Get set for the school run with a Good Garage Scheme check

With the summer holidays now drawing to a close, many parents are busy preparing their children for

a new academic year, purchasing back to school items such as uniforms, stationery and sports kit.

However, one area that’s often overlooked is the family car and the need for it to be a safe and reliable workhorse for the school run. With this in mind, the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked as term begins.

Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK can offer motorists peace of mind by providing an expert 21-point assessment of their vehicle’s condition. All essential areas of the car are examined, including the condition and level of the coolant and engine oil, the tyres, wiper blades, windscreen and lights, in readiness for the wet and cold months ahead. Not doing so can increase the risk of having a collision, especially if a car’s tyre pressures are low, making it hard to maintain grip and easier to skid in wet conditions. Being able to see and be seen is also important as the daylight hours get shorter, making it essential to ensure that all bulbs are working correctly.

The check also includes inspection the operation of the air conditioning and ventilation system and, if required, a sterilising and deodorising service, to ensure effective window demisting and safeguard against nasty bugs and bacteria in the passenger compartment.

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and find your local Good Garage Scheme member garage to carry out a Back to School Check.

Tips for Driving with Children This Summer

School holidays are here and there may be many trips this summer with children in the car.

Peter Rodger, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM's) head of driving standards reminds us this week that no matter how difficult it sounds, the driver's duty is to the road and road users first - the children second.
He says, "Any problem the children have can be dealt with when the car is stationary, and should never be dealt with on the move. Easier said than done, but it is the only way."

Here are some helpful tips from the IAM:

Seatbelts on! 

If you’re travelling with children under the age of three years you must use a child restraint. Children three years and above must be placed in a booster seat, safely secured with a seatbelt. Make sure you make the appropriate adjustments before you start your journey. If you’re using a child restraint,check whether it needs to be front-facing or rear-facing beforehand.

Everyone comfy?

Avoid placing large and heavy objects or luggage on the rear seat where your children will be seated.

Be prepared

Make sure you have packed important items for your journey including a fully charged mobile phone, first aid kit, water, blanket and high-visibility jackets – you may need these items if you’re vehicle breaks down and you are waiting for help to arrive.

Fun and games

Think about what games your children can take with them on long journeys to keep them occupied. If they will be using a portable device or in-car DVD player, make sure they have headphones plugged in so the sound doesn’t distract you.

Take a break

The longer you’re on the road, the higher the likelihood your children could become irritable. Plan to take regular rest breaks at least every two hours so you can rest and they can release some energy.

Travel with a friend

If you can, travel with another adult passenger who can keep an eye on the youngsters. This will allow you to fully concentrate on the road and prevent them distracting you.

'Have a word' when safe

Never turn around to deal with fighting youngsters while you are driving. Always find a safe place to stop first. Don’t continue your journey with children fighting in the back – it may affect your behaviour behind the wheel.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer holiday.

Make sure to visit your local Good Garage Scheme member to check your vehicle is ready for the road. 

Back to School - Drivers Take Care

Many schools will start their new academic year again after this week and the lighter traffic that motorists have enjoyed over the summer will change dramatically. In fact, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM),the school run brings with it approximately 20 per cent more rush hour traffic.


The Good Garage Scheme would like to remind all drivers to plan for extra journey times from Monday and take extra care when driving near schools.

Children can be easily excited and distracted when crossing roads and it is advisable to show extra attention, especially during drop-off and pick-up times of the day.

In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the “School” warning sign which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.
According to the Highway Code, you MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a “Stop for children" sign.
When passing a stationary bus showing a ‘School Bus’ sign, please drive carefully as children may be getting on or off.

Is your car ready for school?
Why not have your car checked before the school year begins to ensure it is in tip-top shape and less likely to break down and make the family late for school and work?
Visit GoodGarageScheme.com and find a local garage you can trust.

Lollipop Lady Language Lesson

September is synonymous with "Back to School" and lollipop ladies (and lollipop men) will be donning their high visibility caps and coats to help children safely cross the roads. But how many drivers understand the signals they use?

Here's a Back to School test courtesy of the Good Garage Scheme.  

What are the lollipop ladies below telling drivers with their signs and hand signals?

 

Answers:

1. Not ready to cross pedestrians

2. Ready to cross pedestrians, vehicles must be prepared to stop

3. Barrier to stop pedestrians crossing
4. Vehicles must stop

How did you do?

If you weren't aware of the lollipop signals, the Good Garage Scheme hopes that you will now be well prepared when they begin signalling to drivers again next week.

Please remember to use caution when driving in school zones and keep your eyes open for all pedestrians during school drop-off and pickup hours.

For more information about signals by authorised persons, visit www.direct.gov.uk.

Are We There Yet?

"Are we there yet?"

 We all know how hard it is to keep children entertained in the car and with the school holidays upon us, the Good Garage Scheme would like to offer some tips to keep your younger passengers happy.

 Oldies but Goodies

• I Spy with my little eye... most of us have played "I Spy..." and this is still a firm favourite for many families and sure to take up a little time on the journey. 
• Sing along...why not try something different. If you are travelling to France, play some French music. The children may pick up a few new words.   
• Number Plate Games...there are many varieties; count the number plates with a particular letter, make a word using the last three letters, see who's quickest to add the numbers

New ideas

• Alphabet game:  Pack a shopping bag with plastic alphabet letters. Pass the bag around and ask each child to choose a letter without looking. They can then can say a word or country that begins with the letter.
• Name the capital: Print a page from the internet listing countries down one side and the capital cities down the other. Fold the page in half and take turns guessing the correct capital cities
• Make up a story: Each person takes a turn to add a sentence to story. If someone can write it down as you go, even better!
• Audio books...most local libraries have a good selection of books read by fantastic actors. Everyone can listen and you can even have intervals to stop and talk about the story.
• DVDs..a popular choice these days with the option of a portable DVD player. Make sure everything is charged before you pack.
• Little Geographers...print a colourful map of the journey with landmarks noted and give a copy to each child. Let them follow along and make their own notes. 

Food and Rest

Pack snacks and drinks in smaller packets using different containers especially for the holiday. This helps with rations and squabbles over quantities.

Plan to take more frequent rest stops and allow for a few extra minutes to play outdoors if possible.

The Good Garage Scheme wishes everyone a happy summer holiday and safe driving.

Good Garage Scheme Advice for Long Car Journeys

Summer is here and most of us are looking forward to a well-earned holiday.
Part of your travels are likely to involve a long car journey and we'd like to share some tips to help avoid any stress and allow you to enjoy your holiday from the moment you drive away.

Prepare for your trip
Is your car or caravan ready for the journey? Giving your vehicle a good check could help avoid an unnecessary breakdown. It is essential to check the following items, but if you are unsure, any Good Garage Scheme member garage would be happy to help you.

• Tyre pressure  -  You are likely to carry more passengers and luggage than normal.
• Tyre tread  -  Worn tyres affect your ability to control the car in wet conditions.
• Oil and coolant levels
• Windscreen wipers and lights
• Spare wheel and first aid kit   

Visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member offering a Holiday Check.

Pack carefully

Make sure all passengers have enough leg room. Loosely packed items may injure a passenger should you need to brake suddenly.


Child safety
Ensure all children are seated in correct car seats and as comfortably as possible. In 2006 it became illegal for any child under the age of 12, or less than 135cm tall, to travel in a car without a booster seat. If you are unsure about the correct car seats for your children, please read more at SafeKids.co.uk .

Stay Alert and Take Breaks
We all want to get to our destination as quickly as possible, but it is best to plan breaks into your journey time to make sure your concentration remains at the level it should be when driving. Take regular breaks and share the driving if possible. Aim for at least a 15 minute break at least every two hours. It will give you and your passengers a chance to stretch your legs.


The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a safe and happy summer holiday.