Features

M-phobia hits half of drivers, says AA

25 October 2015

Almost half of motorists know friends or family who avoid driving on motorways. More than one in 10 women say that they avoid driving on motorways due to nerves. One quarter of drivers are even nervous when they know that family or friends are making a journey on a motorway. New figures show that one in 50 people, 13,000 per day, planning a route on … [Read more...]

Diesels, VW and the road ahead

17 October 2015

Diesel still has a real future, despite the tirade of criticism, says economist Prof Garel Rhys, who in four decades studying the automotive industry, has seen in all before. The current furore over the fuel has raised a number of issues not only about the fuel itself but the way Governments have supported it, how carmakers have embraced it and how … [Read more...]

Volvo outline easy controls for self-driving cars

10 October 2015

Volvo has revealed one of the industry’s most advanced and easy-to-use interfaces to oversee how drivers will transfer control to a car’s autonomous driving mode in its forthcoming cars. The advent of autonomous driving technology means that the relationship between a driver and a car’s user interface is of crucial significance. A safe and seamless … [Read more...]

Speed awareness courses among highest in Wales

9 October 2015

Drivers and riders in Wales are among the most likely to break the law, says the AA. It has looked at the number of drivers and riders who attended speed awareness courses and found 19% came from Wales. Educating drivers, riders and pedestrians about road safety risks will have more effect than heavy handed prosecutions, according to the AA president … [Read more...]

Learn the secrets of the lights and stay ‘appy

27 September 2015

Hundreds of thousands of cars will find new owners over the next two months but the joy of a replacement vehicle can be cut short when an unfamiliar warning light appears. However, help is now just a fingertip away with the AA app, which can help drivers identify the symbols and take appropriate action. The AA alone averages around 17,000 warning … [Read more...]

The sleeping giant is stirring and about to shake up the British market

21 September 2015

In this special feature, leading international Welsh economist Prof Garel Rhys looks at what the introduction of the new Vauxhall Astra will mean for the UK and the rival models and brands. Britain’s sleeping giant in the automotive industry is about to wake up. Of the seven volume brands making cars in the UK (Nissan, Toyota, Honda, MINI, Land Rover, … [Read more...]

Airport parking problems and how to avoid fraudsters

20 September 2015

Recent UK reports have highlighted unscrupulous operators, revealing why it is essential to use reputable airport parking firms. Airport Parking and Hotels has created a list of top tips to help travellers find a reputable airport parking company, ensuring their car is left in good hands and secure whilst away. The top 10 tips are available … [Read more...]

Councils guilty of entrapment, say motorists

13 September 2015

Camera enforcement of bus lanes appears to be overtaking parking tickets as the major cause of complaint from drivers of alleged entrapment, according to the AA. Complaints from Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and London seem to top the list. The number one complaint appears to be drivers wishing to turn left who often inadvertently merge … [Read more...]

UK roads are getting safer thanks to new cars’ technology

8 September 2015

Road safety has moved up a gear, say accident assessors and investigators at Thatcham Research As the number of new car registered this month continues an upward trend of record sales based on figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Thatcham predict an additional 27,000 new cars with standard fit autonomous emergency braking to … [Read more...]