The Independent Garage Association warned the Government that reducing the frequency of MOT tests to cut costs for households is a dangerous plan that would increase costs for motorists long-term. This follows headlines that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested relaxing the frequency of MOTs to every two years, rather than one, to ease the cost of living crisis. Stuart James, IGA Chief … [Read more...]
Welsh Labour councils’ tolls by default warning
The Welsh Conservatives are calling on ministers in Cardiff Bay to rule out making regulations that would allow Labour councils to pursue plans to push forward with economically illiterate and anti-worker taxes. A Welsh Conservative motion recently put before Cardiff Council saw Labour refuse to vote against introducing a congestion charge in the capital city. It was prompted by a proposal from … [Read more...]
Hay Fever season warning to drivers
Hay fever season is here, with high pollen counts expected in parts of the UK in coming weeks, according to the MetOffice’s hay fever forecast. Hay fever affects approximately 30% of the UK’s population, and with Brits embarking on road trips over the bank holiday, hay fever sufferers must take steps to prevent their allergies from affecting their ability to drive safely. In fact, motoring … [Read more...]
Concerns mount over further delays to border checks
Any additional delays to the introduction of post-Brexit border checks on imports will simply postpone the inevitable, and send mixed signals to businesses that have been urged for months to get ready for the additional formalities involved with moving goods across the UK’s borders, according to business group Logistics UK. Responding to news that Boris Johnson is considering a further delay to … [Read more...]
Clashes predicted over new rules of the road
Almost two thirds (59 per cent) of UK motorists believe that there will be more conflict on the nation's roads as a result of the introduction of the new hierarchy of road users, according to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. The new risk-based hierarchy is the biggest change to the new Highway Code launched at the end of January, and states that road users who possess the potential to do the … [Read more...]
Don’t let your dog lead you to a fine
Millions of drivers risk breaking the law when it comes to travelling with their dog - and it might lead them to fines of up to £5,000. Research conducted by the UK's largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has revealed that 42 per cent of dog owners surveyed put their dog in an unsafe place in the car while driving. With around 36 million licence holders in the UK and … [Read more...]
Red Diesel rebate warning
Fuel technology specialists SulNOx Group Plc said the move to end the rebate on red diesel would hit consumers in the pocket while having a minimal impact on improving the environment. From April 1 rebated diesel, more commonly known as red diesel, and rebated biofuels will no longer be allowed to be used as they are currently and will only be legal for a small number of industries in a … [Read more...]
Welsh “money-boxes” scheme goes nationwide
A UK pilot scheme in Cardiff to prosecute drivers who block yellow boxes at junctions has been so successful it will be rolled out nationwide this summer. But the RAC is concerned the regulations on design and markings is so vague it will lead to hundreds of drivers being wrongly given PCNs, which are very costly to contest. Now the RAC wants Government to update guidance on yellow box junctions … [Read more...]
Classic car owners concerns over new ‘tampering law’
A recent survey shows 84 per cent of classic and specialist car owners are against the Department for Transport’s anti-tampering proposals that would outlaw tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on the road. The poll by classic and enthusiast vehicle insurance specialist, Footman James, shows that 84 per cent of the 4,500 respondents are opposed to … [Read more...]
Men clocking up more penalties than women
Male motorists are clocking up more than twice as many penalty points as their female counterparts, according to new data from the Department for Transport. Male drivers racking up three penalty points on their licences currently total 1,343,700, compared to 606,700 for female drivers, as of the 5 February this year. The number of male drivers with six points is 395,000, whereas with female … [Read more...]