New Scheme Hopes to Improve Road Safety for New Drivers

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

A brand new police-led scheme aimed at improving road safety for learner drivers has been launched in the Wirral area of the North West of England this week. The ground-breaking safety initiative called “ENGAGE” is being introduced by the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership and they are hopeful of reducing accidents involving young drivers.

The scheme is collaboration between Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and five local authorities. Over one-hundred local driving instructors have been given specialist training to help learner drivers identify and deal with the hazards that are encountered on the roads of the United Kingdom each day. Among the topics to be covered in the scheme are: driver distraction, influence of other drivers and passengers, tiredness, speed, drink and drug driving, effects of medication and importance of seatbelts. These are the main factors that Merseyside Police feel contribute to the number of people injured and killed each year. The scheme is viewed as a significant step towards improving driver education and as a result seeing safer roads in Merseyside. It is hoped the new scheme will reduce the chances of new drivers having to make a claim on their Cheap Car Insurance.

Sergeant Paul Mountford from Merseyside Police said: “ENGAGE is a new, exciting approach that looks to set a higher standard for driver education to improve road safety for novice drivers of all ages across Merseyside. It also places an expectation on parents and guardians of young drivers to involve themselves in the process. As a parent myself, I know what it feels like to see a son or daughter drive away from home for the first time after they have passed their driving test and the stress and worry, waiting for them to return.”

In addition to the practical skills, learner drivers will complete exercises between lessons and attend an evening workshop held jointly by police and council road safety officers. There will also be a number of workshops aimed at parents and guardians of learner drivers to keep them updated about the scheme.

Demand for Green Cars Beginning to Accelerate

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

According to research carried out by SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) CO2 emission level figures on new cars are getting greener. The average CO2 emissions for a new car went down by 4.2% last year and have reduced by 23% in the last decade.

However, the average new car figure of 138g of CO2 per one kilometre is still higher than the 2015 European legislative target of 130g/km. SMMT figures showed that last year only half of new cars had emissions below the 130g/km figure. They also found that 66,000 vehicles were exempt from having to pay vehicle excise duty because they were below 100g/km. An increasing number of drivers are looking to compare cheap car insurance for a greener car than they had previously driven.

SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “The UK motor industry can be proud of the progress it has made in reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency. The industry recognises its responsibilities and the industrial opportunities from the transition to ultra-low carbon vehicles. Future environmental and economic success will be determined by sustained investment in new technology, research and development, infrastructure and consumer incentives. We are seeing steady improvement in conventional technologies and the emergence of a range of alternative technologies, creating one of the most innovative periods for the global automotive industry.”

Executive cars (10%) and specialist sports cars (8.0%) showed the biggest fall in emission levels in 2011 compared with 2010, while executive cars (35%) also made the biggest emissions improvements in the last decade. With stricter emissions legislation in place and increasing consumer demand to reduce the costs of motoring, the great majority of motor manufacturers are striving to reduce carbon emissions and improve vehicle efficiency. Many car manufactures are giving plenty of useful information to help make the right choice, such as eco labels that show its CO2 figure and estimated annual running costs.

Kidderminster May See the Welcome Return of Driving Tests

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning has announced that the trial into utilising local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres as driving test centres, may be extended to Kidderminster. The news comes three years after the test centre in Castle Road, Kidderminster, was closed down despite 1,800 people signing a petition against the closure. For the last three years learner drivers have had to go to an out of town test centre to try and pass their test before getting a vehicle and protecting it with cheap car insurance.

This is a welcome announcement for all driving instructors, learner drivers and the rest of the community who have been backing the campaign since the closure. MP Mark Garnier also backed the campaign and his work demonstrated how an effective MP supported in Westminster by a listening Government can help to get decisions changed.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) is trying the scheme at eight locations throughout the country and they also have plans to extend it to five more areas. Other towns in Worcestershire being considered are Droitwich and Bromsgrove, and the DSA are actively attempting to identify suitable test routes and premises in these towns to bring about a positive decision.

Mr Penning said: “We have to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to make sure that we are offering people the best service possible wherever they live and I am delighted that these first trials have proved successful. We are now extending the trial so that more candidates will be able to benefit from a service that is convenient as well as being cost effective. There was huge upset at the closure of Kidderminster’s test centre by the previous Labour Government, and the campaign was supported by many instructors and pupils from across the county.”

MOT frequency to remain the same

Posted on February 2, 2012 by admin

In a remarkable change of policy, the Department for Transport (DfT) has decided to leave the frequency of the MOT certification process exactly as it is.

The announcement yesterday by Transport Minister Justine Greening means cars will require an MOT after three years and then annually, just as before. It was expected to be changed to four years before the first certificate was required and then a further two years before the car was tested again, to fall in line with most EU countries. It is thought Ms Greening was persuaded to maintain the status quo after a report by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) revealed that in MOT tests last year, garages missed major faults on over 25% of cars tested and passed thousands of cars that should not have been given a certificate. It is now thought the DfT will take stringent measures to ensure MOT centres improve their services.

Ms Greening said: “Our garages are crucial to ensuring that Britain’s roads continue to be among the safest in the world. Most are doing good work but the latest data shows that there is room for improvement. I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service.”

One difference to the MOT already announced is that cars will in future have their mileage recorded when the test takes place and the certificate will hold the three previous years mileage as well. This will stop the practice of “clocking” and motorists will have more confidence in the mileage on a cars odometer when they get a motor insurance quote on a vehicle they propose to buy.

Motor industry satisfied with performance in 2011

Posted on December 22, 2011 by admin

As 2011 comes to a close the British motor industry is in a good position and will go from strength to strength in 2012, according to a report by industry leaders.

That was the summing up of Paul Everitt the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) when he addressed the press earlier this week. He was upbeat about the industry’s future and pointed to the massive levels of investment poured into the UK motor industry by foreign investors in 2011.

Projects totalling over £4 billion were rolled out in the UK last year, ranging from investment in green initiatives to the promotion of all electric cars, from low carbon engineering advancement to brand new models with state of the art safety features. The Chief Executive praised the Government for its subsidy on zero emission vehicles which has allowed motorists to compare cheap car insurance on models that otherwise may have been beyond their monetary limit, and expressed hope the subsidy may continue.

Of course the investment in the UK motor industry doesn’t stop at the manufacturers gates, allied industries benefit tremendously from such investment and Mr Everitt was quick to recognise the fact. He said: “2011 has been a very significant year for the UK motor industry. We have seen a remarkable series of investment announcements by global vehicle manufacturers with a total of £4 billion of investment promised for the UK, securing new model programmes, production facilities and jobs. Despite the uncertainty within the Euro zone, these decisions demonstrate real confidence in the future of UK manufacturing and its role within a rebalanced economy.

It seems likely that 2011 car sales will be 5% up on 2010 and considering the traumatic year industry and finance has endured, the motor trade will be happy with that.

Parking wardens job security under threat

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

Parking attendants who work in the South Tyneside area are fighting back over allegations that they are too quick to issue tickets to motorists. The council are currently planning a shake-up of the borough’s car parking system.

The council are all set to part company with the current parking enforcement provider (Apcoa) after a large number of claims about their poor performance. This means that there is uncertainty for the twelve civil enforcement officers who are employed by the company. The dozen workers have come under attack from both councillors and the public who have accused them of being unqualified, aggressive and over-zealous when handing out tickets. Drivers have to look around for a cheap motor car insurance quote in order to save money and are not impressed when their savings can disappear at the hands of an overzealous parking attendant. However, a union boss has launched a defence of the group saying they are an asset to the borough. The worried staff have asked Unison to fight their corner in a bid to keep their jobs.

Tina Roche, assistant branch secretary of Unison South Tyneside, said “They are not just parking enforcers; they also help the general public, particularly in the summer during events like the Great North Run. They give directions and offer advice to tourists on where to drink and eat. It’s not all about handing out tickets. They were surprised and angered by the criticisms made against them because they believe that the organisation has been running well, particularly over the last 18 months. They think they are doing a good job and are confident in their own skills, and feel they are just being attacked for going about their work.”

The enforcement officers claim that they regularly come up against aggressive behaviour from motorists and are trained not to react after undergoing conflict management training courses. They are all nervous about their futures but are also hopeful that they will keep their jobs even if a new company is given the contract. Unison is seeking negotiations with the council regarding the proposed changes.

Highways Agency charge £30,000 for two new signs

Posted on October 31, 2011 by admin

A spending review has been called for after the Highways Agency told a Cambridge MP that it would cost £30,000 to have two small safety signs put up on a rural road. The politician is part of a committee that investigates wasteful spending of public funds and has said this is the most expensive case he has come across.

Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay lobbied the Highways Agency to put up the two signs which would warn drivers of upcoming turns on the A47 between Guyhirn and Thorney. Residents have for some time felt that the road is an accident hot-spot with a number of them seeing the premiums on a cheap motor insurance quote increase after they had to make a claim after accidents on the road. Mr Barclay was shocked when the Highways Agency informed him that the total cost of the two road safety signs would be £30,000. The Highways Agency claim the reason for the high estimate is because as well as the signs, they have to pay for two new poles, traffic management surveys, workers to carry out the installation work and for more management surveys after the work was complete.

Mr Barclay said: “Such a ridiculous figure for the installation of two simple signs is unbelievable. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee I often see wasteful spending, but this strikes me as one of the most extreme. If this is what they spend on two small signs, the rest of their spending needs investigation. I will be writing to the National Audit Office asking them to investigate this issue on a national scale. Not only has the Highways Agency quoted sky high figures for work, but they are also not listening to the needs of local residents and these needs to change.”

Locals are also amazed at the high cost as all they wanted was two signs. Everyone thought the maximum cost would be £1,000 at the most. The Highways Agency has suggested that a cheaper alternative would be for the village hall to have a sign on their own land, subject to local planning approvals.

Police promise to sort out parking problems

Posted on October 19, 2011 by admin

After a number of near misses have been reported at schools in the area, East Renfrewshire’s chief inspector wants to tackle parking and traffic problems outside the areas schools before a tragedy occurs.

The number of residents complaining about traffic congestion around many local schools has seen both the police and the council join together to try and finally stamp out the problems in the morning and afternoon. Chief Inspector Alan Murray says some schools are significantly worse than others and he wants the parents who are continually flouting the guidelines to be warned and then given a ticket if they continue to break the rules. If tickets do not work he wants points put on a driving licence which will have an effect on premiums for a cheap motor insurance quote.

Mr Murray said: “I have instructed my officers to give this matter attention and to take enforcement action when required. However, I would much prefer it if parents took more care when dropping off their children and gave more thought to the possible consequences of parking their vehicles in an inappropriate manner. I cannot recall any incidents leading to injury over the past year, but there have been some near misses. We really want to put a stop to it now before a tragedy occurs.”

The police and council share the concerns of residents about how some parents park when dropping off their children at school. Householders are in some cases being blocked in their own driveways while they wait for the parent to return. Illegal and inconsiderate parking can be dangerous and the police would like all parties concerned to take sensible action before someone gets hurt. Leaving the car at home one day a week is another scheme that could be introduced to help solve the problem. The start and finish of the school day are busy throughout East Renfrewshire and the problem is likely to get worse if it is not tackled.

Massive drop in fuel usage reported by AA study

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

A study by one of the UK’s largest motoring organisations suggests Britain’s drivers are finding their own way round the increasing cost of fuel by simply consuming less petrol and diesel.

The report by the Automobile Association (AA) compared fuel usage today with that of three years ago and the results were quite staggering. According to the AA, fuel consumption for the first half of 2011 is an amazing 1.7 billion litres less than the same period in 2008. The AA put the drop in usage down to the price of both petrol and diesel. With many millions of citizens now having to make drastic budget economies, fuel consumption is coming under the spotlight like never before. A spokesman for the AA said: “Many drivers are struggling to make ends meet in any case, so the high cost of petrol leaves them with no option but to try to use less.”

He went on to explain the drop in usage compared to three years ago is about 15% or 40,000 delivery runs by petrol tankers. Of course a previous report by the AA showed that there are now less people getting cheap motor insurance quotes than in 2008, as there are fewer cars on the road and this extra evidence does appear to suggest the golden age of motoring may well be over.

Hundreds of independent garages have gone out of business in the last 12 months as supermarkets have tried to corner the market by offering “cut price” fuel, however, the “green” community will be delighted with the news that less fuel consumption means at long last, poisonous exhaust emission levels in the atmosphere are beginning to drop.

Increasing number of motorists choosing to leave their cars at home

Posted on June 22, 2011 by admin

Drivers throughout a Lancashire town are following other areas of the UK by giving up their vehicles due to petrol prices. A survey by local paper The Bolton News found motorists are either driving less or selling and switching to a cheaper form of transport.

The news confirms the recent report by breakdown company, Green Flag, whose own survey found two in ten drivers were taking their cars off the road. They also say there has been a 40% increase in fuel related breakdown call outs as motorists are trying to make their fuel go further by driving as far as possible despite the fuel tank showing empty. The problem looks set to get worse as fuel prices are showing no signs of going down in price, in fact they are more likely to increase. With the new law now in place which demands all vehicles need to be insured regardless of whether or not it is used, motorists are now selling their vehicle instead of not using it and keeping it in the garage. This way they can also save money by finding cheap car insurance.

Driver Brian Tonge from Farnworth said: “We have taken one car off the road and we are looking around for a more economical car to replace the one we are left with. We think twice before using the car now because of petrol prices. I have never been a fast driver, but I have noticed that other cars are driving slower these days, possibly to save on fuel.”

In Bolton, the highest price for unleaded is 143.9, with diesel at 148.9 and now Bolton MPs are calling on the Coalition Government to act quickly on fuel tax. When fuel prices went above £1, the former Labour Government was hammered by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. However, with prices now heading towards £1.50 per litre the coalition are saying it has nothing to do with them.