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 sleep. A team of researchers led by Clare … [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 that might affect their performance … [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 motorway designs were first … [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 are vulnerable to oak and birch … [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 motorways built before … [Read more...]
Plug pulled on sales of new Ford Kuga PHEV
By David Miles Ford has pulled the plug on sales of the its new Kuga PHEV. Four car fires have been associated with the battery pack during charging and it’s believed some 27.000 models around the world could be affected. The plug-in hybrid SUV arrived in showrooms only recently and proved popular, accounting for 50% of Kuga’s European sales for the second quarter of the year. Around 7,000 … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 August
Over 2.7 million drivers have had a collision or veered off the road in the last two years because they were distracted by their mobile phone. The new study for Kwik Fit found that of these drivers, just over one million had collided with another car while their attention was diverted from the road and a further 4% of motorists, some 1.8 million drivers, have been involved in a collision in the … [Read more...]
Pothole problems are deepening, says RAC
More than half a million potholes were reported by members of the public to local authorities in Britain for repair in 2017 – an increase of 44% on two years earlier, according to the RAC. A freedom of information request made to the 212 councils in England, Scotland and Wales responsible for roads found 512,270 potholes were reported last year to 161 authorities compared to 356,432 from 152 … [Read more...]
Britain braces for intensely cold week
Hundreds or thousands of motorists could be stranded this week as bitter Siberian weather sweeps over Britain. Motoring and emergency services are urging drivers to only go out if vital and to properly prepare themselves and their vehicles for particularly cold days and even colder nights. The first intensely cold spell is expected to be felt in the east of the UK on monday but to … [Read more...]
Mobile phone danger is getting worse, say drivers
Over 86% of UK motorists think distraction caused by mobile phones has become worse in the last three years. In second place was congestion at 81% reflecting the increasing number of vehicles on our roads as the recession ends. These worrying figures come from the second Safety Culture Survey commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. Of the 2,000 UK drivers surveyed, nearly three … [Read more...]