Driver loses his car after insurance mix up

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

Motorist James Taylor has been left stunned after a mix up between his insurance company and the police left him without a car, and massively out of pocket. His insurance company tried to rectify the situation by sending an email confirming cover, but it came too late for his Rover 45, as the car was reduced to twisted metal after being crushed.

Mr Taylor tried a last-minute attempt to save his beloved car when he went to the police with a letter from his insurance company which proved he was allowed to drive the car, but this ended in failure when Northumbria Police refused to accept it and went ahead with destroying the car. Meter reader James is now demanding compensation from the police.

James said: “A mistake has left me extremely out of pocket. I was involved in an accident not far from my home and the police rang my insurance company. The police were told I was not insured so I was given a caution, read my rights, and told I would be prosecuted. My car was seized, along with most of my personal belongings inside, and I had to ring my daughter to get picked up. When I got home I rang the insurance company who admitted they made an error. I was sent an email which I printed it off, took it to the police, but they would not accept it or release my car.”

The insurance company confirmed that James has a car insured with them which is on a policy taken out by his son-in-law. The car was protected by named driver car insurance, however, his son-in-law had given an incorrect car registration number for James’ car when he took out the policy. Despite this being corrected during the phone conversation when the certificate went sent out for Mr Taylor’s vehicle, it still noted the wrong registration. The insurance company immediately issued Mr Taylor with a letter of indemnity but the police would not accept the written evidence and now the motorist has had to buy a new vehicle until he pursues his claim.

Teenagers to get help in preparing them for life on the road

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

Two new courses aimed at giving younger drivers the skills they need before they go onto the roads of the UK could change the bad reputation that teenagers have. Older drivers feel that teenagers drive too fast and are a danger to the more mature motorist.

The courses are a joint partnership between Bedfordshire Council and Highways Contractor Amey and they will be running for the next twelve weeks. Having already proved very popular in the past, the MORE 16 and MORE Drive programmes have been specially designed for young people aged between 16 and 24. There are three different workshops where the younger drivers will learn driving skills, safety and maintenance before they start driving lessons. The workshops are run by vehicle inspectors and collision investigators from Bedfordshire Police who will offer real life experiences from professionals who are at the top of their field. The course will also offer some guidance to parents on choosing the best driving instructor and how they can help their child in other ways.

The MORE Drive programme will give 17 to 24 year olds, who have recently passed their driving test, the chance to drive on a skid pan. The course will teach the essentials of skid control, why it is vital to steer into a skid as well as tracking on slippery roads and dealing with adverse road conditions. The youngsters will quickly discover that controlling a skidding car often requires the driver to do the exact opposite to what the brain is saying. The young drivers will also be able to practice emergency stops at different speeds. The skills they pick up will not only help them protect themselves, their passengers, and other motorists, it will help them keep their direct car insurance costs to a minimum as they learn to avoid accidents.

Councillor Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services, said: “These programmes offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn new skills and improve their driving ability. I’m delighted that we can offer these opportunities across Central Bedfordshire. Having attended MORE Drive, I have seen how much everyone took away with them and hope we have even more young people attend the future events.”

Drivers willing to break the law to stay on the roads

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

Research has just been released that shows one in thirteen motorists have had to give up their vehicle due to the escalating costs, and millions of others are fearful they will be priced off the road during 2012 if driving gets even more expensive.

The research that was carried out as part of the motoring census of 2011 found that while four in ten say they will have to use their vehicle less in 2012, almost half of the respondents (48.5%) admitted they no longer enjoy driving because of the cost. This figure is up 10% when compared to last year’s motoring census figures.

Motor insurance quotes increased by an average of 16.5% during 2011 and all the drivers questioned during the survey said they will consider driving less or even stop driving if insurance premiums go up further. In what is a worrying development, some drivers are so concerned about the costs of driving that they will consider breaking the law. Almost 10% admitted that they would drive a vehicle without insurance, 6% would not take out road tax and 3% said they would be more than happy to drive away from a petrol station without paying. Others have said that they will have to start charging their friends and family for lifts.

Amanda Edwards, a member of the research team, said “This census offers a bleak picture for drivers. What is of great concern is how many feel they will be forced off the roads by rising costs. However, it’s heartening to see that few will go without car insurance to save money, which is of course a legal requirement. Insurance companies would be delighted to help motorists save on their insurance by keeping costs low, but sadly fraudulent claims mean premiums are being forced up.”

Leading motoring magazine goes carbon neutral

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin

The onus on the motoring industry to be more sensitive than others towards carbon emissions has been illustrated once again this week, with the announcement that one of the UK’s leading motor magazines is planning to go carbon neutral.

What Car? magazine is well known throughout the UK and its road tests on new models has influenced many motorists on deciding exactly which vehicle they go out and get a motor insurance quote for. The magazine announced yesterday that it is teaming up with Carbon Neutral Investments (CNI) to ensure their carbon emissions are offset in the future.

What Car? Editor Chas Hallett described the decision as important to the motoring industry, explaining: “What Car? Has led the motoring media industry for many years, and this new move to carbon neutrality by offsetting all our road tests will keep us one step ahead in 2012.”

The magazine will offset its emissions by supporting a hydro power project in the Maharashtra region of India and says its commitment to carbon neutrality will bring big social and economic advantages to the people in the Maharashtra region.

CNI Chairman James Brown, who has already managed to make one of the leading Formula 1 team’s carbon neutral, confirmed the statement saying: “The majority of emissions from What Car? come from road testing, so it is a logical step for us to start off-setting the emissions from these activities. With some 13 magazine issues per year each containing around 20 road tests there is a lot of work to do but we and What Car? are committed to continued leadership of the industry with our new carbon neutral offering.”

Elderly may be programmed to be safe drivers

Posted on December 28, 2011 by admin

Researchers at Leeds University have concluded that age has a big bearing on how we drive and explains why elderly drivers hug the centre line. The study also suggests that this is because they are subliminally programmed to be conservative when they are behind the wheel.

The researchers feel that as drivers get older they will develop a tendency to maintain a more central path as this makes them feel safer while driving. Although this safety mechanism has for a long time frustrated others on the road who want to overtake, it does help the elderly motorists cope better. The research was done using a driving simulator which took them down different kinds of virtual winding roads. There were two different ages groups tested, the over 60s and 18 to 40. Results showed that the older group was more likely to stick to the middle of the road and only cut the corners when they were forced to drive faster, while the younger contingent took many more risks. This is also why there is a huge difference in prices when both age groups are looking for cheap motor car insurance each year.

Dr Richard Wilkie, who supervised the research, said “As you age your motor ability declines and this seems quite a good way for the brain to compensate for that. We get slower and more variable in our actions; there is just a bit more uncertainty. The fact older people put themselves in the middle of the road means their system is aware of that and it is much safer in the middle of the road than on the side. The trend would be less noticeable on motorways, which are designed to be wide and safe, but would be quite distinctive on a winding country lane where there are more bends and fewer road markings.”

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers confirmed that on average older drivers had less accidents and so got cheaper car insurance.

PM comes to the aid of diabetic drivers

Posted on December 23, 2011 by admin

Motorists with diabetes are to have their Driving Licence Application form changed after an intervention from the Prime Minster David Cameron. Complaints that the EU rules on whether a driver is fit to drive are confusing and being too harshly interpreted by United Kingdom authorities have been rife over the last few months and now the PM has stepped in.

Motorists who use insulin to manage their diabetes are failing to get a licence and some are not renewing them under a directive that bars them from driving if they have suffered two “severe” hypoglycaemic attacks within twelve months. Diabetes UK have attacked the application form that is issued by the DVLA saying it relies too much on the subjective assessment of applicants as to how much they are aware of an attack starting. David Cameron recently attacked what he sees as a pointless new regulation from the EU. He then had meetings with Diabetes UK, Ministers and the DVLA.

Diabetes UK are happy that they have raised their concerns at the highest level and are delighted that changes are to be made to the forms. Anyone with diabetes has to renew their licences every one to three years and many were finding that they were losing their licence. The United Kingdom has around 300,000 people with type 1 diabetes and up to 700,000 with type 2, but not all drive a vehicle. Some will buy Any Driver Car Insurance which allows another person to drive the vehicle should any problems arise.

The DVLA said: “We must apply European medical standards but we consider every case individually and only refuse licences where absolutely necessary. We regularly review our forms to make sure they are as clear as possible and are pleased to be working with Diabetes UK to ensure all our information on this important subject is well understood. We are awaiting clarification from the European commission to confirm our understanding of the interpretation of the minimum standards required by the directive.”

Pupils to be rewarded for exam success

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

A North West school is offering its students free motoring, but only if they do well in their exams next year. GCSE students at Middleton Technology School have been given an added incentive to do well after it was decided to award free driving lessons as a reward for hard work.

The school approached local instructor Phil Stevenson who was more than happy to get involved and he will now give tuition to pupils who get at least a C in five of their exams which include Maths & English. The lessons are worth £60 and will be the start of what will be many happy years on the road. Teachers had previously rewarded the students with book tokens but they decided to change the incentive and give the youngsters a much more meaningful reward.

The school say it does not matter how many students qualify for the free driving lessons after the exams are taken in the summer, all those who qualify will be given the vouchers. They will be able to ‘cash in’ the vouchers as soon as they turn seventeen and have organised a car insurance quote and a provisional driving licence. The school set up the partnership with Mr Stevenson, who runs his driving school in and around Middleton knowing he has fifteen years experience of helping learner drivers pass their tests, and he hopes that the majority of students will stay on with him after they complete their free lessons. It gives the children an incentive to do well and it does not cost the school very much money as Mr Stevenson sells the vouchers at a high discount.

Ian Jenkins, the school’s assistant head teacher, said “The promise of help with driving costs has already spurred on our students. We expect a high number of them will receive free lessons for their outstanding results and progress in GCSE Maths and English. We hope to continue this incentive in the future and enjoy giving students rewards for all their hard work. They are a brilliant incentive, and will help get the students achieving rates above the national average, in fact amongst the best the country.”

Big changes in driving tuition rules

Posted on December 13, 2011 by admin

Learner drivers will soon be having driving lessons alongside drivers on the UK’s motorways as big changes take place at the transport ministry.

A radical shake up of the rules surrounding driving instruction as been ushered in by new transport minister Mike Penning. The major difference in the new rules will see learner drivers taking instruction on motorways. It is a bid by the minister to cut down on the tragically high death rates of young drivers and will be introduced next year. Experts believe that inexperienced drivers are often caught out by the speed and volume of traffic when they first venture on to a motorway and are convinced that preparation while learning would stand them in good stead.

The training will not be a compulsory part of the driving test or tuition process as many drivers will not have access to a motorway but it is expected driving instructors in large conurbations will take advantage of the change. Mr Penning has decreed that only qualified driving instructors can take learners on the motorways and that is not all he has changed.

The answers to the theory part of the driving test will no longer be printed for all to see and trainee driving instructors will no longer be allowed to take lessons unless they have a qualified instructor with them. The minister said in future he wanted youngsters to be taught to drive rather than be taught to pass a test.

Although it is too early to say, experts believe the new rules should cut down on accidents and injuries which in turn should lower motor insurance quotes. There is no doubt that Mike Penning has wasted no time in making his presence felt in his new position.

Number of learner drivers who need an interpreter is increasing

Posted on December 5, 2011 by admin

Data has been released which shows over 1,000 learner drivers have required an interpreter in the car with them while taking their driving test in Sussex. The figure relates to the last three years and the interpreter was needed because the learner did not have a strong enough command of the English language.

During the same period around 5,000 Sussex learners also requested to sit the theory part of the test in a different language. The figures were obtained following a Freedom of Information request to the Driving Standards Agency and comes at the same time as the Coalition have announced that they are looking into ways to ban foreign language driving tests. The Department of Transport would prefer drivers to learn English before they even get as far as a motor insurance quote.

The most frequently requested foreign languages for theory tests are Polish, Turkish and Arabic and although the cost of the translators for the driving part of the test is met by the learner taking the test, the cost of translating the theory part into a different language is met by the taxpayer. The Coalition are studying how to change the rules amid fears that foreign drivers are having higher accident rates on the roads of the United Kingdom.

Transport minister Mike Penning said: “I find it incredible that Labour thought it was a good idea to let people without a basic grasp of English loose on our roads. Road safety should be our priority, not political correctness. With the number of vehicles on the roads increasing each year, we need to do our best to save as many lives as we can.”

Road safety experts do not agree with the Coalition and feel drivers who do not speak English don’t generally pose a road safety threat because road signs are designed to be symbolic, so being able to read them is not a factor.

Technician gets ticket while driving a customer’s car

Posted on November 30, 2011 by admin

A woman who thought her top of the range BMW would be safe at the garage she picked to carry out repairs was shocked to discover a technician had taken her car home which resulted in her receiving a penalty notice in the post.

Laura Philipides took her BMW X1 to the garage to fix a steering defect. A week after picking up her car she was sent a £120 fine, after her vehicle was photographed driving in a bus lane. When the 63-year-old from South Croydon went to the garage she was told the technician had taken her car home for some overnight testing, but she is angry because she did not give them permission to do so. After complaining, the garage offered to pay the fine and pay for half a tank of fuel.

Laura said: :I was very upset when I found out. No one asked my permission to take the car overnight, and it was very upsetting to find out someone had just taken my car home. It is outrageous. If you are handing your vehicle over, you do not expect it to be used in the evening. The car is worth £40,000 and we pay high premiums for the motor insurance quote, plus it is not like I took the car to a little back street garage, we took it to the proper manufacturers.”

The garage claim that it is standard procedure to carry out an extended road test when diagnosing faults that are proving difficult to identify on a vehicle and this was agreed with Mrs Philipides at the time of handover. It was during this extended road test that the technician inadvertently drove into the bus lane and as a result, the vehicle was correctly given a fixed penalty notice. If it was not for the extended test the garage say the fault would not have been found and subsequently fixed.