Analysis of RAC data confirms suspicions that car use by drivers in the UK has not fallen to the same extent as it did during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. During the first week of the latest lockdown, data from RAC Black Box Insurance customers shows there were on average 10% more cars in daily use than during the first week of March’s lockdown, leading to 31% more daily miles … [Read more...]
Five myths about road gritting are busted.
The onset of winter sees the return of gritting lorries on roads across the UK. In addition to clearing snow and ice, specialist operators The Gritting Company is keen to dispel five myths about road gritting: Myth 1: “The winter wagons contain grit.” Untrue. It’s not grit, it’s salt. The small stones that make up grit can leave a sticky residue with the risk of a slippery road … [Read more...]
Lockdown checklist for motorists
With the Christmas break looming as well as more irregular and varying lockdowns being imposed, it's important motorists keep their cars in working order, get them MoT tested if appropriate and fit to hit the road when the restrictions end. Helpfully, here are Green Flag's top tips for keeping a car healthy through winter and lockdowns: Look after your battery– start your vehicle once a … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
Drivers were collectively planning about 13m separate trips by car to see family and friends during the coronavirus ‘travel window’ between 23 and 27 December, although a fifth (22%) don’t expect to make any such journeys this year because of the virus, research by RAC Breakdown suggests. With two weeks to go until Christmas, the greatest number of individual trips – some 3.1m – look likely to … [Read more...]
The road to anxiety may be short or long
A study with 2,000 UK motorists found 58% suffer anxiety behind the wheel. Conducted by rural car insurer NFU Mutual, the study reminds motorists to consider other road users and prioritise safety as Winter approaches and they prepare to take their first long journeys when lockdown lifts next week. The study discovered 36% of UK drivers struggled with anxiety as a direct … [Read more...]
MOT failures expected to surge
The number of MOTs set to be carried out in October and November will be 60 percent higher than normal volumes, according to the latest DVSA forecast. Motorists were no longer able to extend their MOT for six months from 1 August. It’s therefore important that the appropriate repair and maintenance is carried out before booking to avoid common MOT failures. Re-tests can be charged for … [Read more...]
Beware La Niña says weather forecaster
One of the UK’s leading winter maintenance company, Ice Watch has taken delivery of more than 3,000 tonnes of salt in preparation for the upcoming season, which it predicts will be the company’s busiest season yet. Part of the idverde Group, Ice Watch is the only gritting, snow clearance and winter maintenance services company in the UK with a full-time in-house meteorologist. By … [Read more...]
What drivers hate doing
Over a third (37%) of UK drivers avoid driving on motorways (men 29% and women 45%), over half (52%) avoid city centres and 50% avoid parallel parking and parking on a hill. A Censuswide survey for InsuretheGap.com, an independent provider of Guaranteed Asset Protection car insurance, of over 1,500 UK drivers identifies the top situations that drivers avoid. Older drivers are much more likely to … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 February
Welsh AMs will this summer publish a report on tackling pavement parking by drivers. It follows a year long study into the issue which is causing concern to pedestrians and road safety bodies and is likely to make it a civil offence with a fixed penalty parking fine being considered. The owners of a private track in Mid Wales have been fined £30,000 for safety offences after a car club member … [Read more...]
Vredestein tyres have grip on SUV sector
European premium tyre manufacturer Apollo Vredestein continues to fulfil the UK tyre replacement market growth trends in 2019 with its award-winning range of SUV tyres and all-season tyres. Moreover, the recent development and expansion of Vredestein range of all-season tyres for wheel diameters of 17” and above, frequently fitted on SUVs, has allowed the manufacturer to offer the largest choice … [Read more...]