About 68% of drivers questioned by the RAC think removing the hard shoulder on the ever-increasing number of the country’s smart motorways compromises safety for those who breakdown in a live lane. To increase capacity on the country’s busiest roads over one hundred miles of hard shoulder have been converted by Highways England into running lanes for traffic, many removed permanently on ‘all lane … [Read more...]
Be aware & alert to winter dangers behind the wheel
With winter drawing in, the weather and darker nights put additional strains on drivers, particularly older and inexperienced motorists, so IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, shares his tips which might save you from having an accident or worse. Older people can be more susceptible to fatigue so tiredness can prove a real problem. Extreme tiredness can … [Read more...]
Roads conditions worsening, RAC survey is told
The equivalent of nearly 20m UK drivers think the condition and maintenance of the roads they use every day has got even worse over the past 12 months, new RAC research has found. Half of drivers (49%) surveyed for the 2019 RAC Report on Motoring say the condition of local roads – that is all roads that are not motorways or major A-roads – has deteriorated since last year, primarily as a result … [Read more...]
All is sometimes not what it seems – beware counterfeits
The Independent Garage Association has collaborated with the Intellectual Property Office to highlight the dangers of counterfeit and consumer supplied car parts within the IPO’s Crime and Enforcement Report 2018 – 2019. The IGA’s section of the report explains how proving the authenticity of a part can be difficult if it is not bought directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and … [Read more...]
Dangers of falling asleep outlined
If you’re undertaking a long drive this summer, make sure you get plenty of sleep before, says IAM RoadSmart. Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards, shares some tips on how to avoid the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel. Extreme tiredness can lead to micro-sleeps. This is a short episode of drowsiness or sleep that could last a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds. … [Read more...]
Smart motorways outwit dangerous drivers
With hundreds of miles of smart motorways across England now using the hard shoulder as either a permanent or part-time running lane, the RAC found more than a fifth of motorists have driven in a lane closed by the red X sign in the past year, potentially putting lives at risk. Twenty-three per cent of drivers surveyed by the RAC admitted to having broken this new rule of the road by … [Read more...]
A third of drivers break law on phones
GoCompare Car Insurance has revealed that 34% of drivers use their mobile phone illegally while in their car, with the figure rising to a shocking 58% of 18-24 year old drivers. The research reveals that more drivers are tempted to use their phone while waiting in traffic, with the number of drivers using their phone behind the wheel reducing to 25% while actually moving. However, the … [Read more...]
Motorists face serious risks driving in heatwave
With Britain basking in the middle of a heatwave, insurer 1st Central, says motorists are sitting ducks when it comes to driving in extreme hot weather. This summer, in what meteorologists predict could be the hottest summer since 1976, 1st Central is urging drivers to be more cautious on the road and check their cars first before they set off. More than two million drivers (5 per cent) … [Read more...]
Motorists’ lethal ignorance of EVs exposed
Motorists have a potentially lethal ignorance about the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles. A survey for the Institute of the Motor Industry revealed a widespread lack of awareness about the benefits and risks of electric motoring. Some 82% of drivers said they feel they don’t know enough about electric vehicles to wave goodbye to their petrol/diesel while two thirds (66%) said … [Read more...]
71 years to repair Welsh roads – worst in UK
The British roads which need repairs would stretch almost around the world and some of the worst are in Wales. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance survey has identified 24,000 miles of roads with potholes and last year its operators were filling one every 21 seconds. Councils have told them each authority needs an additional £3.3 Million to keep up with improvements and £9.3 Billion … [Read more...]