Norfolk & Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists E-mail Newsletter - "Torque"
Volume #30 (3rd July 2009)
Contents
- Welcome
- Photo Licences
- Young Drivers
- If I Was Transport Secretary...
- Workshop Day
- Up And Coming Events
- Spread the word (please)
- Advertising
- WELCOME
Welcome to volume 30 Torque. If you have any feedback regarding this issue of Torque then please e-mail me on steve@minvo.com
- YOUNG DRIVERS
I still have spaces on the remaining two courses....
The course dates are:
Tuesday 14th July and the following three Tuesdays
Sunday 6th September and the following three Sundays
If you know anyone who might be interested in attending one of the courses then please let me know.
- PHOTO LICENCES
From IAM London:
"There has been some confusion over the past month about the regulations and rules around updated photographs on driving licences. To clear up any misunderstanding the IAM would like to make you aware of the following information (courtesy of the DVLA):
In most circumstances, you’ll need to renew the photo on your driving licence before it expires, as the photo is only valid for 10 years. If you’re a short period licence holder (over 70 or medical short period) you’ll only need to renew your photo when your driving entitlement expires.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will send you a renewal application pack two months before your photo is due to expire. You’ll need to:
Complete the enclosed form
Include a new passport type photo of yourself that’s been taken within the last month (you don’t need the back of the photo signed)
Return both parts of your driving licence (photocard and counterpart document)
Enclose a cheque or postal order for £20.00 (no fee is needed if you have a medical short period licence or you’re aged 70 or over)
Send your completed application and fee to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1DH
If you have changed your name, you’ll also need to provide identity documents as proof."
From the editor:
Sound like another stealth tax to me. Why can't the DVLA on Prince of Wales Road have a booth with a digital camera? You walk in and produce your current driving licence and another piece of ID. Walk into the booth, have your photo taken and walk away with a new licence. Simples.
- IF I WAS TRANSPORT SECRETARY
Got drunk around a neighbours house last month. (It wasn't a long drive home).
Barry started ranting about what he would do to the economy and country as a whole if he was Prime Minister. He even had a name for his party. Seemed like he spent ages making mental notes of all the things he would change.
This brought me into the conversation saying "Well, I could be your Transport Secretary!..."
I would:
1, Paint the 'white' lines in the middle of the road a different colour for different speed limits. (yellow for 50mph, orange for 40mph and red for 30mph). I would also paint the number on the road every 100m so that newbie's, foreigners and those unfortunate to be colour blind would also benefit. This should then take away the accidental speeding that we have all done in our driving careers.
2, Scrap the fixed placed Cameras and replace them with new technology - I'm gonna call them "Police Officers". They could stand by the side of the road with a portable radar device and camera and record your speed as you pass. Giving you an instant fine.
3, Make the speed limits on roads the same for all vehicles. In the US they already have this. Semis (HGV's), Vans, Cars with Trailers - all have the same speed limits as cars. This makes it sooooo much easier as everyone travels at the same speed making it not so necessary to overtake.
4, Scrap Car Insurance. Well not exactly but that's how it would appear in the Tabloids. I would make National Insurance a variable tax depending on how many points you have on your licence and how many times you had been arrested for any other offences. The National Insurance would then pay for 3rd party insurance on your car. If you want Comprehensive then you pay a little more. This would reduce the amount of uninsured drivers on the road down to 0.
5, Change the way points are awarded (awarded makes it sound like a good thing). Anyway, I would not give any points for the first offence (may just be bad luck) and then 1 point for the 2nd. Subsequent offences would double the current points on your licence (2, 4, 8, 16, etc). I would make it 20 points before you are banned and reduce the points by 1 each year. Extra training courses (IAM included) could reduce your points accordingly.
Well that's just five that I could remember from the night. Sparked quite a discussion. What do you think?
What would you change?
- WORKSHOP DAY
Many many many thanks to Mark Framingham for organizing yet another fantastic Workshop day. If I remember correctly we had 11 observers and four Class 1's turn up for some extra training.
I took the opportunity (like always) to test out a new style. In last years workshop I was taught by a Class 1 to drive a little quicker (yes quicker) and how to straddle (if that's the right word) over the white central line on approach to a left hand corner. I was hesitant last year, but after a year of practice I thought I would see how I was doing this year.... And to put it bluntly - Not very well. But hey, what else are these days for if not to improve your driving. Many many thanks to Paul for his help on the day and I hope my back seat passenger (Geoff) slept well. I defo agree that this should not be taught to any Associates!
I should be able to put my new skills to the test on Saturday as I have my Yearly Check Run.
Thanks again Mark - maybe we can entice a few more (and maybe new faces) for next year...
PS: Just a little note to say there's an Observers Meeting on 16th July in Kings Lynn (more info from Mark Framingham).
Learn To Drive! with Pams Academy of Motoring
Lessons starting from £19 per hour
Motorway / Refresher courses / Pass Plus Scheme / Nervous people welcome
Based in Potter Heigham, and covering all areas between Wroxham, North Walsham & Yarmouth
Please ring 07772 189210 or Visit our web site www.pamsdriving.co.uk for further details
- UP AND COMING EVENTS
NORWICH:
All at Wensum Community Centre, Hotblack Road, Norwich
All on 2nd WEDNESDAY of each month (unless otherwise stated)
8th July
Stephen Bumfrey
BBC Radio Norfolk
Tune in to your local BBC radio station in the mornings to hear Stephen and get an idea of what you are likely to get on the evening.
No Meeting in August
9th September
St John Ambulance
First Aid for all
14th October
David Kenworthy
IAM Chairman
If you have any questions for the IAM Chairman then please let the group Secretary know by 1st October
KINGS LYNN:
All at the NEW VENUE - The Farmers Arms Inn, Knights Hill Hotel, South Wootton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 3HQ
See the signs at the venue to direct you to the specific function room.
All on 4th MONDAY of each month (unless otherwise stated)
27th July
John Woodford
Is an Apiarist
Come along and find out that use John has for the inhabitants of his apiary.
Does he keep them just for the products they produce or does he use them to pollinate crops.
No Meeting in August
28th September
Trevor Howard
East Anglian Defenses of the 1940s
This will also include Home Guard information and memorabilia
26th October
Jamie Tink
VOSA
Providing a range of information on licensing, testing and enforcement services
with the IAM of improving the roadworthiness of vehicles and ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers.
23rd November
PC Garth Coupland
He will be talking about the work of a wildlife crime officer
14th December
Group Christmas Meal
Farmers Arms
7.00pm for 7:30 start.
Booking enquiries to Mark Framingham please.
OBSERVER MEETINGS:
Thursday 16th July 7:30pm
Farmers Arms, Wootton, Kings Lynn
Saturday 26th September 1:30pm
Hotblack Road, Norwich
- SPREAD THE WORD
To be able to receive this newsletter you must:
* Have an e-mail address
* Have a computer to receive the e-mail
* And most importantly I must know what your e-mail address is.
So, spread the word. If you know someone who might appreciate a copy of this newsletter then please get them to send me an e-mail steve@minvo.com or call me at home on 01603 814035. If you know someone that doesn't have an e-mail address then simply print this e-mail and give it to them.
- ADVERTISING
If you (or you know of someone) who might want to sponsor our newsletter then please let me know. The added advantage of having an e-mail newsletter is being able to have hyperlinks straight to an advertisement on a web page.