Arrive Alive..........

Learner Drivers need to be shown the Way by their Parents!

2006-06-22T08:07:00.000Z

There is currently worldwide scrutiny of Driver Training activities and regulations as respective Governments and Transport Ministries finally realise that learner Drivers are not magically going to transform themselves into competent, safe and conscientious drivers!

Virtually every State in the America is evaluating its’ licensing laws and regulations at the moment as more and more young drivers take to the road and then obliterate themselves and their passengers.

In Australia and New Zealand tougher measures are being rolled out to control reckless and Drink Driving which clearly is a global problem!

The European Union is bringing in continual changes to Driver Education regulations and the format of Driving Tests. In fact in Europe currently mandatory Tuition before sitting a Driving Test is the norm as is the Regulation, Monitoring and Testing of Driving Instructors and Schools.

The recent announcement of the Regulation of Driving Instructors in Ireland is to be welcomed but it is long overdue and is only now being recognised as an integral part of the solution to the ever increasing level of accidents and road fatalities!

The cost of accidents to the Irish Exchequer is reckoned to be around € 1Billion per Annum. You don’t need to be an Einstein to realise that a fraction of this figure, if spent on Driver Education (and re-education for miscreants) would pay handsome dividends.

However the improvement of Road accident statistics can begin with a change in attitude of all existing Drivers. It is too late for a Parent to complain of the lack of Government Regulations after a son or Daughter has been killed!

Parents have a responsibility to guide their offspring to sensible decisions regarding Driving Lessons, choice of cars and certain other critical motoring standards, such as restricting the number of passengers carried until the Driver is competent.

We will wait anxiously to see exactly how the new Driving Instructor and Driving License proposals are enacted and what means of enforcement are employed.

Astral Driving School. Limerick. (c)2006
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The Destruction Left by Motor Accidents—The True Cost!

2006-06-01T08:18:00.000Z

Most people are clearly horrified by the Carnage on the roads but after the News bulletin has faded or the Paper thrown into the bin the horror subsides and we get on with our lives until the next broadcast, which in the case of the Irish Driving Scene is all too soon! Recent figures show 31 persons killed in Motor Accidents for the Month of MAY 2006.

The age group represented by the highest casualty figure is naturally, but sadly the 16 -30 category with 14 fatalities. Next up is the 30 -40 age group with 5 deaths; the 40 -50 age bracket with just 2 and also unsurprisingly the 50 -60 age group with 4 deaths and the over 60’s with 6. In this latter category 4 out of the 6 were over 70 which indicates a similar vulnerability to the youngest age group. Most of this older age group would have been pedestrians or passengers...

The facts speak for themselves. As a rough guide 33 per cent of all fatalities during May 2006 were in the under twenty five age group …most of these would have been Drivers and some would have been passengers. It is very common for a driver to be killed when involved in a single car accident which involves the driver losing control of the car and leaving the road at high speed and finally either hitting a wall or a tree or plunging into a dyke or ditch.

Losing control of a vehicle because of too high a speed for the road conditions is a common mistake made by very many young and untrained Drivers. If you undertake proper Driver Training at the outset before taking the Driving Test then this occurrence is likely to be very rare indeed.

In many accidents involving inexperienced Drivers, passengers are also killed or seriously injured with long term life changing injuries. The life changing aspects affect not only the injured parties themselves but their families as well.
We have always pleaded with our pupils not to carry other passengers until they have clocked up several years driving after passing their Driving Test and certainly not to be carrying young children especially some one else’s.

Young children are particularly vulnerable to serious injury in a collision as their bodies have not had a chance to grow and build strength as in an Adult .Non wearing of seat belts by children will almost certainly cause death in a serious accident! Yet we still see Parents driving with their children unbelted.

Apart from the human cost and suffering as a result of the aftermath of car accidents there is the hidden cost. Hidden to most people because they are only aware of the mangled bodies but to the Emergency Services and of course the State Coffers it is a very different story and far from hidden!

A spokes person for the Irish Insurance Federation gave some stark and sobering figures when interviewed recently:-
The average cost of a car repair following an accident equates to approximately €2,500.; €30,000 is commonplace in the case of personal injuries incurred and a staggering figure of up to € 4 or € 5 million in the case of deaths as a result of an accident.

The cost to the State of Motor Accidents is reckoned to be in the region of €1Billion per annum. To say that this is unsustainable is to understate the seriousness of the situation.

The introduction of sensible and enforceable Mandatory training for young Drivers and a system of Driving Test Management similar to most other European Countries would go a long way to reducing this carnage.

Arrive Alive (the Astral Driving School Blog ©June 2005)

2006-05-31T12:35:00.000Z

Arrive Alive (the Astral Driving School Blog ©June 2005)
(or if you prefer the R.S.A. Summer Campaign)

Good news today with the announcement of tough new Legislation that for
once will be put into force before the Dail Brakes for its Summer recess!( we need to be pleading with the road Safety Oracle(no not Gay Byrne!) that this time the trumpet fanfares are justified!).

Worth pointing out that it is now 4 years +4 months and 31 days since the Regulation, Examination and Monitoring of Driving Instructors was due to be implemented! So keep your plaudits under the bonnet (hood for Transatlantic visitors) for another week or so and lets see what happens (or doesn’t as the case may be!)

The Brakes have been on for far too long with a pile of legislation that has been gathering dust since most cars had only three gears and a strange wobbly lever thingy jutting out from the Steering column. Weren’t those days wonderful with little yellow plastic things which pretended to be indicators and at least ten cars on the side of the road with steam billowing out from under the bonnet (?) during any ten mile journey in the Summer! Summers were Summers back then and driving with Kids in the back was something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy…I should know I was one of them!

Random Breath Testing will come into effect and along with this will be an immediate and on the spot confiscation of the Driving License if the legal limit of 80mg is exceeded. The Ban will last for 6 months which should give most individuals plenty of time to reflect on their plight and also to hire a chauffeur or indeed look for another job! Any Driver whose prime activity is piloting a Company Van, Truck or Car and who also is in the habit of taking a drink should brush up his (or her?) C.V it may be needed sooner than you think.

Mobile phone (cell) use while Driving will also be outlawed and many little Black flight recorders will be hidden in the hedgerows. Not sure whether they will be black or not though; perhaps green to blend in with the scenery? To the cognoscenti these will not be monitoring low flying Aircraft but low Flying cars trying to emulate the former .i.e. Shpeed Camera Yokes!
Perhaps the roads will be much less crowded in double quick time if these measures are well enforced and The Minister for Justice has to cut short his own Summer Recess and put out an emergency Call for 3000 new Gardai to keep up with the demands .

All of the proposed measures are long overdue as most right thinking citizens will agree, even those who are not Drivers. Pedestrians are a most overlooked category of road user and also fall foul of treacherous Driving. They do however; have their own catalogue of misdemeanours which can make a driver’s hair curl and cause difficulties to Learner Drivers on their Driving Tests more than just occasionally.

Very gratifying to note that the Summer Campaign by the newly inaugurated Road Safety Authority against drink driving has been named “Arrive Alive” which is by complete coincidence the name of the first Astral Driving School Blog set up just a year ago. Looking forward to oodles of more traffic as a result of this endorsement. Actually there is a South African Driving Web Site with the same name…isn’t it great that there is no copyright on everyday words?

While we are on (so to speak) our blogging levels have been almost zero for the last couple of months as we attended Seminars and Workshops and the rebuilding of the Astral Driving School Web Site which goes live in a few more days. So apologies to any of our earlier visitors who thought we had emigrated or passed out (!)

Just launched ...the Astral Driving School forum...so go take a look …it’s still in its infancy but make a post or a comment as long as it’s printable and as long as you do a spell check.! How I hate Forum posts and Blog entries that look like a Text message with gastric attachments!

http://www.astralmotoring.ie ….. website
http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com …..Arrive Alive…
http://forum.astralmotoring.ie …..Forum
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Penalty Points coming to a Town Near You!

2006-03-15T10:42:00.000Z

Just days away to the Introduction of the next round of Penalty Points it’s worth looking at the rationale behind this system. When you are starting your Driving career it is unlikely that you will instinctively know when you are doing wrong or indeed breaking the Law. If you have not taken Driving Lessons with a Professional School then you are going to be considerably at risk of flaunting some of the very basic rules of the road and in considerable danger most of the time.

It’s a fact that young drivers both male and female are much more likely to be involved in serious accidents due to the lack of training .Training highlights the need to be very committed to a high standard of driving skills right from the off; and we are not talking about passing a Driving Test here we are talking about staying alive in the very hectic driving environment that we have today.

Unfortunately, and it’s a natural human failing, that so much emphasis is placed on the Driving Test and very little on Driving Skills for Life, most untutored Learner Drivers are going to find out the hard way .The hard road is also likely to be extremely expensive as well and in many scenarios it will be forever life changing!

We live in a fast moving world especially when behind the wheel of a lethal projectile and if we don’t have enough sense to learn some valuable lessons early on, and then the Law of the Land takes over and levies some rather harsh penalties. Forcing someone to obey the Driving Laws is a last resort but absolutely necessary.

There is so much backed up and talked about Legislative change that you could script a full length Spielberg epic with it. It is of epic proportions and will continue to be a talking point in all the media channels until we stop killing each other off in truckloads every year.

If we would take some ideas on board that are already in Law in many of our neighbouring European Countries things would improve over time .Right now the accident rates are increasing steadily due to a lack of will on behalf of the Legislators to bring laws into force and to police them adequately!

Here is an example from the U.K. If a newly qualified Driver in his or her first two years after passing the Driving Test, picks up six penalty points then the Driving License is immediately revoked and the person has to go through the whole process of learning to drive all over again!. Yes that is a provisional license, followed by a Driving Test and the fee to transfer the provisional license to a full license after passing the Test a second time!

Makes sense…and hopefully encourages new drivers to behave themselves and drive sensibly and within the law at all times .Driving Test first time
Pass rates have been continuing to fall in the U.K. as more stringent parameters are applied. Here in Ireland we are not concerned with Driving Standards seemingly; the only thing that worries Learner Drivers and others, who like publicity on a current bandwagon, is the waiting list to get a Test appointment!

If beginner drivers took lessons with a Professional School then the waiting lists would be much reduced as the tsunami of ill-equipped and unready for the Test, Candidates wouldn’t be clogging up the waiting rooms!
Let’s see what happens after April 1st 2006 and the following months and we will then get a better idea of what will be additionally needed to improve out Road Accident statistics here in Ireland.

Astral Driving School Ireland. Learn with the Professionals

The Complete Beginner

2006-03-03T18:13:00.000Z

The Complete beginner should first read the Theory Test and Provisional License pages at our web site under heading .The Test. to acquaint themselves with all that these items entail.

Learning to Drive need not be a harrowing experience nor should it be viewed as a lengthy drawn out affair. Providing you take Professional Lessons at the outset you will be able to drive competently within a few weeks, following completion of Module one which runs for approximately Ten Hours.

At this point you will have covered all the Theory and Technical requirements to be safe on the road but of course you will have a long way to go to reaching driving Test Standard. During this first module you will experience plenty of reversing manoeuvres, a high speed run on a carriageway which will test several new skills, including a firm understanding of the importance of correct fifth gear usage. Or if you are planning on buying a Mini or an Alfa Romeo…sixth gear!

Most beginner drivers are of the opinion that the Driving Test is all that is going to be required to be a skilful and competent driver. Passing the current Irish Driving Test is certainly much more difficult than a few years ago but it is not yet up to the highest of European Standards and should be regarded as just the start of the Learning process that will continue throughout your driving career. It is only the beginning not the end of the process of being a competent and courteous Driver.

Even if you do pass the Test at your first attempt( and many do not) it will be several years before you can say that you are becoming a reasonably experienced and safe driver .This can only be achieved with very regular driving under all conditions imaginable and this of course takes time. It is a very different kettle of fish to be driving on a beautiful summer evening with everyone at home watching the International Soccer on T.V and battling with a howling gale on an Irish Country road in the middle of winter!

Parents, Boyfriends, Girlfriends or other relatives should be completely absent during this beginner phase since they are not equipped to impart the up to date skills needed to survive in the driving World that we have today. They may not even have taken a Driving Test themselves and invariably will be displaying many of the poor habits that lead to many of today’s accidents. After the first phase then by all means enrol some additional help in the form of an accompanying driver as you venture further afield in your driving adventures.

Advanced professional tuition at this early stage is vital to Your safety on the road and that of other road users.

Go take a look at our article entitled “Ten Tips on Choosing your Irish Driving Instructor” at Ezine Aricles.Com , the Leading Internet Article Directory.You could of course navigate to it below but we are aware of the configuration limitations of this Blog and are working to finalise not only our Newly expanded web site but our blogs as well making a better reader experience in the process.

CopyRight(c)Robin Piggott.Astral Driving School.Ireland.2000-20006

Penalty Points about to be added…Hoorah!

2006-02-03T13:03:00.000Z

Last week the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen TD announced the introduction of a further 30 offences to the existing 4(!)
On the first of April (an appropriate date!!!) these additional offences will become live and Motorists need to be alert and aware especially since there has also been promised a much greater Garda presence on the side of the road or in the middle, as the case may be.
One of the omissions during the announcement, much to the dismay of sensible Motorists and indeed The Driving Tuition Profession and Road Safety Groups, was the absence of any Mobile Phone clause.
The continued use of Mobile phones while driving especially amongst the Younger and Learner Driver sector is a cause for alarm.

Hell it’s difficult enough for an experienced Driver to deal adequately and safely with all the situations that he or she comes across during a driving Trip without being distracted by cell phone use. For learner and inexperienced Drivers cell phone use while driving is not only insane but a great danger to all other road users.

Mature (!) Drivers are not setting a good example in this arena by exhibiting one-handed techniques while cornering constantly in their daily travels.
We see it many times a day and of course the longer you get away with a dangerous (and stupid!) habit ,the closer you are getting to that day when all hell breaks loose and your conversation about last nights’ party or meeting will turn in to an expensive Nightmare.

Several days after the above mentioned announcements, we were invited to participate in a Live Radio Broadcast from Limerick 95FM .The Morning Show under the Guidance of Ed Myers always provides a good forum on Motoring Matters and we are grateful to be able to put our point of view across. Thankfully, during the debate which included Senator Michael Finnucane, no mention was made of the Real cause of all our Motoring and Driving Test problems, which as we all know rests entirely with the Driving Tuition Profession.
This hobby horse gets Rolled out or is it Rocked! …periodically by Politicians of all shades as the main cause for everything rotten in the State of Motoring (apologies to Mr William Shakespeare who is not available for comment!)

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NO POSTS for a While....

2006-02-01T15:59:00.000Z

We have been concentrating on our new Internet Marketing Blog for the last week hence no posts for a while, however eventually we will get all our content on the two Learner Driver Blogs funnelled into one readable usable Blog.

If you find that Arrive Alive is a little hard on the eyes you could try our Motorvating Blog which is powered by Wordpress There is currently a lot more information on Arrive Alive,however, so you have a choice.

We are not computer professionals so bear with us as we gradually improve the feel and experience of the Astral Driving School Blogs. Our expertise on Four Wheels however is …well you can judge for yourself! We take great delight in teaching our enthusiastic pupils not quite so much delight with those who ring us up one week from their Driving Test and expect to Pass!

Have a good day and drive safely.

If you head on over to the Web’s Foremost Article Directory via this link it will take you to our own Library of Articles which are not all Driving related .In fact now I come to think of it Our direct Feed for these articles is somewhere in the depths of the Arrive Alive Blog but a little difficult to se because of the colours currently
Platinum Author Robin Piggott

Driving Test Delays No Nearer to being Solved!

2006-01-24T13:05:00.000Z

A brief Article on some of the reasons for the Irish Driving Tests Delay Syndrome(D.T.D.S) is being published as we Speak / Write or Drive but you can read the full text in glorious Wordpress-Scope (c) Astral Driving School. at our "other Blog"... Motorvating at Blogs.ie

Here is a snippet:-

[[ We have talked and written a lot in the last six months about all the reasons for Driving Test Delays, of which there are many! It would make interesting reading to set up a questionnaire for the Public to see what the perception actually is.Depending on which sector one happens to belong to, the results would be stark in their emphasis.
(1) If you belong to the Mature Adult Sector then assuming you have been driving since your early twenties you will have built up a very substantial memory bank of situations, experiences and horror stories that will affect your opinion. You will no doubt be concerned that we have(a) no real incentive to progress beyond a Provisional Licence unless forced to, or (b) that today’s new young drivers seem to think that learning sufficient to “Pass the Test ”is quite enough driver education thank-you!............]]

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Do Dog Handlers need to Pass a Dog Driving Test?

2006-01-22T07:53:00.000Z

This morning’s post is inspired by an excellent new Website that specializes in Dog Training. It’s at the following link http://www.dogpotentials.com and the Author is Christi Upson who has been training dogs for more years than Joe Vitale has books to his credit. Who is Joe Vitale you might ask?

Well Joe is an exceptional Author and Internet marketer with way too many books to his credit to list here (sorry Joe ...Just couldn’t resist!).I think it was Joe Vitale’s web site http://www.mrfire.com that first introduced me to the wonderful world of the Internet and the opportunities therein. He also has the distinction of knocking Harry Potter off the Amazon top slot recently with one of his new books (way too many too mention here ...you get the message!)

Christi’s web site is well worth a visit if you are a Can-0-phile and the articles on the various ways and means of getting your pooch to do its party pieces or behave in the Ring are entertaining and informative. The Dog that can walk backwards and then sway and play dead is an absolute howl (sorry!) Christi’s Blog is at http://dogpotentials.blogspot.com .

Back to the task at hand in training not Dog Handlers but Car Handlers otherwise known as Provisional License Holders or Learner Drivers. Here in Ireland we have one of the worst Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Europe both Deaths and serious injuries. Children make up a good proportion of these figures every year. Why is this so?

Well apart from the fact that Children and Dogs are not born with an adequate level of road sense and need to be trained to cope with the rigours of road use, the indisputable fact that The Law does not seem to pursue Pedestrians and Cyclists or Dog owners that are a danger to other road users, makes a bad situation worse. It is quite common to see cyclists riding down the wrong side of the road and weaving in and out of traffic not to say the favourite trick of running red lights constantly.

Pedestrians completely ignore the Traffic Light instructions in most instances and indeed in my Daily efforts at training young Drivers for the Driving Test, I am having to point out the necessity of getting off the mark very promptly when you are lead car at the Traffic lights because if you don’t then you will be almost certainly be forced to come to a stop as six pedestrians on one side and four on the other launch themselves kamikaze style across the road in front of you. Obviously this is not a pleasant experience for a learner Driver or an experienced one for that matter.

Dog owners also make life difficult for the Driver by not having their charges on a lead frequently when walking on the pavement or sidewalk. Dogs are fine when they are in the park to be let loose to play but should be controlled at all other times. Dogs that are allowed to roam on their own create a huge hazard for the inexperienced Driver who will more than likely swerve when confronted with a dog in the road which can lead to serious accidents. One dog crossing the road is very often followed by another, rather like children playing outside their house when one decides to head home across the street.

When driving in a built up area my philosophy for dealing with children and dogs is the same...watch out for the ones you cannot see...Children and dogs seldom travel alone.You might be able to see two children on the pavement but there frequently can be several more out of sight just about to dash across in front of you as one of their friends get called in by Mum or Dad.

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S U V Debate Heightens across the Pond!

2006-01-20T07:32:00.000Z

We all have our views on that most unfriendly and hideous looking of gas guzzling machines. Personally I think they should all be banned or at the very least the intending purchasers of such monstrosities should be forced to take so me additional Eco- friendly and Socio-friendly courses followed by a Driving Test concentrating on courtesy to other Road Users.
The small number of genuine usage-need drivers of this type of vehicle are far outweighed by the attention seekers and wealth flaunters in the community. Of course a good deal of these vehicles are cavorting in the building Industry which continues to boom relentlessly, fuelling yet more Sherman –Tank like legions on every road in the country.

There is a very excellent post about the Subject across the Atlantic which has attracted a mountain of comments so head on over to http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/19/suv-owners-someones-on-yourside/ by Stuart Waterman and read to your hearts content!

The actual facts about the safety record of these vehicles I am sure would fill more than a book or two; my concern primarily, as always, is the driving style of any particular road user which often matches his or her vehicle in a disproportionate ratio to that of the cost of said machine!

Enough Said????? Not nearly enough..... Many of the second hand SUV's finding themselves looking for new owners before the paint has barely dried are finding their way into the hands of young and inexperienced drivers (read...it's unreadable!)
so this ain't a good omen for the immediate future.Novice Drivers should stick to normal sensible machines unless they happen to be Lumberjacks or Fishery Inspectors!

Astral Driving School Limerick.Learning to Drive with the Right Attitude!

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Test Your Ability on the Basics Part Two … The Answers!

2006-01-19T15:49:00.000Z

Part Two

Here are the answers to yesterday’s Questionnaire...are you sitting comfortably?

1. Open the Bonnet/Hood?.. Usually the Bonnet or Hood release latch is under the dashboard to the extreme right or left. The new Ford Focus however has its release latch hidden inside the badge on the front of the Bonnet/Hood. This might be a trend for the future. I am not exactly sure what the advantage of this outside connection is, especially if you are unlucky enough to have to open it in the dark!

2. Identify all the Important equipment?....Are you training to be a Mechanic?...hardly but you will need to know the main equipment in order to answer the Questions correctly on your Driving Test. The reason for these questions is that all essential equipment needs to be identified correctly in an Emergency. These pieces of kit are oil level indicator (dipstick); coolant reservoir; brake fluid reservoir; screen wash reservoir; power steering fluid reservoir and for good measure the alternator drive belt.

3. Describe how to check the above?...Checks on this equipment basically refer to identifying their location and being able to assess maximum and minimum levels.

4. Tire Pressure?....A visual glance at a tire does not always give you the true picture. A tire can be 20% down in pressure and not give any clues. If a tire is visually down then it’s going to be as much as 75-80% deflated which means it’s in a highly dangerous state from a road –holding and ride perspective and is also likely to pick up a puncture very easily and wear out in a few days !

5. Three Tire checks?….Tire pressure/// Tread Depth/// Cuts splits and Bulges. Any of the latter evident means an immediate replacement of the tire as a blow out could be the result if you don’t.

6. Stop Sign?....A correct Legal stop is with the Fender/Bumper just behind the Stop Line and a stop is deemed to be valid after 2 to 3 seconds. A slow creep over the line followed by moving off is Not a Stop!

7. Handbrake?... It is not mandatory to use the Handbrake at a stop sign. The correct use of the handbrake is dependent on the time you will be stationary, while waiting for other traffic. Also the gradient of the road at your stopping point will determine whether or not you should use the Handbrake.

8. When not to Handbrake?...When you are only going to be stopped for 3-7 seconds approximately.

9. The Ten Second Rule?...If you are going to be stopped, anywhere, anytime, for any reason whatsoever for TEN seconds or more then you should apply the handbrake. This relaxes your feet and gets them off the pedals and clearly prevents the car from rolling either forwards or backwards.

10. Vehicle Ahead?...When stopping in normal traffic situations a useful guide is as follows—Tyres and Tarmac!—if you can’t see the tires of the vehicle ahead and some of the road then you are too close. In more extreme situations such as major Road works, Temporary Traffic Lights or Large Vehicles you should keep well back to see and be seen ; perhaps as much as two car lengths.

11. Three Steps to Improve Safety?...In heavy rain you should have dipped headlights on, your speed should be significantly reduced compared with normal driving conditions (perhaps 25 %); your distance from other vehicles, particularly large ones, should be increased by perhaps 300 to 400 %; maybe as much as six car lengths from your usual distance depending on the actual speed of the vehicles ahead. Your tire pressures should be checked if you are likely to encounter bad weather on your journey .tire pressures in any event should be checked weekly or every 500 miles(800kms)

12. Gear when Stopping?.. Preferably second gear…it is not necessary to down shift to first gear prior to your stop, although this might be useful if, when preparing to stop, the traffic moves off again and your speed has dropped below the second gear threshold. A smart assessment of the traffic’s progress will enable you to move off again smoothly in first gear as opposed to chugging or even stalling in second gear.

13. Blind Spot Check?...This should be over your shoulder when moving off from stationary, when changing lanes and when overtaking .Depending on which side of the road you are currently on your Blind spot can be on either the left or the right. Remember other road users can enter your space (your hidden space) in an instant and the rear view mirror check is not enough for complete safety.

14. Basic Checks?...These should be carried out weekly or every 500 miles(800 Kms)

15. Opposite Lock?...The turning of the Steering Wheel in the opposite direction to that which you are currently using. This technique is an essential component of successful reversing and will enable you to get out of insanely tight situations that other Drivers cannot cope with; and you will be able to complete your manoeuvre speedily and not take all day.

16. Stalling?.. Handbrake on –Footbrake off—into Neutral--- Foot off the Clutch……Then and only then do you reach for the ignition keys. On a Driving Test it is what you do After the Stall that counts, not he Stall per se.

17. Spare Bulbs?...Bulbs can go at any time, sometimes two in one day. They are inexpensive and rear bulbs, which control your Brake Lights, Indicators, Reversing Lights can be changed in a couple of minutes with practise. Front Bulbs and Headlight Bulbs are a very different story and mostly require the whole headlight assembly to be detached in order to replace them. This is extremely fiddly on most cars and best left to your Garage Mechanic who will be much more dextrous and get the job done in a fraction of the time. Carrying a full set of spare bulbs when travelling particularly long distances or abroad is an essential part of the Thinking Driver’s Emergency Kit.

18. Non Standard Configuration?...Roundabouts come in several different shapes and sizes. A Standard being a 4-exit Roundabout with each pair of exits opposite each other i.e. a straightforward crossroads with an Island in the middle. A non standard Roundabout Configuration could be either two (2) or three (3) exits and with the exits at unusual angles. Each type of Roundabout requires some different lane positioning and different signalling techniques.

19. Dashboard Warning Lights?...Firstly you should be able to identify the equipment that the light refers to without thinking and secondly you need to be able to bring the car to a halt within two hundred metres and park safely. If need be, in a busy or dangerous road situation take the car up onto the pavement or sidewalk to get it out of the way of passing traffic. This is the only time, I believe, that it is acceptable and sensible to mount the kerb. Stopping on the road creates a major hazard for all other drivers and of course you yourself as you are peering under the Hood/Bonnet to assess the problem. Do not ignore any Dashboard Warning Light... you do so at your Peril!

20. Brake Lights Check?. When you are on your own just take your short plank that is part of your kit for supporting the Jack in soft conditions and wedge it between the clutch or gas pedal touching the brake pedal. It doesn’t have to be that secure, just enough pressure to press lightly on the pedal to activate the brake lights. You can then visit the rear of the car to ensure all is well.

That’s it..Hope this has been of benefit to all of you reading this article and apologies to those of you who don’t possess a clutch pedal!

Astral Driving School Limerick.Learning to Drive with the Right Attitude!

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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A Basic First Steps Test for the Irish Learner Driver. Part One.

2006-01-19T15:30:00.000Z

Test your Ability on the Basics!

This article was first Published in September 2005 but without the follow up answers!
Here it is again with part two containing appropriately "The Answers".Have a go and see how you get on!

The article deals with some of the essential Basics without which you haven’t a prayer on your Driving Test. There is an awful lot every pre-test Learner Driver can do to make the chances of passing more likely and No it doesn’t require spending more money on Lessons providing you have been to a Professional School in the first place (Hint!)
Can you answer the Following Questions?
Below is a list of Twenty Questions that every Learner Driver should be able to answer with 100% accuracy……..
If Not ….……you shouldn’t be sitting the Driving Test. Period!

1. Can you open the Bonnet/Hood of your car without fuss?

2. Can you identify all the important equipment that lives under the Bonnet/Hood?

3. Can you describe how to perform the checks on this Equipment?

4. Can you recognize when a Tire is low on pressure?

5. Can you describe the three Checks on a tire to ensure safety?

6. Can you stop correctly at a Stop sign?

7. Is it Mandatory to use the Handbrake at a Stop Sign?

8. Can you describe when not to use the Handbrake?

9. Do you know the meaning of “The Ten Second Rule?”

10. What is the most acceptable distance from the Vehicle ahead when stopping?

11. What three steps would you take to improve safety in heavy rain?

12. What gear should you use when stopping?

13. When would you check your blind spot?

14. How often should you perform your basic mechanical checks?

15. Do you understand the Term “Opposite Lock”?

16. What is the first action you take in the event of a Stall?

17. Do you carry spare Bulbs and why is this important?

18. What is meant by Non-Standard Roundabout Configuration?

19. What should you do if a Dashboard Warning light illuminates?

20. How would you check your Brake Lights were functioning if on your own?

Tomorrow/Today and in our next Article, which is appropriately entitled Part Two we will give the correct answers… so come along and see how you fared!(Or didn’t as the case may be).Lets be fair now you have at least 24 hours to do your Homework so a result of nothing less than 90% is unsatisfactory(extremely).

We apologize in Advance to those of you who drive on the “wrong “side of the road (lol) or who drive that strange Beast known as an SUV or in Europe known as a People Carrier. You don’t need any of the answers in Part Two since everyone else is expected to get out of your way!

Astral Driving School Limerick.Learning to Drive with the Right Attitude!

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Hellhound on my Trail……. ”Our New Blues Blog”

Some new Articles posted today

2006-01-17T23:30:00.000Z

At present we are sharing our posts with our Wordpress Blog ...."Motorvating"at http://astraldrivingschool.blogs.ie

We have three new articles just posted at our main Article Directory at Ezine articles.com

Just a couple of days ago we launched our Blues Blog at Blogger.. it's at "Hell Hound on My Trail" We hope you will pay these sites a visit and get some useful info there.

Astral Driving School...Learning to Drive with the Right Attitude!

SHARING WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

2006-01-14T12:09:00.000Z

The Internet has provided a fantastic resource for all writers to share their knowledge and experience with others and in so doing has created a whole new world for all of us.

Our own lifetimes experience on the road can now be shared with all who are interested and who need to achive a full Driving Licence with the greatest chance of success.

Here in Ireland unfortunately, the exponential growth in the Economy over the last ten years has put an inconceivable number of Learner drivers on the road in a very short time; which in turn has stretched the capabilities of all the Government Departments that deal with Driving Legislation , Driving Tests and implemetation of new Driving Legislation from the European Union to beyond breaking point.

Learner Drivers should realise that the capability of an untrained driver to avoid accidents is severely reduced compared with twenty to thirty years ago due to this unprecedented volume of traffic on the roads.The next year or two will see a continuance of the horrendous Road Traffic statistics that we have just seen in 2005 unless all Learner Drivers wake up to these facts and take responsibility for their actions (or inactions!)

WHAT TO DO?.......Its quite simple really ....take Driving Lessons from a Professional Driving School before you start to Drive not after you have either failed the Driving Test Three times or crashed your car.

We discovered a web site recently that critisized the common practise of Professional Driving Schools in teaching Pupils skills for life rather than helping them to Pass a Driving Test. We have always believed that SKILLS FOR LIFE far outways the need for passing the Driving Test as a main focus.Of course passing the Test will give the Driver a better Insurance quotation but that 's not much use to you if you are either Dead or in a Wheel Chair. Blunt and Brutal statement but true.Just ask the Family and friends of Motor Accident victims and you will see what we mean!

Astral Driving School Limerick. Learning to Drive with the Right Attitude.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

CARNAGE CONTINUES THROUGHOUT 2005

2006-01-12T22:09:00.000Z

Today’s post looks at the Fatal Accident figures for Ireland for 2005 and proffers some hard hitting facts as to why we are failing to deal with the continuing carnage. Can our accident rate be reduced? Can we accept responsibility ourselves for these horrendous statistics? Can we do anything about it? Can we put in place some basic infrastructure that will eventually see some results?

The answer to all these questions is a resounding YES. While the poor record of successive Ministers of Transport in dealing with our Road Safety problems needs to be looked at, each and every Driver can play a part in improving the figures that have just been released.

The year just gone has seen a Death Toll of 399 on the roads, which is the worst figure in Five Years. While it may seem that we are rapidly going backwards in our attempts to reduce fatalities, in fact, when you consider the huge increase in vehicles on the roads in the last five years our performance perhaps is not so bad. In addition to fatal accidents the rise in so-called every day accidents could easily be reduced by the implementation of properly trained learner Drivers, through Regulated Driving Schools. Almost every day on the road we come across accidents involving learner Drivers, sometimes several Learners in the same accident.

Most if not all deaths on the Roads could be prevented if the standard of just basic Driving Skills were improved across the board from the learner Driver of age 17 to the Mature Driver in his or her 60’s.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT ?
1. Implement the long overdue Driving School Legislation which is now fours years overdue from the date it was supposed to be enacted.

2. Implement the Full package of Penalty Points, now three years on and still only four out of sixty six offences in action.

3. Remove the anomaly, unique in Europe, of Learner Drivers driving unaccompanied.

4. Implement a minimum mandatory number of Driving Lessons from an Accredited Driving School before being allowed to sit a Driving Test. This has been talked about and talked about….you get the picture! This strategy would of course focus Learner Drivers on the necessity for taking tuition from a Professional and reduce the long waiting lists for a Driving Test.

5. Mandatory re training of all drivers who clock up a certain number of Penalty points within a short time.

6. Additional Mandatory Training for commercial vehicle Drivers who are involved in an increasing number of more serious accidents. Again we see these on the roads every day and one of the main reasons for the rush here-rush there syndrome is the pressure from the Transport Manager in their respective Companies.

We will continue this theme throughout the Month since a New Year is a good time to evaluate what has passed and what improvements can be put in place in the Current Year. Also it’s worth being aware of this time of year especially, since our window of worst weather conditions is upon us for the next two months or so.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…Keeping abreast of The Driving Test Scene

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

The Frost Files ... Brrrrrrr.!

2005-12-13T17:38:00.000Z

After the heaviest frost of the Winter so far it’s a good time to have a look at the do’s and don’ts of handling your car in these conditions. Whether you are a relatively experienced Driver or a novice, these wintry conditions require thought and planning if you are to stay safe and look after your car.

Let’s look at the Car first:-

1. After a heavy frost you can’t just get in and drive off. Silly though this may sound, we still find drivers heading off to work, peering through a little space on the front Windscreen. This is highly dangerous.
2. The answer is to check outside when you get up in the morning , particularly after serious frost warnings, start the car and leave it to warm up for 15 or 20 minutes. This will clear the windscreens but not warm the engine up to normal working temperature. It’s my experience that a further 15 to 20 minutes of normal driving will be needed to sort this out.
3. Sometimes you will find that the frost has been so heavy that your key will not open the drivers’ door. We are talking about houses without garages here. If you normally park parallel to your house it’s a better bet to have the drivers door nearest to the house since this provides a degree or two of extra protection .Quite often the key will open the door nearest to the house but not the door furthest away.
4. Even if you manage to get in and start the car quite often, until it has warmed up it may be impossible to get out again. This has happened to me a few minutes ago and I had to extricate myself from the passenger side.
5. If the key either won’t go in to the lock or even fail to open the door don’t use boiling water to free the lock; it can freeze again and also remove the free moving aspect of the lock. What to do? I have found that a match or two will heat the key sufficiently to get it into the lock and if left in the lock barrel will release its heat fairly quickly, freeing the mechanism. You may have to do this a couple of times until the heated key does its job.
6. These simple techniques only take a few minutes and will have your car ready for the road in even artic conditions. As you can tell I am not one of the fortunate drivers with a garage but today with more cars attached to each household this will be a problem for all but the Lord and Master or Mistress.
7. Having lived in the country for twenty five years now what I have described above is something that has to be taken on board quite a few times during a hard Winter.
8. Don’t attempt to operate your Wipers until the screen is very well defrosted as the wiper blades can be torn asunder if they are still stuck to the Windscreen.
9. Of course in these conditions it will be considerably longer before your screen wash reservoir is defrosted and if the conditions prevail it may take hours before it becomes operational. A useful tip would be to clean down front and rear screens, after defrosting so that you have a good level of visibility for your early morning drive. One good thing about this type of weather is that there will be less muck and dirt being showered onto your windscreen, that is of course until the roads thaw and things return to normal.
10. At this time of year with the seasons seemingly competing with each other, it is vital to keep your screen wash reservoir topped up and with some “blue rinse” additive. With the number of trucks, building and road working vehicles everywhere it doesn’t take long for a windscreen to be well and truly obliterated. Use plenty of “squirt” for both front and rear screens since it is very easy to scratch a windscreen which then makes driving difficult, particularly at night in the glare of oncoming headlights.

Finally. A word of advice for Drivers who just simply cannot dip their lights correctly or who drive with their Rally Spec Fogs on during nighttime hours.
(1) Dipping your lights after you have blinded another Driver is the same as signalling when you are half way through a manoeuvre; in other words a waste of time. You must dip your lights well before you are in range of an approaching vehicle. Eyes take at least 7 or 8 seconds to return to normal after being blinded .At any kind of speed this creates a serious hazard for the Driver at night
(2) Fog lights are for use in …yes you’ve guessed it FOG and the use of fog lights when there is “pas de Brouillard” (that’s French for?) is illegal. More on this subject in a future post.

Drive Safely and remember your Car likes to be Warmed up just like You Do!

Astral Driving School Limerick. Hints and tips for New Drivers in Ireland
Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Were you Born under a Bad Sign? Or just a member of Ostritchology!

2005-12-10T10:54:00.000Z

Most of us can easily come up with all the excuses under the Sun as to why we are not successful and why things continually go wrong for us. But lets face it, and that’s difficult to do if you have brainwashed your self, success and achievement is down to good old You…. no one else. Yes of course there are many stumbling blocks along the way, some of which seem insurmountable at the time, but it’s your ability to pick yourself up and keep going, that makes the difference between success and oblivion. We failed the Driving Test again and this time it was the cranky Examiners fault; last time it was the fault of the Stop Sign….there wasn’t anything in sight either way for a Kilometre so why stop? The time before we got stranded on the Box junction because the Traffic didn’t move away quickly enough. Do I need to go on?

No matter what your standard of education is or lack of it , it is well known that some of the worst “Dunces” in the Universe , adjudged by the establishment, went on to remarkable achievements and so can you if you allow yourself the time to study others path to success. Inspiration from others is not now a restricted commodity with the expansion of the Internet throughout the Universe. Granted you need a P.C. and an internet connection and that’s a bit expensive to begin with but how about a second hand machine and even a small dial-up package. This is manageable on even the smallest budget. If you can afford a mobile phone, and we have probably the largest penetration of cell phones in Europe, you can afford a P.C. . . .

Now onto my favourite subject …that of Driving and preparing pupils for the Wonderful World of the Road. Passing the Driving Test is clearly an important milestone for every Driver but learning the basics and the not so basics at an early stage is essential to staying safe and avoiding accidents. Driving a car safely is not just a question of saving up a few thousand and armed with a provisional license, heading off to the beach. Practising should come after you have been taught the rudimentary skills… not before.

We are constantly reminding Pupils to “Do their Homework” which means plenty of study of articles, and resources which are freely available on the internet. Our own Web site and blogs contain numerous articles and resources for the aspiring Driver including much Driving Test detail and Tips. The Driving Test is achievable First Time if you prepare well and treat the whole situation seriously enough. The reason for failing the Driving Test is down to the individual themselves and is always the result of lack of training and lack of serious study.

“I was born under a Bad Sign; I was down before I could even Crawl,

If it wasn’t for Bad Luck, I wouldn’t have no Luck at all “

“Born under a bad Sign”…..By Albert King & Gibson Flying V.

Astral Driving School Limerick. Learner Drivers and Test Tips
Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…
Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Fast Approaching…Baked Bean Can Exhausts and Sooty Windows Outlawed!

2005-12-10T10:14:00.000Z

On the first of January next, which is fast approaching we will have two landmarks to contend with .The Fourth Anniversary of the Non- Implementation of Driving School Registration and Monitoring and the Commencement of the stricter N.C.T rules regarding sporty exhausts (you know the Catering Size Baked Bean Cans welded together!) and blackened windows.
We were fortunate to be invited to take part in a discussion live on Limerick 95 Fm earlier this month on this and other related Driving subjects. Ed Myers, who handles the Morning show with considerable dexterity and choice of subject, allows me air time several times a year to put forward my opinions on All things Auto.

There is so much going on in the World of Driving, Driving Tests, Learner Drivers and Driving Schools on a daily basis that it is quite a task to keep abreast of it all, even as a Professional Instructor.

My views on the two aforementioned subjects are fairly predictable. Exhausts with fancy notes are not dangerous per se, but more a nuisance, especially if you live next door to someone who goes off to work at 7.00am in his Honda or Mazda and needs to warm the motor up before disappearing in a puff of early morning smoke. Noise pollution it may be, but there are far more insidious aspects of motoring to be dealt with.

As for blackened windows that’s a different story. I believe it’s important to be able to see the other Driver, his actions or inactions and his or her body language .Being able to see the age and demeanour of the Driver and also the passengers is an essential safety aspect and identifying the standard of the Driver in front of you, or behind you will enable you to be ready for mistakes. If you are unable to see the Driver because of darkened windows you are at a severe disadvantage in predicting the likelihood of a particular action of a suspect Driver.

Since about 95% of Drivers do not use the correct technique when giving way to other vehicles; i.e..they wave or gesticulate or flash their lights, or sometimes all three together, you are not going to know what in Heavens name is going on if you are in this confrontational situation with vehicle with blackened windows. Being able to see the other Driver and his or her actions is essential in making the correct decisions yourself.

There was to have been some discussion on the merits of prohibiting Learner Drivers from Driving after Dark. Unfortunately the Politician who was lined up to broach this subject was unavailable. Let me give my view on this subject.

Most serious accidents involving Learner Drivers happen in the Night time or Socialising Zone, often in the early hours of the Morning. Unfortunately during these periods it is very common for Learner Drivers to be accompanied by a whole army of mates in varying states of alcoholic stupor and this invariably means greater fatalities during a serious crash. Drivers should learn to drive at night with a qualified license holder in all road and weather conditions before venturing out on their own. The autumn and Winter Months, especially on country roads, present a real challenge to a new driver and should be taken very seriously. It is not an option I think, to ban Learner Drivers after Dark but it could be part of a better training Programme to ensure that Drivers have a certain verified amount of night time Driving before sitting their Driving Test. In addition to a certain number of mandatory Lessons, this would be a move in the right direction. Mandatory tuition is common throughout Europe and would be instrumental in reducing serious accidents here on the Roads.

Astral Driving School Limerick. Driving Skills and Test Tips

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Motor-Vate- Your- Motorway Trip

2005-11-08T11:10:00.000Z

One of the reasons for Learner Drivers not being allowed on Motorways is that clearly, by definition, everything is going at a much faster speed. The speed of the vehicles; the speed of your Brain; the speed at which you reach and pass your turn-offs; the speed that a vehicle comes into view and disappears into the distance; the speed with which you have to react; the speed that OTHER DRIVERS do things; the speed at which you make mistakes.

Our few stretches of Motorway here in Ireland with the exception of the M50 in rush hour, do not prepare you for driving safely in the U.K. or elsewhere. Entering or leaving the Motorway which encircles London will expose you to five lanes of traffic going at high speed which can be very scary until you have plenty of experience on lesser arteries.

You need a good level of skill and practise on everyday roads and basic city/town traffic after passing your test before you should venture onto Motorways. Apart from the obvious consequences of serious errors of judgement on a Motorway, you can’t just stop and turn around if you make a wrong turn or if you miss your Junction. You could be in for a very long detour to get back to your chosen route if you make a mistake. In certain situations this might be as much as twenty to thirty miles with the corresponding delays to your journey.

One of the essentials to safe and sound Motorway journeys is first to invest in a comprehensive U.K. map. They are not that expensive and will give you all that you need to navigate today’s extensive Motorway network. You then should plan your route carefully; writing down all the Junction numbers and any other notes for guidance and then select and train your navigator. Until and unless you have done a particular route quite a number of times you will need your co-driver to read out the instructions; sometimes repeating them several times as you approach your proposed turn off. If you miss your turn-off there is no going back.

If there is quite lot traffic around it is essential to prepare for your exit several miles ahead and get into the left hand or nearside lane in good time. If you leave it to the last moment you may not be able to attain your correct lane if it’s already full of traffic.

Knowing how and when to give the correct signals for your manoeuvre is an essential skill to staying safe on a Motorway. Our common practise here in Ireland of ignoring signalling completely or giving a signal half-way through a manoeuvre will get you into serious trouble on a busy Motorway.

It goes without saying that your tyres and service situation should be well checked before embarking on any long journey on major Motorways. A Motorway breakdown is not remotely like a lay-by picnic. Take breaks at suitable intervals at the services facilities and in fact it’s a good idea to factor these into your route plan.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Home again and back to Earth (N.E.C Rocks!)

2005-11-07T16:56:00.000Z

After an absence of just over a week (problems with my lap-top) we are back from Motor Heaven and into the Driving Seat. Ten counties plus in a week is fairly tiring but the end of our trip saw us spending two nights in Birmingham or Solihull to be more precise and a full day at the Classic Motor Show.

You would certainly need the full three days of the event at the N.E.C to cover all the stands and exhibits. It is well worth the effort for any Driver (learner or otherwise) who has the slightest interest in Classic, Historic or Sports Cars.

Our friends Ian and Cindy are members of the Sporting Bears Motor Club which provides one of the Highlights of the three day event. The Dream Rides package gives the general public a chance to experience what it is like in a Ferrari, a Porsche, a Morgan or the historic Ford GT40 and many other classic sports cars, for a twenty minute spin on the open road which will be a memory to hold forever. All money raised goes to children’s Charities.

My latest pupil and youngest Daughter Aoife, spent a hectic 3 hours at the Registration Table with Cindy; booking and organising the flood of excited Dream-Riders. You couldn’t get near the queue. At the end of the day and before night fell, the two of us had our own ride in an open-top Daimler 250 V8, complete with hair billowing in the Wind and Panic rail perspiration. A great end to a memorable day.

Ah but what about the Porsche 911? Well we both experienced the thrill of the 3.2 litre engine and the road holding capabilities of arguably one of the most successful cars ever to come out of Germany, to and from the Exhibition. Forty five years after partnering each other at Left wing and Inside left on the Hockey pitch, it was good to be side by side again in one of the greatest Classic cars ever built. Perhaps if I behave myself I might get to drive the Beast next visit? Actually now I come to think of it this car matches Ian’s speed on the wing very well and as for myself, my penchant for nippy smaller cars during my driving career is quite well served by the Multi function Polo TD1 which we have used successfully for four years now.

More about the trip and Driving conditions in the U.K tomorrow.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Newsletter makes way for Porsche 911!

2005-10-28T08:35:00.000Z

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.

Pick and Mix.

2005-10-26T16:40:00.000Z

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”

Jim Edwards Rides Again

2005-10-26T14:49:00.000Z

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
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The Wednesday Motoring Fix

2005-10-26T13:00:00.000Z

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.

Turbo-Turnabout . The Newsletter Issue 2.

2005-10-25T14:23:00.000Z

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

Fatal Car Crash Driver arrested in Ireland

2005-10-25T07:59:00.000Z

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”

Portable Traffic Lights for Rent.Great Income Opportunity!

2005-10-24T19:30:00.000Z

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.

Ten Quick Points for Improving you Driving Test Performance

2005-10-24T10:34:00.000Z

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

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

K.I.S.S and make up.

2005-10-24T09:36:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Launch of Astral Driving School Newsletter.

2005-10-22T12:26:00.000Z

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………………………………………………………

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

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Guest Article.

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

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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……………………………………
^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Road Safety Plan a Shambles

2005-10-21T12:09:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

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Driving Test Examiners reviewing the Situation?

2005-10-20T10:17:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

World Wide Trend to Curb Learner Driver Activities.

2005-10-20T07:09:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. "Arrive Alive"…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… "Motorvating"

Driving Test Backlog Gets a Welcome Reduction! But When?

2005-10-19T17:35:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Formula One Season comes to a Cracking Finale

2005-10-18T08:29:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Driving Forum at Startpage.ie

Carnage continues Unabated!

2005-10-17T07:56:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Ever Thought about Copyright Issues?

2005-10-14T19:23:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Irish Health Dot Com. Sleep Deprivation Accidents Forum.

2005-10-13T10:07:00.000Z

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

Legal or Lethal?

2005-10-13T08:33:00.000Z

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

The Dark Side Of Blogs

2005-10-11T17:31:00.000Z

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.

--
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-
step and click-by-click how to finally create your own
money-making mini-sites...

Here is another of Jim's Excellent Books which I thoroughly recommend:-

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-eBook: "Turn Words Into Traffic"

USP: The Secret to Non-Stop, FREE Targeted Traffic. The
targeted traffic it brings you is as good or better than
anything you could pay for... except you don't have to pay
for it!
Click Here

=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Astral Driving School Wordpress Blog
Astral Driving School

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

2005-10-09T10:10:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Driving in Ireland Forum @ Startpage.ie

Driving Test Tips Revisited.

2005-10-07T21:08:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

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.

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

2005-10-06T08:40:00.000Z

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.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Get the Point and Arrive Alive…….

2005-10-02T08:38:00.000Z

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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Driving Forums at Startpage.ie

The N.C.T. and your Driving Test.

2005-09-29T07:38:00.000Z

Over the last several years we have been called up at short notice to provide a School Car for the Driving Test due to various last minute problems for the Candidate concerned. These requests have varied in validity from the Genuine to the Hilarious!

Firstly let’s say that the introduction of the NCT five years or so ago was a step in the right direction to removing some of the death traps that prowled Irish roads disguised as cars and trucks. Unfortunately we still have remnants of the motoring mentality that anything goes if we can get away with it.
The mechanical standard needed by vehicles to be accepted for a Driving Test is high. Starting with a displayed current NCT certificate, road tax and Insurance, you also have to ensure that the Tyres are in good shape and well above the legal limit of 1.6mm.The car should be completed cleared of all loose items, including danglies and be clean inside and out. Windscreens should get attention, particularly on the inside as it is rather distracting trying to peer through sticky and smudged windows.

If your car is due an NCT close to your Driving Test it is essential to have this done at the earliest opportunity to enable you to retest the car if faults are found.
Booking an NCT appointment should not be left to the last minute as it often requires a lead time of two to three weeks and this will leave you in a quandary if something untoward shows up.

A couple of years ago we received a call from a frantic young driver who had just bought an almost new car but had not been provide with the correct documents by the Garage .Despite many entreaties and several weeks passing there were still no documents and of course the car would not have been able to be Taxed. As it so happened this young man was a close friend of an ex pupil and we were delighted to provide the car after several hours of tuition. It is foolish to contemplate sitting a Driving Test in a strange car unless you have been used to driving several different cars during your early driving exploits. A Driving School will not provide a car for someone to sit the Driving Test who is not capable of driving to a pretty high standard. The risk involved is too great and there is also the Reputation of the Instructor to think of as well.

Four years ago we received a call at 10.00am in the morning enquiring whether or not we hired out cars for a driving test .The answer to the next question was, sadly predictable…”.when is your test?” “ Oh it’s at 4.00 pm and I would need the car by “2.00 clock!

No one in their right mind should be contemplating doing a Driving Test in a car that they have not had at least six hours practise in and in addition they need to be up to a very high standard of competence as well prior to sitting in the new machine.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Drivers with no Insurance

2005-09-25T19:56:00.000Z

The Uninsured Driver has always been a menace to society and to other road users and at last the law is beginning to catch up with them. Recent seizures by the authorities, of very expensive vehicles in Dublin that were being driven without proper registration papers is a start.

In the U.K. there is a very successful pilot programme under way which could well be implemented nation wide in due course. With the advance of modern technology and an extensive Data Base it is possible for the Police to check out a suspect vehicle very quickly and apprehend the driver. Checks on Road Tax and Licenses can be almost instantaneous. In the event of several non compliance parameters being reached the Police have the Authority to not only take the keys and impound the vehicle but send it to the great Crusher in the Sky.

In County Durham, 100 vehicles per month are being impounded with 60 % of these being sent to the Crusher. The costs of the scrapping of the Vehicles is being born by a major Insurance Company and the whole project is getting rave reviews from all concerned apart of course for the “poor unfortunates” who have to walk home.
This system should be implemented here in Ireland immediately and it would have a very beneficial effect on all law abiding Drivers and would undoubtedly remove some of our worst drivers from the roads.

One phenomenon that is gaining momentum currently is the number of Eastern European vehicles being seen on the roads here. While I am very happy that we offer a fresh start to many people from our new E.U partner States, the standard of driving of these, mostly very young drivers, leaves a lot to be desired. In the space of just half an hour the other day we encountered two Polish Drivers whose ability to drive sensibly and courteously was completely lacking .In fact one of these came close to hitting us as we rounded a blind corner. The car in question was not far from being on two wheels as it rounded the bend.We need in force some adequate provisions to monitor these imported vehicles,and their Drivers to ensure that we are not just adding to the already substantial problems we have on Irish roads.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Motor Sport News.

2005-09-24T20:07:00.000Z

Richard Britton R.I.P (1970-2005)

One of Irelands most well respected Motor Cycle Racers tragically lost his life last weekend at the Ballybunion Road Races weekend in Co. Kerry.
Richard Britton aged 35 died after losing control of his 250 cc machine. As a mark of respect the Race Meeting was then cancelled.
Richard had been at the top of his profession for nearly a decade and was a major competitor in the famous Isle of Man T.T. races earlier in the summer. He will be a great loss to the Sport and our sympathy and prayers go out to his young Family.
All forms of Motor Sport are inherently dangerous whether on two wheels or four and in fact watching as a spectator is no less dangerous. Many Rally spectators do not heed properly the rules and regulations and it is always a struggle for Marshalls to do their job well. There have been numerous Spectator fatalities here in Ireland over the years as well as those Driving.

Formula One Season reaches Climax.

In just a few hours in Brazil, we could have a new Formula One Champion. Fernando Alonso who achieved pole position for tomorrows Race will become the youngest ever Driver to win the Championship, if he achieves third place or better. The Renault driver has provided a well needed boost to the ratings this year with some excellent drives.
The flying Finn oft described as the “Kimster” has put in a very creditable challenge for the crown but will probably have to wait until next year for another chance at his first Championship. The unreliability of the Mercedes engine in Raikonnen’s car has led to many disappointing results but time will tell.

New AI Series get off the Mark

At the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent tomorrow the newly established AI Grand Prix Championship gets going and it will be very interesting to see what effect it will have on Formula One. Brands Hatch has always been a popular circuit for motor racing fans due I suppose to it’s proximity to the capital. My first memories of Motor Racing trace back to “Brands” with the thrill of seeing Racing Minis round the corners on three and sometimes two wheels. Saloon car racing has always captured the imagination of the average motorist and over the years there have been titanic battles between numerous marques, each of which seemed to dominate the scene for a period before being eclipsed.
The Mini Cooper S.; the Ford Escort mark one, the Lotus Cortina; the Ford Falcon; and the inimitable 3.4 Jaguar all had their day. Oh yes I almost forgot, that mythical of creatures the Hillman Imp or specifically the Sunbeam Imp. David Hall of Brannockstown, Co. Kildare raced a very special Sunbeam Imp many times at the Phoenix Park Meetings and was unbeatable in his class. This was back in the mid seventies when homegrown racers were rather thin on the ground here in Ireland. But that was all about to change when Derek Daly, Eddie Jordan and David Kennedy made their mark, and John Watson came close to being the first Irishman to become World Formula One Champion. Those were the days…but plenty on the horizon now as we speak.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Driving in Gale or Storm Force conditions in Ireland.

2005-09-24T07:10:00.000Z

Hurricane Rita is just reaching landfall as I write this post at 7.30 am. We have all been shocked by the devastation wreaked three weeks ago on New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina .This one, despite being a weaker storm could create more damage since it appears to be much wider and already in the last hour or so the patched up levees in New Orleans have been breached.
Thankfully the residents seem to have responded well and in good time to the Federal warnings and most have long since departed.
In this part of Europe we are very fortunate to be pretty much immune from Hurricanes, Cyclones and the like but on occasion we do experience severe storms which make driving particularly hazardous. When the media News Broadcasts highlight the pending bad weather every Driver should take note. You might only experience two or three Storms in a life time but if you fail to heed the warnings then your first storm may be your last!

I nearly proved the above point to my self thirty years ago when attempting to drive a small commercial vehicle through a ferocious storm in the south east. One gust took me right across the road and it was all I could do to keep the van out of the ditch. It had been a struggle to maintain any kind of normal position on the road for an hour or two but this was the wake up call for me. In another Storm a few years later the road to Galway about 40 miles from Dublin was completely blocked for several hours by a fallen Tree which probably measured six feet in diameter. Luckily it had fallen outside a large Farm and a team of chain saws tackled the problem. Traffic was backed up for half a mile and this was 7.00am in the morning or earlier, so you can imagine what the chaos would be like today with a zillion more vehicles on the road at all hours of the day or night.

At night and in driving rain you don’t stand a chance if a tree comes down on your vehicle and you won’t see it happen or have time to avoid it. It is not a pleasant sight to see a car flattened by a tree and if you ever do you will never drive in a storm again, believe me. So when the warning comes out over the airwaves ”Don’t drive unless you absolutely have to” take heed and hang up your keys and sit it out. The misery of a crash or serious injury is just not worth it .If you are under company pressure for deliveries, meetings, deadlines or whatever …Forget them ..It will be you who have to pick up the pieces not the Company .Don’t believe me? I worked for a large Company for fifteen years and drove every day in the course of my duties….when I left to pursue my new business I received not so much as a “wish you well and good luck” note.

So be warned all you drivers of company vehicles or company cars YOU are the Driver, it is your life at stake and YOU make the decisions. If the company vehicle is not in a safe and legal state for whatever reason, you should not be driving it; you will be responsible and pay the ultimate price not the Company.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Energy Saving Tips for Eco Warriors

2005-09-23T05:57:00.000Z

Listening to a contributor to yesterday morning’s broadcast on Limerick 95fm on saving and conserving energy prompts me to give my slant on the same subject as it relates to Driving.
There are many ways to conserve energy and save money when Driving. We are primarily concerned with getting a better fuel consumption from each tankful.

(1) Let’s start with my favourite subject…Tyres. Under inflated Tyres enjoy a greater friction with the road leading to greater gas usage for each kilometre travelled. As well as this they wear out much more rapidly, give a rougher ride, particularly on Irish rural roads. Over inflated tyres also wear out rapidly and unevenly leading to more frequent replacement. Good for the tyre shop but not for you! Oh yes a soft tyre will pick up foreign bodies much more easily, leading to further replacement and expense.
(2) An untrained Right Foot is a leading cause of excessive expenditure during all driving activity. Accelerating too hard, braking too hard, and driving too fast in general all contribute to excessive fuel usage and the corresponding increase in noxious emissions.
(3) The speed for optimum fuel consumption has been recognised over the years to be 55mph or approximately 90kph. As you increase your speed above this level your fuel consumption increases dramatically.
(4) A poorly tuned engine will also use an excessive amount of fuel so the money spent on proper professional servicing will repay you in the end although at the time it may seem expensive.
(5) Open windows and sun roofs contribute to drag and an increase in fuel consumption but clearly you can’t drive safely if you are about to expire from heat exhaustion. Thankfully not something we experience too often here in Ireland.
(6) Carrying piles of rubbish in either the cab or the boot of your car will increase your fuel consumption steadily over time so give your boot a make over every so often and clear it out of all but the essentials.
(7) One more point about tyres. If you are carrying extra passengers and luggage, even for a short journey you should increase the tyre pressures. This will give a smoother, safer ride for all concerned and avoid excessive tyre wear. This latter point is particularly relevant if you are planning on rural driving since you will have to deal with an especially Irish phenomenon, that of potholes. Sometimes these are as big as a garden pond and will damage your underside easily, not to mention the ecological impact of disturbing the resident fish, frogs and other amphibians.
(8) Since we seem to be constantly exposed throughout the country to major road works, which is an admirable activity from a safety perspective, you should always switch off your engine if there is going to be more than a minor delay. Sitting for several minutes with the engine running wastes a lot of fuel and puts more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere than need be.

We will continue tomorrow with our mini series on Driving Test Preparation.

P.S. Thank you to the two bloggers who contributed comments yesterday.

(1)We have been experimenting with Wordpress for a couple of weeks now and will eventually transfer all our content to the ”MotorVating” Blog. For those who should have gone to Specsavers!
http://astraldrivingschool.blogs.ie

(2) Driving in the United States is very different to Ireland or U.K. Non use of handbrake in the situations described yesterday leads to excessive clutch wear, excessive brake wear and on a Driving Test will be penalised in certain circumstances. The fact that one can get away with certain techniques when driving doesn’t make them safe, economic or ecologically friendly.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Specific Driving Test Techniques

2005-09-22T07:22:00.000Z

We are going to continue our mini series on Driving Test Preparation with some important skills.

Handbrake……..The Handbrake is an important piece of your equipment and is poorly demonstrated by many Drivers. Ever see a row of cars at a set of Traffic lights all with their Brake Lights on? Well I am sure you have. These Drivers show by their lack of handbrake usage that they are mediocre by any standards.
There are a number of very good reasons for Handbrake usage.

(1) Firstly with the handbrake on you have secured the Car and it is not in any danger of rolling; either forwards or backwards. Rolling the car on a Driving Test will lose you a mark because it shows that you are (a) unskilled and (b) it also demonstrates that you probably have never been taught by a Professional.

(2) With the car secured and in no danger of rolling you can then release your right foot and either relax for the time you are stopped or get ready for your next manoeuvre which will be to move off again. Relaxation at every opportunity is vital in maintaining your stamina, particularly if you are doing a lot of driving in heavy traffic.

(3) Now we are starting to think about the reasons for handbrake usage it’s timely to introduce the little Duffers Guide to Handbrake Usage. We call it the Ten Second Rule. It goes like this…….If you are going to be stopped anywhere, anytime, for any purpose whatsoever for ten seconds or more you should employ the Handbrake. There are numerous every day instances of having to stop for ten seconds or more. See how many you can think of .The person who thinks of the most circumstances will win this week’s star prize. Just let me know!

(4) Using the handbrake at every suitable opportunity not only keeps you fresh and gives the hardworking feet a brief rest but it now enables you to get your Clutch set correctly to biting point and the your Gas set to the correct level for a more difficult manoeuvre. Moving off into faster flowing traffic or turning right up a hill requires perfect positioning of the feet on your clutch and Gas pedals and the brake pedal is redundant at this juncture. That’s why we have the handbrake. If you are holding the car on the footbrake while on a hill you can’t possibly set the gas pedal correctly with the same foot.

(5) Why is it so important to make a smooth and prompt getaway when turning left or right at a junction? Well in many instances there will be approaching traffic which will in often be exceeding the speed limit which makes the turn all the more hazardous. A painfully slow exit from the minor road will quite often entice a poor driver to overtake you immediately while you are still completing your turn. I think you need to work out for yourselves whether overtaking in the vicinity of a Junction is advisable or just plain stupid!

We will continue with specific Driving Techniques for the Test tomorrow.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Stratpage.ie Driving in Ireland Forum

Insider techniques lead to Outsider Performance

2005-09-21T17:18:00.000Z

Today we are going to continue our mini series on Driving Test Preparation by looking at our insider techniques. Really good skills inside the car will lead to outstanding performance outside on the road where it really counts.
Firstly let’s look at our resources. We have two feet, two eyes, two hands, two ears and one very large Brain which has the capability, when programmed, of more than 1000 Pentium Fours all firing at once. So from this we can deduce that it is the thinking processes that are the most important, other wise we would have been endowed with ten legs, twenty arms and probably just as many eyes.

If we can programme that Brain of ours to take in information from many different sources, all at once, then with a little practise and a lot of homework, it will do the work for you on automatic pilot, giving you plenty of drop-down menus to choose from and most importantly plenty of time to make that all important decision. How do we programme the Brain to do all this stuff all at once when it seems like an impossible task?

Firstly we have to be taught, then we have to repeat time and again, the same procedures, and lo and behold after a good few hiccups, the Brain will finally realise that this isn’t a passing phase and that you are deadly serious about driving. This is the point at which decisions become instinctive as Mr Brain (with his 1000 Pentiums cranking up a storm) serves up the choices and gives you some solid clues to making your decision. All of this is happening in milli-seconds. Repetition and yet still more repetition is needed, until each manoeuvre is as good as you can make it. But if you haven’t got the correct building blocks in place to begin with, no amount of Brain Power will do any good.

The building blocks are your Driving Lessons and the specific Techniques that you learn during these. The repetitions are your commands to your Brain to get working, and it will then start to push out really positive affirmations which will lead to a steady rise in Confidence which naturally leads to a dramatic improvement in Competence.

Let’s examine the role of our various appendages.

(1) The Feet….Left foot has one function only and that is to utilise the Clutch when changing gear and to disengage the engine from the gearbox when stopping thus keeping said Motor Running.
(2) Right foot ….has two pedals to deal with but we are in luck since the exact same technique is used for both….which is …..Yes. You‘ve Guessed it Softly, Softly. The only time that heavy pressure is used with the right foot is during an emergency stop situation with the brake pedal and with the gas pedal when you need to accelerate away smartly when turning into the major road at a junction. Faster moving traffic bearing down on you is not going to take kindly to you doing a Tortoise imitation and they will either have to brake heavily or worse will attempt to overtake you.
(3) The Hands…. Left hand only leaves the Steering Wheel to change a gear or other secondary controls and then returns promptly to where it’s happiest. Right hand remains on the wheel at all times, since it is the dominant grip of this hand that does most of the work of steering. Right hand comes in mighty useful on those occasions when you need to give a little extra warning to other road users in addition to your Indicators. One function that is not on the agenda for the Right hand is waving to neighbours or friends or dangling it out the window on a warm day or for Mobile phone activity.
(4) Ears are a very useful addition to your Driving equipment .In fact every new car should come with an extra pair .Why so? Keen hearing will not only alert you to the approach of an oncoming vehicle, that is still invisible, particularly at a junction; but will enable you to detect the slightest change in the performance of any of the cars equipment. There are many important pieces of kit that will give plenty of audible warning if everything is not quite right. In fact just about everything that can go wrong in a car, and it will at some stage or other believe me, has its own inimitable sound bite. From thumping shock absorbers (known to the cognoscenti as Struts) to worn out brake pads(which sound like a nest of mice being devoured by the Neighbourhood Tom); to the screech of a slipping Drive belt; and to the imminent destruction of track-rod ends which are akin to a T-Rex starting his evening meal. This latter sound is conjecture but it’s horrendous!
(5) The Nose comes hard on the tail of the Ears (what a sentence!) in importance, since a lot of the previously described events come with their own particular aroma. Clutch burn out and fuel leaks are readily noticeable to the trained nose so keep a keen ear (sorry Nose) to the ground.
(6) Obviously without our Eyes all of the above would be irrelevant. It’s important that we keep our eyes in tip top shape and give ourselves plenty of breaks on long journeys. A Driving Test, while not as long in duration as an expedition is probably just as tiring on the eyes, so plenty of sleep before hand is essential .If you wear glasses then its quite likely that you will be more susceptible to glare from the sun during the day and blinding by oncoming headlights at night .You can reduce the effects of these situations substantially by keeping your inside windscreen immaculately clean .Its a fiddly job but very well worth it .Once you have been blinded by headlights at night a few times then you will realise how important it is to develop an advanced skill in handling these controls yourself. It is too late once you have blinded someone to then dip your headlights. Eyes take about seven or eight seconds to return to normal after being dazzled and that’s a lot of road covered at any speed.

Next instalment will delve into specific manoeuvres and the various skills needed to carry them out successfully, to not only stay safe but to produce a satisfactory result on the Driving Test.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Startpage .ie Driving in Ireland Forum

Limerick Driving Schools

2005-09-20T12:49:00.000Z

Here in Limerick as elsewhere I am sure, there is a mix of every type, age and category of Driving Instructor. There are those who have been in business for many a year, some in recent years, myself included, and some in the last few months. Who knows maybe some just last week?

There are those who are full time professionals (or attempting to be) and others who are part- time Instructors trying to supplement an income. There are also retirees, who may never have been involved in The Tuition Industry before and who see it as a useful addition to income.

There has been much talk, waffle, huffing and puffing, by successive Ministers and yet we still have no end in sight to the situation regarding Regulation and Monitoring of Driving Schools and Instructors.

Maybe the new Agency, the D.T.S.A, will come into being soon? Who knows ? Until it does anyone can set up as a so-called Qualified Instructor and take fees for Tuition, although this is too kind a word to describe what masquerades as Lessons in many instances.

The D.I.R has been doing a sterling job over the years in running the Examination and Monitoring Process of Instructors, but it is a voluntary organisation and as such, has no control over persons who like to think of themselves as Instructors but who have no training. It was not so long ago that one of my local colleagues highlighted the case of the young man who passed his Driving Test on a Monday and set up as an Instructor one week later. Do we need to go any further with this thread? I think not!

The standards of Driving School Legislation vary quite a lot throughout Europe, from excellent to non - existent and here in Ireland I guess you would have to say that we must be at the bottom of the League Table since we don’t appear to have any at all!

Our record at the top of The European Accident Statistics Premier League is testament to what I have just written and we will only improve our Road fatality and accident horrors when the Industry responsible for training young and new Drivers is itself properly Trained and Regulated.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Essential Credentials!

2005-09-20T08:47:00.000Z

We are going to digress from the mini series on Driving Test Preparation this morning because I have just been inspired by a Newsletter that I subscribe to. Rosalind Gardner produces the Net Profit Tips Ezine which is a wealth of really good Internet Development Stuff. Rosalind was a hard working Air Traffic controller just a couple of years ago and decided that life could offer more with much less stress. So she set about developing her Internet and web mastery skills and has become probably one of the most successful affiliate marketers. Her link is below at the end of this post.

Normally in Business one would recommend people, products and services that you yourself are familiar with and that would be of benefit to your clients, customers or pupils in my case. Rosalind is no exception and this morning’s newsletter extols the virtue of one Michael Green, a top notch marketer, who has produced some remarkable Internet development products for those wishing to create a better life for themselves.

Michael is a well known Seminar speaker who also happens to be English and wait for it a Member of Parliament. So his credentials are without doubt indisputable.
Here is a snippet from his sales letter relating to his latest offering:-

[Yep I know, it's all a bit showy and I'm blushing... but seriously, ask your self this simple question:
"Who would you prefer to learn how to drive your internet marketing business from... someone who has done it all and can absolutely prove their online success... or someone who has yet to learn to drive for themselves?"
Now you can see why How to Become Stinking Rich Online was snapped up, before the site was closed down (by me), all within a matter of days from launch! ]

O.K. here’s my point which I have not been slow to elucidate (Concise Oxford Day Again) in recent articles and posts and that is:-
Learn to Drive correctly with a Professional Driving School and leave Mum and Dad and Friends out of the picture, at the very least until you have mastered the Basics. Practise with the family will play a part after you can drive correctly and not before. Many Adults driving today should be forced to use public transport until they have passed a Driving Test which many of them have never done.

We see it every day on the roads, the most appalling standards of driving by middle aged drivers; mostly Male I might add, but a sprinkling of impatient Females as well.
Appalling driving standards are not the prerogative of the younger Generation so Adults take note.

We will continue with the mini series tomorrow.
Here’s Rosalind’s Link http://www.netprofitstoday.com
Here’s Michael’s Link http://www.stinkingrichtwo.com

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

Astral Wordpress Blog……… ”Motorvating”

Your Attitude to Driving and the Driving Test

2005-09-19T11:45:00.000Z

Attitude is best summed up by a review of what you have done so far, to reach a certain standard in your driving. Have you taken advice from friends, relatives or acquaintances or have you taken the whole thing much more seriously and picked up the phone and booked lessons with a Professional Driving School?

A Professional School will equip you with the skills needed to survive, stay safe and enjoy trouble-free Motoring. Passing the Driving Test will be achievable providing you learn to Drive first. Preparing for a Driving Test should only commence when you have reached a certain level of Driving Skill and will be so much easier than doing it the other way round. A Driving Test Pass is only the beginning of your Driving career not the end!
There are several every day driving skills that are essential for safe motoring but which are not tested on a Driving Test. Would you ignore these because they will not be encountered on your Test? I hope not.

What are they?
(1) Driving on Country Roads.
(2) Driving on the Carriageway at full speed.
(3) Driving at Night.
(4) Driving in adverse Weather conditions.
(5) Emergency Stop.
(6) Reverse around a right hand corner.
(7) Reverse Parking into a tight space.
(8) Driving in log-jammed Rush hour Traffic.

A number of these manoeuvres are currently included on the U.K. Driving Test and will one day form part of the Irish Driving Test when we finally come up to European Standards.

Attitude to the Driving Test.

There are many myths and legends surrounding the Driving Test; lets examine some of them The right attitude for a new beginner Driver should be a non confrontational one and a realisation that you the Driver are responsible for the result, be it positive or negative.
Examiners do not have a quota of passes or fails to be achieved. Yes they are human and subject to outside influences such as first impressions, as we all are. It is just as easy for a candidate to create a poor first impression as it is to achieve a good one so why not do your homework and give yourself a head start over those candidates who don’t take the Test seriously enough.

An Examiner is not looking for perfection but a reasonably high degree of competence allied to good action and reaction times in all situations. If you have not taken the trouble to familiarise yourself with all the various hotspots which may be temporary or permanent, scattered throughout the general Test Route area then it is very likely that here is where you will come a cropper. ”Oh but I only made that one error because I didn’t know the new road layout was about to be implemented, and it wasn’t there yesterday “.This type of mistake in an unusual situation leads to numerous grade three faults on Driving Tests and as we know one grade three is a disqualification. Grade three type difficult situations are commonplace in every day driving and if strict marking was not in force then there would be many more first time Test Passes but many more Write-Offs with the attendant misery.

Obviously nerves can play a big part on the day and some candidates are better at controlling these emotions than others. If you can reduce this stress by telling yourself that it will not be the end of the World if you don’t pass this time then you will probably be more relaxed and will drive much better. Remember it is you who has to do your homework and be confident that you can do all manoeuvres, not the Examiner. With this confidence will come competence and you will do a much better job on the day.

Not enough homework, not enough practise and not enough lessons all conspire to produce an unsatisfactory result. Taking lessons two weeks before your Test just won’t prepare you sufficiently to be successful and to build up that level of confidence that is needed.

Take care and Take lessons. Driving Schools are not there to fleece you; they are there to help you achieve a satisfactory level of Driving Skill and to enable you to arrive alive.

Astral Driving School Limerick.

Astral Driving School Blog …. “Arrive Alive”…

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Who Takes The Blame? Are Examiners the Prime cause of failing the Driving Test?

2005-09-18T20:00:00.000Z

Have been doing quite a bit of Web research today looking at Forum Posts and other Driving School Web Sites.

Stumbling across an interesting post on Driving Tests which spawned 70 odd pages of comments was rather interesting. While this was an English thread, it is very similar to Irish Forum comments on this subject.

There were a huge number of comments that completely denigrated the Driving Examiners with disgusting language and a complete disregard for the fact that Passing or Failing a Driving Test rests solely with the Candidates themselves. Why not own up to the fact that to Pass a Driving Test, whether in Ireland or The United Kingdom, requires hard work, dedication, lots of practise, and Learning to Drive correctly in the first place!
Tootling down the road with a boyfriend or girlfriend or Mum or Dad just won’t cut it in today’s Driving Environment.
Buying a Car first and then taking an odd lesson months later, is not only asking for trouble in the form of accidents but is taking the Learner further and further away from reaching a satisfactory standard and by definition will usually lead to failure on the Driving Test. The sooner the mandatory minimum Driving Lessons are introduced before being allowed to sit the Driving Test the better it will be for all Drivers, Learners and Mature Motorists.

We have spent quite a lot of hours over the last three months with articles published on the Web and our blogs, in an attempt to help, assist and point in the right direction all those Learner Drivers getting ready for their Driving Tests. We still have some way to go with a wealth of, as yet, unpublished material and will continue to provide this resource for those who would like to do better in their Driving and their Driving Tests.

Incidentally do we really have to go on putting up with the drivel that is displayed in many Irish blog posts which contain more crap than content and spelling that makes you want to weep. I would venture to suggest that bloggers should utilise a spell check and curb the use of Anglo Saxon verbiage. For my part, I wouldn’t bother looking at someone’s blog that contained “ * * CK this and * * *KING ” that in the Title or elsewhere, since they are obviously a Baguette short of a Picnic!

The Driving Test is only for * & % * ERS………..till next time.

Astral Driving School

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Lady Luck is Lurking around each Corner!

2005-09-18T09:58:00.000Z

Is Luck part and parcel of passing the Irish Driving Test? I don’t think so. Of course there are many circumstances that come together on the day of your Test which can be both positive and negative. However, as in Life, so it is on the Driving Test, we can create our own Luck and give ourselves a better than average chance of passing.

How do we create our own Luck? Well I guess it’s all about positioning your self; and I am not talking about the Nearside lane, or the Apex, or the Pedestrian Walkway, or the Chevrons, or the Fourth exit. What I am talking about is making sufficient preparations in all the important areas so that there is nothing left to chance and that all the aspects that you CAN have control over are dealt with .That leaves your brain more focused on dealing with the outside world that is racing all around you and which requires your complete attention.

We are going to discuss over several days the pre test preparations of your Car, your Attitude, your Driving Skills, and Specific Manoeuvres.

Let’s start with the Car:-

(1) It should be spotless inside and out…get rid of all danglies, furry dice and every scrap of rubbish so that there is nothing to fly around and distract you. I worked with a girl once 29 years ago who was much too fast a Driver. She bent over to pick up something that fell of the dashboard, had a head –on collision and died in Hospital the next day. She was 26 years old.

(2) Tyres should be checked for legal tread depth and if in doubt replace them. A couple of years ago I had a pupil drive all the way from Dublin to do a Test in Shannon in a car that was only 18 months old. Examiner refused to conduct the Test due to a worn Tyre.There were other faults as well.

(3) Ensure all Brake lights are functioning. Carry spare Bulbs with you and learn how to replace them when they fail. I have had two bulbs go immediately before a Driving Test. A test will not be conducted with failed brake lights.

(4) Electric windows need to be fully functioning. Electrics are a very complex sub system in a car and do give trouble .They are sometimes difficult to isolate and repair. Eight years ago with just 70 miles on the Clock in a brand new car all the electrics went and three Auto Electric Engineers were unable to pinpoint the fault. The General Manager, finally found the problem, so experience as much as University Degrees play a big part in keeping your Motor running.

(5) Pre-set the heater controls if bad weather is expected and even if it isn’t. If like us you live in Limerick you will know that it is possible to experience sometimes Three Seasons in one Day. We have had Frost in June before now. In order to prevent your windscreen and windows from misting up set the heat switch to 75% and the Direction switch to full- frontal. Heavy rain after a fine spell will often mist up windscreens and windows in double quick time and on a Driving Test you should not be fiddling with switches and taking your eyes off the road.

(6) It goes without saying that all paperwork relating to your car should be in place, current and visible. That’s Road Tax .. Insurance ..and N.C.T Cert.. Garages are notoriously bad at ensuring all paperwork and logbooks are intact after you purchase a second-hand car, so don’t be shy and get tough with them if there are excuses. I have had to make available the Driving School car at very short notice for a Driving Test because a recent purchase by the pupil came with no accompanying documents. The car could not be taxed and therefore was unacceptable to be used for a Driving Test. As it so happened this Driver was very well prepared and well capable of handling a strange car with just four hours of practise. A driver who has not had enough lessons or practise would not be allowed to use our School Car for A Driving Test for obvious reasons.

(7) Final point for today and that is make sure your windscreens inside are cleaned well since glare from sunshine makes it quite difficult to see clearly.

Follow this series during the week for some good tips on Driving Test Preparation and bring Lady Luck onto your side.

Astral Driving School

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Immigrant Song…. A look at Led Zeppelin?

2005-09-16T00:10:00.000Z

This is not a music review although it’s timely to reflect on the 25th Anniversary of the Death of Led Zeppelin’s Drummer…John Bonham. This was undoubtedly the Best Rock Band in History (with apologies to Master Jagger and Co).
Back to the business of just what we are coming to with the vast volume of immigrants settling and making new lives in Ireland. I am of course only referring to The Irish Driving Scene and how the lack of enforced Driving Legislation will continue to affect us all; Learners, Tourists and the Mature Driving Population.

The following post was made earlier today on IndyMedia:-

“Thought I would post my opinions in response to the article on Driving Offenses by an immigrant. Of course we have quite enough homegrown uninsured Drivers without importing more problems from around the World.
If immigrants are going to come and settle in Ireland then they should be required to learn, absorb and obey all the Laws. Ignorance of the Law is not an excuse and shouldn’t be tolerated under any circumstances.
I was approached in a busy hotel car park last week by an Asian Man who was teaching his four year old the complexities of navigating a busy car park on a tricycle. It’s a miracle the child is still alive! His English was so bad as to be comical as he attempted to ask the price of Driving Lessons, which he then queried argumentatively.
There is absolutely no justification for allowing such persons on the road in charge of a lethal weapon. Mandatory standard of English should be required to begin with and of course there is no hope whatsoever of this person passing a Driving Test. He just wouldn't understand the Examiners instructions.
I think it's a good thing that we invite other Nationalities to participate in our new-found prosperity but as for driving that's another day's work. We are endeavoring to help all learner drivers with articles published on the web and with two blogs, currently Arrive Alive... and MotorVating

We have a large amount of Legislation backed up, covering all things Automotive and unless at least some of this gets to be implemented soon we will start the downhill slide to more Motoring Mayhem and the type of situation that pertained before Penalty Points.
At the rate we are going( or not if you get my drift) most of us will be 120 years old before the full Penalty Points system is in full swing. Four offences implemented in three years are not going to improve our accident statistics. There are two Computers costing €13 million sitting out there somewhere waiting to be switched on as I understand it.

Just in case anyone out there doubts the problems we are facing with our cousins from overseas here is a little snippet from a month ago relating to a friend of mine who I have been trying to coach towards Driving Test Standard.(unsuccessfully I might add)
Phone rings…agitated voice says” my sister has received her Test Appointment but I have not and we sent off a year ago together” The Girl had moved twice recently and we had to contact Ballina by e-mail to give current address. Incidentally don’t ever expect a reply to emails from the Driving Test Dept. I am still waiting. This girl had had three hours of coaching a year ago on just the Technical Checks and Test Protocols. Here we are now one month from the Test and the Bonnet of her car has never been opened by her. She has had the car a year now. Bonnet release mechanism was not functioning and came off in my hand, driver’s window (electric) not functioning, brake light missing and rear indicator not flashing amber. This was not an old car but would not have been accepted by an Examiner for a Driving Test on any of the above faults. The driving skills or rather the lack of them in this case I am sure are echoed around the country with many immigrants. So whatever Legislation is eventually brought in, this is not going to reduce the waiting times for a Driving Test when such standards as I have just described are commonplace.
Read my article on the web entitled Non Nationals Driving in Ireland for the first Time

Astral Driving School

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White Knights to the Rescue

2005-09-14T07:23:00.000Z

A follow up to yesterday’s post about tyre care. We will have a look at some simple equipment that will enable you to take really good care of your rubber.
One investment I have found to be absolutely invaluable over the years is a small compressor, which will run off the cigarette lighter. This piece of kit will enable you to check your tyres when they are cold, before your drive, and will give you an accurate reading. Checking tyres that are hot is inaccurate.

Utilising this little angel will establish if you have a nail in your tyre otherwise known as a slow puncture. A tyre with a nail through the Tread will lose approximately 6psi overnight which roughly equates to 20% of the required pressure. So if you notice a drop of this degree overnight, having previously checked the tyre then you should get straight to your Tyre Shop

If you decide to change your tyre and you live some distance from Tyre Heaven (your local expert) then there is the chance that you could be stranded if you happen to pick up a second puncture on the way .Its happened to me many times over the years picking up two punctures in a day or even within two hours.

In the winter months particularly, with soft grass verges, it’s often difficult to raise the car on the jack after a puncture, due to the weight of the car. A small plank of wood about a foot long (30cms) will provide the necessary support to raise the car without it continually sinking.

Finally a useful additional tool is a cast iron cross-over wheel brace which will remove the most stubborn of wheel nuts, particularly if they haven’t been removed for a while or have been over tightened in the tyre shop with a gun. I have had my own brace now for twenty five years and they last forever. With one of these babies you can help another Motorist out of trouble quite easily due to the four different socket sizes which will fit all cars. White Knights here we come!

Astral Driving School Limerick
Startpage.ie..Driving in Ireland Forum

Tyred Out? A brief look at Tyre Topography for the Uninitiated.

2005-09-13T08:40:00.000Z

Next to the Engine and under-bonnet kit, Tyres are probably the most neglected item of most cars. A tyre is a living breathing organism which can expire rather like a human if abused and ignored. However, with just a little effort on the driver’s part, safety and economy can be preserved.

Basically there are three parts to a tyre. The Tread; The Sidewall; and the Tyre Pressure.

Starting with the pressure; it is essential that you know what the correct setting for your particular tyre is and that you check them regularly. Every week or every 500 miles (800 kms).The correct pressures can be found in your Owners manual or if this is missing then have a look inside your fuel filler cap. Since many Garages seem to have great difficulty in maintaining all their forecourt equipment, the best option is to invest in your own little compressor which will work from your cigarette lighter connection. You can then check your tyres when they are cold, which gives you a true reading and spot irregularities easily. I gave up driving miles to my regular Petrol Station years ago because the air line and the car wash were constantly out of action. Garages take note!

The Tread depth is an important consideration for all drivers. First you have the legal limit which is??? . Worth pointing out here that tyres on the legal limit are 85% worn out so do your math and have a guess at what sort of adhesion you have while driving. In the dry you may be ok but in the wet you will be in a perilous condition. So remember my phrase ……….. ”Legal but Lethal“. Tyres wear at a different rate depending on which axle they are on. What does this mean? Well, since the front wheels do all the work and support the heaviest part of the car, the power plant, aka Engine, the front tyres wear out twice as quickly as those at the rear. A useful tip here is to switch the tyres round periodically to even out the wear. Your tyre shop will do this for you when you are in getting a puncture repaired, your wheels balanced or tyres replaced. Remember your best tyres should always be at the front.

The Sidewall of the tyre is the most vulnerable since it is often in contact with the Kerb, potholes and other nasties. The depth of the sidewall is quite thin hence it’s very easy to destroy a tyre by thumping a kerb so keep your distance. A regular check on the sidewall for cuts splits and bulges is important and if you find any of these then you should replace the tyre immediately.

All of these checks form part of the new Technical Check questions you will be asked on the Irish Driving Test. So get used to becoming an Informed and Aware, Learner Driver, instead of an Air Head!

Safe Driving and Pump up de Volume ( sorry Pressure)

Astral Driving School Limerick

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The Iyes Have It… Today’s Forest Fest in Formula One.

2005-09-11T14:02:00.000Z

In a thrilling Grand Prix in Belgium, as expected, rain played a bit part and gave us an entertaining race. As expected the Flying Finn cruised home to victory giving him his sixth win of the Season to match that of Alonso and leaving the World Championship to go down to the wire.

So in brief we had Kimi followed by Ferdi followed by Buttoni in third place and the other”I”s……Fizzi….Shumi…..and Trulli all took an early bath ! That’s why the track is appropriately called SPA.

Wet and Wonderful Motor Racing at its best.

Three Races to go and still all to play for.
See you in a Fortnight.

Astral Driving School

Speed Camera Roll Out? Yeah Yeah Yeah!

2005-09-11T08:36:00.000Z

Unfortunately for the population of this country who rely on Driving Legislation and Laws, or rather the lack of them, to guide them in their Driving Habits, one constant feature that continues to surprise me is that every time some new initiative is announced, it is years before it is implemented!

An article in the Limerick Leader a couple of weeks ago looked at the proposed introduction of national Speed Cameras and gave many comments from the local populace. One would be forgiven for thinking that this new development would be in force in a matter of weeks. Not So. They have been talking about this for years and successive Ministers have just not grasped the nettle. I guess there aren’t too many votes in accident statistics. We have amongst the worst set of accident statistics in Europe, per capita but speed cameras are not going to solve this issue.

What is the answer?

(1)A Standard of Driving that is led by Professional Instruction monitored and regulated by Law would be a start.

(2)The end to the farcical situation of Learner Drivers continuing to drive after failing Driving Tests without a structured and enforced plan for achieving full license status.

(3)A Minimum number of Driving Lessons certified by a Registered Driving School before being allowed to sit the Driving Test.

(4)Mandatory Tuition following the failing of a Driving Test and before the next attempt.

(5) Proper regulation and monitoring of out of State Drivers with Non Irish Registrations.

(6) Mandatory Tuition for New Drivers picking up Penalty Points in their first year following the Driving Test.

Draconian? Measures you might say, but we should learn from the experiences of other Countries and at least show some ability to improve the deteriorating situation on our Irish roads. Bolting the stable door after the horse has cantered over the horizon when we have so much financial resource available now, is a poor reflection of our system.

Drive Safely

Astral Driving School is committed to helping Learner Drivers achive a standard that will keep them safe and accident free.

Driving Instructor Fined While on Reversing Manoeuvres!

2005-09-10T07:36:00.000Z

Recently in England an Instructor was snapped on camera while practising a reversing manoeuvre with a Pupil. Apparently they overstayed their welcome and got hammered!

Well it is a common sight to see Driving Schools practising on Test Routes and I believe it is not only useful and helpful in reducing stress for Candidates on the lead up to their Irish Driving Test but surely anyone has a right to drive where they please on the road network?

Notices posted in Test Centres ask Driving Schools not to clog up Driving Test routes during the working day and this is fair enough but not all pupils are free at night to take Tuition and so daytime practise is the norm. Yes I agree that there should be a spirit of co-operation between the Department of Transport and Driving Schools. However the overriding concern for Driving Schools is to create safer drivers on the road and help them to pass their Driving Test.

To do this we need access to all avenues (pun intended) and its worth pointing out that the pavement and road outside every House does Not belong to the Householder and is freely accessible to all road users. Just because you have been used to parking your second car outside your house since the year dot does not convey exclusive rights. In fact it should be made mandatory that cars are not parked on the pavement or road within a certain distance of a corner. Enforcing this would be impossible but it would make driving through congested Housing Estates more comfortable.

As a postscript to these meagre comments, it should be the norm , but generally isn’t, to practise reversing and other manoeuvres far away from Test Routes to give a more “real life perspective”. Reversing around the same corner dozens of times may well give the pupil a chance to complete this manoeuvre without losing marks on the Test but it will not equip them to deal with “real life“ situations that will be rather different to the benign Driving Test scenario.

For all Test Candidates who might happen across this post…get away from Test Routes and practise in every conceivable place you can, including Country Roads and Carriageways

Drive Safely and enjoy the rather wet Weekend!

Astral Driving School

Ferdi.. Fizzi …Shumi and the Mother of all Grand Prix

2005-09-09T06:14:00.000Z

This weekend marks the final Titanic Battle (probably) for the ownership of Formula One’s glittering Prize--The World Championship.

With a good result at Spa Francorchamps in the Ardennes on Sunday, Alonso can clinch the Title and become the Youngest ever World Champion. If I am not mistaken Shumi has held that title up to now. The Red Baron was only 21 years old when given his first drive with Jordan back in 1991.

Eddy Jordan’s sale of the most interesting Grand Prix Team has left a void in the circus that will be difficult to replace, since privateers are a dying breed.
The vast amount of boodle needed to compete at this level has seen to that.

This year has seen an increasing number of Drivers with unpronounceable names from countries not normally associated with Formula One. I guess their meagre salaries as unknowns, is an attempt to stay in business for the lesser Teams.

At last the Red Baron’s side kick for six years, Rubinyo finally saw sense and looked for another drive leaving Michael to look around for someone else, suitable for kicking around!

Last Weekend at Monza, Jackie Stewart celebrated the fortieth anniversary of his first Grand Prix win. It’s a real pity he wasn’t able to keep the Stewart Team intact for longer than he did. It seems as though there is a jinx on past World Champions being successful at Team Owners. As a Driver it’s really just you and the car (or it used to be) nowadays it’s a big conglomerate thing keeping a Team going. I don’t imagine Schumacher, despite all his millions would have much success as a Team Owner …….but you never know?

Drive Safely and keep the Racing on the Track where it belongs!

Back to School Motoring Mayhem

2005-09-08T16:39:00.000Z

Since its back to School Time and a lot of extra Traffic on the roads several times a day it’s pertinent to have a look at some of the hazards that a Driver will encounter in the vicinity of Schools and Shops.

(1) Unfortunately when Mums and Dads are on the School Run quite often commonsense and courtesy go out the Window. Drivers that may be average in skill turn into morons during this period in the quest for quick turnaround and completion of routine on time.

(2) What I am talking about here is double and triple parking outside schools and shops.

(3) Parking nose in, instead of reversing in to the space. This means of course a reverse out into the road and into the path of oncoming traffic, which is not the slightest bit interested in your kids or your hectic routine. After all we’ve been there, done that, and hell we have routines of our own.

(4) There is a School near me that I pass several times a day and its mayhem at Schools in and Schools out time. All the Parents think about is their pride and Joy and to hell the rest of you Motorists. What is particularly bad about this school is that it is flavour of the month for the well to do,
who come from miles away to deposit their kids and who do not live in the immediate area. The result is that they have no comprehension of the Residents of the area and the volume of traffic that passes the school all day long.

(5) Shops near schools present a major hazard in the afternoon as kids are not born with an inbuilt sense of Road propriety. They will act the fool and often push each other into the road. In fact it’s quite common for a bunch of older Kids to push one of their number into the path of a Learner Driver, under instruction, just to see what will happen!

(6) World War Three in the back seat, creates major distraction for Drivers who either are inexperienced or just plain unable to discipline their passengers (kids).
Not so long ago I was privileged to be behind one of these Drivers for a mile or so in traffic and for the duration the driver spent 50% to 60 % of the total time with her head turned to the left, trying to issue instructions and not concentrating on the road.There were four or five kids of varying age in the car. I kept my distance fearing the worst.

This Monstrous Ballet is repeated at every School parking lot in the State several times a day and clearly it shows the complete lack of regard that most Adults have for other Drivers. I think what is probably worse, if that's possible, is the poor example being shown to the young passengers,who will undoubtely behave the same way when they themselves become Drivers.

The School Principals have a responsibility also to point out and enforce proper parking manners and etiquette. We have several Schools slap bang in the middle of Driving Test Routes here in Limerick and the knowledge of the Moronic Driving behaviour in the vicinity of these havens of learning is always passed on to Pupils on the lead up to their Driving Tests!

That’s it for today … Safe Driving.

Astral Driving School

Some Tips on Longevity with your Motor.

2005-09-07T07:40:00.000Z

(1) Check your Oil every week or every 500 miles. You can top up to the Max when the level reaches half way to Min. This will usually take one litre.

(2) Keep an eye on your Calibrated Coolant Temperature Gauge a slight rise in the Red Needle indicates a coolant leak which is probably a drip /drip type of leak. This can get steadily worse and lead to a catastrophic cooling system failure (and a big repair bill)

(3) Use fifth gear when you reach 60KPH it will save a lot of fuel and that is getting very expensive now due to the Oil crisis.

(4) Keep your tyres a peak pressure .Incorrectly inflated Tyres are unsafe and create drag leading to excessive tyre wear and extra fuel usage.

(5) A flickering Alternator Warning Light indicates a loose or slipping drive belt. Get it tightened immediately or your battery will suffer.

(6) Ease off your Gas pedal in good time when you know you are going to have to slow down or stop .Using the brakes at the last minute wastes fuel and there is always the chance of being rear-ended by Drivers that are following you too closely or on the phone and thinking about things other then Driving .

Just a quickie Today… Safe Driving

Oil Prices…….is this the beginning of the End?

2005-09-06T07:20:00.000Z

With the price of oil now at $70.00 per Barrel which is twice that of two years ago perhaps we should all be thinking of developing our two wheeled skills (unmotorised ) instead of craving to get onto the road with four?

I remember back in the dark ages; come to think of it they weren’t that dark; when the Cycling Proficiency Test carried out in schools in the U.K. was all the rage. Even then the propensity for shortening a lengthy word in every day conversation was ultra cool. Of course cool didn’t exist then. We shortened the aforementioned word to “prishency” and it was the most common topic of conversation.

Horror of horrors we had to learn to ride a bike with some degree of skill and awareness, not a trait that is exhibited by Cyclists on the road today. If I get one signal per month from a cyclist in Traffic while teaching my Pupils that’s the extent of it. Two signals is a red –letter month!

Since its Concise Oxford Day today (or rather yesterday) I will branch out and say that the inculcation of Road Awareness to the young two wheeled populace certainly had a most efficacious effect on the general standards of behaviour on the roads in the U.K. in future years, as the Accident statistics testify compared with other European neighbours. The Cycling Proficiency Test set the scene and I am sure played a part in educating the Young- Drivers –to- Be, in Good Manners and Awareness on the Road.

Astral Driving School
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Test your Ability on the Basics!

2005-09-05T08:27:00.000Z

Can you answer the Following Questions?

Below is a list of Twenty Questions that every Learner Driver should be able to answer with 100% accuracy……..

If Not ….you shouldn’t be sitting the Driving Test……Period!

1. Can you open the Bonnet of your car without fuss?

2. Can you identify all the important equipment that lives under the Bonnet?

3. Can you describe how to perform the checks on this Equipment?

4. Can you recognise when a Tyre is low on pressure?

5. Can you describe the three Checks on a tyre to ensure safety?

6. Can you stop correctly at a Stop sign?

7. Is it Mandatory to use the Handbrake at a Stop Sign?

8. Can you describe when not to use the Handbrake?

9. Do you know the meaning of “The Ten Second Rule”

10. What is the most acceptable distance from the Vehicle ahead when stopping?

11. What three steps would you take to improve safety in heavy rain?

12. What gear should you use when stopping?

13. When would you check your blind spot?

14. How often should you perform your basic mechanical checks?

15. Do you understand the Term “Opposite Lock”?

16. What is the first action you take in the event of a Stall?

17. Do you carry spare Bulbs and why is this important?

18. What is meant by Non-Standard Roundabout Configuration?

19. What should you do if a Dashboard Warning light illuminates?

20. How would you check your Brake Lights were functioning if on your own?

(c) Astral Driving School 2000-2005

If you have any questions or queries on the above or other Driving problems we would be happy to reply to your e-mail.

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Astral Driving School

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First Steps for the Irish Learner Driver

2005-09-05T06:58:00.000Z

This is a full article just published on the Web so grab a coffee and enjoy? The follow-up to yesterdays post will come over the next day or two.

Quote of the Day " No Rock Star would buy this Rolls Royce because its too big to fit into a Swimming Pool" Jeremy Clarkson...TOP GEAR

My Quote of the Day " Keith Moon always could do the Impossible!" (Drummer with THE WHO)

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 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.

About the Author.
Robin Piggott is a professional Driving Instructor who runs a Driving School in Limerick, Ireland. The many benefits in taking Driving lessons are both obvious and not so obvious. To help the undecided learner driver make an informed decision and to get a head start, they should check out his web site and blog for the latest developments in the Driving Scene in Ireland.

www.astralmotoring.ie

Irish Driving Scene

Learner Drivers

Instrumentation Terminology…..Auto Speak For Dashboard.

2005-09-04T11:02:00.000Z

We are going to have a very quick look at your Instrument Panel (Dashboard) and the correct Description of each Warning Light. Even if you have no interest in the mechanical workings of your car it is essential to know the location of all the important “Bits”, their correct description and the appropriate action you must take when lights start to flash, bleep or generally misbehave!

You should not consider venturing out on your own unless you know the following. You will be putting your own life at risk and that of other road users, to say nothing of your passengers.

1. Handbrake Warning light (Red Circle with exclamation mark )

2. Alternator Warning Light (Battery Icon )

3. Oil Pressure warning Light (Oil Can Icon)

4. Coolant Temperature Gauge (Calibrated Gauge)

5. Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Thermometer Icon)

6. Fuel Gauge (Calibrated Gauge)

7. Rev Counter (Main Circular Dial )

8. Speedometer (Main Circular Dial )

9. Seatbelt Warning Light (Passenger Icon )

These are the main Instrument Warning lights which all come and stay on momentarily after you turn the Ignition on. All should then go out, leaving the Alternator Warning Light and the Handbrake Warning Light on as you start the Engine. Once the engine is running, the only light that should be visible is the Handbrake Warning Light. This should go out the moment you
move off.

What to do when any of these lights come on? With the exception of the Handbrake Warning Light all other lights showing while you are Driving require you to stop the Car immediately (after checking your mirrors) and investigate the cause.

We will go through the diagnostic procedures and the action to be taken in our next Post.
In the mean time Safe Driving ………….

Learner Drivers
Driving in Ireland

Astral Driving School

Preparing for your Driving Test. The Thinking Persons Guide!

2005-09-03T10:48:00.000Z

Any of you who have read previous posts or articles will by now know that we don’t pull punches. Its flavour of the week to blame your ills on anyone but yourself, and this is no less true when you fail the Driving Test.
There are some basic, commonsense, actions that you can take to give yourself a better than average chance of passing first time. Makes Sense? Read On!

(1) Make sure your Car is up to the task by reading (you can do this?) the two pages of notes that come with your Driving Test Appointment. We have written articles and posts on this in great detail, yet Drivers seem to think that this is just Baloney. Try arriving for your Driving Test with worn tyres or a missing brake light or a malfunctioning Electric Window and see what transpires!

(2) Don’t wait till a week or two before your Driving Test before you ring for Lessons. It’s much too late at this stage. If you haven’t done the Test before you will need not only an update on recent developments but a good deal of practise on the routes that the Drive will encompass. Once you have been round the area with a Professional Instructor a few times, you can then go away in your own time and get a feel for the area yourself.

(3) Driving Lessons with a Professional Driving School will be worth the investment (note the absence of the word Expense!).You will not only get the latest Driving Test requirements which continue to evolve( i.e. changes and increases) but you will have all the “Hotspots” pointed out to you so that once again you can practise in your own time. What’s a Hotspot? My take on a hotspot is any place that requires an extra degree of understanding, awareness, and skill. This could be anything from a spot notorious for bad or double parking; a double-blind junction; or a right turn that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy!

(4) Reversing Manoeuvres require a great deal of practise in all sorts of different places, not just favourite Test Route spots, in order to perfect them. If you allocate sufficient time to perfecting these two manoeuvres, you will be giving yourself two extra marks to play around with .You need every available mark in order to cope with the many difficult situations on the Driving Test. Going into the Test with the confident knowledge that whatever else happens, you wont lose marks in your Reversing will give you a head start. Reversing is the one area that you, the Candidate, has complete control of the outcome and usually takes place in a quiet area with not too much traffic to deal with. It’s quite common to complete either of the two reversing manoeuvres moderately well technically and yet lose marks for poor technique or poor observation. Little or no observation will lead to a disqualification. So be warned!

That’s it for today …Get cracking and practise.

Astral Driving School
Learner Drivers

Sign of the Times

2005-09-02T06:25:00.000Z

Here's a copy of the reply I sent this morning, to Emma Knights of the Eastern Daily Press of Norfolk. That's Norfolk, United Kingdom not Norfolk, Virginia.

Her brief snippet detailed the devastating loss of a Driving School Roof Sign.It really is difficult finding your car in one of those huge car-parks unless your roof sign is visible!

Hi Emma,

Nice little piece about the Hunter Driving School Sign.

Actually one of my local Colleagues here near Limerick had her roof sign stolen about five years ago and she never bothered to replace it. It doesn't seem to have affected her business in any way!

For myself, last year I suffered the loss of a body=magnetic sign which displayed the wonderful words,"Keep Back Learner Driver" in bright red letters.

Yes it's a curse when you have property stolen isn't it ?

Here in Ireland the sport of Non=Display of L Plates by Learner Drivers is gaining momentum rapidly, especially among Candidates that are just a few days from their Driving Test.

To overcome this malady, when I am meeting a pupil for the first time, in their own car I always carry a spare set of plates. It's the first thing I point out after shaking hands with them. Actually, come to think of it, I had a pupil drive off with a set of magnetic L plates a couple of years ago and have been unable to replace them. They are not readily available here.

If you want to borrow some Irish Learner Driver Stories at any time have a look at our Blog which resides at http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com or better still check in to the forums community at http://www.startpage.ie an excellent new Irish portal where I have been invited to participate as Motoring Correspondent. Perhaps one day I will get a real job?

Must dash outside now to see if my sign and car are still there! Yes you've guessed it.....we have had a car stolen in broad daylight at 9.05am, at the peak of the "grab a car and burn it out before lunch" season a couple of years ago.The car was unrecognisable when we found it and had a boulder the size of a Sumo wrestler inside it.I still can't fathom how they did this.Actually the only means of identification, was the tattered remains of my Medical kit strewn around the perimeter of the wreckage!

Regards Robin

The Re-Signed School of Motoring.

Robin Piggott
Astral School of Motoring
Limerick.
http://www.astralmotoring.ie

Driving in Ireland

Buying your First Car… a few hints and Tips for Beginners

2005-09-01T10:48:00.000Z

(1) Choose your Make and Model, and while colour is a factor in anyone’s choice it should not be the overriding one. When you have got used to Driving and have a bigger budget; then you can afford to be choosy.
(2) Check out the Buy &Sell Mag.or www.startpage.ie,an excellent Irish portal with many Motoring links, for prices of your chosen model and year and also your local Classified ads .It will give you a guide as to what you could be paying.
(3) If you buy privately, you may get a very good deal but it’s Caveat Emptor time and you should take along a friend who is experienced in these matters. We often go along with Pupils to vet and check out a car they like the look of. It does take time to evaluate a car and could be as much as an hour or so. It’s an expensive mistake if you don’t check everything out, and too late once the money has changed hands.
(4) If you are buying from a Garage that is not a main dealer of the Model you have set your heart on , the in depth checks are just as important, maybe even more so. Dealers are very quick to take the money but much less inclined to look after you if you don’t show them who’s Boss!
(5) While the legislation covering Purchasers rights are fairly well known it’s better to walk away from a car if everything is not absolutely A1.
(6) What to look for :-
(a) General Condition.
(b) Mileage
(c) Tyres including Spare. Tyres should be at least just half worn. While Tyres are not that expensive you should not have to go to the bother of replacing them just after buying the Car. This could be a bargaining stance for you.
(d) All Electrics working .Particularly Electric Windows if fitted. It’s an expensive job to get electric windows repaired. A Drivers side Electric window not functioning will result in the Car being turned down if you are on your Driving Test Appointment.
(e) Heavy soiling of seats together with worn pedal rubbers could indicate a higher mileage than is showing on the clock.
(f) Check the number of previous owners and if possible get the phone number of the previous owner to have a brief chat on the recent history of the car. If the vehicle has been giving no trouble, an owner is usually well disposed to giving you the low down.
(g) Car manual and service record should be in the glove box. This will give you very valuable information on the car’s history and the problems previous owners encountered.
(h) As part of the above, the date the Timing Belt was last changed is very important. If the timing belt goes awol you will be looking for a new engine!
A good look around the engine compartment will also tell quite a tale. This would be a good chance for the complete beginner to get used to all the bits of equipment that now form part of the New Technical Checks on the Irish Driving Test.

Now is the time for a TEST DRIVE, firstly with your advisor in the Driving Seat and then your goodself.
This is not the complete Definitive Guide to Peace of Mind but covers a good many points that a beginner will inevitably overlook.

(c) Astral Driving School.Limerick 2000-2005

Irish Learner Driver
Driving in Ireland

Volvo in new High Tech Big Brother Mode.

2005-08-31T06:43:00.000Z

Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has announced it is experimenting with some novel safety technology which IN-VOLV(O)ES a special ignition key that will control the top speed of a car.

Wait for it……The Driver will be required to blow into an in-built, Breathalyser lock and then fasten the seat belt before the car will start!

This two-part safety check will ensure that if Alcohol is detected (which locks out the seat belt) or the seat belt is not fastened, the car won’t start! Great idea methinks!

The breathalyser lock is integral with the driver’s seat belt catch.
The figures from the EU commission show approximately 10,000 deaths on the roads each year in alcohol- related accidents! That’s not a figure to take lightly or ignore.

The wearing of seat belts, although well documented to play a large part in reducing death and serious injury in car accidents still has not been universally accepted in Ireland. Young drivers and young Parents are particularly at fault here. The example set by Parents when carrying their offspring, by always wearing their seat belts, will be picked up by the youngest of children and will set the kids on the right track when they themselves start to drive.

Volvo have for many decades been associated with the highest standards of safety in car manufacture and although a lot of their vehicles look like a cross between a Tiger Tank, a Sherman, and the Space Shuttle, they are to be admired in their quest for further safety on the roads. Of course, like most new technology in the Automotive field, it takes quite a time for something as innovative as this new gizmo, to be universally accepted, but it’s an excellent idea and will undoubtedly save many lives when implemented.

BUCKLE-UP and CLUNK-CLICK….it will save your LIFE.

Driving in Ireland

The Astral Blog is at http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com
The Astral Driving School web site is at http://www.astralmotoring.ie

Safe Driving ……………………..

Why Driving For Life is more important than The Driving Test.

2005-08-30T08:06:00.000Z

Any one who has read any of my posts to the Astral Blog or any of my articles may be forgiven in thinking that I am a stuffy "aul fella". Old I may be ....fifty something .....soon to be sixty something.....However there is one great benefit in reaching elder statesman status...that of experience and hopefully Wisdom .
Think of the Television ad and the "Wrinkly Ninja". well I can tell you that getting old can be a rewarding time of your life because it's a time when you can give something back and help a new generation just as you yourself were helped and advised by your peers .
This is what I am attempting to do in my profession as my writing is expanded to reach hopefully far and wide in the not too distant future. Reaching far and wide is an aspiration that brings rewards.We have had pupils who have flown from several thousand miles away to take tuition from us so we are not exactly without wisdom !
Here's a brief precis of an earlier article relating to the waiting times for a Driving Test here in Ireland.

Driving for life means that you should take the whole process of learning to Drive seriously and spend whatever time and money it takes to reach an acceptable standard before attempting the Driving Test.The Driving Test is only a basic standard and still not close to European Levels but it is improving steadily,thankfully.
The focus on a Driving Test instead of learning more advanced skills in the early stages is a recipe for disaster, sooner rather than later.Following on from yesterdays mention, a recent pupil turned her car over into a ditch primarily because she had not taken sufficient tuition before venturing out on her own.The car was just three weeks old and was a write-off.Learning to drive is a lengthy process if you want to attain safe skills.If you want to write off your car in double quick time then don,t bother with Lessons.
While Eddy Hobbs may have a good point in blaming the Government for all our ills , the government is not totally at fault when it comes to waiting a year for a Driving Test.. Here's why ......
(1) Generally a large proportion of test candidates are just not up to it.They haven't taken the whole thing seriously enough and have not prepared adequately.How can you not take a Driving Test seriously ?. It's not only your life that's at stake but all the other Road users as well!
(2) A few hours with a Driving School a couple of weeks before a Test does not constitute "Adequate"
(3) A high proportion of Test Candidates just don't turn up.Recently in Limerick, four of an Examiner's first six candidates one day, failed to show.So that means that they are still on the waiting list; but worst of all, four fresh candidates on the cancellation list lost an opportunity to do their Test.
(4) There is a high percentage of cancellations, about 10 or 12 %. of course some of these will be genuine and others will be not.
(5) There are still a number of Cars that are being turned down on the day due to not being at the correct Departmental Standard, which means not safe in some instances, and paperwork not acceptable in others.
(6) Our Unique Demographics here in Ireland; with a huge population under twenty five years of age, together with increasing immigrant numbers make the existing resources of the Driving Test Department not appropriate .This is one area where the Government got caught out by underestimating the flood of non-nationals settling in Ireland over the last couple of years. This trend is set to continue, to add to the returning Ex-Pats over the last while during Celtic Tiger One.
Just for the record there are approximately 350,000 Learner Drivers on the road ..that's one in five cars! and as we speak just 120 Examiners nationwide.

That's it for today . Drive Safely

Astral Driving School

The Trans Continental Search for A Driving Test

2005-08-29T09:36:00.000Z

There are numerous Learner Drivers trying to circumvent the lengthy waiting list for a test appointment by traveling ridiculous distances to strange locations the other side of the planet.
My advice is don’t bother. Better option is to continue to prepare carefully in your own home territory with the help of a professional Driving Instructor. You have much more chance in getting though today's Test by being familiar with your surroundings. Unfamiliarity breeds..........??
Recently I had a pupil who tried getting to Ennis for a Driving Test (from Dublin) and only made it half way before having an altercation (polite word for Prang!) with a truck.
So if you are really desperate to get your full License sooner rather than later. Here are my tips.
(1) Take sufficient lessons with a Driving School.(a couple of hours tuition just before the Test will not cut it)
(2) Practice your reversing maneuvers until they are Perfect!(even a moderately done reverse can still attract a mark-down ) the two maneuvers are really the only time on your Test when you have complete control of the situation ,so why throw marks away ?
(3) Do a little out of town practice and carriageway time. It will build your experience and your confidence and help with your demeanor on the day of the Test. Driving round and round test routes until you are dizzy from it is a polarized approach.
(4) If you are in employment a letter drafted by the Boss and sent to Ballina requesting you be added to the Cancellation List will give you an appointment usually in about two (2) to Six(6) weeks. A word of advice here ....you will get very little notice for a cancellation slot soooo you have to be READY FOR THE TEST...no last minute panic lessons.

I could go on and on and on ......... there are so many other variables to consider. You could improve your chances by visiting our Blog at http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com and checking out all our articles some of which are published here on Startpage.ie but you could speed up the search process by logging onto http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=robinpiggott
Safe Driving and good fortune on your Test ........ Luck has nothing to do with it!

R.R.N.......Really Rural Nightmares

2005-08-26T05:36:00.000Z

We follow on yesterday’s post with some more really useful info on safe Driving in the Country.

The level of danger on an Irish country road varies a lot depending on the time of day, the day of the week, the season of the year and the intensity of the Farming in any given area; and these are only the scenarios that the Driver really has no control over. The driver does, however, have control over how he or she drives when confronted with these variables and this will play a great part in staying safe and not ending up in a field or on top of a stone wall or in the case of my precious Driving School Car embedded in a Garden wall alongside another vehicle. More of that later. Just in case anyone dares to think that I was behind the wheel during this aforementioned Ballet, I hasten to add that at the time I was two miles away at my Computer Desk!

All of the previously mentioned variables have always been there but today they have a greater significance due to the fact that there are many more houses now built and under construction in the country and on the outskirts of all Towns and Cities. This has lead to a huge increase in the volume of traffic on these roads. That volume of traffic, to a greater extent is now comprised of Learner Drivers who are coming onto the roads in ever increasing numbers. This leads to a much greater chance of an experienced Driver meeting many more inexperienced Drivers than previously.

The vast bulk of Learner Drivers are not taking sufficient Driving Lessons because the Legislation that we have or should have is just not being enforced. Therefore the chances of having to deal with a learner - created emergency on a country road are very high indeed. Even with all the skill in the world there is not perhaps a whole lot you can do if confronted with a car heading straight for you on the wrong side of the road round a bend! Before examining the particularly dangerous permanent aspects of a Rural Road its worth pointing out that any Driving School worth it’s salt should be training all it’s pupils on Irish country roads and introducing them to the hidden and not so hidden dangers. A very high proportion of your Driving career will be spent on rural roads so it’s essential to grasp the basics and be constantly aware of what you can expect around the next corner.

The time of day is an important yardstick…..during rush hours which are early mornings and homecoming times there will be a lot of drivers in a “helluva” hurry and add to their excessive speed, their lack of experience and you have a lethal cocktail. Of course excessive speed isn’t restricted to Learner Drivers; more adult motorists who have got away for years with sloppy or dangerous habits on their local road are getting closer by the day to an accident, when they meet their counterpart doing the same thing in the opposite direction!

The day of the week has a bearing on the volume of traffic wherever you are. The end of the week sees a much greater volume of cars on the road as Company Representatives head home from all corners of the globe; again in one hell of a hurry. Company car drivers who live in the big smoke are generally not so rural road savvy in their first few years on the road and present a big problem when navigating an unfamiliar stretch. Overtaking in a dangerous place is usually the main reason for the Big Bang theory here. You know the start of the Universe and all that, or in this scenario …the End of it, for the driver concerned!

I think I will save the comments on the other two situations for the next post, so until then safe driving and watch out for the Muddy Field where the Road should be ……….

(c) Astral School of Motoring 2000-2005

Astral Driving School.Limerick

Startpage.ie -- Alien Portal Hovers over Dublin

2005-08-25T12:49:00.000Z

Startpage.ie is an excellent new Irish Portal...give it a look see

and "join in the spirit of the fun" .....Alvin Lee...Lead Guitarist with one of the best seminal bands of the Sixties...

"TEN YEARS AFTER"..

Of course none of you out there have ever heard of them..just buy the Woodstock DVD (I assume it's on DVD now ) and you will see what I mean.
I was priviledged to see them Live at the Marquee in '66.. they would make most of today's so called Bands crawl into a hole!

Just a copy of a post to a friends Site this morning:-

"Hi Marcel,

Reckless doesn't even come close! "Star Trek" would be a more apt description. Have a look at this morning's post on my Blog "Arrive Alive" at ;-

http://astralmotoring.blogspot.com

where we (I ) discuss the wonders of Motoring in the Country. I just have to add, for the emphasis on our Mad behaviour on the roads, that a few years ago a Guy built a whopping big Mansion about 500 metres(yards) from my house. He used to overtake me with more than a little Verve on the way home, until not long after he moved in to his new house he proceeded to write off his Car (make disguised for anonimity ) not 50 metres from his front gate. How embarassing can you get.We stopped to offer help but he was already on his mobile ordering his new car. .I will let my readers know more in a subsequent post.

Any Editorial Career positions going at StartPAge....? I could get addicted to this BlogandPingO'Sphere!! "

Robin of ShareWOOD........

Do visit Startpage.ie .......it's better than "Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use your Head more and your Feet less

(c) Astral School of Motoring 2000-2005

Astral Driving School

Mid West Monsoon Finally Arrives!

2005-08-25T07:57:00.000Z

Monsoon Season Begins Early!!

This morning at 6.30 am it was obvious that Summer is over....if in fact it ever started; torrential rain, albeit only for a few minutes followed now an hour or two later by some nice sun !

Here in the Mid West we are blessed with a somewhat extra dose of Mother Natures soothing Elixir otherwise known to lesser Mortals as precipitation. See weather forecast for details…..
Our proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream sees to that .So it’s timely to start to prepare our Motors for the coming Deluge. One plus point about living in the West as a motorist is that we don’t get the same level of frost or snow as in Dublin and down the East coast so it’s not quite so hazardous in the Winter months.
Having said that, since we don’t have the opportunity to get much frost and snow driving experience, we have to be even more vigilant during the morning rush hour on the way to work , particularly if we live out in the Country. For years now it’s quite common for new residents, who are unaware of the treacherous state of these local roads in icy conditions, to still be driving at breakneck speed, overtaking everything in sight with disastrous consequences.
There is a particularly nasty section of road about three miles from Limerick , which is an undulating Z bend. Nearly every year, during the worst frost of the winter, someone fails to navigate this section and ends up through the hedge and into the Field. There have been some really serious accidents at this spot including one on a Bank Holiday about two years ago involving three cars .Two of which were learner Drivers. The road was blocked and two Ambulances ferried the injured.
This is a particularly dangerous spot as it is Farming country with usually far too much unmentionable plastering the road.

Farmers do have a job to do, but having had to negotiate four miles of crap, to put it mildly, for the last twenty five years I am not well disposed to the sport of turning a Road into a slurry track. New Drivers and residents of any rural community should be very aware of this feature of Irish country roads. They are death traps, even in summer conditions.

On the subject of Farming skills, only last year, during the local Sileage Grand Prix, my local telegraph pole got in the way of one of the front runners. While on almost full lock, and trying a daring overtaking manoeuvre, the number one driver of the East Limerick Grand Prix Team took out fifty houses in one go and left carbon fibre chards and a whole pile of wires in the middle of the Road. As well as losing telephone connections of course we went two days without Internet Coverage. Thankfully the Safety car, in the guise of Telecom Eireann, was reasonably quick on the scene but the Race continued with the culprit oblivious to the damage caused.
Just one of many stories that abound on the outskirts of civilisation. I am sure it’s the same the country over.
Spielberg’s “Close Encounters” wouldn’t even come close to the horrors of Rural motoring here in the West.
Talk soon with more Motoring news from The Wild West………..

ASTRAL DRIVING SCHOOL.LIMERICK.IRELAND

(C) Astral School of Motoring 2000-2005

Focus on Ford........Great Marketing.

2005-08-24T07:25:00.000Z

The AA Driving School,in the U.K. has announced that it plans to continue its association with that doyen of car Manufacturers, the Ford Motor Company.
All 1800 AA Instructors will be receiving the new 1.6 litre Ford Focus every six months; a staggering 3,600 cars per annum.

Of course our resources are a little less ambitious, as Driving Schools here in Ireland. While it is wonderful to have a car changed frequently it is also a huge cost since depreciation takes a huge chunk off the value of any new car the day you drive it out of the showroom.Still I imagine Ford actually have full time chauffeurs employed just to deliver their Focus to the A.A's happy Instructors.

Personally ,I wouldn't be happy to change a car every six months,you are only just getting used to it by then and understanding it's foibles.For many years I was the proud Driver of a company car which was changed every two years and usually, at the end of a contract Hire agreement, you could buy the outgoing car at a very reasonable price from the Supplier.The advantage of this being that you knew the whole history of the car and how many times you had put it into the ditch or how many replacement parts had been fitted.

Cars cost a huge amount of money to run even if you don't do a whole lot of mileage.A company car is worth a large Salary increase( a very large one ) since you can take the car into the garage every time a pidgeon poops on it and not worry have you too much month left at the end of the money.

The age of a Driving School car is not a definitive guide to the standard of Tuition you will receive in it. Absolutely nothing wrong with a car that is four,five, or even six years old, providing the owner takes a pride in its appearance and has an understanding of sound mechanical principles.

Some small cars cost a lot more than others and you see a plethora(it's my Concise Oxford Day!) of vehicles with Driving School signs these days.Sadly a lot of these have come from Regions the other side of the Planet and are cheap and nasty and in my view not a good advertisement for a Driving School.These strange vehicles may be easy to put on the road, but will not hold their value and I believe, just like purchasing a house, the day you buy it is the day you sell it.

Frankly I would rather spend more money on a reliable marque knowing that it will still look good after five years,whether I am still driving it or not.I suppose it is a free country and Driving Schools starting off need to be aware of costs, which are considerable,and will be much more so when the much vaunted Agency for Regulation and monitoring of Driving Schools is in action.

When will that be? Anybody's guess.We have had three Government Ministers responsible for overseeing this dramtic event since it was first announced many years ago and one secretary to the Minister whose prime responsibility was the implementation of this legislation.This latter individual was found driving not so long ago the wrong way up a dual carriageway ; but we live in hope that one day our standards will be much improved and our accident statistics more in line with other countries in Europe instead of being almost the worst.
Safe Driving

Attention... Diversion...This Way to The Delta

2005-08-23T14:43:00.000Z

Since We are disciples of the Art form known as THE BLUES we decided to give you all a little break from Driving Test preparation and introduce you to the man who shaped the whole Music Scene of the last fifty years.This is a brief article published on the Web a couple of weeks ago.

Soon we will give you some of the Words of Robert's first Record...."Terraplane Blues" which is a masterful rendition of the similarities between a Love affair and the Motor Car .I guess I will have to give you all a brief glimpse under the bonnet(hood ) and investigate the workings of said Motor Car in order for you to understand the Lyrics!! Any way that's for a future post Hope you enjoy the article

The King of the Delta Blues Singers
By Robin Piggott

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth Century is now one of the most revered and respected of all Musicians who make up the Genre of the “Blues “. I speak of course about the wonderful Robert Leroy Johnson . Born in 1911 in Hazelhurst Mississippi, in a Deep South plantation, he, in his pitifully short life has become one of the founding Fathers of the Blues.

He recorded only 36 sides over a period of a couple of months between November 1936 and June 1937 in San Antonio Texas .These remarkable recordings still bring tears to the eyes of Blues aficionados the world over and shaped the face of the music of today.
The post-war Blues of Chicago owe a great debt to Robert Johnson and it is sad to think what might have been had he lived! In just a few short years he matured from a young black guitarist into a superstar of his day .The often repeated legend was perpetuated by his contemporaries that he sold his soul to the Devil in return for his amazing guitar techniques.

His story is one of hardship tinged with great success in his own locality of the Delta and women were said to be rendered helpless as he sang his compositions. His death at the hand of a jealous husband at the age of twenty seven robbed the world of one of Americas finest ever Musicians and Blues artists.

Years after his death in 1938, a photograph was unearthed, one of only two in existence. It shows not only his inimitable style of dress but quite remarkable slender fingers which helped him to achieve his unique mastery of the bottleneck guitar technique. He is pictured in a chalk–stripe suit which would have been somewhat overstated for a man in his position at that time .When I first saw that photograph the one thing above all else, that stood out were his beautiful long fingers that enveloped the guitar fingerboard and obviously caressed it as though it was a Woman helpless in his arms!

What about his subject matter… well nothing much has changed in the passing of time; the age old, painful process of unrequited love; of restless yearnings to move on down the line to pastures new ; to unfaithful liaisons; and of course much sexual innuendo .

Robert Johnson’s skill as a poet of the time and place is absolutely unsurpassed in my estimation! For sure he borrowed words, phrases, and guitar licks from his peers, but moulded them into something quite unique that not only stands the test of time but has a relevance to today’s Rock music.

There cannot be any Blues Band on this Planet that has not been influenced by Johnson and his music and this is a testament to the greatness of the man! The list of recordings of Johnson’s songs by modern artists is endless and forms the backbone of the resurgence of the Blues in the early sixties in Britain and continues to this day! Most of the long lasting Bands of the R,n,B revolution of 62, 63, and on into the seventies have recorded several of Roberts songs. Notable amongst these would be The Rolling Stones, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream,The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, and many more. Johnson’s songs transcribed particularly well to the new Electric guitar line-ups of the fifties and on into the sixties. Probably one of the most popular of his songs, which I can’t imagine anyone not having heard in a modern format, is of course Crossroad Blues.

This song was recorded live at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1968 by the great Eric Clapton and his two buddies, Jack Bruce on bass and stickman, Ginger Baker .This song also featured in Cream’s farewell concert at the Albert Hall in London in 1969. I doubt whether Johnson envisaged this treatment of his song when he wrote it or that his poetry would one day be the cornerstone of the Blues Revival of the Sixties.
It is a poignant end to his story that the great impresario John Hammond, who later went onto sign –up a young Bob Dylan in 1962, was just too late when he searched for Robert to appear in the momentous concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938. Robert Johnson was dead but his spirit and his music will live on for ever in the hearts and minds of the lovers of the music we call THE BLUES.

© Robin Piggott 2004 Key to the Highway Publications.

Visit our Web Site ......Astral Driving School. Limerick. Ireland

The Inaugural Turkish Grand Prix 21-08-05

2005-08-21T09:38:00.000Z

Today marks a further addition to the Formula One Calendar with the first running of the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.
It's always good to see a new track come into being but of course a little sad to see some go by the wayside,after decades of activity.
Zandvoort in Holland is a case in point.The Grand Prix's of yester year have played host to some of the World's most renowned Formula One stars and the sight of Jimmy Clark battling his Lotus through the dunes of the Dutch Circuit will be a lasting memory for those of us no longer 21 or 31 or 51!!

I have to mention now a vivid memory of one of my first MotorRacing outings back in 1964 with a handful of my school friends ,including two of my closest, Ian Snelling and Ray Whitehead.After all this time, it still seems like yesterday when we travelled to the Crystal Palace Circuit on the outskirts of London to watch the battles between two future World Champions who at that time were quite unknown.

The Formula Two Race will remain etched in my memory as a young Scot..Jackie Stewart and a European driver with a rather unpronouncable name..Jochen Rindt, did battle .It was a dry dusty day and sadly the Circuit no longer exists but the memory is as strong as ever.
Jochen Rindt (a jovial Austrian ) went onto become the only Posthumous World Formula One Champion and most of the public will of course have heard of the Legendary Jackie Stewart whose own Team Creation is now Racing under another Banner.

The countless Zillions being invested in Formula One is of course good for all involved but many of today's technical motoring innovations that we take for granted stem from developments in this field and I am sure will continue to do so well into the future.

This season so far has been much more enjoyable as the Ferrari and Shoemacher star begins to wane and others are given the opportunity to shine. Good luck to all the Teams today, in just two hours time, and to all of you out there Safe Driving

Have a look at our website which hopefully won't go the way of the Crystal Place Circuit or our School which is buried under an Industrial Estate now I believe.near Tadworth in Surrey England.
Astral Driving School .Limerick .Ireland

Irish Driving Test Tips ...continued

2005-08-21T07:58:00.000Z

We have previously dealt with setting the Scene and preparing your car for the Test.Let's now have a look at a few do's and don'ts that will make a difference to the outcome and have you on your full license in a few short months instead of years.Yes, until recently there were many Adult Drivers quite content to spend their lives on a Provisional License , sometimes as long as Twenty Years! The new Laws are preventing this and rightly so ....... read on please..

(1) It's a myth,hopefully long since forgotten, that the slower you drive during your Driving Test the more chance you have of passing. You must be at, or close to the Speed limit (whatever that is )providing of course that traffic conditions allow you to do this.
In a 50KPH zone ,which is now the new built -up area speed limit you should be close to this speed and definitely not just over it! Providing you have learnt how to travel in fourth (4th) Gear at 50KPH, keeping a reasonable distance from the vehicles in front, you will not lose marks for lack of progress.

(2) Travelling at a low speed in a high gear takes a bit of getting used to.It's a question of training that right foot to be both gentle and totally awake.By this I mean that to maintain a constant speed (say 50kph) you need to be aware of undulations and gradients in the road.If you approach the brow of a hill at 50kph and then do not ease off, or feather the gas pedal as you proceed down the hill,then very soon you will be at 60kph which on a driving Test will obviously lose you a mark .While we don't have that many hills on Driving Test routes this is an important skill to develop. You might say that it would be easier to change down to third gear(3rd) for the downhill stretch and you would be right ...it is easier but it's not the correct technique.
As a motorist we have to be both safe and economic, the two go together and most, if not all, correct techniques in Driving will give you both these benefits.Being in a higher gear is giving your Engine and Bank Balance, longevity.Engines live longer when less stressed and use a lot less fuel in a higher gear.

(3) There are usually several stretches of higher speed limits on a Driving Test Route that will be one click up from 50KPH.. in other words 60KPH. Again providing the Traffic is moving steadily and not backed -up then the correct speed should be 60KPH and the Gear Fifth(5th).All modern cars take fifth gear quite happily at 60KPH which is just under the old 40mph.Using this correct technique will show an Examiner that you have good observation i.e the speed of the traffic ahead; good knowledge of correct gears for a given speed i.e fifth gear for 60KPH; and an ability to put all this into ACTION without any fuss.In Limerick we have one 60KPH stretch on one test Route that is a mile long and several other stretches on other Test Routes that are shorter but that can still take fifth gear providing Traffic is not too heavy.

(4) While it's usual to be taught the rudimetaries of sequential Gear Changing when you are a raw novice , there is a useful and advanced technique for the more experienced Learner Drivers..that of the "Block Change". This is shifting from Fourth (4th)to Second Gear (2nd) and skipping the third gear selection.This needs to be practised to gain good fluency, preferably on quiet stretches of road with no other Traffic to begin with.
It's often left too late to go down through the gears when say approaching a Roundabout or junction and the time saved by the "Block Change" will make the process much smoother and create a very good impression with the examiner.This does need plenty of practise to perfect and we should be totally confident with our sequential gear changing before trying to master this new technique.
What's the primary purpose for skipping third ?..Well, since it's second gear you are looking for, to commence most manoeuvres, why bother with a gear that is not appropriate (3rd!) if there is another alternative!

(5) A quick tip for all manoeuvring situations...Don't attempt to change gear during the operation, select the correct gear, usually second (2nd),BEFORE you commence the turn, or roundabout or whatever, and keep your hands on the steering wheel throughout. When you have straightened up After the Manoeuvre then you may select a different gear as appropriate.

Hope these few tips will continue to help you to improve your Driving in Ireland and the chances of better success on the Irish Driving Test.

See you soon...in the meantime check out our main web site for other assistance and don't hestate to e-mail us for additional help or enquiries.

Copyright (c) Astral Driving School. Limerick 2000-2005

Driving Test Tips Continued......

2005-08-20T10:08:00.000Z

There are a number of simple things that you need to check on your Car before presenting yourself for the Irish Driving Test.The examiner will do an inspection of the vehicle before getting into the car for the drive and if any of the following are found to be not up to standard, then its bye bye Test and come back next year!

Yes.. the waiting list for the Irish Driving Test is approximately one year and more in some areas.This is due primarily to our unique Demographics here in Ireland and not to most of the Examiners being on Holidays!

(1) Check that your windscreen is free from Cracks.A cracked windscreen will continue to spread and will be in a dangerous condition before long ..Answer= Replace.

(2) Tyres should be well above the legal limit of 1.6mm Tread Depth (across the central 75% of the tyre).No cuts splits or bulges should be visible.As soon as you see any of these the Tyre should be replaced.

(3) The best Tyres should always be on the front Axle.The front tyres do all the work and wear out twice as quickly as the rears.So if you have good tyres on the rear and semi-worn on the front then switch them around.

(4) All loose rubbish and clutter should be completely removed from the car and nothing on the rear parcel shelf.All "Danglies" no matter how attached you are to them, should be removed.That's furry dice, air freshners, nodding dogs, humourous stickers, cushions, and anything else! Why ? because any of these items can be distracting and in a worse case scenario can impede controls.

(5) Brake light and indicator light bulbs must all be functioning perfectly .You should always carry a couple of spare bulbs in the car so that when they do blow you can fix them in a jiffy.Don't know how? Ask your Instructor to show you ..its not Atomic Physics and only takes a minute or two.

(6) Electrics must all be functioning perfectly. Why? Well you will be asked to demonstrate all your secondary controls before the drive and if something isn't working it is quite probable that the Examiner will abort the Test An electric Drivers window must be functioning. It's vital to be able to wind down the window in bad weather conditions to check if the road is clear when turning right.You can't see adequately through a wet window!.Also it's useful to get a better audio impression of approaching traffic at a blind junction.

(7) Know how to open your Bonnet.Remember the weekly checks you should be doing under the hood( that American for Bonnet!).These technical checks are now part of the Irish Driving Test since February 2005.

(8) All of the above and some more are contained in my Articles published on the Web and hidden in the Archives on this Blog.All our writings you can find at Ezine articles.com just click on the Boxlink at the end of this post.We also write about other subjects that are not related to Driving or Learning to Drive

That's it for now come back soon.

Check out our main Website at Astralmotoring.ie

Irish Driving Test Tips

2005-08-16T19:20:00.000Z

Passing the Irish Driving Test today has nothing to do with how long you have been Driving, but how well you have been taught? how much you have learnt? and how much you put into practise on the big day.
The longer you have been driving without taking Lessons, the greater the opportunity for a Driving Test fail.There have been many changes and additions to the Irish Driving Test in the last three years, all for the greater good,and primarily fueled by EU Directives.

Three years ago the new marking sheet was introduced, which details the peformance of the candidate and is given to all on completion of the Test.This is an effort to highlight the areas that need improvement and for those that are unsuccessful a chance to practise the weaker skills before the next Test appointment.Previously only failed candidates received a marking sheet, so it led to the situation that a person who just squeaked through on the fault limit had no idea how close they came to failing ! This of course led to the common wave of the pass certificate with a false sense of achievement and a delusion that learning to Drive was now finished and you were a competent, practised skillful Driver.

Even Drivers today who have done exceptionally well on their Test still have several years to clock up behind the wheel before they can consider themselves competent.Its a fact that many serious accidents occur during the first year or two following the passing of the Driving Test.Those Learners who take several attempts to pass their Test are also at risk during this early period and quite often will become much better Drivers ultimately than those that Pass first Time. Euphoria, together with youthful exhuberance and enthusiasm is, in my estimation, a lethal cocktail.

Passing the Driving Test is not a endorsement of super-human driving skills but merely a statement of a range of basic skills that were demonstrated adequately on the day ! Competent and advanced expertise behind the wheel comes only after several years of regular Driving in all conditions and is allied to an understanding and appreciation and adherance to our Driving Legislation.
As a stark reminder to all Country Drivers, and a large part of the population live and drive most of the time on these Rural roads,every day of the week; I can recount at least six write-offs on my own stretch of road outside Limerick over the last few years...just a less than two mile long stretch.Included in these accidents were two fatalities. Enough said for now .. Drive carefully won't you?

Driving in Ireland

2005-08-15T12:26:00.000Z

A very brief post today for visiting motorists and the hazards awaiting them

Ever thought why Ireland is so green? and not just on St.Patrick's Day .
Well,thanks to the Gulf Stream we are blessed with a very temperate climate which in lay terms means lots of rain! ( and I really do mean lots).

What does this mean to the Motorist and particularly the Novice Driver?

(1) Roads that are difficult to navigate in the dry, become very treacherous in the wet.

(2) Tyres that may not be in peak condition due to wear or incorrect inflation will give substantially less grip in the best of situations and will be lethal in the worst of situations.

(3) A much higher degree of both awareness and handling skills need to be demonstrated during bad weather.This is not something that a couple of Driving Lessons will instill and will only come with lots of practise and some heart-stopping moments!

(4) Ability to operate heater controls and juggle with their settings without taking your eyes off the road is another essential skill that will go along way to staying safe on the Road.For Drivers in hire cars that they are not totally familiar with, it is certainly worth spending some time getting to grips with the car manual,before driving out of the Airport.It may be a scorching hot day and bright sunshine one minute and be a heavy cloudburst the next.This is not the time to be wondering how your controls work.

(5) Since Ireland's total Driving Population is comprised of 20% Learner Drivers, most of whom have not taken Driving Lessons (no mandatory tuition at present!) then it's very likely that cars in front of you, cars behind you, and cars all around you,are piloted by Drivers who have not yet built up the skills to cope with adverse weather and road conditions.Since in -car skills are pretty scarce, don't expect outside-the-cockpit abilities to be any better.They are quite likely to be non existent!.Sorry to have to be so blunt .....but its a fact.

(6) Since January 2005 our speedlimits and distance signs are now in Kilometers,and yet, naturally most of the vehicles are still calibrated predominately in MPH.This will take quite a while for the general population to become acclimatized to so that wide variations in adherence to speed limits are commonplace. Speed cameras, which are just on the way, will sharpen up a lot of Motorists who are oblivious of the Law so ultimately it will be apparent that there is (hopefully ) a better compliance .
Thats it for today ....perhaps I will dredge the archives for some more positive trends soon ..but they are an endangered species!

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster

Economic Driving Tips..continued

2005-08-14T09:53:00.000Z

In Today,s issue you will find some useful tips on Economic motoring and we all need to be more economic with our Euro don't we!

How to be more Economic in your every day motoring.

(1) Make sure you check your tyre pressures weekly or every 500 miles.Incorrect tyre pressures are not only unsafe but will wear out your tyres in double quick time.
Underinflated tyres will pick up foreign bodies; nails; glass etc; and provide a great platform for a puncture very easily. Also the ride will be severely affected as the car is likel;y to be lop-sided! Overinflation of tyres, which is a less frequent phenomenon will tend to flat-spot tyres quickly. Obviously tyres that are wearing out rapidly compromise your safety and lead to poor road-holding and an increase in your fuel consumption!
Driving on Irish rural roads is not easy since they are narrow,often unmarked,and particularly during the Monsoon season, full of pot holes.It's essential,therefore, for safety, to have your tyres in peak condition and correctly inflated.

(2) Still on the subject of tyres its worth pointing out that, since the front tyres wear out more quickly than the rears it's worthwhile swapping the tyres round at proper intervals. Taking a good to average mileage on a set of tyres to be 30,000 miles; at the fifteen thousand mark your fronts will be at least half worn and the rears not worn much at all. At this point you should switch the rear tyres to the front and the fronts to the rear, bearing in mind the directional indicators on the side wall of the tyre. What does this do for you! Well firstly, you are evening out the wear so that when the "new " front tyres are half worn then the rears will be at approximately the same wear level. Secondly, but probably more important is that you have the best tyres on the front axle giving you the best grip, roadholding and therefore safety. Remember it is the front tyres that do all the work and the rears just go round and round!

(3) Ease off on your accelerator, or "gas" pedal long before you come to your stop ..if you slow down gradually when coming to a stop, instead of using the brakes heavily you will not only save fuel, you will save brakes and hopefully prevent the closely following Driver from rear- ending you. Brakes are expensive to service and it's not a one hour job and on the road again! A brake service will almost always mean a full day in the Garage and a bill that you wish would go away!

(4) As an addition to number (3) when you are trying to maintain a legal limit in a built up area watch out for undulations in the road or even inclines and ease off on the gas pedal as you reach the brow of the hill and you will probably not need to use the brakes then on the downhill stretch; this saves fuel and brakes. Of course we all know that even when we are trying hard to obey the speed limit we quite often will be overtaken ... so constant rear -view mirror is essential and we can then apply the brakes more gently if the overtaker gets into difficulty and causes an incident with on-coming traffic.

That's it for this Post. Watch out for more tips soon from Astral Driving School.Ireland

http://www.astralmotoring.ie

© AstralMotoring 2005

Rollin' and Tumblin'....Real Life Learner Blues !

2005-08-12T07:06:00.000Z

A quickie this morning to warn against the dangers that Learner Drivers face before they have reached a sufficient skills level.

Recently a pupil decided to be really smart and voyage across the country to circumvent the long Driving Test delay in Dublin.He had already failed once and thought to try his luck in Ennis, noted Technology Town and location of some of the narrowest streets in the civilised world.
The day of the test was approaching and he set off with an accompanying Licensed Driver.......Good point this and oft overlooked by enthusiastic learners.Mid way to destination and the need to refuel suddenly caused a complete mental block and said candidate decided to turn round to head back to the Petrol Station he had just passed......Bad point this considering he was now in the middle of the worst bottleneck village between Dublin and the West!
Disaster now only seconds away! Attempting to turn right against the flow of Juggernauts, tourists and other nasty moving objects said candidate tussled with something very large and naturally came off third best. No injuries thankfully but car rather the worse for wear and Driving Test no longer a consideration.

Moral here.....Don't take a journey of Epic Homerian proportions to take a Driving Test..It's just too much for a novice Driver and as we previously said many of these small villages dotted on main arterial routes out of Dublin are extremely difficult to navigate , particularly at peak times.There are many of these hot-spots and it's hardly likely that they will all be by-passed in the near future.

A far better course of action would be to get better acquainted with the Rules of the Road..Yes that seldom read publication ...and spend the time recconoitering your local area getting to know all the hot spots.Local knowledge of your nearby Driving Test area will go a long way to improving your chances of being successful first time on the Test.

There are many difficult situations and hot spots on all Driving Test routes but they vary in intensity depending on the day of the week,the time of day, the month and the Season. An in-depth study at these times will without doubt improve your chances and reduce your stress level on the day.

Another recent Learner Driver story of rather more dramatic consequences will follow shortly. There is no shortage of these dramas in my Instructors Diary but there is a painful shortage of plain old common sense amongst today's Irish Learner Drivers even with those who have been warned.

Oh by the way for students of The Blues.... Rollin' and Tumblin' is one of the most famous and well recorded songs of the genre.. penned by the great Muddy Waters (aka McKinley Morganfield) who was something akin to the Juggernauts described above.Not someone you would tangle with!

Some of the Artists to have recorded this song would be Eric Clapton; ..Willie Dixon (who recorded for many years on the famous Chess Records label);...Canned Heat( whose melodies can be heard today advertising Bus Eireann)and the wonderful Ten Years After (who played a blinding set at Woodstock and feature in the film of the momentous Concert).

Watch out for more Learner Driver Blues shortly.........and while you are waiting for updates please visit our web site which is getting fresh content now on a more regular basis.

Visiting Limerick? Take a look at the Castleoaks House Hotel

2005-08-11T20:50:00.000Z

If you are contemplating visiting Limerick, in Ireland's Mid West Region then take some time to check out the beautiful Castleoaks House Hotel, nestling in the pretty village of Castleconnell.
Situated just six miles from Limerick City, this Hotel is on the banks of the Majestic River Shannon and in fact the River is visible through the Hotel Carpark.

The River Walk below the Hotel is unsurpassed and for lovers of Birdlife there is plenty to be seen...Swans who are resident along the whole stretch, Ducks, Wagtails and the Lordly Heron are just some of the delights.This stretch is World renowned for its Salmon Fishing.

As a resident of County Limerick for 25 years my Family has used the Hotel throughout this period for casual drinks and more formal Dinners; for Christmas functions and for more sombre Family gatherings.It is a restful and calming location with excellent food and service.

On the occasions when the Sun does shine you can sit outside and sip your drink and let the Shannon wash your cares gently away.

Since the village of Castleconnell is right in the middle of one of our Learner Driver Circuits it makes an ideal spot for a welcome break. We have coached numerous students from the area over the last few years and in fact the current photos on the Astral Driving School Web Site were taken in the Hotel Car Park with the Shannon as a backdrop.I expect we will take more in the future since it is a magical spot.

As a secluded spot the Hotel makes for a wonderful quiet tete a tete with a close friend or loved one, and the flower garden and shrubbery should be very pleasing to the keen Gardener.For the fleet of foot and Gym enthusiast the Health club offers great facilities.

For those less energetic, a gentle stroll along the River Walk will provide a healthy option and give you a great appetite for lunch.My favourite lunch or early evening meal would be the inimitable Chowder which is surely the best I have tasted in my life.As a Fisherman for more years than I care to remember I do know my seafood!

For Drivers leaving the Hotel, take care as the the road can be rather busy during peak holiday times and particularly at weekends.

Check out the Hotel Web Site which has much to offer..it's at :-
http://www.castleoaks.ie

Non Nationals Driving in Ireland

2005-08-10T15:43:00.000Z

Non Nationals Driving in Ireland

It is extremely important for all non – national Drivers or all those who are contemplating taking up Driving in Ireland for the first time to acquaint themselves with all the regulations before starting off! Ireland, as a member of the European Union, has strict standards which are evolving continuously and ignorance of the rules, regulations, and legislation is no excuse in breaking the Law! It is worth pointing out that because of many insurance breaches and the incessant rate of accidents on the roads ,that we are all paying an excessive rate for our Car insurance .When this situation continues to improve we will all benefit .

In the next few lines we will summarise under headings the steps that a new aspiring Driver must take in order to legally drive on the road.

(1) License Requirements
(2) Theory Test
(3) Provisional license
(4) Road Tax for vehicle
(5) Insurance
(6) National Car Test (NCT)
(7) Tyres
(8) The Driving Test
(9) Foreign License Transfer

We will firstly look at the Complete Beginner Driver, someone who has never driven before and then take the Driver who has driven in his or her own Country

 You must first sit and pass the Driver Theory Test.
 You may then acquire your Provisional Driving License.
 With your provisional license you are then legally allowed behind the wheel.
 You MUST then have an accompanying Driver who holds a full Irish Driving License.
 The car you are driving must be insured for you to drive .This can be insurance in your own name or as a Named Driver on a relatives or friends insurance policy.
 The Car you are driving must have a current Insurance Disc displayed.
 The Car must have a Current Tax Disc Displayed.
 The Car Must have an NCT Certificate displayed where necessary.
 All equipment in the car must be functioning correctly, Lights, Brakes, Indicators.
 Finally Tyre tread depths must be a minimum of 1.6mm across two thirds of the width of the Tyre.
 The first Provisional license will last for two years and once you are using your second Provisional License you will not be able to renew this without having sat your Driving Test.
 The waiting list for Driving Tests is approximately 12 months so it is advisable to apply for the Driving Test when you commence lessons with a Professional Driving School.
 Please don’t waste your time and that of the Dept. of Transport by attempting to sit the Driving Test without having had a substantial course of Lessons.
 Part of the reason for the lengthy wait for a Driving Test is precisely because too many Applicants are not sufficiently well prepared for this Exam and are having to sit the Test on subsequent occasions
 When you have passed your Driving Test you should exchange your Provisional License for a Full Irish Driving License which will enable you to reduce your Insurance costs and of course drive throughout the European Union.
 If you do not exchange your Provisional license for a full License you will not legally be entitled to drive on a Motorway.
 Your License (Provisional or Full) must be carried with you at all times.

Drivers who have an existing License from their Own Country:-
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 Nationals of Countries belonging to the European Union may exchange their full Licenses for a Full Irish License if they are intending to reside permanently in Ireland.
 Provisional Licenses held by European Union citizens, including the United Kingdom, are not transferable and therefore an aspiring Driver must undergo the full action described above of Theory test; Provisional License; Driving test in order to achieve a Full Irish Driving License.
 Non – E.U.Nationals driving on a full license from their own country will mostly need to undergo the full system of Theory Test; Provisional License: Driving Test; in order to qualify for a full Irish Driving License.
 There are a few exceptions to this rule and the list of acceptable Licenses for Transfer to an Irish License can be found on the Dept. of Transport web site.http://www.driving.ie

Insurance
 Driving without insurance, which is a serious offence and can lead to heavy fines and Penalty point on your license, increases the insurance costs for all motorists!
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 All Drivers pay a percentage of their Insurance premium into a fund to cover the costs of accidents incurred by uninsured drivers!
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 Getting insurance cover even for a vehicle which has only a nominal value is extremely expensive, particularly for the Provisional License holder .Therefore it is imperative, for the beginner driver to accept this fact and spend the necessary amount on Driving Lessons and pass the Driving Test as soon as possible.
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 With a full license, insurance will still be expensive, but with an accident –free record this will reduce year by year.
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 One final reminder about Insurance Discs; if they fade in bright sunlight, they must be replaced as otherwise a Driving Test could be forfeited if the Examiner cannot read the Disc!

Legislative changes are a fact of life for us in the Motoring Community and indeed as we continue to be brought in line with our larger and better regulated E.U.neighbours, it is essential to be aware of these changes which have been continuing for several years now and will continue into the foreseeable future.

© Copyright Astral Driving School.Ireland .2005