bristol-test-centre-blog

Fuel duty 'could rise 50%'

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:47:42 +0100

MOTORISTS could face a 50% rise in fuel duty in future years to cover a £13 billion hole in Treasury coffers, according to a report.

The gap in public finances will come from increasing use of more fuel-efficient cars and a switch to electric vehicles, the RAC Foundation-commissioned report said.

It added that while the fuel duty collected by the Exchequer stands at 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), this rate will tumble to 1.1% of GDP by 2029.

The report said vehicle excise duty (VED) would also drop over this period, from 0.4% of GDP to 0.1%, with the combined fall leading to the £13 billion shortfall.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "If the Chancellor was faced with a £13 billion shortfall in motoring tax revenue today, he would need to push the rate of fuel duty up from 58p per litre to 87p per litre to fill the financial black hole.

"Clearly there is no guarantee that future rises in duty rates will be limited to inflation, as is current policy."

He added: "As drivers endure record prices at the pumps they might be surprised to learn that future governments face a drought in motoring tax income.

"The irony is that while ministers encourage us to buy greener, leaner cars, they are being forced to look at ways of clawing back the money motorists think they will be saving. This isn't scaremongering. The Treasury has already announced a review of VED bands to ensure drivers make a fair contribution to the public finances even as cars become more fuel-efficient."

The report was prepared for the RAC Foundation by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.Institute director Paul Johnson said motoring taxation did not reflect the costs drivers impose on others and that revenue from petrol was set to fall.

He added: "A national system of charging related to mileage and congestion, largely replacing the current system of fuel taxation, would help solve both those problems."

Chevrolet unveils new Trax

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:45:31 +0100

CHEVROLET has announced a new compact SUV called the Trax that will debut at the Paris Motor Show in September before going on sale in spring 2013.

With room for five and, Chevrolet says, a generous boot, its first small SUV, dubbed an “urban explorer”, will deliver an entry-point into a growing sector of the market with “flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling.”

In the initial press release the company said: “Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance.

“While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax's interior will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.”

The Trax will be the next model to be released by the firm, following the Cruze station wagon and Malibu this year.

Hopes high for UK Vauxhall factory

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:43:11 +0100

MONTHS of discussions about the future of car giant General Motors are set to come to an end this week, amid rising hopes for one of its UK factories.

There had been speculation that the Ellesmere Port plant on Merseyside could miss out on future investment, threatening job losses.

Key meetings will be held in the coming days, and workers are expected to be balloted on a number of issues before any final decisions are taken.

It is understood that nothing has yet been finalised, but there is speculation that General Motors is preparing to announce later this week that the new version of its Astra will be built at Ellesmere Port.

That would create new jobs at the Merseyside factory, although would be a blow to other GM sites in Germany.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has been lobbying the car firm for months in a bid to attract new investment at Ellesmere Port.

Neither the Business Department nor Vauxhall would make any comment, and a spokesman for the Unite union said: "We're still talking to the company about a future for the plant."

Motorways 'not safe' for 80mph limit

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:42:07 +0100

MOTORWAYS are not safe enough to cope with raising the speed limit from 70mph to 80mph, according to a report today.

The Government intends to consult on introducing an 80mph limit on English and Welsh motorways.

But England's motorways do not provide enough protection to drivers and car occupants for an increase in the limit to be considered, the report from the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) said.

It added that there would be a rapidly-rising risk of shunt crashes from the sheer volume of traffic using the motorways.

The report also said there were widespread faults in the protection given to drivers to prevent them running off the road on motorways.

The RSF also cited the problem of pedestrians on the hard shoulder, roadworks, extreme weather and spillages from vehicles.

The foundation said it recognised the argument that respect for the 70mph limit was poor and it did not dismiss proposals to raise the limit.

But the report concluded: "Drivers who want to are already travelling at 80mph when they can. Economic benefits only arise if '80 means 90' and opinion surveys show no public support for that.

"However, large economic benefits arise from fixing the motorways systematically rather than raising the speed limit."

RSF director Joanne Marden said: "Our cars provide 4-star or 5-star crash protection but too many of our motorways rate only 3-star, with major weakness in run-off protection."

Proposals to bring in 80mph limits were first put forward in autumn 2011 by the then Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. If a higher limit is introduced, there would still be some sections of motorway where the limit would stay at 70mph.

13% of drivers 'running on empty'

Tue, 15 May 2012 06:50:08 +0100

AS MANY as 13% of motorists have been "driving on empty" in the last three months as fuel prices have soared, a survey showed.

It is younger motorists who are the ones mostly driving with the petrol warning light flashing, the poll by breakdown service Green Flag revealed.

A total of 25% of 18 to 34-year-olds have been driving on empty in recent weeks, while 4% of all motorists have completely run out of fuel in the last 12 months, according to the survey.

Based on responses from 2,014 adults, the poll also showed that 13% have set out on a journey feeling nervous about running out of fuel.

The survey also indicated that Britons are spending an average of £27.20 a week on fuel, with expenditure the highest in Northern Ireland (£32.78) and the lowest in Yorkshire & Humberside (£24.56).

The two areas where motorists are driving on empty the most are North East England and Wales, followed by the East Midlands and the West Midlands.

Green Flag spokeswoman Miranda Schunke said; "These 'vapour trailers' running on empty pose a serious threat to themselves and other motorists. Running out of fuel on a busy road increases the risk of being hit by other motorists and those who have run dry awaiting assistance by the side of the road are also leaving themselves unnecessarily vulnerable.

"Rising fuel prices and the general costs of living are contributing to motorists understandably changing their driving habits but we urge everyone to think about their petrol consumption for their own safety and other road users."

Highway Code app launched to improve road safety

Tue, 15 May 2012 06:48:56 +0100

One of Britain's most iconic publications is undergoing a digital revolution today as Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, marks the Highway Code's 81st year by launching it as an interactive app for smartphones.

The best-seller's technological transformation will make it even easier - and more fun - for road users to keep up to date with the rules of the road.

Much of the Highway Code's content has changed considerably since its launch in 1931. For example mirrors were not even mentioned in the first edition and drivers were advised to sound their horn when overtaking.

Moved with the times

How road users access its content has also moved with the times. It is already free to read online, can be downloaded as an ebook and there are also Facebook and Twitter accounts offering regular topical reminders.

Now a new app for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch will make it even easier to keep up to date with the rules of the road through a more intuitive, interactive format.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said:

"With more and more of us using smartphones and other devices it’s vital that products like the Highway Code adapt to be as accessible as possible.

"The app makes it easier for everyone to keep their knowledge up to date and is a great example of how new technology can help to improve road safety.

"The Highway Code has been helping to save lives for more than 80 years and, with innovations like this, I am confident it will do so for many more to come."

Easy to find rules

The new app includes the complete contents of the Highway Code with a search facility making it easy to find rules and information. There are also interactive features like quizzes, a stopping distance calculator and a tool to help users identify road signs.

The Official Highway Code app is available on iTunes for £3.99.

BUY IT >

For other official Highway Code publications visit the TSO shop.

The Highway Code is free to view online at direct.gov.uk/highwaycode.

Budget cuts 'risking lives'

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:30:30 +0100

THE GOVERNMENT’S austerity measures are "putting lives at risk" on the roads, a parliamentary advisory group said today.

As many as 65% of English local authorities have seen reductions in the budget allocated to road safety engineering in the last 12 months, the survey by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts) found.

And more than 62% have seen a reduction in staffing between 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Councils were asked if the factors of staff numbers, staff skills, finance or organisation had put their statutory duty to promote road safety at risk.

A total of 50% of the local authorities answered "yes" to at least one of the factors.

The Pacts' survey was undertaken with the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transportation and with the Local Authorities Technical Advisers Group.

It formed part of a Pacts' report entitled Checking the Health of Road Safety.

Commenting on the report, Pacts' executive director Robert Gifford said: "This report has a clear message to the Government: the focus on austerity is putting lives at risk.

"The years 2007-2010 saw substantial falls in road deaths. However, deaths rose in the first six months of 2011 and flatlined in the third quarter. This suggests that road deaths will rise in Britain in 2011 for the first time since 2003."

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "I am not complacent about road safety even though Britain has some of the safest roads in the world. Road safety is a top priority and we are determined to dramatically reduce deaths and injuries still further.

"Our strategic framework sets out plans for improving safety for everyone who uses the roads. For example, we are cracking down on the most dangerous drivers while improving the driver training and testing process to make our roads safer for everyone."

He went on: "We do not believe that further persuasion is needed on the importance of road safety through `Whitehall knows best' national targets or central diktats.

"We removed ring-fencing from local authority grants so councils would have increased flexibility to respond to, and act on, local concerns, and we would expect that road safety would remain a priority for local communities and for local spending to reflect this."

Fuel costs 'threatening our future'

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:28:24 +0100

MORE THAN a third of small and medium-sized businesses fear record fuel prices are threatening their future, a new survey reveals.

Some 37% felt the soaring cost of petrol and diesel had left the viability of their business in doubt, in a poll of 3,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by campaign group FairFuel UK.

It revealed 43% of firms believed high prices at the pump were preventing them investing for growth, while a quarter of companies claimed they could not employ new staff.

Almost 8% said they had to lay off workers due to the cost of fuel.

More than half of SMEs in the poll said they had been forced to raise prices to cope with rising petrol and diesel prices.

FairFuelUK spokesman Quentin Willson said: "UK businesses are howling in pain because of insane fuel costs.

"More than 80% of all goods and freight travel by road and 70% of all business and commuting journeys are by car.

"Why doesn't Westminster understand the irrefutable logic that this country has a road based economy and by burdening businesses with the second highest fuel duty regime in the entire world, they're strangling growth and risking our market competitiveness."

Peter Carroll, founder of FairFuelUK, said: "This is proof positive that adding 3p extra fuel duty in August is insane economics.

"Holding back the SMEs of Britain with record fuel taxes is depriving the Treasury of the one thing it needs to pay down the deficit - economic growth."

'Hidden' MOT data published for first time

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:58:08 +0100

ANALYSIS of 24.5 million MoT records has revealed that one in five cars registered in 2008 failed their first MOT, with testers most likely to fail cars from French firms Renault, Citroen and Peugeot.

The research by honestjohn.co.uk involved examining tens of millions of records obtained from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) through the Government’s OpenData scheme.

The information is now available at honestjohn.co.uk/mot – the first time this information has ever been available to the public in such detail.

The data shows that between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011,one in five cars (352,000 in total) failed their first MOT. The most common reasons were lighting and signalling (164,837 failures), followed closely by tyres (96,760 failures), headlight aim (82,555 failures) and issues with the driver’s view of the road (80,605 failures).

European manufacturers are at the bottom of the table for first MOT failures.T he worst performer, Renault, was followed by the British-built MINI, with Citroen taking third from bottom. A surprise addition to the bottom ten list, given that their cars are traditionally a byword for durability, is Volvo with more than 5,800 of the Swedish manufacturer’s 26,000 2008-registered cars failing their first MOT.

By contrast, the top ten best-performing cars is made up of Japanese manufacturers, with the top three places going to Lexus, Suzuki and Honda. Troubled Swedish manufacturer Saab edges in at number four.

Broken down by model, the detailed data reveals that the worst performing family car was the Renault Megane, with only 71% of cars registered in 2008 passing their first MOT. The Renault Megane was most likely to fail on lighting and signalling problems, but was also three times more likely to fail on steering faults than the industry average. The top model was the Suzuki Splash with a 90 per cent pass rate in its first MoT.

Daniel Harrison, editor of honestjohn.co.uk, commented: “This is information that has been kept from car owners for many years. VOSA even fought to keep it out of public view. It’s the first time that this information has been made available in this detail,and in a format that makes it easy to access."

Hard-pressed families can take this information and use it to ensure that they’re not failing aMoT on something that can be easily fixed beforehand. Honestjohn.co.uk’sMoT Files demonstrates that many failure items are down to the owner, rather than inherent fault with the car. Families using the data that comes from the 24.5 million records will be better prepared for their MoTs and be able to keep better control over the cost of motoring.”

Top 10 pass rates by manufacturer

1. Lexus

2. Suzuki

3. Honda

4. Saab

5. Toyota

6. Audi

7. Smart

8. Mercedes Benz

9. Land Rover

10. SEAT

Bottom 10 pass rates by manufacturer

1. Renault

2. Mini

3. Citroen

4. Chevrolet

5. Peugeot

6. Fiat

7. Volvo

8. Vauxhall

9. Mitsubishi

10. Jaguar

Parking problems 'raise tensions'

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:57:06 +0100

POORLY-planned residential parking is leading to neighbourhood disputes and blocked driveways, according to a report.

Some garages are not big enough to house cars, research by the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) and the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) found.

Emergency services and delivery vehicles sometimes cannot get through due to bad parking, the study added.

The report said local authorities should set parking standards with regard to local circumstances and without trying to control car ownership.

The report said: "Parking problems manifest themselves in pavement parking, blocked driveways, difficult access for delivery vehicles and refuse collectors, damage to verges, trees and footpaths, and cluttered, unsightly streets.

"They cause tension between neighbours that has been known to escalate into violence, and reduce the likelihood of children using the street for play.

"Neighbourhoods that generally well-designed often have their appearance ruined by poor planning in parking for residents and their visitors."