It may not feel like spring, but winter's officially over. And this means that many of us are keen to wipe the dust from our bikes and get them into top shape for the sunnier days that we are eagerly waiting for. Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of riding and driving advice, explains the POWDERY checks you should do on your bike before setting off for your first ride of the … [Read more...]
Education
Technical jobs available for EV powertrain systems
Figures from the SMMT show that the UK saw a 34.8% increase in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations in 2017. Aimed at meeting demand for technicians skilled in the assistance of Electric, Hybrid and PHEV vehicles at the roadside, Allianz Worldwide Partners, in partnership with the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI), is setting a new industry standard for training and awareness. A total … [Read more...]
DVSA raking in money from failed driving tests
Many learner drivers fail their practical test first time around – making the on-line assessment a surprisingly lucrative system for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Statistics show that over £68 million was paid by drivers that ultimately went on to fail their test during 2016/17. Over the course of 12 months, hundreds of thousands of motorists took their test, with a pass rate of … [Read more...]
Faults can land you with fines of up to £10,000
Finding a minor fault on your car can be extremely frustrating. However, as tempting as it might be to avoid getting it fixed, it could end up costing you a lot more money in fines, not to mention potential points on your licence, if you don’t get it sorted. But what are the seemingly minor faults that could cost you a fortune? Jonathan Nolan, General Manager at UK Carline, has put together … [Read more...]
eCall safety milestone reached
As of this Saturday, automobile manufacturers will equip all new car types with eCall to automatically dial emergency services in the event of a serious road traffic accident detected by vehicle sensors. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association welcomed this milestone, which has been made possible thanks to huge investments by the industry. “eCall has the potential to save many … [Read more...]
Top of the Toxic Chart in Europe
Eco Experts has released a new map exposing the European countries with the most noxious vehicles. The study looks at the contribution of toxic emissions in 25 European countries, by cross-referencing data for the percentage of alternative fuel cars, average vehicle age, the number of vehicles per 1,000 people, and ambient air pollution. The research shows that older, poorer quality vehicles … [Read more...]
Newslines 30 March
A year before Brexit kicks in, it is essential that both industry and government do all they can to secure new model production in Britain, said the SMMT. Thousands of jobs depend on a good deal for the auto sector, it said, as new figures from the Production Outlook, predict there will be modest fall in UK vehicle production to 1.729 million in 2018 and 1.713 million in 2019 before production … [Read more...]
Drivers being gassed by thieves
The Road Haulage Association is concerned about reports that criminals are ‘gassing’ lorry drivers before stealing goods from their trucks. In one incident a haulier was parked overnight on an industrial estate in the West Midlands and woke up the next morning to find that thieves had slashed the curtain on one side of the lorry and stolen cargo valued at thousands of pounds. The driver had … [Read more...]
19 Million Easter journeys expected
Drivers are expected to complete nearly 19m separate leisure journeys by car this coming weekend as the arrival of Easter marks the first big getaway of the year. A study of drivers’ plans conducted by the RAC indicates that the largest number of getaway trips will take place on Good Friday with 4.45m individual journeys being taken, closely followed by Maundy Thursday and this coming Saturday … [Read more...]
Warning over Cardiff congestion charging plan
As Cardiff resurrects congestion charging plans amid protests from car users, a leading environmental body has called for massive investment in public transport and electric charging points as well as greater encouragement to scrap older, non-classic cars. Cardiff has returned to the congestion charge proposal and re-issued a discussion document with 18 scenarios, and awaits public consultation … [Read more...]