Business group Logistics UK is dismayed by the announcement of the continued relaxation of drivers’ hours legislation until 8 August 2021. It governs the length of time which HGV drivers are legally expected to work and James Firth, the organisation’s Head of Road Freight Regulation Policy, explains the announcement will heap more pressure on drivers who are already stretched to the limit to … [Read more...]
Summer safety campaign returns to Welsh roads
In 2019, the the last full year before lockdowns began, there were 595 motorcycle casualties, including 22 fatalities, on Welsh roads - prompting the return of the annual 'Operation Darwen' campaign as restrictions are wound down, writes Dave Moss. Focussed on reducing the risk of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries across the country's road network, it's supported by all four Welsh … [Read more...]
Drivers support motorway average speed cameras
More than half of drivers (56%) admit to breaking the speed limit on motorways with a third (34%) of those confessing to having travelled at speeds in excess of 80mph, research from an RAC reveals. Three per cent say their fastest speed on a motorway was over 100mph while 4% believe their top speed was 91-100mph. While the vast majority – two-thirds (66%) – state their highest speed on a motorway … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 April
It’s the 20th anniversary of MINI being assembled in Plant Oxford by BMW Group. In early 2001, production began for MINI body parts in Swindon and on the 26 April the first new MINI rolled off the line in Oxford which has since built over 5 million cars and currently makes MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch, MINI Clubman and the MINI Electric, all on the same production line. A post mortem has … [Read more...]
Most would steer clear of a “driverless” car
Driverless cars could be on the road as early as this year, according to a consultation launched by the British Government in 2020, and Apple have revealed they are planning to release a driverless car in 2024. The question is, is the public ready to trust driverless cars? Vanarama surveyed 1,000 members of the British public to find out. Despite the promise of the technology to be able to think … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 December
The Nissan LEAF has reached its 10th birthday. During that time 500,000 LEAF owners have covered over 16 Billion Kms and prevented a massive 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year, while covering enough kilometres to drive around the earth 400,000 times! Hyundai UK has confirmed pricing and specifications for its comprehensively updated Kona sub-compact SUV, which now … [Read more...]
Insurance warning over lapsed MoTs
The coronavirus lockdown earlier this year resulted in millions of cars receiving a six-month extension to their MOT certificate but that leeway has ended. With the current MOT failure rate at 32%, millions of vehicles that don’t meet levels of roadworthiness could be on the streets. GoCompare Car Insurance is warning that this year, more than ever, it’s essential that drivers ensure that their … [Read more...]
Video calling is latest driving hazard
The rise in popularity of the likes of FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Snapchat for video calls is posing a new and present danger on roads. Amost one-in-five (18%) of drivers aged 17-24 admit taking part in video calls while behind the wheel, figures for the RAC Report on Motoring 2020 reveal. Younger drivers are more than twice as likely to say they make or receive video calls while … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 July
Safety organisations and police fear a rapid rise in riders' injuries and deaths after seeing up to 50,000 motorbikes a weekend on Welsh roads after lockdown ended. It is thought to be a reaction against cuts to public transport and the rising costs of using cars, trains or buses. Police have towed away cars illegally parked in Snowdonia while owners went into the mountains. Civil enforcement … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 May
Swansea recorded nearly 23,700 roadworks over the last three years, the sixth highest in the country outside London, where Bromley borough itself reported over 100,200 in the same time. The information was obtained by Little Loans which also found Bournemouth had fewest with under 900 over the same period. Volvo is partnering with tech firm Luminar to provide their industry-leading LiDAR and … [Read more...]
