More helpful hints and tips for after you have passed your Driving Test in Newcastle.

Should parking on pavements be banned?

The law on pavement parking

The current legislation is hazy at best!

Driving on a pavement has been an offence since the Highways Act of 1835.

But while parking on a pavement is against the law in London, it’s not elsewhere.

That’s why The Highway Code states, in rule 244, that motorists “must not” park partially or wholly on the pavement in London but says that motorists “should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it”.

Should Councils act?

Councils do have powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to restrict or ban parking on individual streets by the making of a Traffic Regulation Order.

And a few councils, including Exeter and Worcester, have banned parking on pavements through private Acts of Parliament.

But these processes can be time-consuming.

This has led to Guide Dogs for the Blind is calling for a ban that operates throughout the UK, with councils being able to specifically permit it on certain roads.

Justice for pedestrians!

It is an excellent idea, as it would give flexibility for councils to allow pavement parking in some specific locations – such as very narrow streets – and freedom from pavement parking for the rest of us.

The charity Living Streets, which champions the rights of pedestrians, also campaigns against pavement parking.

It has information on the legal issues, posters that can be downloaded for display in local shop windows or libraries and template letters you can send to your local council or police.

So if it’s an issue that infuriates you as well, then get in touch with them.

What do you think?

Should parking on pavements be banned?

Or maybe you think that roads are so narrow and parking in such short supply that pavement parking should be permissible?

When on driving lessons in newcastle upon tyne you will be encouraged to obey the amber light and stop safely where you can!

Whether through impatience or ignorance many drivers are seemingly unaware an amber traffic light means STOP. Are you an amber-gambler?

At traffic lights red means stop, red and amber together mean stop, and amber alone means stop, as explained on page 119 of the Department for Transport Know Your Traffic Signs booklet.

A TS10 conviction – Is failing to comply with a traffic signal, what’s more, it could lead to a 24% increase in your car insurance premium.

What do you think?

Are you an amber-gambler? Do you know traffic light law?

At Experience Driving we want to hear from you!

With all the rain we have had over the last few weeks I thought I should include how to drive through deep water.

Drive slow, use the biting point to slip the clutch to prevent speed up whilst in the deep water.

DO NOT create a splash, this not only splashes outwards, but also inwards under the bonnet where your electrics are “water and electrics together = BAD.

It is an offence to splash someone on the footpath.

This can also get into the air filter, which stops the engine breathing in so in turn making it stall.

Keep engine revs high to prevent water entering the exhaust, and stopping the engine breathing out, so in turn making it stall,maybe in the middle of the deep water.

Test your brakes when at the other side, this also has a squeegee effect taking the water from the brakes.

In general, cars aquaplane at speeds above 53 mph (72 km/h), where water ponds to a depth of at least 1/10 of an inch (2.5 mm) over a distance of 30 feet (9 meters) or more.

Do you check your lights regularly? How often?

Are they correctly adjusted? If your not sure go to your local garage to have them checked.

Make sure you have a stronger solution to normal weather or risk your water bottle freezing.

Make sure your tyres have the correct pressures, as this can have quite an effect of fuel economy, too little pressure, and it will take longer to stop.