Bedford Driving Lessons » Proposals

Motorists against proposed rise in fixed penalty fine…..

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:49:02 +0000

The current rate for a fixed penalty fine is £60, and the government are considering raising it to £90 and using the £30million it raises to help victims of crime and witness support. A survey by IAM, has shown that 51% are against the proposed rise to the fine for motoring offences. Worryingly 68% wanted to avoid getting fined to just avoid being hit in the pocket.

If everyone were to drive to high standards at all times, there would not be a worry about the increases, and the roads would be much safer as well!

Car tax could soon be paid by direct debit…..

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:48:33 +0000

In the recent budget the government announced that is would consider allowing the car road tax to be paid by direct debit. Currently it is paid either yearly or six monthly, with many opting for the later (which makes the yearly total more expensive) because of struggling finances.

Sounds like a very good and welcome idea to help motorists to help with their car expenses. On the government side it would appear a smart move to a much easier way to manage the tax, and cut down on paperwork.

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Pothole – Prevention and a better cure…..

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:12:03 +0000

Local authorities across England have been given advice on how to tackle the problem of potholes on their roads following the publication of a review commissioned by Local Transport Minister Norman Baker.

The Pothole Review – part of the Coalition Government’s £6m Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme – looks at how best to fix potholes once they have formed but also how to prevent them from appearing in the first place. The recommendations for Central Government, local highway authorities and the highways sector fall into three main themes:

· Prevention is better than cure – intervening at the right time will reduce the amount of potholes forming and prevent bigger problems later.

· Right First Time – do it once and get it right, rather than face continuous bills.

· Clarity for the public – local highway authorities need to communicate to the public what is being done and how it is being done.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“We all know the misery that potholes can cause to highway users and local communities and the recent series of harsh winters has only served to intensify the situation.

“We’ve given £3 billion to councils for road maintenance over the next four years but money can only go so far and the old adage rings true: prevention is indeed better than cure.

“I would urge all those involved with highways maintenance, including councillors, chief executives, local highway practitioners, those in the utility sector and contractors to adopt the approaches set out in this report, not only to make real cost savings but also to provide a high quality service that both the road user and local residents deserve.”

Today’s Review investigates the issue of potholes from an engineering perspective plus explores the wider issues around potholes, including public expectations, the impact of long term maintenance strategies, decision making arrangements, the processes of reporting, prioritising and repairing, guidance and wider operational arrangements within local highways authorities.

Matthew Lugg, President of the Association of Directors of Economy, Environment, Planning and Transport, who led the Pothole Review, said:

“This Review has focused on key principles and strategies to reduce potholes in the future. There are a number of key recommendations, which when implemented by the highway sector will lead to more effective outcomes for the highway users and the economy. I would encourage all parties to take on board the recommendations. I am thankful for the help and assistance that was provided by colleagues from both the public and private sector including key stakeholder organisations.”

Source: Department for Transport

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Fixed penalty fines could soon be increased to £100…..

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:53:39 +0000

It has been reported that the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, is undertaking a review into help for victims of crime. One of the proposals, is to increase fixed penalty fines for speeding, using mobile phones while driving and not wearing seatbelts, and they could rise to between £80 and £100, with £20 of each fine heading into the victims of crime fund. It is estimated that this move would raise an additional £50 million each year.

Another good way of raising income for the government, and great if all the money goes to the proposed fund. Many will not be happy, but if you drive safely, you won’t get collared with the higher fines. Could help road safety, if it encourages motorists to drive safer!

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Foreign lorries could be charged to drive on our roads…..

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:03 +0000

The Department for Transport has announced that there is be a consultation, into charging foreign hauliers to use our road system. If introduced, it would only bring us into line with the rest of Europe, and the charges our hauliers have to pay. UK hauliers will also have to pay the charge, but they will be refunded, by cutting the cost of their tax disc or lower the fuel duty that is charged to them. The plans were also welcomed by a Freight Transport Association spokesman, ”Ensuring that foreign lorries pay for using UK roads is part and parcel of levelling the playing field across Europe and we welcome attempts to do this.

It would seem to make perfect sense, as there are estimated to be 1.5 million trips into this country by foreign lorries. All the wear and tear they cause on our roads, is either being paid for by ourselves, or not being repaired at all. This extra revenue (which is only fair for using our roads) should boost our road networks a great deal

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Proposed MOT every two years will cost motorists more…..

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:34:52 +0000

Europe has MOT testing every two years, and the government is considering moving into line with them. A recent report ”A Cost Too Far – the financial impact of ending annual MOT testing” has shown, that whilst motorists may save a small amount in less testing, they will incur more expenses through extra repairs.

Is the move sensible? Surely it will lead to more sub-standard vehicles on our roads, in turn possibly decreasing road safety. Two years is a long time between checks, a lot can go wrong, and potentially led to a dangerous vehicle being driven for many thousands of miles on the roads.

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From 2013 motorway speed limit to be 80mph…..

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:33 +0000

For the first time since the mid 60′s the speed limit will change, so next year we will be able to drive at 80mph on Britain’s motorways. Ministers in their wisdom, have decreed that motorists driving more than 80mph are ’perfectly decent people’ and that the old speed limit was ’out of date’. They have also suggested that the higher limit will bring more economic benefits to the country, while more consideration to more residential areas becoming 20mph zones will be given.

When the change happens, we will perhaps see not much of a change, as many travel at that speed on motorways already! It would still be wise to have flexibility with top speed limits, and reduce as necessary when weather or traffic conditions are not favourable, and have harsher penalties for those travelling over the new 80mph limit.

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Experts advise on drug-driving becoming an offence…..

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:32:03 +0000

Around the world we see many areas where there is a much tougher stance on driving under the influence of drugs, both prescription and social. An expert panel is to advise the government, on whether it is possible to introduce maximum levels for drugs, similar to what is currently in place for alcohol. Saliva-based drug testing kits are currently being considered for use by police like a breathalyser.

This is a very under-estimated problem on the roads, as amounts of any type of drugs can cause massive impairments to drivers judgements, and therefore road safety. Surely a combination of driver education to the risks and potential dangers of all types of drugs would be a start. Then backed up by tougher rules and testing as required.

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Speed limit could now be raised to 80mph on dual carriageways!

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:06:41 +0000

Ministers are considering extending the proposed higher limit to a far wider range or roads than had previously been thought. A formal consultation on allowing motorists to drive at 80mph on motorways is due to be launched early in the New Year. Proposals to increase the national 70mph limit on limit on other trunk roads emerged in the Department for Transport’s proposals to cut red tape. “We have announced our intention to consult about changing the national speed limit on motorways from 70mph to 80mph,” the DfT said in the document. “We are also examining whether an 80mph should be extended on a case by case basis to some other dual carriageways.” The original proposal to push up the speed limit was put forward by Philip Hammond, the former Transport Secretary. Supporters of raising the limit believe that it would aid the economy and also reflect advances in car safety technology in recent decades. But the plans are understood to have divided ministers, with Chris Huhne, the Energy Secretary, opposing the plans because it would lead to an increase in carbon emissions. Road safety groups have also voiced concern especially with existing police guidelines allowing motorists a measure of leeway under the “10 per cent plus 2mph” formula. If applied to an 80mph limit, this would mean drivers would be unlikely to face prosecution at speeds lower than 90mph. More

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Are under youngsters to be stopped driving at night?

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:37:54 +0000

The Association of British Insurers, which represents Britain’s motor insurers, wants stricter rules imposed on drivers under the age of 25. It said that drivers under that age should be restricted in the hours when they can drive to cut the high level of deaths and serious injuries involving young drivers. It also proposes a zero-tolerance when it comes to drink and driving for young motorists. Young drivers, specifically young male drivers, traditionally bear the brunt of a “boy racer” reputation, which is reflected in their higher premiums. They are viewed as high risk by insurers as they are five times more likely to be involved in a crash than 30-59 year old males. It is why the average cost of insuring a car for young drivers soared to a record high of £3,700 a year. Drivers aged between 17 and 22 face monthly payments of as much as £546 when opting to pay in instalments. Newly qualified drivers can now face annual premiums up to £6,000. The road traffic accident statistics backup the ABI’s plans. Every day two people die and 16 people are injured in road crashes involving drivers under 25, while one in four people killed or seriously injured in a road crash is a young driver or one of their passengers, yet only 12pc of all driver licence holders are under the age of 25, the ABI said. More

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Drink-Drive Rehabilitation courses to be modernised

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:30:05 +0000

Proposals to modernise the Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) were announced today by the Driving Standards Agency.

These aim to improve both the standard of courses offered to drink-driving offenders and the way they are approved. The proposals are also intended to encourage more training providers to become involved in delivering DDRS courses, improving access to the scheme for offenders in areas with high incidences of drink-driving.

The Government also intends to make the financing of the scheme fairer. Rather than the cost of administering the scheme being met by the general taxpayer, the consultation proposes that offenders should pick up the bill for this through the fees they pay to cover the cost of their training.

The overall aim is to reduce the number of re-offenders by educating them on the potential consequences of their behaviour.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

“Most drivers are safe and responsible but there is a reckless minority who put lives in danger by drink driving and those drivers need to be tackled effectively.

“As well as taking action to help the police to deal with drink-drivers, we are looking at how we can reduce the likelihood of re-offending through improving the Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme.

“Improving the way courses are delivered is a positive step towards achieving this and will help to ensure Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.”

The Government’s Strategic Framework for Road Safety sets out a commitment to improve the enforcement of drink driving legislation by making DDRS courses mandatory for disqualified drink-drivers. The measures proposed in the consultation are the first step in that process.

Source: DSA 09/11/11

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Proposals for classic cars to be MOT exempt!

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:17:52 +0000

Classic cars and motorbikes could be exempted from the MoT test under proposals published for consultation today by Roads Minister Mike Penning. Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MoT failure rate than newer cars. The current requirement for these vehicles to undergo an MoT test goes over and above the obligations set out in European legislation. As part of the Government’s commitment to cutting unnecessary red tape, today’s proposals would exempt private vehicles manufactured before 1960 from the MoT test, reducing costs for owners. Mike Penning said: “We are committed to reducing regulation which places a financial burden on motorists without providing significant overall benefits. Owners of classic cars and motorbikes are enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well – they don’t need to be told to look after them, they’re out there every weekend checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork. “That is why I am today putting forward proposals to scrap the MoT test for these vehicles – this will result in savings for the Government and for motorists.” Many of the features of the modern MoT test are not suitable for testing classic vehicles built more fifty years ago. However, owners of classic vehicles will still be legally required to ensure that their cars are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road These changes are being taken forward separately from the Department for Transport’s main MOT review.
Source: Department for Transport (National)

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Prime Minister backs tougher drug driving laws!

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:28:48 +0000

Prime Minister David Cameron has supported calls for stronger sentencing laws for motorists caught driving under the influence of drugs. Mr Cameron said “not enough has been done” to tighten the laws despite the issue of drug-driving being raised repeatedly. Prompted by Croydon Central MP Garvin Barwell’s question in Parliament regarding Lillian Groves’ case, the PM said that the Government will consider tougher sentences to tackle the problem. More

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More opposition to proposed MOT changes!

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:53:06 +0000

Groups unite against proposed changes
MoT could go bi-annual
Government presses ahead with consultation

Proposed changes to the MoT system have been deemed as reckless by motoring groups, safety charities and insurance companies. 25 organisations, including the AA, Brake, Halfords, the RAC and Kwik Fit have urged transport secretary Justine Greening and MPs to oppose moves to change the frequency and starting point of the test. Currently, cars must take the MoT test at three years old, then once a year thereafter, but ministers are considering plans to shift the first test to four years and then to intervals of two years. Edmund King, AA president, said: ‘The AA and three-fifths of our members believe it is a false saving, which could lead to more expensive repairs later, and that’s before the safety argument.’ More Promote Campaign Website

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Driving tests in a foreign language to be stopped!

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:39:14 +0000

Ministers are to bar people from taking the driving test in a foreign language after uncovering figures showing about 90,000 tests are taken in other languages every year. There are growing fears that tens of thousands of people may have been granted British driving licences despite not being able to read road signs in English. The rules currently allow the theory test to be sat in 19 foreign languages. People are also permitted to attend the practical test with a translator. In total, 93,407 car driving theory tests were sat in a foreign language last year. There were 18,927 Urdu tests last year, 12,905 in Polish and 298 in Albanian. Last night, Mike Penning, a transport minister, said that the Government was studying how to change the rules to ban the “politically correct” foreign language tests. “I find it incredible that Labour thought it was a good idea to let people without a basic grasp of English loose on our roads,” he said. “Road safety should be our priority, not political correctness. More

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Could foreign language driving tests be banned?

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:25:23 +0000

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Traffic signs updated, clutter and red tape reduced in biggest signs review in 40 years!

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:36:25 +0000

Unnecessary Whitehall bureaucracy will be tackled and costs for councils reduced following the biggest review into Britain’s traffic signing system for 40 years, announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.

The government hopes that the review will dramatically reduce the number of signs councils need to use by relaxing rules – such as by removing the requirement for some signs – including those to indicate the start of a pedestrian zone, to be placed on both sides of the road.

The new framework includes measures to update and improve traffic signs to make sure that they reflect the way we travel now, as well as providing clear information on prohibitions on the road network. Changes will include:

measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes and making it easier for councils to use Trixi mirrors to improve visibility of cyclists at junctions and ‘no entry except cycles’ signs to allow contra-flow cycling
a new sign warning lorry drivers that a road is unsuitable for their vehicles. This will help to prevent situations where lorries following sat nav systems use inappropriate roads, sometimes causing disruption to the local road network and delays to their journey
measures to simplify some parking signs after research showed that, although overall understanding of traffic and parking signs among drivers is good, there is scope for some signs to be made clearer
allowing councils to use innovative new measures such as pedestrian countdown timers and diagonal crossings without government approval

Source: DSA

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Government could raise motorway limit to 80mph!

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:12:48 +0000

The motorway speed limit will increase from 70mph to 80mph in 2013, under Government plans – a move aimed at boosting the economy, the Transport Secretary has said. Speaking to Sky News, Philip Hammond said: “This is a clear proposal from the Government to increase the motorway speed limit to 80 miles an hour. “Principally this is about the huge time savings that would be available by improving journey times, hundreds of millions of pounds worth a year of time savings. “And also the benefit of bringing millions of ordinary motorists, who are otherwise law abiding, back on the right side of the law because frankly the current speed limit has lost legitimacy.” The current 70mph national speed limit was set in 1965. More and video

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In-car breathalysers could become mandatory!

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:46:27 +0000

MEPs are seeking to introduce mandatory in-car breathalysers that would stop a vehicle from starting up if the driver is found to have drunk more than the legal limit of alcohol. The recommendations are among a raft of road safety measures being called for in a new report produced by the European Parliament. Proposals in the report are aimed at reducing road deaths across the EU by about half to around 17,500 by 2020. They are also calling for all cars to be fitted with an ‘e-call’ device linked up to the emergency services that would provide the vehicle’s location once it had left the road, it was reported in the Irish Times today. One of the in-car gadgets recommended is the ‘alcolock’, which needs to be readjusted every time someone sits in the driver seat to stop drivers switching with passengers. More

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Councils could soon have more control over their roads and signs!

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:39:03 +0000

Motorists could face more 20mph speed zones as the Government plans to hand over more powers for local councils to introduce the restrictions. New rules could also see more roads cut off to cars to allow for cyclists, and a baffling array of new road signs are expected to pop up in cities and towns across the country. Transport Minister Norman Baker also told the Liberal Democrat conference in Birmingham that people making car journeys of less than two miles should walk or cycle to their destination. He wants councils to have more power in the hope they will remove or change unnecessary signs, following the Government consultation next month. More

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Driving tests could become harder say MP’s!

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:55:20 +0000

Making driving tests tougher could help ease traffic jams clogging up roads across Britain, MPs claim. Members of the Commons Transport Committee say warning road users about impending congestion through real-time information systems could also be a cost-effective way to cut congestion. They are trying to get a grip on the nation’s traffic woes without building expensive new roads or introducing a ‘pay as you drive’ road pricing policy – which was scrapped by the Coalition government. The government estimates that the rising cost of congestion will cost the UK economy an extra £22billion by 2025. Launching the report called Out of the Jam committee chairman Louise Ellman told the Daily Telegraph the committee thinks young drivers must have more experience of all types of road conditions before they sit their test. More

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Utility firms could have to pay to have roads closed for repairs!

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:34:48 +0000

Councils are to be encouraged to declare war on gas, electricity or water companies who infuriate motorists by digging up busy roads in rush hour. The initiative by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is the second attempt in a decade to make the utilities think twice before they cause rush- hour traffic queues. Mr Hammond proposes to allow councils to charge the utilities “rent” during the rush hour, which means they could save money by doing work when roads are less busy, for instance at night. When John Major became Prime Minister 20 years ago, he promised a war on traffic cones, and set up a hotline so that motorists could ring in when they spotted roads that were closed when no one was working. He pushed through legislation in 1991 to enable councils to charge “rent” on busy roads. But nothing came of it until the Labour government launched pilot schemes in Camden and Middlesbrough, nearly 10 years ago. They were not followed up, and the 1991 Act has been superseded by so much other legislation it is effectively inoperable. Mr Hammond is hoping that this time councils will show more enthusiasm about helping frustrated drivers. He has promised they can keep any money they raise through road rents, rather than surrender the proceeds to the Treasury – but they must spend it on road improvement schemes or research into improving traffic flow. More

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Safety warnings over MOT changes!

admin — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:23:18 +0000

The Government has indicated it is keen to relax rules that force motorists to pay for an annual MOT test, despite warnings that the move will cause at least 50 more deaths on UK roads every year. A government-commissioned study found that the proposal to reduce the frequency of the vehicle checks was “likely to have adverse road safety consequences”, particularly for older vehicles. The Transport Research Laboratory estimated that vehicle defects were a “contributory factor” in around 3 per cent of road accidents. Motoring groups last night claimed that allowing vehicles to be tested every two years could double the rate of accidents and casualties – adding around 55 to the death toll each year. However, sources at the Department for Transport said the report’s findings did not deter ministers. “This is part of an ongoing reconsideration of the MOT regime. It is important to review the system after almost half a century in which vehicle technology has advanced massively. The research does not prove the case one way or the other,” one source said. More

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Proposed new crackdown on foreign drivers!

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:39:49 +0000

The European Parliament has given the go ahead for a new plan which will see drivers prosecuted for serious traffic offences they commit outside their countries. Under the plans, EU nations will share information including car registration details to catch offenders even if they have returned home after committing a traffic offence abroad. According to official figures, 15% of all speeding offences on European roads are by foreign drivers even though they constitute just 5% of the total traffic. Besides speeding, the scheme will also crack down on foreign motorists who drink-drive, fail to wear seatbelts or ignore traffic signals. These four factors are together responsible for three-quarters of all road fatalities in Europe. More

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Smoking in car worse than breathing in exhaust fumes!

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:07:55 +0000

Smoking in your car is more damaging to health than breathing in exhaust fumes, a leading doctor has claimed. Douglas Noble, a British Medical Association public health expert, made the claim as his colleagues called for tougher tobacco and alcohol controls. BMA members voted in favour of a ban on smoking while driving, more restrictions on licensing hours and introducing a minimum price of alcohol. The union hopes to use its influential position to persuade the UK Government and its counterparts in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to tighten up its licensing legislation. Those against stricter regulations say it would intrude upon people’s liberty – and labelled a ban on smoking while driving as being ‘unenforceable’. But supporters insist the measures, if implemented, would improve the nation’s health as well as saving the NHS money. More

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Self-driving cars given go ahead in Nevada!

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Self-driving cars designed by Google will soon be a reality on the roads of Nevada. State legislators have passed a bill that requires the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to draw up rules for driver-less vehicles. Assembly Bill No 511 paves the way for Google’s automated Toyota Priuses and Audi TT to be operated legally in the Silver State. The hybrid vehicles use laser range finders and video cameras to detect traffic, and detailed maps to find their way from point to point. ‘Drivers’ simply set their destination and the car calculates the route and drives itself there. The first amendment, which was passed last week, relates to an electric-vehicle bill providing for the licensing and testing of autonomous vehicles. The second amendment, which has yet to be passed, is for an exemption that would permit sending a text message while ‘behind the wheel’. Google had hired Las Vegas-based lobbysit David Goldwater to promote its proposed legislation. In April, Mr Goldwater told lawmakers that the self-driving cars are safer than those driven by humans and are more fuel efficient. Google ran into controversy last year after it emerged staff had been testing the driver-less car on California’s roads. The vehicles logged more than 140,000 miles around the state – almost all of them on auto-pilot. While staff were in the car, their hands were not on the steering wheel. More

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Ministers cut traffic signs red tape for local councils!

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:44:26 +0000

Measures to reduce time-consuming and costly bureaucracy for councils wanting to use 20 mph schemes were announced today by Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker.

Today’s changes – the first to be announced as part of the Traffic Signs Policy Review – will mean that councils can use signs painted on roads as an alternative to expensive upright signs, cutting street clutter as well as costs.

In addition, the Government will reduce the need for councils to use speed humps in 20 mph zones and make it cheaper and easier for councils to put in place variable speed limits outside schools when local residents want these schemes.

Norman Baker said:

“I want to end the era of top-down government by providing a radical devolution of power to local authorities and communities.

“If councils and local communities want to put in place 20 mph schemes on residential roads or use common-sense measures such as variable speed limits outside schools, then they should be able to do so without spending time and money satisfying unnecessary Whitehall diktats.

“These changes will reduce costs for councils wanting to use 20 mph schemes, allowing them to act faster in response to the needs of their local residents while still ensuring that drivers know what speed they should drive at.”

The changes include:

Expanding the list of specified traffic calming measures allowable in 20 mph zones to include repeater signs and mini-roundabouts. This would allow zones to be introduced with fewer road humps or chicanes where appropriate;

Allowing local authorities to use speed limit symbols painted on roads more often as repeater signs in 20 mph zones and limits. Upright signs will still be required to indicate the start and end of 20 mph schemes.

Allowing local authorities to place signs at the entry and exit of variable speed limits – e.g. outside schools – on only one side of the road rather than on both sides of the road as is currently the case;

Allowing the use of either flashing warning lights or specified flashing lights with a static sign at the entry to variable speed limits which are cheaper for councils to buy;

Allowing the use of a sign design for advisory 20 mph limits using flashing school warning lights.

Councils will now be able to request council-wide authorisations for these measures to be used in 20 mph schemes on residential roads where cost-benefit analysis has shown that such schemes would be worthwhile. This will mean that councils can apply these measures without getting approval from Government in each case.

It remains the decision of local councils to decide whether or not to use 20 mph schemes following robust cost-benefit analysis of any such proposals.

The Traffic Signs Policy Review is due to publish its final report later this summer.

In addition, the Department for Transport plans to revise the guidance on speed limits with the aim of increasing flexibility for local authorities. The Department will provide an economic tool to help them to assess the full costs and benefits of any proposed schemes so that they can use measures which are both appropriate and good value for money.

From nds.coi.uk

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Supermarkets support Government crackdown on Blue Badge abuse!

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 21:45:32 +0000

Following major reforms to the Blue Badge scheme announced earlier this year, seven major supermarket chains have now given their support for the Government’s drive to eradicate Blue Badge abuse. Responding to the concerns of disability groups, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker wrote to all major supermarkets urging them to do what they could to enforce the scheme on their premises. So far Aldi, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Lidl have all responded positively in support of the Government’s drive to ensure strict enforcement of the parking bays in their car parks which are privately owned. Norman Baker said: “Many disabled people and disability groups have told me about the problems they have in finding a disabled bay at supermarkets because of their abuse by people who have no justification for parking in reserved spaces. “I am delighted to have secured the support of the major supermarket groups and to know that they share my view that abuse of Blue Badge parking bays needs to be tackled, protecting customers who rely on such spaces. I hope other large retailers will now follow suit and consider what action they can take to help their Blue Badge customers.” More

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Government launch red tape challenge!

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:13:34 +0000

Life is about to get easier for road users, businesses, and local authorities as Roads Minister Mike Penning today pledged to slash unnecessary red tape. Over 400 Whitehall road transport regulations have been placed on the Red Tape Challenge website – a Government-wide site aimed at reducing bureaucracy – for four weeks. It asks everyone whether they think that a regulation is well designed and provides vital protections, or is badly designed, badly implemented or simply a bad idea. More

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EU directive for UK over 60′s to take compulsory driving tests!

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:40:01 +0000

Motorists over 60 could be forced to take regular driving tests under a ruling, which is expected to come into force in 2013. However the European Commission has announced that it has no plans to enforce these additional measures to drivers within this age bracket in the UK. The EU Directive on Driving Licenses which has already been approved gives member states the option of imposing tests every two years for motorists aged 60 plus and annually for those 76 and over. In 2006, the Council of Ministers adopted this measure to create a single European driving licence to replacing the 110 different variations currently in existence throughout the EU with provisions taking effect in 2013.More

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Police may have to reveal ANPR camera locations!

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:20:59 +0000

The location of every police car-tracking camera in Britain could be revealed following a landmark legal ruling today. More than 10,000 covert Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras photograph and record the registration numbers of 14 million motorists in the UK every day. The information is used against a national database to track criminals and has proved vital in tackling criminals. But police forces across the country could be forced to reveal their locations following a Freedom of Information Act request by a member of the public. In a test case, Devon and Cornwall Police refused to disclose the data but was overruled by the Information Rights Tribunal. Police chiefs have vowed to fight the ruling in the Court of Appeal but fear every force in Britain will be forced to comply if they lose the case. A senior officer with the Devon and Cornwall force said: ‘ANPR has been a fantastic weapon in our fight against crime. It has been a huge success, particularly in taking millions of pounds worth of drugs off the streets. More

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New government plans to cut road deaths announced!

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:17:12 +0000

Plans to improve road safety education while taking tough action against the small minority of dangerous drivers were set out by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today. Careless driving will be made a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle reckless driving that puts other road users in danger, while disqualified drivers face having to take a new test before regaining their licence. There will also be more educational courses that can be offered in place of a fixed penalty and points in appropriate cases as well as a new post-test qualification for novice drivers, under plans set out in the new Strategic Framework for Road Safety. And as new analysis shows, 3,500 deaths and serious injuries could have been prevented in a year if the successes of better local authorities and police forces had been matched across the country. Local people will be given the information they need to have a real say in road safety priorities on their local roads. Philip Hammond said: “This report marks a sea change in how we tackle road safety in this country. We are determined to differentiate between wilfully reckless drivers and the law abiding majority who sometimes make honest mistakes, or who have allowed their skills to deteriorate. More

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Motorway Limits could soon be 80mph!

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:09:35 +0000

The speed limit could be raised to 80mph on motorways under proposals to be unveiled by ministers. At the same time limits on some rural roads could be cut as the Government looks to cut the number of people killed and seriously injured in car crashes. Proposals for an overhaul of speed limits are likely to be unveiled later in the year. Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, has signalled that he is ready to lift the 70mph limit to 80 if it is in the interests of the British economy. Since taking office, the Government has sought to end what it described as the “war on the motorist” which has seen Whitehall funding for speed cameras shortly after the election. Mr Hammond has called for a “rigorous cost benefit analysis’ of speed limits” which would look at a wider range of issues than safety alone.’ More

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Proposal for cars to be banned from residential roads!

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:16:39 +0000

Cars could be banned from residential roads to allow children to play out in the street, a heath minister has suggested. Anne Milton said that she had been looking at a scheme in operation in South America, where roads were closed to traffic on Sundays. She told MPs that the idea, which began in Colombia, could help tackle childhood obesity. During a debate in Westminster Hall, Mrs Milton said: “On Sundays, they close certain streets so that everybody can play in them. That is an outstanding idea. “Before constituents email to complain about their streets closing, I should say that I accept it would not work everywhere. It could, however, work in some places.” Mrs Milton said that the latest Department of Health figures showed that 28 per cent of children aged between two and 10 in England were overweight or obese, along with 61 per cent of adults. More

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Crackdown on uninsured driving moves step closer!

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:01:23 +0000

A new system to tackle uninsured driving moved a step closer today as Road Safety Minister Mike Penning laid the final regulations in Parliament. Under Continuous Insurance Enforcement it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured. The regulations laid today will allow the DVLA to take action against those who ignore warnings to get their vehicle insured. Mike Penning said: “Uninsured drivers injure 23,000 people each year and add £30 to every responsible motorist’s premium so we need to do everything we can to keep them off the roads. “These new powers will help us to take targeted action while freeing up police time to deal with the hard core of offenders.” More

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EU green tax to add 1.5p to litre of fuel!

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:00:16 +0000

Brussels bureaucrats are cooking up a new ‘green’ fuel tax – and its impact will hit owners of diesel cars hard. Owners of petrol engined cars will also be hit, though not as much. UK motorists are already being clobbered by the soaring price of fuel. MORE fuel pain could be en route. The tax proposed would see extra cash charged for diesel because the tax would be based on a fuel’s energy content rather than its volume. Diesel contains more energy – more carbon – than petrol. Which is why they’re often more economical as well as more powerful. But the EU argues that without a level ‘energy’ playing field, diesel vehicles (and their owners) are effectively being subsidised. Unfair, they cry. Diesel cars are hugely popular, not just for their efficiency but also for their ‘green’ credentials. New diesel cars in the UK outsell petrol cars by some margin. Diesel cars generally emit considerably fewer carbon emissions. However, the flip side of the coin is that diesel cars also emit more smaller polluting particles, which can damage air quality. More

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Traffic lights to flash amber at night in new trial!

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:25:41 +0000

Traffic lights could soon be left on flashing amber throughout the night so motorists can decide when to stop and go. It will mean frustrated drivers no longer have to sit at red lights during quiet periods when no other vehicles are around. Portsmouth City Council is to apply to the Department for Transport for permission to carry out the first trial of its kind in the country. If things go to plan, the new lighting rules could be implemented in Portsmouth, Hampshire, within a year. Similar systems already operate in Spain and France but motoring organisation the AA has cast doubt on whether it would work safely in the UK. Under the new rules, all the lights at a junction would be switched to flashing amber at quiet times – most likely in the middle of the night. Motorists would be expected to approach and cross with caution, rather than waiting for lights to change. The time of day at which lights would turn to flashing amber will vary, with busier junctions operating as normal later into the night. More

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Drink drivers could have cars seized!

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:34:56 +0000

Serial drink-drivers could have their cars seized under proposals being considered by the Government. The draconian powers would bring England and Wales into line with Scotland where anyone convicted a second time is at risk of losing their car. Both the Transport Select Committee and Sir Peter North, who advised the Government on drink and drug driving, have called for the courts to be given the option of confiscating the cars of repeat offenders, According to the latest figures nearly one in four motorists banned for drink or drug driving will have at least one previous conviction for the same offence. The problem appears to have worsened over the past decade. In 2000 13,299 motorists received at least their second ban for driving under the influence, by 2009 this had risen to 19,605. Earlier this week the Department for Transport signalled its willingness to follow the Scottish example when it unveiled its strategy for tackling driving under the influence of drink and drugs. “We will consider whether more use can be made of the loss of a vehicle as a penalty to be used by the courts,” the DfT said. More

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Trials to replace speed camera’s with trees in Norfolk!

admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:25:26 +0000

A trial in Norfolk found that creating avenue of trees and hedges had a dramatic impact on motorists’ behaviour. The experiment at four villages – Overstrand, Martham, Coltishall and Mundesley – showed that drivers dropped their speed because of the cut in their peripheral vision. In all there was a 20 per cent drop in the number of motorists driving at 40 to 60mph and overall average speeds fell by 1.5 per cent. At the same time trees were regarded as more suitable for the countryside than other traffic calming methods which are used in towns. Parish councils have told the DfT that the trees not only reduced speeding but also softened the landscape. The trials were hailed by Mike Penning, the road safety minister. “The success of Norfolk’s road side tree planting scheme proves that it is possible to use imaginative solutions to cut speeding on rural roads leading into villages rather than just resorting to cameras,” he said. More

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£120 fine on the way for having engine idling!

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:23:57 +0000

London’s mayor wants to increase the current £20 penalty and bring it into line with fines imposed for parking offences. If his plans are adopted, it would see motorists in the capital being fined £120 and outside London the charge would be increased to £70. Higher penalties would hit an array of road users from delivery drivers and taxis to mothers waiting to pick up their children from school. Mr Johnson has written to Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, urging him to toughen the law. Motorists who leave their cars idling “unnecessarily” while parked can be fined under powers given to local authorities in 2002. But according to Mr Johnson’s new air quality strategy, the law is too weak to tackle the noise and pollution caused by motorists who leave their engine idling. It also said the current £20 penalty charge is “too low to be a powerful disincentive.” More

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‘Speed limit cut plan’ denied by Government!

admin — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:06:20 +0000

A taxi driver has been forced off the road – because his car is the wrong shade of silver. Asif Khan has worked as a taxi driver in Manchester for seven years. But when he decided to swap his private-hire car from a silver Volkswagen Passat to a silver Honda Accord, he hit a snag. The father-of-two was told by Manchester council that his badge could not be renewed because the new car did not meet the town hall’s strict colour code. Bosses have ruled that cabs must be white or silver – and have issued a colour ‘swatch’ showing the exact shades which qualify. The rule was brought in by Manchester council as a safety measure to help crackdown on bogus taxi drivers. But Mr Khan, 31, said there was virtually no difference between his new taxi and the chart of accepted colours. Now he faces having to buy a new car – or pay a huge bill to get his cab re-sprayed. He said: ‘I have been to the council twice and they say it is grey. ‘The only way I can get it passed is by buying a new car or re-spraying it. ‘But it’s practically the same colour as my old car. It says silver in the log book and on the insurance documents. More

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Villages to get protection from satnav mayhem!

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:55:47 +0000

Proposals which would give councils the power to reclassify local roads, making clear that they were unsuitable for large vehicles, will be contained in a consultation paper. Up until now roads were normally classified by the Department for Transport. Local authorities could do this themselves, but few did so because of the red tape involved. The Department for Transport believes transferring the work to councils means that classifications will be more accurate because they will rely on knowledge on the ground. The updated information would be fed to sat nav companies to ensure their maps are current and warn drivers that roads may be unsuitable for certain vehicles. Ministers also want to hold talks with manufacturers of satellite navigation systems, to ensure that the correct information is being provided to all users. The move has been triggered by a series of high profile mishaps involving lorries and coaches which found themselves wedged under bridges or stuck in country lanes after following sat nav directions. List

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Councils to be given more control over the running of their roads!

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:48:37 +0000

Local authorities will be given greater control over how their roads appear on maps and satnav systems – helping them to better direct traffic – under bureaucracy-cutting proposals set out today by Local and Regional Transport Minister Norman Baker. At present, if a council wants to change the classification of one of its roads – for example downgrading an A road to a B road – it has to be approved by the Department for Transport. The Government proposes devolving decision making to councils as they are best-placed to decide the classification of local roads. This would help them make clear to drivers which roads are most suitable for through-journeys, potentially reducing congestion on local routes. Norman Baker said: “The current system dates back to the 1960s and is a hangover from the days of Whitehall-knows-best. I believe in giving power to local people. This reform will cut red tape and mean councils can better control traffic in their area. “They can ensure A roads are placed where they want traffic to run, and can lower the category of road in places they want traffic to avoid. By making it less onerous for councils to ensure road classification better reflects conditions on the ground, journeys will be easier to navigate. “We are also using this as an opportunity to invite new ideas of tackling some of the problems caused by satnavs, for example lorries being directed down unsuitable roads. We want to hear suggestions as to how the current system could be improved – and how councils could better work with satnav companies.” Under the new system, councils will have control over road classification decisions in their area – including which roads should be used as primary routes – with no requirement to get approval from the DfT. The Department will only deal with contentious cases where there are serious disagreements about a council’s decision. Local authorities will be required to send a formal record of any changes to its road network to DfT but reporting will be streamlined – with the current eight forms replaced with one. As part of the move to open up Government, for the first time policy about the road network and classification will be made available to the public. This will help motorists and communities to hold central and local government to account for their decisions. This will also include our policies on detrunking and trunking – the process by which a local authority takes over a road from the Highways Agency (or vice versa). This will help explain why some roads are run nationally, and where they could be run locally. The consultation, published today on the DfT website, will be open until May. More

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More 20 mph zones planned!

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:21:07 +0000

More 20 mph zones and bus lanes could be put in place in towns across the country under Government plans to cut carbon emissions. The proposals will form part of the Local Transport White Paper which will be unveiled today by Norman Baker. Mr Baker, the local transport minister, will invite councils across the country to bid for a share of a £560 million pot put aside by the Government for sustainable transport initiatives for the next four years. The cash is intended to promote what ministers regard as “green transport” as well as local economies. However it will be left to councils to decide what schemes they wish to promote, rather than being expected to comply with a detailed Whitehall blueprint. The bus lanes and 20 mph zones are two of a series of initiatives the Government believes could work. More

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Could drivers from remote communities get fuel discounts?

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Motorists in remote areas may be given a discount on the cost of fuel under plans being considered by the Government, Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander says.. There is increasing pressure for the Government to take action to reduce the burden on motorists faced with increasing prices at the pump, with ministers considering introducing a “fair fuel stabiliser”. Mr Alexander said the Government was also taking steps to introduce a “discount scheme” for drivers in remote communities who depend heavily on their cars but are faced with higher fuel costs.More

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Drug-driving detector is a step closer!

admin — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:05:20 +0000

Police forces in Great Britain are a step closer to having a new device to test drivers for drugs. Ministers say the so-called “drugalyser” will be used in a police station and will remove the need for a doctor, making the process quicker. It will take a mouth swab and analyse it for traces of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin or methadone. The Home Office has published the specification for the technology and is looking for manufacturers. At the moment police first need a doctor to decide whether the suspect has a “condition which might be due to a drug”, and then a blood test has to be carried out. Getting a doctor to the police station and the examination itself both take time – and could mean the drugs have left the suspect’s system before the blood sample is taken. Under the new plans, police will still have to rely on so-called impairment tests which require drivers to carry out basic tasks such as walking in a straight line at the roadside. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote Drug drivers show a flagrant disregard for the law and put the lives of responsible motorists at risk” End Quote Mike Penning Road safety minister But if a suspect is arrested, they will be able to be tested with the new device at a police station. If the test is positive, a blood sample will then be taken by a custody nurse. Evidence to support a prosecution can only come from a blood specimen. Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said motorists under the influence of drugs “were a danger on the road”. “We are determined that police have the highest quality devices to help identify them. This specification is a big step towards that goal,” he said. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “Drug drivers show a flagrant disregard for the law and put the lives of responsible motorists at risk. “This announcement means that we are a step closer to making sure the police have the equipment they need to tackle this selfish minority more effectively and make the roads safer for everyone.” More

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New rules could mean an offence not to insure a car!

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:29:45 +0000

Uninsured drivers face fines or the prospect of having their car crushed, even if they have not stepped behind the wheel, under government plans. In the next few days ministers are expected to unveil new rules which will make it illegal to keep an uninsured car – irrespective of whether it is being driven. It will mean that car owners will face a fine or worse for having an uninsured vehicle. This will apply even if the car is kept in a garage or on the driveway, unless the owner has remembered to fill out a form – known as a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) – declaring that the vehicle is off the road. The new measure, which was originally part of the 2006 Road Safety Act, will be enforced by comparing the Motor Insurers’ Bureau database with that held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. But an AA spokesman voiced fears that this could catch the innocent motorist while leaving the “motoring underclass” – who deliberately neither tax nor insure a car – untouched. “This could hit people who happen to be away or who are in hospital when their car insurance is up for renewal,” an AA spokesman said. “At the same time this will not deal with the sort of people who are not recorded at all by the DVLA. More

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Drivers could be rewarded for keeping to speed limits say Labour!

admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:35:16 +0000

Maria Eagle, the new shadow transport secretary, wants to use the country’s network of average speed cameras to provide incentives for motorists to observe the law. Labour hopes the policy will revive its reputation among drivers who accused the party of “waging war on the motorist” while in Government. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Ms Eagle said she was preparing a radical overhaul of the party’s motoring strategy as Labour moves for the support of what Ed Miliband described as the “squeezed middle”. She made clear that the party was not planning to resurrect unpopular proposals for pay as you drive charging, which triggered a backlash among drivers with 1.8 million people signing a Downing Street petition opposing the idea. “By the end I think there was a perception among motorists that we were not their friends,” she said. “The perception was that we were about soaking them for money. “It was felt that cameras were about catching them on the hop and fining them, money raising arrangement rather than a road safety arrangement.” Average – or “time over distance” – cameras record the speed of all cars on a prolonged stretch of road. They are commonly used around roadworks. Ms Eagle, believes that they could be used to promote road safety in a more positive manner. More

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New speed camera rules to improve transparency!

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:14:45 +0000

As many as 500 uninsured vehicles are seized every day, with Vauxhall Astras the cars removed from the road most frequently, figures showed today. After Astras, the next most-seized vehicles are BMW 3 Series cars, according to figures based on roadside calls to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) police helpline. The statistics come as a new online video warning of the consequences of driving without insurance is launched by the MIB, which compensates victims involved in accidents with drivers who have no insurance. Police use the Motor Insurance Database to detect cars being driven without insurance. The consequences for drivers taking to the road without insurance include vehicle seizure, a minimum of six licence penalty points, and a fixed fine of £200. Drivers who have their cars seized will also be liable for £150 in recovery fees and still have to prove that they have insurance before they can get their vehicles back. MIB chief executive Ashton West said: “Christmas is a time when household budgets are stretched to the limit and, for some, the renewal of insurance may be overlooked. “Modern technology means that motorists who have no insurance are more likely than ever to be caught. It is simply not worth the risk.” More

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MOT’s could become less regular!

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:54:29 +0000

Vehicles in the UK may not need to have an MoT test until they are four years old under new changes being proposed. At present, vehicles are tested once a year after they hit three years old. But the Government is proposing to change it in line with the European system, which would see an MoT required after four years, then a re-test every second year after that, according to The Times. Mike Penning, minister for road safety, confirmed that a review of the MoT test would take place. He said: “The MoT plays an important role in making sure vehicles are road worthy and should strike the right balance between vehicle safety and the burden imposed on motorists. “We intend to undertake a review of the MoT testing regime but have not made a decision about any change to the system.” More

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