Breaking Down On
       A Motorway

Breaking down can be scary, and it can often be difficult and dangerous to stop - especially on a motorway.

Motorway hard shoulders are for emergency use only. You should only stop on the hard shoulder if you have no other choice. If it is possible, you should try to drive to a safer place off the motorway, rather than stopping on the  hard shoulder.

What to do if an emergency forces you to stop:

1.Pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible with your wheels turned to the left. Leave your sidelights on and switch on your hazard flashers.

2. Try to stop near to an emergency telephone [they are situated at one mile intervals along the hard shoulder.

3. You should get out of your vehicle by the left-hand door and make sure all your passengers do the same.

4. If you have reflective jackets in the vehicle wear them.

5. Ensure that passengers keep well away from the carriageway and the hard shoulder - if there is one, then you should all get on the  bank to the left of the hard shoulder.

6. Do NOT attempt even the simplest repairs to your vehicle.

7. Walk to the nearest emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway [follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder] - the telephone is free of charge and connects directly to the police. Use this in preference to your mobile phone.

If you must use your mobile to call the AA or your breakdown service provider, then make sure you can describe your location. There are reference numbers on all telephone and marker posts.  

8. Give full details to the police, and also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist, such as a woman travelling alone.

9. Return and wait near your vehicle[well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder - it is best to retreat up the bank  or behind a barrier if possible.

10. When you vehicle is fixed and ready to go, then before you rejoin the carriageway, build up speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe break in the traffic.
 

 Expired Photocards
 Could Drive Motorists
   To Break The Law
 

 
Motorists could be unwittingly making their car insurance policies invalid and driving illegally because their photocard driving licence has expired.
 
 Swinton, the UK’s leading high street insurance retailer is warning drivers who received the first wave of photocard licences issued in 1998 that they are now due to expire.      Anyone who fails to renew their licence will invalidate their UK car insurance and will be breaking the law.
  
The DVLA has revealed that over 4,000 drivers whose licences expired in August 2008 have yet to apply for a new licence.  This disturbing news puts thousands of drivers in danger of driving without insurance.
 
You could get eight penalty points on your licence
Driving without insurance is illegal and will result in up to eight penalty points and a hefty fine.  If a driver has an accident and is uninsured then they will also be left with any repair bills and potentially personal injury costs.
 
 
Chris Collings, Director of Insurer Development at Swinton, said: “Driving without insurance has major ramifications, not only is it illegal and extremely dangerous but it would almost certainly increase premiums.  We would urge all drivers with a photocard licence to check what date it expires.”
 

   Scenic Driving Routes
  No1 -   Scottish Borders

As a guide, this route is about 90 miles long and should have a driving time of about 3 hours.Please note that some of this scenic drive follows single country lanes and you are strongly advised to drive slowly and watch out for animals and farm traffic..

• Take the A7 south out of Galashiels towards Hawick for approx 1¼ miles.
• Turn left onto the A6091 for about 5 miles past Melrose to its junction with the A68 at Leaderfoot.
• Turn right onto the A68 for about 2½ miles to S Boswells.
• Turn left into St Boswells village on the B6404 towards Stichill.
• In about 1½ miles, turn left onto the B6356 towards Dryburgh, Redpath and Earlston
• In about 1¾ miles you may wish to turn left for Dryburgh Abbey, one of the Borders historical locations
• On the B6356, approx 2 miles past the Dryburgh turn you may wish to stop at Scotts View viewpoint
• Carry on the B6356, to Earlston and turn left on the A6105 through the village.
•  At the junction with the A68, turn right and travel for about 16 miles, through Lauder, over the Carfraemill roundabout, past Oxton and over Soutra Hill to the junction with the B6368 to Gilston at the Midlothian Border.
• Turn left on to the B6368 for about 5½ miles through Gilston to the junction with the A7.
• Turn right onto the A7 towards Edinburgh for about 2 miles.
• Turn left onto the B 709 towards Innerleithen for about 14 miles.
• At Innerleithen, either turn right on the A72 to travel the 6 miles to visit Peebles, or turn left onto the A72 returning to Galashiels along the Tweed Valley, keeping left at the Clovenfords roundabout.

   Grey Drivers Are The
    Safest On Our Roads

      

Figures published recently by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Motoring Trust turn on its head the myth that older drivers are more dangerous than others. In fact, a new IAM Trust publication reveals that drivers over the age of 70 are significantly safer than those under 30, and no greater risk to other road users than middle-aged drivers.

IAM Motoring Facts 2008, shows that as car drivers grow older they become less of a risk to other road users and less likely to be injured in road accidents themselves.

Despite a doubling to 50 per cent over the past two decades in the level of those over 70 in Britain holding a licence, these drivers are responsible for just six per cent of pedestrian deaths. Male drivers under 30 are most likely to be in a fatal collision with a pedestrian and are responsible for 30 per cent of such deaths.

 “All too often older drivers are criticised for poor driving standards and for being a danger on our roads,” says Neil Greig, Director of the IAM Motoring Trust. “The statistics explode that myth. Older drivers have a wealth of motoring experience and knowledge and the vast majority self-regulate the extent of driving in relation to their ability.”

   Selling Your Car At
         The Auction



With the price of used cars continuing to fall, you could be better off selling it at an auction. So here are some handy tips to ensure you get the best price:

1.Make sure you have your V5 document [ log-book] handy and your MOT certificate.

2.Clean the car inside as well as outside.

3. Check the price that your car should fetch by getting yourself a used-car guide.