IAM RoadSmart has called the government’s Road Safety Statement announced today ‘a mixed bag’ with welcome news on road policing, pedestrian distraction and seatbelts, but a worrying lack of detail on younger and older drivers or motorcyclists. Today the government, as part of the statement, also confirmed a review of roads policing and traffic … [Read more...]
Recalls about to haunt traders
Outstanding manufacturer recalls could be the next issue of interest for Trading Standards in the used car sector, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation, which represents businesses that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year, says that it has received reports of dealers being asked … [Read more...]
Wales “failing” cars highlighted
Some of the most dangerous cars on the roads are in Wales, as Green Flag has uncovered the pass and fail rates under the new MOT tests. The new tests were brought in a year ago in May 2018 and the research by the breakdown assistance company has established where the most dangerous vehicles are in the UK. The failure rates may reflect the lower incomes … [Read more...]
Drinking, dementia and dangerous roads
The number of motorists caught drunk behind the wheel in Wales topped almost 3,000 last year and research finds motorists are being caught out the morning after they have been drinking. According to new Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com 2913 motorists in Wales were caught drink drinking in 2018, up from 2679 in 2017. In particular, South … [Read more...]
Illegal-parking clampdown planned for Wales
Motorists in Wales face a clampdown on pavement and illegal parking with lower speed limits in streets. Motorists who park on pavements with no consideration for the safety of pedestrians or cyclists could soon face action, Deputy Minister for Transport Lee Waters said yesterday. Speaking at an Active Travel conference in Cardiff, the Deputy Minister … [Read more...]
Used buyers not checking before purchase
Millions of first-time motorists are purchasing a vehicle without checking it over, a study has found. Cars are traditionally one of the most expensive purchases to make, with motorists typically spending around £3,000 on their first set of wheels. Choosing the wrong vehicle can be costly as well as dangerous - but 63 per cent of new drivers failed to … [Read more...]
Cardiff drivers are booked – 100 years ago
A South Wales businessman has uncovered a unique record of early motoring in Cardiff with council records of motoring offences and fines dating back over 100 years. The details from the early years of the 20th century when the first cars started appearing on Cardiff streets are contained in a massive bound book kept by John “Jack” Hubbard until the … [Read more...]
Chaos predicted over suggested pavement parking ban
A blanket ban on pavement parking could lead to a need for thousands of new car parking spaces that towns and cities are simply not equipped to provide, warns IAM RoadSmart. The warning has come after the House of Commons Transport Committee launched an enquiry into pavement parking and invited comments from interested parties in April, to which IAM … [Read more...]
Summer drink-drive crackdown warning
Motorists are being issued with a drink-drive warning as police gear up for their annual summer crackdown. The number of roadside breath tests carried out in June is 50% higher than any other month apart from December. Police breathalysed 36,041 drivers in England and Wales in June 2017, the latest year for which figures are available. This compares … [Read more...]
Tracking devices way to beat keyless thieves
The Association of British Insurers latest figures reveal that its members paid out £108million in stolen vehicle claims in quarter one of 2019 - a 22% increase on the same period last year. However, the stolen vehicle recovery system, Tracker, is urging insurers to offer car owners greater incentives to fit additional security devices, including … [Read more...]
