The Public and Commercial Services Union voted in favour of strike action and an overtime ban.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These cuts, which will see loyal civil and public servants lose tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job, are more about crude politicking than making savings.

“We have suggested ways in which the Government can make these savings whilst protecting the rights of existing members, yet it seems intent on penalising the people who keep this country running.”

Changes to redundancy and compensation agreements will see staff lose entitlements and redundancy pay.  Further strike dates may be finalised when the union’s national executive committee meet next week.

Candidates with driving tests booked for either the 8th or 9th March should contact the DSA on 0300 200 1122 for further guidance.

Coaching is not just a case of asking questions (which instructors do already as part of their everyday teaching).  It is about asking questions which raise the awareness and responsibility from within the coachee.  There are many tools that instructors can use from within the coaching toolbox and the effects of using coaching with learners can be quite profound.

Sir John Whitmore & Ged Wilmot

To date, there has been little information available about coaching specifically for driving instructors. Last year, the University of East London ran its pilot course – a Postgraduate qualification in ‘Coaching for Driver Development’ in which a handful of the best professional driver trainers and coaches from all aspects of the driving world were invited to attend.  I was fortunate enough to be one of the delegates invited to attend that course, along with my good friend and colleague Kathy Higgins of Insight2Drive. We have recognised that courses and workshops for driving instructors are few and far between and so we have developed a one day coaching course specifically designed for Approved Driving Instructors.

The one day ‘Practical Coaching Techniques for Driving Instructors’ interactive workshop offers driving instructors essential information which can be incorporated into the everyday work of an ADI.  The content will include basic principles and benefits of using coaching in driver training, what makes a good coach, and lots of practical coaching techniques.  There are two workshop dates currently available, Monday 22nd February 2010 in Oldham and Thursday 18th March 2010 in Liverpool.

Both courses will be run by me (Ged Wilmot), Claire Wilmot and Kathy Higgins. Having a wealth of driver coaching experience, we are excited to be able to offer such a course to ADI’s throughout the North West of England.

The course fee is £139, which includes lunch and refreshments. Spaces are limited and going fast, so you’ll need to act quickly!

If you would like further information about the course, please contact Claire Wilmot on 07956 104160 or complete the contact form on the Active Driving Solutions website.

The film stars young actors from south Wales and shows a teenager killing four people in a crash when she sends a text from her mobile phone whilst driving.

Filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes produced it for Gwent Police as an educational tool for young drivers.  It will be broadcast for the first time on BBC Two Wales on Monday 2nd November at 10pm (Sky Channel 991).

Using a mobile phone at the wheel has been an offence in the UK since 2006 and although people are aware of the laws, many, it seems, still ignore the dangers of texting whilst driving.

The dramatic film, nicknamed ‘COW’, graphically highlights the consequences of texting at the wheel as it follows fictional schoolgirl girl Cassie Cowan. Losing concentration behind the wheel while she texts, she and her mates are involved in a horrific crash.

COW is hard hitting, brutal and extremely graphic, which has already caused lots of controversy.

Director Peter Watkins-Hughes has defended the film’s violence: “Yes it is violent, but the reality of a fatal road accident is much more gruesome.  If you’re old enough to drive, you’re old enough to be aware of the real and serious risks one places oneself in every time you get behind the wheel.”

A four minute clip from the film has been viewed by millions of viewers on YouTube, gaining global attention.

Chief constable of Gwent Police, Mick Giannasi has said he is astonished and encouraged by the way the film has spread, and has received calls and emails from people from across the world saying how moved they were by the film.

“Young people think they can text in autopilot because they do it so instinctively,” he said.

“For that reason we need to use strong imagery to make them to sit up and take notice.”

Recently, RAC Foundation research found that reaction times slowed by 35% when 17 to 24-year-olds drove while reading and writing text messages. The research also showed that texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs while driving.  Sadly, the research also found that nearly 50% of drivers aged between 18 and 24 text while driving.

‘Cow’will be shown on BBC Two Wales on Monday 2 November at 2200 GMT.

We welcome your comments on the film.

Campaign materials are now available for October’s tyre safety month, which focuses on tread depth and will encourage drivers to check and replace any illegal tyres on their vehicle.

The campaign is organised by TyreSafe, a non commercial organisation responsible for raising awareness of the dangers of defective and worn tyres and is backed by RoadSafe.  It uses the theme of a ‘life saver in your pocket’ and gives motorists advice on how to check to see if their tyres may be illegal, simply by using a 20p coin.

Tyres are the only part of the vehicle which are in contact with the road.  Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact. It is therefore of paramount importance that tyres are well maintained and that their tyre tread depth is above the legal limit to maximise performance and safety.  By law, car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and round the entire circumference of the tyre.

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for making sure their tyres are legal and in a roadworthy condition.  The penalty for driving with an illegal tyre is a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.  This could cost your licence, or worse still a life.

To check your tread, simply insert a 20p coin into your tyre’s tread grooves.  If you are able to see the inside rim of the coin, the tyre tread may be worn close to the legal limit.

Click here to download your campaign materials

If you haven’t already heard from your other sources of information, the DSA booking systems will be closed from 5.15pm on Thursday July 30th until 8.00am on Tuesday August 4th (approximate times) for essential IT maintenance on their operational systems.

All online services to book or amend practical tests and other instructor services including updating your contact details, applying for registration, renewing your certificate and ordering Pass Plus packs will be unavailable. The Contact Centre will be offering a limited service between 8am and 6pm on Friday 31^st July.

For any enquiries, please call the DSA on 0300 200 11 22.

Theory Test services will be available as normal.

Information is also available on the website at www.direct.gov.uk Messages will be placed on all websites giving access to DSA online services to advise customers that the service is temporarily unavailable. Posters will also be displayed in test centres with the same messages about the system shutdown.

IMPORTANT:

Customers who urgently need to cancel or change their test appointment to avoid the 3 day cancellation period can notify the DSA by e-mail at customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk or phone 0300 200 11 22, while the booking system is down.   Any customers who are unable to contact the DSA during this time will be considered on a case by case basis.

Ged Wilmot with Trevor Wedge (DSA Chief Driving Examiner)

Congratulations to Ged Wilmot, Manager and ADI Trainer at Active Driving Solutions, who achieved faultless results in his recent DSA ORDIT assessment.

Ged and Claire Wilmot, who provide DSA ORDIT Approved Driving Instructor Training to clients from throughout the UK (as well as for Latics Driver Training) achieved fantastic results on their bi-annual assessment with Ged gaining straight 6’s, the best result you can possibly get.

This is the second time Ged has achieved the ultimate result of straight 6’s as he also managed it on his recent ADI Fleet Check Test.

All instructors trained by Ged and Claire can be assured that they are certainly getting the best ADI training out there. This benefits Latics Driver Training and the people who learn with Latics as all instructors trained by Ged and Claire really are trained to the highest standard.

Well done Ged, you really are top of the league!

For more information on Driving Instructor Training, visit www.activedrivingsolutions.com

Look out for all our cars throughout the area as they are branded with the new eye-catching design over the coming weeks!

Latics Driver Training's new vehicle branding

Ric Hughes, one of the Latics Driving Instructors covering Ashton under Lyne, Glossop, Hyde and Oldham was the first to have his car branded with the new design.  Ric said, “It looks great, and all my pupils love it!  My car’s been turning heads wherever I go!”

Let us know what you think!

The Road Safety Unit of Rochdale’s Impact Partnership are organising a driver safety evening presented by a range of road safety experts.  The event is open to 17-25 year olds and their parents.  It takes place at Rochdale Town Hall on 6th May 2009 at 6.30pm.

Pass Plus is available to any driver who recently passed their test, and it deals with 6 issues that may not have been covered during normal driving lessons (including motorway driving and driving in adverse weather conditions).  It also has the possibility of reducing how much you might pay on your car insurance.  93% of young driver who took Pass Plus felt they had more confidence on the road.

If both the parent and their driving-aged child attend on the night, they will be automatically entered into a draw offering one of 10 chances to win some higher level driving skill lessons.

There will be four presentations on the night, each one dealing with different angles of driver safety.

Tea and coffee will be available from 6.15pm, and parking is free after 6.00pm.

Book your place now!  Call Stuart on 01706 924605.

Claire Wilmot & Sophie Holland

We were able to meet with many members of the public who were interested in learning to drive (or knew someone who wanted to learn).  Sophie Holland (Office Manager), along with Frank Walsh ADI and Ric Hughes ADI were there for the full day to hand out leaflets, pens and road safety materials to passing customers, and some even got to try out the Theory and Hazard Perception test on site, too!  Claire Wilmot (Managing Director) said, “today’s trade fair here at Costco has generated quite a lot of interest, and we hope to do more of the same in the future.  Latics Driver Training prides itself on being the best driving school in the area, and it’s been great to have been able to meet and answer questions from the public about learning to drive”.

Special thanks to Sophie, Frank and Ric for all their hard work!

The Latics Driver Training Team

Leaflets will be available on all aspects of Road Safety, along with plenty of freebies!  Why not book your first driving lesson for just £10 whilst you’re there?  We will also be running a unique promotion this weekend, which will entitle Trade Fair visitors to our best deal on block bookings yet – don’t miss it!

Full details of all our driving courses will be available, including our innovative Head Start Programme, where those aged 16 can learn basic driving skills in a safe environment before getting out on the roads when they turn 17.

We look forward to seeing you there – entrance to Costco is FREE to members and their visitors.  Details, opening times and directions to Costco can be found here.