AD » Driving Advice

Advice for windy times on the road!

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:24:49 +0000

With severe gales predicted this week, road safety charity the IAM is offering tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger, for motorists to bear in mind during windy weather.

Plan your journey – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees? Choose a sheltered route if you have the option.
Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly.
Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear.
Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual. They get blown around by side winds easily.
Watch trees and bushes on the roadside – their branches show you how strong the wind is. Look well ahead, that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road and you can see any windy patches before you get to them.
Go slow enough to cope with the gusts. Wind can get under a car and reduce its handling and braking significantly.
Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles – where they are affected will give you a pre warning.
Keep extra distance between you and the car in front.
Be careful of debris, try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

Rodger said: “I have seen a parked car moved by the wind. Don’t underestimate how powerful it is and how it can affect you whilst in the car.”

To help drivers stay safe this winter, the IAM has launched a new website, drivingadvice.org.uk, with traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter.

Tips cover rain, snow, ice, fog and wind – everything you can expect in a typically unpredictable British winter. Check it out before you travel.

Source: IAM

See also:

Types of Road Accident

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:09:04 +0000

Driving poses many dangers. It is important that drivers drive defensively. They need to anticipate these dangers and be ready to respond to them should they occur. Often this can keep accidents from occurring. However, in many situations, accidents are simply unavoidable. There are major types of road accidents that stem from specific causes. Knowing these can help a driver be more proactive when operating their vehicle on the road.

Many accidents are a result of driver error. In fact, this is the number one reason for accidents. Driver error refers to any sort of mistake the drive makes while on the road. For instance, they might underestimate a braking distance. They may also fail to check their blind spots. Tailgating is another driver error that can result in rear end collisions. Given the fact that driver error is responsible for more road accidents, it further emphasizes the importance of defensive driving.

Speeding or reckless driving can also result in other types of road accidents. Many drivers simply do not observe speed limits. These limits are set with safety in mind. Whenever they are exceeded, the driver is asking for potential problems. For every increase in the speed of a vehicle, the greater the chance that a road accident will occur.

Another type of road accident involves drunk driving. The accident occurs as a result of the driver’s blood alcohol level. This creates impaired judgment on the part of the driver. Some drivers may also be under the influence of other mind altering substances.

Road accidents can also be due to malfunctions within the vehicle itself. For example, brake failure can cause a car to be unable to stop or slow down. This creates the potential for a collision with another vehicle or stationary object on the roadside. Sometimes tires can fall apart which leads to a road accident.

Whiplash is a common injury after a car accident. If you want to know more about making whiplash claims, then visit www.roadtrafficaccidentsite.com.

See also:

Motorist urged to prepare their car for winter!

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:53:47 +0000

Motorists are being urged to consider using winter tyres on their vehicles as forecasters warn winter weather is finally on its way. As well as checking on anti-freeze levels and stocking up on de-icer, motorists should seriously consider investing in winter tyres for their vehicles as they brace themselves for the seasonal chill, the UK’s largest insurer Aviva advises. Nigel Bartram, Aviva’s senior motor underwriter, said there seemed to be little awareness among consumers about the type of tyres which are available to them, let alone the benefits for a safer journey. He said: “While there is increased use of winter tyres in some sectors, such as supermarket delivery lorries and the emergency services, many motorists are not aware that such tyres are available to them and how they can make a real difference to the way their vehicle grips to the road. “Winter tyres would not prevent all accidents, but their better grip would increase the chances of the driver having a safer journey in difficult conditions. More

See also:

Drivers advised to check tyres for safety and to maintain insurance cover!

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:40:36 +0000

Drivers could see their motor insurance claims denied and face fines of up to £10,000, simply by failing to take proper care of their tyres. One defective or bald tyre could see drivers hit with a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points¹ or up to £5,000 and 6 points for two defective tyres. In fact if all four tyres were defective, the maximum fine could be as much as £10,000 with a whopping 12 penalty points. More

See also:

IAM advise on low sun and dirty windscreen problems!

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:45:35 +0000

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he advises drivers on dealing with low sun and dazzle.

•Always keep a good pair of sunglasses in the car – they really help.

•If you can’t see, do the obvious thing and slow down, keeping an eye on the vehicle behind, in case the following traffic can’t see you against the sun.

•If the sun is behind you, it’s in the eyes of drivers coming towards you – be aware they might not see you.

•Low sun behind can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.

•Low sun highlights scratches and grime, so keep your washer bottles topped up with a good quality screenwash and change your windscreen wipers every year.

•Turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight.

Rodger said: “Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get every morning and late afternoon in the winter months. Your heater is often on demist, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen which quickly builds to a film of grime which is a major cause of glare. Clean your screen inside and out, with glass cleaner at least once a week.”

Source: iam.org.uk

See also:

Motorists unaware of ‘right to choose’ in crash repair claims!

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:08:43 +0000

A recent survey commissioned by Vauxhall has revealed that consumers are not aware of their rights when making an insurance repair claim, and are subsequently missing out on the service levels they expect. The survey found that nearly two thirds (63%) of policyholders think that their insurers determine where their vehicles would be repaired following an accident. Just 18% know that they themselves have the right to choose where their vehicles are repaired. Given the choice only 18% – coincidently – would take their vehicles to their insurer’s choice of bodyshop. Tony Neff, Vauxhall Accident Repair Channel Manager, said: “People don’t realise that they have the right to choose where they get their vehicles repaired when making an insurance claim, so many will feel obliged to go with their insurers’ recommendations. Many people do not read their terms and conditions, and so don’t receive the service they expect when they make a claim, which creates problems for both consumers and insurers alike.” More

68% of cars in the UK have under-inflated tyres!

admin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:41:53 +0000

New research from Kwik Fit reveals that over two-thirds (69%) of cars in the UK are being driven with under-inflated tyres, at least 3psi under the manufacturer’s recommendation. Just 4% of motorists are travelling on all four tyres pumped up to the recommended pressure. According to Kwik Fit the average under-inflated tyre is down by a whopping 18% (5.75psi) and with even a small amount of under-inflation reducing fuel efficiency it estimates that motorists are wasting almost a £1 billion (£993 million) a year on excess fuel. Under-inflated tyres produce poor handling and braking and can lead to tread damage and blowouts . Kwik Fit’s study found that almost 10% of cars had tyres on the same axle with a difference of 10psi or more, which could lead to severe instability. More

Warning to holiday makers of high prices at service stations!

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:31:42 +0000

With the number of people staying in the UK for summer holidays increasing, Which? has warned drivers not to get ripped off by the high fuel prices at motorway service stations. Half of the 1,000 members of public surveyed by Which? said they would be taking a trip in the UK in the coming months, with a 10% increase in the number of Brits planning to spend their main holiday in the country to save money. But we’ve found prices of fuel and other necessities at motorway service stations could be far higher than holidaymakers think. More

See also:

UK motorists confused about driving abroad!

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:28:48 +0000

Half of us have driven overseas but many of us are a bit hazy on the rules, according to a study by car insurance comparison site Confused.com. So if you’re about to take your car to Europe for a driving holiday, it’s worth swotting up on the regulations first. 51% of UK drivers have already driven abroad, and only a quarter of UK drivers surveyed do not intend to drive abroad in the future. But when quizzed on the rules about driving overseas, the story was slightly worrying: 53% of UK drivers were unaware that some European countries require you to have a high visibility jacket in the car. More results and advice

See also:

Drivers urged to fight unfair parking tickets!

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:28:20 +0000

Motorists are being urged to consider contesting car parking tickets if they think they have been given one unfairly. Fewer than 1% of drivers took issue with their fines in 2009/10 out of a total of almost 4.25 million tickets, according to the chief adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. But of those who did, just under 60% won their case, Caroline Sheppard revealed. She is head of a team of 24 lawyers who rule on appeals from dissatisfied drivers within the 250 or so councils in England and Wales which are responsible for parking tickets. The adjudicator makes her plea in a new report which says councils on the whole are issuing slightly fewer tickets than before. “The aim of the tribunal is to provide an easy, convenient, fair and informal service for motorists,” Ms Sheppard said. “We believe it is important for people to understand better the rules and regulations, for councils to exercise discretion in cases where it is due, and finally, for people to know that they have the right to appeal to an independent adjudicator if they want to continue to challenge a penalty after the council has rejected their case.” More

Car sellers urged to be careful!

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:56:02 +0000

Research has highlighted the dangers of selling cars privately, warning sellers that thieves can pose as potential buyers. According to Tracker stolen vehicle recovery specialist, private car sellers should be careful when advertising their car and inviting buyers to their home. Car owners are being reminded to keep their keys safe at all times, after figures showed that £15.8 million worth of vehicles reported to Tracker last year were illegally taken using the owner’s keys. BMW X5s, Range Rovers and Audi RS4s were named among the most frequently stolen and recovered vehicles of 2010. This emphasises the importance of having a comprehensive car insurance policy. Stuart Chapman, police relationships manager of Tracker, said: “In 2010, the number of car thefts involving keys rose to 84%, compared to 74% in 2008, confirming just how vulnerable car owners truly are to the chances of home burglary or assault from car thieves. More

New advice on car seats for babies!

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:20:40 +0000

Children should ride in rear-facing car seats until they are at least two years old, safety experts believe. The fresh recommendations were issued today by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They updated their advice after research showed that one-year-olds were five times less likely to be injured in a crash if they are in a rear-facing car seat than a forward-facing seat. Their findings were based on a 2007 analysis of five years of date from crashes in the United States. That means an estimated 1,000 children injured in forward-facing seats over 15 years might not have been hurt if they had been in a car seat facing the back, said Dr. Dennis Durbin, lead author of the recommendations and a pediatric emergency physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Toddlers have relatively large heads and small necks. In a front-facing car seat, the force of a crash can jerk the child’s head causing spinal cord injuries. Car seats have recommended weights printed on them. If a one-year-old outweighed the recommendation of an infant seat, parents should switch to a different rear-facing car seat that accommodates the heavier weight until they turn two, the pediatricians group says. More

See also:

AA advice on car battery care!

admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:30:59 +0000

AA patrols replaced around 140,000 car batteries last year but simple steps could double battery life. Every year, up to a fifth of cars on the road will require a new battery but you can take years off the life expectancy of a car’s battery by not regularly fully charging it. This not only costs you money but also risks the inconvenience of a breakdown. The problem is that batteries take longer to charge fully, while being placed under greater demand by the ever increasing range of power-hungry ‘creature comforts’ fitted to modern cars. Today’s cars draw around three times as much electrical current than a 1970s Morris Minor. According to AA patrol of the year Paul Leather: “It takes a lot longer to fully charge a modern car battery than many people realise – typically 240 miles of driving with no load or eight hours of continuous driving – which can unfortunately lead to problems. “This demand on the battery is why they’re still our most common call-out after more than 100 years, accounting for around one in seven breakdowns”. If you only make short stop-start journeys, the battery won’t have the chance to fully charge, which will considerably shorten its life. AA patrols see cases where the battery has failed after only two to three years rather than the usual five to six, because of only doing short journeys. More

See also:

One in five neglect basic car maintenance!

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:31:41 +0000

A survey has indicated that one in five drivers do not carry out regular basic checks on their vehicle, including ensuring tyre tread depth meets legal requirements. More than a fifth (21%) of the 1,610 adults polled claim that no-one performs any basic maintenance checks on their car on a monthly basis. Extrapolated across the entire UK population, this could equate to more than 7 million drivers, says Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, which is highlighting that the results of its survey come after one of the harshest winters for a generation. While 62% of people admitted neglecting to check their tyre tread depth – which must by law be 1.6mm across the majority of the tyre – a further 56% said they do not check the water coolant level, which is an essential inspection to prevent the car’s engine from overheating. One in five (19%) say the reason for this neglect is that they do not know how to carry out the check, which involves waiting for the engine to cool down before inspecting the usually semi-transparent bottle under the bonnet, and making sure it is filled to above the minimum level with coolant. In addition, only half of drivers check their front, rear and brake lights are working at least once a month, while a further 50% admitted to not checking their windscreen wipers are in working order. More

See also:

Parents annoyed as others use superstores family bays!

admin — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:10:40 +0000

They were meant to make those frazzled family trips to the supermarket just that little bit easier. But using parent-and-child parking bays has become one of the most stressful parts of doing the family shop, a survey has found. The bays, which are located close to supermarket doors, have encouraged a free-for-all that leaves parents angry and exasperated. Two thirds of mothers said other shoppers hog the spaces, regardless of whether they have young children with them. Some have accused thuggish teenagers and single men of using the generously sized spaces when they roar in to buy cigarettes and alcohol. Others complained of women shoving their way into mother-and-baby bays when their vehicles are carrying no more than a child seat, or when the children inside are teenagers rather than toddlers. More

See also:

Warnings given over the danger of darker streets!

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:25:27 +0000

Switching off street lights to save money could lead to more crashes and more crime, the AA said today. A number of councils are turning some lights off completely and turning others off at selected times as an economy measure. The Highways Agency has also switched off some lights on English motorways. AA president Edmund King said: “There is a fear that in some areas these switch-offs could lead to more crashes and crime. “Lighting can improve safety for drivers, riders, and pedestrians and deter street crime. The public are in favour of street lighting as a way of improving road safety. Cyclists and pedestrians are more at risk on unlit streets.” Mr King went on: “Local authorities should consider more environmentally-friendly lighting, that can save them £46 a light, rather than putting us all in the dark. In terms of reducing CO2, AA research shows that local authorities will have more effect improving traffic flow than turning off the lights.” An AA study shows that driving outside daylight hours is more dangerous. Only a quarter of all travel by car drivers is between the hours of 7pm and 8am, yet this period accounts for 40% of fatal and serious injuries. Also worried about the lighting is House of Commons transport committee chairman Louise Ellman. She told the BBC: “I am extremely concerned that financial pressures are leading to steps which can jeopardise people’s lives and increase the number of injuries. “We’ve made great progress in recent years in reducing the number of deaths and injuries on our roads. It would be tragic if by switching the lights off, that progress was to be put back many years.” More

See also:

Five tips to beat high motoring costs!

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:00:16 +0000

In the current economic climate, all of us are looking for different ways to cut costs where we can. With the rising price of key commodities however, this is not always an easy task. The price of oil has risen to such an extent in recent times that car travel is now the most expensive it has ever been.

This trend has forced many to swap their cars for public transport but there are many for whom the car is a necessity and not a luxury. Transporting young children, getting around in rural areas and doing the weekly shop are all tasks best performed in a car. For many of us driving is also a hobby. So what can we do to beat the sky high motoring costs? Here are 5 tips that will help with your bank balance…

Look for the cheapest fuel

Petrol prices can vary a great deal from place to place so when you next decide to fill your tank it makes sense to plan ahead. Make sure you learn which petrol stations are the cheapest and stay loyal to them. If everyone in your area does this it will push suppliers to reduce costs to stay ahead of the competition. Using a fuel comparison site such as PetrolPrices.com helps you to find the cheapest fuel in the area. Also now available are smart phone apps which show you the cheapest garages which are closest to your current location.

Decrease your car insurance premiums

It doesn’t matter how well you do your research on finding the cheapest petrol, the truth is you are still going to be paying more than you want to for it. Therefore anything you can do to bring down other motoring costs is going to make this less painful and the most obvious car related cost that can be brought down is your insurance premium. It has been shown that the use of car insurance comparison websites can help you save an average of £218 per year so it would be sensible to use one of these to get the best car insurance quotes.

Drive with closed windows

Streamlined cars use less fuel. Open windows create resistance and cause your engine to have to work harder and use more petrol as a result. Even something as simple as removing a roof rack can make the car more streamlined and help fuel economy.

Turn off your air conditioning

Unfortunately using air conditioning uses up fuel and a lot of fuel can be used up by cooling the car on a long journey. It is therefore advisable to turn your air conditioning down or off completely if possible and you would be surprised just how much difference this can make to fuel consumption.

Get your car serviced regularly

Regular servicing of your car is a good very good idea. Servicing your vehicle regularly ensures that the engineering is streamlined, that it is running in tip-top condition and as fuel efficient as possible!

(Content supplied by moneysupermarket.com)

See also:

Drivers supervising learners risk breaking law!

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:01:47 +0000

Drivers are risking fines, disqualification or jail because they do not know the rules on supervising learners, according to the AA. The motoring group’s survey of 19,000 members suggested nearly a quarter did not know it was illegal to use a mobile phone while out with a learner driver. Nearly one in 10 respondents was unaware falling asleep was not allowed. The law states that somebody supervising a learner driver is effectively in control of the car. The AA said that in one case a supervisor was jailed after the learner was involved in a crash that killed two people. It said many learners benefited from time spent with more experienced drivers, but suggested short driving courses for supervisors might be needed. The AA/Populus survey suggested drivers were also breaking the law by drinking, sending text messages, or failing to wear their glasses while on practice runs with learners. Some 23% of respondents did not know they would be breaking the law by using a mobile phone while supervising a learner. And 13% were unaware of the need to wear glasses if they used them when driving themselves, while 9% did not realise that falling asleep in the passenger seat was illegal. A total of 4% of respondents who had supervised learners admitted breaking at least one of these laws. The figure rose to 22% among supervisors aged 21 to 24. More

See also:

Motorists warned of strange foreign driving rules!

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:34:56 +0000

Drivers who take their cars abroad this summer could be caught out by little-known foreign motoring laws, the AA has warned. With millions of people heading abroad as the summer holidays start in earnest, Britons could be caught out whether at the wheel of their own or a rented car. In Luxembourg, for example, anyone at the wheel of a hire-car must have at least 24 euros (£19.97) in cash on them to pay any on the spot fine. If not they will be fined simply for not carrying the cash. In Portugal if two cars meet on a narrow street and are the same distance from a passing place, right of way is given to the bigger vehicle – so the other car has to reverse. Portuguese police have also been issued with portable card readers to collect fines. However there is also a 2.75 per cent fee which will be levied by the card company itself. Meanwhile parking in some parts of Spain can be a nightmare. One way streets in some cities require vehicles to be parked on the side of the road where houses bear uneven numbers on uneven days of the month, and on the side of even numbers on even days. More

See also:

Booster seat warnings issued to parents!

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:53:15 +0000

Child booster seats without integrated seat backs are dangerous and should be phased out, according to consumer group Which?. The group says that through the use of such seats, or no seat at all, 47% of children aged 4-12 are at risk of “serious injury” during side impacts – accidents which it says account for around a quarter of all collisions. By law, children who are under the age of 12 or under 135cm tall must use a booster seat – though a study highlighted last year by Which? found that only 42% of parents correctly understood this. It adds that in a survey it conducted last month of 1,000 parents of children in this age group, 30%, of respondents said that they use a backless booster cushion, while 17% admitted using no child car seat at all. But while backless cushions meet legal requirements, Which? says, parents should be “very wary” of using such seats, due to what it claims is the minimal level of protection they offer. More

See also:

Motorists face hefty bills for not checking engine oil levels!

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:38:20 +0000

Motorists are risking repair bills of over £1,400 by neglecting engine oil levels, according to new research. Research carried out as part of National Oil Check Week (June 15-22) shows that almost half of all cars – around 15 million – are either low or dangerously low on oil, largely because one in three drivers never bother to check. Scottish motorists fell short of their English counterparts with nearly two thirds of cars showing an oil level that was low. In all regions, however, about 50 per cent of drivers admitted not checking their car’s oil as often as they should, with 28 per cent never checking. Twice as many women as men have no idea how to check their oil, but women are less likely to rely solely on their car’s technology to warn them, with only one in ten believing it was not necessary to check their car’s oil level. Bill Collins, technical manager for Halfords Autocentre, said: “It is surprising to see so many motorists still not carrying out the basic checks. Oil is vital to a car’s health. Without enough of it you effectively risk destroying your engine. “Checking there is enough oil in your car is one of the handful of basic maintenance tasks that should be carried out every month. It only takes 60 seconds to do but it could save you from a huge repair bill.” More

See also:

Parents trying to save on car insurance breaking the law!

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:23:48 +0000

Millions of parents are said to be breaking the law in order to save money on car insurance for their children. New figures suggest that 41% of parents deliberately lie when filling out policy applications. Parents are claiming to be the main drivers on the policy, when in fact it is one of their children who is the main driver, or owner of the car. The practice known as fronting potentially offers large savings but could lead to prosecution. Research by Co-operative Insurance found that 41% of parents were actually fronting policies at the moment, and 61% would do so in the future. More

See also:

Brits warned of motoring problems abroad!

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:58:49 +0000

Brits are heading for a summer of fines, arrests and accidents in Europe as they fail to comply with the rules and regulations of driving abroad suggests new research from AXA Insurance. The BA strikes and volcanic ash disruption have led many Brits to re-think their holiday plans with an estimated 1.1 million1 saying they’ll drive to their holiday destination abroad this summer rather than rely on air travel. However, when it comes to some of the most basic requirements of driving abroad, there seems to be a lot of confusion among motorists with a third (33%) admitting they don’t know whether a GB sticker is needed and a further 24% wrongly stating that it isn’t.2 And nearly half (49%) were unsure whether their car insurance covered them for driving abroad with 23% making the potentially disastrous assumption that it does. More

Under inflated tyres hits motorists in the pocket!

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:19:39 +0000

Drivers in the UK are throwing away more than £440 million pounds by driving with under-inflated tyres. The research, revealed by Michelin discovered that not only are motorists letting poor tyre pressure maintenance affect their bank balance, but more than 370 million litres of fuel are being wasted each year. This also contributes to an additional 1 million tonnes of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere. Luckily, Michelin is coming to the rescue of drivers who are in the dark when it comes to tyre pressures. The Michelin Fill Up With Air team is taking to the road to offer free tyre checks to help improve safety and reduce vehicle CO2 emissions, while also helping motorists save cash. Michelin’s head of communications, Peter Snelling, said: ‘Based on the findings of Michelin’s 2009 campaign, if all of the cars in the UK were running on correctly inflated tyres then motorists would save a considerable amount of money and as a result, CO2 emissions would also be reduced. More

See also:

Drivers ‘must not be complacent about speeding’!

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:27:33 +0000

UK motorists have been reminded to be more disciplined about adhering to speed limits in order to ensure they are driving safely. A survey conducted by road safety charity Brake has revealed that 72 per cent of drivers admit to travelling at 35 mph or faster in 30 mph zones, with a large proportion saying they do this regularly. However, the organisation stated that seemingly minor increases in speed will make it harder to stop for pedestrians, as well as increasing the risk of serious injury should a collision occur. Brake chief executive Mary Williams therefore called on British drivers to end their “widespread complacency” about going over the speed limit. More

See also:

Car buyers warned over loan deals from showrooms!

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:17:05 +0000

People looking to buy a new car have been urged to avoid showroom finance deals, as important interest rate details are often not clearly explained by dealers. Research by Which? Car magazine revealed that essential information about car finance agreements were not adequately flagged up to car buyers in showrooms. Dealers were found to “take customers for a ride” by not telling them in clear terms how much interest they would need to pay on their motor. An undercover operation involving visits to 15 showrooms highlighted that not even one of them clearly demonstrated the total cost of the interest on a finance deal. Two-thirds did not mention the APR (annual percentage rate) and a third even failed to add it to their written quote. More

See also:

New book on drivers etiquette announced!

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:05:50 +0000

It is hard to believe now, but once upon a time going for a drive was seen as something of a treat. In those days motorists would wave to each other and politely nod as other cars gently overtook them. Today it’s all white van men and road rage. So thank goodness for Debrett’s, the authority on etiquette, and its new guide to courteous in-car behaviour. In its 47 pages, it aims to re-acquaint drivers with the ‘right and proper way to behave behind the wheel’. Among the advice for men is to not make cliched jokes about female drivers and respect all women behind the wheel. Both sexes are also advised to avoid too much perfume or cologne. More

’60 minute warning’ for British drivers abroad!

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:02:52 +0000

You are most at risk just 60 minutes into your first car journey on holiday abroad. Know the local road rules, and be aware of your own fitness to drive. Foreign and Commonwealth Office research shows that driving abroad is at its most dangerous just 60 minutes into the first journey whilst on holiday. Professor Geoff Beattie, of Manchester University, has pinpointed the most dangerous point when driving abroad. The key factors that contribute to dangerous driving abroad including driver fatigue, motoring on the other side of the road, anticipating oncoming traffic and grappling with unfamiliar rented vehicles. More

See also:

More drivers taking dangerous risks with part worn tyres!

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:16:06 +0000

The number of tyre related deaths and accidents on the UK’s roads could be set to rise after new research has revealed that more than one in ten drivers is more likely to buy part worn tyres compared with 12 months ago. The worrying findings have been issued by TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety group, who has warned that not only could part worn tyres be a false economy, but they could pose a significant safety hazard to drivers and other road users. In 2008, illegal, under-inflated or defective tyres contributed to the deaths of 34 drivers and the injuries of more than 900 other motorists. “Tyres play a critical role in vehicle safety and consequently, some very strict requirements exist regarding the sale of part worn tyres,” warns Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “If part worn tyres are bought from an unreliable source or do not meet the required standards, drivers could be placing themselves and other road users in significant danger. We understand the financial pressures being faced by many motorists but the risks associated with fitting part worn tyres are too high and we would always recommend fitting brand new tyres.” One of TyreSafe’s primary concerns with part worn tyres relates to the internal structure of the tyre. Regulations require that part worns must be free from large cuts, bulges and lumps and must not have any of their plies or cords exposed. However, without a thorough examination of the internal components of the tyre using an x-ray machine, TyreSafe claims it is impossible to tell what unseen damage may have occurred. “There are many internal components of a tyre which are essential for safe motoring,” explains Jackson. “These can be damaged by a number of things such as punctures, driving over kerbs or pot holes or running at too low pressures. All of these can make the tyre dangerous and unsafe. The visual inspections required to sell part worn tyres may not identify these internal structural problems and consequently divers may be sold a product which is essentially not fit for purpose.” More

See also:

New Young drivers film shows dangers of peer pressure!

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:17:00 +0000

A short film illustrating the dangers young drivers face when subject to peer pressure has gone live on the web. The film is the next stage of the Drive SMART initiative, launched by Surrey County Council and Surrey Police to tackle anti-social driving. The film shows how easy it is for a young driver, coerced by friends, to take unnecessary risks at dangerous speeds on the road – with devastating consequences. In a clear challenge to young drivers it asks: ‘Can you stand up to your mates?’ and urges them to ‘Be strong’. Dr Andrew Povey, leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Young drivers are particularly vulnerable on the road and putting a film about road safety on the internet is one way of encouraging them to take more care. More

See also:

Thousands of parents guilty of ‘fronting’ children on their car insurance!

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:01:49 +0000

Around 36,000 parents are breaking the law by naming sons and daughters as a ‘spouse’ or ‘partner’ on their car insurance policy, our own research has found. swiftcover.com contacted policyholders over concerns with their cover and found that one in four admitted to ‘fronting’ by not putting down their offspring as a ‘named driver’. We estimate that the number of parents taking this fraudulent action has almost doubled in the last two years, with as many as 36,000 mums and dads guilty of doing so. Robin Reames, our claims director, warned those who front that insurers are clamping down on such behaviour, which ultimately ends up costing those who abide by the law and purchase car insurance honestly. “Trying to buck the system by fronting is not only illegal, it actually ends up costing law-abiding motorists if they are involved in an accident with a fronted driver who is actually an underinsured driver,” he added. More

See also:

AA warns of errors with number plates on insurance documents!

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:25:02 +0000

AA Insurance has seen a sharp increase in the number of drivers being stopped by police because simple number plate errors have been made on their insurance record. Such mistakes are coming to light as police automatic number plate recognition (anpr) equipment – used to identify uninsured drivers – becomes more widespread. Motorists who have made simple registration errors on their insurance applications are being stopped by police – and occasionally having their cars confiscated as a result. Mistakes, such as transposing letters or numbers or getting a 0 and O mixed up, may mean that automatic number plate recognition (anpr) technology, which is increasingly carried both on police vehicles and at fixed roadside locations, won’t recognise that the car is insured. Comment Simon Douglas, director of AA Car Insurance, says: “Over the past few months we have seen a sharp rise in the number of ‘mistaken identity’ cases. Where we used to get one or two calls per month from police to verify whether a motorist they have stopped is insured for this reason, it’s now 20 or more per week. “I see this as encouraging because it also means that police are becoming increasingly successful at catching genuine uninsured drivers as well as people who’ve made simple mistakes.” He points out that drivers are usually sent on their way after confirming they’re covered. But in extreme cases cars have been confiscated until a correct insurance document can be provided along with a statement confirming the car was insured at the time. “If you’re applying for your car insurance online, it’s easy to confuse letters and numbers such as 0 and O. It’s also surprisingly common for drivers to transpose digits. If you are applying for cover by telephone, similarly-sounding letters (such as N and M) can also be confused. Insurance staff can make mistakes too.” Douglas points out insurers send every customer a summary of cover, which includes all the information it has about a customer and his or her car, as well as the insurance certificate itself. “It is really important to check that this information is correct – especially the registration number. The data is used to update the national Motor Insurance Database, which is used by the police anpr equipment to check whether your vehicle is covered. He says: “Simple errors can result in a lot of wasted time and inconvenience for you, the police and your insurer – quite apart from the risk of temporarily having your car confiscated.” More

See also:

Motorists using hand-held mobiles while driving to get higher penalties!

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:00:39 +0000

Penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone could be increased, Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary has said. Speaking in the House of Lords, he told peers that the Government is ready to stiffen the law, amid concern that an increasing number of drivers are flouting the ban. Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile currently get an automatic £60 fine and three points on their licence. If they cause an accident or pose a risk to other motorists while making a call, drivers face being charged with dangerous driving, which can lead to a two-year jail term. One option now open to ministers is to increase the number of penalty points to four, which would mean a driver would be banned if convicted three times for the offence. Tougher penalties could be included in a new Government road safety strategy. Last month a study of 14,000 drivers in London showed the use of hand-held mobiles was now higher than in 2006, the year before the introduction of the three point licence penalty and doubling of the fine to £60. The Department for Transport is waiting for the results of a nationwide study, which it should receive within the next few weeks. More

See also:

Hypnotism can help with driving test nerves!

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:22:55 +0000

I’ve failed my driving test four times, but I am a good driver. I know I am. At first, cars and I didn’t really get on, even though as a teenager keen to tick off each rite of passage as soon as it was legal (if not sooner), I signed up for driving lessons at the earliest opportunity. Nerves intervened, however, and I vomited more before the lessons than if I’d had a heavy night on rum and Coke. Then exams gave me an excuse to avoid continuing the lessons, before student poverty and good bus services provided several more. Then I moved to an area untouched by public transport and the excuses ran out. On the recommendation of a friend I signed up with an independent instructor called Beryl Fireman who was reassuring – and very understanding. When, during an early lesson, I crashed into a traffic island near a pub, she didn’t get upset, even though I’d wrecked two tyres and we had to wait three hours to be towed while being mocked by drunks. More

See also:

Survey shows lack of head restraint awareness!

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:05:45 +0000

According to a survey by road safety charity charity Brake and Direct Line Car Insurance, two in three motorists in the UK do not know how to correctly position their restraints. The top of the restraint should be level with the top of the head, but a majority of people think that the top of a head restraint should be level with the neck or ears, which is incorrect. Again, as many as two-thirds of motorists said that they have never or rarely checked their restraints, with only one in seven drivers claiming to always check. More

See also:

Too many drivers running out of fuel on motorways!

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:48:39 +0000

Too many drivers running out of fuel on motorways, says Highways Agency. They are calling on drivers to check fuel levels before setting off on journeys after more than 15,000 drivers broke down on England’s motorways over a 12-month period after running out of fuel. Breaking down on the motorway causes disruption to journeys and road users can put themselves as well as other drivers at risk. To reduce the inconvenience and also the hazards involved, the Agency, supported by the Driving Standards Agency, is calling on drivers to check their fuel levels before setting off on journeys. Agency figures show that 15,788 drivers ran out of fuel on England’s motorways between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 – an average of 43 every day. The Highways Agency’s Director of Network Operations, Derek Turner, said: “The number of people breaking down simply because they have run out of fuel is alarming. It’s not only hazardous to the driver and passengers, but to other road users as well, especially if the vehicle has to stop in a live lane. We want drivers to be aware of the risks and also to encourage them to check their fuel level before they set off. It’s important that if you are travelling over long distances, that you continually monitor your fuel level.” The Driving Standards Agency’s Director for Safer Driving, Trevor Wedge, said: “Running out of fuel on a motorway can be a risky business. Stopping on the hard shoulder will place you and your passengers in a vulnerable situation that could be avoided. “Make sure you have plenty of fuel for your journey before driving on to a motorway and don’t let the fuel in your tank run too low. Fill up well before the gauge reaches empty and before the warning light comes on. Remember that driving at higher speeds, especially when overtaking, will use more fuel and there can sometimes be quite some distance between service stations. Don’t be tempted to try to complete your journey on a low tank.” More

See also:

Big rise in number of drivers getting behind crash barrier on hard shoulder!

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:26:25 +0000

Increasing numbers of motorists are heeding safety advice about getting out of their vehicle on the hard shoulder in the event of breakdown or accident, according to AA patrols. Three years ago, AA research showed that more than half of all motorists would risk death or serious injury by sticking with their vehicle on the hard shoulder but patrols now report that around 80 per cent get to a position of safety, although this can drop to as low as a third when it’s wet. Motorways and high speed dual carriageways are very dangerous places and it is imperative that drivers put safety first as around 170 deaths and serious injuries occur each year following collisions with vehicles parked on the hard shoulder (Department for Transport, 2005). More

See also:

New rating system for child seats launched!

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:14:07 +0000

The safety performance of a child seat is a critical piece of information for a parent or carer who is about to make a purchase. Improvements in the effectiveness and safety performance of child restraint systems will save lives and reduce serious injuries. So says TRL, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, who today launch a new independent safety rating system for child seats in vehicles, to better inform consumer choice when purchasing a child seat. All child seats sold in the UK meet minimum Regulatory Standards for safety, but with 6000 children between the ages of 0 and 11 injured in cars each year and over 250 killed or seriously injured, it is important to understand the safety performance levels of the large number of different products. This is even more vital when parents are buying in tougher economic times and wish to ensure best possible choice within their available budget. TRL, recognising the importance of child seats and the role they play in reducing casualties and serious injuries, has launched its new independent five star rating scheme for child restraint systems. Its Child Safety Centre has been carrying out research and development for manufacturers, retailers and Government for over 30 years, related to improving protocols and test methods that will be applied in the UK and internationally. More

See also:

UK drivers face French roadside drug tests!

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:51:13 +0000

UK drivers could face a roadside saliva drug test if they are caught not wearing a seat belt or speeding in France. The one in 20 of Brits who used cannabis recently could be on a collision course with France’s policy of zero tolerance towards any trace of illegal narcotics. As part of their campaign to reduce the country’s heavy road casualty toll, French authorities have adopted a more aggressive stance against driving while under the influence of illegal drugs. However, the Home Office’s latest British Crime Survey shows that 4.6 per cent of 16 to 59 year olds have used cannabis in the last month. Official guidance shows that French police will routinely test for drugs after a fatal accident. They will also test after an injury accident where the police suspect the driver has taken drugs. A drugs test may also be carried out following: any road accident, a road offence that could lead to a driving ban, a speeding offence, the failure to wear a seat belt or helmet. Penalties in France are severe and offenders risk going to prison for two years and a fine of €4,500 (£3,893). A driver found also to have 50 or more milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (UK limit is 80) could be imprisoned for three years and face a fine of €9,000 (£7,786). More

See also: