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Government 'to reject' young driver recommendations

The government will this week reject recommendations from a committee of MPs aimed at reducing injury and death among young motorists, according a newspaper report. Last July, a report by the Commons Transport Select Committee recommended a 12-month minimum learning period for all drivers, which would effectively raise the minimum solo driving age to 18. It also called for a 12-month zero-alcohol limit for newly-qualified drivers, and a ban on carrying young passengers between 11pm and 5am. The package of measures would together form a system of graduated driver licensing (GDL), similar to those successfully introduced in New Zealand and North America. However, The Times reports that the government will reject the measures in a consultation paper to be published next week. Instead, learners will be compelled to have professional driving tuition, and to prove that they have key skills before sitting their test. Earlier this year, a survey by road safety charity Brake found that young drivers were far more likely to take risks that result in an accident. Among the more alarming statistics, 33% of young drivers admitted having overtaken at least once in the previous 12 months without being able to see oncoming traffic. Only 9% of older drivers said that they had done so. "We must educate young people on the consequences of taking these deadly risks and ensure we have a robust, structured system of learning to drive in place," said Brake's head of campaigns Cathy Keeler. "We know GDL works, and we can't afford to drag our heels. The longer we delay, the more young lives are needlessly wasted."

Birmingham home destroyed by gas explosion

A house in Birmingham has been destroyed by a gas explosion, according to BBC News. It is reported that forty people were evacuated from Holly Road, Handsworth, after the blast at 3.40pm on Tuesday. By late afternoon, fire services had not been able to confirm whether anyone had been hurt. "It just looks like a bomb's hit it," a witness told the BBC. "It's collapsed in on itself." The number of people who die from gas explosions in the UK has decreased in recent years. Official figures show that in the year 2006-7 there were just two fatalities from flammable gas explosions or fire, down from a high of 11 in 1998-9.

Car tax rise 'not mentioned in budget'

A Conservative spokesperson has accused Chancellor Alistair Darling of 'deliberately failing' to make mention of higher vehicle tax charges at the time of the budget. In his budget speech in March, Mr Darling set out a major reform to Vehicle Excise Duty, which he said would "encourage manufacturers to produce cleaner cars". He said that by introducing new bands of tax, there would be "an incentive to encourage drivers to choose the least polluting car." However, the chancellor has been criticised for failing to say explicitly that higher charges would apply to anyone who had bought a car since 1 March 2001. Shadow treasury minister Justine Greening said the new charges will hit many low-income families who can't afford to change cars regularly."This is duplicity from the Treasury who deliberately failed to make any mention of this tax grab at the time of the Budget," she added. A Treasury spokeswoman responded by saying that under the new system, nearly half of new car buyers and a third of existing drivers will be better off. The new road tax system, which will class vehicles on carbon emissions, comes into effect next year. Cars that emit more than 255g of CO2 per kilometre will be placed in the highest band, band M, and will have to pay £440 in tax. The second highest band, band L, will be for vehicles emitting between 226g and 255g of CO2/kilometre - they will pay £415 in tax.

Kelly Brook and Peter Kay crowned favourite celebrity Bank Holiday passengers

Men would most like to be stuck in a traffic jam with Kelly Brook and women would most like a good giggle with Peter Kay this Bank Holiday according to a survey by Swinton, the UK's leading high street car insurance retailer. In a poll of 2,000 motorists, Kelly Brook beat Dancing on Ice presenter Holly Willoughby as the person men would most like to have as their passenger. Phoenix Nights comedian Peter Kay came third and Virgin Tycoon Richard Branson was the fourth most popular celebrity. Peter Kay was women drivers' favourite passenger followed by This Morning host Fern Britton and comic Jonathan Ross. A Swinton spokesperson said: ''Being stuck in traffic is incredibly boring and with 18 million drivers taking to the road this Bank Holiday many motorists are facing long journeys. “It's funny to see that women seem to think that personality is the key to a good driving companion, whereas men are choosing looks.” Also named in the list of men's favourites was Strictly Come Dancing presenter Bruce Forsyth, singer Lilly Allen and supermodel Elle Macpherson. Ladies also picked out princes Harry and William, Office star Ricky Gervais and Radio One DJ Chris Moyles. The research also found that 24 per cent of Brits said their husband or wife is the most annoying passenger they could end up driving with. One in five drivers say that they row with fellow passengers at least once during a long journey and because of this, almost two thirds say they prefer driving by themselves to avoid arguments. A cheeky 38 per cent of people even admitted they had made up a lie to avoid having to give someone a lift. MEN'S FAVOURITE PASSENGERS 1. Kelly Brook 2. Holly Willoughby 3. Peter Kay 4. Sir Richard Branson 5. Elle Macphearson 6. Lily Allan 7. Ricky Gervais 8. Alan Sugar 9. Chris Moyles 10. Bruce Forsyth WOMEN'S FAVOURITE PASSENGERS 1. Peter Kay 2. Fern Britton 3. Jonathan Ross 4. Jack Dee 5. Alan Carr 6. Phillip Schofield 7. Prince Harry 8. Prince William 9. Peter Andre 10. Johnny Wilkinson

Drivers turn to web for cheaper fuel

Drivers hit by soaring fuel prices are turning to the internet in their search for cheaper fuel. According to Web User magazine, internet analysts Hitwise have noted a big rise in visits to petrol price comparison sites over recent weeks. Popular site PetrolPrices.com told the magazine: "We have seen a marked increase in traffic recently, almost double to that a year ago, as people look for cheap petrol prices. We currently have around 30,000 unique users a day." Earlier today, oil prices hit a new high of $120 dollars a barrel, driven by disruption to North Sea oil supplies by the strike at the Grangemouth fuel refinery. Although striking workers are due to return to work early on Tuesday morning, a representative from Unite the Union said that full production will not restart for at least a week. Meanwhile Scotland is attempting to meet the shortfall by importing extra fuel supplies.

Britain dumps more pets, says RSPCA

There was a big jump in the number of pets abandoned in Britain last year, according to the RSPCA. The animal welfare charity said it rescued 7,347 abandoned pets in 2007, up from 5,959 the previous year. The tally included a rabbit left in a crushing machine and a litter of kittens "dumped in a dustbin bag for refuse collectors". Almost half of the animals rescued were cats. The increase in abandonments was described as by the RSPCA as a worrying trend. The charity has already taken in over 2,500 rejected pets this year. "It is an offence to abandon any animal and there is never any excuse for doing so," said the society's Tim Wass. "If people have pets they cannot care for, for any reason, then help and advice is always available from the RSPCA." In total, the RSPCA rescued almost 150,000 animals in the UK last year. Its release of the figures marks the beginning of RSPCA Week 2008, which runs until Sunday 4 May.

Rising oil prices boost profits

Royal Dutch Shell and BP have enjoyed a first-quarter profit boom due to the rising price of oil. Shell's profits reached $7.8 billion in the first quarter, up from $6.9 billion last year, whilst BP saw a rise of 48% to $6.59 billion. However, Simon Wardell, oil analyst at Global Insight, warned that oil firms cannot afford to rest on their laurels. "Oil firms have to think about the long-term investment and what prices might be in the future," he told BBC News. The price of crude oil recently struck record highs of nearly $120 per barrel. Chakib Khelil, President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which supplies approximately 32% of the world's oil needs, recently predicted that the price could soon go as high as $200 a barrel. Motorists currently pay an average of almost £5 a gallon (109.9p per litre) for petrol, partly as a result of shortages caused by the strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland. Although the 1,200 striking workers have now returned to work, it is thought that they could stage another walkout over the pensions row within days.

Most dangerous UK roads named in study

A 15 mile stretch of the A682 that links Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales has been named as Britain's most dangerous road. A report by the Road Safety Foundation reveals that the road has seen almost 100 deaths or serious injuries in the last decade and now tops a table of the ten worst accident blackspots in the UK. More alarmingly, the report - compiled by the Foundation for the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) – found a further 16 road sections present a persistent medium to high risk to road users. Head researcher Dr Joanne Hill said that there was good news from the survey in that many of Britain's authorities have brought in countermeasures to tackle the higher risk routes in their areas. Most are quick, simple and cheap - involving little more than adopting modern signing, hazard markings and junction layouts, she said. However, the UK is still lagging behind other European countries when it comes to applying the results of research into safe road design. The foundation also found that a lack of funding was preventing many authorities taking more action over dangerous stretches of road. Other local authorities have undoubtedly saved lives - often by the simple application of white paint, added Dr Hill.

Smoking behind the wheel as dangerous as using a mobile phone

More than half of UK motorists believe that smoking whilst driving is as dangerous as using a mobile phone and should be punished with penalty points and a fine. New research commissioned by eBayMotors.co.uk also found that 70% of motorists think smoking should be banned in all cars. Almost a third of those surveyed admitted to having driven carelessly when lighting or stubbing out cigarettes and flicking ash. Alarmingly, some drivers had also experienced situations where butts had blown back into the car. According to the online auction site, lighting up when on the move is not only dangerous, it will cost smokers more when it is time to sell their car. One in two buyers refuse point blank to buy a car from a smoker because of the horrible smell, stained interiors and potential damage from fag burns. Commenting on the research, Emma Parfitt of eBayMotors.co.uk, said that no one wants to drive around in an ashtray. Not only do drivers who smoke at the wheel risk causing accidents but they also stand to lose hundreds of pounds on the resale price of their cars.

No quick fix for Britain’s roads

A new road surface treatment is not the complete solution to the UK’s pothole crisis according to a campaign website. Although www.potholes.co.uk has broadly welcomed the government’s endorsement of a new road surface preservation treatment, it warns that the scourge of potholes will not suddenly disappear as a result. The Highways Agency has agreed to start using an asphalt preservative, designed by road maintenance experts ASI Solutions, to work as an anti-ageing product to stop the condition of road surfaces across the UK from deteriorating any further. Commenting on the decision, www.potholes.co.uk spokesperson, Amanda Allen, said that the new treatment will merely avoid things getting any worse, rather than making things better.On roads where damage already exists, a preservative is not going to make any difference, she explained.This new product will be great for safeguarding undamaged roads against falling into disrepair, but the government has a 10-year backlog of repairs to catch up on and the patch and mend mentality which currently exists as far as highway maintenance is concerned still needs to be changed. A recent report on highway maintenance and repair revealed that £33 million was spent on filling 589,000 potholes in the last 12 months - motorists however paid out an estimated average of £320 on repairs to vehicles damaged by poor roads.

New RoSPA website targets driver behaviour

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched a new website in a bid to make Britains roads safer. The RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders website, http://www.roadar.org , not only provides information for existing advanced motorists, but also includes advice for all road users on safer driving and riding techniques. The website has a special area dedicated to young drivers and information on how becoming a member of a local RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders group - and taking an advanced test - can help road users to stay safe. RoSPA head of road safety, Kevin Clinton, said that in 2005, 3,201 lives were lost on Britains roads and the organisation believes a greater focus on safer driving is the key to reducing this toll. A lot of motorists think they are both safer and more skilful than the average road user, yet the statistics show that human error is a major cause of accidents, he added. RoSPA development officer for Advanced Drivers and Riders, Emma Middleton, said that it is all too easy to develop poor driving or riding habits without realising. For this reason, RoSPA encourages all road users to consider some kind of refresher training.

Higher fuel surcharges for BA passengers

British Airways (BA) passengers are facing another hike in fuel surcharges with the airline adding an extra £5 to the cost of a long-haul flight. The high price of oil has been blamed for the latest rise that will see the surcharge for long-haul flights of up to nine hours increase from £33 to £38 one-way, or from £66 to £76 return. Flights longer than nine hours will cost an additional £43 one-way and £86 return, up from £38 and £76 respectively. The short-haul fuel surcharge remains at £8 per flight. However, the airline says it continues to comply with Office of Fair Trading (OFT) requirements to display fares inclusive of all tax and charges. The surcharge is shown as a component of the fare, but included in the total price at all times. BA commercial director, Robert Boyle, is reported as saying that the cost of fuel has risen significantly again in recent weeks and the airline has little choice but to pass on some of this extra cost to passengers. We expect our fuel bill this year to be more than £2 billion, he added. BA recently announced a profit of £611 million for the year to the end of March.

Welsh not banned says Thomas Cook

Welsh-speaking customers can still use their native tongue when booking a holiday at Thomas Cook stores. The company has faced a storm of protest after it was revealed that staff had been ordered not to use any language other than English when conducting business conversations. Reports that it had banned staff in its store in Bangor, from talking Welsh resulted in an outcry from human rights groups and pro-Welsh organisations. Now the company has issued a statement to clarify its position and denies banning the use of Welsh, or any other language, in any of its UK stores. The company said it has always requested that staff, regardless of any geographical location, speak English to other staff members when discussing work-related matters. This is to ensure clear communication at all times as English is the common language spoken for all its UK employees and it is also respectful to team members who do not speak other languages. The company goes on to state that it was more than happy for staff to have non-business related conversations with their colleagues in any language and that, in the example of Wales, customers were very welcome to talk Welsh to its staff.

Government steps in on Jaguar and Land Rover sale

The UK government has been in urgent talks with global car manufacturer Ford over the possible sale of the company’s iconic Jaguar and Land Rover brands. A spokesman for the Prime Minister is reported as saying that the government was in touch with Ford after reports that the US car maker was reviewing the future of the two brands. Tony Blair’s spokesman said the PM believes Land Rover and Jaguar are highly successful companies and will have highly successful futures. Union leaders have also voiced concerns about a possible sale. Dave Osborne, national officer of the Unite union, said its prime concern was the job security of around 19,000 workers employed by Jaguar and Land Rover at sites in Coventry, Birmingham, Warwickshire and Liverpool. Reports suggest that Ford – which has been selling assets in a bid to offset falling sales and profits - has hired investment banks to explore options including the sale of the two luxury car makers. Earlier this year, Ford sold Aston Martin to a private consortium and a number of similar private equity firms have expressed an interest in Jaguar and Land Rover. No rival car manufacturers have so far shown any interest in taking over the two iconic British brands.

Ferrari owners set new record

Ferrari owners in the UK have set a new world record to help celebrate the Italian supercar manufacturer’s 60th birthday. The Guinness Book of Records has recognised a special gathering of old and new cars at the Silverstone race circuit as the largest ever parade of Ferraris. The company asked the Ferrari Owners Club GB, which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary, to help set the record. Their combined efforts resulted in a total of 385 cars racing around the historic track – which is more than three times the previous record. The club’s secretary, Peter Everingham, said he was proud to have been asked by Ferrari to help set a new Guinness World Record. What our members achieved on the Clubs 40th Anniversary is quite remarkable, he said. We have so many enthusiastic owners, and I want to thank them for their support as we couldn't have achieved this without them, he added. The Guinness rules state that all the cars in a parade must travel over a minimum of two miles, with no more than two lengths between cars. At the head of the parade was Bruno Senna - nephew of the late F1 legend Ayrton Senna - at the wheel of a 599 GTB Fiorano.

Volvo launches guide to child safety

Volvo has produced an online guide aimed at keeping children safe in cars – regardless of the make and model of the vehicle in which they are travelling. The guide is based on 40 years of research by the Swedish car maker and advocates the use of rear facing seats for all children under the age of four years. Children and babies are not small versions of adults – and they need special restraints designed for their developing anatomies, says Volvo. Relative to the body, a child’s head is large and heavy. This oversized head – in combination with developing neck vertebrae, muscles and ligaments – is a child’s weak point and is prone to injury in crashes. When travelling in a rear-facing seat, crash forces are spread over the back and head, which reduces the load on the neck and greatly decreases the chance of severe neck and spinal injury. According to Volvo’s research, a forward facing child seat provides around 80% better protection than if no child restraints are used, whereas a child in a rear-facing seat is approximately 90% less likely to be seriously injured in an accident. At www.volvocars.co.uk/childsafety, mums-to-be can also find advice on protecting their unborn baby when travelling by car.

More police patrols needed to stop drink-driving

A leading motoring organisation claims that seasonal campaigns have failed to stop young motorists from drinking and driving. GEM Motoring Assist (GEM), formerly the Guild of Experienced Motorists, is now calling for more police patrols and a cut in the drink-driving limit. It says the limit should be reduced from the current 80mg to 50mg and enforced by more police out on the country’s roads. Figures due to be released by the Home Office are expected to show that a growing number of young drivers aged 17 to 24-year-olds are drinking and driving. Commenting on the figures, GEM chief executive, David Williams, said that more than 300 people were drink-driving every day in December 2006 and this shows that too many motorists are just ignoring the safety messages carried in the seasonal campaign. An increasing number of drivers seem to think that they can get away with having one for the road but a reduction in the limit would make these cavalier drivers think again. GEM says the last big spending multi-media campaign that was aimed at stopping people drinking and driving failed in its mission, particularly as far as young drivers are concerned.

Major investment in London City Airport

London City Airport is set to benefit from nearly £20 million of investment to fund the largest building project in the airport’s history. The construction of additional aircraft parking stands represents the first major capital programme under new owners AIG and GIP, who took control of the airport in December 2006. Builders Carillion have won the contract to construct a 20,000sqm concrete platform, supported by piles and built over the King George V dock to the east of the existing terminal. When complete, it will provide four aircraft stands, bringing the total up to 18. In addition, a sound screen will be incorporated into the platform to minimise any effect of aircraft operations on neighbouring houses. Construction is expected to start in June, and the new stands will be in service during the summer of 2008. London City CEO, Richard Gooding, is reported as saying that the airport’s new shareholders said at the outset that they had faith in the growth and development of the airport. This contract shows that they are willing to invest more to bring the growth forward. He went on to reveal the airport is targeting 2.8 million passengers this year and three million for 2008.

Fines up but speeding down

Drivers in London are paying out more in fines than ever before - despite a fall in the number of speeding offences. Research by National Car Rental has revealed a massive 96.8% increase in fines incurred for traffic offences in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period last year. The company has based its research on an analysis of fines incurred by drivers of its vehicles and says the increase is down to a renewed focus on road rules by Transport for London (TFL) and local authorities in the capital. Traffic offence fines are not the only area to see an increase in 2007. While fines for failing to pay the congestion charge decreased year-on-year, in March 2007 the number of fines jumped by more than 50% compared with the previous month. This suggests that the extension of the charging zone caught a lot of drivers off-guard. More welcome news is that speeding fines have fallen year-on-year by nine per cent and February saw the lowest number incurred by National Car Rental customers since March 2003. The company’s vice president UK operations, Ron Santiago, said the figures for offences such as using restricted routes, failing to stop at red lights or for a police car and dangerous driving were a definite cause for concern.

Airport hits back following poor security claims

Birmingham International Airport has hit back at claims in a television news programme that its passengers are vulnerable to terrorist attack as a result of lax security. Undercover reporters filmed staff at the airport allowing bags and passengers through unchecked and failing to guard a US-bound Continental flight. The staff worked for a private security company and were also filmed sleeping on the job and dealing drugs. A catalogue of failures included the absence of a guard on the ramp of the Continental Airlines flight to check the authorisation of cleaners, baggage handlers and other staff around the aircraft. Chris Yates, a security expert is reported as saying the failings described in the report gave a terrorist an even chance of getting an explosive device on to an aircraft. Following the broadcast of the story, several US Senators called for all transatlantic flights from Birmingham to be suspended. In a statement, the airport said that all passengers are screened by the airport’s own security processes and these were not criticised by the programme.

Aircraft doors shut on late passengers

A leading charter airline is shutting its doors on passengers who leave it until the very last minute before boarding their plane. Thomas Cook Airlines says that one in five flights are delayed as a result of late passengers and it now plans to close aircraft doors ten minutes before the scheduled departure time. As a result, it is urging its passengers to take into account increased security measures which may lengthen check in times and to plan well in advance. Passengers are being asked to follow an early bird code by getting to the airport two hours before departure, or three for long haul flights. It is also advising travellers to go straight to security to beat the queues and ensure that its aircraft don’t lose their departure slots. Thomas Cook Airlines managing director, Glen Chipp, is reported as saying that with more complex security measures, passengers really do need to play their part in getting the aircraft away on time. Passengers should be aiming to be at their departure gate at least 45 minutes before their flight is due to leave. The key message is aim to be early, not just on time, he added.

Transatlantic flights for $10 – but not just yet!

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary says he hopes to launch a transatlantic airline with fairs as low as $10 when he eventually stands down as chief executive of Europe’s most successful low-cost carrier. O’Leary has admitted that he has already talked to aircraft manufacturer Boeing about buying a fleet of long haul planes but his ambitious plans will have to wait. Prices are too high at the moment because the aircraft manufacturers’ order books are full, he explained. If there is a downturn in the industry we could acquire a fleet of long-haul aircraft and offer $10 fares, O’Leary is reported as saying. He said he is talking to Boeing and could get it off the ground as he has been inundated with offers from airports that want him to do it. But, he said it is too early and there are no cheap long-haul aircraft available. He goes on to say that he would operate services from six to eight points in Europe and six to eight in the US, with both no frills seats and a business-class cabin to rival that of Virgin Atlantic. But I would have to be gone from Ryanair or it would be a distraction, O’Leary continued. The ruthless, cost discipline would be dissipated. No one has ever run a successful short-haul operation with successful long-haul. It just does not work, he added.

Convertible cars retaining their value

Recent warm weather has boosted the residual value of convertible cars according to industry experts. Values increased by five per cent during May with EurotaxGlass’s reporting that volume brand drop-tops are retaining a far greater proportion of their value than some prestige brand models. While the Ferrari F430 Spider is the exception by holding onto its value better than any other convertible on sale in the UK, the rather more humble Volkswagen Eos has achieved a 94% retained value in its 2.0 TDI Sport. EurotaxGlass’s senior car editor, Jeff Paterson, said that this analysis offers some stark examples of how changing patterns of supply and demand are challenging the market’s preconceptions of which cars hold their value best. Few would expect convertibles such as the Vauxhall Astra Twin Top and Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet to boast residual values stronger than those of a BMW Z4, he said. Below the Volkswagen Eos, in joint third spot, are the Porsche Boxster S and Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG. EurotaxGlass’s says the convertible market continues to be affected by seasonal peaks and troughs – values fall at a more pronounced rate than the rest of the used car market in autumn and winter, then rise in spring when conventional cars continue to fall in value.

One in eight motorists skip servicing

Millions of motorists are on a collision course with a huge repair bill after new research reveals that one in eight car owners are failing to get their car serviced on a regular basis. Worse still, two per cent of motorists never service their car according to a survey by Kwik-Fit. Of those motorists that service their cars irregularly – eight per cent only service their car when they feel it needs it, four per cent do so when they can afford to it and one per cent service their cars only when they remember to. David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit explained that while MOTs check a car’s roadworthiness once a year, regular maintenance and servicing is just as important. Servicing helps to keep a car in good, safe, running order and minimises the chances of developing problems that could be both costly and inconvenient to repair, he said. Spending a hundred pounds or so on a service can often avoid huge bills later on – that’s why it’s called proactive maintenance, he added. Fortunately most motorists are more organised. More than 40% follow the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals and 36% service their cars on an annual basis - of those four per cent service their cars every 12,000 miles and three per cent do it bi-annually.

Presenter joins campaign for hard shoulder safety

A well-known television presenter and motoring journalist is fronting a new safety campaign to remind drivers that the motorway hard shoulder is for emergencies only. Quentin Willson is appearing in a new information film entitled Stay Safe, Keep Moving, launched by the Highways Agency to drive home the hard shoulder safety message. According to the agency, hard shoulder accidents have claimed the lives of 67 people in the five years to 2004 and a further 950 people were injured. But, drivers still put themselves at risk by pulling over for non-emergencies such as phone calls, checking the map or even taking a toilet break. As part of the campaign, Willson went out on patrol with Highways Agency Traffic Officers to find out about some of the high-risk behaviour they see on the motorways - including a vehicle that stopped to release racing pigeons from the hard shoulder and people stopping to swap Christmas presents. Willson said that every day people put their lives at risk on the hard shoulder, where they are just inches away from high speed traffic. I was amazed at some of the stories I heard from the traffic officers, he said, and I cannot stress too strongly that the hard shoulder is for people to use only in a real emergency.

Farmers say sorry to calm frustrated motorists

Farmers in Scotland are hoping to cut the number of fatal traffic accidents by apologising for causing delays on rural roads. NFU Scotland believes that some motorists become so frustrated when stuck behind a tractor, or other farm vehicle, they risk a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre. To calm tempers, agricultural vehicles north of the border will now carry a new trailer sticker that reads: "Sorry for the delay. Farmgate to dinner plate - good food comes to those who wait." The move follows recent figures from Scotlands police forces that show as many as 70% of road deaths result from accidents in rural areas. NFU Scotland hopes the apology to motorists for any delays caused by slow farm vehicles on public roads will ease their frustration and prevent accidents by reminding them they are providing food. NFU Scotland spokeswoman, Anna Davies, said that the organisation was keen to do all it can to help prevent some of these needless rural deaths. By helping to allay some of the frustration caused by slow-moving vehicles we may be able to prevent some of the accidents, she explained. We are also asking all farmers and farm workers to take extra care to pull over and allow motorists to overtake, added Davies.

Hood down hazards forecast for this summer’s scorcher

Going topless could leave you without adequate motor insurance cover warns Swinton. With forecasters promising another summer scorcher, sales of convertible cars are going through the roof with 4% of new cars now able to go topless compared to just 1% ten years ago*. But the desire to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face has its drawbacks, according to the UK’s leading high street insurance retailer, Swinton. According to the Met Office temperatures are set to soar once again this summer but not quite yet. The hot weather during April was short-lived and forecasts for May are pretty changeable with showery, wet and windy weather. Car interiors, sat-nav systems and stereos can be seriously damaged if convertible cars are caught short in a shower with the roof down. Swinton’s motor insurance team is advising people with convertibles to think twice before going topless if there’s any chance of rain. Some policies do not cover damage caused when a car has been left unattended with its roof down. Chris Collings, Swinton’s Insurer Development Director said: “Convertible car drivers should take heed – don’t get caught short with your roof down. At this time of year the British weather can’t be trusted, one minute it can be bright warm sunshine and the next it’s pouring down.” Likewise as the weather does heat up over the coming months, inexperienced convertible drivers need to adopt a rigorous security regime to ensure that valuables aren’t easy pickings for opportunist thieves if the car is left with the roof down. Theft claims are often void if the car has been left unattended with the roof down because it is deemed as not being left in a secure condition, even if there is an alarm fitted with sensors. Chris Collings said: “Convertible car drivers need to be aware that they are taking a risk if they leave their car with the roof down. People need to be vigilant when driving and leaving convertibles parked with the roof down - always put items such as handbags and shopping in a locked boot.”

Road pricing schemes closer to getting the green light

The government is pushing ahead with plans to introduce road pricing schemes across the UK, despite more than two million people signing an online petition opposing the proposals. Although it says there are no plans for a national scheme, a draft bill has been published that updates the rules for local authorities that want to set up trial projects. The draft Local Transport Bill will give councils more flexibility to match road pricing schemes to local conditions, while ensuring they remain compatible with schemes in other areas. The draft bill also addresses bus services, with local authorities given the opportunity to insist private operators run certain routes. In return, councils will have to provide the appropriate bus lanes. A government spokesman is reported as saying that, despite the publication of the draft bill, no decision has been made on a national scheme and the government was waiting to see the results of the pilot schemes. There would also be a three-month consultation period for those for and against road pricing to have their say before a final bill is drawn up, according to the spokesman. Realistically, a national scheme is at least a decade away but 10 local authorities have expressed an interest in developing smaller-scale charging systems in their areas. These could be up and running within five years.

BA sets aside millions to cover fines

British Airways has set aside £350m to cover possible fines and legal costs after apparently breaking competition laws when setting fuel surcharges. This latest revelation is another setback for the carrier which has seen operating profits slump by 13% to £602 million following a series of incidents over the past 12 months. Thousands of flights were cancelled after a terror threat in August, with many more hit by fog at Christmas. Only last-gasp talks with unions managed to stop a proposed cabin crew strike going ahead - but not before thousands of passengers had cancelled reservations. Charges of price-fixing look set to cause most damage however. The UK Office of Fair Trading, the European Commission and the US Department of Justice have been investigating alleged fixing of fuel surcharges for almost a year. If found guilty of operating a price-fixing or market-sharing cartel, an airline can expect to be fined as much as 10% of its worldwide sales - and criminal action could also result. The £350m provision was the ‘best estimate’ of the amount needed to settle all claims BA is reported as saying, adding that there was uncertainty about the final bill.

Boozy Brits no longer the worst tourists

Boozy Britons no longer make for the world’s worst tourists according to a league table produced by an online holiday company. In the latest Best Tourist League, published by Expedia, the dubious honour is now held by the French. In fact, British tourists are now rated the fifth worst but are still noted abroad for their poor tipping, bad behaviour, poor dress sense, untidiness and noisy nature. Overseas though, they are no match for French tourists and their unwillingness to speak local languages, tight-fistedness and impoliteness. However, British hoteliers were in no doubt that their countrymen still made the worst guests. Expedia.co.uk’s managing director, Caroline Cartellieri, said that she was disappointed to learn that Britain’s position in the world rankings hasn’t really changed much and that foreign hoteliers still perceive Britons as noisy, untidy and badly dressed. Japanese tourists were the guests most of the 15,000 hoteliers polled in the survey would like to entertain most, followed by Americans and Swiss.

Brits choose to cruise

Cruise holidays are becoming more popular than ever before, with an estimated 1.5 million holidaymakers taking to the high seas by 2008. According to figures released by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), the UK cruise market showed the biggest growth rate in Europe and, with Brits taking longer cruises than in 2005, there was a 19% increase in the overall number of cruise nights booked. PSA director, Bill Gibbons, said the trend should continue to increase with more, and larger, ships coming into service. The latest statistics reveal that in 2006, 1.2m Brits took an ocean cruise – 12% more than the 1.07m who cruised in 2005 and double the number that took cruise holidays just a decade ago. The Mediterranean was by far the most popular cruise destination for British holidaymakers in 2006, accounting for well over a third of the market. This year the PSA has also conducted research into why people choose to cruise and what they look for when booking a holiday afloat. The results were not altogether surprising, said Gibbons. The most important factors for an enjoyable cruise are good food and drink, the itinerary, the standard of accommodation and then value for money and price. Good private and public facilities are also important, as is the range and quality of entertainment available on board, he added.

Warning for DIY holidaymakers

Do it yourself holidaymakers risk loosing out if a company they are dealing with goes bust, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The organisation estimates that around 18 million consumers book their flights and accommodation separately but 35% of them believe they will be protected if their airline, hotel or car hire company ceases trading. Following research carried out at travel shows in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, the consumer protection group of the CAA - which oversees the Air Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) system – has found that people will lose their money and could be stranded abroad if a company supplying any element of a holiday collapses. It also suggested that the survey highlighted the benefits of booking all elements of a holiday with a single ATOL-protected travel company. A CAA spokesman said that anyone building their own holidays using different suppliers should be aware they will not be protected against insolvency The authority is urging consumers booking DIY holidays to make their own financial protection measures such as buying with a credit card or taking out adequate insurance. However, credit card protection is limited and many standard travel policies do not cover a supplier’s insolvency. Moreover, card companies will only indemnify amounts above £100 per item.

Swinton setting New Standard for Penalty Pointed Drivers

Drivers with six points or more on their licence looking for motor insurance could soon be viewed as ‘standard’ rather than ‘non-standard’ says Swinton, the UK’s largest high street motor insurance broker. Pointed drivers are no longer automatically penalised at Swinton as a result of the increase in the number of motorists now saddled with penalty points. And the move reflects a change in attitude by the motor insurance industry as the estimated number of pointed motorists tops 6 million*. With the 6,000 speed cameras on our roads already catching over 2 million speeders each year, and driving whilst using a mobile phone now costing the driver three points, an unblemished licence is becoming rare. Swinton announced it had seen a 12% increase in the number of drivers with points looking for cheaper motor insurance during 2006 - and as a result has set up a dedicated unit to deal with this rising demand. Swinton Specialist was launched earlier this year for drivers of imported, modified and high performance motors. The division is now also handling drivers with penalty points, and is already experiencing a high volume of calls. Neil Ackinclose, head of Swinton Specialist Motor insurance, explained: “Over the last few years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of drivers with penalty points requesting insurance. A few years ago insurers might have assumed that a motorist with six or more points on their licence was a reckless driver, but that is no longer necessarily the case. “A 2006 YouGov survey estimated that 16% of drivers now have points on their license. As that figure continues to grow - with some estimating the actual number of pointed drivers to be in the region of 10 million - insurance providers are having to accept that points alone can no longer be used as a yardstick for driver evaluation. “Here at Swinton we have set up Swinton Specialist - a dedicated unit to deal with non-standard motor insurance - where drivers with any number of points are treated as individuals. We look at full driving history and aim to find a value policy to suit each car owner, whatever the vehicle.” Any driver interested in talking to Swinton Specialist should call 0800 781 8400

Used car prices up again

The cost of buying a used car has risen for the third successive quarter, with the average price of luxury models rising by a hefty £1,000 to £11,933. Prices of second-hand MPVs also rose by around £900 to an average of £7,335 and 4x4s by £665 to £11,514 - according to the latest Manheim Market Analysis Report. It also shows that cars in the medium family sector were up by £237 to £5,833 and large family vehicles increased in price by £439 to £5,878. The report goes on to reveal that average values for all used cars rose by 7.5 per cent to £6,643 in the first quarter of 2007 - the highest average selling price recorded by Manheim since its Market Analysis report was launched in 2004. Most notably, this rise in values is set against a very buoyant 2006 market which did not see the traditional dip in used car prices at the end of the year. As Manheim’s group communications director, Rob Barr explains, the used market was very strong throughout last year against a weaker new car market and it continues to strengthen against improved new car sales in 2007.

Brake calls for action over road death figures

A national road safety charity is calling for action from the government after new figures released by the Department for Transport show little reduction in the number of people killed on Britain’s roads. The provisional 2006 statistics reveal that the number of deaths and serious injuries only decreased by two per cent from the previous year and the number of fatal crashes increased marginally. In 2006, 3,150 people were killed and 28,390 were seriously injured, compared to 3,201 deaths and 28,954 serious injuries in 2005. The number of fatal crashes increased from 2,913 in 2005 to 2,920 in 2006. According to Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, road deaths have barely fallen over the past decade. She said it’s a disgrace that there are still nine deaths on our roads every day and alarming that these deaths have not fallen significantly in recent years. Deaths among cyclists are actually on the increase and while there are still speeding drivers and people drunk, drugged or unlicensed behind the wheel, we will continue to see appalling carnage on our roads. She goes on to argue that the government must wake up to the urgent need for off-road cycle paths, compulsory 20mph limits around homes and schools and an increased and on-going crackdown on law-breaking and dangerous drivers.

Cash windfall for road safety schemes

Road safety schemes across the UK are set to benefit from a £4 million windfall. The money will be shared between 25 local highway authorities and their partners. The cash will be used to support innovative schemes that take a partnership approach to cutting the number of accidents on Britain’s roads. The Road Safety Partnership Grant Scheme was announced by Road Safety Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman who said he recognised the importance of community support when it came to the success of such projects. He said road safety is an area where local projects can, and do, work extremely well and I am committed to encouraging communities to try and improve their road safety records. This new grant is designed to bring together a range of partners to develop innovative local schemes for that very reason. These schemes intend to tackle a range of issues - from seat belt use to improving the safety of child pedestrians; from tackling motorcycle safety to working with young drivers or those that drive for work. All of these issues are areas that we are concentrating on nationally, as laid out in our second Three Year Review of Road Safety, he added.

Motorists unaware of tyre risks

Almost three quarters of UK motorists believe they are driving around safely, when millions are in fact ‘dangerously unaware’ that they are putting their lives at risk. New research has revealed that 74.7% of drivers believe they have never driven on a tyre which is even slightly unsafe, yet just a third of those questioned know what the legal minimum tread depth of their tyres actually is. The survey by Bridgestone UK also revealed that nearly six out of ten motorists checked their tyre pressures in the last month but just 35% actually know what they should be checking. The company has joined forces with the RAC Foundation and FIA Foundation to promote the Think Before You Drive campaign for the third year, encouraging all drivers to check their tyres in an effort to reduce accidents. Bridgestone UK managing director, John McNaught, said the company has found that only 6.5% of vehicles had all four tyres correctly inflated, with at least one in eight cars having at least one tyre significantly under-inflated. Checking tyre pressures and tread depths regularly should be something we all do but, at best, half of the people on the road are mistaken about the safety of their vehicles. At worst, many are dangerously unaware that they’re putting themselves and their passengers in danger, he added.

£70m investment boost for Leeds airport

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) looks set to benefit from a £70 million investment programme to meet increasing demand. The planned investment follows news that the airport has been sold by the five West Yorkshire councils to European private equity firm Bridgepoint for more than £145 million. Commenting on the successful acquisition of the airport, Sir Graham Hall, who will now become chairman of LBIA, said that work can now begin on taking the airport up a league in every sense. He said that LBIA is a key asset to the region and he wanted to build on its recent success and consolidate its role as the dominant international airport serving Yorkshire and Humberside. Adrian Williams, a director at Bridgepoint added that the company has a clear vision for the future success of LBIA, a future that will deliver benefits for everyone who uses it. In coming years, users of the airport can look forward to a wide range of improvements to the airport’s infrastructure as the new owners look to develop retail, food and drink facilities. The investment will also help to develop a new route network with more destinations and more frequent flights. Altogether, Bridgepoint hopes to double passenger capacity at the airport to seven million by 2015.

Superminis drive new car sales

The popularity of superminis is helping to drive new car sales according to figures released by the motor industry trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Whilst the Ford Focus remained the top selling model in the UK in April and over the year-to-date, it was the supermini market that showed the best growth in the month. Supermini registrations rose 11.3% in April and were up 7.5% over the year-to-date. Their volumes have grown by 19,906 units over the first four months of 2007. The SMMT has also revealed that April saw sales of new cars rise by 6,947 on the same month last year - with total sales for the month at 170,163. April has provided yet another boost to new car registrations, continuing the better than expected trend during the first quarter of 2007, said Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of SMMT. Supermini growth has helped to achieve this and private demand rose too with new models and attractive offers enticing motorists into showrooms. However, heightened speculation that further interest rate rises are on the horizon may tame this performance, he warned. As a result, the SMMT has revised its full year forecast up to 2.335 million units although this still suggests a modest fall during 2007.

Diesel the most popular engine choice

Diesel looks set to overtake petrol as the first choice of new car buyers according to research carried out by a popular consumer magazine. An online survey carried out by What Car? revealed that petrol-engined vehicles have fallen out of favour with car buyers and the majority of people are opting for diesel-run motors. An increasing number of motorists are also planning to buy alternative-fuelled cars. Figures provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) say that sales of diesel cars make up almost 40% of the new car market. However, this latest research found that 62% of respondents will choose a diesel car and only 28% will purchase a petrol vehicle when they next replace their motor. About one in ten of the total respondents will opt for greener forms of power and of these 60% said their next car will be a hybrid while 40% said they will consider bioethanol. What Car? editor Steve Fowler said he believed the shift was down to improvements in engine technology and manufacturers providing more choice for consumers. Many years ago diesel engines were thought to be dirty, noisy and smelly - the opposite is true in the marketplace today. The latest diesel engines are economical, quiet and environmentally friendly and are highly sought-after in showrooms, added Fowler.

Website looks into potholes

A new website about potholes has been launched because its creators think that motorists are being short-changed as billions of pounds of the public purse are not being spent fairly. According to Amanda Allen, a spokesperson for Potholes.co.uk, the monitoring of roads and the time it takes to repair them is something of a postcode lottery. She explained that a dangerous and damaging pothole could go unreported for weeks or months because of random methods of inspection and, once one is reported, the criteria used to assess whether it is dangerous enough to repair differs between councils. With an estimated one in five suspension failures linked to poor road surfaces, Potholes.co.uk questioned a selection of councils across the UK about their approach to dealing with potholes in their areas and found a muddled and inconsistent strategy for targeting defects. In most areas, any road defect deeper than 20mm can be safely classified as a pothole. However, Lincolnshire and Devonshire County Councils take a somewhat more relaxed approach, with defects needing to reach 50mm and 40mm deep respectively before they are given immediate attention. Potholes.co.uk is a new online resource to inform UK drivers of their rights when it comes to potholes and provides a useful database of council contacts, with advice about how to make a claim if cars are damaged due to road defects.

Disney helps US to offer a warmer welcome

Border officials in the US are calling on Disney for help with the development of new security measures at airports around the country. Mickey Mouse himself won’t be on hand to personally welcome visitors to the States but theme park officials are offering advice on dealing with queues and tips on being friendly. The move follows the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that thorough fingerprinting will be carried out on incoming tourists. A pilot scheme this autumn will digitally scan all 10 fingerprints of tourists on arrival in 10 US airports. Alongside these plans, a new tax will be introduced on inbound travellers to overhaul the visa system and improve immigration facilities to make the country more welcoming. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman James Rasulo explained that his company was offering help because it is in the business of dealing with big queues and was working on dispelling the notion that friendliness does not necessarily mean a lack of security. The work is being co-ordinated through the Discover America Partnership to address concerns that checks are putting visitors off travelling to the US. Transport Industry Association president and chief executive, Roger Dow, added that the industry must halt the USs slide in market share of international tourism, down from 7.5 per cent in 2000 to 6.1 per cent last year.

Middle East expansion for Marriott

Luxury hotel chain Marriott International is to more than double the number of rooms it offers to visitors to the Middle East. Over the next 36 months, the company is planning to open 16 new hotels in the region offering 3,515 rooms. The additions build on Marriott’s pledge at the 2006 Arabian Travel Market to increase its Middle East room supply by more the 250% over five years. Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott explained that Middle East tourism is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. Marriott intends to share in this growth by offering a wide range of hotel choices for luxury, deluxe, upper moderate and extended stay travellers. The Middle East growth is part of Marriott International’s global strategy to increase its hotel portfolio by 85,000 to 100,000 rooms over the next three years with nearly 30% of this growth coming from outside the US and Canada. Half of Marriott International’s new Middle Eastern hotel openings will be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and, in 2009, the company plans to open and manage eight hotels in the UAE and make its entry into the Emirates of Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah.

Spy satellites to track motorists within 10 years

Satellite spies could be integrated with roadside cameras to track the movements of motorists within a decade according to a group of scientists. Phil Blythe, professor of Intelligent Transport Systems at Newcastle University, has said that the technology is already available and has been tried and tested in various countries including Australia and Brazil. If the government goes ahead with plans to introduce road charging schemes, a national rollout of satellite tracking could take as little as 10 years to implement, continued Professor Blythe, who also heads a panel of transport experts from the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He went on to say that he did not see many other options available for managing the UK’s transport system and monitoring would be via a combination of static cameras to capture licence plate details; electronic tags in vehicles that would be read by roadside monitoring stations; and global positioning system satellites to read on-board transponders. The London congestion charge zone already uses static cameras and will bring in electronic tags from 2010. Cities such as Singapore have been operating electronic tagging for years and Stockholms pilot scheme becomes permanent in July. Extension of existing GPS SatNav technology would also be a simple feat, panel members told a news conference.

Black is back but white still costly

Black is back and could be set to overtake silver as the nation’s favourite car colour. There were 522,000 black cars sold in 2006, which makes it Britains second favourite colour. Although silver is still number one, the volume of models registered in this colour fell by 55,000 over the previous year to 671,000. Experts at EurotaxGlass’s, publishers of Glass’s Guide, say that demand for metallic or even solid black is unprecedented – especially in the premium sector. Buyers are reportedly paying up to £500 more for black on selected used vehicles. Forecourt asking prices for prestige models in black are typically several hundred pounds higher and exceptional retail demand means customers are much less able to negotiate a discount, according the editor of Prestige Car, Richard Crosthwaite. He said lower value prestige brand such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class will typically have premiums of £250 for black paint. On larger models, such as SUVs and large luxury cars such as the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series, buyers can expect to pay £500 extra for black. Despite some reports to the contrary, white is still very detrimental to a prestige brand car’s value, warns Crosthwaite. On most prestige saloons – regardless of size – the penalty is around £1,500 and on SUVs this increases to £2,500.

UK’s LARGEST HIGH STREET INSURANCE NETWORK CONTINUES DRAMATIC GROWTH

In its fiftieth year of trading the UK’s largest high street insurance broker, Swinton, is today announcing record profits and its sixth consecutive year of growth, having doubled the number of policies over the last five years. While many in the financial services sector seek to reduce overheads by sending jobs abroad, Swinton has emerged as one of the biggest brokers in Britain achieving impressive growth through acquisition and organic expansion without the need to use call centres in the sub continent. On the back of their impressive growth in becoming the UK’s biggest broker, Swinton has entered a new phase. Flying in the face of conventional wisdom, a new business model combines the power of the internet with a robust high street presence which is expanding continually thanks to a highly successful acquisition approach. Swinton annual results: Highlights: • Sixth consecutive year of profit growth • Record Profits from Broking Activities ~£37.4m(2005: £29.6m) ~ 26% increase • Increasing Gross Premiums ~£479.9m(2005: £436.8m) ~ 10% increase • Net Income ~£150.7m(2005: £125.4m) ~ 20% increase • Policy Growth ~ +31% to c.2.3m policies Patrick Smith, Chief Executive said: “I am delighted that despite an increasingly competitive market, we have been able to demonstrate the value of our high street proposition. We have now recorded our sixth straight year of growth, this time achieving a tremendous improvement in profitability and also record numbers of customers and policies. “We have improved our position by successfully acquiring and integrating the Budget Retail shops which are already making a positive contribution to our results.” The acquisition of the Budget Retail branches cements the businesses’ position as the leading UK high street insurance broker. Swinton now has 450 branches and over three times the coverage of its nearest competitor. The acquired branches have performed strongly since acquisition and have been fully integrated into the business. In addition to Swinton’s major acquisitions, the company is continuing its acquisition drive and actively seeking small high street brokers. Over the last 12 months Swinton has taken over more than 40 brokers and this trend is set to accelerate in the future. All of the branches purchased have been kept open – confirmation of Swinton’s commitment to a strong high street presence. Swinton is keen to encompass commercial acquisitions into its expanding portfolio. This direction has been confirmed with the purchase this month of its first major commercial enterprise, Vectis Insurance Services Ltd. The successes of the last six years have been down to a combination of organic growth and acquisition. This growth on the high street is now supported by Swinton’s new online operations and demonstrates the company’s ‘clicks and bricks’ approach. The recently revamped and re-launched website has been named the best performing company website in the insurance industry*. Moving forward, Swinton’s new business model encompasses three internet brands – Swinton itself, Its4me and Bullseyeinsurance.co.uk. All three services are expanding rapidly with over 20,000 policies sold in April alone and new products and services planned for the next few months. The merger of Its4me was completed at the year end and so does not contribute to profits in 2006. However the purchase provides a significant number of additional customers and an established platform on which Swinton can build during 2007. Patrick commented: “The needs of customers will be best served in the future by a multi channel capability. Customers want to choose how they buy insurance and in a similar way to other retail models it is essential that we are able to allow customers the freedom to choose the channel that best suits them. Recently many parts of the industry have focussed on driving customers into e-commerce for the benefits of cost efficiencies. “Companies who solely rely on internet sales won’t be able to hold onto their customers. We believe that e-commerce provides sales convenience to the customer but there are also a large number who are convinced of the Swinton model because we also operate on a local basis with expert local staff. We need to give customers the best of both worlds because you need a personal approach if you’re going to build brand loyalty.” The business has also continued to develop its niche businesses observing growth in all areas, in particular showing significant development of its commercial insurance unit growing premiums by 77% and policies by 66% during the year. A high premium specialist business division has been re-launched with a new senior team based at Swinton’s Manchester head office. In 2007 Swinton will continue to look for acquisition opportunities to enhance growth but is extremely confident that the multi channel approach it has developed means it can also continue to grow organically.

Young flyers to join BA advisory board

British Airways has become the first airline to invite young travellers to join an advisory board that will help shape the carrier’s brand and services. In total, 12 eight to 14 year olds will make up the British Airways Kids’ Council that will help the airline to develop its image and services in line with young people’s thinking. They will come from countries across the globe and be chosen by a panel of marketing and brand experts. According to Tiffany Hall, British Airways’ head of marketing, the airline flies more unaccompanied minors than any other carrier and has seen an increase in the number of young people flying in recent years. She said that British Airways takes them seriously as a consumer group in their own right and forming the Kids’ Council will help the airline shape its service to them. We also know that children have great imaginations that are free from constraints, so can provide valuable insights and creative ideas, added Tiffany. Children aged between eight and 14 are now being encouraged to email or write to BA with their views and suggestions on the services the airline offers them.

Virgin opts for Dreamliner

Sir Richard Branson is going green and announced that, in addition to ordering 15 new ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft from Boeing, his Virgin Atlantic airline is going into partnership with them on biofuel research. The new twin-engined 787 aircraft ordered by Virgin Atlantic are lighter, quieter and more fuel-efficient than aircraft currently in operation. Boeing has already received orders from Monarch and First Choice for the 787 and Virgin has opted for the ultra long-range -9 version of the aircraft. They will serve routes to Perth and Hawaii and Virgin expects to take delivery of the aircraft from 2011. No decision has yet been made on engines for the new aircraft although Rolls-Royce and GE are the two front runners. The order marks the first time that Virgin has ordered a twin-engined aircraft, with the Virgin chairman saying that modern twins were the way of the future being very reliable, extremely efficient and quiet. In addition to ordering the new planes from Boeing, Virgin Atlantic will be working with the US aircraft manufacturer on a joint biofuel demonstration aimed at developing sustainable fuel resources suitable for commercial jet engines and the aviation industry. The demonstration is scheduled for 2008 using a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 explained Virgin Atlantic chief executive officer, Steve Ridgeway.

Cruise ship record for UK port

A UK port is celebrating the busiest ten days in its cruise passenger history – a new record which reflects the growing popularity of holidays on the high seas. The Queen Mary 2 and P&O’s Oriana sailed into Southampton this week where they joined Liberty of the Seas, the world’s joint largest passenger ship. Earlier this week the port was the setting for the naming of another cruise ship, Ocean Village Two which has now set sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton to Palma. Altogether, the gross tonnage of the ships in port is currently is 445,863 tonnes - double that of 50 years ago during the so-called ‘golden age’ of passenger shipping. In just ten days the port of Southampton has welcomed 23 ships and handled 46 ship movements - this is more than 40% of the entire passenger traffic it received during 1997. Associated British Ports assistant port manager for Southampton, Ray Facey, said that every year the cruise industry in the UK increases in capacity and in popularity and that the last ten days are a testament to how far the cruise market has grown over the last 10 years.

Zoom from Gatwick to New York

Canadian carrier Zoom Airlines has set Thursday, 21st June, as the take off date for its low cost daily flights between Gatwick and New York JFK. However, the airline - which was launched in 2002 and has successfully operated between the UK and Canada since 2004 - has yet to acquire the necessary Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The application for the AOC has been made as Zoom UK - established last year when Bank of Scotland Growth Equity acquired a 7.5 per cent stake in the airline as part of a £5.7m investment. Zoom plans to operate Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the new route and the company says it will offer an easyJet-style booking service and flexible one-way fares but with in-flight meals served in both economy and premium economy cabins. The airline also plans to increase services from the UK to Canada for next winter following an unprecedented level of demand for its low cost scheduled flights. At present Zoom operates from its five UK hubs - Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff - and Paris to eight Canadian destinations including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal.

Headrests for safety – not just comfort

Motorists are being urged to help reduce the risk of serious injury during an accident by checking the position of headrests in their car before setting off on a journey. According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, recent research has revealed that just six per cent of drivers check the headrest or even demonstrate they know the correct position. We tend to call them headrests, said a spokesman for the organisation, but they have a proper title – head restraints. The problem with calling them headrests is that it makes them sound like some sort of comfort zone for drivers. But they have an important, if unglamorous, safety role in protecting the driver and passengers from a potentially nasty injury. In the UK the single most common crash is the rear collision and many such accidents result in a neck or spinal injury. The head restraint plays a key role in protecting drivers and their passengers from such injuries, particularly whiplash. The IAM goes on to advise drivers to take a moment before each journey to check that the top of the head restraint is level with the top of their head and remember that too high is as bad as too low.

Protests against MOT overhaul

Plans to overhaul the MOT systems have come under fire from the motor industry which says that the proposals will see hundreds of testing stations close and many motorists forced off the road. At present, cars are first tested after three years and then every year thereafter. Under new government plans, vehicles will be tested for the first time when they are four years old and then every other year. The Retail Motor Federation (RMIF) is now protesting against the changes to the MOT test schedule, which it says could put two-thirds of testing stations under threat. The RMIFs director of independent membership, Ray Holloway, explained that the stations rely heavily on income from the test itself and from the associated servicing and repair work. The move from a 3-1-1 testing programme to a 4-2-2 will mean that many cars will not need to be tested and, with less custom coming through their doors, thousands of MOT testing stations could be forced to shut down. It would mean many thousands of qualified testers would be made redundant as a result. When motorists would need an MOT, they would then be unable to get one performed, which would have a knock-on effect on their ability to tax and insure their vehicles. The industry must continue to fight against 4-2-2 for its own sake, and for the millions of motorists in the UK, added Holloway.

Put your foot down to save fuel

Pressing the pedal to the metal can actually be better for the environment - according to a team of British engineers. Automotive engineering consultancy Axon Automotive claims to have proved that motorists who put press their foot down hard on the accelerator can be more fuel efficient than those who drive more conservatively. Dr Steve Cousins from Axon Automotive is reported as saying that the secret to saving fuel is to accelerate hard until the engine reaches 2000rpm, move up a gear, then put your foot down until you reach 2000rpm again. According to Dr Cousins, internal friction means that the engine works at its most efficient when the accelerator is pressed. It is not all good news for motorists with a heavy right foot however, as the fuel economy benefits do start to diminish above 2000rpm apparently. Research carried out using a Citroën C1 proved Dr Cousins theory to be true. It also showed that adopting Dr Cousins’ driving technique was 8.5 per cent more fuel efficient than the governments eco-safe driving advice. This advice encourages only light pressing of the accelerator pedal. At the recent Sexy Green Car Show at The Eden Project in Cornwall, Axon Automotive encouraged people to drive in the most fuel efficient way by using a new rev-counter which indicates the best time to change car in order to save on fuel.

Simulating the dangers of drink and mobile phones

A new online driving simulator aims to educate drivers about the dangers of drink-driving, speeding and using a mobile phone when behind the wheel of a car. Launched by RoSPA with the support of the Department of Transport, the simulator also demonstrates how speed, weather and other impairments dramatically affect stopping distances and result in crashes and pedestrian deaths. After logging on to www.stoppingdistances.org.uk and starting the simulator, motorists can see how long it takes to stop when a child dashes out from behind a van to retrieve a ball bouncing into the road. They have a driver’s eye view of the road ahead and can set their speed at 5mph intervals between 20 and 45mph to check their stopping distance in normal conditions and then see how they are affected by using a mobile phone, drinking or wet weather. Details are given of their thinking distance, braking distance and overall stopping distance – together with the pedestrian’s likely fate. Duncan Vernon, RoSPA Road Safety Project Officer, said that the organisation hoped that after using the simulator, motorists will have a much clearer idea of how speeding, drink and mobile phones puts all road users in danger.

Motorists avoiding prosecution says radio report

Hundreds of thousands of motorists are avoiding prosecution after being flashed by automated speed and traffic light cameras according to a report for BBC Radio 4. According to research carried out by the BBC, half of drivers get away with it after setting off speed cameras in England. Often the old-style cameras run out of film, but, in London, of the 500,000 drivers that do get snapped each year – around a third cannot be traced. That is sometimes because they are driving foreign vehicles or, more worryingly, vehicles that arent registered with the DVLA. The road safety charity BRAKE is now demanding a full investigation into the report which has revealed that just 42% of the 350,000 notices of prosecution sent out each year lead to a fine or penalty points. Meanwhile the founder of Safe Speed says that the statistics show that the speed camera system is at the heart of a failed policy that is costing real lives. The former head of the Metropolitan traffic police, Kevin Delaney, points out that automated systems like speed cameras rely on information provided by the public, so will only catch people who are basically law abiding and believes that traffic police are needed to catch the problem drivers.

Schumacher joins calls for road safety conference

Seven times F1 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, is joining UK road safety groups in calling for a global conference aimed at reducing road deaths. At the launch of the first ever UN Global Road Safety Week, the RAC Foundation and the Make Roads Safe campaign warned that road deaths are becoming the new disease of the global young and poor. Globally, road crashes are now the leading cause of death for young people aged between 10 and 25 years old and more than a thousand young people are killed on the roads every day according to the World Health Organisation. Even in the UK, which has one of the world’s best road safety records, 70 children are still being killed or seriously injured every week. The warning comes as Michael Schumacher, a member of the Commission for Global Road Safety, joined UK road safety organisations for the launch, in London, of the Make Roads Safe’s global petition, which is calling for a UN conference on global road safety, a demand endorsed in a video statement by Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Schumacher says that road crashes kill on the scale of Malaria or Tuberculosis, yet the international community has not woken up to this horrific waste of life.

Cherished plates made easy

Owning and keeping a cherished number plate could soon become much easier if MPs support proposals for new legislation today. A bill which could simplify the process of buying and keeping a personal number plate, has passed through the all-important committee stage and is now scheduled for its third reading in the House of Commons. If it passes this, the bill - backed by the RMI Cherished Number Dealers Association (CNDA) as well as the government and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - will move to the House of Lords and become one step closer to becoming law. A spokesman for the CNDA said that if it succeeds, consumers and cherished number dealers will get a process that provides more choice and flexibility whilst protecting buyers. Under the current rules, a cherished number can be held on a retention certificate for 12 months pending its assignment to another vehicle. However, the number remains the property of the registered keeper, even after the purchaser has paid for it, until it is assigned. If, after a year, the purchaser has not assigned the number and the registered keeper will not grant an extension - or cannot be contacted - ownership reverts to the keeper. Under the new proposals, the keeper can grant retention rights directly to the purchaser.

Wrong optional extras could cost

Motorists should take more care with the optional extras they fit to their new car or risk losing thousands of pounds when they come to sell it. The warning follows a survey of around 100 leading used car buyers conducted by Manheim Auctions. The buyers were quizzed on the impact of optional extras on the second hand values of cars in the family, compact executive and executive car sectors. Desirable options, now expected on virtually all types of car include leather, metallic paint and a decent sound system. Satellite Navigation is increasingly sought after and healthy premiums are paid for cars with this as a factory fitted option. Unsurprisingly it’s the luxury cars in the Executive sector that are most sensitive to the right specification. And there is a huge price reduction for having the wrong gear box – the survey revealed that having a manual transmission on larger executive cars can reduce values by as much as £2,500. Used car buyers also said that the wrong colour paint can make a car so unpopular that they would not even bid on it at auction. Commenting on the research, Manheim’s group communications director, Rob Barr, said that the research simply reflects what trade buyers think and they really determine the price of used cars.

Speed penalties could fund accident research

A senior police office is calling for a national accident investigation department to be set up to cut the number of deaths on Britain’s roads. After studying accident investigation techniques in the USA, Inspector Simon Labbett of Sussex Police claims that cars have killed more people than any other invention in the history of mankind. And he says the only way to reduce fatalities on Britain’s roads is for the government to devise a department which investigates crashes to deliver better road safety. According to Inspector Labbett, casualty reduction is tangible and achievable if the causes of the incident are fully understood and then the actual causes pursued and treated. At present there is a lack of interaction between the investigation process and those attempting to deliver road safety, and the UK or even the EU must prioritise the need to develop a national or international road collision investigation board. Inspector Labbett has also called for money to be spent in a more cost effective way, looking to speed to fund the projects. The initial cost of setting up a national collision investigation group should come from safety camera income said Inspector Labett whose research was funded by GEM, formerly known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists.

Bull bars banned by new EU law

New European road safety legislation is being introduced in a bid to cut the number of deaths and serious injury caused by bull bars on some 4x4 vehicles. Estimates suggest that more than 900 UK and 12,000 European pedestrians and cyclists are killed every year and more than 9,000 and 290,000 respectively are seriously injured. The new laws are set to come into force on 25 May and will make it illegal to sell bull bars – popular on many 4x4 vehicles - which do not meet strict EU directives. It will therefore effectively ban popular bull bars in the UK and anyone caught selling them to British motorists may face a spell behind bars. The maximum penalty that can be imposed within the UK is 12 months in prison and a substantial £20,000 fine. The new legislation requires Frontal Protection Systems (FPS) to enhance the safety of all vehicles and applies to products either fitted as original equipment or sold via the aftermarket. According to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) it will be impossible for the traditional wrap around metal bull bars to meet the strict new standards and just one UK manufacturer, Endura FPS, is known to have developed a system that complies with the requirements of the new legislation.

Airline creates website for women

A US airline has created a new website dedicated to its female passengers. American Airlines (AA) has launched the site for US female passengers, in a push to enhance customer satisfaction and increase the number of women who use the carrier. According to AA, female passengers represent 48 per cent of all its passengers – and the airline estimates that if the website raises the percentage by just 2 per cent with its US customers, it will create an additional $94m (£47.7m) in annual revenue. In addition to all services found on the carrier’s main website, AA.com/women offers information on safety and security, tips for saving time and money, advice for female business travellers, top ten destinations for leisure travel, book reviews and recommendations for women travelling with children. Women sales and marketing director, Nora Linville said that in designing and building AA.com/women, the company created a travel advisory panel of expert women travellers, including former female employees, women business owners and women who regularly travel for business and pleasure. This ensured that AA.com/women would offer the carrier’s female passengers useful information that was presented in a way to make researching and purchasing travel easier and more efficient.

Scepticism over phones on flights

More than half of all business travellers say they are sceptical over the future introduction of in-flight mobile phone technology. According to a survey by Barclaycard Business, nearly six out of ten (59 per cent) said they would not want airlines to allow the use of mobile phones whilst flying - even if the technology proved to be risk-free. The British survey found that in-flight mobile phone trials have generated differing reactions from business travellers with chief executives more in favour than their junior colleagues. 43 per cent of them said they would want airlines to introduce the facility of in-flight phone use, compared to less than a third (31 per cent) of company managers. The research also revealed that women were more against the introduction of mobile phone technology than their male counterparts. In the US, the Federal Communications Commission has already confirmed that it will keep a rule in place that requires the devices to be turned off during flights citing technical reasons, but noting their unpopularity. Denise Leleux, Barclaycard Business director of commercial cards, said that the research suggested that business people want to preserve this as a time to work or relax without fear of being interrupted, overheard, or having to listen to the person next to them.

Government must change approach on road pricing

A UK motoring supremo has warned the government that it risks losing the debate on road pricing unless it changes its approach. Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference, Edmund King said the government must make the benefits of road pricing much clearer. King, the executive director of the RAC Foundation, thinks the government and the public are at loggerheads as drivers will not be won over by road pricing. He said turkeys don’t vote for Christmas and motorists won’t support road pricing unless they know that it will come as part of a congestion-busting package which will give the UK a first class transport system, for business and personal travel. To win motorists, and therefore voters, over he suggests that the government should look at devising driving packages which incorporated a raft of different benefits. These, he suggested, could include reduced fuel duty, congestion avoidance systems, up-to-date parking information and cheaper insurance. Calling the package ‘UK DriveTime’, he suggested that even a voluntary scheme would be effective as motorists become aware of the cost and impact of their journeys through onboard meters. He said a voluntary scheme, like UK DriveTime, introduced over several years, would iron out problems with technology and allow motorists to get used to a very different way of paying for motoring.

Chevrons introduced in the North East

Chevrons are to be introduced on a northbound stretch of the A1(M) in a bid to reduce accidents caused by motorists driving too close to the vehicle in front. The distance-marking system will be used between Durham and Chester-le-street. This is the first time this type of road marking system has been introduced in the North East but they have proved successful in other parts of the country according to the Highways Agency. The markings have been installed at ‘strategic locations’ on the route between Carrvilles Junction 62 and Junction 63 at Blind Lane, while signs are set to advise drivers to keep two chevrons clearly visible between themselves and the vehicle ahead. John Sheerin, Project Manager for the Agency, said that he chevrons are a guide for drivers to help them keep a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front. He went on to explain that driving too close, or tailgating, has long been a problem on all roads and the practice can cause accidents as people just dont have enough road space to come to a safe stop, especially in an emergency. More that 50 accidents resulting in injury had occurred on the section of A1(M) in question over the last five years, added Mr Sheerin.

Honda breaks its UK sales record

For the first time in its history, Honda (UK) has sold over 100,000 cars in a year –illustrating the considerable growth of the company over the past two decades. The final month of the 2006/07 financial year saw a new record for the company with total sales of Honda cars topping 100,300 between April 2006 and March 2007. Jeff Dodds, Head of Marketing at Honda (UK) said that the company was selling under 30,000 cars a year in Britain back in 1994 when it first set its target of achieving 100,000 sales over a 12 month period. At that time the only markets to sell 100,000 cars a year were America and Japan but, just 13 years later the company had realized its dream and reached a milestone that marked a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, said Mr Dodds. He went on to say that Honda was not resting on our laurels and its next target was to sell 150,000 cars a year in the UK. The record sales year for Honda (UK) also coincided with a predicted record year of production at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon. In 2007 more than 200,000 cars will be built at the plant – rising to 250,000 cars during 2008.

Auctioneer offering sneak peek online

Bargain hunters will now be able to view used cars online before they are sold at auction. British Car Auctions (BCA) is launching auctionview.co.uk to allow motorists to look at more than 10,000 vehicles consigned for sale at any one time. Internet users can sort cars by a range of criteria including age, mileage, make, model and location of sale. There is a small charge to view the cars online ahead of an auction but the BCA believes this is a very small price to pay because of the savings that can be made when buying a car at an auction. It cites the example of a 20,000-mile 2004-registered MG TF or a Ford Street Ka which can both be snapped up for around £6,000. A spokesperson for the BCA, Tim Naylor, said there’s plenty of choice for everyone who visits the website and the auctions. To help BCA customers get the best bargains it has issued its top 10 tips for buying a car at an auction. These are: - don’t buy on your first visit - do your homework - check terms and conditions - don’t rush - do ask questions - check the car - set a budget and stick to it - be flexible - listen carefully to the auctioneer - bid clearly

More than half of all cars speeding on motorways

More than half of all cars using British motorways in 2006 broke the speed limit according to statistics published by The Department for Transport. The statistics relate to the speeds at which drivers travel in free-flow conditions across the road network and reveal that nearly half (49 per cent) of cars on built up roads exceeded the 30mph speed limit. However, the number of vehicles breaking the speed limit has actually fallen in recent years. On motorways the number fell from 56 per cent in 2005 to 54 per cent in 2006 and, more dramatically, on roads in built up areas it has fallen by 23 per cent over the last ten years. Despite the reduction of speeding on motorways and 30 mph roads, there was an increase on 40 mph built-up roads with 28 per cent of car drivers exceeding the speed limit in 2006 - an increase of 4 per cent on the 2005 level. The lowest levels of speeding were recorded on single carriageway roads, with a speed limit of 60 mph, where 11 per cent of cars were driven over the speed limit. The statistics also show that the percentage of motorcyclists who exceeded the speed limit is similar to that of car drivers.

Used car values on the up

Increased sales of used cars is driving up the price according to an industry analyst. Figures for the first quarter of 2007 show the demand for used cars is going hand in hand with increasing values - so says CAP. As well as a buoyant used car market compared with this time last year, it has also noticed a flattening out of previous boom or bust cycles. A spokesman said that despite 2007 kicking off with a smaller January rise in used car values than formerly seen in the trade market at the start of the year; all indicators suggest a stronger trade and retail market in the first quarter than the same period in 2006. Its research looked at several sectors of the market as indicators. For example Superminis are currently enjoying the biggest surge in values with an average 5.7% increase in trade prices. CAP saw the weakest trade price growth in 4x4s. It found that the market has become a victim of its own success with a massive increase in registrations and a plethora of new models. Supply has increased ahead of demand in the used vehicle market and this has led to weakening prices but there are no signs of the British love affair with 4x4s ending anytime soon.

Swinton’s new website is the best of the insurance bunch

Swinton’s new website has been named the best performing company website in the insurance industry and ranked seventh in a survey of the financial services industry. The survey undertaken by SiteMorse tested the performance, functionality and compliance of the UK’s top 1000 finance and professional services websites. Swinton, the UK’s largest high-street broker, offers a ‘clicks and bricks’ approach to insurance. Unique in the market place, Swinton combines online value for money with the added benefit of having a knowledgeable local broker at the end of the phone or at one of their 442 branches nationwide. The new website gives customers the option to receive a quote online or to speak to a specialist broker at one of Swinton’s UK call centres. There is also a postcode search facility on every page so customers can find their local branch if they prefer dealing with an advisor face to face. The SiteMorse survey confirms Swinton’s commitment to the online side of the business and demonstrates its ability to operate online in today’s competitive marketplace. Judges praised Swinton for having an error free site and receiving high scores for accessibility. Swinton’s ranking climbed 614 places, the highest climbing score of all websites tested. Nick Bowyer, Swinton’s Marketing Director said: "We have been investing heavily in the online operations and it’s extremely rewarding to have our hard work recognised by SiteMorse. Our new website mirrors the visual identity we’ve created on the high-street, ensuring that customers have an easy, seamless experience when moving between online and high street services – an essential element of Swinton’s ‘clicks and bricks’ approach."

Travel firms need to adapt

Traditional travel agents need to adapt if they are going to survive, so claims one of the industry’s leading lights. First Choice chief executive Peter Long said that dynamic travel companies - which can offer tailored packages and adapt quickly to customer needs - are now leading the way in the industry. His comments follow the announcement of mergers between some of the UK’s leading players. Thomas Cook and My Travel have merged, as have TUI and First Choice. The mergers have taken many within the travel industry by surprise, especially as conventional travel agents have been losing business to smaller, more adaptable firms. Mr Long said there are numerous tour operators within the traditional sector. There are the big four and then you have what is going on outside like the low-cost airlines, which have taken a huge amount of business from us, firstly with flight-only then with dynamic packaging. He said it was exactly this kind of competition that had forced the bigger firms to join forces. The industry map has changed significantly over the last five years, he said and will change again.

Air travel demand at highest level

Tourists are voting with their boarding passes and jetting away in record numbers. The demand for international flights rose by 6.8% in February according to figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Demand for flights to Europe and North America grew by 7.4% and 6.9% respectively. But the big winner, according to the IATA, is the Middle East which has seen an 18% increase in demand for flights to the region. The figures are a welcome boost for the industry and follow in the wake of the open skies deal which should see the opening up airline routes to more competition. IATA’s chief executive, Giovanni Bisignani, said last weeks US-European Union agreement on open skies is a welcome step in the right direction, giving airlines greater freedom to efficiently meet consumer demand. He added that passenger demand continues to exceed expectations and the liberalisation of flightpaths is the key to meeting consumer demand for international travel. His comments were borne out by the fact that 9.4% more passengers flew with African airlines. Earlier in the month the Civil Aviation Authority reported that the number of Britons flying from the UK last year had increased by over three per cent on 2005.

Lorries banned from overtaking on A14

A 12-month pilot scheme has banned heavy goods vehicles from overtaking during the day on stretches of a busy Northamptonshire road. The ban on two stretches of the A14 took effect from the start of April and effects lorries of 7.5 tonnes and over between 6.00am and 8.00pm. The overtaking restrictions are in force over a two mile section of the eastbound A14 between M1 J19 at Catthorpe and A14 J1 at Cold Ashby and a one-and-a-half mile stretch westbound between J2 Kelmarsh and J1. The aim is to reduce congestion and cut the risk of accidents caused by slow-moving traffic on the long uphill sections, which are only two lanes wide. By keeping heavy vehicles to the inside lane only, the Highways Agency hopes to ensure a clear outside lane for faster, lighter traffic. Bob Gale of the Highways Agency says that the measures reflected the agency’s commitment to tackling congestion and making journeys on our roads more reliable. He explains that heavy goods vehicles slow down on the uphill slope and when they try to overtake each other, it can block the A14 and slow down the traffic for several miles. This, in turn, frustrates drivers leading to an increased risk of accidents and further traffic delays.

Road works blackspots announced

There was no doubt a chorus of groaning from UK motorists after the Highways Agency unveiled its forthcoming plan of road maintain. The announcement was couched in terms of helping drivers enjoy safer and more reliable journeys on the country’s motorways and A roads. But most drivers see it as roadworks. The agency says that new technology and traffic management techniques will be used to make a positive difference to peoples journeys. One of its schemes will see the opening of the first car share lane on a UK motorway between the M62 and M606 near Bradford, West Yorkshire by April 2008. A range of new services are also being devised to help drivers plan their journeys, including making travel information available by digital radio and the display of real-time journey times on motorway message signs. Its chief executive Archie Robertson says that technology does not replace the need for road capacity and this year work will start on eight major schemes across the country - including widening of the M25 between Dartford and the M20 junction at Swanley. He says these schemes aim to remove bottlenecks, improve safety or take traffic away from local communities.

New system for solving valuation disputes

Disputes between insurers and policyholders over the value of vehicles written off in an accident could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new assessment system. EurotaxGlass’s Glass’s Value Assessor (GVA) will provide motor insurers with a consistent, auditable and transparent process for settling total loss claims and help them to comply with Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations governing the ‘fair treatment’ of policyholders. More than 500,000 vehicles are subject to total loss claims in the UK each year and the settlement process can be blighted by protracted negotiations, time consuming administration, customer dissatisfaction and costly referrals to the Financial Ombudsman Service. GVA eases the settlement process by creating a single, fully auditable web-based mechanism for accessing all information required to reach an appropriate total loss valuation. It takes in to account a wide range of factors affecting valuations including the selling prices of similar vehicles offered for sale at the time of the accident within the policyholder’s postcode. Each valuation can also be adjusted to reflect the vehicle’s mileage, items of extra equipment, number of previous owners, service history, presence of normal wear and tear and any other cosmetic or structural damage incurred prior to the accident – all helping to eliminate under- or over-assessment of a vehicle’s pre-accident value.

Government urged to fund new driver training

The government is being urged to follow the Scottish example and help pay for newly qualified young drivers to take a post-test driving course. The call has been made by Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association (LARSOA) in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities on England’s roads. It has looked north of the border where 90% of the cost of Pass Plus - which gives newly qualified drivers extra training – is funded by the state. A six month pilot project will start in Aberdeenshire – because it has the highest fatal accident rate involving car drivers aged 17-25 – and the training covers areas where new drivers may not have much experience of night driving and driving in different weather conditions. LARSOA spokesperson David Frost said it takes years to become a skilled driver but Pass Plus can give new drivers a chance to experience a range of different driving conditions under expert tuition. He added that driving is expensive for young people and LARSOA believes help to pay for Pass Plus which, in turn, can lead to them saving money on car insurance with insurers offering cheaper premiums would be a big incentive.

Car phone fines still tip of the iceberg

New figures show that nearly 250 motorists a day are being fined for using their hand-held mobile phones while driving. Since new laws came into effect in February, 6,891 people in Scotland and England were fined £60 and had three penalty points added to their licence. The true figure could be far higher as many other forces, including the Metropolitan Police, Welsh forces or police in Northern Ireland, did not provide figures. The figures have highlighted that at least six motorists had been fined for using their mobile phone while teaching a learner driver and 17 drivers were fined for not being in proper control of their vehicle when using a hands-free kit. However a road safety charity thinks the penalties do not go far enough to deter motorists using a mobile phone while driving. Diane Ferreira said Brake wants people to be caught because it acts as a deterrent if the law is seen to be enforced. She added that it is great news that a lot of people have been caught and are learning their lesson, but it is also very sad that so many people are still flouting the law.

Cars are climate killers

A new study suggests that most people think vehicle emissions are to blame for global warming. The Department for Transport (DfT) survey found that 72% of those polled said car exhaust emissions was the single biggest cause of pollution compared with only 40% who blamed the aviation industry. Only 35% recognised that energy production is the leading source of carbon dioxide output. The study also found that overall, 81% of people were very or fairly concerned about climate change and 62% would like to see car use limited to combat carbon dioxide output – although higher taxes for the most polluting cars is the answer for 41% of the 1238 people interviewed. The study comes at a time when new EU targets to cut average new car emissions to 120g/km by 2012 are being contested by car makers. The DfT recently launched a new drive to encourage motorists to be greener and the Treasury also launched a new review to examine ways in which emissions from road transport can be cut. The review will be lead by Sir Nicholas Stern, author of a report published late last year that described climate change as a serious threat.

Open skies deal getting closer

An agreement to open up the airline industry to increased competition is a step closer following talks between the European Union and America. If the deal gets the go-ahead, it would boost trans-Atlantic passenger numbers by 26 million according to figures from the EU. As well as increased passengers, ‘open skies’ as it is being dubbed, will also create 80,000 jobs and provide €12bn (£8.1bn) of economic benefits. EU transport commissioner, Jacques Barrot, said that negotiations had been very decisive and a provisional deal has been struck which paves the way for deregulation of the trans-Atlantic airline market - which is worth some $18bn (£9.3bn). Spokesman for the commissioner, Michele Cercone, said this can be considered a major breakthrough. Talks have been going on for a number of years but have always foundered on concerns it would prompt trans-Atlantic mergers and hurt security and jobs. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, European airlines would be allowed to make trans-Atlantic flights from any nation and not just their home country. The deal is especially good for Britain as it would open up Heathrow so that a greater number of airlines could land and take off from the London airport.

Flight time text updates for passengers

Air passengers dashing to catch a flight can now get SMS text messages about their predicted take-off time. Passengers can log onto a new website which allows them to register and enter the details of their flight so they can receive updates on when their plane is likely to take off. The owners of StreamThru say that it is an ideal way for people to find out whether their plane is going to be delayed. They see the service appealing to business travellers and passengers of low budget airlines which, they claim, are more prone to delays. The managing director of the company, Mike Atherton, said most air passengers have experienced the stress and inconvenience that delayed or cancelled flights can cause and as flight numbers continue to boom off the back of low cost operators, this is a problem that is not going away. He added that StreamThru is a free service that is the first in the country to offer travellers SMS flight updates to their mobile phones on the day they travel, as well as updates on boarding times and even the departure gate when they actually arrive at the airport.

New standard in crash repair methods

Making vehicle repair methods easier, more comprehensive and widely available is the aim of a new standard being suggested by Thatcham. The insurer-funded research centre intends to formulate a standard for crash repair methods in response to the growing need to repair cars back to pre-accident condition incorporating the original construction integrity in the wake of vehicle design becoming ever more complex and model repair specific. As manufacturers strive to appease consumers, safety groups and alike, it has led to a mix of construction techniques and materials. This has seen a huge increase in the methods, specialised equipment and skills needed to repair modern vehicles. Currently, methods are produced in a variety of formats and Thatcham wants to oversee the creation of one recognised industry standard, encompassing all aspects of crash repair whether cosmetic or structural. Thatcham chief executive, Peter Roberts, said while crash repair methods exist for the majority of vehicles, Thatcham is becoming increasingly concerned at the efficacy of these methods which, in some cases, are inadequate and not comprehensive in their coverage of specific repair techniques.

Police called on to enforce safety seat laws

Police forces across the UK are being called on to enforce new child car seat laws. The Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association (LARSOA) made the call after it emerged that three forces - North and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester - have chosen to opt out of fining drivers who break the law. The safety organisation is angry that any force would decide not to enforce the new regulations which were introduced to protect children from harm. LARSOA’s chair, Simon Ettinghausen, said drivers who choose not to restrain their child passengers properly are putting those young lives at risk and he wants the police to enforce these regulations. Making sure children are correctly restrained, he went on, can make the difference between life and death and it is estimated the new regulations could prevent more than 2,000 child deaths or injuries nationally each year. The new rules, which came in last September, say children aged under 12 and less than 135cms (about 4ft 5in) must use the correct car seat for their weight. LARSOA has praised a number of forces for combining education with enforcement to ensure drivers get the message.

Sat nav lands driver in the river

A £96,000 Mercedes ended up in deep water after the satellite navigation system guided the driver into a river. The driver followed the devices instructions even though it said to go down a winding track which was signposted unsuitable for motor vehicles. The owner of the SL500 then steered the car into the River Sense, in Sheepy Magna, Leicestershire. The driver was hauled to safety after a passer-by saw the car being swept downstream and bouncing from bank to bank. Local villager Alice Clark held onto a log to stay afloat as she waded through the water to rescue the driver. Alice saw the vehicle enter the water and said the car then just pinballed from one side to another and the driver was screaming for help. She added that the driver eventually got out through a window and got onto the top of the car to await rescue. Alice then managed to pull the driver to the bank shortly before the car became completely submerged. The driver - who gave her details only as Hayley from London - was picked up by friends and Alice was later sent chocolates and flowers as a thank you by Hayleys parents.

Drivers bear the brunt in the Budget

Car tax is set to double for the vehicles which produce the most pollution. The announcement was made by Gordon Brown in what is widely regarded to be his last Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In his speech he spelled out that owners of cars in the highest band – those that emit more than 226g/km of CO2 – will see their road tax go up £90 to £300 this year and increase to £400 in 2008. Speculation had been rife that the Chancellor was about to introduce the hike in car tax in a bid to cut carbon emissions. While the drivers of the biggest cars will be hit hardest, owners of smaller more economical cars will see a reduction in road tax. Drivers of cars in Band B will see their road tax bills cut £15 to £35. The Chancellor announced that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will rise by £5 for each of the next three years and he will be aligning the differing rates between petrol and diesel vehicles to the higher diesel rate. Fuel duty will go up 2p-a-litre this year and next, but this years price rise will be deferred until October. As for biofuels - which Mr Brown said helped fulfil the governments obligations on renewable fuels – they will have their 20p-a-litre duty reduction extended to 2010, with the 40p-a-litre reduction for biogas extended to 2012.