Nearly half of female car insurance customers have conceded that they have little or no sense of direction. A survey by Boxby.co.uk found that a quarter of ladies regularly get lost while driving, while more than two thirds relying on a Sat Nav to get them to their destination. More than 85 per cent of male car insurance customers, meanwhile, believe that their sense of direction is very good, with just 11 per cent seeing room for improvement. In addition, 72 per cent of males said they would rather drive around until they found their destination rather than stopping and asking for directions, something which three quarters of women find infuriating. More
(AD Comment ~ What would the figures have been in the old fashioned days, before Sat-Navs?.)

A car that runs on coffee is unveiled today – but it certainly won’t take the grind out of commuting. And at between 25 and 50 times the cost of running a car on petrol, the invention won’t please any motor industry bean-counters either. Nicknamed the Car-puccino, it has been created using a converted 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco bought for £400 and chosen for its resemblance to the time-travelling DeLorean in the movie Back To The Future. The car will be driven the 210 miles between Manchester and London powered only by roasted coffee granules. It has been built by a team from the BBC1 science programme Bang Goes The Theory and will go on display at the Big Bang science fair in Manchester to show how fuels other than conventional petrol and diesel can power vehicles. The team calculates the Carpuccino will do three miles per kilo of ground coffee – the equivalent of about 56 espressos per mile. The journey will use about 70 kilos of ground coffee which, at supermarket prices of between £13 and £26 a kilo depending on brand and quality, will cost between £910 and £1,820, or between 25 and 50 times the £36 cost of petrol for the journey. More
(AD Comment ~ An expensive way to travel, but the aroma around the car might be more pleasant than petrol or diesel fumes!)

A traffic warden placed a parking ticket on a car after it rolled out of a driveway and onto a yellow line when its handbrake failed. Instead of alerting the owner of the blue family car that it had rolled out of the drive and into the street in Croydon this week he issued at £60 ticket. According to locals the owners of the car are on holiday and the car had only trundled about 6ft before coming to a halt on a yellow line. One neighbour said: “It was totally ridiculous. Here was a car that had simply rolled about 6ft out of a driveway and into the street. “The handbrake had obviously failed and that was pretty clear from the situation, but this warden just turned up, saw his chance and stuck a ticket on the car without even checking the house where it was parked. More
(AD Comment ~ Just another over zealous official who can be proud of a job well done!)

Potholes can cause significant damage to vehicles and lead to claims on car insurance policies; however, drivers may find it easier to avoid them in future if the brainchild of two Italian students is adopted. Domenico Diego and Cristina Corradini have developed a new project called the “Street Safe Initiative” which involves placing a brightly-coloured layer of asphalt beneath the surface of the road. If and when the road surface cracks and potholes begin to develop, the asphalt would be exposed and motorists will be able to see it in plenty of time and avoid it. More
(AD Comment ~ Sounds a good idea in principal. But as the authorities seem reluctant to spend money on laying/repairing roads properly in the first place, you would imagine they would not invest in this idea, even though it would be of grat benefit to motorists.)

For decades, Ferrari has made its name selling the sort of testosterone-packed cars that get petrolheads hot under the collar. But now the Italian car-maker is ditching its famous red livery – temporarily at least – as it experiments with going green. The company yesterday unveiled the Ferrari 599, a 200mph electric hybrid vehicle that aims to cut pollution and fuel consumption while retaining the brand’s breathtaking acceleration and performance. But it remains to be seen whether the 599’s ability to start silently and run on a zero-emission electric motor will put off car enthusiasts who delight in the explosive roar of an old-style Ferrari firing up. The prototype’s appearance at the opening day of the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland stunned visitors. The hybrid vehicle – which uses the electric motor to back up a more traditional 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine – even sported a bright metallic green paint to reinforce its environmentally friendly credentials. The aim is to have the green technology as an option across Ferrari’s entire range of cars by 2015. More
(AD Comment ~ At almost double the cost of a petrol version, its a high price to pay for doing you bit for the evironment!)

Awkward but necessary, driving while pregnant can be an uncomfortable experience. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) advises mothers-to-be on how to drive safely and comfortably. Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “It seems obvious, but we do urge pregnant women to keep wearing their seatbelts while driving. “The steering wheel hitting the abdomen is the main danger for pregnant drivers in a collision, and the seatbelt is the only thing stopping the driver flying forward.” Mr Rodger added: “A lot of women don’t like the way belts feel and, without realising the danger, let the shoulder strap or the lap belt ride up into the middle of the abdomen.” The law requires you to wear a seatbelt, even if you’re pregnant, and wearing a seatbelt while pregnant will not harm your baby – in fact the risk of injury could be reduced by up to 70 per cent if you are involved in a crash View advice
(AD Comment ~ Good advice from the IAM, as incorrect useage could give problems, if involved in a crash.)

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union is asking its members to take strike action on Monday and Tuesday, 8 and 9 March. If you have a driving test booked for either day, we ask you to attend as scheduled. We won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of our examiners and staff are members of the union. We don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why we ask that you arrive for your test regardless. You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA. If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post. DSA Press Release
(AD Comment ~ Lets hope that the situation is resloved so no tests are missed. Some of those tests booked on those days, may well have delayed because of recent weather, meaning a further delay for candidates.)

Motorisits are being fined for parking with their engines running under a new scheme aimed at reducing polution. A council has told traffic wardens to issue £20 penalty notices to drivers who keep their engines on after pulling over – and the charge could double to £40 if it is not paid quickly. Anyone found to have their engine running “without reason” could be fined under the scheme, run by North Lincolnshire Council. The move has been billed as an attempt to reduce pollution from car exhausts, but angry motorists said the fines were “petty” and a waste of resources. Nigel Humphries, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said: “It’s just an absolutely ridiculous money-making scam. “What business is it of the council whether we leave our engines running or not while we are stationary. “Engines do not use much fuel when they are idling. This is an insignificant and inappropriate use of resources. “Better to warn drivers that getting out of the car while the engine is running is not the brightest idea because someone might steal it. In these days of council expenditure cuts they should have better things to worry about.” North Lincolnshire Council insisted wardens would only issue penalty notices as a last resort if drivers refused to co-operate. A spokesman said: “All motorists found to have left their engine running without reason will be in the first instance asked by a council officer to switch their engine off. “The council would not target motorists who leave engines running for just a few seconds. More
(AD Comment ~ Just another stealth tax on motorists. Is this a move to really cut polution, or just to get more revenue int the coffers?)

THEY say bad luck comes in threes and for the owners of these flooded cars the old adage seems to have come true. The cars, which were parked up on the riverbank at Queen’s Staith, in York, fell victim not only to the rapidly rising river water over the weekend, but also a zealous parking inspector. A taxi driver called The Press to say he had seen the cars being ticketed at about 9.15am yesterday morning after the floodwater from the Ouse had subsided. Shaun Binns, landlord of The Lowther pub which is on the opposite bank of the river on Cumberland Street, said his staff had a good view of the incident. More
(AD Comment ~ Lets hope that the council will show common sense and cancel the fine, but then in this day and age common sense and authorities does not always go hand in hand!)

Learner drivers should be examined on ‘green’, smoother driving techniques as part of the standard driving test, according to a business group. The CBI says that each motorist could make fuel savings of 5-10% through efficient driving practices, reducing carbon emissions and saving up to £250 a year. And the group argues in its Tackling Climate Change Closer to Home report that the “smarter” skills needed to make such savings should be a mandatory part of the driving test. Although it does not provide a detailed outline, the CBI suggests that eco-driving “is about driving in a style suited to modern engine technology”. It claims that changing gears more smoothly and avoiding sharp braking and acceleration can cut fuel consumption by up to a third. Other proposals made in the report – which has the stated aim to “pave the way for low-carbon cars and homes” – include an agreement between the Government and manufacturers for long-term carbon dioxide (CO2) limits, and moves to encourage the sustainability and development of biofuels. And despite praising the Government’s forthcoming £5,000 purchase subsidy for ultra-low emissions vehicles, the CBI says that even more can be done to stimulate the take-up of low-carbon cars, including using tax from higher-polluting vehicles to incentivise consumers looking for more efficient options. Peter Rodger, chief examiner at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, told Admiral News that the main aspects of eco-driving – looking ahead and planning early – are already part of general good driving practice. More
(AD Comment ~ In the past few years, there has been marks and advice given on eco-driving by examiners. At this stage though,it is only advisory. If the test is changed, candidates will have to demonstrate new greener skills to pass, but will all those who pass their test carry on, for the remainder of their driving career driving in the same economical way?)

County Durham man banned from driving after cyclist reported seeing pet being dragged along country lane. A dog owner too lazy to walk his pet has lost his driving licence after getting caught walking the animal while driving his car. Paul Railton, 23, of County Durham, had wound down the window of his Nissan Navara to exercise his lurcher when police caught him. Officers reported seeing him driving at 5mph along a country lane. Yesterday, at Consett magistrates court, Railton pleaded guilty to not being in proper control of a vehicle. Sharon Lowrie, prosecuting, said a cyclist alerted police that two men were dragging a dog along from a car. She said: “The driver was hanging on to the dog’s lead through the driver window, approaching a blind summit.” Railton was told to put the dog in the back of the car and was allowed to go, but five days later police turned up at his home to charge him. A police statement read out to the court said that “due to the narrow road there was no area for other cars to pass ng pet being dragged along country lane. More
(AD Comment ~ An unusual way to lose your licence.)

A millionaire entrepreneur and his interior designer wife have been ordered to pay a combined fine of more than £1,000 for failing to identify which of them was driving their speeding Land Rover. Ian and Jayne Oliphant-Thompson were both prosecuted after they told police it was “immoral” to continue asking who was driving when they could not remember. Exeter magistrates’ court was told the vehicle was clocked at 40mph in a 30mph zone. Photographic evidence was unable to prove who was behind the wheel and the couple, both 43, were asked to inform police who was driving. The couple, who wrote a series of letters to safety camera officials saying they were unable to remember, did not attend the court hearing. In their absence, they were each ordered to pay a £525 fine, £100 costs, and a £15 victim surcharge. They were each also given six penalty points, double the usual number. The usual fine is £60. Philip Alcock, prosecuting, said: “We cannot be sure who was driving and they have not been able to assist. “The answer they gave is not uncommon but the owners of a vehicle that is used by many drivers need to have some kind of log. “Even a married couple, if they habitually use the vehicle and swap around driving responsibilities, they need to have something in place to ensure they know who was driving.” More
(AD Comment ~ Perhaps they thought they might get away with it. But the authorities are very happy, as they have claimed two large fines, instead of one small one!)

The first day of March will be a date motorists will instantly be aware of… thanks to the 10 indicator encased in new style registrations. And with DVLA Personalised Registrations selling more than 9,000 since the 10-series were available to buy on December 1, 10’s should be seen on virtually every street corner! Those sold by the DVLA will, of course, be further boosted by those registrations automatically assigned to new cars and not purchased as private number plates. Damian Lawson, DVLA Personalised Registrations’ Marketing Manager, said: “The simplicity of adapting 10 into the new style registrations in order to make up a personalised registration like a family or company name has clearly proved to be successful.” Introduced in September 2001, the current style of registrations comprises two letters, a two figure age identifier, a space and three letters ” 10 simply identifies new cars registered and released in 2010. The second releases of the year, on the road from September 1, will be identified by 60.  More
(AD Comment ~ A good chance for motorists to grab some new combinations, with the 1 & 0. But more importantly raises a substancial amount of cash for the government, will any of this be redirected to help our ailing road?)

Road engineers are calling it the perfect storm; road users are calling it gridlock Britain. New figures reveal that February has seen an unprecedented leap in the number of roadworks, due to bad weather, council deadlines and a backlog of work. According to research compiled by the Electronic Local Government Information Network (Elgin), this February has seen 10 times as many roadworks as the last, and more than three times as many as in January. The roadworks, defined as causing moderate or severe disruption, are likely to continue into March. Overall, Elgin found that the number of actual and planned roadworks taking place in the first three months of this year will exceed the total for the whole of 2009. The surge, set to cause misery for millions of motorists, is due to a number of factors, according to Elgin. Severe weather in November and December damaged roads and caused many councils to postpone planned roadworks for those months. To minimise disruption, councils are also rushing to spend their road repair budgets before the financial year ends in April and before the summer holiday season gets under way. Other factors include ongoing preparations for the 2012 Olympics, and hedge-trimming, which has to be done outside the bird-nesting season. Elgin, which examined figures for roughly half the councils in Britain, including those in London, Yorkshire and Humberside, the east Midlands, Wales, the east of England and the southwest, found that in the first three months of 2010 there would be 6,833 serious roadworks, 3,204 of those in February. That compares with a total of 6,290 for the whole of 2009. The company says those figures would be higher if all councils were included. More
(AD Suggests ~ Judging by the state of some of the roads, we could be in for some delays over the next few months, as repairs are carried out.)

A WOMAN driver was caught flossing her teeth at 70mph on a motorway, it was revealed yesterday. Stunned traffic police spotted the 36-year-old driver on the M4 using dental floss to clean her teeth in her rear view mirror. Her brush with the law cost her £60 after she was pulled over, lectured about careless driving and given a fixed penalty notice. Police say it is the latest example of people risking their lives for a moment of high-speed vanity. A spokesman said: “We’ve caught women applying lipstick, make-up and checking their hair in the mirror and even men using an electric razor on their way to work. But this is the first time we’ve seen someone flossing their teeth at the wheel. It was a quite bizarre sight. “It is particularly dangerous because you need to use both hands, which clearly should be used to drive the car.” Traffic officers often say some people’s driving is mental but one joked: “On this occasion it was dental.” The woman was caught by Gwent Police near junction 24 of the M4 at Coldra, Newport, during an eight-day clampdown. Officers in an unmarked car caught 57 drivers committing offences. More (AD Suggests ~ Strange what people will do, especially when travelling at such a high speed, with the potential for causing much danger to themselves and others.)