Useful Information

The Max Control events and activities have been selected to test and improve your driving skills, as well as ensuring you have fun in your bid to win a brand new car and become Somerset’s 2010 champion young driver. Here we give you a bit more information on some of the activites and the partners who have made them possible.

Go Karting

This activity is held at one of the largest indoor tarmac tracks in Somerset, located at Southwest Karting, Winchester Farm, Draycott Road, Cheddar. BS27 3RP.

This activity is organised by; Southwest Karting, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and Avon and Somerset Police.

Stock Car and Off Roading

These activities offer a challenging driving experience at Mendip Raceway, which is located at Warren Hill Road, Shipham, Bristol. BS40 7XU. Click here for directions.

The activities are organised by Mendip Events and Xtreme Motorsports.

Vehicle Maintenance

Why it’s a good idea to get your exhaust, tyres and brakes checked:

Exhausts

Exhausts have four main functions: to control noise, to direct exhaust fumes away from passengers, to improve the performance of the engine and to improve fuel consumption.

Exhausts can corrode from both the inside and outside. How long your exhaust lasts for depends on how far and how often you drive your car rather than the length of time it has been fitted. Vehicles used for short trips around town tend to corrode their exhausts in a much shorter time and distance than cars used predominately for long journeys.

A healthy exhaust system is critical if you are to maintain the health and welfare of the vehicle occupants, a quiet smooth running engine and optimum fuel efficiency.

Tyres

There are three main reasons why maintaining the right tyre pressure is important:

Safety - Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; and over inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling on the road.
Economy - Over or under inflated tyres suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly.
Environment - Correct tyre pressures help to maintain optimum fuel efficiency. This can equate to lower CO² emissions coming from your vehicle than those with incorrect tyre pressures and that has to be good for the environment.

Brakes

It is important that you ensure that your braking system is maintained and operating at optimum levels. It is a legal requirement that your braking system performs as intended and your brakes will be tested as part of your MOT.

Like all components, brakes and indeed braking performance deteriorate over time and because it happens gradually, many people don't notice the difference in their braking system. Having your brakes checked regularly could also save you time and money by preventing damage to other components.

This activity is organised by Somerset Road Safety Partnership.

Skid Car

This event is held at West Point in Exeter. Westpoint is just one mile from junction 30 of the M5, providing direct access from London, Birmingham, Bristol and Plymouth.

For Westpoint, exit the M5 at junction 30 and follow the A3052 Sidmouth road for one mile. Westpoint is on your left hand side. Click here for directions.

Eye Sight Check

If you drive any type of vehicle, UK law states that you must be able to read a standard car number plate at a distance of 20m. If you can't do this you are risking a £1,000 fine and three points on your licence. But more importantly you are potentially risking your own and other people's lives.

In addition for HGVs and Public Transport Vehicles by law you must have:

a visual acuity of at least 6/9 in the better eye
a visual acuity of at least 6/12 in the worse eye
if these are achieved by correction, the uncorrected visual acuity in each eye must be no less than 3/60.

This activity is organised by Somerset Road Safety Partnership.

Pass Plus

This course helps you:

boost your awareness of all kinds of hazards and help you learn how to anticipate, plan for and deal with them safely
save money on car insurance premiums (discounts are offered by some insurance companies, you may even save more than you paid for the course)
boost your confidence.

There is no test at the end of the course. Your driving will be continually assessed and you must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard. For more information on getting on a Pass Plus course click here

This activity is organised by Somerset Road Safety Partnership

IAM Skill For Life

Many people are concerned about the Skill For Life test, knowing what it involves, and how best to prepare for it. The IAM has produced a book to help candidates prepare for the IAM Advanced Driving Test. How to be a better driver is issued when you start your course.

You can also click here for more advice on how to pass. This site gives tips from examiners on what is expected.

This activity is organised by the IAM

RoSPA Advanced Package

Advanced Drivers are 25% less likely to be involved in an accident. Passing your advanced test will mean you are equipped with the knowledge and skill to drive safely and effectively in all conditions.

Before taking the test, you should study the current editions of The Highway Code and Roadcraft. Without a good knowledge of both you are unlikely to obtain a high grade.

This package seeks to help drivers reduce their vulnerability to crashes and improve their safety on the roads. The package involves a twelve drive programme at the end of which most drivers should be up to the coveted RoSPA Gold standard. The package also involves free membership to a local group, a copy of Roadcraft, the Police Drivers Handbook and a copy of the Highway Code, It includes the test fee and one year's national membership to RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders Association.

This activity is organised by RoSPA

Max Control is promoted by the Somerset Road Safety Partnership.

The Somerset Road Safety Partnership’s objective is to reduce injury, disability and death caused by road collisions and make the roads of Somerset safer for all. For more information on training and improving your driving click here

Somerset Road Safety Partnership would like to thank the following partners and event organisers:

IAM

As a charity, the IAM supports campaigns that increase the skills of driving standards. One of the IAM’s key goals is to help its Members and Associates develop the advanced skills that help make driving and riding a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.

RoSPA

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Rider's aim is to reduce road accidents by encouraging an interest in road safety, by improving driving standards, knowledge and skill. Local groups have been formed to offer free training, support and advice to any drivers who wish to improve their driving and pass the advanced test.

Driving Ambition

Driving Ambition offers a range of driver development and advanced driving courses that are designed to improve your skills, confidence and awareness.