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Councils prepare to pay back millions as motorist wins his case

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

The actions of one disgruntled motorist in the borough of Richmond, London may result in thousands of motorists getting a cash windfall and dozens of councils across the UK having to repay millions of pounds worth of revenue gained by traffic penalty charges.

Motorist challenges legitimacy of mobile CCTV

The penalty charges relate to fines being levied by councils using CCTV cameras to identify motorists illegally parking or driving in bus lanes. The challenge by motorist Nigel Wise on the fine levied on him by Richmond-upon-Thames Council has been upheld by the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PTAS) and his success looks certain to open the flood gates for similar claims by thousands of motorists.

Full refund plus damages

Mr Wise based his claim on the fact that the Department of Transport had not approved mobile CCTV units to issue tickets for parking and wrong lane use and that the tickets were unlawful. Not only did he get his parking refunded he also won £50 damages. The case has been closely followed by other councils who adapted smart cars to act as mobile CCTV units and by motoring groups who have supported Mr Wise in his actions.

Devil in the detail

The dispute comes about following the Traffic Management Act 2008. The act allowed councils to use the cameras to levy fines but hidden in the detail was a clause saying that any council using the cameras would need formal approval before unleashing them on the motorist. Motoring groups have been against the cameras from the outset saying drivers were already saddled with high fuel prices, spiralling car insurance quotes and higher parking fees. They were particularly upset by the tactics used by the mobile units who they said often contravened traffic laws in their quest to catch out other motorists.

Other councils watch and wait

Richmond Council now believe they could be saddled with a bill of over £1 million if they have to refund all tickets that have been issued by the mobile units over the last two years. Other councils including Bolton, Plymouth, Bournemouth and Basildon will be watching very closely on how Richmond deals with the problem as they have utilised mobile units in exactly the same way. Meanwhile many motorists will be anticipating a nice little windfall that will go towards their over motoring bills such as any driver car insurance cover and maintenance charges.

Tags: Car Insurance Quote, Parking and Traffic Appeals Service, Richmond Upon Thames, Traffic Management Act 2008
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Temporary policy could be the answer to families needs

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

It is no secret that the current financial situation has affected a great number of motorists. The price of fuel, the spiralling cost of a conventional motor vehicle insurance policy and the price of a new car have all contributed to a series of reports suggesting that the numbers of cars on the road in the UK is beginning to drop.

Drop in sales

From an all time high of over 30 million according to an AA report 2 years ago to around 28 million earlier this year, there is no doubt car ownership in the UK is beginning to fall. Apart from causing problems for the motor manufacturers, tax collectors and oil producers, another industry to be affected is the car insurance trade. The fall in the number of cars on the road should represent less business for insurance agents, and while this has been the case for the usual comprehensive and third party policies agents have found one area of low deposit car insurance to be increasing.

Temporary measures becoming popular

Temporary car insurance is suddenly becoming more popular and it is no coincidence this is happening when figures show that many families are trying to manage without a second car. Temporary insurance policies usually last from between 1 and 30 days and were in the past often used when customers bought a new car but had yet to organise a full insurance policy on the vehicle. They would use the short term cover to get the vehicle home and then organise the policy they desired. Temporary cover though does come in handy for other situations.

A policy that has many uses

It is ideal for allowing prospective buyers of your vehicle to test drive the car before they buy it, and perfect to ensure you have full insurance cover on a car you have borrowed while your own car is in need of repair. The policy will give you fully comprehensive cover without putting your own no claims bonus at risk. This type of cover would also be ideal for a son or daughter borrowing their parent’s bigger car to take their belongings to university or perhaps borrowing their parent’s car to take on holiday.

There is no doubt many families can find temporary car insurance a good way of saving money while still having the use of a car when they really need it.

Tags: car costs, motor vehicle insurance, New cars, Temporary car insurance
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Cost of motoring soars in the Republic

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

It is no secret that the last 12 months have been more than a little miserable for motorists in the UK. The cost of fuel, motor vehicle insurance and the state of the nation’s roads have led millions of motorists to question the need for a car. Apparently the same thing is happening across the water in the Republic of Ireland.

Running costs accelerating

According to a report by a leading motoring body the cost of running a car in the republic has gone up by 600 Euros in just 12 months, the report says that most of the cost is down to higher fuel prices but low deposit car insurance is becoming more expensive, as is servicing and the price of car accessories.

Fuel the most draining resource

The rise in the cost of fuel has been dramatic, in July of last year the cost of a litre of fuel averaged out at 133 cents, the average price in July 2011 is a whopping 151 cents. A rise of over 12% and a prohibitive curb on the use of a car for anything but the most essential of journeys. The cost of car insurance and car repairs also showed an increase but nothing like that of fuel and in fact insurance prices compare favourably to those in the UK.

Cost increase on a family car

For the sake of the test the motoring body, the AA, used a Band “C” vehicle, a typical family car “run-around”. The experiment was based on the car achieving a fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon and travelling 1000 miles in the year. The cost of fuel according to the scientists would have risen from 2000 Euros in 2010 to 2,300 Euros now.

Alternative transport may be the answer

The cost of the fuel, any driver car insurance and repairs for motorists does not actually tell the full story, because the traumatic year endured by the European currency and especially by the inhabitants of the Republic of Ireland and Greece means that the cost of living in general has shot up. The price of importing a new car from the mainland has gone up and in a country with a small road network many more residents may start looking at alternative transport.

Tags: any driver car insurance, car costs, Fuel Costs, transport
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New Leaf turned over by Top Gear

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

It certainly has not been the best of months for advocates of zero emission motor vehicles. The sight of a Nissan Leaf being pushed along by the muscle power of the Top Gear TV presenters because they could not find a top up point in the city of Lincoln may well have amused onlookers, but it left the Nissan Motor Company furious. They accused the TV programme planners of deliberately running down the battery to create the situation and to give negative feedback on the new technology.

Lincoln not so green!

The programme planners were unapologetic about the episode saying it highlighted the fact that zero emission technology was not all that it pretended to be and that the UK motoring system was just not ready for mass produced electric vehicles. The show will certainly have made some consumers think twice about whether they should compare car insurance on the Nissan Leaf, just what the motor manufacturing industry did not want. At least the city of Lincoln has benefited from the exercise as Nissan have promised to install a public charging point with two chargers, rumour has it the chargers will be names, James and Jeremy in honour of the two presenters!

New battery charge sparks alarm

Prospective buyers of the new cars will have been also horrified to learn that a new battery could cost them the best part of £20,000. The eyebrow raising figure was revealed by a Nissan vice-president earlier this week, who qualified the remark by saying motorists who only used the car for short journeys and did not use the “super chargers” that gave a quick refuel, would not have to renew the batteries for about 10 years. The question of who actually owns the battery of the new cars is still up in the air, with some motoring companies saying the battery will be leased to the car owners for a monthly charge. New owners will certainly be looking for modified car insurance if a new battery is to cost almost as much as the car.

Leaf enthusiasm blown away by poor sales

There is no doubt that the sales of the Leaf have been disappointing so far with less than a thousand having been sold despite the Government subsidy of £5,000. The Government actually put millions of pounds on one side for the subsidy and will be alarmed at the public’s disinterest. At first, new electric car drivers were confused and asking, “what group insurance is my car?” but after that was sorted, it seems that 2011 will certainly not herald the new era of motoring and some experts are already predicting the technology will have to be relaunched on the public for it to be a success.

Tags: Battery, Compare car insurance, Electric Cars, Nissan Leaf
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More motorists feeling the pinch

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

The continuing difficulties in the UK economy is still impacting on families across the country, and as recent surveys report how spiralling costs are affecting two sections of society more and more, motorists seem to be walking away from their cars.

Moms driven off the road

A recent survey by Bridgestone tyres suggests that cheap motor insurance quotes for women drivers appears to be a thing of the past and soaring premiums plus the exorbitant price of fuel is turning the school run into a walk. The survey by the famous tyre company asked mothers from all over the UK how the current financial downturn was affecting their daily lives and the outcome proved very interesting.

Motoring targeted for savings

Over 90% questioned said they were feeling the effects of spiralling prices and the austerity cuts. The same amount unsurprisingly revealed that they were saving less than before, with more than 50% admitting they now regularly incurred bank charges for using overdraft facilities. It is motoring though where moms are looking to make the savings. The taxes along with the hike in car insurance premiums has persuaded 5% of moms to sell their vehicles already while over 30% said they were considering doing the same thing.

Effect on children worries moms most

Of course most moms primary focus in life is their children, and while a short walk to school will certainly not do their offspring any harm whatsoever, 50% of moms were concerned that because they could no longer take their children on school trips in their cars the youngsters were missing out. The same worry extended to after- school activities and family holidays.

Young drivers in the same boat

At the same time as moms were revealing how the downturn is affecting their motoring, a BBC report shows how the cost of young person’s car insurance is dramatically reducing the number of youngsters taking driving lessons. According to the BBC report it is not the £25 cost of the average lesson that has seen a 20% drop in 17-22 year olds learning to drive, nor is it the prohibitive cost of fuel, it is the mind boggling sum they have to find in insurance. In 2005 a 17 year old male could expect his first car insurance policy to cost him around £3,000 that has now rocketed to £5,200 and is in many circumstances more expensive than the value of the car.

Policy providers must find an answer

It is a well known fact that young people and males in particular, are many times more likely to have an accident than older more experienced drivers, but it is also a fact that skill often comes with experience, and that skills are picked up more easily by a young enquiring mind. Experts are looking to the motor insurance industry to now come up with new initiatives in policies to answer questions like “what insurance group is my car?” to help prevent a generation missing out on a skill that has been taken for granted over the last 50 years.

Tags: Car Insurance, motorists, Young Drivers
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More young drivers ignoring the perils of drink driving

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Worrying statistics released by police forces across the country this week suggest that Government cuts in advertising road safety campaigns are having a devastating effect on drink driving figures.

Prosecutions up, budget down!

According to the police statistics there has been a 15% upsurge in the number of young drivers proving positive for drink driving offences, and the increase in figures comes at a time when the budget for anti drink driving propaganda, put out by the government has dropped from £3.4 million last year to just over half a million this year. Road safety organisations and motoring groups believe it is the cut in budget that has led to a manifestation of the problem and are urging the Government to reconsider its position.

Minister looks at a glass half full

As a result of the budgetary cuts police forces across the country took significantly less breath tests than in previous years and subsequently the number of those proving positive dropped as well. However, the percentage of those proving positive was noticeably higher and it is this figure that triggered concern from the Police and other organisations mentioned earlier. Government sources take a slightly different view. Mike Penning the road safety minister believes the increase in under 25s caught breaking the law is down to the Police targeting their resources in a more specific and successful manner. He is delighted with the outcome of the road side initiatives by police forces across the country and promises to continue along the same lines, preferring seasonal campaigning rather than a prolonged message.

Youngsters ignoring the dangers

Road safety campaigners are not impressed by the ministers take on the subject and point to statistics taken from an earlier survey that found almost 1 in 4 young drivers admitted to driving when they thought they may be over the legal limit. Perhaps just one reason why young person’s car insurance quote is now so expensive. It seems that neither the loss of licence, a jail sentence nor even more costly motor vehicle insurance is enough to make them think twice.

Message may be lost

There is a real fear amongst such organisations that over 20 years of Government led advertisements that led to a public acceptance that drink driving was socially unacceptable may be destroyed if the current spending budget is not reviewed.

Tags: Car Insurance, motorists, Police, Young Drivers
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Breakdowns best left to the experts

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

A leaflet prepared by a leading motor breakdown vehicle has been launched this week aimed at helping women feel more secure whilst driving on the roads of the UK. The leaflet will cover many aspects of driving, including basic car maintenance, what are the main essentials a lady motorist should keep in her car, and what to do in case of a breakdown.

Safety important to us all

Car insurance for women is big business now in the UK, with almost as many female drivers in the country as males, and any tips that will make women feel safer on their journeys will certainly be welcomed by the majority of them. Safety in cars of course doesn’t only apply to women it is of equal importance to men as no-one is immune from an accident, road rage, or breakdown.

Job for the experts

Of course motor insurance is compulsory for anyone driving on the roads of the UK, but breakdown insurance isn’t. However, breakdown cover is available to purchase alongside even the cheapest car insurance and is advisable for even the smartest of mechanics. Today’s breed of new vehicles are almost impossible to work on by anyone other than an expert. Computerised systems and specialised tools make repair work a job for the expert, with expert backup at his disposal.

Carry a mobile phone

Once the car has developed a fault the driver should pull to the side of the road, in the case of a motorway onto the hard shoulder, and summon the appropriate breakdown company. It is now considered safest to wait outside the car and away from it when the breakdown occurs on a motorway or dual carriageway. It is also advisable to carry a mobile phone in the car. Although breakdown agencies do provide emergency phones on motorways and also on some busy roads, these are getting less now, so a fully charged mobile phone should be carried on every journey. A phone will also come in handy to summon any other emergency services if they should be needed.

Inconvenience is worth it

Of course basic checks on tyres, lights and fuel and oil every week and before the start of any significant journey will lower the chances of a breakdown significantly, just ask the breakdown services. Every year thousands of motorists call for assistance because they have run out of fuel, and tyre based breakdowns are the number one call out reason for most breakdown companies. It is slightly inconvenient to make such checks on a regular basis but nowhere near as frustrating as being stuck on the side of a road waiting for rescue when you know you should be somewhere else.

Tags: Breakdowns, Motor insurance, road safety, UK Roads
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UK motor industry alive and kicking

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

The latest facts on the motor industry in the UK, released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals just how important the motor trade is to the United Kingdom and how the tenacious spirit of those concerned with the industry have brought it through its most difficult period.

Million sales figure achieved

Throughout the year of 2009 (the latest statistics available) motorists took out motor insurance on around 1 million vehicles produced within our home shores. On top of that 2 million engines were also produced. The industry exported over £26 billion of goods which represents about 10% of the total amount of exports for that year.

Export market a key factor

It is the export trade that the UK motor industry revolves around. Over 75% of the vehicles produced in 2009 were shipped overseas with both cars and commercial vehicles proving exceptionally popular. The destinations of the cars exported from the 40 motor manufacturers in the UK finished up in many destinations. In all over 100 different foreign markets import motor vehicles made in the UK.

Money wisely spent

The UK motor industry can now boast that it is the fourth largest in Europe and it is indicative of a population whose love affair with the motor car is undiminished. Almost 2 million of us purchased car insurance cover on a brand new car in 2009 and a quarter of a million working vehicles also hit the roads for the first time. Of course the figures were helped by the scrappage scheme in 2009 but the very latest figures for 2011 show that the industry used the Government incentive not only as a crutch to help them through the most difficult times but as a spearhead to finance research and development projects that are now coming to the fore.

Different challenges ahead

The motor industry in 2011 is already vastly different to 2009 as the race to lower CO2 emissions has become the Holy Grail. The first alternative fuelled cars are now rolling of production lines (there have been 11,000+ so far this year) and even conventionally fuelled cars now have average emissions of almost 10% less than those in 2009. The future for the British Motor Manufacturing industry looks assured but it is for certain they will not be resting on their laurels.

Tags: Car Insurance, motor industry, motorists, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
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Bright ideas for night driving

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

As the world we live in becomes busier, more and more motorists are finding they have to carry out journeys in the dark. The saying that New York is a city that never sleeps could now be applied to dozens of towns and cities across the UK.

It isn’t natural

Shift workers in all types of occupations now find themselves driving at night, and a warning from the Institute of Advanced Drivers (IAD) that night driving is far more hazardous than day time driving and, percentage wise, results in far more claims on motor vehicle insurance policies should be heeded by all of them. The IAD advise there are plenty of precautions motorists can take to protect themselves and their passengers when driving at night. Accepting the fact that for human beings night time activity is unnatural is the first thing to understand.

Shed some light on the subject

Night time affects our judgement in many ways but it is our eyesight that suffers most. The IAD suggest every use of artificial light available should be used to its best advantage. They suggest turning your car headlights on an hour before official times to enable other drivers to see you better and at the same time dim any lights in the car (this will cut down on glare and also keep the driver more alert to what is happening on the outside of his vehicle). They advise to drive on full beam whenever it is safe to do so and also to remember that shadows and artificial light can affect your judgement of distances.

Every second counts

Driving comfortably below the speed limit will give you that extra split second of braking time in an emergency, and will also give other drivers more time to assess your vehicle in relation to theirs. Ensure all your lights are working and make sure your windows and mirrors are clean, this will not only give you greater visibility but will make your car more visible to others.

Take a break

Finally remember that it is natural to feel sleepy at night. Thousands of discount car insurance deals are spoilt every year because a driver fell asleep at the wheel when journeying overnight. The IAD advise all drivers to stop and rest at regular intervals when driving overnight whether they are professional drivers or holiday makers making a once in a year journey.

Tags: advice for motorists, Car Insurance, Night driving
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Financial benefits of electric cars called into question

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Motorists considering getting motor vehicle insurance on one of the new generation of electric, zero carbon cars just filtering on to the market in the UK, may want to consider new findings about the vehicles before they commit to purchasing one.

Unfair comparison

New evidence that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) may have got their sums wrong when calculating the cost of a new electric car compared to a conventional diesel powered car, is now emerging. The assumption by the DECC report that over a period of four years a Nissan Leaf, the first production line electric vehicle to be launched, will be cheaper to run than a conventionally powered car is now being questioned. The DECC compared the Leaf to a petrol powered car but experts in the industry are now saying that new diesel models are not only super efficient in fuel use but also attract no road tax just the same as electric cars. They point out that financially there could be little difference over 4 years.

Sums wrong?

The new report goes on to question several factors they believe the DECC conveniently ignored when giving out their comparison guide. For instance, at the moment, purchasers of electric vehicles will get a £5,000 subsidy off the showroom price; this will disappear quite soon and will leave the Nissan Leaf with a price tag of over £30,000, more than double that of some very good diesel cars. The report also says that the DECC calculated electricity running costs for the Leaf using cheap overnight tariffs, this they say will not be the case if electric cars do flood the market. The drain on electricity supplies will be significant and will create a need for more production of power and therefore more CO2 emissions. In essence the electric car will have zero emissions but back at the power station there will be more emissions because of the car.

Where will the lost revenue be recouped?

The most telling point in the new report and one that we all have to consider, is this: Electric cars look very cheap to run because they are being compared to cars that are being filled with fuel whose price is so expensive because of the taxes levied by the Government on the product. If everyone suddenly starts taking out direct car insurance on electric cars where will the government raise its revenue from?

Tags: Department of Energy and Climate Change, Electric Cars, motor vehicle insurance
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