Child booster seats without integrated seat backs are dangerous and should be phased out, according to consumer group Which?. The group says that through the use of such seats, or no seat at all, 47% of children aged 4-12 are at risk of “serious injury” during side impacts – accidents which it says account for around a quarter of all collisions. By law, children who are under the age of 12 or under 135cm tall must use a booster seat – though a study highlighted last year by Which? found that only 42% of parents correctly understood this. It adds that in a survey it conducted last month of 1,000 parents of children in this age group, 30%, of respondents said that they use a backless booster cushion, while 17% admitted using no child car seat at all. But while backless cushions meet legal requirements, Which? says, parents should be “very wary” of using such seats, due to what it claims is the minimal level of protection they offer. More
(AD Comments ~ We all know that childrens safety is top priority. So with issues like this we could do with more offical advice from government sources, so we know exactly what is the best way to protect children.)
Motorists are risking repair bills of over £1,400 by neglecting engine oil levels, according to new research. Research carried out as part of National Oil Check Week (June 15-22) shows that almost half of all cars – around 15 million – are either low or dangerously low on oil, largely because one in three drivers never bother to check. Scottish motorists fell short of their English counterparts with nearly two thirds of cars showing an oil level that was low. In all regions, however, about 50 per cent of drivers admitted not checking their car’s oil as often as they should, with 28 per cent never checking. Twice as many women as men have no idea how to check their oil, but women are less likely to rely solely on their car’s technology to warn them, with only one in ten believing it was not necessary to check their car’s oil level. Bill Collins, technical manager for Halfords Autocentre, said: “It is surprising to see so many motorists still not carrying out the basic checks. Oil is vital to a car’s health. Without enough of it you effectively risk destroying your engine. “Checking there is enough oil in your car is one of the handful of basic maintenance tasks that should be carried out every month. It only takes 60 seconds to do but it could save you from a huge repair bill.” More
(AD Comments ~ Checking the oil is a very quick and easy job, and for those who have taken their driving test since September 2003, checking the correct levels for oil and other fluids has been asked by examiners and taught on driving lessons.)
Brits are heading for a summer of fines, arrests and accidents in Europe as they fail to comply with the rules and regulations of driving abroad suggests new research from AXA Insurance. The BA strikes and volcanic ash disruption have led many Brits to re-think their holiday plans with an estimated 1.1 million1 saying they’ll drive to their holiday destination abroad this summer rather than rely on air travel. However, when it comes to some of the most basic requirements of driving abroad, there seems to be a lot of confusion among motorists with a third (33%) admitting they don’t know whether a GB sticker is needed and a further 24% wrongly stating that it isn’t.2 And nearly half (49%) were unsure whether their car insurance covered them for driving abroad with 23% making the potentially disastrous assumption that it does. More
(AD Comments ~ When driving in other countries, it is always wise to check into the local rules. We need to make sure the car is properly insured, and take extra care as we will be driving on the `wrong` side of the road!)”
Drivers in the UK are throwing away more than £440 million pounds by driving with under-inflated tyres. The research, revealed by Michelin discovered that not only are motorists letting poor tyre pressure maintenance affect their bank balance, but more than 370 million litres of fuel are being wasted each year. This also contributes to an additional 1 million tonnes of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere. Luckily, Michelin is coming to the rescue of drivers who are in the dark when it comes to tyre pressures. The Michelin Fill Up With Air team is taking to the road to offer free tyre checks to help improve safety and reduce vehicle CO2 emissions, while also helping motorists save cash. Michelin’s head of communications, Peter Snelling, said: ‘Based on the findings of Michelin’s 2009 campaign, if all of the cars in the UK were running on correctly inflated tyres then motorists would save a considerable amount of money and as a result, CO2 emissions would also be reduced. More
(AD Suggests ~ Tyres are often neglected by car owners, which can lead to safety issues. A great deal of fuel, can be wasted as show here, when quick checks can be made, so they you have correct tyre pressures. For those recently passed, one of the car safety questions covers tyre pressures, so new drivers can not say they didn`t know!)
UK motorists have been reminded to be more disciplined about adhering to speed limits in order to ensure they are driving safely. A survey conducted by road safety charity Brake has revealed that 72 per cent of drivers admit to travelling at 35 mph or faster in 30 mph zones, with a large proportion saying they do this regularly. However, the organisation stated that seemingly minor increases in speed will make it harder to stop for pedestrians, as well as increasing the risk of serious injury should a collision occur. Brake chief executive Mary Williams therefore called on British drivers to end their “widespread complacency” about going over the speed limit. More
(AD Suggests ~ Everyone needs to remember to keep responsible safe speeds, in 30 mph zones, as by their nature are built-up areas, where children are more likely to wander into the road.)
It is hard to believe now, but once upon a time going for a drive was seen as something of a treat. In those days motorists would wave to each other and politely nod as other cars gently overtook them. Today it’s all white van men and road rage. So thank goodness for Debrett’s, the authority on etiquette, and its new guide to courteous in-car behaviour. In its 47 pages, it aims to re-acquaint drivers with the ‘right and proper way to behave behind the wheel’. Among the advice for men is to not make cliched jokes about female drivers and respect all women behind the wheel. Both sexes are also advised to avoid too much perfume or cologne. More
(AD Thoughts ~ The credit crunch and current financial situation, may well have made many consider if they need more than one vehicle in the household, or whether public transport/taxis for their journeys if more financially viable.)
You are most at risk just 60 minutes into your first car journey on holiday abroad. Know the local road rules, and be aware of your own fitness to drive. Foreign and Commonwealth Office research shows that driving abroad is at its most dangerous just 60 minutes into the first journey whilst on holiday. Professor Geoff Beattie, of Manchester University, has pinpointed the most dangerous point when driving abroad. The key factors that contribute to dangerous driving abroad including driver fatigue, motoring on the other side of the road, anticipating oncoming traffic and grappling with unfamiliar rented vehicles. More
(AD Comment ~ You can`t argue with the advice, as there are so many unfamilar factors for drivers to overcome. For those not as confident with their driving, the time to settle on foreign roads may well be much longer.)
The number of tyre related deaths and accidents on the UK’s roads could be set to rise after new research has revealed that more than one in ten drivers is more likely to buy part worn tyres compared with 12 months ago. The worrying findings have been issued by TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety group, who has warned that not only could part worn tyres be a false economy, but they could pose a significant safety hazard to drivers and other road users. In 2008, illegal, under-inflated or defective tyres contributed to the deaths of 34 drivers and the injuries of more than 900 other motorists. “Tyres play a critical role in vehicle safety and consequently, some very strict requirements exist regarding the sale of part worn tyres,” warns Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “If part worn tyres are bought from an unreliable source or do not meet the required standards, drivers could be placing themselves and other road users in significant danger. We understand the financial pressures being faced by many motorists but the risks associated with fitting part worn tyres are too high and we would always recommend fitting brand new tyres.” One of TyreSafe’s primary concerns with part worn tyres relates to the internal structure of the tyre. Regulations require that part worns must be free from large cuts, bulges and lumps and must not have any of their plies or cords exposed. However, without a thorough examination of the internal components of the tyre using an x-ray machine, TyreSafe claims it is impossible to tell what unseen damage may have occurred. “There are many internal components of a tyre which are essential for safe motoring,” explains Jackson. “These can be damaged by a number of things such as punctures, driving over kerbs or pot holes or running at too low pressures. All of these can make the tyre dangerous and unsafe. The visual inspections required to sell part worn tyres may not identify these internal structural problems and consequently divers may be sold a product which is essentially not fit for purpose.” More
(AD Comment ~ Tyres often get over looked by motorists. We all need to make frequent checks for any damage, especially with the current state of many of our roads.)
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.)
UK drivers could face a roadside saliva drug test if they are caught not wearing a seat belt or speeding in France. And the one in 20 Brits who used cannabis recently could be on a collision course with France’s policy of zero tolerance towards any trace of illegal narcotics. As part of their campaign to reduce the country’s heavy road casualty toll, French authorities have adopted a more aggressive stance against driving while under the influence of illegal drugs. However, the Home Office’s latest British Crime Survey shows that 4.6% of 16 to 59 year olds have used cannabis in the last month. Official guidance shows that French police will routinely test for drugs after a fatal accident. They will also test after an injury accident where the police suspect the driver has taken drugs. A drugs test may also be carried out following: any road accident, a road offence that could lead to a driving ban, a speeding offence, the failure to wear a seat belt or helmet. Penalties in France are severe and offenders risk going to prison for two years and a fine of €4,500 (£3,893). A driver found also to have 50 or more milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (UK limit is 80) could be imprisoned for three years and face a fine of €9,000 (£7,786). More
(AD Notes ~ This country could learn a great deal from many countries zero tolerance policies, it would make the UK a better place to live.)
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