Churchill Motor Insurance reveals the most common ways in which having children in the car negatively affects parents driving, with more than 4.7 million parents blaming their children for bad driving. One in nine (11 per cent) parents takes their eyes off the road to tend to their children and the same proportion (11 per cent) find that looking in the rear-view mirror to check on their kids has … [Read more...]
Off-road vehicles seized by Welsh police
South Wales Police has seized off-road vehicles as part of Operation Red Mana. The Ely neighbourhood team were joined by officers from the Roads Policing Unit and the anti-social off-road team (#ASORT) and Cardiff Council at the weekend to tackle off-road bikes riding in an anti-social manner in Cardiff. The riders were reported in the Ely and Rumney areas and as a result, four off-road … [Read more...]
Nonsensical new 20mph speed limit criticised
A decision to make all urban roads across Wales 20mph has been branded “nonsensical and deeply disappointing” by Natasha Asghar MS. Senedd members voted on the highly controversial scheme with the Welsh Conservatives voting against, and Plaid Cymru supporting Labour by giving it their backing. Natasha Asghar MS (above) – who represents South East Wales and is the Shadow Minister for Transport … [Read more...]
E-scooters’ plans and legal steps
University of Warwick proposes new quality and safety regulations report for e-scooters, which are expected to be outlined in the Queen's Speech when opening Parliament today. The UK is the last major Western economy not to legislate ‘Powered Micro Vehicles’. The University of Warwick wants to change that and has proposed a new set of regulations for allowing micromobility vehicles, such as … [Read more...]
Welsh Government ignores roads poll result it commissioned
Welsh Government is ignoring the results of its own poll on 20mph residential speed limits and introducting "trials" in selected areas. Over half of those who contributed to the survey were opposed to lowering the 30mph limit and a majority were strongly against it, but now Welsh Government has decided to press ahead with trials which will almost certainly become fixed. The trails come after … [Read more...]
Summer safety campaign returns to Welsh roads
In 2019, the the last full year before lockdowns began, there were 595 motorcycle casualties, including 22 fatalities, on Welsh roads - prompting the return of the annual 'Operation Darwen' campaign as restrictions are wound down, writes Dave Moss. Focussed on reducing the risk of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries across the country's road network, it's supported by all four Welsh … [Read more...]
Drivers support motorway average speed cameras
More than half of drivers (56%) admit to breaking the speed limit on motorways with a third (34%) of those confessing to having travelled at speeds in excess of 80mph, research from an RAC reveals. Three per cent say their fastest speed on a motorway was over 100mph while 4% believe their top speed was 91-100mph. While the vast majority – two-thirds (66%) – state their highest speed on a motorway … [Read more...]
Welsh trials of 20mph speed limits
Trials for a default 20mph speed limit on some Welsh residential roads will begin this summer, ahead of a planned national rollout in Spring 2023, writes David Moss. The Welsh Government has announced plans for trials in eight areas, which it hopes will help uncover any as yet unappreciated problems, and help development of appropriate enforcement policies in advance of the full rollout. The … [Read more...]
Pothole problems & speedbumps shocking truth
One in four (29%) UK drivers have damaged their car on speedhumps or potholes, rising to almost one in three (32%) in rural areas. The Opinium research of over 2000 drivers, on behalf of InsuretheGap.com, found that of those who have damaged their car on a speedbump or pothole, nearly half (45%) paid up to £100 to fix their car; a third (34%) between £101 and £250; and one in ten (10%) paid … [Read more...]