1. finance
2. personal finance
3. insurance

LAUNCH EDITION # SEPTEMBER 2013
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WWW.NEWDRIVERNI.COM
Northern Ireland’s SAFE Motoring Magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Top Tips For Young Drivers : Buying Your 1st Car : Saving Fuel Costs
Indepth Insurance Guide : Motoring Offences : How to Avoid an Accident : PLUS MUCH MORE >>>
to the first edition of the
WELCOME newdriverni.com
magazine
The magazine is packed with useful information for
everyone in Northern Ireland who is starting out on the
road for the first time.
Whether you are looking tips on how to pass your driving
test, buying your first car, getting insurance or
maintaining your car we have it covered.
Taking your first steps on the road is one of best things
you will ever do. It is an exciting time but it can also
seem daunting for many. The road can be a dangerous
place for new drivers.
CONTENTS
We would encourage readers to keep this booklet in
a safe place and refer to it again and again when it is
most relevant to you.
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Newdriverni.com magazine is published by Granite Administration and Marketing Services Limited.
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Telephone: 028 3025 1840
page # 2
Top 10 Driving Test Failures in N.I
Buying your first car in a nutshell?
Top 10 cars for new drivers
Looking After Your Car
Tyres
Top Tips for Saving on Fuel
Taxing your vehicle
Motor Insurance
Insurance Fronting
Telematics
Motoring Offences
Young Drivers & Collisions
Drink Driving
How to avoid being in an collision
What do to if you have a collision
Newdriverni website / 2014 Booklet
10
TOP TEN
REASONS
FOR PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST
FAILURES IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
1 JUNCTIONS OBSERVATION
You should make effective observations at
junctions before proceeding, watch out for
vulnerable road users, cyclists, motorcyclists
and pedestrians.
2 LEFT REVERSE - CONTROL
Control is important with this manoeuvre and
you should also steer reasonably close to the
kerb, avoid hitting or mounting the kerb.
3 STEERING
Keep your hands at 3 and 9 o’clock on the
steering wheel for control and feed one hand
to another when turning.
4 MIRROR - CHANGING DIRECTION
Use all mirrors frequently to keep up to date
with what’s happening around you, mirror
checks are vital before changing speed or
direction.
5 REVERSE PARKING - CONTROL
Make effective all round observation, show
consideration to other road users and maintain
control of your vehicle at all times.
6 GEARS
Match the correct gear for the speed of
your vehicle which must be suitable for road
and traffic conditions, do not coast.
7 MOVING AWAY SAFELY
Check your mirrors and signal if necessary, also
check your blind spots before moving off and
steer with both hands.
8 LEFT REVERSE - OBSERVATION
Make effective all round observation before
and throughout the manoeuvre, show
considerations for other road users.
9 MOVE AWAY UNDER CONTROL
Use the MSM routine, ensure you are in the
correct gear and co-ordinate your foot controls
and release the handbrake.
10 NORMAL DRIVING
Ensure your speed is appropriate to road and
traffic conditions and that your knowledge of
the highway code is up to date.
page # 3
BUYING YOUR FIRST CAR IN A
NUTSHELL
There are lots of options open to the car buyer, here are the
main things you should know and consider before parting
with your hard earned cash.
AUCTIONS
You can bag a bargain but you really need to
know your stuff before considering this option.
Buyers at auction have very little comeback
should things go wrong with the vehicle. Auction
vehicles are generally sold as seen. So do your
research carefully.
DEALERS
Buying a car from a dealer is the safest way to
buy, as you get the maximum legal protection.
Use these tips to find a reliable dealer:
• look for an established firm
• ask for recommendations from friends
• look for a trade association sign, which
means a dealer will follow a code of practice
• if the cars have been inspected, ask to see
page # 4
the report on the car you want to buy. It may not
be as detailed as the one you pay for yourself,
but it will provide useful information.
NEW CAR DEALS
Buying used generally means making a
compromise of some sort or other but when you
buy new you can order a vehicle to the
specification that you require. The chances of you
having mechanical trouble should also be less
with a new car. The flip side of a new car is that
its value will usually depreciate much faster than
a used car.
“ Everyone remem
BUYING FROM A PRIVATE SELLER
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Cars bought privately can be slightly cheaper than
cars bought through a dealer as a private seller
won’t have the same overheads. You will have
fewer rights buying from a private seller but the
vehicle should still be accurately described. Such
as the number of owners it has had or if it has
been in an accident.
PRIVATE CONTRACT PURCHASE
USEFUL WEBSITES
There are a number of dedicated car sales
websites which have many thousands of cars in
Northern Ireland from dealers and private sales.
It is worth checking out the following sites.
usedcarsni.com
utvdrive.com
nicarfinder.co.uk
autotrader.co.uk
WHAT TO CHECK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
Make sure you check the vehicles history - carry
out a HPI check so you know there is no
outstanding finance on the car.
Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
matches between the V5C (The Tax Book) and the
vehicles chassis and carry out the same check
with the engine number. If the numbers don’t
match the car may be stolen.
You can check the mileage against past MOT
certificates. The condition of the steering wheel,
pedals and seats are also good indicators of
mileage.
Mismatched colours and different textures of paint
can also indicate a collision that has been
repaired, look out for overspray. i.e. paint where
there shouldn’t be.
mbers their 1st Car ”
With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) you pay a
fixed monthly fee throughout the finance period
(usually 3 - 4 years) at the end of which you have
various options. Return the car to the finance
company, pay the final payment and acquire legal
ownership or trade the car against a new car with
any equity being used towards the deposit.
HIRE PURCHASE
Hire purchase (HP) is committing to buying the
car outright via a secured loan that is paid back
monthly across the agreed period (usually 3 - 5
years). HP payments are therefore higher than
PCP.
WARRANTY
It is typical for manufacturers to offer warranties
for between 3 and 5 years. These types of
warranties protect you from any defect that arises
with the vehicle. The dealer or manufacturer will
pay for the repairs. Naturally there are exclusions
for fair wear and tear and the warranty will be
limited by mileage so you should always read the
small print.
GUARANTEED ASSET PROTECTION INSURANCE
If a car you are buying on finance becomes a total
loss, your insurance company may only pay the
market value of the vehicle. Leaving you to deal
with the cost of the depreciation in the vehicle as
well as the interest and charges you would have
paid the finance company over the remaining term
of the loan.
Guaranteed Asset Protection Insurance, often
referred to as GAP Insurance is designed to cover
these shortfalls. There is no rule to say you have
to buy GAP insurance to satisfy the finance
company.
Source: www.adviceguide.org.uk
page # 5
TOP 10
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CARS FOR YOUNGER
DRIVERS
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<- The New Peugeot 107
If you’re young and in the market for a new car
then you’re in luck - today’s cars are more reliable,
less expensive, and cheaper to run than ever.
By Paul Connolly
1. VW up!
Fun, clever and cheap to run. Like any VW, the
build quality is great and the driving experience
excellent. It’s also brilliantly adaptable - coming
in a range of guises including beach buggy and
page # 6
up
!
Buy a new car and you’ll have access to quality
interiors and also MP3 compatible audio systems
so you can bring your music with you. Plus,
they’re safer to drive too thanks to air bags,
driving assist technology and other modern kit.
Here’s my top 10 of the best new cars for young
drivers:
hot hatch. A great optional extra for parents to
consider is the 'City Emergency Braking' system
which will warn you of impending collisions at
urban speeds and if necessary, at under 19mph,
VW
In fact, modern cars are now so fuel and tax
efficient that an old clunker can make little or no
financial sense.
5. Ford Ka:
The new Ka takes Ford into new territory. Such
was the success of the first Ka generation that the
rk
4. Chevrolet Spark:
Chevvy’s smallest offering has been smartened up
and is a much better value proposition than it
was previously. It looks good, and is great for
nipping about town. Its cheeky personality means
it’s a cut above many citycars. Insurance is from
Group 4 and running costs are good.
From £8,695.
production run lasted a massive 12 years. The
second-gen Ka is bigger, faster and more
luxurious than its predecessor. It looks great, too.
Insurance is from Group 2 and you’ll get up to 67
mpg depending on the model.
Pricing starts at £8,725.
a
nd
Pa
at
Fi
3. Peugeot 107:
One of the UK's best selling citycars, the 107 has
been revised recently to make it cleaner and
greener. It’s a cheeky little urban runabout that
is very well screwed together and has quite a lot
of space inside for such a small car. Its dynamic
little 1.0 litre petrol engine gives it lots of
personality. All models are Insurance Group 3 and
deliver between 62 and 65 mpg.
Prices begin at £7,995.
a
Sp
2. Vauxhall Corsa:
Thousands of driving instructors can’t be wrong.
The Corsa is the car of choice for driving schools
with its quality cabin, inexpensive replacement
parts, excellent driving experience and low
insurance (starting at Group 2 for the Expression
1.0 EcoFLEX). With a combined fuel economy
figure of 56.5mpg, it’s not thirsty either.
From £9,495.
t
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ev
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even brake the car for you. Running costs are
excellent: it’s Insurance Groups 1 - 2 and all
models return over 60mpg.
From £8,185.
6. Fiat Panda:
One of the few city cars that properly
accommodates 5 people, the Panda is cute,
loaded with gadgets and very customisable. Now
in its third generation, the Fiat Panda has been
PICK A CAR...
WHICH ONE IS THE ACE IN THE PACK?
page # 7
TOP 10 CARS FOR YOUNGER DRIVERS
8. Hyundai i20:
Here’s a supermini you should definitely consider.
Hyundai’s i20 has been considerably improved
from first generation guise, with more personality
and a better quality interior. The eco-friendly
‘Blue’ models will up to 88 mpg. Insurance Groups
4 - 9. And you get Hyundai’s five year warranty.
From £9,995.
Fo
rd
KA
with us for 30 years! Insurance Groups range from
4 to 9. It’s incredibly efficient thanks to its TwinAir
and MultiJet engine ranges, which offer up to
72mpg.
From £8,900.
i
in
M
7. Ford Fiesta:
Another car that’s been around for yonks, the
Fiesta is now in its seventh generation. But it
deserves to be, it’s a class leader in the supermini
segment - great driving experience, build quality
and, now thanks to clever new 1-litre engines,
brilliant economy too. The most frugal of all - the
Style ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi Start/Stop 3 door model returns 85.6 mpg.
From £9,995.
9. MINI range:
Shifting up a gear or two in price (£11,870 £24,780), the MINI range has got to be up there
in any young driver’s desirability stakes. The
model range is truly bewildering, but it you want
to blend funky design with a great driving
experience, it’s hard to look past MINI. Insurance
groups ranges from 8 - 30.
Fo
rd
Fi
es
ta
10. Citroen DS3:
Firmly at the trendy end of the supermini
segment, the DS3 looks like a work of art. Its
sculptured lines, “shark fin” B pillar and funky
colour choices make it look like a concept car
rather than the real thing. It’s superb to drive, too,
although all that innovation is reflected in the
price (£12,700 - £21,480). Insurance Groups vary
from 9 to 23. Efficiency is as high as 78.5mpg on
some models.
Paul Connolly is Sunday Life motoring
correspondent.
page # 8
>>> LOOKING AFTER YOUR CAR <<<
You should have your vehicle serviced regularly at the
intervals recommended by the manufacturer, this will protect
any warranty and keep your vehicle in good working order.
Keep a record of receipts or a log book of what
has been changed and the mileage. This will not
only help you sell your car on but will mean you
won’t forget how many miles were on the clock
when you last had a service.
Top 10 things that can cause
you to fail an MOT.
• >>> Door mirrors broken or taped on.
Things that should be changed regularly are the
oil, spark plugs (petrol cars only), air filter, fuel
filter and pollen filter (to keep the inside of your
car clean and reduce your windscreen misting).
Things that should be replaced less often are the
timing belt, brakes and tyres. Refer to the log
book or ask a mechanic if you are unsure.
Vehicles over 4 years old are subject to an annual
MOT inspection carried out at a DVLNI test centre.
• >>> Wiper blades unable to clear the
windscreen.
• >>> An exhaust is sounding louder could be
loose or have holes in it.
• >>> Warning lights on the dash stay on when
the car is started.
• >>> Number plates not properly secured /
non-standard.
• >>> A seatbelt buckle that won’t latch and
fasten securely.
• >>> Oil on the ground where you park your
vehicle would indicate a leak.
• >>> Bald, cut or bulging tyres.
• >>> Lights not working.
• >>> Headlights should be aligned by a
professional.
page # 9
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page # 10
om Magazine’s
NEWDRIVERNI.c
Safety Guide
WHAT YOU NEED TO CHECK:
1.
Condition of Tyres
The condition of tyres, including inner and outer sidewalls.
Tyres should be free of any stones and fitted with a dirtfree valve cap.
2.
Tread Depth
By law, tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth
in a continuous band.
3.
Check tyre pressure regularly.
An incorrect level of air can cause steering, accelerating,
breaking difficulties and significantly shorten the lifespan of
the tyre. The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle will be
noted in your Vehicle Manual.
4.
Check signs for irregular wear.
If your tyre is evenly worn across the surface, then this could
be a sign of over/under inflation. If it is only worn on one
edge it is likely to be the result of poor wheel alignment.
5.
Check and examine your spare tyre.
page # 11
Top tips for saving on your
1. Engine oil
Make sure you use the correct specification
of engine oil.
6. Change up earlier
Change gear as soon as possible without
laboring the engine, try changing up at an
engine speed of around 2000 rpm in a diesel
car or around 2500 rpm in a petrol car.
2. Tyre pressures
Check tyre pressures regularly and before
long journeys. Under-inflated tyres create
more rolling resistance and so use more fuel.
Getting tyre pressures right is important for
safety too.
3. Lose weight
Extra weight means extra fuel so if there's
stuff in the boot you don't need on the
journey take it out.
4. Streamline
Roof racks/boxes create extra wind resistance
and so increase fuel consumption. If you
don't need it take it off, if you do, pack
carefully to reduce the extra drag.
5. Easy does it
Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and read
the road ahead to avoid unnecessary braking.
page # 12
7. Cut down on the air-con
Air conditioning increases fuel consumption
at low speeds, but at higher speeds the
effects are less noticeable. Don't leave aircon
on all the time, you should run it at least
once a week throughout the year though to
maintain the system in good condition.
8. Stick to the limits
Drive at or within the speed limit. The faster
you go the greater the fuel consumption.
Driving at 70mph uses up to nine per cent
more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15 per
cent more than at 50mph.
TAXING
YOU R VEHICLE
Your vehicle must have a
valid tax disc unless you have
SORN* it off the road.
Engine size
(cc)
12 months rate 6 months rate
£
£
Not over 1549
140.00
77.00
Over 1549
225.00
123.75
Band A
Annual
£0.00
6 Months
n/a
Annual
£20.00
6 Months
n/a
Annual
£30.00
6 Months
n/a
Annual
£105.00
6 Months
£57.75
Annual
£125.00
6 Months
£68.75
Annual
£140.00
6 Months
£77.00
Annual
£175.00
6 Months
£96.25
Annual
£200.00
6 Months
£110.00
Annual
£220.00
6 Months
£121.00
Annual
£260.00
6 Months
£143.00
Annual
£280.00
6 Months
£154.00
Annual
£475.00
6 Months
£261.25
Annual
£490.00
6 Months
£269.50
Up to 100 CO2 g/km
*Statutory Off Road Notification
FAILUE TO TAX OR SORN YOUR VEHICLE
The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) carries out a
computer check each month, as well as roadside
checks, to identify those vehicles without a valid
tax disc. You could face an automatic penalty of £80
as well as a minimum fine of £1,000. Your vehicle
could be clamped, impounded or even crushed.
FAILING TO DISPLAY
Band B
101-110 CO2 g/km
Band C
111-120 CO2 g/km
Band D
121-130 CO2 g/km
Band E
131-140 CO2 g/km
The maximum penalty for failing to display your tax
disc is £200.
Band F
141-150 CO2 g/km
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST
Band G
The DVLNI will send you out a reminder when your
car tax is due with instructions including how much
is due and what you need to bring. You can choose
to tax your vehicle for 6 or 12 months at any DVLNI
test centre and selected Post Office branches.
151-165 CO2 g/km
Band H
166-175 CO2 g/km
Band I
The amount of vehicle excise duty you pay on your
car will depend on either the engine size for
vehicles registered before 1st March 2001 or based
on fuel and emissions for vehicles from this date.
Current rates for Petrol and Diesel cars 2013
176-185 CO2 g/km
Band J
186-200 CO2 g/km
Band K
201-225 CO2 g/km
For other types of vehicles or those using
alternative fuels visit nidirect.gov.uk
Band L
226-255 CO2 g/km
It is important to tell the DVLNI if you have
disposed of or sold your vehicle as it is the
registered keeper’s responsibility to pay tax on the
vehicle.
Band M
256+ CO2 g/km
page # 13
INSURANCE & YOUR VEHICLE
Getting the right insurance cover is one of the biggest
expenses you will face as a new driver.
Many new drivers will get their first insurance as a named driver on their parent’s policy and will
only get to drive the car occasionally. If you are lucky enough to get your own vehicle, there are lots
of insurance options to consider.
Here we try to bust the jargon and give you a brief description of the key insurance terms;
THIRD PARTY ONLY
Provides cover for causing accidental injury or
death to other people and is usually limited at
£20 million for accidental damage to other
people's property. This excludes damage to your
own vehicle.
THIRD PARTY FIRE & THEFT
The cover is the same as Third Party only, but is
extended to cover your vehicle in the event of an
electrical fire or its theft.
FULLY COMPREHENSIVE
The cover includes Third Party Fire and Theft as
well cover for damage to your vehicle in the event
of an accident. Windscreen cover is typically
included.
page # 14
HOW DO INSURANCE COMPANIES DECIDE ON
WHAT YOU PAY
The main rating factors that influence the price of
your insurance are:
YOUR AGE
Young drivers are particularly costly for insurers
to cover as the number of accidents they have
had historically is high. There are fewer insurance
companies who want to insure young drivers
because of the perceived risk.
Insurance
premiums fall as you get more experience.
THE VEHICLES INSURANCE GROUP
Cars with smaller engine sizes are typically
cheaper to insure, for example a 1 or 1.2 litre car.
Insurers also calculate the insurance group based
on the cost of repairing your vehicle, the price of
parts and labour.
YOUR ADDRESS & WHERE THE VEHICLE IS KEPT
You must always be honest with your insurer and
provide the correct address where the vehicle is
kept. Insurance company records show that some
post code areas have a higher claims ratio than
others.
If you park the vehicle in a driveway or locked in
a garage, this reduces the risk of theft.
YOUR PROFESSION
Some professions carry a higher risk of large
claims than others. It is important to truthfully
declare what you do for a living, if you are not
paying a premium commensurate with the risk
you pose to the insurer they may refuse to pay
your claim.
MILEAGE
The more time you spend on the road the more
likely you are to have, or to cause, an incident,
meaning that your premium will increase the more
you drive.
As with all the risk information you supply, you
should be as accurate as possible when telling
your insurer what your annual mileage is.
CLASSES OF USE
SOCIAL, DOMESTIC & PLEASURE
This provides cover for the named drivers for
social, domestic and pleasure use only, so a trip
to the shops or a friends is covered.
SOCIAL, DOMESTIC, PLEASURE & COMMUTING
This covers the drive to and from a permanent
place of work including to a train station or park
and ride venue where the driver continues their
journey on public transport.
BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL USE
If you intend to use a vehicle for more than simply
commuting to your work, then you will require
either a commercial policy or cover for business
use. It is best to speak to a broker or your
insurance company about how you will be using
the vehicle so they can arrange the correct level
of cover.
OTHER KEY INSURANCE
TERMS EXPLAINED
NO CLAIMS BONUS/DISCOUNT
A No Claims Bonus (NCB) is a discount given by
an insurer to policyholders who do not claim on
their policy. The NCB increases annually and
reduces the cost of your premium.
The NCB is earned by an individual, not a vehicle,
and cannot be transferred to another person.
Typically when you have earned 5 years NCB you
can protect it by paying a little extra. It is well
worth the money if should you be involved in an
accident.
EXCESSES
The excess is the amount you pay if you are
making a claim from your own policy. You will pay
this to the insurer before they pay the remainder.
WHERE TO BUY INSURANCE?
BROKERS
There are many Insurance brokers operating in
Northern Ireland who compare the market for you
and can provide impartial advice.
DIRECT INSURERS
This is where you get a policy directly from the
insurance company. If you get a quote this will
be only from this insurance company, so it is best
to compare with alternative insurers.
AGGREGATORS
Aggregators compare the prices from a range of
insurance providers on an online website once
you enter your details you will be offered a range
of options with the cheapest quote appearing at
the top. You will need to be very careful when
using aggregators as the terms and conditions of
each policy will differ. Make sure you are
comparing policy’s that are like for like.
page # 15
INSURANCE FRONTING
& WHY IT’S A BAD THING!
Fronting is when an older person, usually a parent, takes
out an insurance policy in their own name and then adds a
young driver as an occasional user to the policy.
However instead of the older person being the main user of the vehicle as agreed with the insurer the
young driver is in fact the main user.
CONSEQUENCES OF FRONTING
FRONTING IS EASY TO SPOT
Fronting is an act of fraud. If the insurance
company believes fronting has taken place the
policy can be cancelled and a claim could be void.
Insurance companies are not stupid; if you have
an accident they will check to see if the older
person is the main driver of any other car. If there
are as many cars as drivers in household then
fronting will be obvious.
The insurance company can recover 3rd party
costs from the policyholder potentially leaving a
parent thousands of pounds out of pocket.
The young driver can be treated as uninsured by
police, resulting in a fine and 6 penalty points,
enough to disqualify a restricted driver from
driving. The young person will need to retake
their driving test at the end of the disqualification
period.
The young driver and parent will both face more
expensive insurance in future.
page # 16
If the car is registered to the young driver or if
the accident involves a young driver on their way
to or from school or work then insurers will
suspect fronting.
If you are worried about insuring yourself correctly
we recommend that you speak to a broker.
THE FUTURE OF YOUNG
DRIVERS INSURANCE?
TELEMATICS - HOW DOES IT WORK
A small unit is installed in your vehicle which continuously measures
speed, geo position, braking force, rate of acceleration and severity
of cornering. Data is transmitted by a sim card to a central
computer where it is processed and assessment is made as whether
the driving behaviour is high, medium or low risk. All performance
can be viewed on a web browser or smartphone.
GETTING INSURANCE BASED ON HOW YOU DRIVE
The availability of telematics or black box insurance policies have
grown rapidly in recent years, particularly because insurers can no
longer set their rates based on their customer’s gender.
This is where drivers, particularly young drivers, are offered an
upfront discount or cashback on their car insurance in return for
letting the insurance company install a device in your vehicle and
monitor how you drive.
This is an excellent way for new drivers to prove they are a safe
driver and should be rated on how they drive, not on how the rest
of their age group have driven in the past. The simple fact is that
safer drivers will be rewarded for better driving and that can only
be a good thing.
If you consistently drive badly or dangerously there are
consequences. Every insurer will respond differently to high-risk
driving behaviour. In some cases high-risk drivers will simply not
be entitled to premium reductions or other non-monetary benefits.
In other cases high-risk drivers may face a premium increase, a
specific one-off charge, or in the most serious cases, cancellation
of the policy.
You should always read the policy terms and conditions before
purchasing ‘pay how you drive’ insurance to ensure that you
understand how high-risk driving behaviour will be taken into
account and to help you decide if this type of policy is right for
you.
page # 17
MOTORING
OFFENCES
The police can stop a vehicle
for any reason.
If they ask you to stop, you should always pull
over. You’re breaking the law if you don’t!
If you’re stopped, the police
can ask to see your:
The breath test gives a result straight away. If it
shows you’re not over the drink drive limit, you
must be allowed to go.
• Driving licence
• Insurance certificate
• MOT certificate
If you fail the breath test, you’ll be taken to a
police station and given 2 more breath tests. If
they’re positive, you may be charged.
If you don’t have these documents with you, you
have 7 days to take them to a police station.
You’re breaking the law if you don’t show the
requested documents within 7 days.
If you fail a breath test you can’t drive your car
until you are sober. You can ask someone else to
collect your car for you.
Minor motoring offences
The police can also give you an on-the-spot fixed
penalty notice for many minor offences and make
you take a breath test in certain circumstances.
Breath tests
The police can stop you at any time and ask you
to take a breath test (‘breathalyse’ you) if:
• They think you’ve been drinking
• You’ve committed a traffic offence
• You’ve been involved in a road traffic accident
If you refuse to take a breath test, or fail to supply
a sample of breath and don’t have a ‘reasonable
excuse’, you can be arrested. A reasonable excuse
could be a genuine physical or mental condition
stopping you from giving a sample.
page # 18
Once you have put in the hard work and expense
of passing your test, it is important to know that
you need to keep on the right side of the law and
obey the rules to ensure that you keep your
license.
The police can give you a ‘fixed penalty notice’
for many of the less serious traffic offences. If you
get a fixed penalty notice this can result in a fine
and/or penalty points on your licence.
However, for minor offences the police also have
the option of:
•
•
•
•
Taking no action
Issuing a warning
Offering driver training (in some cases)
Prosecuting you
If you disagree with a fixed penalty notice
You can choose not to pay the fixed penalty if you
believe that it was given unjustly, but you’ll have
to argue your case in court.
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points
within a period of 3 years you will be disqualified
from driving. This means you will need to reapply
for your provisional licence and retake your
driving theory and practical exams if disqualified.
As a new driver if you collect a total of 6 penalty
points within your first 2 years of passing your
driving test you will lose your licence.
A further financial hit is that penalty points should
be declared to your insurance company and they
will affect the cost of your car insurance, usually
for 3 years, unless you have received a conviction
for the offence in which case you will need to
declare these for a longer period of time.
How long endorsements stay on your driving
licence
Penalty points stay on a provisional licence for 3
years whereas if you hold a full licence they
normally stay on for 4 years.
Some points go on your licence from the date of
conviction others go on from the date of the
offence. If you want to find out more about
endorsements and how they can affect you visit:
gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements
When the police can seize
your vehicle
The police can seize a vehicle if they think it’s
being used in a way that causes alarm,
harassment or distress (eg careless or
inconsiderate driving).
They can also seize a vehicle if they think it’s:
If you have received a conviction you should refer
to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to see when
your conviction will become spent.
Unspent convictions need to be declared to your
insurer. An insurer will not hold a spent conviction
against you when setting your premium or
offering you cover.
• being driven by someone who doesn’t have a
proper licence or insurance
• dangerously, illegally or obstructively parked
• broken-down or abandoned
If your vehicle is seized there’s a ‘release fee’ of
up to £200 plus a storage fee of £20 for every
day or part day.
Source: www.gov.uk
page # 19
Drivers under 25 are involved in a disproportionately large
number of road accidents when compared with the
proportion of drivers who are over 25.
The youngest drivers are even more at risk. The riskiest time for all new drivers is the first year after
passing the driving test. The number of young drivers involved in accidents falls with each year of
age as they gain in both maturity and experience.
The number of car drivers involved in accidents per licence holder is twice as high for young men as
for young women. This difference is only partly accounted for by the higher mileage driven by young
men.
Analysis has identified a number of common factors present in young driver collisions, including the
following:
> They tend to drive older cars with less crash protection.
> There are often three or more casualties in their collisions.
> Their collisions often occur at night and at weekends.
> Their collisions often occur on wet roads.
> Their collisions often occur on minor roads in rural areas with a 60mph speed limit.
> Their collisions are often single vehicle so involve no other road user.
> They often occur on bends, particularly on rural roads.
> Their vehicle often skids, and in some cases then overturns.
> Their vehicle often leaves the road, and in many cases hits a roadside object or enters a ditch.
page # 20
The legal alcohol limit for driving in Northern
Ireland is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100
millilitres of blood or 107 milligrams of alcohol
per 100 millilitres of urine or 35 micrograms of
alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
There is no failsafe guide as to how to stay
under the legal alcohol limit or how much you
can drink and still drive safely.
It depends on:
•
Your Weight, sex, age, metabolism, stress
levels
•
An empty stomach
•
The amount and type of alcohol
Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to
drive safely as your reaction times are impaired
and you're unable to judge speed and
distances.
The only safe option is not to drink if you plan
to drive. Never offer a drink to someone else
who is driving.
If you've been out drinking you may still be
affected by alcohol the next day. Even though
you may feel OK when you get up, you may still
be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit.
You could still lose your licence if you drive the
next day when you're still over the legal alcohol
limit. It's impossible to get rid of alcohol any
faster. A shower, cup of coffee, or other ways of
'sobering up' will not help. It just takes time.
People who drive at twice the current legal
alcohol limit are at least 50 times more likely to
be involved in a fatal car crash so don't be one
of them.
“NEVER EVER DRINK & DRIVE”
page # 21
HOW TO
BEING IN AN ACCIDENT?
By driving defensively you can reduce your risk of becoming
another statistic. Here are some the defensive driving tips
you can use to help reduce your risk of being involved in an
accident behind the wheel.
CONCENTRATION
Driving involves thinking about your surroundings
and maintaining your concentration. Avoiding
distractions like ringing mobiles will help reduce
your chances of being involved in an accident.
Avoid the urge to rubberneck as you drive past
something, its human nature to be curious but
rubbernecking is the cause of many accidents and
traffic jams.
double this in wet weather and leave a ten
second gap in icy conditions. Always wear your
seatbelt. A two second gap will also reduce the
risk of a stone breaking your windscreen.
REDUCE YOUR SPEED
Remember that your braking distance and
thinking distance increases the faster you go.
Speed limits apply to ideal conditions; ensure
that your speed matches the road conditions.
FATIGUE
JUNCTIONS
When you’re tired you can experience involuntary
micro-sleeps. These are short naps during a
period of wakefulness typically lasting a few
seconds. Prescription and over-the-counter
medicines can also cause fatigue and drowsiness.
Learn to recognise the signs of fatigue, if you
notice any pull over and take a nap for 15 minutes
where it is safe to do so. Heavy eyelids, frequent
yawning, rubbing your eyes repeatedly, drifting
across your lane, not remembering the last few
miles and head snapping are all signs of fatigue
and micro-sleeps.
THINK SAFETY FIRST
Exercise motoring best practice and leave a two
second gap between you and the car in front,
page # 22
A glance is not enough to make sure the path is
clear, try to get into the habit of looking twice as
some road users are harder to spot than others.
If your view is obscured at a junction roll your
window down and listen for traffic, creep out
slowly until you can peek around the obstruction.
AMBER GAMBLER
If you drive to try and beat lights turning red
sooner or later you will have an accident. The
Traffic light will be green again in a minute. If
you’re regularly late you should leave for your
destination sooner instead of trying to rush to
make up time.
ADVERTORIAL
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN
ACCIDENT!
With an estimated one in ten motorists being involved in an
accident every year, Tony McKeown from CRASH says its
important all drivers understand what to do in the event of
a road accident.
It is worth keeping a cool head and following these seven simple steps:
1. STOP AT THE SCENE
YOU MUST STOP AT THE SCENE WHETHER
OR NOT THE ACCIDENT WAS YOUR FAULT.
2. CHECK IF ANYONE IS IN NEED OF MEDICAL
ATTENTION
If so, call 999. If not, call Northern Ireland's
new non emergency phone number
0845 600 8000.
3. ARE THERE ANY WITNESSES?
Try and get the names, addresses and
vehicle registrations of any witnesses
before they leave the scene.
Witnesses should write down their
evidence and keep their original notes.
4. MAKE A SKETCH OR TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS
Remember to make notes of Street names,
skid marks, collison points, vehicle locations
and directions of travel. It is recommended
that you keep a disposable camera in your
glove box. It can be very useful for recording
images. This should be done before vehicles
are moved if possible.
5. NOTE ACCIDENT DETAILS
If you have a camera, perhaps on your mobile,
take pictures of the scene. Remember to make
notes of street names, skid marks, collison
points, vehicle locations and directions of
travel.
6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Note down any other details you feel are
worth recording. For example, if the other
driver was using their phone.
7. CALL CRASH 24 HOURS A DAY ON
FREEPHONE 0500 27 27 47
Why not save our number on your mobile now in
case you need us in the future!
If you have been in accident, CRASH Services can
help at no cost to you as we recover our costs
from Insurers.
We can arrange removal of your vehicle, organise
repairs, provide a replacement car, help with
insurance paperwork, medical claims and provide
legal assistance. We have helped over 60,000
Northern Ireland motorists since 1996.
page # 23
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newdriverni.com
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page # 24