Newsletter makes way for Porsche 911!

We are off on a mini Tour in 48 hours to visit the Classic and Sports Car show at the N.E.C in Birmingham so our posting will be a little thin for a week or so. An old and dear friend from schooldays long ago is part of the activities of a Motor Club that gives Classic rides in their Classic cars. I expect we will get a special discount in his Porsche 911 which is one of the greatest Classics of all time.

Turbo-Turnabout Newsletter Issue Three Imminent.
We are approaching the date of issue three of the Astral Driving School News letter do please have a look by logging onto our home page and entering your e-mail.

I guess we will have to contemplate setting up an Astral Driving School P.P.U. shortly to highlight the motoring achievements of our pupils. Yesterday speaking to one of our best ever pupils on the phone, enquiring about his Alfa Romeo Spyder which is a pretty impressive machine, he nonchalantly said he was now driving a Nissan Sky line.
My first reaction was …Oh no not a people carrier Barry but this was quickly dispelled by a specification of a rather special sports car with more Brake Horse Power than I am going to reveal here. It’s important to mention here that not only is this young man an excellent Driver who did very well on his Driving Test two years ago After Taking Sufficient Lessons but he is also a mechanic who understands what you can and can’t do in a car.
We will be featuring Barry in our newsletter shortly as well as other Drivers who have excelled.
On our return from Birmingham we will give you all the latest news and gossip.
In the meantime drive safely and remember Tailgating is for creeps!



Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”


To subscribe to the Astral Driving School Newsletter visit the home page and input e-mail.We look forward to providing you with news and views and resources and of course to your comments and input.

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Pick and Mix.

A few quick snippets of motoring news relating to Learners.

Seen in Limerick today for the first time ever …perhaps it’s a world Exclusive. A learner driver’s car with two L Plates at the rear and one at the front. Makes a change from no plates or the ridiculous habit of cutting the white background off the plate making it nigh invisible.

The whole idea of displaying L Plates is to identify your self as a beginner so that other drivers can be ready for the mistakes that you will inevitably make and not expect you to do things that you haven’t yet learnt.
Yes we have all heard the stories that if you take your L Plates down you will get less harassment from other Drivers.

It never ceases to amaze me the number of pupils who turn up for pre-test lessons, usually far too late in the day to achieve a pass, who do not have L Plates up. We carry spare sets with us all the time and could write a book on the number of excuses given.

One of the many reasons why we have such a dismal Road Safety record here in Ireland is exemplified by the above disdain for Road rules and Regulations. So it seems that we are only going to improve our driving standards when we are forced to, by either losing licenses through Penalty Points offences or other fines.
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Spain is set to introduce an L Plate system but they will be Green and not Red. If they copy the “cut back your white backround” lobby they will be just as invisible. We did see one version of the green plate in Limerick a few weeks ago.

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Nigel Mansell, former Formula One World Champion spoke up in defence of Women joining the ranks of Racing Drivers following Jenson Button’s remarks earlier today that were quite offensive and inappropriate.
Racing should be confined to the track; a point that is lost on many young drivers on the road today. If there is a Racing Team out there looking for Female Drivers, Limerick is the place to start because we have quite an exceptional crop in the current season...
Sadly, we have noticed just as many mad and incompetent Young Female drivers as we have Young Males on the roads here in the Mid West .There is no difference between them .All the usual suspects…no seat belts; untethered children; mobile phone in one hand and turning a corner with the other; cutting corners, and magnetic tailgating are just some of the habits .Of course these habits are exhibited by a good proportion of Adult Drivers as a matter of pride!
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Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Jim Edwards Rides Again

We are reproducing an article by Jim Edwards which we find intersting and informative. It was written earlier in the spring and as we said in earlier posts ,we have Jim to thank for our current activity and hopeful expansion on the Web.
There is no magic shortcut to becoming proficent on the Web but a Blog is certainly an excellent and easy way of learning many of the basics, giving you the encouragement to continue to learn.


Can You Survive In An Online World?

- by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Do you have the skills to make it in a computer driven,
increasingly online world?

Your immediate, knee-jerk reaction may be "Yes! Of course I
have the skills."

"I know how to send and receive email and surf the web."

"I can even download and install files."

Well, three or four years ago, email, Web surfing and
downloading files qualified you as "electronically
literate," but not any more! Computer and online survival
skills now encompass much more than that.

Surviving in an online world involves maintaining a high
degree of "electronic literacy," which means focusing on
and developing skills in the following areas:


** Personal Computer skills **

In the old days of 1998, the ability to use a computer,
keyboard and mouse rated anyone as computer-literate.

In fact, you were a real pro if you could burn a CD, scan
documents and manipulate digital pictures.

Fast forward to today and "personal computer skills"
carries a whole new meaning. You must know how to maintain
and update not only anti-virus, but "anti-spyware," and
firewall software too.

You also need to understand how operating with Windows ME,
or 2000, or XP will affect your ability to use certain
software along with specific security precautions to avoid
trouble from hackers.


** Internet Skills **

In the bygone era of 1998, friends considered you an online
genius if you possessed basic surfing and navigation
skills.

They watched in awe as you used search engines like
InfoSeek.com (a long-defunct search engine) to find and
download programs, pictures, and information on specific
topics.

Now electronic literacy means the ability to set up,
upload, and maintain basic web pages and blogs.

It also means understanding terms such as "RSS" and "news
aggregator" because that's the next generation of how
information will get disseminated online (and it arrives
for the masses this year).


** Email Skills **

Perhaps the most deceptively simple of all the areas of
electronic literacy, email actually presents the most
challenges for keeping up with the times.

Previously, clicking the "send and receive" button meant
you were proficient at using email.

Now, because of spam, viruses and "phishing scams"
(identity theft schemes delivered through email), email
requires a whole new set of skills, "street smarts" and
software just to survive.

You must understand how to use an email "preview" program
such as MailWasher.net to eliminate spam and virus email
messages before they ever reach your computer.

You also must learn to protect your identity and avoid
"phishing scams" by learning to recognize and defend
against online con-artist tactics.


** Buy or Borrow Expertise **

Though you should constantly upgrade your skills through
personal education, nobody can do or know it all (except
maybe your know-it-all bother in law).

The good news is that you can always buy or borrow someone
else's expertise to solve any online challenge.

A prime example of outsourcing in the consumer market is
all the little stores popping up in strip malls to help you
sell your stuff on eBay.

Through outsourcing, online survival skills can also mean
taking what was previously the exclusive realm of computer
geeks and making it as easy as dropping off the dry
cleaning.

--
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-
author of an incredible ebook that will teach you how
to write and publish your own highly profitable ebook in a
week or less... even if you failed high school English
class!

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Why are some people getting rich selling their ebooks?

Jim Edwards and Joe Vitale have created the *ultimate* guide
"How to Write and Publish your own Outrageously
Profitable eBook... in as little as 7 Days!"
FREE Details: ==> Click here
-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-==-

© Guaranteed Response Marketing, LLC
P.O. Box 878
Lightfoot, VA 23188
(757) 715-2157

Link

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

The Wednesday Motoring Fix

On a Wednesday the Irish Times produces an excellent Motors Supplement, called appropriately “Motors”. Motor stuff for all ages and interests, two wheels and four, are packed into 8 absorbing pages; well 5 actually since 3 of them are classifieds.

The Resident Wit is a lively lad of indeterminate age called Kilian Doyle. His column called Emissions is guaranteed to make you smile if not break out in hysterics. His hair style isn’t bad either!

The young Kilian passed his Driving Test last week amid great excitement and jubilation and shredding of the little red Ells. All the more remarkable when you consider he pilots a Teutonic marvel which he refers to frequently, and affectionately as the Bavarian Princess. At least it’s the correct colour to blend in with the countryside and not some garish attempt at imitating the other Teutonic Marvel otherwise known as “Schumi”.

In case there are readers out there who haven’t a clue what I am talking about it’s a “Beemer” and the other man who has somewhat fallen from grace is the ex Formula one Champion, Schumacher the Elder.
Do check out the Motors supplement which has a wealth of info and can help all drivers, young and old, to keep abreast of what’s going on or not, as the case may be. This is an oblique reference to the pile of Motoring, Driving Test and other legislation which is all gathering dust and cobwebs on various Desks in the metropolis and which, when implemented, will improve our status as a Country that has the will to improve its horrendous road safety record .

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Please visit our or own Motors Supplement AKA Turbo-Turnabout..... the Astral Driving School Newsletter,which is published on Tuesdays.You can sign up on the home page of our web site.We welcome all comments and suggestions, for this Ezine is a resource for you the driver, particularly the Younger Learner.With your suggestions we shall be able to provide what you are looking for in an easy and accessible form.

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Turbo-Turnabout . The Newsletter Issue 2.

The Newsletter of Astral Driving School Ireland.

Volume One Issue No.2 w/c 24th October 2005

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Table of contents
1. Introduction.
2. About Astral.
3. Breaking News.
4. Guest Article.
5. Feature Article.
6. Tip of the Week.
7. Driving Test Tips.
8. Recommended Resources.
9. Catwalk.

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Turbo-Turnabout is a weekly Publication by the Astral Driving School to assist and inform all Drivers but particularly those starting off and those preparing for the Driving Test. We realise that every e-mail inbox is under siege now as we all become more and more reliant on the Internet for our daily activities. We strive to provide up to the minute info and hope that you will benefit from the content and pass on the Newsletter to friends and associates. We welcome suggestions, comments, and any items of newsworthy publication.
All content is copyright Astral Driving School © 2000-2005 unless otherwise stated. You may print or forward providing all Authors resource boxes and links are kept intact and content unaltered.
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About Astral Driving School.
Astral Driving School is based in Limerick, Ireland and provides tuition to all ages of Beginner Driver. We cover an extensive area of the Mid-West from Limerick and are very flexible when it comes to pick-up and set-down..
Our standard lesson or session is of two hours duration as we find this is better for both pupils and ourselves. With the heavy volume of traffic in the City and surrounds today we find that time schedules are difficult to adhere to if lessons last only one hour.
We operate an easy to drive V.W. POLO 1.4 (T.D.I) that is small enough to manage for a beginner but with the power to enable us to learn how to drive at higher speeds with no fuss. Most cars these days, in excess of 1.2 litre capacity, have good pulling power or Torque which is necessary for overtaking and performing other manoeuvres and of course cruising at higher speeds on carriageways or motorways.
We pride ourselves on teaching to a high standard and in equipping all pupils with the full range of driving experiences including Irish Rural roads and high speed carriageways.
Please visit our Web Site and Blogs for plenty of valuable information.
If you would like to receive each Blog post each morning via e-mail then visit the Blog and click on the FeedBlitz Button. The service works very well and efficiently.
http://www.astralmotoring.ie Astral Driving School http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com Arrive Alive Blog


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Breaking News!

(1) National Safety Council Head has had meetings with Government in an attempt to bring about a coordinated approach to Road Safety which is obviously lacking.370 plus road deaths are expected this year in Ireland and unless the backed up legislation is implemented soon this figure will return to the horrendous levels of several years ago prior to the introduction of Penalty Points. In just three years now since the introduction of the penalty points system we have the grand total of 4 out of 66 planned offences in operation! So we guesstimate that this will reach full implementation in the second half of this century. This despite two Computers totalling €13m!

(2) German Inventor Dr .Christian Koch has found a way to make Diesel out of Cats! Apparently 20 moggies may be needed for a Tankful so maybe we could see the creation of huge Cat Farms to fulfil this amazing discovery. We have plenty of stray cats who could be rounded up initially but then the Rodent population in the rural areas particularly would take over and that just wouldn’t do at all. So I guess its back to the drawing board.

(3) Not so much Breaking News as Groundbreaking. The Officers from the Customs and Excise staged a checkpoint outside the Dell Computer Plant in Limerick recently to question all foreign registered car owners .This is part of a growing phenomenon of large numbers of out of state cars being driven here with no means of keeping an eye on them. These are mostly from Eastern European accession States and sadly since these new cousins of ours don’t even have our current standards of Driving and Driving Test legislation in place at home, then it is likely these drivers will continue to figure in the fatal accident statistics previously reserved for Irish Citizens.

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Guest Article.
Ten Quick Points for Improving you Driving Test Performance
By Arrive Alive in conjunction with Susan O’S.


Here are a few pointers for you to consider:
(1) Right foot ...use the right foot gently on both the gas and the brake pedals. Heavy braking will tell the Examiner that you haven’t prepared sufficiently in advance for your slow down! However when entering a busy major road from a minor road it’s important to get the power down promptly or a car approaching will be forced to brake heavily if you move off too slowly.

(2) When preparing to slow down… or stop for say traffic lights or slow moving traffic commence your braking by coming off the gas pedal promptly and THEN using the brake gently...this will be a lot smoother and will also save fuel and brakes.
(3) Select your chosen gear… for a maneuver in good time (mostly second gear) and never change gear during a maneuver--- (your hand is off the wheel) so you are steering with only one hand! Most, if not all, tight and blind turnings should be taken in first gear for a smoother maneuver and then if the road is clear you can accelerate away in second gear.

(4) Handbrake. The Ten Second Rule ...if you are going to be stopped for ten seconds or more,
in any situation then you should use the handbrake. This prevents the car from rolling, for example traffic lights and busy junctions. However if having stopped to make a left or right turn or to enter a roundabout and you can see that the road is completely clear then you should not use the handbrake and should move away immediately.

(5) Steering wheel technique… it’s important not to cross the hands and arms. Use the pull -push technique and it will improve your positioning.

(6) When turning Right ...imagine the centre line of the road into which you are turning, and extend it across your path. This is your turning point and you should not go beyond this mark.

(7) Reversing around the corner........
(a) Don’t go too far past the corner to commence your reverse.
(b) Stop about 14 /16 inches out from the curb.
(c) Pause at the APEX (half -way through the corner) and look Right and then left; if it’s clear, continue; if not stop and use handbrake until the traffic has gone, then continue. Get around the corner first, then bring yourself into the curb and pause again to observe and then finally reverse back in a straight line to your chosen stopping point, making sure that you are not obstructing any gateways.

(8) Roundabouts.... if you are at your entry point and a car coming from the right still has some way to go before it reaches Its entry point then you may go, in other words, it is not yet on the roundabout and therefore you are not obliged to give way. Obviously if this situation pertains but the on coming car is going too fast then it is prudent to wait and give way otherwise you are forcing the other car to brake heavily behind you. If you can see very clearly, as you approach your entry point and it is totally clear of traffic, then you do not have to stop and should enter with a little acceleration.

(9) Parked Cars ....do not go right up to the rear of the obstruction before stopping; you have a much better view by staying a good distance back and it’s easier to judge whether you should go or are forced to stop by the oncoming traffic.
(10) Traffic Lights…You must be thinking and watching carefully the changing sequences of each set of lights; they are almost always different. You should be ready to move off the moment the lights go green otherwise other Drivers will take advantage and cause you difficulty.

Copyright Astral Driving School © 2004

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Feature Article.
First Steps for the Irish Learner Driver
The main priority for today’s Learner Driver should not be passing the Driving Test but embracing the philosophy of skills for life initially.

Surely passing the Driving Test is the main objective? Not So!
Your main objective should be to acquire the necessary skills that will keep you, your passengers and all other road users safe. This makes sense, but is not taken on board by a very large proportion of Irish learner Drivers, with the result that we have an appalling accident record here which impacts on the whole community.
The first and arguably most important step for the new driver is to enrol with a Professional Driving School who will set the foundation for both basic and advanced skills and ensure that safety is a priority. The lack of basic skills throughout the motoring population is very widespread and stems from several inherent flaws which are only now beginning to be addressed by the Government.
Thankfully our membership of the European Club is forcing the various agencies that are involved in the whole motoring scene to take action and implement the various Directives on a structured time scale.

The Irish Driving Test only began in 1966 more than thirty years after the UK introduced that most feared of life events!
Most of the recent EU changes have usually taken effect here three or four years after the UK. These would comprise the Driver Theory Test, revised Test Marking Sheet, Provisional License revisions, and Mechanical Checks on the Practical Driving Test.

Aspects still to be rolled out will be Mandatory Tuition for Motorcycles and Cars and the long awaited Examination and Registration of Driving Instructors. One of the reasons for our poor standards on the roads, particularly within the young driver community is that Driving Instructor standards are not subject to scrutiny. It is quite commonplace to see Instructors giving tuition in a pupils car with no L plates displayed. This shows a complete disregard for the basic rule of Law and by extension the calibre of instruction has to be mediocre at best.
What can you expect on your first lesson with a Professional Instructor? Will you be taken into a city centre? Will you be taken on a high speed carriageway? Will you be driving off down the road in just five minutes? Absolutely not!
What will happen is a concentrated session covering many diverse subjects relating to both the workings of the car and all its equipment and a look at the current Driving Scene into which the new Driver is entering for the first time. An investigation of all the basic mechanics that are the responsibility of the Driver, and which now form part of the Driving Test, will take place, and a brief discussion on the current requirements of the Driving Test.

Once this is accomplished, the basic Cockpit Drill will be looked at along with all instrumentation and secondary controls. Following on from this section, a brief discussion on the use of the Gearbox will take place and then on to the most mystical of Car equipment …the Clutch. (That is of course assuming that we are driving a car with a manual Gearbox, with its accompanying Stick Shift.)
It surprises most beginners that it is the Clutch that moves the car and not the Gas pedal. In fact, since you are going to be on a level stretch of road for the first tentative steps, it is interesting to demonstrate that the Car does indeed move with the foot no where near the Gas Pedal.

This is the point at which we are learning the first real Driving Skill; that of understanding the Term “Biting Point” and how to recognise it.
In the very early stages, a complete mastery of being able to bring the Clutch to” Biting Point” and hold it steady is the key to Driving away smoothly in every different situation. No amount of gas pedal usage will move the car unless the clutch is at Biting Point first. Once the car begins to move, and is building up a little momentum, then the clutch can be fully released gently and the Gas pedal then comes into play.

Next follows a brief demonstration of the clutch control technique by the Instructor followed by the Pupil.
The sequence of moving off safely comes next, followed by the Real Thing, but of course it’s no use getting going if you then don’t know how to stop safely which will also be demonstrated. You are now on the move practising starting and stopping and the adrenalin is finally pumping after all the Theory!
Guess What? You will be doing the whole procedure in Reverse within a few minutes. Yes that’s right…Reversing! Reversing is such an integral part of every day driving that it’s something that can’t be left till later. If it is put off, then chances are that fear of failure will begin to creep in and that is not the object of Driving Lessons.
So there you have, in graphic (almost) detail, the first steps on your Driving Career. If you are going to progress steadily then you should be prepared to do plenty of homework in between your Lessons, with a pad and pen as well as reading the Notes which your Instructor will have given you!
There is plenty more where this came from, so take time to look at all the resources available throughout the Astral Driving School Web site and Blogs and you should be well on the way to the basic apprentice stage after three or four weeks. The Driving Test is not a consideration at this stage and will only be addressed when you have a suitable level of skill built up over several months.
Copyright Astral Driving School ©2000-2005

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Tip of the Week.
The Legal Tyre Tread Depth of 1.6 mm is coming under scrutiny right now since it is not considered to be in safety’s best interests. At the Legal Limit your tyres will be 80% worn out and should be replaced. While you may think that the Tyre looks ok and seems to perform satisfactorily in the Dry; in the Wet it could be Lethal. Your grip will be drastically reduced and stopping distances similarly increased. Your best tyres should always be on the Front Axle and ideally when replacing a single tyre as a result of a puncture or heavy wear, buy Two and put them on the front. Two new tyres is not a high price to pay for your safety and that of your passengers.

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Driving Test Tips.
(1) Be Ten Minutes early…….Six minutes late and you will go to the end of the waiting List and lose your Test Fee.
(2) Reverse into your space neatly prior to presenting yourself in the Office and drive Nose - In on your return at the end of the Test, again parking neatly. Test isn’t over until you are out of the car.
(3) Practise your under the Bonnet checks and answers long before the week of your Test. These checks came in on 14th February 2005.

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Recommended Resources.
(1) National Car Test Centres……….. http://www.nct.ie
(2) Dept. of Transport ……….. http://www.transport.ie
(3) Driving Test Administration……… http://www.drivingtest.ie
(4) Astral Links page……… http://www.astralmotoring.ie/links.aspx
(5) Astral Blog Arrive Alive…….. http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com
(6) Astral E-mail info@astralmotoring.ie

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Cat-Walk.


Dawn Breaks over Test Center at 6.00am. Anyone for Coffee?

Thank Goodness its not today! Now where is that copy of the Rules of the Road?

As you can see Instructors and Pupils just love each other!

To see photos and to subscribe to the newsletter go to the web site home page and sign up with your e-mail address.


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Authors Resource.

Robin Piggott has spent a lifetime behind the wheel and a fair amount of time buried under the bonnet of his many vehicles. Today’s technology means that you don’t need to get so down and dirty as in past times and that leaves more time for Driving and having Fun. His Web and Blog urls are listed below.
http://www.astralmotoring.ie
http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com http://astraldrivingschool.blogs.ie
To Subscribe to the Turbo-Turnabout Newsletter please click below and insert your E-mail Address.
We value your subscription and your E-mail Address will
Never be passed on to any other parties.
To Unsubscribe click the appropriate link.
http://www.astralmotoring.ie

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Fatal Car Crash Driver arrested in Ireland

A driver aged 23 who caused the deaths of three young people in their early twenties, four years ago was recaptured in Ireland at the weekend after fleeing from the United States.
On the night of June 4th this Driver crashed into three cars while travelling at about 90mph and three young students aged 22, 21, and 21 were killed. All were occupants of one car.

It’s an interesting story of how the Internet is shrinking, or rather has shrunk the World to miniscule proportions in just a few years.

To read the full story click on the following link

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Russells_Run_Optional.html

My own comment on this all too common type of late night car collision is that it is highly risky traveling late at night with passengers in the car. If you are a Driver you should restrict the numbers that you carry, particularly if you are a beginner. If you are a learner or inexperienced driver then get your night time practice with a competent and highly experienced co driver and don’t fill the car up with your friends.

Even after several years experience, numbers should still be restricted at night since it is the most dangerous time of day with Alcohol playing a part in 40% of Fatal Accidents.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Portable Traffic Lights for Rent.Great Income Opportunity!

Just came across an ad for an interesting Web site that sells and rents Portable Traffic Lights. RCFLAGMAN.COM. Maybe, just maybe, we could learn how to correctly deal with Traffic Lights with this equipment, in a controlled environment, off road, since it seems to be one of the most ignored road instructions that Drivers have to deal with deal with.

Might be useful for creating a little extra revenue if you set up these lights outside your house with a nice long time delay and you could then offer all manner of services to the waiting Drivers…:-

Windscreen Wash … Check the oil …Check the tyre pressures…….oh yes as an affiliate of the local Garda Station you could check Tax , Insurance and N.C.T. Oh yes I nearly forgot what about Driving Licences?

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Turbo-Turnabout......ASTRAL DRIVING SCHOOL Newsletter.Just enter your e-mail into the box on our home page.

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

Driving Test in Ireland

First Steps in Driving

Ten Quick Points for Improving you Driving Test Performance

Here are a few pointers for you to consider:

(1) Right foot ...use the right foot gently on both the gas and the brake pedals. Heavy braking will tell the Examiner that you haven’t prepared sufficiently in advance for your slow down! However when entering a busy major road from a minor road it’s important to get the power down promptly or a car approaching will be forced to brake heavily if you move off too slowly.

(2) When preparing to slow down… or stop for say traffic lights or slow moving traffic commence your braking by coming off the gas pedal promptly and THEN using the brake gently...this will be a lot smoother and will also save fuel and brakes.

(3) Select your chosen gear… for a maneuver in good time (mostly second gear) and never change gear during a maneuver--- (your hand is off the wheel) so you are steering with only one hand! Most, if not all, tight and blind turnings should be taken in first gear for a smoother maneuver and then if the road is clear you can accelerate away in second gear.

(4) Handbrake. The Ten Second Rule ...if you are going to be stopped for ten seconds or more,
in any situation then you should use the handbrake. This prevents the car from rolling, for example traffic lights and busy junctions. However if having stopped to make a left or right turn or to enter a roundabout and you can see that the road is completely clear then you should not use the handbrake and should move away immediately.

(5) Steering wheel technique… it’s important not to cross the hands and arms. Use the pull -push technique and it will improve your positioning.

(6) When turning Right ...imagine the centre line of the road into which you are turning, and extend it across your path. This is your turning point and you should not go beyond this mark.

(7) Reversing around the corner........
(a) Don’t go too far past the corner to commence your reverse.
(b) Stop about 14 /16 inches out from the curb.
(c) Pause at the APEX (half -way through the corner) and look Right and then left; if it’s clear, continue; if not stop and use handbrake until the traffic has gone, then continue. Get around the corner first, then bring yourself into the curb and pause again to observe and then finally reverse back in a straight line to your chosen stopping point, making sure that you are not obstructing any gateways.

(8) Roundabouts.... if you are at your entry point and a car coming from the right still has some way to go before it reaches Its entry point then you may go, in other words, it is not yet on the roundabout and therefore you are not obliged to give way. Obviously if this situation pertains but the on coming car is going too fast then it is prudent to wait and give way otherwise you are forcing the other car to brake heavily behind you. If you can see very clearly, as you approach your entry point and it is totally clear of traffic, then you do not have to stop and should enter with a little acceleration.

(9) Parked Cars ....do not go right up to the rear of the obstruction before stopping; you have a much better view by staying a good distance back and it’s easier to judge whether you should go or are forced to stop by the oncoming traffic.

(10) Traffic Lights…You must be thinking and watching carefully the changing sequences of each set of lights; they are almost always different. You should be ready to move off the moment the lights go green otherwise other Drivers will take advantage and cause you difficulty.

Copyright Astral Driving School © 2004

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K.I.S.S and make up.

Every one over the age of consent should have heard of the K.I.S.S. formula. Keep it simple stupid. It’s a useful philosophy in life especially for creative types I think. If your brain is going at 18,000 revolutions a minute rather like Schumacher at Monza, or Raikonnen at Spa -Francorchamps then things are likely to go a little off-course rather rapidement.

What I am talking about is the need to be relaxed and calm in your Driving style. This clearly comes with experience and confidence but can be learnt if you have a mind to, from the first time you sit in the Driving Seat, with that first Provisional License still in its shiny plastic envelope.

Learning the correct skills for handling a car from a professional is not a wimp’s choice but absolutely the way to go if you are going to stay safe, avoid accidents, particularly other driver’s mistakes.

Most accidents where two or more cars collide occur when one driver makes a mistake and the other(s) is just not concentrating enough and gets sucked into the mess!

The most common fault we see in Drivers of all ages is that of driving too close to the vehicle ahead and stopping too close, not giving enough time and space to react and dissipate the situation. Make no mistake …you Will be rear-ended and sometimes often in your Driving career. There is not a lot you can do to avoid this but you CAN avoid damaging the front of your car by stopping a suitable distance from the car ahead and of course using the handbrake.
Both these two simple techniques will prevent your engine and radiator from damage if you are unfortunate enough to be clouted up the rear end.

Don’t believe it can happen to you? We have been rear ended three times in the last two years. Once having stopped in a row of cars at traffic lights; once stopped at the foot of a steep hill and once stopped waiting to enter a roundabout.
The three Drivers in question were,in order, Male 22, with agitated female co-driver; Female 48 sole occupant; Male 53, sole occupant with brand new car.
The latter incident just a few months ago in a pupils’ car gave us both a very hefty pain in the neck for a few hours and illustrated what can be possible in a serious clout from behind.
Reasons for these collisions? Driving without taking sufficient notice of what is going on around. In all these cases we had been stopped for six or seven seconds before the impact illustrating the need to Keep your Distance; as well as staying alert.

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Launch of Astral Driving School Newsletter.

After deciding a year ago that a Newsletter or Ezine would be a useful addition to our Web Site and a further help to our visitors and Pupils it finally came into being this week.

“Turbo – Turnabout” will be a weekly ezine and will provide articles, hints and tips and other resources for subscribers. Like any new venture it is going to undergo changes regularly and there will be teething problems as the Author comes to grips with the behind the scenes technical aspects of the Publication. The content is the easy part. We have a space allocated for Guest Authors and will be happy to consider publication of Driving and Learner Driver Articles and experiences. E-Mail to info@astralmotoring.ie
We would also appreciate feedback and any suggestions for additional topics will be very welcome.

The system for mailing is totally automated and the programme was written by our Site Webmaster who is a Graduate of the Computer Faculty at the University of Limerick. http://www.ul.ie


The “click to subscribe button” is on the Home page of the Astral Driving School Website http://www.astralmotoring.ie and while a subscriber incentive in the way of a free download is not quite ready yet, we will happily e-mail a couple of our published Articles to all new subscribers as a thank you for joining our mailing list.

Currently the Newsletter will be sent in rich text format and it is expected that it will be turned into an html Ezine very soon. There will be photos in each issue and our current trials have shown that the download time on a 56kmodem is around 25 seconds so not a great problem for those of us still to become “Broadbanded”.

Issue no 2 is ready to be mailed next week probably on Tuesday 25th.October. We include a snippet of issue no 1 to give you some idea of what to expect. Hope you enjoy our publication and we look forward to much two-way communication from all our subscribers and Site visitors in the coming months. In issue no 2 next week we plan to hold a competition until Christmas for all subscribers; and no the First Prize won’t be the new six speed Mini –Cooper! When we have reached a zillion subscribers maybe! Which reminds me that FireFox reached their 100,000,000 downloads this week and is now slowly overhauling Internet Explorer. We see it in our own Web Site Visitor statistic trends now.
Excerpt from Issue No 1.
_____________________________________________________________
The Newsletter of Astral Driving School Ireland

Volume One Issue No.1 October 20th 2005
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Table of contents
----------------------

1. Introduction.
2. About Astral.
3. Breaking News.
4. Guest Article.
5. Feature Article.
6. Tip of the Week.
7. Driving Test Tips.
8. Recommended Resources.
9. Catwalk.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Turbo-Turnabout is a weekly Publication by the Astral Driving School to assist and inform all Drivers but particularly those starting off and those preparing for the Driving Test. We realise that every e-mail inbox is under siege now as we all become more and more reliant on the Internet for our daily activities. We strive to provide up to the minute info and hope that you will benefit from the content and pass on the Newsletter to friends and associates. We welcome suggestions, comments, and any items of newsworthy publication.
All content is copyright Astral Driving School © 2000-2005 unless………………………………………………………

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Guest Article.

None this week since there is already enough for you to get your teeth into!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Feature Article.

10 Good Reasons for taking Driving Lessons.
A guide for the Irish Learner Driver.

In a driving context, most of the decisions that you take and the techniques that you employ, will have both an economic and a safety impact. The decision to take driving lessons is really a simple one but one that will have far reaching consequences well into the future. Most, if not all, poor or dangerous habits in today’s drivers stem from the lack of professional tuition at the outset. In this second in a series of articles designed to assist today’s learner drivers we will have a look at the benefits in taking Professional Tuition……………………………………
^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&

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Road Safety Plan a Shambles

Eddy Shaw, chief executive of the National Safety Council was interviewed on T.V last night when he talked about discussions he had been engaged in at Leinster House. He highlighted that probably 370 people would lose their lives on the roads by the end of the year.
An acceptable level of fatalities, although none is acceptable, would be 240 per annum and this level would put us in an improved performance position in the European scheme of things.
He mentioned that there was a great willingness to work to achieve a major reduction in road accident levels but that there seemed to be poor co-ordination between all the various Departments.
The cost of our increasing level of Road Fatalities and Injuries is not just a Department of Transport issue but involves the Department of Health, The Department of Finance and those agencies involved in our roads infrastructure.
In other words virtually every Government Department has a role to play in co-ordinating the response needed to bring down the relentless carnage.

The fact that the Driving Test Centres can just close up while talks go on about new procedures, emphasises that the whole Learner Driver Training and monitoring issue is really not getting the attention it deserves.
If we had a fully operational system of Registration and Monitoring of Driving Schools and their Instructors, and mandatory Tuition from such accredited Schools, then the standard of young drivers pouring onto the Irish roads would undoubtedly be much better than it is currently.

The death toll from accidents involving our current crop of Learner Drivers would definitely be substantially reduced. There are far too many incapable and incompetent young drivers weaving their spell on our roads every day of the week. Retraining of errant Drivers who lose their licenses for many different reasons would also reduce the problems that we face .This system is in force in many countries where the road accident statistics are taken seriously.

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Driving Test Examiners reviewing the Situation?

Both Driving Test centres in Limerick and I imagine the rest of the Country are closed today and have been for a few days. Obviously the talks on the implementation of new structures are under way but what about the poor unfortunates waiting to sit their Tests?

With 109 Examiners we are talking about something over Four thousand Tests gone awol if the centres are closed for a Week. So I guess this will once again become a topic for inclusion on the Nine O’clock news if it hasn’t already.
As we mentioned in our earlier articles over many months the demographic shifts here in Ireland will continue to be the main reason for the ever lengthening test delays. However when we install a suitable system of Learner Driver Training and insist that this is met before allowing someone to sit a Driving Test then the problem will assume manageable proportions.

Our rate of immigration has been running at 50,000 for the last couple of years and if this trend continues to grow at its current rate then the implementation of Driving Lesson Legislation will become a much more heated scenario. All citizens will aspire to own and drive a car and without stricter rules governing this whole area we will pay a bigger price for the continuing carnage on the roads.

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World Wide Trend to Curb Learner Driver Activities.

Throughout the developed World the Authorities are finally waking up to the fact that unless stringent Learner Driver Laws are both introduced AND implemented then the procession of carnage and mayhem will continue unabated.

Australian States are introducing a phased programme of Learner Driver requirements which include 50 hours of supervision by a qualified Driver and including 10 hours night Driving. American States are bringing in many new restrictions particularly in the use of cell phones while driving. Portugal has a programme of 60 hours of tuition, before the Driving Test and Germany 50 hours; both split between theory and practical. Here in Ireland as we write we have zip....nada....! When we do things will improve for all Drivers and the current debate on the long waiting list for the Driving Test will be history!

Sadly we have witnessed Bus Drivers recently steering with one hand and the other on the phone. If instant communication is needed on a Bus, which I am sure it is, then an in – vehicle, professional hands free system should be installed.

A good many fatal accidents happen at night caused by lethal combination of lack of experience, speed and alcohol. Driving at night is not the same as day time driving and needs to be undertaken early in a Driver’s career in a controlled or supervised environment so that the full nature of the hazards can be understood.

Visibility is very different at night and if you add the likelihood of bad weather for many months of the year, this is a scenario which will tax even the most experienced of Drivers. Learner Drivers with little or no Driving Lessons under their belts are asking for trouble if they venture out at night. Their below par skills will just be accentuated at night with the obvious consequences.

When the various Departments here in Ireland get together and stop talking and take action on this issue then the events of the last two weekends will be significantly diminished.

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Driving Test Backlog Gets a Welcome Reduction! But When?

Naturally any planned improvement in the long waiting times for a Driving Test is to be welcomed. But we have heard it so many times before and not seen any implementation of the various proposed ideas.

Several years ago with extra Tests being conducted at Weekends and later Tests taking place during the longer summer evenings there was a very much improved situation. It foundered after just a few short weeks.

Unfortunately there seemed to be a lack of communication between the various Departments in the lead up to the new Provisional License Laws which were duly enacted on the first of January 2003. During December of 2002, with the legislation just days away, the Driving Test Administration Centre in Ballina, Co.Mayo was swamped in a tsunami style avalanche of Test Applications which naturally wiped out any recent improvements.

There has been much activity behind the scenes in recent months and in today’s Irish Times Motors supplement, which is well worth reading each week, it appears that the front runner for the Short Term contract for Driving Tests may go to the company currently engaged in providing the N.C.T. service.

Lest we should all think that it will shortly be no longer a problem…think again because the existing Examiner force are not happy with the situation and to add insult to injury the waiting list is growing at approximately 1500 souls per month according to David Labanyi:Motors Correspondent.

We have written extensively over the last few months on the reasons for the ever lengthening waiting list for the Irish Driving Test. Check our archives for the answers which will still be accurate in another year or two since there are many issues to be tackled. We should be starting at the bottom of the bucket and plugging the hole first. It would be easy enough to align ourselves with the more progressive countries in Europe and introduce mandatory tuition, which has also been bandied around since the year DOT, with no sign of implementation.

Surely the training of our young Drivers is of greater importance, than the number of Driving Tests carried out, if we are to reduce the continuing rise of Road Fatalities. Remember also that passing a Driving Test is not a conferring of expert status on the successful Candidate. It is going to take the average Driver several years of constant driving before a satisfactory level of skill is reached.

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Formula One Season comes to a Cracking Finale

The final race of the Season at Shanghai proved to be a fitting end to the Best Formula One Season in many a year, with recently crowned Champion Fernando Alonso winning his seventh Race to equal that of the Flying Finn Raikonnen.

The constructors’ championship could have gone right to the last corner but for the Mercedes of Montoya having one of his all too regular excursions off the track earlier in the race.
Next Season promises to be equally enthralling if not more so with the demise of four Teams and the new replacements.
Gone are Minardi; Sauber; BAR and sadly the Jordan teams.

There are rumours circulating the Paddock that Eddy Irvine (Irve the Swerve) will buy into one of the Teams and perhaps we may see the return of the Jordan name in a year or two.

Eddy Jordan proved just how much is possible with commitment, verve and an enthusiastic team behind you. Fifteen years of toil mixed with promise, elation and of course huge disappointments; otherwise known as life! The difficulty of matching the financial resources of huge engine manufacturers proves too much for all the minnows in Formula One and invariably demise is never very far away.
We look forward to the new crop of young and skilful Drivers that are appearing on the Scene currently.

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Driving Forum at Startpage.ie

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Carnage continues Unabated!

Another week end gone and deeper in the Mire. Three more lives lost over the weekend in three separate accidents around the country and this shows no sign of abating; nor will it until the various departments and agencies get their acts together.

The 17 to 25 age bracket continues to top the charts in the Accident Statistics League Table and in fact we continue to be almost the worst in Europe. Why, when we have such financial resources at our disposal now after a decade or more of phenomenal growth, are we still happy to be aligned with some of the poorest countries when it comes to creating a safe and sensible environment on the Roads?

The statistics are there for all to see and get trundled out every so often followed by comments from all the political parties as to what is about to happen next in combating the road safety issues. Nothing ever seems to happen.

After lots of huffing and puffing months ago about the private agency being brought in to reduce the Driving Test Backlog we currently have a deadlock in the ongoing discussion. Ongoing is what we excel at! Perhaps more to the point would be to examine in greater depth the reasons for this long waiting list and face up to those and then the so called problem would certainly reduce of its own accord in time.
We have espoused the many contributing factors leading to the huge waiting list, many times in recent months in our blog posts and articles.

The simple fact remains that if you cannot drive you shouldn’t be sitting a Driving Test.
Being able to take your car in and out of your local town or to the beach on a sunny day or to work every day does not mean you can drive. Most young Drivers that have not taken lessons from a professional are just not up to the job. Some may have good developing driving traits but then flushed with a sense of accomplishment do not give themselves adequate time to prepare for the Driving Test. Preparation requires a lot of thought and hard graft …those that do are rewarded; those that think it will be a breeze usually get what they deserve but rarely look in the mirror for the real reason for Test failure.

When compulsory Training is introduced as in other European Countries, and young Drivers are actually able to control their vehicles in all conditions, then and only then will we see a reduction in the regular weekend madness. Final point, it is a fact that Alcohol plays a part in about 40 % of fatal accidents generally.

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Ever Thought about Copyright Issues?

We are reprinting a recent Article by Jim Edwards in which he highlights his recent experience of having his whole website copied and one of his books sold from this stolen website at a reduced rate. This shows the perils of doing business on the Web unless you spend time in self education and keeping abreast of both good and bad.

When our Driving School web site was set up nearly six years ago it wasn't long before a colleague pointed out to me that an unscrupulous Web master and his Client, a West of Ireland Driving School had lifted one whole page which I had written and put it up on their site verbatim. They hadn't even the brains to put in a little change here and there. Apart from the indignation I felt at the time it also showed that the Driving School in question hadn't got enough knowledge itself to write a page of content. Doesn't say much for the calibre of the so called school does it?

Here's Jim's Article. Hope you get something of benefit from it. We will be reprinting other Author's Articles from now on in addition to our own copy and this is in preparation for a major makeover of the Astral Driving School site where we hope to create our own Article Directory and Archive.
---------------------------
---------------------------

Busting Online Copyright Thieves:- By Jim Edwards


How safe is anyone's copyright online?

Well imagine my surprise when I clicked on a website link to discover that someone had not only copied my website to their server - but was selling my ebook and undercutting me in the process! Some dishonest person operating from Eastern Europe had literally stolen my entire business and I discovered it only by sheer luck.

After some very lengthy and threatening emails I got them shut down, but the question remains, how safe is your copyright online and what can you do to protect it?

Traditionally written works have enjoyed copyright protection not only through the rule of law, but also because of the physical difficulty in stealing another person's work. Let's face it, photocopying a 200 page book rates about as much fun as watching paint dry and at 5 cents a page you're talking a quick ten dollar printing bill.

If you steal someone's book, print up a thousand copies and try to get it onto the local bookstore's shelves, the chances of getting caught rank pretty high.

But the online world has changed those rules and physical safeguards significantly. The Internet, email and the Web make it easier than ever to steal someone else's work. With the most basic skills and a few mouse clicks, someone can take your book, your website, and along with it weeks, months, and even years of your hard work.

Though intellectual property and international copyright laws apply to online works, enforcement of those laws is expensive and, in many cases, hard to enforce.

Well don't despair, you do have options if you find someone has violated your copyright online. Anytime I find someone violating my copyright, which isn't very often, I take these three steps in rapid-fire fashion.

First, make 100% sure the other person realizes they have violated your copyright. You can send them a nice but firm note telling them to stop whatever activity violates your copyright. If that doesn't work move on to step two.

Second, once you know with 100% certainty they understand they have violated your copyright, yet refuse to respond or stop, you need to shut them down by eliminating their ability to do business!

Send them an email with a carbon copy sent to their Internet Service Provider (ISP), their credit card processor, their web hosting company, and even the company that sold them their domain name.

Finally, follow this email up with a hard copy letter to each party sent via registered mail. In the email and letter detail exactly how they have blatantly violated your copyright and you want them to desist immediately.

By taking this approach you can often just bypass the offending party because the companies enabling them to transact business don't want any trouble. If you can show copyright violation they will shut the perpetrator down to avoid getting sued themselves.

Though not foolproof, this strategy can help you when facing down a blatant online copyright violator. Just remember to act quickly, thoroughly and don't hesitate to contact your attorney for advice.

Author's Note: By no means let this article dampen your enthusiasm for operating your business or selling your ebook online!

In my opinion there is no better way to make a living!

Your copyright is basically as safe online as it is offline. However, if a sneak thief entered your home - you'd call the cops. Well, now you know what to do if a sneak thief ever gives you trouble online!

You can also get more information about copyright law by going to http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved =================
Author Bio:

Jim Edwards, a.k.a. TheNetReporter.com, is a syndicated newspaper columnist, nationally recognized speaker, author, and web developer. Owner of nine (9) successful e-businesses as well as a professional consulting firm, Jim's writing comes straight off the front lines of the Internet and e-commerce.

Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months... without spending a dime on advertising! ==> Turn Words Into Traffic

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
=============================
We welcome constructive criticism of our Web Site and our Blogs please let us know how we can improve our services to you. We are still on our Web Provisional License and we expect to be sitting our Webpreneur Driving Test towards the end of the year which is fast approaching. Watch out for some really new stuff on the Astral Site by the new year which will include free downloads and plenty to keep you busy.

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Irish Health Dot Com. Sleep Deprivation Accidents Forum.

Irish Health.Com is an excellent Web Site and as it points out this morning it is not the Phantom Site that never existed and cost the Tax payer €3,000,000 as reported in the media yesterday. There are usually Driving related articles and well worth a visit to either contribute or hear what Drivers have to say.The link to the site is at the end of this post.

Here's the post we made this morning:-

Good lively debate now. Could I please ask the person who is posting her comments with all the spelling and typos mistakes to take more time with her posts. First impressions count? In another couple of years, with the horrendous level of grammar and spelling we have, which is fuelled by the Mobile phone phenomenon, we will need interpreters to read articles!

I totally agree with Simon and also the Limerick -Shannon commuter.Until the relative Government Departments become serious about our Driving Statistics we will continue to read about events such as Donegal last weekend.

On average, it will take a driver under 30 years of age approximately 30 hours of professional tuition to reach a satisfactory standard in their Driving. Over this age it will be an hour and a half for each year of life. We are not talking about Driving Test Standard here, we a refer to a satisfactory level of awareness and control that far exceeds what is required on the Test.

In answer to the previous post any good Driving Instructor will give his or her pupils an in-depth course which includes rural roads and all their specific hazzards and most of the points mentioned. Obviously snow, ice and driving rain experience cannot be conjured up at will. Rain is less of a problem here in Limerick since the Gulf Stream ensures we get plenty of it.
Just the other day a pupil of mine commented that his lesson on that day was the first in six weeks without rain.

Finally for all those interested, in just a couple of months it will be the Fourth anniversary of the date that Registration and Monitoring of Driving Instructors WAS to have been implemented. I guess I could be retired like Simon before this becomes reality. Meanwhile we live in hope?

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=8264

Astral Driving School

Limerick.Com. Limerick Portal for all things Bright and Beautiful

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Legal or Lethal?

Our first Frost of the Season is a good time to mention the perils that lie in wait for young and inexperienced Drivers who joined the army of Motorists during the Summer Months.
Our current legal Tyre Tread Depth of 1.6mm will need a lot of scrutiny. The current level, while legal, will put you into the Lethal Zone in bad weather and road conditions.

1.6 mm represents a Tyre that is 80% worn leaving you with a meagre 20% to play around with. While on a perfectly dry road in the summer with no loose surface you might believe that all is well but come the first slippery surface and you will get something of a wake-up call. Your braking distance will be significantly increased and since we have yet to learn how to keep a safe distance from those vehicles ahead we will run the risk of rear ending them with the attendant costs. Don’t believe me?

We have been rear-ended three times in the last two years; on each occasion we had been stopped for at least 8 seconds. Once at a roundabout, once in a queue at Traffic lights and once at a major Tee Junction at the foot of a Steep Hill. One young Male; one early middle aged Female and one Middle aged Male. In other words a good cross section of Irish Drivers who don’t have a grasp of the basics!

There has been some talk recently of reviewing the Legal Tread limit and increasing it to 2.0mm which would be an excellent move. Remember when you are in the Driving Seat YOU and YOU alone are the person responsible for everything that goes on in and around and under your car. No one else. Not the Minister, not the Department, not the Driving Examiner, not the Legislation.

A final note of advice today. The ambient temperature has dropped significantly over the last day or two, which means a much greater time to bring the Engine to normal operating limits. Yesterday my car took eight miles and approximately 15 minutes to reach normal temperature. Today as an experiment, ten minutes at tick-over to clear the windows of Frost and the Coolant Temperature gauge hadn’t budged from Zero. Moral here is during the autumn and winter months, especially after heavy frost, switch the engine on ten minutes before you leave the house and don’t attempt to use the Kettle to clear your Windscreens. With the car at normal operating temperature and your visibility clear, you will be more alert and the car will respond as it normally does leaving you more time to assess the road conditions and adjust your speed.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Driving Forum at Startpage.ie

Learner Drivers

Driving in Ireland

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First Steps in Driving

The Dark Side Of Blogs

The Dark Side Of Blogs is an article published by Jim Edwards today, which I feel compelled to share with you all,since it touches on a theme close to my heart which I posted about a few days ago.Jim is a very approachable Author and I have him to thank for getting me going with this Blog.I have included a link to one of Jim's many great books at the end of this article.

Blogs aren't all peaches and cream... there's a @#$%^ element out
there that uses blogs and the social dynamics of blogs to spread
their !@#$%^ and, frankly, I'm sick of it.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Dark Side Of Blogs

- by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
The Net Reporter Ezine
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

America Online (AOL) announced recently they will pay as
much as 25 million dollars for Weblogs, Inc.
(www.weblogsinc.com) in a move to expand their reach even
further into the consumer market.

Blogs, also know as weblogs, enable individuals to post,
comment, and respond to various topics online without
publishing a website. All text editing and commenting takes
place right through the web browser.

The Web's leading blog search engine, Technorati.com, lists
19.2 million blogs online.

Blog popularity has skyrocketed to the point that even news
networks like CNN and MSNBC quote blogs, in particular
political blogs, often giving some blog publishers instant
rock star status with the media.

With all the hoopla around blogs, people forget that blogs,
by their very nature, represent opinions, and opinions don't
necessarily represent the facts.

~ Information Pollution Syndrome ~

Blogs use a powerful form of psychology know as "social
proof" where we look to others to help us understand how we
should view, feel, or react to news and information.

Since the glut of information only gets more massive online
with each passing day and rates impossible for one person to
get through completely on their own, we look to others to
help us sort the piles of data.

When you combine this with another online phenomenon,
virtual anonymity, you get a volatile combination where any
social responsibility for what gets posted flies out the
window in many cases.

People can and do post whatever they want because no "hall
monitor" can call them down for blatant intellectual
hooliganism.

~ Facts Colored With Opinion ~

Strong opinion often equals an agenda, however hard to
discern for either the author or the reader.

But make no mistake, every person publishing a blog with any
level of readership (not junk blogs used for search engine
promotion) takes a stance on the issues, whether political,
social, religious or business.

Even if they strive to be impartial and only report the
"news," blog publishers are human beings who want you to
think they're smart, agree with them, and accept their point
of view, even if they don't realize it consciously.

Less scrupulous blog publishers often exploit the social and
psychological power of blogs to spread disinformation
(intentionally wrong information) to further their agenda.
This tactic rates quite popular on political blogs and has
started creeping into business blogs too.

~ Protect Yourself ~

Whenever you read anything online, use the following
evaluation criteria to help separate fact from opinion.

What is my purpose in searching for information on this
subject?

Is this a credible source of information?

What ulterior motive, conscious or otherwise, do they have
in publishing this information?

What alternative sources of information can I find to
confirm / dispute the information on this blog?

Don't rely heavily on the opinions of others to make your
decisions, especially the opinions of nameless, faceless
bloggers with a self-serving agenda who operate with a veil
of anonymity and a no sense of social responsibility.

--
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/Frolics as Flying Finn Kimi pips Fizzi at the Flag.

Today’s penultimate Grand Prix of the Formula One Season produce the best racing of the year to date as Kimi Raikonnen in his magic Mclaren passed the Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella on the penultimate lap to win the Suzuka Race.

To come from last on the grid as a result of an earlier engine change penalty, to win the race is a testament to the Kimster and his skill as one of the very best Racing Drivers of all time. He has won seven of the races to World Champion Alonso’s six this year and undoubtedly will become World Champion when Mercedes get their act together.
It has been a memorable season with Alonso becoming the youngest ever World Champion two weeks ago and the Constructors Championship going right down to the wire at the last race in Shanghai in a weeks time. At the moment Renault and Mclaren are level on points so the prospect of a titanic battle in China next weekend is mouth watering.

Time to pass a brief comment on the outgoing World Champion Michael Schumacher who has battled bravely through the season with an ailing Ferrari. He has given all Motor sport fans worldwide 14 years of great entertainment with his great driving skills and in typical fashion is not in any hurry to pass on the Winners laurels to the young bloods .Every dog has his day and we are certainly seeing the end of an illustrious career that started with Eddy Jordan’s fledgling team at Spa Francorchamps in 1991.

If only Eddy had managed to hold onto Michael for a few races back then the picture of the Formula One Championship would certainly have been different. Sad to see Jordan languishing at the bottom of the Table in the hands of a less than capable owner. Maybe Eddy Jordan will put some of his fabulous wealth back into helping yet more new young bloods to a career in Motor Racing .Not that he needs to; he has shown the world just what entrepreneurial spirit lurks within our little Island time and again.

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Driving Test Tips Revisited.

We have been running our Blog now for just four months and it has been an illuminating experience punctuated with lots of hard work and many hours at the Computer. The purpose behind our blogs and indeed our Web Site has been to help the many hundreds, nay thousands of Drivers who are preparing (!) to sit their Driving Test. The information that we disseminate freely has taken a lifetime to build and collate and certainly is of great value to all Learner Drivers, whether just starting off or finally getting ready to sit a Driving Test because the Law now insists that we don’t spend twenty five years on a Provisional License.

Just a week ago an anonymous blogger came across a post I made to a forum and took exception to my comments, branding me a racist, to which I take great exception. Unfortunately the scourge of Anonymous blogs allows anything to be said about anybody without fear of retribution. Not only was my post printed out of context but a photo was stolen from my Web site which is in breach of copyright. I view the comments levelled at me as libellous but if anyone out there happens to stumble on this post(or indeed mine) and takes offence I apologise in advance.
I am not Irish but my two daughters were both born in Limerick and I myself do happen to come from an interesting multi- cultural background with a Stepmother who was Hungarian and spoke seven languages. I have therefore been very used to mixing with many different nationalities throughout my life and business career and continue to do so very happily.
All in all, not a happy situation for myself since I have from an early age grown up in a multi racial environment, been to a multi racial school, had multi racial friends and indeed looked after many Learner Drivers from many countries and several Continents.

There has been quite a lot of media coverage in recent days of the fast changing Irish Society in which we all live and prosper and of the far reaching changes that we will face as Ireland opens its borders to all nationalities in the coming months and years. This changing environment, which finally takes Ireland out of the dark ages and into the 21st century as a country to be reckoned with, is already having an impact on our Driving Environment. The long waiting list for a Driving Test Appointment is not going to change in the short term because of the huge Demographic shifts which we are experiencing. This is creating a much more difficult situation for Learner Drivers than a few years ago since, having applied for a Driving Test, the date is so far into the future that it is forgotten about and then only resurrected a couple of weeks before the Test which is much too late to be preparing.
We have written much, in great detail, about Driving Test preparation and it is all available in our archives and in our articles published on the Web.

Here is a summary of the Top Ten Tips:-

1. Take Professional Lessons at least six to eight weeks before your expected Test Date.

2. Familiarise yourself with all the areas that Tests are conducted in, at different times and different days of the Week.


3. Know the Rules of the Road inside out.

4. Know all your secondary controls and how to switch them on or use them with out taking your eyes off the Road.


5. Ensure that you are totally familiar with all the New Technical Checks that you will be asked to demonstrate. These came in on 14/02/05

6. Get your car cleaned up and ALL loose articles removed.


7. Ensure all your paperwork is in order .License, Insurance, N.C.T.

8. Perfect both Reversing Manoeuvres so that you can do them in your sleep. This will take a lot of practise but we are talking about 25% of our marks here if you pick up one fault on each exercise.

9. Practise the Box Junction technique with reference to major Traffic Light intersections. This is not easy especially if you have thoughtless and unskilled Drivers making a thorough clown of them selves behind you.

10. Don’t change your Car or book a strange Driving School Car just before your Test; use the car that you are most familiar with.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

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Limerick.Com Limerick Dot Com published our first Article on the Web a year ago and yes its purpose was to help all Non-National Drivers Driving in Ireland for the First Time.

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Re..Cycling . A Dangerous Sport for Land - Fill Operatives

Drivers have traditionally waged mental war with Cyclists and with good reason.
Since there is no legislation covering training of cyclists, inevitably the standard is very poor and that’s being charitable. Throughout our working day it is common to meet cyclists who are riding the wrong way down any street, on the wrong side of the road. Complete disregard for Traffic Lights and of course the probable action of other road users is common.
At night it is rare to see a Cyclist with any kind of lighting apparatus but thankfully it has become much rarer in recent years to encounter elderly men wobbling their way home from the Pub at all hours.
On average, in any given Month of daily driving in our locality we would encounter just one hand signal from a cyclist. Two in a month and we get excited.
The other day we came across an elderly cyclist who was in excellent control of his machine and who went to some lengths to signal his intention to turn right despite being weighed down with a pannier. The difference between Road users with experience and those who think they can run riot is remarkable. Young Cyclists who have no knowledge of the law, or who are happy to ignore it, will clearly become the next Generation of Incompetent Drivers with the results a foregone conclusion.
Probably young tearaways on cycles who are unlikely to ever be admonished by the Gardai will end up on powerful Motorbikes exhibiting similar skills!

One humorous not to finish with. A couple of years ago as we approached the rear gates of Limerick University we were cautiously keeping our distance from a cyclist who was carrying the equivalent of the contents of a Ten Ton Truck .As always in this particular location, we learn to expect that a Cyclist will almost certainly be turning right into the College, so we prepare in advance for this event by holding back and waiting for the inevitable.
The Student in question had a ruck sack on his back and stuff attached to the front and rear of the bike which was a feat in itself to manage any forward movement. As the head cocked to the right, a giveaway clue to the cyclist’s intentions, as he strained to hear any approaching traffic from behind, he obviously had to make a quick decision hearing the purr of our Turbo Diesel. So without further deliberation his Right Leg ejected out to its fullest extent and he swooped across the road to make his turn.
Here was a guy who knew he had to signal but who also realised that if he used his right arm he would have been spread eagled in the road with his lunch box and thesis crumpled by the approaching menace. A very good decision in the circumstances since the huge weight on the bike would have been unmanageable with one hand. This cyclist received our Innovation Award of the Year but obviously not a safe thing to be carrying such a load.

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Get the Point and Arrive Alive…….

Up to now we have been concentrating on Driving Skills or rather the lack of them in our blog posts and articles. Today we will look at the problem of Drinking and Driving which still doesn’t receive enough attention and which causes untold misery and costs the country Millions of Euro every year.

Some interesting statistics just released for the U.K. state that one quarter of all drivers killed in Road Accidents last year were over the legal limit. This figure is the highest for twenty years and once again the age group most likely to fit into this statistic are the males from 17 to 19 years of age.

While the level of fatalities fell last year to its lowest ever at 3,221 the Drink Driving figures have been rising steadily for the last seven years. Britain, Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg are the only Countries in Europe still clinging to the 80.mg. of alcohol per 100ml.of blood.

The lessons to be learnt from this are obvious….if we want to be serious about reducing the death toll on the roads we should bring in a lower limit of alcohol tolerance and put the infrastructure in place to both police it and enforce it.
The A and E departments in Hospitals are overflowing with road accident victims at weekends making it difficult for other patients to be dealt with speedily. A friend recently was told to go away and come back during the week since this particular department was overrun with crash casualties. He had been recovering from a serious operation.

To finish up with my favourite desert we will continue to pay the price of the total failure of the various agencies and the Department of Transport to implement proper training and testing legislation for new and young Drivers. The legislation covering the accreditation and check testing of Driving Instructors is also way overdue and is responsible for the continuing appalling standards of new drivers who are not being trained adequately. This lack of training just adds to the increasing number s of drivers failing the Driving Test.
The lengthy waiting list for a Driving Test is going to be with us for a considerable time into the future until the mandatory tuition which is common throughout Europe, is brought in.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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