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Changing lanes accounts for 5% of accidents

Alan — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:34:52 +0000

The Accident Exchange has recently published statistics that over 5% of vehicle accidents that happen on the road are a result of people changing lanes. The study shows that the resulting cost of these accidents is well over £400 million ever year. The research also showed that the number of accidents that people have because they are not paying attention has doubled in the past 24 months.

Some experts have suggested however that modern vehicles are actually making it harder for us to be aware of other cars when we are changing lanes. Modern cars are being built with stronger and larger frames that are responsible for creating larger blind spots, making it easier for drivers to miss seeing other vehicles when changing lanes.

That said, the main reasons that the survey found for people having accidents when changing lanes was that they simple were not paying enough attention to the road or that there were poor conditions on the road affecting visibility. Insurers are urging drivers to take more care when changing lanes.

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BO11 LUX plate is sold by DVLA then banned

Alan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:13:26 +0000

A car registration plate was purchased by a cheeky driver with BO11 LUX from the DVLA but he has been ordered by the same group to remove it. Alan Clarke paid £399 to get the plate through the government agency’s website to place on his Range Rover. Six weeks later he received a letter in the post from the same DVLA demanding he remove it because of it causing offence.

The director of a company was told he could face a fine of £1,000. But the Chesterfield resident said he was not backing down, the plate is his and he is not taking it off. He was told it was causing offence and he had to take it off other wise they were threatening to criminalize him.

He said they were a government agency and the plate was on their own site. He said he saw it there and purchased it thinking how fun it would be to put on his new vehicle. It is funny he said, everyone laughs when they read it. He says he received a normal plate to change it with but sent it back.

The DVLA says they try to stay on top of combinations that may cause offence and stop them before anyone gets them. When a potentially offensive plate makes it through our net, we have steps we take to withdraw it. Since the plate is officially withdrawn it is an offence to still have it displayed.

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American Tours for Petrol Heads, pick of the crop 2011

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:33:47 +0000

Next time you’re stuck gritting your teeth in the rush hour traffic, daydreaming about cruising on Route 66 with the desert winds in your hair, don’t despair its not that bad. If you really are a Petrol Head at heart then you should check out the western states. A US road trip can be easily organised, doesn’t have to cost the earth, and there are a host of high-octane events to populate your itinerary. So here are some ideas to get you started on planning your 2011 American Tour. Don’t just dream about it – get motoring!

If you shop around you can find plenty of cheap flights to Los Angeles and this is a great starting point for a serious Petrol Head tour. From sunny California you can take the famed Route 66, heading East, and make a detour to experience the unforgettable sight of Salt Lake Speed Racing. Straight out of the movies, the wide open roads and endless horizons of Arizona and New Mexico will lift your spirits. With a little research you can find motoring events to keep you revved up from coast to coast.

Salt Lake Speed Racing

Once a year the famous Bonneville Salt Flats racetrack, near Salt Lake City, opens its gates to all wishing to emulate the land speed record breakers. In 2011 the Bonneville Speed Week is 13-19 August. All sorts of racing car or motorbike can be seen here, from classic old roadsters to modern carbon fibre racing cars. Bikes range from Harley-Davidsons and Nortons to modern Japanese models. Make sure you bring your binoculars and have a telephoto lens on your camera as spectators must stand well back from the action. Also, be prepared for the relentless glare of the sun rebounding off the crystallised salt.

NASCAR

If you’re into Stock Car racing then you can’t miss Daytona, Florida. It’s the perfect final destination after having started the trip in Los Angeles. The famous Daytona Beach racetrack is the stuff from which legends are made. NASCAR, the official Stock Car Racing organisation, holds events here in February, March and July. The NASCAR Nationwide Series takes place at racetracks from Nashville to Chicago to Phoenix throughout the year.

Monster truck events

You can’t beat good old monster trucks for entertainment value. These massive machines take part in races, demonstrations and freestyle performances at stadiums across the USA. Monster Jam is the biggest event organiser, holding an annual World Final event in Las Vegas in March.

Hiring a car is, of course an essential part of a road trip, and you can book anything from a classic Mustang or Chevrolet to a modern Ford or SUV. If Easy Rider is more your style, you can hire Harley-Davidsons for your big trip, or maybe just for a part of it. With petrol and accommodation being relatively cheap in the USA it’s a wonder you’re not there already!

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£4 million worth of stolen cars recovered in South Africa

Alan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:00:45 +0000

Fresh on the footsteps of news that the UK vehicle crime unit was able to recover 18 high priced vehicles from South Africa was news that over the past four months it has been able to recover vehicles that combined equal a total worth of over £4m.

The demand for high priced vehicles is large in due to the unstable economic climate of today and the Vehicle Crime Intelligence Services has declared that Durban is one of the main receiving areas of stolen cars that are shipped out of the UK. During a raid that took place in December of 2010 of a UK port a total of 16 vehicles that were marked to head to Durban were intercepted and returned to their rightful owners.

A following investigation by the vehicle crime task force led to another 18 stolen vehicles found in South Africa totalling 36 recovered vehicles in all. Among the stolen vehicles that were recovered were models such as Lexus, Audi, Land Rover, and Bentley.

This investigation is just one of numerous operations AVCIS has in progress to recover stolen vehicles and remove them as a facilitator for serious organised crime. Funded predominantly by private sector partnerships, AVCIS receives a grant of £300,000 of tax payers’ money from the Home Office to assist in its important work.

“Despite the austere climate, AVCIS has consistently recovered over £1 million worth of stolen vehicles each month since October 2010,” added DCI Hooper. “We’re extremely happy with the results over the past few months, and are especially pleased with the significant recovery from South Africa.

“In the current climate, motorists are extremely vulnerable. Not only is AVCIS working to recover vehicles but it’s also putting resources into increasing awareness of vehicle crime and ways in which motorists can protect themselves,” added DCI Hooper. “Without essential funding from the Home Office and our valued partners, we would not be able to carry out this important work.”

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Rolls Royce repair riot torn Royal Limousine

Alan — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:00:42 +0000

Rolls Royce is set to restore the Royal Limousine which was attacked by student protesters whilst it was carrying Charles and Camilla. The Car and engine manufacturing giant are also set to waive all repair costs.

The Phantom VI, worth quarter of a million pound, was a present from Rolls Royce to her Majesty the Queen in her silver jubilee year in 1979.

Owing the inflicted damage, the repair cost is estimated in the region of 10-20 thousand pounds. Protesters against the government raising the tuition fees, mostly students, attacked the royal couple using paint bombs, bottles and wooden sticks causing the car windows to smash. They also kicked and punched the car’s body. Unconfirmed resources suggest that one of the protesters used a wooden stick to jab Camilla through the open window. The Charles and Camilla were on their way to London Palladium to attend the Royal Variety Performance.

According to Senior Royal sources, Rolls Royce are currently carrying out the repairs. The car will need body work, repainting and new windows fitted. When it returns to the royal garage, the car will be back to its original immaculate condition.

Despite the attack, the couple braved on and made their way to the Royal Variety Performance. In the aftermath of the attack, Sir Paul Stephenson the Metropolitan police commissioner has issued an apology. Moreover, he ordered an inquiry into the incident.

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Westminster Council’s £18m unpaid parking ticket

Alan — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 07:02:46 +0000

Over £18m is owed to Westminster Council from almost 200,000 unpaid parking tickets, in the last three years, according to a BBC Freedom of Information request. The central London council has issued over 80.000 warrants to chase the offenders.

The council threatened the offenders with court action, if they do not comply and pay the fines.

Luxury cars top the list of offenders. This is perhaps owing to the council’s being a high profile area with many businesses and embassies and wealthy residents. With only six cars registered in the country, Venturi sports cars have an amazing seven outstanding fines in Westminster.

It seems that motoring excellence is not the only rivalry between BMW and Mercedes. In Westminster, they both contend for the most unpaid tickets, with Mercedes coming at the top with almost 17,000 tickets, followed by BMW a close second with almost 14000.

‘The number of ticket is disproportional to the number of motorist,’ said Councillor Jonathan Glanz, Westminster City Council’s deputy cabinet member for parking. ‘A small number of motorists commit most offences; most motorists, however, either pay their fines, or follow the correct legal course for appealing the fine.’

Among all London boroughs, Westminster Council rakes the highest income generated by parking charges and fines.

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Leeds United fans angry at parking fees

Alan — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 05:00:25 +0000

Leeds United fans are upset with the recent disclosure that parking rates are soon to rise. Elland Road parking will now cost £6; coaches will cost £20 and minibuses £12, during match days.

Parking is an angry issue, with Leeds United fans claiming that the Council is bleeding them dry with parking rates and making it impossible to park near the grounds. Many say that they will simply use side streets and walk a lot farther rather than grant Leeds Council satisfaction.

Parking costs all over Leeds are on the rise, not just during match days on Elland Road. A complaint letter was sent by one irate citizen saying that the Council had closed seven inexpensive long-term parking facilities and was now going to bash him with higher charges when he wants to watch football.

It seems that for many, the increases on match days were just the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Dissatisfaction with parking facilities and the high cost of parking in general has apparently been boiling on the back burner with residents for some time.

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Motoring organizations want clocks forward one hour

Alan — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 02:12:38 +0000

England could really use an extra hour of daylight. This is the considered opinion of 10:10’s Lighter Later campaign, which is gaining a lot of momentum throughout the country. It has been endorsed by most of the British sporting world including the Football Association, the Cricket Board and the Lawn Tennis Association. Now GEM Motoring Assist is also announcing its endorsement of the proposal to set all the clocks in the U.K. forward by an hour year round.

The end of DST comes on October 31^st and the agenda calls for clocks to be set back an hour, cutting the evening daylight hours. Lighter Later contends that leaving them set ahead will benefit the entire population in numerous ways. Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that the government will “look into” the proposal, and he further stated that all citizens need to speak up and let their wishes be known.

10:10 is an organization devoted to the reduction of carbon emissions in the U.K., and the agencies coming forward to back the initiative for later daylight hours support the theory that more hours of sunlight will not only reduce streetlight time, but also aid in promoting better health and safety for everyone, and for children and the elderly in particular.

GEM says that the change would mean less traffic accidents and fatalities, especially for pedestrians. Public health officials say that longer daylight hours will mean more outdoor activity during hours otherwise likely to be spent in front of the tube. Lighter Later is proposing a three-year trial period to see if the benefits will be as great as numerous studies seem to indicate they will.

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Shay Given dodges driving ban

Alan — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:55:35 +0000

Shay Given was able to get out of a potential driving ban after getting caught speeding at 75mph in a luxury Bentley in court this week. Given, aged 34 did not appear in court himself but was also charged with failure to produce a driving license. The Irish footballer was caught speeding on Princess Parkway Manchester on February 16^th and issued with a fixed penalty notice.

The footballer took his driver’s license into the police station clearing up the licensing charge but was forced to pay £75 in costs, a £60 fine, and received four points on his license which added onto to the three points that he received for speeding in April of 2008.

Outside of speeding, Given has not been on the field this year due to a shoulder injury.

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Bentley recall over pedestrian danger

Alan — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:54:55 +0000

In a very unusual move, Bentley Motors has recalled about 600 of its ultra-luxury cars in the U.S. because of a potential pedestrian problem. It seems that the “Flying B” symbolic ornament on a Bentley’s bonnet could impale a pedestrian if it does not retract on impact like it’s supposed to.

A dealer in Britain brought the problem to the company’s attention, and even though Bentley says they are not aware of any complaints or accidents involving this situation, they will fix the problem for free.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in their recall notice that it is possible for corrosion to prevent the “B” from immediately retracting if it hits an unwary pedestrian, and add insult to injury, so to speak.

Some of the cars being recalled are in the £190,000 price range, and the models are the Arnage R, Arnage T, Arnage RL, Brooklands and Azure from the years 2007 through 2009. Since Bentley is one of the world’s most prestigious automakers, they do have a reputation to uphold. They have said that though this is only a ‘precautionary move’, the company wants to take care of any potential problem as soon as possible.

About 1400 vehicles from the top-end models are being recalled globally, and Bentley has offered to resolve the problem at dealerships, starting this month. Owners of the cars in question may be a bit embarrassed at such a mundane affair, but better a little embarrassment than an impaled pedestrian.

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