As the school holidays loom from the end of this week, if you’re thinking of taking your car over to the continent via ferry or picking up a rental car after touching down in a European airport, make sure your road trip adventure is as safe as possible. About 53% of Brits have driven abroad at some point in their lives – but with British drivers three times … [Read more...]
Drug & drink driving checks
New guidance for fleets on how to tackle drug and drink driving has been given by the Association of Fleet Professionals. The two-page document has been created in the light of recent reports from the Department of Transport showing increases in both areas. Written by the AFP’s Risk, Compliance and Health Committee, it covers the need for a drug and drink … [Read more...]
Soft-tyres hitting drivers’ hard in costs
A study by The Motor Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector, has revealed that drivers using their cars with tyres that are inflated below vehicle manufacturer recommended levels, is costing the nation’s motorists at least £112 million annually in wasted rubber. As well as presenting many hidden dangers, and increasing fuel consumption, running … [Read more...]
When a pothole is not a pothole
Local authorities are taking wildly differing approaches to deciding whether or not potholes get fixed, meaning many go unrepaired and continue to pose a risk to road users – especially those on two wheels, analysis conducted by the RAC and Channel 4’s Dispatches, shown last night, has found. Three-in-10 of the 206 councils in Great Britain with … [Read more...]
RAC report over 50% jump in potholes damage
The RAC attended 7,904 breakdowns in the first quarter of 2024 due to bad road surfaces, up 53% on the last three months of 2023, a clear sign that the UK is suffering a pothole epidemic as roads continue to crumble. Analysis from the driving services company shows it’s been far from a smooth start to the year for the nation’s drivers, with pothole-related … [Read more...]
Tiredness tests backed by majority of drivers
Around 84% of UK motorists would back the introduction of new “tiredness tests”, similar to existing roadside drink and drug checks. June’s Startline Used Car Tracker research shows 35% agree that fatigue is an important road safety issue with 10% admitting to having almost fallen asleep at the wheel and 63% saying that they have driven following little … [Read more...]
Hundreds driving without valid licences
Hundreds of motorists are still on the road despite having their licences revoked because they’re not fit to drive, new stats have revealed. A driver can have their licence cancelled or refused on medical grounds. They would then be deemed to be driving without insurance cover as well. Motorists also have a duty to inform the DVLA of any medical condition … [Read more...]
‘Smart motorway’ revisions welcomed by IAM RoadSmart
One death on a smart motorway is one too many, so IAM RoadSmart has welcomed today’s update from National Highways on the Smart Motorway Stocktake and Action Plan, outlining their progress on delivering safer smart motorways. Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research said, "We are now seeing the delivery of safety technology that was promised when the … [Read more...]
Welsh hay fever sufferers risk penalty points
The Met Office pollen forecast for Wales could give hay fever sufferers more than watery eyes this weekend. Pollen predictions show things could get uncomfortable for sufferers on Friday and into Saturday when the pollen count is forecast to jump to ‘high’, after being classed as ‘medium’ for many regions throughout the week. Welsh hay fever sufferers who … [Read more...]
Brakes go on smart motorways, for now
No more smart motorways will be built for now amid safety concerns but current sections will not be returned to hard shoulders. Using the hard shoulder as a permanent live traffic lane increases capacity, but critics say it's unsafe and has led to deaths. Five years of safety and economic data for the schemes will be collected from the … [Read more...]
