What is the real cost to the tax-payer of having an inefficient motorway network? It is something that is often discussed at great length here at Safermotorways. What is the real cost of sitting in a stationery vehicle on a road designed to whisk you to your destination at 70 mph? It has been estimated that every fatal…
“OK Spock – we’ve joined the motorway. Federation Rules clearly state that we get into the outside lane as quickly as possible and immediately switch off all mental processes”. “Chekov … Disengage brain, go to warp factor 70 – and stay as close to the car in front as possible”. “Aye Aye Captain”. “Yes, Scotty … what is…
One death on the rail network and there is a full enquiry with massive coverage across all the media. But seven deaths on a UK motorway? – yawn, not even worth a mention in a National newspaper. Why is that? How the heck did we ever get to the point where we accept the fact that traveling on…
Much of the current road technology in the UK is based around specified safety requirements from the 1960s. That was fine when we were all driving around in Morris Minors and Triumph Heralds but it is clearly not suitable for modern vehicles that weigh twice as much as their 1960s counterparts. Compare the size and weight of a…
The latest statistics show that the quantity of concrete safety barrier being installed on UK motorway central reservations is currently set to double in 2010. Estimates show that those counties which are actively adopting concrete safety barrier will install around 100 km in 2010 compared with only 50 km in 2009. Whilst it has been government policy since…
Is there a driver on our roads today who does not recall the joys and horrors of their driving test? What a rite of passage it was – like your first kiss and your first beer, everyone has a memory. Endless practicing of the three point turn, the fist on the dashboard and the cry to “stop”, cramming…
UK roads are the most congested in Europe with no less than four of our cities appearing in the top 13 busiest urban areas. Based on a survey by Tom Tom which monitored speeds across European towns and cities,we are sad to report that London appeared in fourth place, Edinburgh in fifth place and Birmingham in 13th. The…
There has been little in the way of demonstrations this month despite the fact that record high petrol prices have pushed annual inflation up to 3.4%. Maybe motorists feel that the war is lost. The Office for National Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index had increased by 3% in March after a further bout of petrol price rises….
A young man died on the A329M near Reading when his vehicle crossed the carriageway and hit a Ford Transit van traveling in the opposite direction. The response from the general public was immediate. “Why has the Council not installed concrete barrier earlier on this section of (what is all but in name) a fully fledged motorway?” Amongst…
It’s not you that’s the problem – it’s the other drivers on the road. How often have you heard that one? We all doubt the skills of the other road users around us and over the years we have developed a series of simple hand gestures to help us clearly communicate our views on their driving ability. Well,…
There you are, driving along, minding your own business and your mobile phone does that little “buzzy-jiggy-thing” and emits some random mind-numbing chime that drives everyone but the phone-owner nuts. Yes, another absolutely essential, can’t-wait-a-second-to-be-read text, probably from the Prime Minister or something like that and it sis demanding your immediate attention. What do you do? Wait until…
Here’s a good Trivial Pursuits question. “If, before you set out on your journey, you knew that there was a chance you would have to either sleep in your car or abandon your car and walk home, what would you take with you?” Score yourself one point for each of the following: Extra Warm Clothes. Food and drink….
Other countries, more used to heavy snow falls and ice, do not expect their roads to be constantly gritted or snow-free during the winter. Instead the emphasis is on “driver preparation” and a (legally required) spare set of winter tyres. But did you know that in many parts of Europe, with a warmer climate than the UK, the…
Sadly, most of us have less money in our pockets right now than we usually do. But that doesn’t eliminate the need for the must-haves in life. And if you need a car, well, you NEED a car. Consequently, most of us will will look for a nice second-hand car because it’s cheaper and hey – “Second-hand motors…
It may sound as convincing as Vanessa Pheltz asking you to cut down your calorie-intake but the youngest driver in Formula One has a very palatable approach when it comes to addressing teenagers and their bad driving habits. This month, former world champion Lewis Hamilton urged young drivers to follow his example when they get behind the wheel…
How many times have we seen it? People using their mobile phones whilst driving, eating at the wheel – even reading a newspaper in slow moving traffic? But one task that’s currently getting more tarmac time than any other is applying makeup in the rear view mirror. A recent survey of 4,000 female drivers by women’s motor insurer…
Well it looks like summer is over. I know, “WHAT summer?” I hear you cry! Well, whether you had the sun-roof open or not, the summer season is certainly on its way out now – and it’s hello winter. Winter spells plenty of trouble for motorists, re-introducing issues of icey roads, cracked windshields and frozen engine components. This…
It seems that the rules on drink driving are forever becoming more stringent as the government crack down on alcohol unit consumption and roadside breathalyser testing. Unfortunately, the problem of driving while under the influence of drugs has always taken a back seat due to its ominous subject matter…until now. An advertising campaign warning of the risks of…
Lord Mandelson announced this week that the Government will extend its car scrappage scheme to cover a further 100,000 cars. The vehicle discount or ‘scrappage’ scheme is a voluntary scheme for motor dealers who will give you £2,000 off a new vehicle if you let them scrap your old one. The scheme which was unveiled by Alistair Darling…
Can you believe it?! Petrol prices have shot up AGAIN! Just as we started celebrating 90p a litre earlier in the year we get stung in our wallets with a staggering rise to 102p a litre at just about every petrol station in the country. Not exactly a recession buster is it? In a press release from the…
