The country is expected to see a surge in MOT bookings this month. According to the AA, up to 5.5 million cars deferred their test last year due to the relaxation in rules caused by nationwide lockdowns. If you’re caught without a valid MOT certificate, you can be landed with a £1,000 fine. Motoring leasing company Vehicle Contracts explains the four simple checks that motorists can carry … [Read more...]
Education: Road Safety
Free safety course for van operators from FleetCheck
A new, free online video safety course aimed at van operators was launched this week by fleet software specialist FleetCheck at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2021 in the NEC until 2 September. Called the 28-Day Fleet Confidence Challenge, it takes the form of four weekly episodes and is aimed at people whose fleet responsibility is only part of their role, who may not understand the full extent of … [Read more...]
Towing safety threatened, says IAM Roadsmart
Tests for drivers who want to tow a heavy trailer or caravan could be scrapped as policy makers race to lighten the load for examiners and get more HGV drivers out on the road. This proposal is part of a DVSA consultation running from the 21 of July to the 7 of September, which proposes significant changes to existing regulations. Currently, drivers who passed their car test after the 1st of … [Read more...]
Experienced motorists have no plans to give up
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart reveals that motorists over the age of 60 intend to drive for as long as they are safe to do so, and that the average age they would consider giving up their licence is 82. With a grant from the Department for Transport, IAM RoadSmart recruited Dr Carol Hawley from the University of Warwick to produce an update on Keeping Older Drivers Safe and Mobile: A Survey … [Read more...]
Warning to fleets on MoT bookings
As the economy opens up with the pandemic ongoing, vehicle and supply shortages and a surge in demand for MOTs and servicing could force vehicles off the road and miss vital business opportunities if fleets do not plan their vehicle maintenance, warns ATS Euromaster. With predictions of a surge in MOTs from September as a result of the DVSA’s MOT extension guarantees, many fleet managers and … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 August
Powys is one of the more dangerous places for new drivers, warn Zutobi. Road accident statistics show there are about 351.1 accidents per 100,000 people, the second highest in the UK but about half the total for Westminster, London which is Britain’s worst accident area. A £30m scheme on the A55 to improve safety, further protect against flooding and provide a new active travel route is … [Read more...]
870,000 women have driven when over the limit
A common myth is that drink driving is a male problem. But in a study by the Office for National Statistics, nearly five per cent of women reported driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit at least once in the past year. With 18.8 million female licence holders, that would mean a staggering 870,000 women admitting having driven under the influence. The true figure is probably much higher, … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 August
Proposals for a new business park adjacent to Cardiff Airport on Model Farm, Rhoose approved by Vale of Glamorgan Council have been criticised by local residents. Vale Communities Unite say the project advanced by insurers Legal and General will increase traffic on local roads and goes against Welsh Government announcements to combat climate change after it has just put up for sale the nearby St … [Read more...]
Learners knocked back nine-months by pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed learner drivers’ gaining their licence by an average of nine months, according to GoCompare Car Insurance. Lockdown restrictions meant driving lessons and driving tests were cancelled across the UK, causing chaos for thousands of learner drivers hoping to get legally on the roads. According to a new survey from GoCompare, who interviewed over 1000 … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 August
The iconic electric-first brand, Tesla has come out as the Euro NCAP’s safest car brand tied with Polestar, a Swedish EV manufacturer who’s owned by Volvo Cars. Both companies scored an impressive 87% safety rating out of a possible 100%, while Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, came in third with their safety rating of 86%, closely followed by Genesis and Volvo with 85%, reported … [Read more...]