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...]
Education: Road Safety
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...]
Welsh roads have most dangerous drivers in UK
Welsh roads are home to the some of Britain's most dangerous drivers, reveals research by A-Plan Insurance . While West Yorkshire is the country's most dangerous region to drive in, the Welsh police forces' areas pack into the top ten, led by South Wales. The study by A-Plan Insurance divided England and Wales by police district and assessed the number of reported dangerous driving offences as a … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 July
IAM RoadSmart said support for reducing the speed limit on all urban roads from 30mph to 20mph has increased in recent years with almost half of drivers now in favour. Overall, 44% of drivers surveyed agree all current 30mph limits should be replaced with a 20mph limit, a 13% increase from the same representative sample surveyed in 2014. … [Read more...]