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...]
Cycle Smart scheme to reduce accidents
A new technologically-innovative, data-driven project that aims to prevent cyclist collisions before they happen is being launched on Birmingham’s roads. Cycle Smart Brum will see cyclists gathering data as they ride around the city, collecting intelligence on issues such as near misses, poor road surface and potential problem junctions, enabling authorities to identify and prioritise … [Read more...]
New driving tech is more dangerous than alcohol
Worrying results from a new study released today show that the latest in-vehicle infotainment systems designed to improve road safety are failing and impair reactions times behind the wheel more than alcohol and cannabis use. Among the shocking results, the study – commissioned by the UK’s largest independent road-safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, found that reaction times at motorway speeds … [Read more...]
Hazards ahead so keep yourself focussed
As the Met Office predicts snow and below average temperatures this December, designated drivers for the party season are being urged to plan ahead and plan how to handle the distraction of noisy passengers. In car distractions led to over 4000 road casualties last year and there were 7 fatalities a month on average over the past 3 years caused by in car distractions, excluding mobile phone … [Read more...]
Tradelines 30 October
The UK’s best-value, seven-seat 4x4 SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander Petrol, has been updated for 2020 to make it an even more attractive proposition for owners seeking maximum versatility from their family SUV. Priced from £28,085 OTR, the Mitsubishi Outlander Petrol for 2020 include a reduction on CO2 emissions to 169g/km, reducing its first-year VED rate by £325, as well as improved equipment … [Read more...]
Welsh most concerned in UK about autonomous vehicles
Seven in ten Welsh people are uncomfortable about future autonomous vehicles, more than other parts of the country, except for the West Country. Wales and South West among most cautious in UK about driverless cars according to a survey for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Only 20% of people in Wales and the South West feel comfortable with the idea of travelling in a driverless … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 July
With a crowd of more than 340,000 spectators and more than 125,000 vehicles heading to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix this weekend, Highways England has come up with a winning formula to ease drivers’ journeys.A one-way system will be introduced on the main A43 and extra traffic officers will be patrolling the area over the three days of the Grand Prix to cope with the huge numbers heading … [Read more...]
