Hundreds of new drivers will encounter wet and wintry roads for the first time this year and need to prepare to alter their summer driving style. Five tips all motorists should be aware of this winter come from the experts at Bill Plant Driving School. Think about your stopping distance. When a road surface becomes slippy, it makes a vehicle unable to brake as quickly as what it would be … [Read more...]
Features
Winter sun dangers highlighted
Over the decade there have been 33,399 casualties to road users with dazzling sun being marked as a significant contributing factor. On average this results in 653 road users being killed or experiencing serious injury every year. Cars are involved in the majority of casualties attributed to sun glare, making up 59% in 2021 and 63% across the decade. The Department of Transport recently … [Read more...]
Take volts to views
An electric bike firm in South Wales is powering to success in its first year, with support from the Development Bank of Wales. Gower Electric Bikes launched earlier this year, supported with a £17,000 loan from the Wales Micro Loan Fund. Gower became the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, and still regularly wins awards as one of the best places to visit in the … [Read more...]
Councils cutting corners on carriageway care, reports RAC
Six-in-10 drivers (60%) believe the condition of local roads they use regularly is worse than a year ago, with a similar proportion (55%) complaining the standard of pothole repairs is – at best – ‘poor’, new RAC data* has found. What’s more, only 4% think the state of the local roads in their area has improved in the past 12 months, down from 6% for the last two years. The research conducted for … [Read more...]
Menai Bridge defects seen in 1990s
Defects which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge last month were identified nearly 30 years ago but not remedied. Commenting on the defect which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge in October was first identified in the 1990s, and will not be partly reopened until next year at the earlierst, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said, “This is an absolute … [Read more...]
Annual average car costs rise by £1,000
Annual average car costs have risen by almost £1,000 – an increase of around 20% – since the start of 2022. November’s Startline Used Car Tracker research suggests motorists' annual spending on fuel, insurance, servicing and car finance had risen by £80 a month. The biggest single increase was seen in fuel at £37 per month but insurance and motor car finance both rose by around £20 per … [Read more...]
Welsh author’s F1 classic view
Proving every picture tells a story, Welsh motorsport author Richard Jones has self-published a fascinating book from an idea provided by an evocative painting that captures just a brief snapshot from a hot and sunny May afternoon in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco. In fact, the original Nicholas Watts painting (below) proudly hangs on the author’s study wall in Penarth as both his … [Read more...]
Young are misguided about autonomous cars
Thatcham Research is launching findings from its Trust in Automation consumer study which has revealed that just over half of UK drivers think that they can buy a fully autonomous car today. This is despite the fact that only Assisted Driving systems, which require driver support, are currently available in the UK. “Realising the government’s stated safety ambition for Automated … [Read more...]
Vehicle leasing costs rising & more to come
Higher Bank of England interest rates mean that company car and van lease costs are beginning to increase, reports the Association of Fleet Professionals. Denise Lane, board director at the industry body, explained that the increases were not uniform across the market but widely reported by AFP members and especially appeared to be affecting vehicles already on order. She said, “Businesses are … [Read more...]
Young drivers ignorant of alcohol & hangover danger
With the festive period upon us and Brits heading into the party season, Go.Compare’s car insurance experts are urging drivers to consider alternative modes of transport for the morning after the night before. Research from the comparison site shows that one in five people between the ages of 18 and 35 believe that driving while hungover is legal. On top of this, nearly a quarter … [Read more...]