New Driving Test Takes Effect Today

Britain’s biggest independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart says the new look driving test, which it helped to design and evaluate, will deliver ‘big safety benefits and save lives by including more real life situations and introducing new drivers to the latest technology.

photo courtesy of IAMRoadSmart December 2017

The plans were announced by the Government on 30 December last year and will take effect from today (4 December). The new format was test driven by thousands of learners before its final implementation. Those who had taken the new test were more confident and crucially, for IAM RoadSmart, had undertaken slightly more driving on country roads and dual carriageways.

It is well known that learners who practice more in a wider range of traffic situations make safer drivers in the long run.

The changes include the following:

• Independent driving part of the test will increase from 10 to 20 minutes
• Following directions from a sat-nav
• Reversing manoeuvres will be changed (reverse around a corner and the three point turn will no longer be tested), but drivers will be asked to do one of three possible reversing manoeuvres instead including parking in a bay
• Demonstrating vehicle safety knowledge while  driving

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “Experts from IAM RoadSmart have helped to design and evaluate the new elements of the test, and we are very excited about the road safety benefits it could deliver.

“Our key aim was to ensure the test reflects the real world as much as possible and also encourage learners to gain experience in as wide a range of traffic situations as possible. By doubling the independent driving element of the test and introducing a sat-nav for an unknown route, new drivers will have to practice more.

“A common criticism of the old test was that it always used the same well-known routes which Learner drivers could learn by rote! The new reversing manoeuvres replace the three-point turn, which no one ever used, and dealing with a bay is much more like everyday parking.

“Finally, asking questions whilst driving can help the learner to multi-task and deal with passengers. New drivers with relevant skills and more experience can only be good news for road safety.”

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com


The Good Garage Scheme supports the work of IAM RoadSmart and thanks them for contributing this week's blog.

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Speed Down to Save Lives

Road Safety Week is the UK's biggest road safety event, coordinated annually by Brake, the road safety charity.

According to Brake, speeding is still a major problem in the UK causing needless crashes, untold suffering and life-changing accidents.

Breaking the speed limit or travelling too fast for conditions is recorded by police at crash scenes as a contributory factor in one in four (23%) fatal crashes in Great Britain and a recent survey by
Brake found that four in 10 (40%) UK drivers admitted they sometimes drive at 30mph in 20mph zones.

We all lead busy lives and are often in a rush, but taking extra care while driving and slowing down will lead to safer roads and fewer accidents.

The Good Garage Scheme joins with Brake once again to encourage all motorists to Speed Down Save Lives. Hopefully the good habits we put in practice this week will remind us to drive with care throughout the year.

For more information about Brake, please visit their website.

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Hats on for Mental Health

image courtesy of BEN

The Good Garage Scheme is supporting Hats on for Mental Health day on Friday 13th October alongside the automotive charity, Ben.

The day is part of a wider mental health campaign run by Ben and spotlights how mental health can affect anyone, at any time.

The campaign is particularly relevant as recent research shows two thirds of British adults say they have experienced mental ill-health at some point in their lives, according to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation.

In an industry which has a workforce of over 800,000 people, that equates to over 500,000 people potentially affected by mental health challenges!

Last year marked the first year of Hats on 4 Mental Health day – their first ever national fundraising event for the automotive industry. Everyone working in the industry was asked to get involved by wearing a hat to work for a day and an amazing £13,000 was raised! So, hats off to those who took part last year and made the day such a success.

The Good Garage Scheme has joined in with a hope to help raise even more this year.

Head office staff will be participating and posting photos on social media to show support and hoping as many member garages as possible will join in to help. Miles Better has already starting to show his support.

Simply text HATS97 £1 to  70070 or visit the justgiving page to donate here.





For more information about how Ben can help, please visit www.ben.org.uk

Good Garage Scheme Supports Tyre Safety Month

"Don't chance it, check it" is this month's message from road safety charity, TyreSafe.

The campaign has been supported by research by the charity that reveals more than one in four motorists are replacing their tyres when they were already illegal, the equivalent of over ten million illegal and dangerous tyres on Britain’s roads!

The tyre tread depth survey involved 800 tyre retailers from across the UK surveying 340,000 tyres and comes alongside findings from the DVSA that annually, 2.2 million fail their MOT due to tyre-related defects.  The Good Garage Scheme is lending its support to the campaign, encouraging motorists to get their tyres and cars professionally checked in this year's Tyre Safety Month.

Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK can offer motorists peace of mind by providing an expert assessment of their vehicle’s tyres and overall condition. The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three-quarters of breadth of the tread and around its entire outer circumference. In wet weather tyre tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between the tyres and the road surface, allowing the car to brake, steer and accelerate properly. Without adequate tread depth, the tyres may not be able to perform properly in wet conditions, reducing safety on the road.

Anndi Sheppard, the Good Garage Scheme’s Marketing Manager, comments: “Tyre safety and the need to raise awareness of the importance of carrying out regular tyre checks are important issues that every motorist needs to be aware of. The Good Garage Scheme is pleased to lend its support to this year’s Tyre Safety Month. Arranging a tyre and vehicle check with a Good Garage Scheme member is a simple way to put your mind at rest and ensure your car is safe and reliable as the weather begins to change this autumn.”


Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering a vehicle check. Many Good Garage Scheme members offer online service booking, making it even easier to arrange a check or service for your car. In addition, smartphone users can download a free iPhone or Android app to help them locate a nearby Good Garage Scheme workshop anywhere in the UK.


Watch Tyresafe's video here with a simple guide on how to check your tyres and why it's important.

It's Not Smart to use a Smartphone when Driving

Driving is a highly unpredictable and risky activity requiring our full concentration at all times. Drivers who divide their attention between their phone and the road are significantly increasing their risk of causing a devastating crash.

Reading and writing messages – whether texting, emailing or using apps or social networks – while driving is even more distracting than talking on a phone, as it takes your mind, hands and eyes off the road. Texting drivers’ reaction times are 35% slower and they also have poor lane control. One large-scale study found texting drivers were 23 times more likely to crash than a driver paying full attention.

A recent survey by Brake, the road safety charity, revealed that  around half of drivers aged between 25 and 34 are taking huge risks by texting, using apps or going online on their mobiles when they are behind the wheel.

• Almost half of drivers aged 25-34 use apps while driving (49%)
• More than half of 25-34 year olds read or write text messages while driving (55%)
• Drivers aged 18-35 are most likely to text or use apps behind the wheel

In addition, one in five young drivers (18-24) confirmed they regularly text and/or instant message when they are behind the wheel.

Reaching for a mobile phone can be an irresistible temptation for some, despite knowledge of the risks. In the UK, experts have warned of increasing levels of smartphone addiction by users who are unable to go without checking their phone for short periods.


Brake advises motorists to put mobile phones on silent and out of reach when driving to avoid any distraction.

The Good Garage Scheme supports the charity Brake and is grateful to share their advice in this week's blog. For more information about Brake, please visit www.brake.org.uk

For full report from Brake, visit their website.

Drive Less Live More

Why drive less, live more?

According to the charity, Brake, every day five people die on UK roads, and 64 more are seriously injured – causing needless devastation, trauma and suffering.

Brake witnesses this through its victim care services. The vast majority of these serious casualties, which went up by 4% last year, are down to driver error.

Brake believes road safety isn’t just about driving safely and legally or using the green cross code, although these are important. It’s about making our streets safe and pleasant for everyone to use freely, and doing everything we can to protect ourselves and people around us.
A big part of that is driving less, as little as possible, or not at all if you can.

It’s common for people to habitually walk the few metres from their front door to their car and drive, even if they’re only going round the corner. A quarter of car journeys (23%) are less than two miles. People who walk or cycle often have to face busy, noisy streets, full of pollution and fast traffic. Is this the way we want it?

Walking, cycling or using public transport not only helps to make our streets safer, more pleasant and less polluted, it has personal benefits too. It can save families a lot of money, help people live healthier, more active lives, reduce stress and illness, and help people connect with their communities.

That’s why Brake is asking everyone to consider how they use roads, and to see if they can drive less, live more, and walk, cycle or use public transport instead, to help make our roads and communities safer, happier, healthier and less polluted places.

The Good Garage Scheme supports the charity, Brake, in their efforts to help create a world that has zero road deaths and injuries, and where people can get around in ways that are safe, sustainable, healthy and enjoyable.

For more information about Brake visit their website.

The Insipring Kate Weaver Runs for BEN

A few months ago, the Good Garage Scheme posted a story about how the automotive industry

charity, BEN, helped a young couple and their family through a difficult time. Kate Weaver suffered a stroke that left her paralysed during a pregnancy, but she delivered a healthy baby and received the care she needed to make a full recovery. She set goals for herself to walk in heels and run once again.

She has worn the heels and will now take part in a 5K Parkrun on the 23rd May at Quarry Park, Shrewsbury in order to raise money for BEN and the Dr Gardner's Charity for Nurses to help other families that may need it. 

To support Kate and to read more detail about how BEN helped her achieve her goals, please visit her justgiving page here.

Ben is the UK's dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants and is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.

For more information about BEN, please visit www.ben.org.uk.

Read How BEN helped Kate & Tim

Ben is the UK's dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants and is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.

At a recent charity ball held by BEN, Kate and Tim Weaver shared their story about how BEN helped them when they needed it. 

We are grateful for the permission to share the video of Kate speaking at the event and hope it will inspire those to give generously to BEN and also make those in the automotive industry aware of the help that is available to them.

For more information about BEN, please visit www.ben.org.uk.

Good Garage Scheme Supports Automotive Charity BEN

BEN is the chosen charity of the Good Garage Scheme.  The charity is dedicated for those who work, or have worked in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependents.

Each year we make time at Christmas to visit the day care centre which closest to our Good Garage Scheme head office and send along a hamper for the centre to enjoy.

Arthur Wilson House in Coventry

It is wonderful to see what is available for those who need it and on the day of our visit, the staff were telling us how much the residents enjoyed their annual Christmas party on the previous day.

The centre offers a safe and comfortable place where anyone with a connection to the automotive or related industries can leave an elderly relative to be cared for during the working day. They also welcome those who are more independent who may benefit from socialising or taking part in organised activities and outings. The Centre has up to 25 members each day enjoying a range of entertainment, activities, games and trips to local attractions.

If you are interested in more information about BEN and the work they do or help they can offer, please visit www.BEN.org.uk.

Hands-free Calls at the Wheel on the Rise

Brake, the road safety charity is renewing its call to ban hands-free kits, as its recent survey reveals that almost half (45%) of drivers admit to chatting when driving. While the use of hand-held phones by drivers has dropped, hands-free use has risen, likely to be linked to the mistaken belief that it is a safe alternative.

While the number of motorists who admit to talking on a hand-held phone when driving has dropped, hands-free use has risen by 16% in the last eight years.

Brake believes that the lack of a total ban has left many drivers unaware that using a mobile hands-free at the wheel is just as risky as using one hand-held.


It is the distraction of the conversation that causes the danger. Studies have shown the risk of being in a crash that causes injury is increased four times for drivers on both hand-held and hands-free phones with reactions 30% slower than driving at the UK drink drive limit, and 50% slower than under normal conditions.

Brake and Direct Line's survey also found that texting at the wheel is a widespread menace, with 30% of all drivers admitting sending or reading messages while driving, and an even higher proportion of young drivers (age 18-24) doing so.

Brake's advice to motorists:

Using a phone and driving is a deadly combination and no call or message is ever worth a life. Drivers should put phones out of sight, earshot and reach when driving to avoid temptation, ideally in the boot. On long journeys, take regular breaks and use these to check messages or make calls.
Hands-free is a not a safe option; it's just as dangerous as using a mobile hand-held because of the mental distraction of the call.
Everyone can make a difference by refusing to speak to someone on the phone who's driving; politely but quickly end the call if they're at the wheel – it could save their life.

Follow Brake on Twitter:  @BrakeCharity

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the road safety charity, Brake, for its contribution to this week's blog. For more information about the work that Brake do and further results of the survey related to this article, please click here.

Automotive Charity BEN Offers Support for Flood Victims

With the acrid, foul-smelling flood waters slowing abating and worries that we have not seen the last of the bad weather, the automotive charity BEN is extending their support for our affected automotive colleagues.

Following the Environment Agency's report that 5,800 properties have been flooded since the start of December and 100,000 homes having experienced power cuts, we recognise that members of our automotive community are extremely likely to be amongst those being challenged by the experience.

Commenting on the situation BEN's Chief Operating Officer, Nigel Rothband stated,

"The prolonged damage caused by these events will be placing severe physical and emotional stress on those affected, and we are desperate to ensure that anyone connected to our automotive industry community knows that we are on hand to offer our care and support.

We cannot solve the long-term problem; sadly we cannot throw millions at it to make it go away, but what we can do is to provide short term immediate support including financial assistance, where needed.

Obviously, some people will have been unable to work and will have incurred additional costs in trying to protect themselves and their properties - where these factors have caused short term financial hardship we may be able to assist depending on the circumstances of the individual.

Many will be covered by insurance, which should always be the first port of call, but for those who are vulnerable and do not have cover, or remain unsupported by other agencies we can, and will, respond to immediate need. Whether those affected just needing someone to offload too, advice on temporary accommodation or financial assistance- we are here to help. I would urge any automotive person who is distressed or suffering to get in touch."

In addition to actively encouraging those affected to get in touch, BEN is also contacting existing beneficiaries, in affected areas, to find out if they need help. Many older people in these circumstances will have been unable to get out and therefore missed out on normal social contact, or they may simply be more anxious and need some reassurance. We at BEN are determined to support these individuals and can also offer support to those people needing help to complete their insurance forms.

To contact BEN's helpline;
Call 01344 876770
Text 07781 472622
Email careservices@ben.org.uk

BEN - Caring for automotive people, and their dependants, in times of need

BEN is the Good Garage Scheme's chosen charity - the UK’s dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants.

Ladies Evening at Station Garage Belper

Good Garage Scheme member garage, Station Garage (Belper), held a Ladies Evening on 10th July 2013. Local businesses such as hair salons and beauty salons also helped to promote the evening with leaflets and advertising.

Around 40 ladies attended on the evening and were advised about checking levels underneath the bonnet by Catherine (Cat) Treaner, 3rd Year apprentice at Station Garage. Attendees were also given the opportunity to check oil levels for themselves.

The ladies were also shown an oil and filter change by Good Garage Scheme representative, Chris Poynton, who explained how quickly new oil is contaminated if the engine is not flushed first, demonstrating with samples of oil from a car in the workshop.

Jason Curzon of Station Garage explained what is checked during an MOT and more importantly, what is not checked. He explained that an MOT is not a service and that many people believe that having an MOT is all that is required.

Some of the ladies who attended commented that is was a very enjoyable evening and said they would be interested in coming along to another event later in the year for advice about making sure their cars are prepared for the winter months on the road.

As well as all of the advice and demonstrations given on the night, Station Garage Belper also managed to raise money to support their chosen charity, Action -medical research for children, with all proceeds from refreshments sold on the evening going to the charity.

For more information about Action, visit www.action.org.uk.

Well done to the team at Station Garage Belper and everyone who made the Ladies Evening such a successful event.

Teddy Bear Picnic for National BEN Week

The Good Garage Scheme joined in celebrations with automotive industry charity, BEN, this week with the "Bear Us in Mind" campaign.

BEN is the UK’s dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants.

Whether it's practical, emotional or financial support that you need, BEN are there to help. They also provide day, nursing and residential care across the country for older people in our communities.


Staff at Good Garage Scheme's head office brought their beloved teddy bears to work for a  picnic on Thursday, 18th July and the weather was just right for it.

 

We had a bear-themed quiz, prizes for best bear and a raffle for BEN's new "Benjamin Bear". A great time was had by all and we wish BEN a Happy 108th Birthday.

For more information about BEN and the wonderful work they do, visit www.ben.org.uk

Good Garage Scheme Members at Dakar Rally

A father and son team of mechanics from Good Garage Scheme member garage, The Old Forge Garage in Leadenham gave up their jobs for a month in January 2013 to be part of a race team involved in the legendary Dakar Rally.

Phil Bayliss, Nasser Al Attiyah and Chris Bayliss

Phillip Bayliss and his father Chris spent four weeks in South America with the Race2Recovery team, mainly made up of injured and limbless servicemen and women. Phil and Chris who run The Old Forge Garage in Leadenham, are Land Rover specialists and have grown up off-road racing their 4x4s around the country for 20 years. A friend recommended them when another mechanic dropped out and they enjoyed the exciting trip of a lifetime.

Phil said: “We watched the event on TV for years and it was our dream to race in it ourselves, but to help a team out there was brilliant.”

One of the vehicles that Phil and Chris serviced during the rally

Phil also said it was a privilege to be part of the team and admired the way the injured teammates just got on with things, despite suffering from sores where sand affected artificial limbs. The Race2Recovery team were the first disabled team to finish the rally and received a special message of congratulations from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their efforts.
 
The 15-day route, which took place in January of this year started in Lima, Peru, through Argentina to Santiago, Chile. It covered 9,000km over extreme mountain and desert terrain and the support teams needed to drive ahead to meet the competitors at the end of each stage, working through the night. Not only were they coping with lack of sleep, they also suffered the effects of altitude sickness as they drove up to heights of 4,800m over the Andes.

The Bowler Wildcats took a lot of punishment and one vehicle was written off when it hit a ditch at 60mph putting the occupants in hospital.


The team's efforts aim to support Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre.  For more information or to make a donation, please visit: www.race2recovery.com

Good Garage Scheme Goes Back to School for BEN

The Good Garage Scheme will be holding a ‘Back 2 School’ themed day on the 19th July to raise funds for BEN – the Automotive Industry Charity, during National BEN Week.

Staff at the Good Garage Scheme head office in Coventry will be dressing in a "Back to School" theme in celebration of BEN’s 107th Anniversary of providing help and support to the automotive and related industries.

There will be a school-style picnic dinner and lunchtime games.

Employees are also bringing in school photos of their "younger selves" and there will be a prize for the person who can match most faces to names.


BEN exists to provide care, support and advice to those in the automotive industries who need help in times of hardship or distress. It costs approximately £12 million each year for BEN to continue its vital work, and it’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters that BEN is able to do so.

National BEN Week is an annual event aiming to raise awareness and funds for the charity as well as bringing people together from across the industry to celebrate the birth of their dedicated charity.

Read more about the charity at www.ben.org.uk

Good Garage Scheme visits BEN Care Centres

In 2010 the Good Garage Scheme began its support for BEN, the UK’s only charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants. More information about BEN can be found at www.ben.org.uk.

Good Garage Scheme staff recently visited two of BEN’s Care Centres with Christmas hampers for their staff and residents as part of the ongoing support for the automotive industry charity, BEN and the fantastic work they do.

Arthur Wilson House is the UK’s very first workplace day care centre and has provided high quality, individually tailored care for over ten years. It provides a safe and comfortable place where anyone with a connection to the automotive or related industries can leave an elderly relative to be cared for during the working day.  It also welcomes those who are more independent, but may benefit from socialising and taking part in organised activities and outings.
www.ben.org.uk/arthurwilson

Town Thorns is situated in a peaceful and rural location at the heart of ‘Motor Country’. The residents benefit from a wide range of care including nursing, residential, young disabled, dementia, day care, respite care and sheltered housing. http://www.ben.org.uk/townthorns
We wish all of the hard-working staff and residents of BEN care centres a Merry Christmas and look forward to working with you in the New Year.