Twelve top tips you should consider when taking your pet on holiday.
1) Ensure your pet is fit and well enough to travel and the vaccinations are up-to-date before you book your holiday - don't leave it until the last minute.
2) If you have a long journey ahead of you give your pet a light meal before you go and remember to pack small snacks for them (and the family).
3) Pets are susceptible to diet changes so take adequate supplies of their normal food and medication.
4) Plan to make plenty of comfort stops along the way.
5) Pack additional items like spare collars, leads, beds,dog mussel, as well as toilet bags and of course plenty of water. It's thirsty work going on holiday.
6) Be aware there are more biting insects abroad than we have in the UK. Ask your vet how you can take preventative steps for your pet.
7) Don't leave your pet alone in a hot car.
8) If taking a dog,put it behind a guard rail in the rear of your car or a dog car seat, if your dog gets hot and aggressive,this could lead to be potentially dangerous and distracting for the driver/passengers as well as your dog.
9) if going on a long journey,take it on short journeys at first to get used to travelling.be careful when you let it out.
10) if going abroad check for any quarantine laws for bringing in an animal.
11) check that your pet insurance covers you for home and abroad.
12) Keep strangers away from your dog,if it is hot it may bite them.
Immigrants to be banned from taking driving tests in foreign languages'
Thursday, 02 February 2012
From The DailyTelegraph
Immigrants are to be banned from taking driving tests in their native language amid concerns rogue translators are helping them cheat.
Ministers are understood to be considering ditching rules “within months” which allow learners to sit theory tests in any of 19 foreign languages – including Urdu and Albanian. A system which allows translators to currently sit in on the practical test to explain the examiner’s instructions will also be stopped.
Nearly 800 people have had their licences revoked in the past two years, after investigations by the Driving Standards Agency uncovered evidence of translators coaching learners during their test, it was reported. Dozens of further cases are also in the pipeline and nine translators have been struck off the approved list.
Breathalyser to be legal requirement for drivers in France
French authorities have warned UK drivers planning to travel to France that they need to carry a breathalyser in there car.as French drivers will have to.
With a start date for the new measure on 1 July 2012, the rules will apply for anyone travelling to or through France by car in the summer holiday season, even just for a day trip.
From November there will be a fine of around £14.00 for not complying with this.
Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.
It is advisable for motorists travelling in France to have at least two breathalysers at all times, so that if one is used you still have one to produce for the police if you are stopped.
Anyone driving in France is already required to carry,a spare pair of glasses if worn,spare headlight bulbs,a fire extinguisher, a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency those caught without it face a £100.00 fine and a.first aid kit, Additionally UK motorists must display a GB plate and have their headlights adjusted to the right.
The new French rule is a genuine attempt to reduce the number of alcohol related-accidents. France’s lower limit means it’s very easy to be over the limit the following morning as well. As always, the best advice for motorists is not to drink and drive at all.
A bit of useful
advice - verified by the Dorset Police.
It was
the Saturday before New Year and it was about
1.00pm in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to
visit a friend, when an UNMARKED police car pulled
up behind her and put its lights on. Lauren's
parents have always told her never to pull over for an
unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather
wait until you get to a service station,
etc.
So Lauren remembered her parents' advice,
and telephoned 112 from her mobile phone.(in an emergency you can use your mobile phone)
This
connected her to the police dispatcher she told
the dispatcher that there was an unmarked car with
a flashing blue light behind her and that she
would not pull over right away but wait until she
was in a service station or busy area.
The
dispatcher checked to see if there was a police
car in her area and there wasn't, he told her
to keep driving, remain calm and that he had
back-up already on the way.
Ten minutes later
4 police cars surrounded her and the unmarked car
behind her.
One policeman went to her side and
the others surrounded the car behind.
They
pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the
ground........the man was a convicted rapist and
wanted for other crimes.
Remember this bit
of advice, but especially for a woman alone in a
car, you do not have to pull over for an UNMARKED
car.
Apparently police have to respect your
right to keep going to a 'safe' place.
You
obviously need to make some signals that you
acknowledge them I.e., put on your hazard lights)
or call 112 like Lauren did.
Some mobile phone companies don't give you this information.
now it's your
turn to let your friends know about 112
(112 is an
emergency number on your mobile that takes you
straight to the police because 999 does not work
if you have no signal).
As far as
I am aware, 112 uses a system called triangulation
so they can also pinpoint exactly where you are
phoning from.
Where Can You Use Your UK Licence?
Plastic Licence Versus Paper Licence
In most cases when travelling abroad, it’s advisable to ensure that you have a pink plastic licence with you. You should also carry with you the green paper part of the licence as this will outline any convictions you have. If you only have a green paper licence, consider upgrading to a plastic photo licence as it’s also a great form of identification.International Driving Permits
If you are planning to travel around countries that are outside of the EEU, you should check with motoring organisations there whether you need an international driving permit. You can get these relatively easily from the AA, RAC, Green Flag and RSAC. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is simply a formal document that is issued to those travelling to another country and it translates your licence into different languages. This can be useful as it means that should you encounter a problem with the law when driving abroad, the relevant authorities can understand what your licence entitlements are, as well as identifying you easily.In order to be eligible to obtain an international driving permit. You must be over 18 years of age and hold a full UK licence. You’re not allowed to drive abroad on a provisional licence
1. You really do need to know how deep the water is. Six inches (15cm) of rapidly moving floodwater can knock a person down. And many vehicles will float in two feet (60cm) of water or less. So always stop before you get to the flood and assess how deep the water is. Look for clues.
2. If it’s deeper than the bottom of your doors, think about turning round. The water may not look very deep, but an increase in depth of an inch or so may be enough to tip the balance and make the vehicle buoyant enough to float away.
3. If there are already a lot of abandoned vehicles up to their axles in water, take the hint. There’s a good chance you won’t make it either.
4. Even trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles, well known for the feeling of superiority and sense of security they give, can be swept away by moving water.
5. Even relatively low levels of water will damage some vehicles. If water is sucked into the engine air intake, which is often located at the front of the engine bay and can be especially low in some cars, it will cause serious damage. Catalytic converters, which work at high temperatures and are easily damaged by water (the cold water makes them crack) are also expensive to replace. Electrical components, and especially engine fuel systems and management systems, are particularly vulnerable to being splashed by even small amounts of water.
6. If you decide to take the risk and drive through a flood, provided it is completely safe to do so you should drive on the highest part of the road. If it is not possible to drive in the middle of the road, stay as far away as possible from the kerb, where the water is at its deepest.
7. Drive slowly and steadily; the bow wave you create at the front of the vehicle should be as small as possible.
8. Do not drive through a flood if there is another vehicle travelling from the opposite direction.
9. Drive through in first gear and keep the engine revs high. If necessary, slip the clutch slightly to increase engine speed. In a vehicle with an automatic gearbox, select the lowest gear and keep a steady pace. Do not back off the accelerator. Water in the exhaust can stall the engine.
10. Test your brakes as soon as you can after driving through any water. Make sure there’s no-one behind you, then press gently on the brake pedal to check that they work. If they don’t work properly, they can be dried by applying gentle pressure as you drive along. Left-foot braking is an acquired art, though, so be very cautious if you try this.
11. Driving at speed through low-level water can cause aquaplaning – the water prevents your tyres from gripping the road, and you lose control of the steering. If this happens, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
12. If you drive too fast through low water and soak pedestrians and cyclists, the police could prosecute you for driving without reasonable consideration to other road users. This can result in a fine of £2,500 and between three and nine penalty points on your licence.
If you have to travel, consider taking sensible clothing and preparing for the worst, including food, drink, blankets and mobile phone. Sometimes driving skill alone simply isn’t enough to get you home safely.”