The number of fatal road accidents involving illegal alcohol levels has risen 30%. Figures released by the Department for Transport today show there were 220 fatal drink drive accidents in 2016 – compared with 170 in 2015. The number of serious casualties was also up – from 1,170 to 1,250. The total number of casualties, including slight injuries, increased by 7% to 9,040. There has, … [Read more...]
Beware of on-line vehicle scams
On-line used vehicle scams are escalating, says a reference agency. Mark Bailey, Head of CDL Vehicle Information Systems which owns mycarcheck.com, said, “The sheer volume of online scams is off the chart this summer, with seasonal favourites like convertibles, camper vans and motor homes being targeted. “The staff at our Glasgow call centre speak to used car buyers every day, often when … [Read more...]
Welsh drivers most likely to be on phones
Welsh drivers have Britain’s worst phone-fixation. One in five Welsh drivers told pollsters they regularly check or use their mobile while driving, and the Scots are only a bumper behind. A survey for Select Car Leasing also revealed that despite the well-publicised threat of six penalty points and a £200 fine, a variety of phone-related offences continue, including 1 in 7 checking mobile … [Read more...]
North Wales worst for drunken drivers
More than 1,000 drink-drivers were caught in Wales in 2017, nearly all in North Wales. North Wales Police recorded the most offences in Wales with 882 drink-drivers caught and than half (51%) of drivers in Wales admit to driving after having an alcoholic drink – more than half (53%) of which did so during the summer. In total, more than 41,000 UK motorists were caught drink-driving in 2017 and … [Read more...]
Admiral launch “Littlebox” for vans
Welsh-based insurer Admiral has launched a telematics van policy to ‘drive down’ costs for customers and reduce the number of vans that are stolen every year and not recovered. Admiral is first major insurer to introduce telematics for van drivers with the launch of Littlebox for Van. It aims to meet the growing demand for ‘black box’ insurance policies and help to dispel the myths about … [Read more...]
Diesel-gate recall, executives questioned, sales slow
It has been a bad week for German car makers and it could get worse over coming months. German prosecutors this week widened an emissions cheating probe into Volkswagen’s luxury carmaker Audi and Chief Executive Rupert Stadler is among suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. In 2015,Volkswagen admitted falsifying U.S. diesel emissions tests. Munich public prosecutor’s office said it … [Read more...]
Defender theft is rising, warns insurer
NFU Mutual, is urging farmers and country home owners to ramp up security measures as organised criminal gangs are scouring the countryside and cities for Land Rover Defenders and luxury 4x4s. Latest figures from the insurer reveal that claims costs for theft of Defender vehicles have risen 14% since the car rolled off the production line in early 2016. Farmers, who rely on the iconic 4x4 to … [Read more...]
“Ghost-brokers” rising spectre on our streets
Bogus brokers are targeting cash-strapped car owners and leaving them uninsured. Smartdriverclub Insurance, the mass market telematics insurance service with connected car benefits has seen a 14% rise in motor insurance policies that have been ghost-brokered over the past year. In response, the insurance provider is warning motorists to be on their guard for offers of car insurance at a … [Read more...]
Tougher MoT test begins tomorrow.
A newer and tougher MoT test begins tomorrow. More vehicles than ever are expected to fail and the worst will be prevented from leaving the test station until they pass. Diesel powered models will face more stringent emissions tests. GoCompare Car Insurance is warning drivers they could invalidate their insurance if they fail to hold an up-to-date MOT certificate for their vehicle. The … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 May
Thousands of motorists could be forced into paying fines for traffic offences they didn’t commit due to a clause enforced by Transport for London for cross-hatch yellow box offences. TfL is using a loophole created by the 2003 decriminalisation of the Transport for London Road Network to chase owners of vehicles, rather than their drivers, for payment of fines relating to traffic contraventions … [Read more...]