CGM Driving Tuition

Drive Fast Die Young The story of a teenage road death told by his family and first responders.

An opportunity to help keep our younger drivers and their passengers safe 🚗

Over the next two weeks, we will be shining the spotlight on younger drivers and their passengers involving the fatal five driving offences which are considered the main causes in road traffic collisions.

Our latest campaign which falls under “Operation Spotlight”, focuses on younger drivers and their habits behind the wheel. Overall, in 2022, around a fifth of all killed or seriously injured casualties from collisions involving cars were involving a young car driver or rider.

Statistics show that young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.

Over the next two weeks our dedicated Road Safety Team and our roads policing officers will be out and about engaging with young drivers on the county’s road network. The Road Safety Team will also present several planned engagement events at schools and colleges.

The fatal five are driving under the influence of drink or drugs, not wearing a seat belt, using a mobile phone whilst driving, excess/inappropriate speed and careless/dangerous driving.

In the first eight months of this year (January – August 2024), there have been twenty fatal collisions in North Yorkshire. Our ambition is for the number to be zero, although it is still twenty too many, compared to the same period from the previous year thankfully the number has fallen. Behind every serious or fatal collision is a family that is devastated by the loss of a loved one and the ripple effect which it has on all those involved. Road death is not acceptable, and this is why road safety is one of our strategic priorities. By supporting this campaign, it shows our continued commitment to reduce the number of fatalities in the form of education and targeted activity.

Inspector Clive Turner from North Yorkshire Police said: “This is an intense push on the national campaign to highlight the five main causes of fatal collisions and the higher risk of younger drivers been involved in a serious or fatal collision.

“Statistics show that young drivers are more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision. We will be out and about across North Yorkshire to engage with younger drivers to highlight the fatal five and remind them of the responsibility that they carry for their actions behind the wheel.”

Did you know E-Scooters are classed as motor vehicles - a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on a road?

When used on a road they are required to have insurance, be registered with DVLA, be taxed and have a valid M.O.T. certificate - the rider must also have an appropriate driving licence.

This is for all roads, including any highway and therefore includes foot paths, pavements, cycle paths, bridleways and tow paths.

Advice given to instructors and pupils by DVSA:

The top 10 reasons why learner drivers fail their driving test in 2024
Today (2 September) DVSA is publishing the updated guidance for the top 10 reasons why learner drivers fail their driving test in Great Britain.

We encourage you to use these examples with your pupils to identify any specific skills or knowledge gaps they may have. By focusing on these areas during your lessons, you can better prepare them so that they are ready to pass.

You can access the full guidance on GOV UK.

The top 10 reasons:

Junctions (observation)
Mirrors (change direction)
Move off (safely)
Junctions (turning right)
Response to signs (traffic lights)
Control (steering)
Response to signs (traffic signs)
Response to signs (road markings)
Positioning (normal driving)
Use of speed
How you can use this information
Review the updated list with your pupils to tailor their lessons around the areas they need to improve.
Engage your learners in discussions about why these faults occur and the potential risks involved. This should help them to develop a deeper understanding of safe driving practices.
Use real-life scenarios to practice and reinforce the correct behaviours, ensuring your pupils feel confident and prepared for their test.
Alongside this guidance, we've got an upcoming webinar that will cover these top 10 fail reasons, along with other new resources to keep you informed and up-to-date. Details will be shared shortly, so stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued dedication to help your pupils become confident, safe, and responsible drivers.

Congratulations to Samantha for coming home with a great first time pass on her practical driving test at Knaresborough this morning! Safe to say you were happy with your efforts judging by the photo! It’s been a pleasure teaching you, almost nearly all of the time!! 😆☠️ See you on the roads soon!! 🚙

Congratulations to Jessica on passing her practical driving test in Knaresborough on her first attempt, with a great drive. 👍 🚙
CGM Driving Tuition

Be 'deer aware' on our roads 🦌

Yesterday morning our officers attended two separate incidents involving deer that had been struck by cars, one on the A168 at Dishforth and the other on the A1 at Scotch Corner.

In both cases, members of the public did exactly the right thing and called us due to the risk to other road users.

Earlier in the week, we dealt with two similar incidents near Dishforth and Easingwold. And last week, we attended deer collisions in Staxton near Scarborough, Yafforth near Northallerton and Lothersdale near Skipton.

Deer collisions typically increase in the spring when the animals move to new territories.

As well as causing terrible suffering to the deer, these incidents can also put human lives at risk.

When you're driving - particularly in rural parts of North Yorkshire and York - there are four important points to remember:

◾ Look out for deer warning road signs
◾ Stay alert, check your speed and be prepared to stop
◾ Take particular care from sunset to midnight, and the hours shortly before and after sunrise
◾ If you see a deer near a road, remain vigilant - others may follow

If you hit a deer while driving, don’t get out and approach it - it may hurt you, or run across traffic and cause another collision.

Instead, park your car in a safe place with hazard lights on and call us on 101, giving as precise a location as you can. (Dial 999 if the situation means lives could be at risk).

We'll deal with road safety issues, and officers will be able to determine the best course of action for the animal.

Let's keep our roads safe for humans and animals alike... 🙏

(Thankfully, the deer in this photo - captured by one of our safety camera vans a few years ago - got across the A165 at Reighton safely).

Congratulations to Elliot on another great first time pass result at Knaresborough test centre this morning! Enjoy the freedom of the roads mate!! 🚙🚙👍👍

Due to some recent test passes, I have some limited availability for weekly lessons. Please get in touch for more information.
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Congratulations to Jasmine on a great first time pass at Knaresborough test centre. You’ve worked hard to achieve such a strong pass. 👍
CGM Driving Tuition

Borrowed from another driving instructor :

LEARNER DRIVERS, don't you just hate them?!

If your answer to that was, "Arrrgh, yes!" then this post is aimed directly at you, and you should read on.

Everyone who has a licence was at one stage a learner driver. I'm sure the vast majority reading this can remember taking lessons and taking a driving test. Even if you are more senior in years, you were still learning at one stage. I frequently see incidents, unfortunately I don't have blue lights at my disposal, when ignorant drivers come right up behind learner drivers and tail gate, rev their engines at traffic lights, and even blare the horn. Aside from being generally bad manners and inconsiderate driving, when it comes to learner drivers- I think we ALL have extra responsibilities.

Scientists talk about 'learned behaviour', where youngsters pick up habits by simply looking at what goes on around them. It is generally accepted that responsible adults should set a 'good example' to the younger generation. Why then when it comes to the roads does that so often go out the window? When drivers get behind the wheel for the first time, they've actually been learning for 15 years or so. From watching, from seeing examples, from picking up behaviour.

There are no 'mock up roads' for drivers to learn on. There is only real time training and learning. If you come up behind a hesitant driver at a roundabout, it may well be their first encounter with a roundabout that they are experiencing. The things that you are doing naturally; checking your mirrors, setting your approach speed, selecting your gear etc are all potentially being done for the first time, all whilst watching for oncoming traffic, listening to their instructor and...oh...with a muppet right up their exhaust beeping the horn at them.

Sure, they may stall. They may take longer than an experienced driver would. They may select the wrong gear or roll a bit. What is your response to that going to be? Are you going to show consideration and patience, thus doing your bit to encourage the same in the learner driver, or is your example to them going to be intolerance, rage, and dangerous driving? One thing that tail gating or blaring your horn is not going to do is make them move faster. It is likely going to make them panic, potentially take their eyes off the road by being distracted, or even cause an accident. If you cause a learner driver to crash by distracting them or pressuring them, you will be held to account. Keep in mind that any statement they make will be accompanied by a professional driving instructors! I know who I'd put my money on when that goes to court.

Finally, parents. We all know that driving lessons can be pricey. We know it is a big commitment and often one that requires some financial planning. Think about what it's better to spend money on though. A few extra lessons to add extra safety and experience to your child's driving, or a funeral? It sounds harsh, but it is the reality.

Thank you to all the driving instructors out there who play such a vital role in protecting our learner drivers and ensuring their safe future. Yes, there are too many fatalities on our roads- even one is too many- but when you consider how many dozens of people pass their driving test every day it's obvious we have some very talented instructors out there doing a fine job.

Stay safe, and show patience. We were all in their shoes once!!!

Congratulations to Annabelle on passing her practical driving test at Knaresborough this morning, coming home with a first time pass and near perfect performance with only a single driving fault to boot! Safe driving! www.cgmdrivingtuition.co.uk

Congratulations to Joe on passing his practical test this morning at Knaresborough. 👍👍🚗

Congratulations to Harvey in passing his driving test at his first attempt, at Knaresborough test centre today. What a great performance with only one minor driving fault throughout the drive.Enjoy the freedom of the roads Harvey!
www.cgmdrivingtuition.co.uk

😸 Today marks national cat day. So we’d like to remind you of rule 132 of the Highway code about reflective road studs, or ‘cats eyes’.
Reflective road studs may be used with white lines.
⚪ White studs mark the lanes or the middle of the road.
🔴 Red studs mark the left edge of the road.
🟠 Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway.
🟢 Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads.
🟢🟡 Green/yellow studs indicate temporary adjustments to lane layouts, e.g. where road works are taking place.