Motorists Cut Back on Journeys as Car Costs Continue to Soar

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

As the cost of motoring continues to test the pockets of most drivers in the UK, a survey by one leading British company suggests almost 50% of drivers are now cutting down on journeys.

The report from the Post Office says customers are becoming increasingly worried about their motoring future and are looking for ways to cut their costs. The survey questioned over 2,000 motorists and showed that 46% of drivers now use their cars less than they did 12 months ago. 1 in 3 drivers interviewed said they now actively look for petrol stations with cheaper fuel while 1 in 4 say they drive slower to make their fuel go further.

When asked what their greatest concerns were, most drivers answered that fuel costs were the biggest single issue, but motor insurance and the number of drivers without car insurance also figured highly, as did the state of the UK’s roads. It seems that most drivers are now equally aware of the on-costs as much as the direct costs associated with owning a car. The survey went on to ask drivers what would top their wish list and once again there were few surprises. Most said they would like cheaper fuel and tougher action taken against drivers without motor insurance, however, over 1 in 5 said they would also like to see the legal driving age raised from 17.
A spokesman for the Post Office said “For many drivers, their car is their lifeline and many people rely on their car every day. With approximately 405 trips made by every driver each year and with the cost of fuel jumping 52% in the last five years, it is not surprising that motorists are becoming increasingly worried about rising fuel prices and the general cost of running their car.”

Technology Blamed for Reduced Number of Younger Scottish Drivers

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

Smart phone technology and social networking has been linked to Scottish youngsters deciding not to get a driving license. Transport experts are convinced that the popularity of phone and internet communication is making it less important for young adults to travel and meet up with friends in person.

The official stats show that there are less than a third of people aged under 21 in Scotland that actually have a driving licence when compared with figures from 1992. The number of people in their twenties who drive has also reduced from three quarters to just over a half in the same twenty year period. However older drivers are on the increase, with 51% of over 75’s holding a driving licence. Experts feel the advances in technology, the cost of motor insurance and inflated fuel prices are the main reasons young people are being put off buying a car.

Phil Goodwin a professor of transport at University College London said “Car ownership is no longer seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. Surveys of young people suggest the most important reason for not getting a driving license is the cost of learning, insurance and running a car. But significant numbers also say they have other methods of transport available or simply that they are just not interested. Many young people are much more interested in what sort of mobile phone to get than cars and their social life using networks, texting, music, online shopping, games and e-books is actually much more compatible with public transport use than driving a car.”

Social networking has become a substitute for a certain amount of motor travel and public transport is more conducive to being able to stay well connected to these networks while on the move. Importantly there is a ban on mobile phone use while driving. Technology is removing the need for travel, and young people now regard owning an iPhone as being cooler than having a car.

Hospital car park is using too many spaces

Posted on September 23, 2010 by admin

Bosses at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital are going to ask planners to lift a restriction on the number of car parking spaces that can be used.

The hospital has breached the rules set out in its planning permission by making 1,812 of its 2,041 parking spaces available to staff, patients, and visitors. The hospital trust say that even though they are in breach of the rules, the number of spaces currently available is still not enough for staff and patients, some are still finding it impossible to park and many are arriving late for appointments.

However, according to rules laid down in the planning permission, the hospital should not operate any more than 1,513 spaces until the proposed additional medical facilities are finished. And this is why the hospital can not use the top floor of its new multi-storey car park. In a bid to stop the threat of any enforcement action by the council, the hospital trust has now submitted an application which asks if they can fully open the car park and use all of the car parking spaces available.

Stuart Hunter, the hospital’s director of finance, said “Our current planning permission was granted by Bournemouth Borough Council with conditions to ensure that additional cars were not entering Castle Lane East between the peak times of 5pm and 6pm. Peak times at RBH are between 2pm and 4pm – during staff shift changes, afternoon clinics and visiting time. The additional spaces will mean we can better manage demand for parking during this time.”

A report has been compiled on behalf of the hospital. The report says that the hospital has made every effort possible to encourage everyone to cycle, walk, or even take a bus to the hospital. However some drivers say that they pay road tax and have any driver car insurance which allows another person to drive them to the hospital, so for them it is not an option. The planners will make a decision on the application sometime in the early autumn.

Coalition government reluctant to give up chauffeur driven cars

Posted on August 16, 2010 by admin

Not long after the election, one of the first cost cutting measures announced by the new Coalition Government was that only the handful of senior ministers who require a vehicle for security reasons would be the only ones designated a specific car. The rest would have to make do with the government car pool as and when the need arose. The remainder of the time, the politicians would be expected to make use of public transport. The saving to the public would be about £2.8m. The decision to cut by a third of the cost of the government car service was intended to send the very important signal that the new government’s intentions on saving public money would be felt by the top echelons of society and not just by Joe Public.

To date, at least 9 members of the Cabinet, which include the Prime Minister, are keeping their taxpayer funded cars and drivers. A study reveals that over £6million per year is still being spent on a large fleet of vehicles which include Jaguars, Toyotas and Hondas. Money is also being spent on any driver car insurance to allow different chauffeurs to drive the cars. Last year on Sept 8^th, David Cameron said, in a Cutting the Cost of Politics speech, “If there is something that really annoys people, its politicians swanning around in chauffeur-driven cars like they’re the Royal Family. In these economic times this number cannot be justified.”

However during the study there were individual inquiries to each government department which found that ministers are either hanging on to their cars or stalling and taking their time getting rid of them. A report by the Labour MP Tom Watson found that The Prime Minister, George Osborne, Theresa May and William Hague are keeping their vehicles because of security reasons. Ken Clarke, Eric Pickles and Owen Paterson are keeping their Jaguars. While Chris Huhne and Michael Gove both refused to confirm if they intend to get rid of the combined nine vehicles they have between them.

Mr Watson said: “It’s time for ministers to axe their cars and prove that we really are all in this together.”

Cost of living continues to increase

Posted on July 26, 2010 by admin

People in the United Kingdom are paying out more than £18,500 per year on bills, according to research revealed today.

The average home pays out £1,541.91 on rent or mortgage payments, utility bills and food each month. That’s a grand total of £18,502.86 in 12 months. The research revealed that the cost of living has risen by £642 in the past year, increasing from £17,860 12 months ago. Mobile phone spending, a motor insurance quote and rent/mortgage costs have seen the biggest increase over the past 12 months, while the amount people are spending on utility bills and the internet has gone down.

A spokesman for the company who carried out the research said: “Times have been tough for a few years and people are really noticing the difference in their bank balances. With many people still feeling the effects of the recession, paying the bills is yet another money worry. And, unfortunately, essentials such as food and rent or mortgage payments have gone up and up over the past 12 months. Things may only become more difficult as the new Government gets to grips with the country’s financial situation and is forced to raise taxes or cut benefits. It’s going to be more important than ever to do your research and make sure you are getting the best possible deal on all of your bills.”

The study of 3,000 people revealed that car insurance has seen the largest increase during the last year, going up from £369 to an average price of £460. However it is possible to save some money by getting any driver car insurance. The bill for food has increased by £34.28 per year; the amount spent on a cable/satellite TV subscription is up by £19.32 to £244 a year. Householders now pay out an average £1,225.68 per year on their Council Tax bill. While the cost of bills for mobile phone has risen to £420 per year, the amount being spent on a landline telephone has gone down by £35 and is now just £283.