Automotive retailer, Group 1 Automotive, says one-in-four or a whopping 11,500,000 drivers don’t ever change the clocks in their cars. While many drivers may resort to checking the time on a phone, using a mobile device while driving can land you a hefty £200 fine and six penalty points so the advice is to change the time in your car on Sunday 31 March when they go forward an hour for British … [Read more...]
Gwent convictions soar for mobile phone use
Gwent is home to the most significant increase in phone-related driving offences, with a huge year-on-rise of 229 percent, rising from 134 in November 2021-2022 to 441 in November 2022 - 2023. Figures from the Ministry of Justice highlight that this is a consistent issue in the area. In 2022, 2,695 motorists caught by Gwent Police were convicted in courts for speeding offences, which was up 20 … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 March
Labour and Plaid Cymru politicians in the Senedd have voted to introduce toll charging on Welsh roads. The Infrastructure (Wales) Bill passed last week follows a decision to allow councils to introduce road congestion charging if they want at some point in the future but Welsh Conservatives secured amendments requiring the specific tolling and charging plans must be discussed by AMs before … [Read more...]
Fleet professionals calling the shots
Details have been confirmed for this year’s annual conference from the Association of Fleet Professionals, with the main themes chosen by members. Taking place at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon, on Wednesday 15 May, it is expected to attract around 250 members and is sponsored by Enterprise Mobility. Subjects covered have been nominated by AFP fleet managers and include new manufacturer … [Read more...]
Pothole problems deepen as funds dry up
Road safety and breakdown recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist is warning drivers to be on the look-out for increasingly dangerous potholes. The GEM message comes as council budgets for compensation fall by more than a half, with potholes across the country remaining unrepaired for months at a time. The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance report suggests 18 per cent of local roads … [Read more...]
Yellow “money-boxes” for Welsh capital, drivers warned
Cardiff's yellow box junctions are cash machines for the city council, according to analysis by the RAC, which has been looking at their legal implications. Almost every yellow box junction of 100 analysed in London and Cardiff is bigger than it needs to be to prevent traffic congestion, leading to countless unnecessary fines for drivers, a new study commissioned for the RAC has found. The RAC … [Read more...]
Four Welsh towns have UK’s shortest L-test time
Wales passes the test for the best places to learn to drive in Britain. Learner drivers Cardigan area can expect a short wait of 4.06 weeks between when they book their test and when they eventually get around to taking it. Cardigan is one of four Welsh areas that are the quickest places to secure a driving test slot in the UK. Carmarthen in Wales has the second quickest waiting time to … [Read more...]
Used car buyers skip vital checks
A recent study has revealed that many used car buyers skip vital checks before making a purchase. In fact, one in ten Brits admitted that they make no checks at all when buying a used car, leaving them unaware of any potential vehicle issues. The survey, conducted by online car-changing marketplace Carwow, uncovered just how common it is for used car buyers to skip essential checks. Despite … [Read more...]
EV drivers beware of big fines and possible penalties
There are now more than 1 million EVs on our roads accounting for 2-3% of cars in the UK and as this increases millions of EV drivers should beware of five driving offences that could result in big fines and possible penalty points. Motoring experts at ATS Euromaster researched the most bizarre, and potentially unheard of, electric vehicle fines, that you need to be aware of and how much they … [Read more...]
International Driving Permit changes as Post Office lose business
The provider of international driving permits is changing and the Post Office has lost the contract. From 1 April 2024, IDPs will be exclusively available from participating PayPoint stores across the UK. An IDP is not usually required for the majority of popular holiday destinations abroad. However, there are over 140 countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Canada and Australia, where an IDP is … [Read more...]