often called the Amazon.

Safety features and accident protection were a key factor in this cars design and this was enhanced even further in 1959 when both the Amazon and PV544 were equipped with three-point safety belts – a world first and an invention pioneered by Volvo’s head of safety engineering, Nils Bohlin.

Volvo’s first sports car was the “Sport” or P1900 (right) launched in 1956 but this had a short production run and was replaced by the hugely successful P1800 in 1960. Considered to be an excellent touring car with its sleek coupe lines, the P1800 went on to find fame in “The Saint” TV series with Roger Moore behind the wheel.

By 1964 Volvo had opened a new production plant in Torslanda, Sweden capable of producing up to 200,000 cars a year and by 1966 the Volvo 140 family was introduced firstly as a saloon and later as an estate, helping to cement a family market that Volvo was rapidly claiming as its own.

Innovations in safety and environmental care continued apace with crumple zones, rear facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, side collision protection and the three-way catalytic converter with Lambdasond all being introduced on Volvo’s in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

The Volvo 240 range replaced the 140 with even higher levels of safety and quality and was joined by the smaller Volvo 340 models from Holland to take Volvo’s sales past the 4 million mark by the end of the 1970’s.

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In turn the Volvo 700 series of 1982 took Volvo yet another step into the exclusive market for personalised high-quality cars. Later in the decade the 340 was replaced by the Volvo 400 series which won plaudits for its road holding and safety as well as its generous amount of interior space.

A completely new and different Volvo was launched to the world in June 1991. The Volvo 850 was Volvo’s first front wheel drive executive car, with a transverse, five-cylinder engine. Its high level of safety combined with real driving pleasure won the car many independent awards.

The proposed merger with Renault fell through in its final stages in 1993 leaving Volvo as one of the few remaining independent car manufacturers. This marked a key turn in the company’s plans and paved the way for Volvo’s new dynamic product strategy with the introduction in 1996 of the sleek and more rounded designs of the Volvo S40 and V40.

They, like the Volvo C70 coupe and convertible that were introduced later that year, were cars that combined all of Volvo’s traditional values of safety, environmental care with sporty, elegant and exciting design and engineering.

With the Volvo S80 sedan of 1998 and the V70 wagon of 1999, all of this new engineering and design was brought together in a cars that both Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielson would have recognised as Volvo’s that represented their wishes for safe, quality products, but that can hold a fascination and desire for customers in today’s sophisticated car market.

Between 14 April 1927 and 31 December 2019 Volvo produced 21,405,026 cars. WOW!!!

A Volvo Moment: Asleep behind the wheel!

In the 1950s, it was a selling point if a car was convertible for sleeping purposes, and this advantage would be highlighted in advertising. Hotel rooms were expensive, and if a business traveller or a family on holiday could sleep in their car, they could make big savings. ‘The PV544 is just as comfortable to sleep in as it is to drive,’ said a Swedish advertising film from 1958 - to name but one example. Spending the night in a car

required planning. Volvo produced several booklets in which they provided instructions on how to set up bedding in a PV. Volvo also offered special bed support kits. This consisted of two support beams and four leather trim locks. Transforming your PV544 into a bedroom required all seat elements - apart from the cushions of the front seats - to be moved around the car in order to create a reasonably even bed for two. This meant it took rather a lot of planning and work before lights out at the end of the day.

In the interim period between 1958 and 2002, many different models came off the production line with the Volvo 164 (1968-1975), Volvo 244 (1974-1993), Volvo 440 (1988-1996), the Volvo 440 (1988-1996) and

10 the Volvo C70 Coupé (1996-2002) all being popular with families and couples alike, maintaining and improving on the quality and safety of all their models.

Researched and written by Jan Burditt with the majority taken from the History of Volvo Cars: Volvo Owners' Club Limited® 1962-2020

Moving further into the 2000’s, the Volvo XC60 (2009-2017) is a far cry from the PV544!!

Looking very similar to the XC60, the V60 Plug-in hybrid is as green as cars get these days and has the best of both worlds – peace and economy…………

Overview – what is it?

Volvo is famous for safety and is aiming for no-one to be injured or killed in one of its cars by 2020. Now, though, it has another ‘zero’ aim – zero emissions from its cars too. The former might well be possible, but the latter could prove more tricky. Still, the Swedes are having a go, with the launch of their first plug-in hybrid, the V60 - freshly facelifted for 2014.

A plug-in hybrid is similar in principal to a Toyota Prius hybrid, but with a bigger set of batteries that can be recharged from the mains, thus extending the electrical running. Volvo also fits a more fuel-efficient diesel engine instead of a petrol, which will ensure the strong eco credentials continue when the batteries are flat, too.

Driving – what is it like on the road?

The electric-only aspect of the V60 Hybrid is the most impressive. It can do up to 60mph running on just the battery, and that will last for 30 miles. You’re never left wanting any more power either. The electric motor has got plenty of juice and the diesel won’t kick in unless you really thrash it.

The hybrid setting sees both the diesel and the electric motor run in an eco-setting, while the power mode sees 272bhp released from both powerplants. It’s bloody quick: 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and immense 11 overtaking shove thanks to 472 lb ft of torque. It’s not perfect, though. The D5 diesel engine is simply too rough, a contrast made all the more stark here due to the silence in EV mode. Volvo’s new range of four- cylinder engines can’t come too soon.

On the Inside – layout, finish and space

Unlike some other eco cars, the V60 is pretty conventional inside. The standard dashboard layout is as per regular models, and all the major controls are no different either. The variation comes in the displays, which are focused on showing how much energy is left in the batteries and how best you can manage it to get maximum benefit. There are also buttons on the centre console to adjust the parameters of the various systems according to driving conditions and demands.

Further back, the 12kWh lithium ion battery pack is stored beneath the boot floor, which does take up space and means the load bay could usefully be bigger: it’s been reduced to a supermini-like 310 litres and the floor is higher too. Passenger space is unchanged though.

Owning – running costs and reliability

There is no arguing with the fuel economy. The firm claims a massive 148.7mpg and CO2 emissions drop to just 48g/km. Such great economy means the fact Volvo’s had to reduce the fuel tank to 45 litres won’t be an inconvenience. The £49,975 list price is very high but it is eligible for the £5,000 Government Plug- In car grant, taking it down to a slightly more palatable £45k.

Whatever your thoughts on the V60, there is plenty to mull over if you’re thinking of buying one of the various models. After a quick look in Auto Trader, the cheapest decent used V60 2.0L D3 SE Nav (s/s) 5 door manual diesel estate I have found is £8,999 on a 66 plate having 82,000 miles (that is not bad actually) which Auto Trader say is a great price and the dearest being £28,950 for a 2.0L 19 reg D4 R Design Lux Nav Diesel 5 door automatic petrol estate which Auto Trader say is a good price. And so, onto the…………….

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Verdict - Final thoughts and pick of the range

Volvo's V60 demonstrates that the car can still be the choice of transport in the future

Our choice from the range - This is the one we'd pick... and give it a 7 out of 10

Volvo D6 AWD PHEV SE Lux Nav 5dr Geartronic £49,920 155mpg 6.10s 215bhp 48g/km

Extract taken from Top Gear Car Reviews 2020

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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!

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Catalytic Converter Thefts

In the space of two weeks in November 2019, two catalytic converters were stolen from one hybrid car with a cost of more than £1,100 to the owner. In the first instance, thieves walked onto the owners drive in Caterham, Surrey whilst he slept and disconnected the emissions control device from the underside of his car before speeding off into the night. In the second, his converter was stolen as he queued in a fish and chip shop near his home. The Prius, which was only just back on the road after being fitted with a replacement ‘cat’ was parked out of view on a side street and was stripped in minutes. Catalytic Converters, which are 1 typically around 1 /2 ft long and 8” wide, clean harmful gases before they exit the vehicle’s exhaust pipe are more valuable in hybrid cars because they often contain higher concentrates of precious metals and are generally less corroded, as they run for much of the time on battery power. The owner replaced his car with a non-hybrid petrol one and commented “so much for the environment”

Catalytic Converter thefts are soaring across the country as criminal cash in on a boom in global precious metals. The quantities are small but such is their value – higher than gold and silver – that they are well worth the crooks stealing. Palladium in particular has shot up in value this year due to the increased demand for converters from car manufacturers in China and India which are reducing emissions to combat extreme air pollution in their big cities. The result in a bonanza for criminals who can strip a converter in minutes.

Once stolen the converters are offered to unscrupulous scrap metal dealers for £200 or more at a time. Good money for thieves who can bag half a dozen in a day. They are then dismantled and the extracted metal sold in power form to refineries around the world for recycling. Alternatively, stolen converters can be sold on the on line second hand market and attractive option for cash strapped motorists as a new one can cost p to £1000. And so, cat thieves some of the operating in organised gangs now roam the country on the lookout for easy targets which include SUV’s and vans which stand high off the ground offering easy access to the converters in the exhaust system or hybrids such as the Prius and Honda Jazz. The bulbus converters can simply be unbolted or, if necessary, amputated with high powered cutting tools like angle grinders sometimes resulting in serious damage that can put vehicles out of action for weeks. To rub salt in the wound, victims are often oblivious to the fact that their converter has been stolen until they are pulled over, tested and then fined for unwittingly violating emissions limits. Toyota in particular is suffering much customer backlash over the vulnerability of their Prius and Auris models and unfortunately, there are many operators out there willing to buy stolen converters for cash. Honda says that since 2015, they have fitted the converters in the engine bay, making it much harder to reach. The police and motoring organisations have said motorists should take precautions to reduce the thefts such as having CCTV covering their driveways, putting a cage around the converter or marking them with serial numbers for identification purposes should they be stolen and sold on.

Daily Mail 2/12/2019

Unfortunately, our own Chairman has been affected by this very recently. Having had problems with his car and after agreeing with the garage owner, Terry parked his car in a garage compound whilst he organised repairs. However, on his return, the catalytic converter had been sawn off his car along with those of another five cars also in the compound. Not only had they taken the converter but had rendered the car completely undriveable and so it had to be sold for a ridiculously low amount, to a scrap merchant.

I think we can safely say that no-one is immune from the Cat thieves

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Mobile phone loophole for filming drivers ‘to be closed’

The government plans to close a legal loophole that has allowed drivers who use mobile phones to film or take photographs to escape prosecution.

It is illegal for drivers to call or text on hand-held phones but some have dodged punishment for taking photos. In July, a man overturned a conviction for filming a crash, saying he was not using his phone “to communicate”.

The government aims to revise the laws to also include browsing the internet and searching playlists while driving. It says the current legislation has fallen behind advances in smartphone technology.

‘Spring 2020’

Drivers have successfully argued that filming or taking photos while driving does not match the wording in the current legislation – which says it is illegal to use a device “which performs an interactive communication” while driving.

Earlier last year (2019) Ramsey Barreto was found guilty of using his phone to film a crash in north two years ago. However, the 51-year-old then successfully appealed the conviction. The ruling led two High Court judges to criticise the 16-year-old law on using mobile phones, which they said had failed to evolve with the rise of smartphones.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the urgent review will be carried out to tighten up the existing laws on hand-held mobile use by motorists.

“We recognise that staying in touch with the world while travelling is an essential part of modern- day life but we are also committed to making our roads safe,” he added.

The Department for Transport said the review will be carried out “urgently” with further proposals “expected to be in place by spring 2020”.

Phones behind the wheel: The law

▪ Using a hand-held mobile phone or sat nav while driving is illegal

▪ Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you drive

▪ Police still have the power to stop you if they think you have been distracted

▪ The law still applies if you’re stopped in traffic or queuing at lights

▪ You could get penalty points, a fine and/or a driving ban if you break the law Source: UK government – read more

The action follows a recent report by the Commons’ Transport Select Committee which urged the government to introduce tougher restrictions on using a mobile phone while driving.

The committee recommended that ministers should consider a ban on hands-free use, but the government said there are no plans to introduce such a measure.

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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) charity said it was “delighted” the loophole would be closed.

However, road safety campaign group Brake called for the government to follow MPs recommendations and ban the use of all phone at the wheel.

“All phone use behind the wheel is dangerous and to get this message across to drivers the law must reflect this,” its senior public affairs officer Samuel Nahk said.

“Far too many people still use their phone behind the wheel, yet it should be as unacceptable as drink driving, with research showing that reaction times whilst texting are double those of drink-drivers.”

The fixed penalty for driving while using a hand-held mobile phone was increased from three penalty points and a £100 fine to six penalty points and a £200 fine in March 2017.

Courts can impose a fine of up to £1,000 for car drivers and £2,500 for HGV and bus drivers, as well as issuing a driving disqualification.

The government said its review would include legislation in Northern Ireland, where road safety policy is a devolved issue.

Source: BBC News Website 1st November 2019

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I guess that as well as drivers, there are some cyclists amongst us. Not being a cyclist myself, I sometimes struggle with how unsafe cycling is and don’t envy those who choose to do so. It has to be a scary pastime given the number of cyclists who are involved in both major and minor accidents over a period of a year, particularly in cities and built up areas. I have noticed, as I am sure you have too, that they tend to ride aside each other in certain situations and after speaking with someone who rides their bike regularly, I discovered they do this to try to prevent drivers/cars from overtaking them when as a rider, they feel it would be dangerous. Similarly, when riding behind each other, this is an indication that they feel it ok for you to pass them safely. Below is an extract from an article by the AA which may clarify certain aspects of driving around cyclists as well as advice to the cyclists themselves to make their journey as safe as possible.

Cars and bikes sharing the roads - How to stay safe, be seen and be aware

Cycling can be the most convenient (and cheapest) way to get around and more people are taking it up – especially in London where the cycle hire scheme and new cycle superhighways have encouraged lots more people onto two wheels. There’s long been friction between drivers and cyclists but these tips should help things go a little more smoothly, and safely, for all.

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Advice to drivers

Cyclists are clearly more vulnerable than car users – take particular care nearby and give them plenty of room at all times.

o Expect cyclists in unexpected places – always check your mirrors before turning. o If you're not sure about the intention of another road user – including cyclists – hold back rather than risking a wrong assumption. o Watch out for cyclists coming up on your near side when turning left or moving over to the left – check your mirrors and blind spots carefully. o Give as much room as practically possible when overtaking a bike – Highway Code Rule 163 illustrates one car's width – they may have to move out to avoid hazards like drains, potholes or debris on the road. o When parking, check your door mirror and look behind you before opening the door to make sure you don't hit a cyclist. o When turning left, allow any cyclist ahead of you to pass the junction rather than overtake them and turn sharply across their front wheel. o Don't overtake a cyclist if you can see that the road ahead narrows – if they're travelling faster than you think, you could end up squeezing them off the road. o Cyclists may be travelling faster than you think (could be 20mph+) – judge their approaching speed with care before pulling out at a junction. o Take special care on roundabouts – you must give way to any vehicle, including cyclists approaching from the right. o Be prepared to wait behind a cyclist turning right in the same way you would for a car – rather than squeezing past or getting impatient. o Don't park in cycle lanes – you could be forcing a cyclist into a dangerous situation. And you’ll be committing a road traffic offence if you drive or park in a cycle lane marked with a solid white line. o Don't drive into the 'advanced stop area' for cyclists at lights. o Match your speed to the conditions and make sure you’ll be able to stop well within the distance that you can see to be clear – on country roads there could be a group of cyclists, a horse rider or pedestrians around the next bend. o At night, use dipped headlights when approaching cyclists as you would when approaching any other road user. o Allow cyclists extra room in wet weather as surfaces will be wet and slippery. o Consider riding a bike for some of your own journeys to get a better understanding of the risk’s cyclists face. o Keep up to date with your knowledge of the Highway Code and follow its advice.

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TfL advice to cyclists

Transport for London (TfL) – responsible for all transport in the capital including cycle hire, offers the following advice for safer and confident cycling. Though aimed at London cyclists, this advice clearly applies to cyclists in towns and cities across the country.

• Be aware of the driver's blind spot when passing lorries and buses. It's often safer to hang back. • Pay attention to what’s going on around you and be aware of what other road users might do. • Try to make eye contact with drivers so that you know they’ve seen you. • Ride assertively, away from the gutter. If the road’s too narrow for vehicles to pass you safely, it may be better to ride in the middle of the lane to prevent dangerous overtaking. • Ride in a straight line past parked cars, rather than dodge between them, and allow at least a full door's width in case the doors are suddenly opened. • Wait in front of other vehicles at traffic lights. Use the advanced stop line for cyclists if there is one. • Don't ride through red traffic lights. You may be fined. • Use appropriate hand signals when making a left or right turn. • Wear bright clothing in the day and reflective clothing or accessories at night. • Use lights after dark; white at the front and red at the rear. You can be fined £50 if you don't have them. • Consider wearing a helmet. • Don’t use a mobile phone or earphones. • Keep up to date with your knowledge of the Highway Code and follow its advice.

Above article taken from the AA Website

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Get ready for the holidays!!

Planning a holiday has always been a stressful time for most people – if it hasn’t for you then you are one of the lucky ones! Whether you decide on going abroad or if you want to stay in the UK, it’s always best to be well prepared and therefore planning is an extremely important part which should be done carefully. Below is a guide to planning a holiday anywhere in Europe, in a methodical way, to maximise your time, budget and literary. Remember that nothing will change after Brexit for one year so as long as your passport has more than 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). Some like to book everything through the travel agent whilst other prefer to book each part of their holiday individually but whichever you choose, this guide should help you. 18

GET YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ORDER

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You can check if you have enough time on your passport here – https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-for-travel-to-europe

You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

If your passport doesn’t meet the new rules, you should apply for a new passport before travelling to the countries affected.

But remember not to book your holiday if your passport doesn’t meet the entry requirements before travelling to the countries affected and also make sure you apply in plenty of time but if you need to you can apply to get an urgent passport here: https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

You can check which countries the new rules for travel to and from will apply to here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Before you can experience authentic Spanish tapas, piazzas in Rome, or rooftop terraces in Prague, an important to-do list stands between you and your European vacation. The logistics involved in planning a trip to Europe may seem tedious or overwhelming, but the more prepared you are, the greater your chances of a successful trip that lives up to your expectations. That’s why it’s important to do a bang-up job creating an itinerary, arranging transportation, and tackling the brass tacks before you’re off to the continent.

All car rental companies require drivers to have valid licenses in their home country, so you’ll also want to check the expiration date of your license. Some car rental companies also require an international driving permit for European rentals in addition to a valid driver’s license.

DECIDE ON YOUR BUDGET

When planning a trip to Europe, establish a budget as early as possible—even before you know your destination, travel dates, or itinerary. Some destinations are generally cheaper than others, but there are ways to save everywhere: travel in the off-season, pick budget accommodations, plan a shorter trip. For example, London is an expensive city, but many travel providers and airlines offer affordable vacation packages to the city, and it’s not hard to find cheap air deals to London, especially during the winter. Set your budget early on, and you’ll avoid any disappointment that could come from forging a fabulous itinerary, like two weeks in Switzerland during summer, and then discovering you can’t afford it.

PICK A DESTINATION

Now that you know how much you can spend, where do you want to go? If you’re like many travellers and you have a humongous list of places in Europe you want to visit, this could be tricky. One strategy is to pick a particular site that’s on your must-see travel list, and plan your holiday around that. Another option is to pick somewhere timely. Visit countries’ tourism websites and search for seasonal events like festivals or local holidays (which you may want to either avoid or join, depending on how you feel about crowds). Don’t forget to check the weather before you decide on your destination.

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CREATE A ROUGH ITINERARY

So, once you’ve decided where you would like to go, you’ll want to sketch out a day-by-day itinerary of your perfect trip before you book a thing. Research sites and cities, you really want to explore and then figure out which ones you have the time and budget to get to.

BOOK YOUR AIRFARE

Because airfare will probably be the most expensive part of your trip, you’ll want to book it before anything else (car rental, hotel, etc.). This will allow you to be more flexible with your dates, which is a great way to save money on your flight. You can often spend less by flying on international discount airlines like Aer Lingus, Ryanair or Thompson. Check multiple booking sites, including sites such as Skyscanner and traditional booking sites like Expedia, to make sure you’re seeing a wide range of options. Some sites have the option for you to register to be notified when the air fare drops.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION

It’s time to go back to that rough itinerary you jotted down and fill in some places to sleep. As is the case with pretty much everything you book for your trip, the earlier you make arrangements, the better - especially during summer high season. You can just book a room at the local Hampton by Hilton and be done with it! But do a bit of research and you could discover some funky lodging that’s almost as exciting as the attractions you plan to visit. Keep your eyes open for historic castles, tiny bed and breakfasts, houseboats, eco-friendly hotels, or organic farms. Budget travellers be aware: Holiday rentals, farm stays and house- swapping are accommodation options that can be shockingly affordable … or even free. As with airfare, you should shop around on multiple hotel sites to make sure you’re getting the best deal, and read reviews from past guests to see what the experience is like TripAdvisor.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE

There are several kinds of travel insurance: trip cancellation insurance, flight cancellation insurance, medical insurance, etc. The best time to buy insurance is right after you put down the major deposits on your trip, whether that entails airfare, a package, or prepaid hotels. Once you know how much money you’ve paid upfront, you can insure your trip if you so choose. Many airlines and travel providers sell insurance that you can purchase along with your flight or tour package. Always, always read the fine print in your policy and compare it with other travel insurance policies before you make a purchase.

BOOK LOCAL TRANSPORT AND DAY TOURS

A car rental is your best bet if you’re traveling to locales that can’t be easily reached by rail or plane (such as the Irish countryside). Be mentally prepared to drive in a foreign country, which can be a frightening experience when faced with incomprehensible traffic signs, narrow streets, or sheep roadblocks. To get from city to city or country to country, examine your rail options in comparison to routes and prices offered by European discount airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair. Travellers embarking on extensive travel within Europe may save money by purchasing a rail pass from Rail Europe that permits unlimited train travel within a specified region.

TACKLE LAST MINUTE LOGISTICS

A few weeks before your departure date is the right time to start taking care of a number of key logistics: money, phone, house-sitter, pet-sitter. Call your credit card companies to let them know you’ll be traveling abroad. While you’re at it, find out if you’re going to be charged a fee for using your card overseas. Research the locations of ATMs in your destination, especially if you’ll be relying on cash. Does your mobile phone 20 plan allow you to make calls overseas and if so, how much will it cost you? Many mobile phone companies offer international plans that you can purchase for the month you’re traveling.

PACKING

Packing for Europe requires both different items and a different mindset in comparison to some other types of trips. Most of central and western Europe have milder climates throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter rain or a heatwave. You should pack and clothing that’s easy to layer and always include a packable rain coat or travel umbrella in your suitcase when traveling to Europe. Think about how you’ll be carrying your money - pickpocketing schemes are more common abroad, so it’s important to carry your money and personal belongings securely. When researching your European destination of choice, consider the overall climate and time of year you’ll be traveling. Then, about a week before your trip check out the forecast, mobilise a packing list and ensure your suitcase is in working condition and meets your airlines’ size restrictions.

So, whether you book everything through a travel agent or you decide to book each part of your holiday individually, I hope this guide helps to you some areas if not all, in whatever you do……..

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Valentine’s day on the 14th of February is fast approaching – let us know your stories of, driving, riding and love and we could publish them in the Summer edition.

Is there anyone who has found love through the advanced driving course or if you’ve had driving or riding adventures with loved ones, share photos of road trips with your beloved car, bike or partner

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Check out the IAM RoadSmart YouTube Channel

Have you had a look at the IAM RoadSmart YouTube channel?

Our videos cover lots of driving and riding topics including advice from our ambassadors, technical tips and clips from events and skills days.

There are lots of interesting videos such as;

• Too Tired to Drive? – Tips from IAM, • Improve your driving with 5 wellbeing tips, • Classic Cars – Limited Vision, • Classic Tyres v Modern Tyres

To browse through the above, click here

Also……………

Don't let winter blues catch you out - IAM RoadSmart and Mitsubishi Motors have the answer

IAM RoadSmart and Mitsubishi Motors in the UK have joined forces to produce a series of videos to give motorists their best winter driving advice in a short, easy-to-digest form. There include Driving in snow and ice, Driving in storms and Six Basic Winter Tips.

To read more and to watch the videos, click here.

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And finally……don’t forget to look us up on the links below www.scunthorpegrimsbyadvancedmotorists.org Facebook: @SGAMG1 Twitter: @ANDGRIMSBY

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