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 breakdown numbers up by 10% in the last … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 April
The RAC predicts petrol could hit 150pp litre and diesel 160pp litre as tensions rise in the Middle East over coming weeks. The motoring body said retailers had pushed up profits since January and this added £5.00 to fill up a typical car. Labour and Plaid Cymru have voted against a Welsh Conservatives' motion in the Senedd to roll back the controversial 20mph default speed limit and end the ban … [Read more...]
Motorway breakdowns need new strategy, says RAC
A year after banning future 'smart motorways' it is time to develop a clear policy for dealing with breakdowns, says the RAC. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, “It’s incredible to think that a decade has gone by since the first all-lane-running stretch of smart motorway opened on the M25 in Hertfordshire, and that it’s a year to the day since the Prime Minister cancelled all 14 future … [Read more...]
Dazzled drivers straining to see
Bright headlights may have to be dimmed to prevent dazzling drivers. The RAC has welcomed a commitment from the Government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare, after research showed an overwhelming majority of drivers affected – as many as eight-in-10 – believe the problem is getting worse. Responding to a petition set up by a member of the public following … [Read more...]
‘Carmageddon’ predicted for Easter getaway by RAC
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...]
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...]
Fuel prices again rising even before Budget, says RAC
The price of petrol has gone up more than 3p a litre in the last three weeks while diesel has increased by 4p, the RAC has revealed. Worryingly for drivers, unleaded has risen by 3.2p from 140p on 29 January to 143.4p on 18 February and diesel has shot up from 148p to 152p in the same period, adding around £2 to filling up a family car. RAC Fuel Watch data shows petrol had been on a welcome … [Read more...]
Highway Code changes doubts remain
Half of drivers still feel unsure whether changes to the Highway Code made two years ago today have made the roads safer for pedestrians, shows RAC research. One of the most notable changes advises drivers turning into or out of a junction to give way to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders who are either crossing or are waiting to cross the road. This rule was part of a new hierarchy of road … [Read more...]
Crash, bang, wallop – it’s National Pothole Day
To mark National Pothole Day, Go.Compare Car Insurance can reveal the top ten counties in England and Wales whose roads are most peppered with potholes today. Topping the peak pothole list was Derbyshire County Council, which reported 215,787 potholes over three years between January 2020 and December 2022. Two more northern counties took the 2nd and 3rd place spots, with Durham and Lancashire … [Read more...]
Bad weather can improve your driving skill, says PassMeFast
With snow and sleet showers forecasted in parts of the UK this week, roads will become slippery and much harder to navigate. The drop in temperature and weather warning comes shortly after the disruption from storm Henk, with roads expected to be impacted as a result. BREAKING NEWS: With cool conditions in charge and the potential for snow and ice for some from Sunday onwards, travel … [Read more...]