More than 14m leisure journeys are expected to be made by car this Easter weekend when the bank holiday collides with most UK schools breaking up, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans from the RAC and INRIX. Data indicates Good Friday could spell some of the worst delays for drivers as an estimated 2.6m getaway trips by car are due to be made on that day alone. This is 600,0000 more … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 March
Labour and Plaid Cymru politicians in the Senedd have voted to introduce toll charging on Welsh roads. The Infrastructure (Wales) Bill passed last week follows a decision to allow councils to introduce road congestion charging if they want at some point in the future but Welsh Conservatives secured amendments requiring the specific tolling and charging plans must be discussed by AMs before … [Read more...]
New Government challenged over fuel and roads
Fairer petrol and diesel pricing (68%) and fewer potholes (66%) are the two areas where motorists most want to see action from 2024’s new government, according to the latest research. Also, 45% would like to see moves made to reduce insurance premiums and 32% want to see traffic congestion tackled, shows March’s new monthly Used Car Tracker from Startline Motor Finance. Paul Burgess, CEO at … [Read more...]
Pothole problems deepen as funds dry up
Road safety and breakdown recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist is warning drivers to be on the look-out for increasingly dangerous potholes. The GEM message comes as council budgets for compensation fall by more than a half, with potholes across the country remaining unrepaired for months at a time. The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance report suggests 18 per cent of local roads … [Read more...]
Yellow “money-boxes” for Welsh capital, drivers warned
Cardiff's yellow box junctions are cash machines for the city council, according to analysis by the RAC, which has been looking at their legal implications. Almost every yellow box junction of 100 analysed in London and Cardiff is bigger than it needs to be to prevent traffic congestion, leading to countless unnecessary fines for drivers, a new study commissioned for the RAC has found. The RAC … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 March
About 9% of commuters to Cardiff spend over an hour a week sitting in traffic, they told pollsters for CarMats. This contrasts with more than a quarter of drivers stuck in Edinburgh's jams or 22% in London and Leeds while the least time was reported by drivers in Norwich. The KIA EV9 has won two major awards for 2024. It was last week voted UK Car of the Year and also Worldwide Women's Car of … [Read more...]
EV drivers beware of big fines and possible penalties
There are now more than 1 million EVs on our roads accounting for 2-3% of cars in the UK and as this increases millions of EV drivers should beware of five driving offences that could result in big fines and possible penalty points. Motoring experts at ATS Euromaster researched the most bizarre, and potentially unheard of, electric vehicle fines, that you need to be aware of and how much they … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 March
Controversial 20mph speed limit signs have been cut down in Carmarthenshire. The unauthorised removal of the signs which were part of a £35Million lower-speed limit programme by Welsh Government have been condemned by the local authority which put them up and said they now will be replaced at additional cost to services. It’s very concerning to see delays on our most important roads increasing … [Read more...]
International Driving Permit changes as Post Office lose business
The provider of international driving permits is changing and the Post Office has lost the contract. From 1 April 2024, IDPs will be exclusively available from participating PayPoint stores across the UK. An IDP is not usually required for the majority of popular holiday destinations abroad. However, there are over 140 countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Canada and Australia, where an IDP is … [Read more...]
Van drivers carry heavier risks and penalties
Getting behind the wheel of a van can be tough, especially when you're not used to, or aware of the handling changes and travel restrictions that come with larger vehicles. Although cars and vans may be similar in mechanics, they do differ in handling and manoeuvrability. So, if you're looking to get behind the wheel of a larger vehicle, it's important to be aware of these differences to keep … [Read more...]