A third of drivers don't know the meaning of road signs

 

Research has found that a third of the respondents questioned in a recent study didn't know the meaning of basic road signs such as 'national speed limit' and 'slippery road ahead'.

The research, which questioned 2,000 drivers, revealed that a staggering one in seven of those asked mistook the 'slippery road ahead' sign to mean 'paint in the road', while 34 per cent of drivers didn't know what the national speed limit sign looked like.

More worryingly, a fifth (20 per cent) of all drivers have received penalty points in the last 10 years as a result of driving too fast – with 13 per cent of those accumulating nine points or more in this time, according to official police figures from 29 forces.

A breath-taking 818,768 drivers were penalised for speeding offences in the past 12 months, according to DVLA official figures– the equivalent of 2,243 a day.

One in every three drivers questioned admitted to always driving over the speed limit in a 30mph zone, on average sitting at speeds of 38mph. A shocking 43 per cent of drivers, which is an estimated 15.6m drivers in the UK, admitted to averaging 81mph in a 70mph zone

 

"This research shows that there's a worrying number of drivers for whom speeding is an acceptable everyday behaviour.

"Couple this with shocking ignorance when it comes to the most common road signs, which are designed to help ensure safe and responsible driving, and you've got a recipe for road disaster as well as an increase in the cost of car insurance."

Road safety charities claim that the research suggests we are a nation obsessed with speeding and the results highlight that penalty points are seen as nothing more than the 'lesser of two evils' by many drivers, with 28 per cent of those surveyed confessing they would much rather pick up points and a fine than attend a police speed awareness course to learn about the dangers of speeding.

A road safety charity said: "These are worrying findings. The research suggests a significant proportion of drivers seem to think it is okay to break the laws of the road.

"It can never be acceptable and we urge all drivers to respect road safety laws and recognise that such laws exist to help save lives."

He added: "Speed limits are just that – a limit – not a target to exceed.

Drunk learner arrested halfway through lesson

 

 A learner driver has been banned from driving after being found drunk during a late night driving lesson.

Police were called after other road users spotted her swerving and struggling to keep in her lane.

The two-hour lesson also saw the 23-year-old waitress narrowly avoid crashing into an oncoming car, after her instructor grabbed the steering wheel and avoided disaster.

The driver of that car turned around and attempted to stop her but she set off again before he could get out of his car.

When Police eventually stopped the L-plated Seat, they found the lady sat in the passenger seat wearing red pyjamas, with her driving instructor at the wheel.

She was arrested and found to be more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit, despite claiming she hadn't had a drink in over 24 hours.

Blackpool Magistrates heard that she had arranged the twilight driving lesson "because she was bored".

Deaths soar on roads where streetlights have been turned off

Switching off streetlights at night - to cut costs to local councils and reduce pollution - has lead to a rise in road casualties, it was revealed yesterday.

Police data has shown that road deaths in areas where streetlights are turned off rose by 39 per cent since 2009, when a clampdown on road lighting was introduced, while serious injuries were up by 27 per cent and minor injuries rose by 19 per cent.

More than 750,000 streetlights are currently being switched off or dimmed due to councils trying to save money, or the Highways Agency attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and light pollution in heavily-populated areas.

Generally, road casualties are on a downward trend in the UK, however, there has been a 20 per cent increase in unlit areas, with 324 more people killed or injured since 2009.

The AA said that councils should use the £200 million Government Challenge Fund to install energy-efficient lighting rather than simply switching off lights altogether. AA president Edmund King, said: "Roads that are safe when lit can be unsafe with the lights off. Why did people have to become victims to prove the point?"

Professor Stephen Glaister, RAC Foundation director, said that councils and the Highways Agency ignored experts when they warned that these budget cuts could increase road casualties.

But the Local Government Association hit back, saying: "Improving road safety is a key priority.

"Police and communities are always consulted before lighting is reduced. If councils were presented with evidence it was causing a safety risk they would act. However, this data fails to provide that evidence."

The Highways Agency added: "Safety is a top priority. We continue to light our network wherever it provides a safety benefit."

The UK's first 'smart' motorway has opened on the M25.

The UK's first 'smart' motorway has opened today on the M25.

An eight-mile section of the London orbital road between junction 23 and 25 will be the first motorway in the country to use the hard-shoulder as a full-time live traffic lane, as well as utilising new camera technology to improve traffic management.

Infrared CCTV has been installed on the stretch by the Highways Agency to allow staff at its control centres to have greater visibility of the road network and respond to incidents as they develop.

The agency claims that the new technology will improve journey reliability by reducing congestion and easing traffic flow.

Graham Dalton, Highways Agency chief executive said: "The design changes have meant that smart motorways are quicker to build, more intuitive for drivers and more efficient to operate, while maintaining safety," reports the Hertfordshire Mercury.

The new smart motorway, which has seen 1.1 million man hours go into its completion, will also see new gantries and overhead signals, as well as refuge areas in place of the hard shoulder.

A further section of the M25, between junction 25 and 27, is also undergoing similar improvements, which are scheduled for completion towards the end of this year.

Sections of smart motorway are also planned for sections of the M1, M3 and M62.

Roads minister Robert Goodwill said: "The additional capacity on the M25 is part of the government's record investment in the strategic road network, with £15.1bn being invested to add over 400 lane miles of capacity on our busiest motorways by 2021.

"Our motorways are the backbone of Britain and vital to building the UK economy, with approximately four million vehicles using them each day."

Towing me, towing you

In times of austerity, we're all looking for ways to have a break without breaking the bank. Camping and towing can help you venture the country and get a break from home. 

Before setting off, make sure you check both car and caravan tyre pressures, including the spares.  The caravan tyre pressure will need to take into account the weight of the load inside the caravan.  Check the tightness of the wheel nuts using a torque wrench. The correct settings can be found in the caravan's handbook.  Ensure LPG (gas) cylinders are turned off, and securely fastened in an upright position.  Check the nose weight of the caravan, and if necessary, re-adjust the position of the load inside the caravan, keeping heavy items low and over the axle. Every car and caravan has a maximum noseweight, use the lower figure of the two.  Ensure any load is always properly secured. Make sure the towing vehicle has mirrors fitted so you can see down each side of the caravan. Check the car and caravan lights. Walk round the caravan for a last minute check. The caravan should be level, or very slightly nose down.

When you're on the move:

·         Steadily get your speed up

·         If you are worried about a queue of traffic behind you, pull into a lay-by and let them pass

·         Remember you will be slower moving off than other vehicles, and it may well take longer to stop

·         On roundabouts, remember how long you are with your caravan on the back

·         Think about taking a reversing course. These are provided by the Caravan Club, and the Caravan and Camping Club.

Once you've arrived:

·         Remember to uncompress the hitch mechanism to avoid it moving into the rear of the car when released

·         Put the handbrake on and place blocks by the wheels to avoid rolling

·         Make final adjustments by placing a spirit level on the caravan floor

·         Only enter the caravan once it is  level, and the corner steadies are down

·         Make sure the step is level and secure.

·         Don't disconnect the caravan until it is level across its width

·         Don't use the corner steadies to adjust the level of the caravan as this can cause unnecessary strain.

Don't forget, you'll need to check if your driving licence covers you to tow a trailer. Also, speed limits can and do differ when you're towing. The maximum speeds for a car and trailer are (providing a lower limit is not in force:

·         60 mph – motorway and dual carriageway

·         50 mph – other roads

Don’t forget your breathalysers for France

With the Easter break fast approaching, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and AlcoSense breathalysers are reminding motorists travelling to France that it is still a legal requirement to carry an NF approved breathalyser in all vehicles. '

The easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo, like the AlcoSense NF breathalyser. The NF logo is the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK. 

The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). 

Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Although the law for carrying breathalysers will no longer be enforced through fines, in order to comply with the law, you will need to carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you're going to drink don't drive, and beware the morning after effect."

AlcoSense managing director Hunter Abbott said: "It is still a legal requirement to carry an NF approved breathalyser. There are less than a handful of brands who have the official NF approvals, make sure you buy a product with the blue NF logo on it, like the AlcoSense NF Breathalyser."

Motorists unhappy with pothole performance

The government has got a long way to go to convince drivers that they have the pothole problem in control as 67 per cent of motorists think that they are doing a bad or a very bad job of maintaining the nation's roads, according to the latest research published today by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of female drivers believe that the government is doing a bad or very bad job, but the figure increases for male drivers 69 per cent unhappy with the current state of the roads.

There is a clear lack of communication between the motoring public and local councils.  A third of drivers (34 per cent) think that their council is cutting spending on road maintenance but 60 per cent of drivers don't know if budgets are being cut, suggesting councils are performing poorly on informing and engaging with local residents.  Over half of drivers (52 per cent) think that local councils are doing a bad or very bad job of looking after local roads.  Fifty-seven per cent of males and 49 per cent of females believe their council is doing a bad or very bad job.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Despite the government's pothole review, there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the efforts of authorities to keep our roads safe and smooth drive or ride on.

"The government need to convince motorists that they have a real cure for the pothole pandemic.  This can only be achieved through clear communication on new policies, more sharing of resources, sustained long-term funding and a continued commitment to eradicating the maintenance backlog of crumbling British roads."

The IAM offers tips on avoiding the risks associated with potholes:

• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front so that you can see the road surface before you drive or ride on it.
• If you do hit a pothole accidentally, make a point of checking your tyres once you've stopped. Check the inner as well as the outer tyre wall, which may have been damaged as a result.
• Avoid suddenly pulling out to avoid a hole – you might discover that there is a motorcyclist trying to get past you, or encounter an oncoming vehicle.
• Bikers and cyclists need to look well ahead and change direction early so they have time to deal with the holes, and so that their movements don't cause surprise to other road users.
• Potholes tend to reappear in the same place again and again as previous repairs fail - remember where you saw one and expect it to be there again.
• Be extra vigilant on roads with lots of lorries and also around bus stops.  Extra pressure is put on the road surface wherever heavy vehicles stop, start or turn.

London roundabout baffles motorists as arrows painted wrong way

 

Road users were left baffled by a roundabout that council contractors had re-painted with the arrows pointing in the wrong direction.

The roundabout at the Oakfield Road and Stapleton Hall Road junction in Crouch end has been ridiculed on social media, with cyclists saying Haringey Council was taking the term 'going Dutch' too literally and calling it the "wrong-way roundabout".

A Haringey Council spokesman said "This mistake by our contractors Ringway Jacobs will be rectified as soon as possible at their expense.

"Temporary action has been taken at the roundabout to avoid confusion."

But Green Party politician baroness Jenny Jones said "You just can't afford to get this stuff wrong, or people will end up injured.

"London is full of badly designed roads, dangerous junctions and rubbish cycle lanes, so we could really do without silly mistakes making things even worse."

Car features and functions for the mature driver

Slower reactions, aches and pains, and reduced mobility can all cause problems for older drivers, and that makes choosing the right car even more important.

We take a look at some of the features and functions you should look for in a new car to help you stay comfortable and safe on the road.

Comfort
There's nothing wrong with a little comfort, and these days many manufacturers provide drivers with the ability to find their perfect driving position. Look for a model that allows you to adjust the seat height and offers good lumbar support. Some vehicles also give you the option of heated seats, which can help ease back aches and pains when driving long distances.

Size
On the one hand, you might be tempted to go for the superior visibility and feeling of safety offered by a chunky 4x4. On the other, you may feel that a dinky little hatchback is more manoeuvrable. But the truth is, the height of the former could pose problems getting in and out, and the latter doesn't afford you much room to move. Instead, consider the happy medium of a mid-sized car and save yourself discomfort in the future.

Safety
These days cars come with a whole host of handy little technological features, and some can help you to stay safer on the road. Collision warning systems that alert drivers to a potential incident can be a great help if your reaction times are not too sharp, and some will even go one step further by automatically applying the brakes to minimise the effect of a collision.

For those who have difficulty turning or have reduced upper body mobility, a blind spot warning system will reduce the chances of problems to the side and rear of the car, and parking censors make life a lot easier. In fact, these days the likes of Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo have developed technology that does all the parallel parking work for you.

An easy life
As well as improved safety and comfort, most modern cars are designed to make life easy for drivers. For older people, simple, clear displays and gauges are a good choice, and controls on the steering wheel itself allow drivers to operate the stereo and air con without searching the centre console while on the road. Other useful features include auto high-beam technology, which automatically dips the lights for oncoming traffic, and auto-dimming rear and wing mirrors can help to reduce glare during night driving.
Lastly, don't dismiss the automatic gearbox option. These allow you to concentrate on the road without worrying about changing gear, and are an excellent choice if you are looking for a second-hand car, since they can often be picked up much more cheaply than their manual counterparts, and typically with much lower mileage.

Ultimately, which car you choose will depend largely on your personal preferences and needs, but it is worth doing your research to find a vehicle with features that could make your driving experience a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable one.

Are you a mature driver? Which features are your must-haves?

Range Rover gets wedged in a basement gap

 

A driver and her three passengers had a lucky escape from this extremely tight squeeze when their luxury 4x4 plunged sideways into a tiny basement gap.

The accident happened in central London when the motorist lost control of the new £80,000 Range Rover Sport.

It ploughed through railings at the junction of Fitzroy Square and Fitzroy Street and fell into a 14ft drop early on Sunday, according to a report in Mail Online.

Amazingly, although the car, which didn't even have 500 miles on its clock, was written off, none of the people in it were hurt.

Passer-by Farook Rahman was quoted in the report as saying: "I noticed the railing was smashed and there were some skid marks on the pavement, so I went over for a look.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw this posh car stuck at the bottom. That would either take a lot of skill or bad luck to land a huge car down there.

"I spoke to one of the neighbours who said the car had four girls in it and they were all right, which in itself is a miracle.

"I've never seen anything like that before."

The car, which ended up with a squashed and scratched roof plus broken and cracked windows, was later lifted out by crane and the accident scene was boarded up to prevent pedestrians falling down the gap.

Police said it was not a matter for them to investigate.

New 'rude' driving laws catch 200 each week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than 5,000 motorists have been nabbed by the police in new lane hogging and tailgating laws. Scotland and Nottinghamshire police have been most zealous with the new legislation, tackling 2,431 motorists. The new laws also extend to wheel-spinning, mounting the kerb and accelerating through water.,

 

But several forces aren't pulling over inconsiderate drivers - at all.

Road hogs slapped

 

Autoexpress magazine put forward Freedom of Information requests to all 45 police forces to evaluate how the new motoring 'rude' laws are being used. It emerges that Northumbria, Durham, Dyfed-Powys, South Wales and Cleveland aren't using the new powers because they can't offer follow-up driver education classes.

The stats sucked in various regional differences: for wheel-spinning and handbrake turns, head to Lancashire. Lancashire police recorded 143 of these offences, more than any other force. For road-hogging offences, the most chalked up - 48 in total - came from the Thames Valley.

"The encouraging thing," RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister told Autoexpress, "is that this new law is being used by police. The long-term test is whether accident rates fall."

Keep left!

What is inconsiderate driving? Think driving too close to the vehicle in front, barging into a queue of traffic, needlessly hogging or dawdling in the middle or outside lanes. Plus under-taking - an increasingly dangerous move - overtaking a vehicle on the 'wrong' side. That is, on the left of a car instead of the right.

Penalties now include on-the-spot fines and forcing drivers to take an educational course, similar to drink-driving and speeding schemes. The fixed penalty for careless driving is £100 with three points on a driver's licence.

"The most serious examples will continue to go through court, where offenders may face higher penalties," says the police.

Stupid risk

The new 'rude' laws have been welcome by many motoring organisations. Bad driving often went unpunished because of the sheer complexity - time, money, resources, the need for a summons and court evidence - of prosecutions in the past.

Drivers fined after 'being sent into bus lane' to avoid charity road race

Motorists in Glasgow have spoken of their shock and anger after being fined for driving in a bus lane, despite being directed to do so by Great Scottish Run officials.

Almost 700 £30 fines were issued during the charity run in 2012, as the city's traffic enforcement cameras snapped a barrage of motorists. According to a Freedom of Information request, £20,550 was generated from bus lane fines in that day.

Nigel Cameron, 35, told The Mirror: "A steward was directing traffic into the bus lane so everyone was going that way.

"A couple of weeks later I received the charge notice from the council."

He refused to settle the £30 fine – that doubles to £60 if it is not paid within 14 days – and instead opted to appeal.

"I appealed but it was rejected. After speaking to a colleague they suggested submitting a freedom of information request," Mr Cameron told The Mirror.

"The results were alarming and the amount of money taken in by the council on that one day was over £20,000 due to someone directing traffic down the bus lane.

"I eventually won my appeal but what about the other motorists who had enforcements that day?"

Motorists in Glasgow have already accused the council of using traffic enforcement cameras to generate revenue rather than improve traffic flow and this case has further angered residents.

A city council statement told The Mirror: "The adjudicator stated the circumstances of this case are unique."

'Famous' Somerset Levels flood car to be auctioned

A Seat Toledo that was submerged by floodwater on the Somerset Levels is to be auctioned off.

Appearing on online bidding site eBay, the silver hatchback became an enduring image of the plight of Somerset residents, as it appeared on regular news bulletins due to its situation on a main strip used by rescuers in inflatable boats.

The stricken £600 car was eventually rescued from the water and returned to its owner

 

The 21-year-old was forced to abandon his vehicle on Christmas Eve just outside the village of Muchelney, after water levels rose suddenly. Now he hopes to sell the vehicle and donate the proceeds to fellow flood victims.

"It was shocking, seeing my car on telly and in the international news. Everyone was talking about it, including the Prince of Wales," he said

Quite how much money is expected to be raised is unclear, given the extensive damage the car has suffered being underwater for nearly two months.

The eBay advert reads: "Genuine Seat Toledo from the floods in somerset.

"Obviously NOT in working condition, but my aim is to sell the car and donate the money to a Charity which is helping with the floods.

"Any Questions please message me. Collection Only"

Bidding on the ruined Toledo is currently at £410.00. If you fancy owning it, the auction closes on March 19

Is Tesco's new fuel discount any good?

Tesco has launched Clubcard Fuel Save, a new discount scheme which gives you money off fuel at the supermarket. Anyone who spends £50 in store will get 2p off per litre of fuel. However, the more you spend in a month, the bigger discount you can get.

So is this a good deal?

The way it works is that for every £50 you spend, you get 2p off per litre, so if you spend £100 you'll get 4p off, if you spend £200 you'll get 8p off. This applies all the way to a maximum spend of £500 for 20p off per litre.

You can choose to spend your discounts as you go along. Alternatively you can save them within each calendar month for a bigger discount. So, for example, if you have one shop of £100, one of £50, one of £30 and one of £20, you'll get them all added together for 8p off per litre.

There aren't any vouchers with this scheme. You just need to swipe your Clubcard each time you shop, and the points will be added to your card. Then if you swipe your Clubcard when you pay for your petrol, the discount will come off automatically.

So how does it compare?

The supermarkets are already competing heavily on fuel prices. This week Tesco cut the price of both petrol and diesel by 1p, and Asda responded by cutting the price of petrol by 1p and diesel by 2p. This came just two months after the last price war which saw them do something similar.

There are those who highlight that when Asda announced its price cut in January it said that motorists would pay no more than 126.7p per litre for petrol - and when it announced another 1p cut in March it still said motorists would pay no more than 126.7p per litre - so it would appear that in between the price has been allowed to drift up unnoticed.

However, the supermarkets remain incredibly competitive for fuel even without a special deal. The AA says that at the moment the average supermarket fuel is 1.6 pence per litre cheaper than the overall UK average - and that the gap is growing.

Deals

On top of this, the supermarkets have tended to offer fuel deals sporadically to drive people to their stores. Typically every three months Tesco has offered a voucher for money off fuel when you spend at least £40 in-store.

More recently, the supermarkets have run more complex schemes. Morrisons, for example, ran a deal in February where anyone who shopped at least once a week in the store - and spent at least £40 each time - would get £10 off their shopping in the fourth week - plus a fuel coupon worth 10p off per litre.

Sainsbury's is currently running a deal for its pay-as-you-go mobile phone customers, offering 11p off a litre when you top-up £10 on your phone. As we reported at the time the deal was announced, customers who currently use a Sainsbury's phone stand to save up to £7 through the deal. Other customers can switch to a Sainsbury's SIM, but may end up saving far less when the cost of calls is added into the equation.

The Morrisons deal is likely to be more financially rewarding for those who manage to stick to the rules, and the Sainsbury's deal may be better for those who spend at least £10 a month on their phone and less than £300 a month at the supermarket. However, the Tesco deal has the advantage of simplicity, and the fact that if you already shop there, you don't have to change your habits at all to make a saving.

The answer, therefore, is that if you shop at Tesco already, and your Tesco is offering competitively priced fuel, then you're going to make a saving. However, it pays to keep an eye out for other deals which crop up in the interim, to check whether you can qualify for a bigger saving elsewhere

Parked Ferrari gouged by lorry on London street

Bad luck befell one Ferrari owner yesterday, who returned to his car to find it had been reversed into by a HGV.

The scarlet Ferrari 458 Italia – which starts at over £178,000 new – was parked in a roadside bay when it was struck by a white DAF truck, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the bodywork.
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Police officers attended the scene but no arrests were made. The driver of the lorry was said to be shaken but not seriously injured, following the smash.

The incident happened in Kensington Square, one of the capital's most exclusive areas, and where the average house price is around £8million.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 2pm to Kensington Square to a collision between a lorry and a parked vehicle. The parked vehicle is a red Ferrari and the lorry was a white DAF truck,"

Boy buys bin lorry on eBay with mum's credit card

A young boy with an obsession for rubbish used his mother's credit card to buy himself a real bin lorry.

Youngster William Bateman won the specialist truck in an eBay auction after his mother, Fleur, left her computer logged in to the site.

Distraught Fleur immediately contacted the website in an attempt to retract her son's winning £3,500 bid.

The mum of three said "I had to beg them to retract my bid when I was congratulated on my win on the site. I can laugh about it now but at the time I was so shocked and angry."

The dustcart would have joined William's extensive collection of refuse collection memorabilia, which includes toy wheelie bins and miniature lorries.

The boy's love for rubbish began when he was a baby and he now dreams of becoming a recycling plant manager.

He eagerly awaits the weekly bin collection at his home in Great Paxton, Cambridgeshire, to see the bin men in action.

The schoolboy even lectures his parents' friends on recycling and tells them off if they do it incorrectly.

He said: "I think it's really important to recycle and put rubbish in the bin. I love all my bins and I know lots about it."

His mother says that she and her husband Paul spent months searching for a children's book about a binman, as William refused to read about anything else.

Consequently, Fleur took it upon herself to write 'Burt the Binman' which is due to go on sale in W H Smith

One in ten motorists think an MOT is optional

A new survey has revealed that a staggering amount of UK drivers are still unaware of motoring laws, with nine per cent not realising an MOT certificate is a legal requirement.

To compound matters, a further nine per cent of those questioned didn't realise car insurance was compulsory and ten per cent had no idea that a valid tax disc was also essential.

The study revealed widespread levels of ignorance with regards to motoring obligations from drivers in the UK, as at the other end of the spectrum, a fifth of those motorists questioned believed that a vehicle service was a legal requirement.

It seems a large amount of UK drivers believe the laws are stricter than they actually are, as 46 per cent of those questioned thought that the law required them to carry a spare tyre in the UK and 18 per cent incorrectly said the same about an emergency warning triangle.

"This widespread confusion amongst motorists is alarming and raises real concerns over driver safety and compliance with the law."

The research also revealed the general levels of confusion surrounding the MOT certificate, with many believing that oil levels and the condition of the battery were checked during the test.

"It's vital that car owners don't rely entirely on an MOT test for vehicle maintenance, as servicing is a fundamental part of maintaining both the safety and value of a vehicle, even though it isn't a legal requirement,"

 

"Advice to motorists is to make sure they get the basics right, which include insurance, MOT, servicing and tax, as these are essential for keeping a vehicle safe and legal."

Motorist fined £600 for throwing cigarette butt out of car window

A motorist has been ordered to pay over £1,000 in court costs and fines after being caught by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) flicking a cigarette butt out of her car window.

Alexandra O'Shea, 35, from Bedminster Down, Bristol was spotted littering by the PCSOs as she drove through the Bristol suburb of Hartcliffe last summer.

She was immediately handed a £75 on-the-spot fine, which she refused to pay.

Bristol County Council decided to follow up the case and summoned O'Shea to court to settle the matter.

Carol Donovan, a street scene officer for Bristol City Council, said: "We wrote to her telling her that if she did not pay that we would take her to court.

"She ignored this, and failed to turn up when the case was heard, despite reminders, and then Magistrates obviously took her behaviour very seriously."

Bristol Magistrates' Court found O'Shea guilty of littering and she was ordered to pay a fine of £600, costs of £361.08, and a £60 victim surcharge.

Jonquil Maudlin, council neighbourhood enforcement manager, backed the decision, saying: "People should be aware that cigarette ends are just as much litter as anything else, and they take a long time to biodegrade, as they are made not of paper, but of plastic filament.

"They are full of toxic chemicals and it has been found that many have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds and other animals who mistake them for food."

"This case also shows the importance of people taking these cases seriously and not just ignoring them," she added.

Andy Walker, from the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, added: "People tend to think that littering is a victimless crime but the reality is it affects us all.

"According to research, littering costs the country around £1 billion every single year, and it is a major cost for councils such as Bristol City Council.

"Every time someone drops litter in the street, we are all having to pay to clean it up. If this person had paid the fine and not ignored the court letters then she would not have got herself in such a mess,"

Eco-driving

 

In the tough economic climate, we are all looking for ways to save money where possible, but with price rises appearing left, right and centre, it's easy to lose hope. You could cut your fuel costs by up to 15 per cent, as well as lowering your emissions, by becoming a little greener behind the wheel.

One key principle of the Advanced Driving technique is to plan as far ahead as possible – a method which is also integral to eco-driving. By extending your observation, you can plan your actions sooner and avoid harsh braking. When approaching a roundabout, junction, queue or red traffic lights, ease off the accelerator and slow down sooner – driving at a constant speed is far more fuel-efficient than accelerating and braking.

If you get stuck in a queue of traffic during rush hour or following a collision, bear in mind that you may be waiting there for some time. If it is safe to do so, switch off your engine. But remain alert and prepare for the flow of traffic to resume.

As well as a legal obligation, sticking to the speed limit also brings with it a fuel-saving incentive. Driving smoothly at the speed limit can not only lower your fuel costs by reducing consumption by up to 25 per cent, but can avoid the fines incurred when you get caught speeding.

Rather than working your way through your gears one-by-one, block changing can save on fuel – e.g. going from 2^nd to 4^th gear when accelerating, or from 5^th to 2^nd gear when decelerating. This will also limit the time which you spend with only one hand on the steering wheel.

Try to make reversing into parking spaces common practice. If you do all of the manoeuvring before you leave your vehicle, when you return you can drive straight out, allowing the engine to warm up more quickly, as well as improving visibility.

We should all give our cars a quick once over each week, although this task often fails to take priority. Checking your car, and in particular your tyres, becomes even more important when thinking green. Tyre tread depth and pressure should be checked regularly to ensure that you are not burning excess fuel. Tyre pressure should be checked when the wheels are cold to get a true reading.

Although it is advisable to carry an emergency kit in your car in preparation for a breakdown, it is important to balance this with the minimisation of excess weight in your vehicle, as heavy unnecessary items can act as a hindrance to your green intentions. Roof racks should be removed as they add weight to the vehicle and increase wind resistance, both of which increase fuel consumption

Staying alert 9-5

Do you ever arrive at work and realise you can't remember anything about your drive there? Driving on auto pilot is a dangerous thing, but there are plenty of things you can do to make your daily commute safer.

Keep the car maintained.  You may be driving with the low sun in your eyes, so make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up and that your windscreen and windows are clean.  Check and adjust your tyre pressure regularly, and keep an eye on tread depth – this must be at least 1.6 millimetres – and their condition.  You should also keep the oil at the right level and check all of your lights work.

The biggest problem with commuting is that everyone travels at the same time.  People get frustrated and tired and will be inclined to behave unpredictably – watch out for people changing lanes suddenly as they try and get ahead of traffic. Be wary and anticipate the actions of road users around you.

Stay calm.  Being stuck in traffic and late for work is stressful, so allow a lot more time than you're likely to need for the journey.  I recently spent two hours on the M4 and only covered three miles.  If you're going to be late and need to let a colleague know, pull over into a safe place not obstructing other traffic, switch the engine off and make the call before carrying on.  Avoid rushing the rest of the journey to make up time.  Better late than never, especially where your life's concerned.  And please, don't be tempted to use your smartphone to check your work emails while you drive.

Check the weather forecast before you travel, especially when making a long journey.  Heavy rain always slows traffic down, and in very severe weather conditions you need to consider if it's safe to travel.  When you are on the road, listen out for traffic updates on the radio in case your route is affected, but never look for updates on your mobile phone or satnav while on the move.  The Highways Agency has a useful app with up to date traffic information for incidents on its roads, but remember you are breaking the law if you access it on a hand-held device, while moving.

Knowing an alternative route in case of an accident or road closures is also useful.

Does your insurance cover you? Many policies will include commuting, but make sure they do, and if you start a job which involves commuting further remember to increase the mileage on your insurance premium.  If you are expected to drive for work, you need to make sure your insurer covers you for business mileage too.  If you have an accident driving for work, you won't be covered if you don't have this.  Many employers will have driver risk assessment schemes in place, and company insurance, but they are not legally obliged to do so, so don't leave this to chance.