Browsing Archive: February, 2012
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 29, 2012,
MOTORISTS in Wales are being forced to go into debt to run their cars, a group of charities warned. A new study says rising costs means more than one million people in the principality need to spend at least 10% of their income to have a car. And "a lack of alternatives" is forcing people to choose between getting into debt and being cut off from jobs, healthcare, shops and schools, the Access Denied report argues. Led by transport group Sustrans Cymru - and backed by Age Cymru, Citizens Advice... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 29, 2012,
IN SOME areas, more than half of those arrested for drink-driving last year were "morning-after" motorists, it was revealed today. In the West Mercia police district covering Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, 55% of drink-drive arrests in 2011 were made between 5am and 12 noon. Nationally, 13% of those arrested for drink-driving last year were caught between 5am and 12 noon, according to figures from a Freedom of Information request by Autoglass. The statistics were based on respons... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 28, 2012,
Diesel has risen to a record high of £1.50 a litre as a poll shows how motorists are becoming increasingly concerned about fuel prices. The price was spotted at a Shell garage on the M6 near Coventry. Average diesel prices stand at 143.61p and petrol at 135.39p. Yet despite the soaring costs facing motorists, Chancellor George Osborne implied yesterday that there would be no more help for them, saying he had already taken action this year to avoid planned increases in fuel duty. A poll ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 28, 2012,
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) wants you to have a look at samples of new hazard perception clips that have been computer generated. Peter Weddell-Hall, DSA’s head of e-assessment, says: “The clips are early prototypes. DSA aims to bring these computer-generated clips into the theory test by the end of 2013. It means DSA can introduce hazards that would be hard to film safely – particularly those involving vulnerable road users.” Watch the two computer-generated hazard perception cl... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 27, 2012,
THE SPONSOR of Channel 4's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has apologised after an advert for the programme was accused of being racist. Car manufacturer Honda apologised if the poster advert for the documentary, which showed the words "Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier", caused any offence. The Irish Traveller Movement in Britain and others lodged complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the use of the word "gypsier", claiming that it was "derogatory and demeaning". A spokesman said: "We... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 27, 2012,
POWER of up to 556bhp, torque of up to a frankly ridiculous 664lb.ft and fuel economy of 28.5mpg are some of the amazing numbers surrounding the newly announced Mercedes SL63 AMG. As if that wasn’t quite enough, 0-62mph is covered in as little as 4.2 seconds, the whole car is 125kg lighter than the old model and if it wasn’t for the 155mph speed limiter, top speed would most likely be in the region of 200mph. The SL (Sports Lightweight) has been getting rather heavy in recent years, so to ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 26, 2012,
DRIVING test pass rates are improving, Government figures today showed. The pass rate for the practical part of the test reached 47% in the period April-December 2011. This compared with 44% in 2007/08 and 46% in 2010/11. A total of 437,038 tests were conducted across all test categories between October and December 2011 - 14% more than in the same period of 2010 when severe weather kept test numbers down. The Department for Transport said the number of tests being taken by women was higher than ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 26, 2012,
SCORES of MPs today lined up to urge the Government to take action to make roads safer for cyclists. Politicians from all the major parties packed into Westminster Hall to debate cycling and urge the Department for Transport to take action on a safer cycling manifesto promoted by The Times newspaper. The campaign urges upgrades to make lorries safer, improved junctions and better cycle training. Opening the debate, Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert (Cambridge) said cycling was "fundamentally saf... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 25, 2012,
Further cuts to fuel duty will not be made in next month's Budget, George Osborne has indicated, despite motorists and hauliers facing record petrol prices at the pump. It is estimated that the price of diesel and petrol at the pump has risen by 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively over the past two years. In a new blow to struggling families, the Chancellor has reportedly concluded there is no extra money in next month’s Budget for further cut tax cuts on the cost of fuel. His decis... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 25, 2012,
Lights on thousands of miles of A-class roads could be dimmed under a plan to save money and reduce carbon emissions. The Highways Agency has already turned off the lights on more than 80 miles of the motorway network and will soon begin a survey of where this can be done on the 2,500 miles of A roads it controls The Highways Agency has been told by the Government to “minimise obtrusive light” either by switching off lamps at certain times or turning them down. It has already turned o... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 24, 2012,
AN ILLEGAL car clamping operation in the West Midlands which used vulnerable motorists "as a licence to print money" may have netted up to £500,000, a court has heard. Worcester Crown Court was told that Redditch-based Midland Parking Contracts used underhand tactics and intimidated drivers into parting with up to £335 to unclamp vehicles and cancel tow-truck call-outs. Six defendants, including the company's owner, Andrew Minshull, and his partner, Debbie Worton, pleaded guilty to conspirac... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 24, 2012,
MORE THAN half of people, 56%, fear urban roads are unsafe to cycle on and 70% want residential speed limits to be dropped to 20 miles per hour to make them safer. The figures, based on a survey by charity Sustrans also found that 65% of those that don't cycle regularly would be more likely to cycle on the roads if they were made safer. Safety suggestions included lower speed limits, more marked cycle lanes and more care taken by drivers and other cyclists. The survey was carried out by GfK N... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 23, 2012,
Mini is opening showrooms in India and Jaguar Land Rover sales are soaring there. Chris Wright reports on a rapidly growing market. Pollution clogs the air and in the all-pervading fug that hangs over New Delhi, children sift through mounds of rubbish. A stray dog wanders across the road towards street vendors selling aloos and soft drinks and men squat, idly smoking while women sweep a walkway with besom brooms. A decrepit delivery truck pulls up to unload containers of goodness only kno... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 23, 2012,
You can now give the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) permission to use your photocard driving licence photo for your approved driving instructor (ADI) certificate. This makes renewing your ADI registration quicker and easier than ever before. You’ll be able to complete your application online and not send anything in by post. Renew your ADI registration online Watch a video about how to log in to the online service When you are logged in, just tick the box to give DSA permission to use your phot... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 22, 2012,
THE PRICE of diesel at the pumps has reached record levels, the AA said. The average price is now 143.05p a litre - climbing past the previous high of 143.04p a litre reached on May 5 last year. The pump price of diesel fell back to 137.59p in July 2011 before starting to climb again. Two years ago, diesel in the UK averaged 113.62p a litre. The AA said that for a commercial van with an 80-litre fuel tank, the cost of filling up has risen from £90.90 in February 2010 to £114.44 now, having dr... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 22, 2012,
HIGH FUEL costs top the list of pet hates for motorists, according to a survey. With diesel now at record levels, the soaring cost of fuel at the pumps is the single thing that most annoys drivers, the poll by breakdown company Autonational Rescue found. The next biggest bugbear was "bad driving techniques" followed by the cost of car parking, high insurance premiums and high car-servicing costs. Just 3% cited pollution from vehicles as the thing they get most annoyed about, while only 2% got wo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 21, 2012,
AS MANY as 50% of motorists felt under-prepared and nervous when taking to the road for the first time after passing their driving test, it was revealed today. Nearly 90% took less than the recommended 40 hours of lessons before taking the test, according to a survey by car insurance company ingenie and the RoadSafe organisation. Male drivers aged 17-25 said their main emotion after passing the test was confidence. Yet they were more than twice as likely to have a collision in their first month ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 21, 2012,
MISLEADING satnavs have caused more than £200 million worth of damage to cars in the past 12 months, it has been revealed, with drivers in the East Midlands exhibiting the most rage with their devices. As many as 83% of satnav users have been misled by their system, a survey by Confused.com found. Accidents caused by drivers going the wrong way have led to damage totalling £203 million in the past year, the poll also showed. Of those led astray, 52% ended up screaming at their devices, while 6... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 20, 2012,
IN A bid to reduce the £2 billion-a-year cost of insurance claims for whiplash to help deal with the UK's "compensation culture", Prime Minister David Cameron will host a summit with insurance, consumer and business groups at Downing Street to discuss ways to bring down soaring premiums. Britain has become "the whiplash capital of Europe", Number 10 has said, with 1,500 claims a day for even the most minor accidents adding £90 a year to the average bill. Ministers are examining recent calls ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 20, 2012,
FEW PEOPLE are aware of the Europe-wide tourist emergency number of 112, with some Britons believing it is a brand of perfume, it has been revealed. Just 14% of Britons surveyed knew that by dialling 112 they could reach emergency services, a survey by the Foreign Office (FO) found. And just 3% recognised it as the EU emergency number, making the UK one of three countries in Europe where awareness was the lowest. A total of 12% thought dialling 112 connected them to directory inquiries, while so... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 19, 2012,
The Porsche Macan will be a 'sports car in the SUV segment' and goes on sale in 2013. Porsche has confirmed that its new junior SUV will be called the Macan and will go into production next year. It had previously been thought that the new model, which will sit below the Cayenne in Porsche's product line-up, would be called the Cajun. However, Porsche has today confirmed that its new "sports car in the SUV segment" will be called Macan, which is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger.... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 19, 2012,
All classic cars more than 20 years old are invited to join a tempting tour of Spain and France as part of the MSA Euroclassic. The route for the MSA Euroclassic from September 25 to October 2, which is this year celebrating the event's 20th anniversary, is a non-competitive scenic tour centred on Spain and south-west France. Any car more than 20 years old is invited to take part in a tour that combines challenging roads, sightseeing, car museums and motorsport venues old and new. Start... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 18, 2012,
The new Audi RS4 uses a V8 engine and four-wheel drive to give it supercar-like performance. Audi has revealed details of the high performance RS4 version of its latest A4 Avant, which will be powered by a 444bhp V8 engine and have a top speed of 174mph. The RS4 uses the 4.2-litre naturally aspirated motor from the RS5, which delivers its maximum power at 8,250rpm as well as 317lb ft of torque between 4,000-6,000rpm. Combined with quattro four-wheel drive, this results in a family estate c... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 18, 2012,
More than half of all motorists now use digital services to tax or declare their vehicles off the road, according to latest figures released today by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The DVLA’s digital service - which includes online and telephone facilities - has been used more than 100 million times. Last year the service was used more than 26 million times. Roads Minister Mike Penning said: “The numbers show that more and more motorists want to deal with the DVLA at a tim... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 17, 2012,
A teenager, Billy Cooney, who died after losing control of his car, had taken a picture of his speedometer reading 105mph minutes before the smash. Billy Cooney, inset, had been on his way home from a night out The 19-year-old. who was twice the drink drive limit, died from serious head injuries after his Vauxhall Corsa ploughed into metal railings on a roundabout at the Oldham end of the A627M in Greater Manchester. Forensic analysis of his Blackberry mobile phone showed a picture of the... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 17, 2012,
Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear has been criticised for its repeated use of foul language prior to the 9pm watershed. Image 1 of 3 Most of the bad language related to a sketch in the show in which hosts Clarkson and Richard Hammond attempted to choreograph a car chase in the style of 1970s police drama The Sweeney The popular BBC2 show is broadcast at 8pm and is now widely regarded as family entertainment rather than just a show for car fanatics. But on Sunday night’s programme, one guest u... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 16, 2012,
A record 200,000 motorists a year are fined for using a mobile phone while driving, a report showed. The latest research from Halfords reveals almost half of all drivers questioned admitted using a phone illegally in the past year, and one in four confessed to committing the offence at least once a month. More motorists than ever are flouting the law, endangering themselves and other road users by making and receiving calls, texting and using the internet, says the study. More than 171,... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 16, 2012,
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) made record pre-tax profits of £559m in the final three months of 2011 as demand for its premium cars soared in Asia. The figure represents a sharp growth on the £300m made in the same quarter in 2010, when JLR went on to post a record annual profit of £1.1bn for its financial year to March 31. The company's revenues soared by 41pc to £3.75bn in the final quarter, with strong growth in China and Russia. China accounted for 17.2pc of sales, overtaking the UK ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 15, 2012,
Driving to work alone by car is expensive, and often dull, so a growing number of motorists are choosing to share their commute. Lucy Gardner has cut her commuting costs by two thirds since last year, when her fuel bill was £240 a month to drive between her home in Manchester and job in Liverpool. And then there was the wear and tear on her 20-year-old Toyota Corolla. Like many commuters, Lucy, 28, had tried public transport. But the train added another hour to the return journey and wasn... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 15, 2012,
A company has been set up to continue to provide parts and customer care for the 188,000 Saabs in the UK. Saab Automobile Parts UK Ltd (trading as Saab Parts UK) has been set up to provide continuity of parts and customer service packages for owners of Saab cars. Customers can find their nearest authorised repairer through the Saab website at www.saab.co.uk. According to the company, Saab parts supply continues to operate as normal and all 87 Saab authorised repairers in the UK can offer... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 14, 2012,
More than 1 million drivers on Britain’s roads are aged over 80 according to the latest official figures. There have been calls for older frail motorists to be banned from motorways, while still being allowed to drive on their local roads More than 1 million drivers on Britain’s roads are aged over 80 according to the latest official figures. They include two 105-year-olds and one 106-year-old woman who is still behind the wheel. In all there are 121 motorists over the age of 100 sti... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 14, 2012,
The latest version of BMW's two-plus-two hot rod gets a twin-turbocharged V8 with 552bhp. Hot on the wheels of the latest BMW M5 comes the all-new M6 Coupé and Convertible, which will cost from £93,795 when it goes on sale in September. The rear-wheel drive M6 uses BMW's 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8 petrol engine and seven-speed M DCT paddle-shift gearbox to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.2sec (Convertible 4.3sec) and on to a top speed that has been electronically limited to 155mph. If t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 13, 2012,
Banish those winter blues by looking forward to a summer of motorsport magic at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. The frost might be thick on the ground and the Arctic winds swirling bitterly around your neck as you trudge to work in the morning darkness, but rest assured that long, warm days and blue skies aren't that far away. Here at Motoring, fed up with the gloom of February, we are looking determinedly forward to a summer of sensational motorsport that includes the ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 13, 2012,
Three decades ago there was little doubt who drove which car in the traditional family. The imposing company car in the suburban driveway such as a Vauxhall Cavalier was almost certainly driven by the husband. The cheeky runabout – such as a Ford Fiesta or Mini – usually belonged to the wife. But now, according to new research, the roles have been reversed, with the woman more likely to get behind the wheel of the gas-guzzler than her partner. A variety of social factors appear to ha... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 12, 2012,
A police officer has been injured trying to stop an elderly man driving the wrong way down a busy stretch of motorway. West Midlands Police said the officer was struck by the car near a rolling road block on the M5 near Droitwich, Worcestershire. The collision happened in the early hours of this morning after officers monitoring cameras on the central motorway network spotted a car travelling into oncoming traffic on the M42. A police spokesman said: "Calls from alarmed members of the public als... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 12, 2012,
The AA is launching an initiative to cut the cost of young drivers car insurance. An insurer is planning to improve its customers' driving by installing telematics technology in their cars to warn them about speeding, cornering and poor anticipation of hazards. The AA is launching Drivesafe, a policy that it believes could save up to £850 a year for younger drivers who are finding it increasingly expensive to insure their cars. The Drivesafe Box, about the size of a packet of playing card... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 11, 2012,
Young males pay twice as much for their motor insurance than female drivers. Young males are being charged twice as much for their car insurance than female drivers. The average insurance quote for a male driver aged between 17 and 20 is £3,730, but a woman of a similar age would be charged just £1,959 – £1,771 less. The disparity between the sexes increased in London, where the average male aged 20 years or younger can expect to be quoted £5,523 to insure his first car. Females woul... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 11, 2012,
As one of the greatest classic car events around, the Tour Auto combines action, adrenalin, stunning scenery and sumptuous lunches. The annual Tour Auto is the most extraordinary classic car event many of you will have never heard of. Held in France for the last 20 years, it’s a loving recreation of the Tour de France Automobile, which was first run in 1899 and took competitors on a gruelling route around the country’s nascent road network in examples of the very earliest “horseless ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 10, 2012,
Workers at one of Britain's largest car plants are facing new concerns about their future as General Motors considers restructuring its loss-making European arm with "everything on the table". Sources said reports that GM is planning to close the Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, which employs more than 2,000 people, are 'speculation'. Sources close to GM Europe say the company is suffering from "overcapacity" as carmakers endure a slowdown in European sales. However, the sourc... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 10, 2012,
When you call DSA’s customer service centre, make sure you use the fast track service. It’s really easy to use and it’ll save you time! Call 0300 200 1122 and dial one of these options: all theory tests - dial 11 practical car test enquiry and booking (including ADIs) - dial 25 trainer booking LGVs only – dial 26 trainer booking motorcycles only – dial 27 (after 8.15 am) If your call isn't answered after 60 seconds, you'll be offered callback assist - this saves your place in the queue ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 9, 2012,
Yellow second hand cars are among the most likely to have hidden defects, a report claims. The global survey found that yellow vehicles are one of the riskiest colours to buy, with 14 per cent having some kind of defect such as covered-up repairs, 'clocked' mileage or inadequate paperwork. Some of the best-known examples of yellow vehicles, such as Mr Bean's Mini and Del Trotter's Reliant van, do little to contradict the theory. Only gold and purple cars, which are much rarer, were more ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 9, 2012,
An auction to sell a British number plate that spells out “Abu Dhabi” has sparked a ferocious bidding war in the UAE The car licence plate, AB11 DHB, was bought for just £400 from the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, but is expected to raise up to 1000 times that much when bidding ends later this month. M.I.Khan, the CEO of Dubai-based company MIK Legal Consulting, which is organising the sale, said that there were seven bidders, two of whom were “very prominent businessmen... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 9, 2012,
Squeeze frontman Chris Difford has been spared a driving ban for speeding at 88mph after telling a court he could not take his instruments on public transport. The 57-year-old singer and guitarist, who earns up to £100,000 a year gigging around the country, was caught on camera doing 88mph on a 70mph road. Despite having nine points on his licence, magistrates allowed Difford, who had hits with Up The Junction and Cool for Cats, to keep driving as a ban would end his "business" as a solo ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 8, 2012,
Jeremy Clarkson's ex-wife, Alex Hall, said it was ''terrifying'' when she discovered the Top Gear star had taken out an injunction to stop her writing about their relationship. Ms Hall said she only discovered what he had done when she got a late-night text message telling her to check her email which contained a message with the 20-page injunction. Giving evidence to the Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions, Ms Hall said her marriage to Clarkson ended before he was famous but she ''... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 8, 2012,
New Civic to lead assault on World Touring Car Championship in 2013 after low-key debut year. Honda has announced that it will compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with the latest version of its Civic hatchback. The racer will be based on the five-door version of the latest Civic, which is built at Swindon. Honda says that it is developing a bespoke engine, a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, direct-injection, turbocharged petrol unit developed in accordance with the FIA's Super... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 7, 2012,
Formula One racer turned TV star David Coulthard believes drivers should take a leaf out of the Dad's Army book when it comes to driving in the snow. Echoing the immortal words of Dad's Army's Corporal Jones, ex-Formula One racer David Coulthard says that the best advice for motorists facing a journey in the snow and ice is: "Don't Panic!" The 40-year-old Scot, who won 13 grands prix during 15 years of racing at motorsport's pinnacle, adds. "As soon as drivers feel the car starting to slid... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, February 7, 2012,
A classic Ferrari has become the most expensive car ever sold in Britain after it changed hands for £20.2 million. The Ferrari 250 GTO is the world's most sought-after car with just 39 built between 1962 and 1964. This 1963 model - number 5095 - is believed to have been sold by British businessman Jon Hunt, who bought it in 2008 for a then world record £15.7million. Mr Hunt, who founded the Foxtons estate agency and sold it for £370m before the housing slump, has made a £4.5million pr... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 6, 2012,
A PLANNED strike by fuel tanker drivers was postponed today to allow fresh talks in a bid to resolve a dispute over pay and conditions. Members of Unite working for Wincanton had been due to start a seven-day walkout from 5am, just two days after returning to work following a previous stoppage. The union said the industrial action had been called off for 24 hours, warning that the strike will go ahead tomorrow if the deadlock is not broken. The union had planned to mount picket lines at several ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 6, 2012,
A judge has warned that traffic wardens expected to issue a minimum quota of tickets were being coerced into acting in a “predatory and sometimes dishonest” manner. The practice was exposed by parking warden Hakim Berkani, 45, who was sacked for refusing to issue large numbers of tickets. Mr Berkani won his employment tribunal after judge Jeremy Burns ruled that his opposition to the secret quota scheme could not “justify dismissal”. The father of two, from Wandsworth, south Londo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 6, 2012,
German models dominate the shortlist for the title of World Car of the Year. In the running: the Porsche 911, BMW 1-series, Audi Q3 and Audi A6 Germany has more vehicles in the World Car of the Year and related World Performance Car finals than all other major and minor vehicle-producing nations put together. The Audi A6, Audi Q3, BMW 1-series, BMW 3-series, Porsche 911 and Volkswagen Up are shortlisted for World Car of the Year, along with the Chevrolet Volt/Vauxhall Ampera, Citroën DS5, F... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 5, 2012,
Councils continue to milk their parking penalty ticket 'cash cows’, so the Government must start protecting motorists. The news that London’s Westminster council was forced into a U-turn over its plans for “nightlife” parking charges earlier this month will be welcomed by motorists, restaurateurs and theatre owners. But it took expensive legal action to win a victory for common sense because the Department for Transport refused to intervene, even though the council was flagrantly b... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, February 5, 2012,
Thanks to some diminutive derivatives trading, we drive Volkswagen's Up city car in five-door, GT, electric and off-roader configurations. Volkswagen's new Up small car has yet to go on sale in the UK, but the company is already working on a handful of versions it aims to get to market within the next few months and years including a hot GT model and a battery electric E Up. Ulrich Hackenburg. VW's research head, admits that the market for small diesels is slow in these tiny cars, but he is... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 4, 2012,
Immigrants are to be banned from taking driving tests in their native language amid concerns rogue translators are helping them cheat. Ministers are understood to be considering ditching rules “within months” which allow learners to sit theory tests in any of 19 foreign languages - including Urdu and Albanian. A system which allows translators to currently sit in on the practical test to explain the examiner’s instructions will also be stopped. Nearly 800 people have had their licence... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 4, 2012,
Two 101-year old women motorists are still driving despite having put penalty points on their licence within the last three years, it has emerged. According to records held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency also show that there are also three 100-year olds - two men and one woman - who remain on the roads despite having committed a motoring offence in their late 90s. It is unclear what these drivers did to earn penalty points or how many each of them hold. But the fact that they a... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 3, 2012,
Land Rover drivers are more likely to speed than boy racers, new research has revealed. Over a quarter of Land Rover Discovery owners have been caught speeding on public roads, contrary to common wisdom that boy racers in hot hatchbacks are the most likely to be found speeding. Research revealed that Citroen Saxo VTR drivers are worst for driving under the influence whilst Peugeot 106 GTI owners are least likely to comply with traffic lights. Stats also showed that Ford Galaxy Zetec owners are ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, February 3, 2012,
Yellow Alert of Snow for South West England : Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire valid from 1200 Sat 04 Feb to 2359 Sat 04 Feb Yellow Alert of Snow for South West England Yellow Alert of Snow for South West England : Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire valid from 0000 Sun 05 Feb to 1200 Sun 05 Feb Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 2, 2012,
Plans to cut the frequency of the MoT test have been ditched after the Government bowed to pressure from road safety and motoring groups. The surprise move which was announced by Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, will mean that cars will continue to be tested after three years and then annually. It is the latest in a series of u-turns by the Government in recent months, which have seen ministers abandon plans to sell off publicly owned forests and to withdraw milk from primary sch... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, February 2, 2012,
Motorists are set for improvements in customer service from garages under a package of transparency and value-for-money measures unveiled today by Transport Secretary Justine Greening. An evaluation of existing MOT test standards and frequency took account of the views and evidence offered by a wide range of organisations. In particular, it considered data from Department for Transport executive agency VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) showing that more than a quarter (27.7 per cent) ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 1, 2012,
The director of the RAC Foundation, warns that an “opportunistic” move to raise money for victims by fining speeding motorists up to £100 will bring the law into disrepute. Let’s be clear. Drivers who break speed limits – whatever we think about the setting of those limits – are breaking the law. But let’s be equally clear in saying that punishment should not be about raising revenue. Retribution, yes. Deterrent, yes. Reflecting societal displeasure with offenders and the offe... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 1, 2012,
Two men caused a security alert at the Port of Dover tonight after trying to enter Britain with vehicles bound for a military show. The Kent port's Eastern Docks was closed from around 5pm after UK Border Agency officials detained the pair after they had crossed from France with the vehicles containing weapons. Bomb disposal experts were drafted in to assess the weapons but they later declared them safe. However, the incident caused huge congestion for motorists on surrounding roads leadi... Continue reading ...
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Will Dracott
| A-Class Driving School |
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This blog is for everyone and anyone who has an interest in driving. We have all the latest from the DSA, High Way Code news, Motoring Headlines and Car Reviews. If you're a learner, motorist or driving instructor, we welcome your input in the topics we bring you.
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