If you’re planning a bank holiday getaway then be sure to make your journey a safe and stress-free one, says advanced driving body RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman. A little preparation goes a long way. Take some time to check your vehicle inside and out before you set off. Check the tyre pressure and fluid levels are right and make sure your car … [Read more...]
Education: Road Safety
Volvo’s ‘talking’ cars are first word in safety
Volvo is extending cars which 'talk' to each other. It’s making its ground-breaking, industry-first connected safety technology available across Europe as another step in its ambitions to improve traffic safety. The technology allows Volvo cars to communicate with each other and alert drivers of nearby slippery road conditions and hazards via a cloud-based network. Hazard Light Alert and … [Read more...]
Good tyres are essential in summer as well as winter
Misconceptions surrounding part-worn tyres are potentially putting British drivers in danger, according to an analysis by AA Cars, the AA’s used car website. One in five (19%) drivers have bought used tyres in the past and while 10% would never buy part-worns again, a further one in eight (13%) plan to do so in the future. Myths are undoubtedly helping to fuel the purchases of secondhand … [Read more...]
Wales’ worst drivers are in Denbighshire
New data analysis by Hippo Leasing reveals which County and City Council areas in Wales are home to drivers with the most penalty points, according to exclusive figures obtained under Freedom of Information from the DVLA. At the end of January, over 35,000 drivers in Wales had 6 or more points on their driving licence as a result of offences such as speeding, being uninsured, driving under the … [Read more...]
High speed, high risk
‘High speed, high risk’ is the campaign message from Dyfed-Powys Police aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries on the region’s roads. In 2018, 67 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured on roads in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, with the figures for Dyfed-Powys showing that men were eight times more likely to be included than … [Read more...]
Drive and ride for life
It’s undeniable that young drivers are at significant risk when they get behind the wheel. One Allianz claims handler attended an event recently and heard from the parent of an 18 year old who tragically lost her life when driving. As a parent himself he was moved by the experience. The danger of driving too close highighted: https://youtu.be/si-lzQO8eH4 Tony Newman, head of motor … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 March
ŠKODA’s dynamic SportLine series will expand with the introduction of an Octavia variant with two engine options and an automatic box. Featuring a dramatic black design package and a fully loaded specification list, the new Octavia SportLine is the latest addition priced from £23,870. A tuned 300PS 2.0 litre engine and quattro grip underpin the new Audi SQ2. It accelerates from … [Read more...]
Potholes take a pounding on road users
Councils repaired 1.86 million potholes over the last 12 months, more than 20% increase on the previous year. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found that highway maintenance budgets have increased from an average of £20.6m to £24.5m year-on-year, mostly "patch and mend" repairs. The report estimated that councils would actually need to spend £1bn a year for the next … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 March
The number of motorists ditching vehicles in Wales has increased by more than 200% in five years, as the region has become a scrapyard for abandoned cars. Details obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests to local authorities in Wales reveals 466 abandoned vehicles were removed by councils in 2017/18 – that’s one car per day on average, at a cost of £30,793. Delaying … [Read more...]
Illegal mobile-phone use is rising, says RAC
After a fall in the proportion of drivers admitting to using a handheld phone while driving in 2017 following the introduction of tougher penalties, RAC figures show the problem is actually worsening – and illegal use among some groups has rocketed. Across all age groups, a quarter (25%) of drivers – the equivalent of 10m people – admit to illegally making or receiving calls while driving, … [Read more...]