Browsing Archive: March, 2012
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 31, 2012,
THE SCOTTISH Government is teaming up with industry leaders and environmental campaigners in a new drive to get more electric cars on the roads. Transport Minister Keith Brown has launched the E-Cosse partnership which brings together government body Transport Scotland with car manufacturers, power companies, local councils and environmental charity WWF Scotland. Mr Brown said the new group would "develop a shared vision and set future priorities to promote the uptake of electric vehicles in Sc... Continue reading ...
900 HP Switzer E900 GTR
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 31, 2012,
When it comes to car
tuning Switzer Performance has revealed a great package from the
GTR sports coming from Nissan. It is the E900 or Ethanol fuel which
is boosting about 900 hp of power. This was developed with Dodson
Motorsports which is a new car manufacturer in New Zealand. He has
developed something more powerful than the standard GT. Another
difference is the aspect of fuel. Switzer has turned the engine to
utilize an E85 fuel. Of course it is not something without a trade
off. You wi... Continue reading ...
BMW recalls 1.3million cars worldwide over battery fault
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 30, 2012,
German car maker BMW is recalling 1.3 million cars over problems with a battery cable cover which could in extreme cases cause a fire. The cable is found in the boot of the car. The worldwide recall affects 5 and 6-Series models made between 2003 and 2010 and includes 109,000 cars in the UK. The world’s largest luxury car manufacturer said: "In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted. [Related story: Duck! It's a hole in my windscr... Continue reading ...
Twingo Renaultsport prices announced
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 30, 2012,
RENAULT has announced the prices for the facelifted Renaultsport Twingo, confirming that it will go head-to-head with the much-lauded new Suzuki Swift Sport. However, the Twingo’s starting price of £13,565, on the face of it only £65 more than the Suzuki, does not include the optional Cup chassis. At £700, the one option that will be crucial to keen drivers takes the price to £14,265 on the road – perhaps enough of a difference to matter. Although the major changes are cosmetic only, th... Continue reading ...
Tanker drivers set to back strike
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 29, 2012,
THE THREAT of a strike by fuel tanker drivers in a dispute over terms and conditions and safety standards is set to come a step closer today when the result of an industrial action ballot is announced. Around 2,000 members of Unite at seven companies have been voting on whether to launch the first national campaign of action for over a decade. Unite drivers supply fuel to 90% of the UK's forecourts and the union said a strike could close up to 7,900 petrol stations. Workers in seven major distri... Continue reading ...
Petrol breaks 140p per litre barrier
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 29, 2012,
THE PRICE of petrol has broken through the 140p-a-litre barrier for the first time. The average price at the pumps has now reached 140.20p a litre, with diesel at a new record of 146.72p, the AA said. Petrol prices have now risen more than 2.75p a litre in just three weeks, while the cost was only 132.25p a litre at the beginning of the year. The price of diesel at the start of 2012 stood at an average of 140.56p. The AA said that for the owner of a car consuming, on average, 106.17 litres of pet... Continue reading ...
More driving test candidates to benefit from better local services
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 28, 2012,
Driving test candidates across the country are set to benefit from a more convenient service as the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) extends a trial exploring a new approach to test delivery.
As well as using conventional driving test centres, the DSA has been looking at whether practical driving tests can be delivered from other venues such as local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres.
This new approach is currently being trialled at eight locations, and following positive feedbac... Continue reading ...
Senna's debut season car for sale
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 27, 2012,
THE CAR driven by racing great Ayrton Senna in his first Formula One race is to be sold at auction at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. The Toleman TG184-2 car driven by the three-time world champion during his debut season in 1984, will be sold by Silverstone Auctions in May. The car, which is being sold by a private owner, is expected to sell for more than £750,000. The Toleman, which Senna raced to third in the British Grand Prix held at Brands Hatch and seventh in the Canadian Gr... Continue reading ...
Charity calls for permanent clock change
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 27, 2012,
ROAD safety charity Brake is renewing its calls for government to make it ‘Lighter Later’ by putting the clocks forward by an hour year-round. The Lighter Later campaign has been gathering momentum over the past year, with 26,300 people having written to their MP in support. In January, a Daylight Saving Bill, which would have compelled the government to review and act upon the evidence on the impact of changing the clocks, ran out of time, despite widespread support from MPs. The switch to... Continue reading ...
Motorists 'turning away from cars'
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 26, 2012,
MOTORISTS will sell their cars and turn to alternative means of transport including renting a car when needed, according to new research following the Budget announcement that fuel duty will still rise in August. A survey completed by car rental company Sixt found that a third of people have either sold or stopped using their car in the last year, turning instead to public transport, walking or cycling. Fuel prices were cited by 21% of these people as the number one reason for leaving the car b... Continue reading ...
Osborne dashes fuel price hopes
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 26, 2012,
DRIVERS have had their hopes of avoiding another petrol pump increase later this year dashed by Chancellor George Osborne. Motorists had wanted Mr Osborne to defer the planned August fuel duty rise in the Budget. But he said there would be no change to existing fuel duty plans. He added that vehicle excise duty (VED) would rise by the rate of inflation, although it would be frozen for hauliers. Road users are already forking out for record petrol and diesel prices and the announcement from Mr Osb... Continue reading ...
Volkswagen loses GTI trademark battle
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 25, 2012,
VOLKSWAGEN lost its battle today to stop Suzuki using the familiar "GTI" tag on one of its car models. VW appealed when the EU's trademark office (OHIM) rejected the company's complaint that the SWIFT GTi name that Suzuki wanted to register would cause confusion with the celebrated Golf GTI, hailed in the 1970s as the first "hot hatchback". But today's ruling from the European Court of Justice backed the OHIM in declaring that the public would not be confused - particularly as car makers includ... Continue reading ...
Fuel rise 'will force job changes'
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 25, 2012,
SOME DRIVERS will have to change or quit their jobs if August's planned fuel duty increase goes ahead, an AA/Populus survey has claimed. Of 16,647 AA members polled, 4% said they would change jobs to reduce mileage if the 3.02p duty increase is not scrapped while 3% would have to abandon their job because of unaffordable travel costs. Skilled service and manual workers are most at risk, with 9% fearing for their employment should the duty rise take place. Southern England, the Midlands and north... Continue reading ...
Good Times Ahead For Goodwood Motorsport Events
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 24, 2012,
THE ANNUAL society motorsport set pieces at Goodwood this summer are set to be better than ever if the pre-event media open-house was anything to go by. Proving increasingly popular with the public year-on-year, Goodwood’s 2012 Festival of Speed and Revival events will contain an even greater selection of cars and associated attractions. Scheduled for 28 June – 1 July and14 – 16 September respectively, these events have become as significant a fixture as the likes of the British Grand Pr... Continue reading ...
Motorists Delay Car Maintenance
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 24, 2012,
A NEW survey from breakdown firm Britannia Rescue has shone a light on cash-poor motorists delaying essential maintenance and driving illegal cars because they cannot afford the repairs. The poll also revealed that about a quarter (23%) of motorists admit their cars have a defect which renders them illegal and 14% say their vehicle is in urgent need of repair. The most common defect is bald tyres but other common problems include faulty brakes, broken windscreen wipers, broken or missing wing m... Continue reading ...
Pass!
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 23, 2012,
Congratulations to Clay for passing first time yesterday at Southmead test centre. He passed with just two minors to convert his U.S licence to a U.K one. Well done and see you on the road. Continue reading ...
Drivers bypass M6 toll road
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 23, 2012,
OPPONENTS of David Cameron's plan to "privatise" some major roads in England will cite the distinct lack of success of the UK's only existing motorway toll road in the West Midlands. Operating since December 2003, the M6 Toll road is carrying less than half the number of cars it was designed for. When the road opened, cars were paying just £2. The latest rise - announced in January this year - has seen the weekday rate (6am to 11pm) rise to £5.50 for cars and to £11 for heavy goods vehicles... Continue reading ...
Drivers don slippers and high heels
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 22, 2012,
MOTORISTS are driving on slip roads in slippers and on high roads in high heels, according to a survey. Some also take the controls wearing flip-flops, while others drive in bare feet, the poll by Confused.com found. As many as 25% have driven while wearing pyjamas, while 19% of 25 to 34-year-olds consider their own driving habits are risky, the survey of 2,000 drivers showed. As many as 10% have driven in slippers, while 40% of women admitted to driving in high heels. The main slipper wearers we... Continue reading ...
Smaller manoeuvring area for LGV, PCV and B+E tests introduced from 26 March
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 22, 2012,
From Monday 26 March the size of the manoeuvring area for the ‘S’ shaped reverse exercise in large goods vehicle (LGV), passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) and car and trailer or caravan (B+E) practical tests is being reduced. The new manoeuvring area measures 66m x 11m, compared to the previous 92m x 18m. The change will mean: it will be easier for trainers to become ‘customer sites’ and host tests on their own premises DSA will be able to make more tests available at its existing test cent... Continue reading ...
Pass!
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 21, 2012,
Congratulations to Vicky for passing yesterday over at Southmead test centre. Vicky passed with just 5 minors, an excellent achievement. See you on the road! Continue reading ...
M-Way Hard Shoulders To Be Opened Up To Traffic
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 21, 2012,
THE HIGHWAYS Agency has confirmed that the hard shoulders on six of Britain’s motorways will be opened up to traffic in a bid to reduce congestion. More than 100 miles of hard shoulders on roads including the M25, M1, M60, M62, M3 and M6 are to be used as an extra lane, the agency confirmed. Under the new project, titled "managed motorways", the distance of some roadside refuges are to be doubled. They are currently between 800m and 1,000m apart. Other changes, which are to be rolled out next... Continue reading ...
Drivers 'Need Annual Eye Tests'
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 20, 2012,
A NEW survey has found that around a third of motorists questioned think drivers should submit to annual eyesight tests. The poll, conducted by insurance firm RIAS also discovered that more than a quarter of those surveyed had not had an eye test in the last four years. A total of 10% of drivers in London have either never had their eyes tested or not had a test in the last 10 years. Nearly three in four (73%) of London drivers had had an eye test in the last two years, with this figure rising ... Continue reading ...
PRIVATE FIRMS COULD RUN THE ROADS
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 20, 2012,
IN PLANS to boost infrastructure spending on England’s major roads, the Prime Minister is to instruct experts to investigate a radical shake-up of ownership and funding to encourage investors to back desperately-needed upgrades to the ageing network. The concept, which has parallels with how the nation’s railways are run, could see private investors receiving money to assist in the running and improvement of major roads and motorways in return for profiting from their investment. The beli... Continue reading ...
Southmead - New Road Layout - White Tree Roundabout
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 19, 2012,
The approach to this roundabout has just been changed ands will no doubt be causing long tailbacks. The big issue here for those on test will not be when you approach with the new bus lane on your left, from Falcondale Road, but when you are coming onto the roundabout from other directions. The left lane from Falcondale is for turning left only now. Which is unusual. So when looking for blockers to use to emerge, the position of these cars will be different and harder to use. It will seem ... Continue reading ...
Anger as police buy Korean cars
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 19, 2012,
POLICE forces came under fire from peers today for buying cars from South Korea instead of the United Kingdom. Former trade minister Lord Jones of Birmingham and Labour peer Lord Hoyle criticised the decisions of some forces to buy Hyundai instead of Vauxhall cars. Lord Hoyle said at question time in the House of Lords: "As all the police authorities in the North West and many throughout the country are changing over from buying Vauxhall vehicles to buying Hyundai, this is a kick in the teeth f... Continue reading ...
Car production increases by almost a quarter
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 18, 2012,
CAR PRODUCTION accelerated sharply last month, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed today. A total of 138,296 cars were made in the UK in February - a 23.5% rise on the February 2011 figure. But commercial vehicle (CV) production slowed, dipping 2.7% to 9,655. A total of 226,848 engines were made last month - 3.6% more than in February 2011. Car production is up 19.6% for the first two months of this year compared with January-February 2011, while CV produc... Continue reading ...
'Prang and run' parking on the rise
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 18, 2012,
BRITAIN has been revealed as a nation of car park ‘prang and runners’ according to new research released today. As many as one in five drivers in the UK confess to having damaged someone else’s car on a car park and then driven off without leaving contact or insurance details. Lawyers are among the worst offenders with one in four admitting to leaving the scene. Estate agents and other people working with property seem to be even less willing to own up, with one in three guilty of a ‘... Continue reading ...
Fuel price rises outstrip savings
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 17, 2012,
RECENT rises in petrol prices at the pumps will wipe out any savings drivers could have expected from warmer-weather motoring, the AA said today. Already at record levels, fuel prices have risen further in recent days, with petrol now at an average of 138.50p a litre and diesel at 145.45p, the AA reported. Warmer weather and more daylight reduce a car engine's winter workload and improve fuel efficiency by at least two miles per gallon (2mpg). For a petrol car with an average fuel consumption o... Continue reading ...
28% of trusts raise car parking fee
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 17, 2012,
MORE THAN a quarter of hospital trusts have increased car parking charges for patients and visitors, according to new data. Hospitals in England make millions of pounds every year from parking, which is free for most people in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Data from 197 hospital and mental health trusts found that while some have decreased prices, 28% have upped charges, some by over 100%. A patients' group hit out at the "alarming" rise in fees, branding them a "tax on the sick". Stock... Continue reading ...
Nissan powers experimental racer
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 16, 2012,
GETTING involved in motorsport is a sure-fire way of boosting the profile of your production car range – which is why all the premium players have a finger in some sort of racing or rallying pie. The trouble is motorsport is a very expensive business, and blasting out fastest laps doesn’t really chime with the greener approach to motoring that most manufacturers want to promote. This week however Nissan announced its partnership in the DeltaWing concept, an experimental race car that wil... Continue reading ...
Publication of official statistics
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 16, 2012,
From today, new official statistics on driver and rider trainers, including application, renewals and removals information, are being published at dft.gov.uk/dsa/statistics. In February, national statistics for practical driving tests started to be published as ‘official statistics’ alongside other Department for Transport stats. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “I hope that publishing these statistics regularly and to a pre-announced timetable will make this information easier for... Continue reading ...
Pass!
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 15, 2012,
Congratulations to Henry for passing first time at Brislington driving test centre on Tuesday. Henry passed with just 3 minors, an excellent achievement. Well done Henry, see you on the road. Continue reading ...
JLR to create 1,000 jobs
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 15, 2012,
JAGUAR Land Rover is creating 1,000 extra jobs to form an extra shift, which will support an increase in Freelander and Range Rover Evoque production. All the jobs will be sited at the company’s Halewood Operations manufacturing facility near Liverpool. The positions that will need to be filled include production operators, supervisors and engineers. All new employees joining the production line as part of the new recruitment drive will receive training towards an Intermediate Apprenticeship.... Continue reading ...
Olympics road closures detailed
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 15, 2012,
Details of road closures for this summer's Olympics were announced today. Residents and businesses are being informed of the necessary route changes, including parking restrictions, by a campaign of letter drops, road shows and publicity, Transport for London (TfL) said. The closures affect the routes of the road cycling, triathlon, marathon and race walking events, which take place on seven of the 16 days of the Olympics and on one day of the Paralympics. Affected areas include Westminster, Cit... Continue reading ...
Utility companies to be fined for roadworks delays
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 14, 2012,
LEGISLATION imposing fines of up to £10,000 per day on utility companies have been confirmed by the government, aimed at keeping firms on schedule with roadworks. Currently the maximum daily fine councils can impose is £2,500, but from October 1 this year that fee will double to £5,000 per day for the first three days of over-running on ‘the busiest roads’, with the fourth onwards incurring a £10,000 per day penalty. Transport Minister Norman Baker said today: "We know that utility firm... Continue reading ...
New car sales slow
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 14, 2012,
NEW CAR SALES slowed last month, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have shown. There were 61,868 new registrations in February 2012 - a drop of 2.5% on the February 2011 figure. "The February new car market was broadly in line with industry expectations, with a welcome increase in private retail activity," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. Sales over the first two months of this year are just 0.8% down on the January-February 2011 total, with the industry ... Continue reading ...
Strategy needed to cope with explosion in number of elderly drivers
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 13, 2012,
Elderly drivers caught speeding or breaking other traffic laws should be sent on special training courses to make sure they are still safe behind the wheel, a new report claims. In the driving seat: beyond the age of 70, motorists are not required to re-take a test
The recommendation comes as new figures show that as many as six million over 70s are now on our roads, compared with less than a million 35 years ago.
The huge explosion of car driving pensioners means that a national strat... Continue reading ...
Cutting roads repair budget will cost taxpayer more, MPs warn
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 13, 2012,
Motorists will have to spend more repairing their cars because cuts to road maintenance budgets will lead to more potholes, a committee of MPs has said Cutting pothole spending is a short-sighted economy, MPs warn
Councils, who are responsible for 90 per cent of the country’s road network, have been told to find £223 million from their roads maintenance budget.
But it is unclear how these savings – equivalent to 40 per cent of the total – will be found, the Public Accounts Commi... Continue reading ...
Geneva: Kia showcases new Cee'd and four concepts
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 12, 2012,
KIA HAS used the Geneva show to flex its technological muscles and turn on the style, displaying four concept cars alongside its brand new European-targeted Cee’d. The Cee’d, which as ever is designed, built and sold in Europe, is Kia’s rival to cars like the Ford Focus and Toyota Auris. Kia says it’s better in every respect than its predecessor, which was a very fine car in its own right. At 4.3 metres it’s longer than before but also lower and sleeker. It was designed partially wit... Continue reading ...
Geneva: Ford Raises The Bar With The B-Max
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 12, 2012,
NOT content with producing some of the most popular medium and large people carriers in the market, Ford is targeting the growing compact MPV sector with its new B-Max model. Making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, as its name suggests the B-Max will be positioned below Ford’s C-Max. Also, the car’s name holds a clue as to its distinguishing feature, as its designers have done away with the car’s B-pillar to create an innovative pair of rear sliding doors. Along with the car... Continue reading ...
British student caught speeding at 113mph in 50mph limit
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 11, 2012,
British university student Will Colebrook has been caught speeding at 113mph in a 50mph zone during a "multi-million pound" supercar rally across Europe. Will Colebrook has since been allowed to fly back to the UK but must return to Switzerland tomorrow to convince a judge to return the vehicle The former public schoolboy was clocked at more than 60mph over the speed limit as he drove from London to Verbier, in Switzerland, in the annual DodgeBall Winter Rally. The 23-year-old was behind t... Continue reading ...
Appeal upheld over rare vintage Bentley
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 11, 2012,
A vintage car can still be considered authentic even following a substantial rebuild where many of its original parts are replaced, an appeal court heard yesterday. In a landmark case based on a 1930 Speed Six Bentley, judges ruled that a decision to award damages to a buyer because the vehicle had undergone major work since new “could not be relied on”. American businesswoman Mercedes Brewer bought the £425,000 Bentley from a respected dealer in 2007 believing it to be in its origin... Continue reading ...
Geneva: Bugatti unveils record-busting Veyron
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 9, 2012,
ALREADY well-known as the world’s fastest production car, Bugatti has raised the bar even higher by unveiling the Grand Sport Vitesse version of the Veyron. By adding enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers the power output has been increased by almost 200bhp to take it to a vast 1,184bhp, alongside the mammoth torque output of 1,106lb.ft. Reduced back pressure in the exhaust system has not only liberated more power but also reduced fuel consumption. Remarkably this super-powerful Veyron sti... Continue reading ...
Geneva: Show-stopping Ferrari raises the game
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 9, 2012,
OF ALL the manufacturers at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show it is the Ferrari stand that has a queue of people waiting to be let through, and the star of its display is the brand-new F12 Berlinetta. Replacing the 599 GTO Fiorano, the F12 is both the flagship of the current Ferrari range and also the most powerful road car it has ever produced. Following the template set by the previous model, the F12 is a 2+2 coupe with a front-mid mounted V12 engine, driving the rear wheels through an F1-inspired... Continue reading ...
New awareness campaign for biker safety
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 8, 2012,
THE GOVERNMENT is today launching a £1.2 million campaign, which will attempt to reduce motorcycle causalities by encouraging car drivers to see the person behind the helmet. The TV advertising campaign, under the wider motorcycle safety ‘THINK!’ banner, will show bikers with flashing neon signs attached to them saying things like ‘shy retiring type’ and ‘new dad’. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning, a biker himself, launched the campaign and described its inspiration as coming from... Continue reading ...
Rural diesel more expensive
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 8, 2012,
THE PRICE of diesel in rural filling stations is, on average, 4p more than in urban areas according to research conducted by the Countryside Alliance. Fuel was also 146.9p a litre in Ryedale in North Yorkshire. In contrast, diesel in Birmingham and in Dartford in south east London was 'only' 139.7p a litre. Cars are becoming an "unaffordable necessity" for many living in rural communities, said the Countryside Alliance. Overall, the alliance found that diesel in rural areas averaged 144p a lit... Continue reading ...
Tradesmen paying 'fortune' in fuel
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 7, 2012,
SELF-EMPLOYED tradesmen and women are having to travel up to 60 miles a day to find work, costing them a "fortune" as fuel costs rocket to record levels, according to a new report. A study by business network BeLocal showed that bricklayers, glaziers and other workers make round trips of up to 60 miles, costing them an estimated £47 a day or around £11,000 a year. One in five of the 200 tradesmen and women questioned for the report pass on the cost of fuel to customers. Most say it would help... Continue reading ...
New Facebook page for driver and rider trainers
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 7, 2012,
Brand new page for road safety professionals Keeping people informed Visit facebook.com/dsagovuk The Driving Standards Agency has launched a new official Facebook page - to keep driving instructors, trainers and other road safety professionals up to date with news and developments. You'll still get links to the latest DSA consultations, the latest edition of Despatch e-zine and general road safety news. You'll still be able to post a comment on the new-look wall. To take a look at the new DSA pag... Continue reading ...
BBC boss sank Clarkson sat-nav deal
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 6, 2012,
THE DECISION to reverse Jeremy Clarkson's deal to record a voiceover for a Top Gear satnav went to the very top of the BBC when director-general Mark Thompson "intervened", according to a report published today. The plan, which breached editorial policy and left Clarkson "in potential breach of his contract", was only discovered by BBC bosses when they read about it in a newspaper. More than 50,000 devices had already been made and many delivered to shops by the time it was decided the deal w... Continue reading ...
Motorway tailgating on the rise
Posted by Will Dracott on Tuesday, March 6, 2012,
TAILGATING on motorways is on the increase, with more than three in five men admitting the fault, research has suggested. As many as 53% of drivers said they drove too close to the vehicle in front on motorways, the poll found. This compared with 49% in 2004, with the latest figure including 61% of male drivers, according to the survey of 942 motorists by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line. A total of 46% of women owned up to motorway tailgating, with 30% of men saying ... Continue reading ...
Cable backs Vauxhall factory
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 5, 2012,
BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable pressed the case for retaining Vauxhall's car plant at Ellesmere Port when he met company bosses in the United States. Mr Cable stressed how productive the UK factory is, and how attractive the UK is to the motor industry, when he held talks in New York with bosses from Vauxhall's parent firm General Motors (GM). The car giant is conducting a review of its European operations, raising speculation that one or two plants could close. The minister met GM chairman Dan... Continue reading ...
Half road markings 'barely visible'
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, March 5, 2012,
AROUND half of British road markings are barely visible, a survey today showed.Markings on Scottish and Welsh roads were particularly bad, the survey by the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) indicated. The association looked at 483 miles of British roads, including major English roads managed by the Highways Agency and local authority routes. The survey showed that 50.6% of road markings were barely visible, with 23% of roads falling into the "emergency repairs" bracket. Fewer than 7% of ... Continue reading ...
Petrol prices to reach record high
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 4, 2012,
PETROL prices were set to reach an all-time high today, piling pressure on Chancellor George Osborne to cut fuel taxes. The average price of a litre of petrol on Wednesday this week was 137.34p, with the AA predicting that the record high of 137.43p, achieved last May, would be passed today. Diesel has already passed its all-time high and on Wednesday stood at an average of 144.60p a litre. Two years ago petrol cost "just" 112.74p a litre, with diesel at 113.79p. The price of petrol has risen 1.... Continue reading ...
Islands to receive fuel price cut
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, March 4, 2012,
THE PRICE motorists in the islands pay for fuel is being cut under a Government scheme that comes into effect today. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said the initiative, which will reduce the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel by 5p, would "make a real difference to people who face the highest fuel costs in the country". The price cut is being brought in in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, islands in the Clyde, the Northern Isles and Scilly. To mark the scheme coming into force ... Continue reading ...
Drivers urged to think biker
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 3, 2012,
A £1.2 million THINK! campaign urging drivers to see the person behind the motorcycle helmet was launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning. The TV adverts will show bikers with flashing neon signs attached to their bikes. The signs show the rider’s name and information about them such as ‘shy retiring type’ or ‘new dad’. The voiceover at the end asks drivers to look out for motorcyclists next time they are out driving. The campaign was informed by research showing that driv... Continue reading ...
The Official DSA Complete Theory Test Kit for just £12.98! (RRP £19.99)
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 3, 2012,
TSO (DSA's official publishers) would like to offer you a discount on the complete theory test kit. On this you will find: hundreds of official theory test revision questions loads of extra help to understand the theory official hazard perception practice clips Go to facebook.com/mydrivingtest and click 'Like' this page to be able to see how to get this special offer. 6 reasons to buy it: Study - information on all 14 topics Practice - answer questions on topics to see how much you've learnt Mock te... Continue reading ...
General Motors and Peugeot Citroen in 'alliance'
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 2, 2012,
GENERAL Motors is to buy a 7% stake in PSA, parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, as part of a new alliance that will create shared parts, platforms and purchasing power. Following the demise of Saab, the world's largest car maker GM has chosen another target for investment, initially to focus on building shared platforms for small and medium hatchbacks, crossovers and MPVs. The first GM-PSA cars are expected by 2016. The two companies’ cars will share parts but be sold in a competitive envi... Continue reading ...
Tailgating 'on the rise'
Posted by Will Dracott on Friday, March 2, 2012,
TAILGATING on motorways is on the increase, with more than three in five men admitting the fault, a survey showed today. As many as 53% of drivers said they drove too close to the vehicle in front on motorways, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line found.This compared with 49% in 2004, with the latest figure including 61% of male drivers. A total of 46% of women owned up to motorway tailgating, with 30% of men saying they did it at least on a weekly basis compa... Continue reading ...
80% of households in 'transport poverty'
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 1, 2012,
FOUR IN five households are living in "transport poverty", according to figures highlighted by the RAC Foundation today. These households spend more than 10% of their disposable income on public and private transport, with most of the money going on buying and running a car, the foundation said. On average, households – both car and non-car owning – spend 14% of weekly expenditure on transport, with £64.90 being spent out of a total of £473.60. RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Gl... Continue reading ...
Drivers switch off after 11 minutes
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 1, 2012,
MOTORISTS on long journeys drive for just 11 minutes before mentally switching off, according to a survey. Some have driven to their office rather than their desired destination after going into "autopilot", the poll by esure car insurance found. Of the 1,003 motorists surveyed, 25% admitted they got easily bored while driving, with 22% regularly going into autopilot. As many as 34% had made a journey and had no recollection of it upon arrival. Also, 32% said they changed the radio station or c... Continue reading ...
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Will Dracott
| A-Class Driving School |
| Bristol |
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