Rival Insurance Blog: Self Drive Hire Insurance

Motor industry says it is struggling to find staff

2011-07-27T19:52:00.000+01:00

Businesses which supply parts to the car industry, have said that despite the recovery of the sector, not enough people are interested in hi-tech careers.

Zircotec in Abingdon produces specialised heat resistant coatings for engine parts used by Formula 1 but it said it was finding it difficult to recruit staff.

Motorsport firm Prodrive in Banbury has similar problems getting the highly skilled engineers it needs.

For the full sotry from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

BMW to invest £500m in UK factories

2011-06-09T08:29:00.001+01:00

BMW has announced a plan to invest £500m in UK car production over the next three years.

The money will help fund the production of the next generation Mini in the UK, safeguarding more than 5,000 jobs.

BMW's investment plan is the second major boost to the UK's motor manufacturing industry this week.

Its announcement came the day after Nissan said it would invest £192m and safeguard 6,000 jobs by building its next generation Qashqai here.

BMW's main facilities are its vehicle assembly plant in Oxford, the pressings plant in Swindon and the company's engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham.

The motor industry produces the country's most valuable manufactured exports, with £27bn worth of vehicles and parts going overseas in 2010.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

ABI calls for clampdown on Britain's pain in the neck culture

2011-05-19T09:08:00.002+01:00

The ABI today called for a clampdown on the UK’s pain in the neck culture that has made the UK the whiplash capital of Europe. One in every 140 people claim whiplash a year. The activities of ambulance chasing lawyers and claims management firms, coupled with ‘crash for cash’ staged motor accidents has increased the risk of fraudulent claims.

Whiplash occurs after the soft tissue in the spine has been stretched and strained following a sudden forceful movement. It is normally caused by rear-end motor collisions. The need for action is highlighted by the fact that:

Nearly 1200 whiplash claims are made every day. This is six times more than the number of people who claim for workplace-related injury every year.
The costs to the NHS of treating whiplash have been estimated at £8 million a year.
Three-quarters of personal injury claims in the UK are for whiplash, more than elsewhere in the Europe.
Insurers pay out nearly £2 billion a year in claims for whiplash.

Speaking at the 2011 Whiplash conference in Leeds today James Dalton, the ABI’s Assistant Director of Motor and Liability, said: "Despite the statistics I doubt that that the UK has some of the weakest necks in Europe.”

The ABI is calling for action around:

Implementation of Government proposals for civil justice reform to ensure genuine claimants get fair compensation and access to rehabilitation more quickly, and to reduce the scope for fraudulent claims.
Intensifying insurers’ crackdown on fraudulent whiplash claims, for example cracking down on organised ‘crash for cash’ staged motor accidents.
Raising consumer awareness on the need to keep a safe braking distance from the vehicle in front. So-called ‘tailgating’ is the main cause of whiplash.
Developing authoritative medical guidance on how to accurately diagnose and treat genuine whiplash.

James Dalton added: “We seem ill-equipped to effectively identify and treat whiplash; our compensation system is too slow in paying fair compensation and offering rehabilitation to genuine claimants, and our compensation culture encourages fraud. All this must change. Our action plan will set up what is missing: an effective partnership between doctors, insurers and lawyers to ensure better prevention and treatment of whiplash, and crackdown on fraudulent claims. This will reduce the unacceptable costs which whiplash currently imposes on individuals, businesses and the state.”

For the full article visit the ABI website by clicking here...

source: ABI

Citroen Picasso UK recall over 'passenger brake'

2011-05-19T09:00:00.003+01:00

A BBC Watchdog investigation showed that although the brake pedal had been switched to the right, it remained connected to a mechanism on the left passenger side.

Citroen is recalling more than 20,000 of its Picasso C3 cars in the UK because of concerns the brakes can be activated from the passenger side. The problem arises because of the way the car is made in France then modified for right hand drive for UK export.

A BBC Watchdog investigation found the brake could still be engaged through a cable under the passenger footwell.

Citroen said although that was a remote possibility, it is offering customers a free modification to the UK vehicles."The recall will require the fitment of an additional component to isolate the braking mechanism from the front seat passenger," the statement continued.

The company said the modification would be free at Citroen dealers. "In the meantime, C3 Picasso owners should continue to use their cars as normal. Customers wanting further advice or information are asked to call the Citroën Contact Centre on 01753 475862, or to email cuk_contactcentre@citroen.com."

For updates and the rest of this story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Should electric cars be made to go 'vroom'?

2011-05-18T08:48:00.002+01:00

With whisper-quiet electric cars set to proliferate, the motor industry is under pressure to give them an artificial noise for safety purposes, but should they sound like traditional petrol vehicles?

Electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles are inherently quiet. The sound of the tyres on the road is noisier than the engine and this could prove lethal at slow speeds for pedestrians and cyclists.

Motor manufacturers acknowledge there is a problem. Some, like Nissan, are already fitting speakers under the bonnets of these vehicles to emit sounds for the safety of other road users. Others are planning on doing the same.

With the UK government predicting 8,600 electric cars will be sold by the end of this year, sound engineers say there is a pressing need to come up with some ground rules as to what sounds to pick. So why not just stick with the current sound of a conventional combustion engine?

"That would be losing a huge opportunity," says Prof Paul Jennings from Warwick University who leads a project looking into alternative vehicle noises. "We all know traffic noise can be annoying and the levels are significantly high. We do not want to lose the benefit we could get from using new reduced sounds." He says: "The challenge is to create sounds that are as safe as possible but also ones that are much more pleasing for the urban environment."

As part of the engineering project, an electric vehicle called Elvin (Electric Vehicle with Interactive Noise), is being driven around the university campus demonstrating a small sample of made-up sounds. There are certain noises that people associate with transport and they alert us that a vehicle is heading in our direction.

Whatever car manufacturers choose will only be effective if it does the same. But balancing the needs for safety and improving the environment are not the only requirements. Clearly the manufacturers will have a big say in what happens.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Changed landscape for global carmakers

2011-05-10T18:56:00.001+01:00

The earthquake that hit Japan on 11 March, causing a tsunami and a nuclear crisis, did more than rock the country. Japan's motor industry was also shaken badly, with many of its parts suppliers hit.

A warning by the country's leading car-maker, Toyota, that parts shortages could curb output this year, coincided with booming sales and profits at its main global rival, General Motors (GM).

GM has just announced it is planning to invest $2bn (£1.2bn) in plants in eight US states, as well as creating hundreds of jobs. Fellow US car-maker Ford has also reported bumper profits and sales. And even the country's third-largest automotive company, Chrysler, is back in the black.

Less than two years ago, GM and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy and were bailed out by US taxpayers, while Ford had to sell its luxury division, which included Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo cars. At the time, Toyota and the other Japanese car-makers were gaining ground in the troubled Detroit-based companies' home market.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Ford sees best profit in 13 years on green car sales

2011-04-26T16:49:00.001+01:00

Ford has unveiled its strongest first quarter profits for 13 years, helped by increasing demand for more fuel-efficient cars.

Profits rose to $2.55bn (£1.54bn; 1.75bn euros) in the first three months of 2011, compared with $2.09bn at the same period the year before.

"Our team delivered a great quarter, with solid growth in all regions," said Ford president Alan Mulally. Ford said the 2011 outlook was good, despite higher commodity costs. Revenue for the first quarter was $33.1bn, up from $28.1bn a year earlier.

The firm said it had seen a strong performance in its home North American market, as well as "solid improvement" in Europe. US sales were up 16%, while market share in the Asia Pacific and Africa regions also increased, the carmaker said.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Botched roadworks cost taxpayers £70m, says LGA

2011-04-20T09:26:00.002+01:00

Botched roadworks are costing taxpayers in England and Wales £70m a year, the Local Government Association says.

It says councils are being left with the bill after contractors for utility companies fail to properly repair road surfaces they have dug up.

Workers dug two million holes last year and about 360,000 jobs were not properly completed, often leaving roads in a worse state, the LGA says. The utility industry said controls over repairs were being tightened.

This was in response to an LGA suggestion that utility companies should pay a bond before starting any work, which could then be used to cover the cost of any subsequent repairs or delays. The utility industry said any extra regulations would increase the cost of carrying out the work.

The LGA, which represents 419 local authorities in England and Wales, also wants councils to be given further powers to ensure roadworks are timed to cause minimum disruption to motorists.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Saving Lives, Saving Money

2011-04-04T10:54:00.002+01:00

Six thousand lives could be saved on Britain's roads over the next ten years if just a fraction of the money currently spent on road maintenance was provided for infrastructure improvements.

Britain loses up to £30 billion (2.3% GDP) annually in the cost of road crashes, most of which falls on busy, targetable motorways and main roads according toSaving Lives, Saving Money: the costs and benefits of achieving safe roads, a report for the RAC Foundation by the Road Safety Foundation.

The report shows how, within existing budgets, 1-star and 2-star roads can be eliminated in the next decade, with benefits worth £25-£35 billion. Achieving the savings will require that road authority leaders are offered guidance to focus on the full costs and benefits of saving the most lives for the money available.

According to Saving Lives, Saving Money, the total cost of crashes is well estimated by the Department for Transport but the way costs fall on families, business, carers, NHS, emergency services and the insurance industry is poorly understood.

The report also calls for:

The government's upcoming Strategic Framework for Road Safety to make the Highways Agency - Britain's single largest crash cost centre - the model of best practice from which UK authorities can learn;
New good practice guidance for authority leaders and professionals on generating and evaluating safety schemes so 1- and 2-star roads are eliminated and dual carriageways and motorways are brought up to high safety standards
Parliament and the Treasury to examine the value for money that can be provided by programmes to reduce death and injury and investigate how institutional barriers to rational investment and priority setting can be overcome;
Technical improvements to the evaluation of crash costs and recording of serious crashes by police and hospitals, with more focus on long-term care and the true financial costs of road crashes to healthcare and emergency services;
The insurance industry to study the initiatives in other countries where the cost of damage and injury claims has been driven down successfully through improved safety.

For the full report and to visit the Road Safety Foundation website click here...

source: The Road Safety Foundation

'No-win, no-fee' changes announced by Ken Clarke

2011-03-30T06:30:00.001+01:00

Changes to "no win, no fee" cases in England and Wales have been announced by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.

He told the Commons that lawyers would no longer be able to claim "success fees" from the losing side, and should instead receive a share of the damages. The government says it hopes the changes will act as a disincentive to anyone bringing "spurious cases".

But shadow justice secretary Sadique Khan warned they "could restrict access to justice" for poorer claimants. The proposals follow a review carried out by Lord Justice Jackson in 2010 at the request of the previous government.

The judge found huge rises in civil litigation costs in England and Wales in recent years and said reforms could save people millions.

According to the BBC's legal correspondent, Clive Coleman, critics say the scheme can encourage unscrupulous lawyers to take frivolous accusations to court. Mr Clarke told the Commons that he wanted to restore "proportion and confidence" in the justice system.

"We plan to end the recoverability of success fees and insurance premiums, which drive legal costs, award claimants a 10% uplift in general damages where they have suffered loss, and then ensure that they take an interest in controlling the bills being run up on their behalf by expecting them to pay their own lawyer's success fee," he said. The proportion of any damages that can be taken by lawyers will be capped at 25%.

The justice secretary said he believed "no win, no fee" was one of the reasons for recent increases in the cost of car insurance, and he hoped the planned changes would help drive premiums down.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

EU wants no petrol or diesel cars in cities by 2050

2011-03-28T13:00:00.001+01:00

There should be no petrol or diesel cars in city centres by 2050, the European Commission has proposed.

Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas also set out plans to shift half of "middle distance journeys" from road to rail, and to cut shipping emissions by 40%. He said: "Freedom to travel is a basic right for our citizens. Curbing mobility is not an option. Nor is business is usual."

The proposal would cut carbon emissions by 60% and reduce dependence on oil.

source: BBC

How are parking tickets overturned?

2011-03-28T12:50:00.001+01:00

Most people who get a parking ticket seethe with anger, pay up and get on with life. But thousands of motorists now become amateur sleuths, chronicling confusing "signs and lines" in a battle against the authorities, writes Neil Bennett for the BBC.

Some people might bracket parking tickets with death and taxes as one of life's inevitabilities. But what if you parked on double yellows long worn away or missed a sign covered with ivy, or failed to spot the notice 100 yards away suspending your usual parking spot?

Thousands of motorists every year challenge councils over tickets and when those appeals are refused they can end up at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, the independent body which covers 250 local councils in England and Wales. It is based in Manchester but arranges personal hearings around the country.

A startling 60% of appeals are successful, with many uncontested by councils. But a day spent at the tribunal suggests that it is worthwhile to get out a digital camera and gather evidence the next time you get an unfair ticket.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Government's Response to the North reports on drink and drug driving

2011-03-25T14:14:00.000Z

This is a link to the Government's response to the independent report on drink and drug driving in Great Britain commissioned by the previous Government from Sir Peter North in December 2009.

The response confirmed their strategy is to focus resources and any legislative changes on measures which will have the most impact in reducing dangerous behaviours. There are therefore two main priorities to continue the successful abatement of drink-driving and achieve similar success against drug-driving:

to give the police effective tools to identify and proceed against drug-drivers;
to streamline the enforcement process for drink and drug driving to ensure the most efficient use of police and other enforcement resources.

For the full response on the DfT website click here...

source: DfT

Vauxhall plant in Luton secured by Vivaro decision

2011-03-24T19:14:00.000Z

The future of the Vauxhall plant in Luton has been secured after a decision was made to build the new Vivaro van at the UK site.

It had been feared that the site would close in the next few years. The union said the decision, which will safeguard 1,100 jobs, was "fantastic" news.

Owner Vauxhall, the UK arm of General Motors, said the site would continue to play an "important role" in its manufacturing network. An existing contract between Vauxhall and French counterpart Renault to use the site had been due to run out in 2013.

The decision to continue production at Luton comes after the two car companies agreed last September to extend their collaboration on light commercial vehicle manufacturing, which first began in 1996.

Meanwhile, production of Renault's new Trafic van - also a product of the two firms' partnership - as well as the high-roof Vivaro will be at Renault's Sandouille plant in Normandy.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Osborne's Budget: Vehicle tax

2011-03-23T18:37:00.001Z

During the 2011 Budget statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced some changes to the rates of vehicle tax.

The new rates, which apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2011, are listed on the Directgov website, click here to link...

source: Directgov

Osborne's Budget: Fuel duty

2011-03-23T15:02:00.001Z

Motoring costs should fall for families and businesses as a result of fuel duty changes announced in the Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne announced a 1p per litre cut in fuel duty in response to a recent surge in global oil prices, effective from 1800GMT. He also said he would cancel a fuel duty escalator that would have pushed fuel costs higher.

An inflation-linked rise in the fuel duty planned for next week was delayed until next year.

"It's about doing what we can to help with the high cost of living and the high cost of oil," the chancellor said.

"The fuel duty escalator, that adds an extra penny on top of inflation every year, will be cancelled," he said, "not just for this year, or next year, but for the rest of this Parliament".

Under the old system the fuel duty would have risen by the rate of inflation, plus 1p per litre.

Instead, the fuel duty will fall by 1p per litre.

"We will delay the inflation rise in duty planned for next week until next year - and also delay the April 2012 inflation rise until the following summer."

The cut will be financed by taxing the oil industry, Mr Osborne said.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Lower drink-drive limit rejected

2011-03-21T16:48:00.004Z

The government has rejected lowering the legal drink-drive limit by nearly half, as recommended in a Whitehall-commissioned report. Sir Peter North said the limit should be reduced from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, saying this would save hundreds of lives each year.

The transport secretary Philip Hammond says improving enforcement rather than lowering the limit was likely to have more impact . But he has approved several measures recommended to deal with drug-driving.

This includes improved detection equipment and changes to streamline enforcement of both drink and drug driving.

The government will also consider whether a new specific drug-driving offence - alongside the existing one - is needed, to stop police from having to prove impairment on a case-by-case basis where a specified drug has been detected.

Sir Peter, a leading academic and legal expert, had made a total of 51 recommendations in his report. These included making it easier for police to identify and prosecute drug-drivers by allowing nurses, as well as doctors, to authorise blood tests of suspects.

Based on new research by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Sir Peter said that as many as 168 lives - about 7% of UK road deaths - could be saved by a reduced drink-drive limit in the first year. This could rise to as many as 303 lives by the sixth year, he said.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

UK car production up 15% in February, says SMMT

2011-03-17T18:59:00.000Z

UK car production rose 15.1% in February from a year ago, as export-led growth continued. There was also a 10.2% rise in engine output, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said there had been a 27% increase in exports, which "highlights the strength and competitiveness of UK products". He warned that next week's Budget must support the industry, not damage it.

The Budget "will be crucial in creating the conditions for further investment in skills, R&D and capital equipment, all essential for growth and maintaining global competitiveness," he said.

February's rise in car output means production over the first two months of the year is now up 12% on 2010. The SMMT said commercial vehicle production was down 3% in February, but for the first two months of 2011 was up 2.6%.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Legal & General predicts good growth in the UK

2011-03-17T10:51:00.001Z

The head of insurance giant Legal & General has predicted good growth in the UK as more people take control of their own financial affairs. Tim Breedon said the firm "will be a growing force as the welfare state retrenches" and people look for insurance and savings provisions.

L&G unveiled annual pre-tax profits of £1.09bn, up from £1.07bn, on worldwide sales up 28% to £1.8bn. L&G also beat its £600m cash generation target by making £728m.

The company's savings division was a key driver, with operating profit up 130% to £115m and net cash generation up 134% to £68m.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Japan's global firms strive for 'business as usual'

2011-03-16T09:13:00.001Z

The battering stock markets have received in the wake of Japan's earthquake is another vivid demonstration of how globalised the world now is. Companies and banks with bases in the UK, but with employees and even headquarters in Japan, are monitoring the situation in Tokyo and assessing how best to proceed.

While many organisations say they continue to watch the situation, none BBC News spoke to would admit to considering moving personnel out of Japan at this point - whether they're Japanese, from the UK or anywhere else. The emphasis is on preserving business continuity and, in the case of the big corporations actually aiding the relief efforts with massive donations of cash and trucks full of supplies.

Potentially the most vulnerable industry is the motor manufacturing sector, with companies building cars in Britain and the EU requiring parts from all over the world - and Japan in particular.

Toyota suspended production for three days in Japan itself while it checked on the safety of employees and their family members, as did other car-makers. That could result in a minor knock-on effect on parts for its models in the UK, though that would not be felt instantly because the components take six weeks to arrive here by sea.

Nevertheless, workers at Toyota's two plants in Burnaston and Deeside have been told they will get an extra Saturday off - 26 March - while the supply catches up. Other plants in the EU are also due to suspend operations at weekends.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Transport Select Committee report on motor insurance misses the point says the ABI

2011-03-11T08:58:00.002Z

Responding to the publication today (11 March) of the House of Commons Transport Committee report into the cost of motor insurance, Nick Starling, Director of General Insurance and Heath at the ABI, said:

“This report is a missed opportunity. The Committee took a great deal of evidence, and has chosen to ignore much of it.

The Committee has failed to recognise that the main cause of the recent increases in motor insurance premiums is ever- increasing personal injury claims and spiralling legal costs. These are often driven by claims management firms. The Committee should have called on the Government to implement in full the recommendations of Lord Justice Jackson’s report into tackling the compensation culture. This will not only control excessive legal costs, but will speed up the payment of compensation to genuine claimants. Until this happens the cost of motor insurance will continue to rise."

“Legal costs alone now add an extra £40 a year to the average motor premium, and motorists should not have to foot the bill for our cost-ridden compensation system.

“The Committee is also wrong to say that referral fees should be more transparent. They are a symptom of a dysfunctional compensation system, not the cause of it. This is why the industry wants to go further than the Committee recommends and ban them altogether.”

On the Committee’s comments on tackling insurance fraud and young driver road casualties, Nick Starling commented:

“Insurers are also working hard to combat insurance fraud, including funding the Insurance Fraud Bureau, which works closely with the police in investigating organised motor insurance frauds.

“What the Committee has got right is to call for more action to reduce the appalling number of accident casualties among young drivers. The Government must act now to fix our failing driver training regime, through measures such as introducing a minimum learning period.”

For the full article on the Association of British Insurers website click here...

source: ABI

DfT says 'lifts don't count as private hire'

2011-03-08T09:04:00.002Z

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published guidance on what constitutes a private hire vehicle (PHV). It confirms that "most informal courtesy lifts offered by, for example, rental car companies or garages would not fall within the PHV licensing regime."

The guidance follows a review of legislation after the BVRLA highlighted the concerns of rental companies threatened with legal action by local authorities on the grounds that their vehicles had to be licensed to pick up or drop off customers.

"We estimate that compliance with private hire regulations would have cost members £3m a year and restricted the level of service rental firms could have offered to their customers," said Jay Parmar, head of legal services at the BVRLA. "We welcome the extra clarification."

The DfT's guidance note has been sent to interested stakeholders for comment by 25 March 2011 and will then be subject to ministerial approval before being published. Copies are available from BVRLA legal services executive Amanda Brandon.

Contact: Amanda Brandon, e: amanda@bvrla.co.uk t: 01494 545701

To visit the BVRLA website and to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

UK 'over-reliant' on GPS signals, engineers warn

2011-03-08T05:10:00.001Z

The UK may have become dangerously over-reliant on satellite-navigation signals, according to a report from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Use of space-borne positioning and timing data is now widespread, in everything from freight movement to synchronisation of computer networks. The academy fears that too many applications have little or no back-up were these signals to go down. Receivers need to be capable of using a variety of data sources, it says.

Dr Martyn Thomas, who chaired the group that wrote the report, told BBC News:

"We're not saying that the sky is about to fall in; we're not saying there's a calamity around the corner. What we're saying is that there is a growing interdependence between systems that people think are backing each other up. And it might well be that if a number these systems fail simultaneously, it will cause commercial damage or just conceivably loss of life. This is wholly avoidable."

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Spain speed limit cut over high oil prices

2011-03-07T13:08:00.001Z

Spanish commuters have had to ease off the accelerator this morning on their drive to work, confronted with a new speed limit of 110km/h (68mph) on main roads.

Throughout Sunday and into the night, teams worked across the country to prepare for Monday's change - covering the old 120km/h (75mph) limit with stickers on 6,000 road signs.

The slowdown is intended to save energy in response to the surge in oil prices sparked by the unrest in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world.

Spain is heavily dependent on imported fuel and 13% of its oil usually comes from Libya.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Advisory fuel rates rise

2011-03-07T09:58:00.000Z

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced new advisory rates for drivers claiming reimbursement for fuel expenses incurred while driving on business.

The rates apply to journeys undertaken by employees on or after 1 March 2011. Employers are not obliged to reimburse their employees at these rates, which indicate the maximum tax-free level.

To visit the HMRC website click here...

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Insurance and pension costs hit by ECJ gender ruling

2011-03-01T15:35:00.002Z

Insurers cannot charge different premiums to men and women because of their gender, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled. The decision means that women can no longer be charged lower car insurance premiums than men, and the cost of buying a pensions annuity will change.

The change will come into effect in December 2012, although customers could see premiums alter in the interim.

The court was ruling on a challenge by a Belgian consumer group Test-Achats. It had argued that a current exemption for insurers contradicted the wider European principle of gender equality.

"Taking the gender of the insured individual into account as a risk factor in insurance contracts constitutes discrimination," the ECJ said.

The requirement for unisex insurance premiums and benefits will start on 21 December 2012, giving national governments and the European insurance industry time to adjust.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

England tops UK road safety league

2011-02-28T19:29:00.002Z

England tops the UK road safety league table with the lowest rate for deaths on the roads, ahead of Scotland and Wales, with Northern Ireland firmly at the bottom, according to a report published today by the IAM.

The report ‘Comparisons -- England’s regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’ shows substantial differences in the safety of roads and levels of car ownership around the UK. England’s north - south divide is also a significant factor.

In England the north east and the north west are the safest places to drive, while the east Midlands is the most dangerous.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said:

“While the UK is now top of the European road safety league, the risk of being killed on UK roads varies considerably around the country. Road deaths in Northern Ireland are twice that of north east England. Bringing the worst areas in the UK up to the same level of the best would save many more lives and reduce serious injuries. This should be a prime focus for central, devolved and local government road safety plans.”

While England’s northern regions are the safest, they are at the bottom of the car ownership league table -- more than a quarter of households don’t own a car. Over 80 per cent of households in the south east and the south west own one or more. Overall in England car ownership fell in 2009, in Wales there was no change, and in Scotland there was a modest increase on 2008.

Greig said: “Car ownership is a good measure of prosperity. Regional declines in ownership and the fact that ownership is much higher in the south of England reflects the UK’s economic and employment trends.”

To read the full report and visit the Institue of Advance Motorists website click here...

source: IAM

Claims for pothole damage treble in Kent

2011-02-18T12:00:00.001Z

The number of claims filed by drivers in Kent for pothole damage nearly trebled last year to 3,474, figures released by the county council show.

It has so far paid out £56,113 to settle compensation claims lodged in 2010, but the figure will rise because many remain outstanding. In 2009, the council paid out £111,234 after 1,196 claims for vehicle damage.

The council said fixing potholes was its top priority on the roads, which it wanted to keep as safe as possible.

The head of AA roads policy, Paul Watters, said the increase in the number of claims against Kent County Council (KCC) was a big leap. "It is disappointing there are so many claims because it shows there are so many roads at breaking point that need proper repair," he said.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Australian town renamed SpeedKills in safety campaign

2011-02-18T11:38:00.003Z

A small town in the Australian Outback has decided to change its name for a month in an attempt to increase road safety.

The town of Speed - a blink-and-you'd-miss-it town in the countryside of Victoria - will be known as SpeedKills.

Speed-dwellers are hoping it will persuade drivers to slow down on country roads. Speed is hoping to become something of a global, internet sensation with the launch of this novel safety campaign.

The idea was the brainchild of the Victoria Transport Accident Commission, which soon won over Speed's 45 residents.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

UK new car sales fall 11.5% in January

2011-02-16T06:43:00.001Z

Sales of new cars in the UK fell for the seventh month running in January, according to the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

New car registrations last month were 128,811, down 11.5% from a year ago. The fall was in line with the SMMT's forecast, and was partly due to the ending of the car scrappage scheme. The SMMT added that the market share for cars with low CO2 emissions had increased to 2.7% from 1.4% in the same month last year.

UK-built cars maintained the same share of the market as a year ago, with 13%. The Ford Focus was the best selling new car last month with 7,582 new cars registered.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Giant Andy Scott statue felled in roundabout crash

2011-02-14T14:00:00.001Z

A giant sculpture of a striding man by public artist Andy Scott has been knocked over in a car accident. The 4m (13ft) structure, installed at Muirside roundabout, Tullibody, in Clackmannanshire, is one of five pieces in the county by the artist.

It is understood a car crashed into the statue, which sits outside the village police station, at about 2110 GMT on Saturday. Central Scotland Police said they were investigating the incident.

The sculpture - also known as the Man in Motion - is made of welded steel mosaic and has the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle as a backdrop. Brian Smith, a college lecturer who lives near the sculpture, said the impact of the crash must have been considerable.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

New blue badge parking crackdown

2011-02-14T13:03:00.000Z

A crackdown on abuse of the disabled "blue badge" parking scheme in England has been announced by ministers.

It is estimated that use of up to half of the existing 2.5 million badges could be fraudulent, costing the UK an estimated £46m a year.

More people are to face mobility tests to get the badges, which offer special parking rights, and councils will have greater powers of confiscation. Use of blue badges has soared by more than a third in the last 10 years. The badges allow access to special parking or the right to avoid parking restrictions.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

ABI says cold weather sees UK insurance claims double to £1.4bn

2011-02-09T11:05:00.001Z

The freezing weather in December resulted in £1.4bn of insurance claims on property and vehicles in the UK, figures have shown.

This is more than twice the £650m claimed due to the cold snap the previous year, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said. The snap was more severe, longer and affected more of the country.

Burst pipes caused the most problems, with more than 100,000 claims totalling £680m, the ABI said. More than 250,000 vehicles were damaged as a result of the snow and ice on the roads, leading to £530m of claims.

Figures released last month showed that the cold weather was largely responsible for the contraction in the UK economy during the final three months of last year. The economy shrank by 0.5%, but activity would have been "flattish" without the impact of the bad weather, the Office for National Statistics said.

source: BBC

New spy camera to check level crossings

2011-02-09T10:59:00.001Z

Drivers and pedestrians who put their lives at risk and ignore safety signals at level crossings have a greater chance of being prosecuted thanks to a new high-tech spy camera.

Network Rail say the number of people risking their lives has risen over the last five years.

To view the report by the BBC's Alison Moss click here...

source: BBC

DVLA warns drivers of email scam

2011-02-08T09:44:00.002Z

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is warning of an email scam that asks drivers to verify their licence details via a website link.

The email, which purports to come from the DVLA, appears to be an attempt to trick drivers into providing personal details.

David Evans, the DVLA's corporate affairs director, said: "We would strongly urge anyone in receipt of this or a similar email to treat it with extreme caution and not to follow the instructions given."

To visit the DVLA online services page click here...

source: BVRLA

Credit law gives greater protection

2011-02-08T09:26:00.002Z

New laws that came into force last week have strengthened consumer protection.

Under the new rules, introduced on 1 February to reflect the European Council's Consumer Credit Directive, customers have:

• up to 14 days to cancel agreements

• the option to make partial repayments ahead of schedule (at present, they are obliged to either pay off the full sum owed or stick to the agreed rate of repayment).

Lenders also have greater responsibility towards their customers. They must now:

• give standardised pre-contractual information to improve comparability

• ensure the customer understands their agreement

• carry out a thorough check on the creditworthiness of the customer.

Information on the types of customer and agreement covered by consumer credit law is available from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The BVRLA will also have guidance available shortly. If you have any questions in the meantime, contact head of legal services Jay Parmar.

To visit the BVRLA website or to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

M25 scheme 'may have wasted £1bn'

2011-02-08T09:22:00.001Z

A project to widen two stretches of the UK's busiest motorway could have wasted £1bn of public money, MPs have said.

The Highways Agency gave poor cost estimates for the M25 scheme and did not look at possible cheaper alternatives, the public accounts committee found.

The MPs also questioned why it had taken nine years to sign a contract with a private company to do the work. But the agency said the project was progressing on time and under budget. It covers 22 miles (35km) between junction 16 and junction 23 of the M25, in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

The agency's cost estimates for a 30-year, £3.4bn private finance contract for road-widening had been "poor", the committee said. It expressed concern that the invitation to tender for the contract had excluded "hard shoulder running", in which drivers are allowed to use the hard shoulder at peak times.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

A future without car crashes?

2011-02-07T14:54:00.003Z

More than a million people die around the world in car accidents each year but experts in the industry now believe fatal smashes could be eliminated. Some hope there could be an end to car crashes altogether.

Accidents can be caused by a multitude of reasons, but human error is at the heart of them. Drivers go too fast for the weather conditions, make unwise decisions and fail to notice or anticipate potential hazards. But what if the car could help the errant driver?

Scientists and engineers are developing technology and enhancements to cars that would aid drivers to the extent that crashes would become rarer events. Bad weather conditions and poor judgement would be mitigated by the car itself. Drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists could one day be protected from bad driving.

Sophisticated technology is also being mapped out to ensure drivers and passengers can survive even catastrophic accidents.

Volvo believe in the future they can stop cars from ever crashing. They are developing auto-braking technology to ensure cars come to a stop when they sense another car coming close to them - both from the front and the side.

Scientist Erik Coelingh has been testing his crash avoidance technology at their test track in Sweden. He has high hopes for the research being carried out at Volvo: "We believe that accidents are not inevitable. And we have a vision that in - in the future there will be no collisions, will be no fatal accidents with vehicles any more."

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Car rental ‘better value than ever’ says Telegraph

2011-01-27T09:49:00.001Z

Most travel costs have risen over the past three years, except for car rental, which has fallen in most popular tourist destinations.

According to a recent study in The Telegraph, most air fares, ferry crossings, Eurostar tickets and travel insurance premiums have risen in price since 2007. In comparison, car rental prices continued their downward trend from the early 1990s despite the increasing operating and regulatory costs.

The Telegraph article can be read here...

source: BVRLA

Fraud costs UK economy '£38bn a year'

2011-01-27T09:39:00.003Z

Fraud costs the UK economy £38bn a year, with more than half of that suffered by the public sector, according to official estimates.

The National Fraud Authority (NFA) said that if the total cost was broken down, every UK adult would be £765 worse off. The NFA said "a stronger counter-fraud culture" was needed.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the £21bn cost of public sector fraud could pay for 800 secondary schools or 615,000 nurses. The cost to the private sector was £12bn and charities lost £1.3bn, the NFA reported, while individuals' losses were estimated at £4bn.

Frauds included marketing scams, bogus operators, fake lotteries and online ticketing and rental crimes.

Bernard Herdan, of the NFA, said the authority's annual fraud indicator was a "blueprint" for work to tackle the "rising tide" of fraud. Everyone should make an effort to protect themselves and share information on suspicious behaviour with the authorities.

"We want to develop a stronger counter-fraud culture, which helps to disrupt fraudulent activity across the UK and globally," Mr Herdan said.

For the full story and updates from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

New 'ice eliminator' to tackle Scotland's frozen roads

2011-01-21T13:41:00.001Z

Stocks of a liquid that can tackle hard-packed snow and ice on roads at temperatures as low as -20C are to be used in Scotland.

The solution is being distributed after the failure of salt and grit to clear key routes during the recent extreme weather.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said the liquid had been tested in Aberdeenshire and had shown "favourable results". The project forms part of a new government winter transport plan.

Mr Brown said ministers were exploring "innovative ways" to tackle future bouts of freezing weather.

He said: "This is one of the first times this treatment has been used on the Scottish road network and it is encouraging to see this initial trial deliver positive early results."

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC News

UK car production rose 27.1% in 2010, says SMMT

2011-01-20T14:32:00.002Z

UK car production rose sharply in 2010, with carmakers manufacturing 1.27 million cars, a rise of 27.1% on the previous year, figures show.

In the month of December, car production was up 10.6% from a year ago to 94,325, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Commercial vehicle production was up 35.7% at 123,019 units.

The annual figures confirm a recovery in the UK car industry after sales were hit hard during the recession. However, production levels are still a long way from returning to pre-downturn levels. Total production, which includes both car and commercial vehicles, was 1.39 million in 2010, compared with 1.75 million in 2007 and 1.65 million in 2008.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

BVRLA warns cheap car rental deals can prove too good to be true

2011-01-12T09:44:00.001Z

The BVRLA is advising car rental customers to take extra care when confronted with ridiculously cheap deals on the internet or in the press.

Police and Trading Standards officials are currently investigating a number of companies that have lured consumers with low prices and offer to deliver vehicles to their door. In many cases, customers have handed over hundreds of pounds in advance only to find that their car never arrives and the company does not really exist.

The BVRLA is taking the opportunity to remind people to rent from its members because they are quality assured and operate under a code of conduct.

The association has produced the following advice for consumers, which members may wish to pass on:

1. Use a BVRLA member. Seeing our logo on the front desk or website is a sign that you are dealing with a reputable company that has been vetted and operates to a professional code of conduct. You will also be able to use our conciliation service in the event of any dispute.

2. Never hand over cash. Most rental companies will only want to accept credit/debit card payment.

3. Make sure the company is operating from bona fide commercial premises, not a PO Box or virtual office, no matter how prestigious the location sounds.

4. Make sure the company actually has the cars it is offering – BVRLA members operate their own rental fleet.

5. Remember, if the price or service being offered seems too good to be true, it probably is!

BVRLA members who are aware of companies offering vehicle rental or leasing services that they believe to be fradulent are welcome to pass on their concerns to the association's legal services team.

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Volkswagen seeks to conquer America with new Passat

2011-01-12T09:37:00.001Z

The sprawling Volkswagen stand at the Detroit auto show is fitting for a company that has declared war on its biggest rivals, insisting it will become the largest carmaker in the world by 2018.

The size of the German group's exhibit at the show belies its embarrassing and costly failure to conquer the most profitable car market in the world - in spite of years of trying hard.

"There was a period when we were very successful," laments Jonathan Browning, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America as he recalls the days when Americans were wowed by the Beetle and the company's iconic Microbus. Volkswagen Group, which owns a string of brands such as Audi and Bentley in addition to its VW marque, is a tiny player in the vast US market.

Volkswagen aims to quadruple its US sales over the next seven years to a million cars - with 800,000 from the VW marque and the remaining 200,000 from Audi - and by then it hopes to sell one in 15 cars in the US.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

FA signs Vauxhall sponsorship deal

2011-01-12T09:36:00.000Z

The Football Association has unveiled a new three-and-a-half year sponsorship deal with carmaker Vauxhall.

The multi-million pound deal comes six months after Nationwide building society ended its 11-year FA deal.

The car firm is also set to complete further deals with the national associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland within the next week.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Chadwick chairs Rental Committee

2011-01-10T11:08:00.001Z

The new chair of the BVRLA Rental Committee, Alison Chadwick, will oversee her first meeting on 18 January 2011.

It will address: Industry reputation, standards and vehicle information.

RIVAL Insurance wishes Alison every success.

To vivit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Saab's quarterly sales more than double

2011-01-06T12:05:00.001Z

The number of Saab cars sold in the last three months of 2010 was more than double a year earlier, the carmaker's Dutch owner Spyker has said.

A total of 11,448 Saab cars were sold worldwide between October and December, up 129% from the same period in 2009, and 31% higher than July-September. For 2010 as a whole, 31,696 Saab cars were sold globally.

In October, Spyker was forced to downgrade its full-year Saab sales target, blaming supply chain issues. It said it had hoped to sell 45,000 Saab cars in 2010, but cut this to between 30,000 and 35,000 after it said it had had to rebuild Sweden-based Saab's supply base following its purchase of the company from US giant General Motors.

Saab is now expanding its dealer network in China and Russia, and Saab chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson said earlier this week that he was confident the company could keep up its "current sales momentum".

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Roads busy as Christmas getaway freeze continues

2010-12-23T11:10:00.002Z

Millions of motorists are taking to the roads for the festive getaway as the big freeze continues to make driving conditions "treacherous".

Thursday is likely to be one of the busiest traffic days of the year for shoppers and Christmas travellers. Sub-zero temperatures are predicted and up to 10cm (4ins) of snow is expected in Northumberland and eastern Scotland.

The Highways Agency has suspended 64 miles of roadworks between Christmas Eve and 4 January 2011.

AA president Edmund King said drivers must remember to top up anti-freeze, put de-icer in their windscreen washers and drive on a full tank of petrol. He also said: "The roads in many parts of the country are treacherous. Conditions are not great because of the sub-zero temperatures so try not to brake too harshly and where possible stick to motorways and trunk roads. The day the majority of people stay at home is Christmas Day. Some 60% say they won't venture out at all. If people really are worried and get stuck in the traffic, maybe early in the morning on the 25th might be the time to travel."

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

BVRLA highlights key lease accounting issues

2010-12-21T08:59:00.000Z

The BVRLA has called on the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to re-examine its plans to bring all leased assets and liabilities onto the balance sheet.

"Most people accept the need to make major leased assets and liabilities more transparent," said BVRLA chief executive John Lewis. "But whether you are talking to leasing companies, their customers or accounting firms, there is almost total consensus that the plans being put forward are over-complicated and will fail to achieve their objective."

In its response to the IASB consultation on the proposals, which closed last week, the BVRLA highlights issues it believes the IASB needs to address: Short-term leases. The BVRLA believes that low value transactions lasting less than 12 months should be treated as service contracts and therefore excluded from the proposals.

Transition period. The association also believes that affected firms should be given a minimum of four years to make the necessary system and process changes required to meet the new accounting requirements.

The BVRLA is confident that the proposed standards will not erode the key commercial benefits of leasing, but it is keen to ensure that they do not put an excessive accounting burden on businesses. The IASB is now expected to review the consultation responses before publishing a final standard in the first half of 2011.

The BVRLA's response can be read by clicking here...

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Weather chaos continues as thaw remains days away

2010-12-21T08:25:00.001Z

The winter weather is continuing to cause problems across the UK, as a thaw seems unlikely for several days.

Gatwick Airport re-opened at 0600 GMT after closing overnight, but passengers were told to expect further disruption. Heathrow Airport is operating no more than a third of all flights until 0600 GMT on Wednesday, and there are delays at regional airports across the UK.

The coldest temperature overnight was -17.6C, recorded in Crosby, Merseyside, and in Katesbridge, Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Eurostar passengers were queuing for more than half a mile on Tuesday morning as the cross-channel operator ran a restricted service at St Pancras station in London. The company asked customers booked to travel before Christmas to exchange their tickets or get a refund free of charge, if their travel was not essential. On Monday, people queued for up to eight hours.

Forecasters have predicted there will be no let-up in the freezing conditions until Boxing Day - with ongoing delays on the roads and railways. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings of widespread icy roads across most of the UK.

For the full story and updates from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Further snow travel chaos set to disrupt Christmas week

2010-12-20T10:51:00.003Z

Thousands of people face further disruption to their Christmas travel plans as cold weather conditions continue to grip much of the country.

British Airways is hoping 60 flights will depart Heathrow on Monday morning, but dozens more have been cancelled. BAA has apologised to people who were forced to sleep in the terminal but Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said aviation was a "safety-first business".

For updates to this story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Heavy snow and ice cause disruption across the UK

2010-12-17T09:07:00.001Z

Several UK airports have been closed and train services cancelled after heavy snowfalls in many areas.

Motorists are also being warned to take extra care because of widespread ice, and police in northern Scotland are advising against all travel.

At least 440 schools in Wales, 200 in Scotland and 220 in Northern Ireland are closed. More snow is forecast later and on Saturday, with up to 25cm (10in) in Wales and southern and central England.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for widespread icy roads for the whole of the UK. There are also heavy snow warnings for Orkney and Shetland, Highlands and Outer Hebrides, Grampian, Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England on Friday.

By Saturday, another band of heavy snow is forecast to affect much of England and Wales, with 5 to 10cm likely in many places and 20 to 25cm possible in some others.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Latest Traffic and Travel from the BBC

2010-12-17T08:51:00.000Z

Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News by clicking here... source: BBC

Mitsubishi and Nissan boost ties

2010-12-14T09:52:00.002Z

Carmakers Nissan and Mitsubishi have said they will increase levels of co-operation between the two firms.

Under the deal, Nissan will make a small van which Mitsubishi will sell in Japan. Meanwhile Mitsubishi will supply a sports utility vehicle (SUV) to Nissan for sale in the Middle East. The firms already supply each other with models that they have marketed under each other's brand names in Japan. This is done under an industry scheme known as Original Equipment Manufacturing.

The companies said that talks for Nissan to provide Mitsubishi with more top end models for the Japanese domestic market were continuing.

They are also considering plans to build the Nissan Navara at Mitsubishi's Thailand factory and contemplating setting up a joint venture "for product planning and engineering of mini cars for the Japanese domestic market".

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC News

M8 motorway in Scotland reopens after big freeze

2010-12-08T16:40:00.001Z

A 20-mile stretch of the M8 motorway has reopened after being closed for 48 hours due to snow and ice.

Scotland's busiest road had been closed westbound between the outskirts of Edinburgh and Shotts in North Lanarkshire since Monday afternoon. It was the last of Scotland's motorways to be opened after the transport network was brought to a standstill by severe weather two days ago.

Police were still advising drivers against travelling and temperatures again plummeted overnight, with Edinburgh recording -14C and Glasgow dropping to -13C.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC News

Highways Agency advice during exceptionally low temperatures

2010-12-07T11:32:00.003Z

The Highways Agency have published this advice as very low temperatures and snow continue to affect the country.

'While the severe weather continues, road users are advised to take extra care because of the risk of ice forming on road surfaces. Despite the severe weather, all motorways are open, as are the vast majority of the other strategic roads we operate. Our winter fleet continues to lay salt and remove lying snow around the clock to keep these routes available for use.

However with exceptionally low temperatures forecast, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to take extra care because of the risk of ice forming on road surfaces. While salt is very effective at reducing the risk of ice formation, at very low temperatures there can still be a risk of black ice on road surfaces even when salt has been spread. Drivers are advised to pay particular care at locations where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean that there may be an increased risk of ice. There is still a need to drive with care, even after road surfaces have been treated.

While the severe weather continues, drivers are advised by the Highways Agency to check their route and the weather forecast before setting out, and to take extra care if they decide to travel where there is a risk of snow or ice. In the worst affected areas, if a journey is not essential, then road users should consider whether to delay setting out until local conditions improve.

Continuous salt treatment and snow ploughing is being carried out on the strategic road network in England. Where incidents have occurred, our traffic officers and maintenance teams are working with the Police to re-open routes as soon as it is safe to do so.

Road users who decide to travel are advised to check road conditions and the weather forecast for their planned route. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio and take a severe weather emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade for snow. When driving leave sufficient distance between vehicles so you can stop safely.'

To visit the Highways Agency website for advice and links to 'breaking news' items click here...

source: Highways Agency

Three police forces urge drivers not to travel

2010-12-07T10:17:00.001Z

Three Scottish police forces have warned motorists not to travel in the central belt after hundreds of drivers spent the night stranded in their cars.

Strathclyde Police, Central Scotland Police and Lothian and Borders Police asked people not to venture out "unless absolutely essential".

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures caused the country's transport network to ground to a halt. More than a third of Scotland's schools have again been closed. About 900 schools are closed and more than 200,000 children are away from classes.

There are blanket closures in place across the whole of the Strathclyde region.

Many drivers were stuck overnight on the M8 after heavy snow caused severe disruption to the route between Glasgow with Edinburgh.

Traffic was also brought to a standstill on the M80 in central Scotland, with drivers advised to stay with their vehicles.

Some drivers were stuck overnight in their vehicles on the M8, M80 and A80. HGV driver Fraser Brown told BBC Scotland he had spent more than 13 hours in "nightmare" gridlock after setting out on the M8 from Livingston.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Ancillary charges will not be regulated

2010-11-30T11:01:00.001Z

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has decided not to regulate 'ancillary' charges – those which, from a consumer's perspective, do not form part of the 'essential bargain' between trader and customer.

The BVRLA welcomed the announcement, calling it both sensible and fair. The association's head of legal services, Jay Parmar, said: "There was no justifiable basis for charges for administration, fuel and excess mileage to be regulated, especially as these are intended to recoup losses or costs incurred by our members and are therefore driven by cost recovery."

To join the BVRLA you can visit their website by clicking here...

source: BVRLA

Make time for winter - Highways Agency guide to driving in severe weather

2010-11-29T09:36:00.005Z

The Highways Agency have issued this advice on driving in severe weather conditions:

Winter can be a busy time for everybody. Whether working, at school or on holiday, there's so much to remember. But whatever occupies your time this winter, don't get caught out when driving in severe weather. Don't just drive, prepare.

For a smoother journey check your vehicle is ready for winter. Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It's worth making these checks regularly - and particularly before a long journey:

1. Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator 2. Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs 3. Ensure your windscreen is clean 4. Replace the battery if it's not reliable 5. Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum.

Be a smarter driver - check traffic and weather updates. Before you set off it's worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren't any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too - but remember not to use your phone while driving:

1. Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx 2. Check the weather at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 3. Call the Highways Agency information line on 0300 123 5000 4. Tune into DAB Traffic Radio at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/

Remember to take regular breaks from driving - tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

For more details on driving in severe weather conditions visit the Highways Agency Website by clicking here...

source: Highways Agency

Freezing weather shows no sign of letting up

2010-11-29T09:30:00.002Z

The freezing weather shows no sign of letting up with more snow forecast for the rest of the week. Hundreds of schools are closed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north-east of England.

The Local Government Association says councils have increased stockpiles of salt and grit but hundreds of motorists are trapped in their cars in Scotland. Gritting lorries servicing icy roads were attacked by youths in Londonderry on Sunday. The window of one vehicle was smashed and a number of roads in the Creggan and Gobnascale areas of the city went untreated as a result.

There were further heavy snowfalls in Scotland overnight and traffic is backed up for several miles on the A9 between Dunblane and Perth after several lorries jack-knifed. The M62 between junction 34 and junction 38 in West Yorkshire was described as "hazardous" while one of the main routes into the centre of Sheffield, the Parkway, was said to be "treacherous".

A Highways Agency spokesman said one lane of the eastbound M4 at the Severn Crossing had been closed as a precaution after ice started to form on the bridge.He said the road had now been reopened but added: "It is Monday morning and the advice that we issued last week still stands - be aware and be sensible. If the weather is bad, make sure you have got an emergency kit in the car and think about whether the journey is absolutely necessary."

BBC broadcast meteorologist Philip Avery warned plummeting temperatures overnight on Monday were likely to lead to icy roads in many places, while the strengthening winds will make it feel even colder. The UK has been experiencing the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993. Met Office severe weather warnings for icy roads - and snow in places - are effective across central and eastern Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland. Warnings of heavy snow are also in place along the entire east coast of England, as well as in Cornwall, with more expected throughout Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Avery said the worst weather would be in central and eastern Scotland and north eastern England but added: "There is a likelihood of wind in the northern half of the British Isles picking up in strength leading to more significant drifting."

For some regions Monday's forecast is for a nicer day, he said, but he warned the biting winds would have an impact and make it feel colder. The Greater London area and Kent are at risk of snowfall from Tuesday, with the Met Office warning drifting snow could cause disruption to road and rail networks towards the end of the week.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Brake launches Road Safety Week!

2010-11-23T10:03:00.002Z

Children across the UK are protesting that drivers go too fast in their community, putting young lives in danger.

A national survey of 15,000 9-13 year-olds launched for Road Safety Week by the charity Brake and business insurance specialist QBE finds that almost nine in 10 children (86%) think drivers go too fast around their homes and schools.

Shockingly, one in 10 children (10%) say they have been knocked down while walking or cycling; a further 56% have had a near miss, and a further 16% have had a frightening experience.

To find out more on the Brake survey visit their website by clicking here...

source: Brake

Guernsey signs international insurers' agreement

2010-11-22T10:23:00.000Z

Guernsey has come into line with international standards of regulation in the insurance industry.

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission signed an agreement approved by the world's main economies. The memorandum of understanding was organised by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.

Regulators elsewhere should now be more willing to share confidential information with Guernsey. Nik Van Leuven, the commission's director general, said the agreement meant Guernsey had been recognised as having reliable legislation and practice when it comes to insurance supervision.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

2010-11-09T09:04:00.002Z

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Len Jones looks at the changing relationships between SME’S and their banks where a good relationship is essential for long term business success.

To hear the latest podcast from Len Jones click here...

RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...

source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio

Sebastian Vettel hails Red Bull after team F1 crown

2010-11-08T11:56:00.001Z

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel believes the team's first constructors' title is testament to six years of hard work since their 2005 Formula 1 debut.

Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber's one-two in the Brazilian Grand Prix sealed the crown with one race to go.

"When Red Bull entered Formula 1, I was a small boy. If I compare the place then to now, there is massive progress," German Vettel said. "It's not always investing money, it is time, patience and a lot of passion."

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has an unassailable 48 point lead over McLaren as the teams head for the season finale in Abu Dhabi next Sunday.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Mayor of London cuts funds for electric car charging

2010-11-08T10:01:00.000Z

Boris Johnson, has cut £13m from a scheme to install charging points for electric cars across London.

The mayor had pledged to raise £20m for the £60m scheme which would see 22,500 charging points across London, with 7,500 being installed by 2013. But following the government's Spending Review he has cut his monetary contribution to the project to £7m. The mayor's office said its commitment to make London the electric car capital of Europe was "as strong as ever". Today it was announced that a city-wide electric vehicle charging network, 'Source London', will launch in spring 2011.

Source London will consist of 1,300 public charging points across the capital by 2013. There will be an annual charge of £100 for participants, entitling them to use the public charging points. At present electric vehicle drivers have to register in each London borough to use its charging points.

Further information on Source London can be found here...

source: BVRLA

Rentals Radio Podcast - Len Jones on the benefits of vehicle rental

2010-11-04T11:01:00.006Z

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Len Jones shares his thoughts with Peter Roper on whether buying cars or renting cars is more cost effective for business. This recording in October 2010 looks at the latest market trends and opportunities for businesses.

To hear the latest podcast from Len Jones click here...

RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...

source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio

US arm to take the brunt as Aon spells out global job cuts

2010-10-22T11:07:00.002+01:00

Aon is to reveal a breakdown this week of the 1,500-1,800 job cuts planned globally in the next three years, including any UK losses.

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission last week, Aon revealed that 5% of the workforce faced redundancy as part of a restructuring plan related to its acquisition of US-based consultancy Hewitt Associates. The broker did not specify where the cuts would be made, saying only that they would be mostly non-client-facing roles.

Most are expected to be in the USA, where Hewitt and Aon Consulting – the unit with which it is being merged – are based. But it is possible the UK could be affected.

Hewitt derived 10% of its net revenue for the year to 30 September 2009 from the UK, according to an SEC filing. It had 23,000 employees in 32 countries at the end of September 2009.

For the full story click here...

source: Insurance Times

Police cars to have national livery in savings plan

2010-10-22T10:53:00.001+01:00

The UK's 54 police forces hope to save £3.4m every year through a new deal that will see all vehicles branded with a national livery.

Forces looking for a patrol car for beat officers will be restricted to buying from four manufacturers. The deal includes all English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish forces, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and British Transport Police. Currently the forces spend around £83m on 5,600 vehicles each year.

In a statement, David Horne, of the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA), said the money saved was a significant amount.

Beat officers seeking a new patrol car will be able to choose from "ready to drive" models that will need minimal or no modification. They will be able to select only certain models of Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot or Hyundai, while forces seeking a high-performance traffic vehicle - which police often use while on motorway patrol - will be able to choose from certain BMW, Audi or Volvo models. Other manufacturers in the preferred suppliers' list include Jaguar, Iveco and VW should forces decide they need other types of vehicles including motorbikes, vans and armoured VIP saloons.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Row over Surrey roads as insurance claims rise

2010-10-21T19:26:00.001+01:00

About £700,000 is being taken from Surrey County Council's road repairs budget to settle insurance claims by motorists for damaged vehicles.

Independent councillors have criticised the move by the Tory-run council and said rising insurance claims were a result of a failure to maintain roads. Tory councillor and cabinet transport spokesman Ian Lake said roads were being repaired and being kept safe.

Pothole repairs in Surrey became a key election issue earlier this year. Independent councillor Eber Kington said insurance claims by motorists against the council had risen dramatically from 201 in 2006 to 1,676 last year.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Car insurance costs rise by new record, says AA

2010-10-14T16:29:00.000+01:00

The AA has recorded the biggest jump in the cost of car insurance since it started tracking the market, with young people bearing the brunt of the rise.

Figures due to be published this week show premiums for 17 to 22-year-olds have risen by 47% in a year.

Young male drivers are paying the most, with the average of the three cheapest quotes they get being £2,457. That is nearly double the premiums offered to young women, the motoring group said.

The insurance costs are being blamed on another surge in claims for injuries sustained in accidents. "If you have an accident which leaves someone disabled, the claim can be up to £15m," said Simon Douglas, director of insurance at the AA.

source: BBC News

Guide will help customers understand rental

2010-10-11T09:18:00.002+01:00

Rental companies are being urged to issue customers a new, easy-to-follow 'key facts' document setting out the main terms and conditions associated with hiring a car.

Produced by the BVRLA in conjunction with its members, the guide tells customers where they stand on issues including fuel, mileage, insurance, damage, late returns and traffic fines. It also explains what they should expect from the rental company.

Produced in response to a European Commission call for more user-friendly information summarising key contractual terms, the document is now available for BVRLA members to use as part of their pre-rental process.

"Customers need to bear in mind that they are renting an expensive and often powerful piece of equipment and that there are terms and conditions involved," said BVRLA chief executive John Lewis. "If we, as an industry, can make these clear at a pre-booking stage or before taking possession of the vehicle, we should be able to reduce the number of misunderstandings or disputes that occur further down the line."

To join the BVRLA and get access to this guide click here...

source: BVRLA

Sunderland draws up electric car charging points plan

2010-10-06T09:39:00.002+01:00

Plans to install 30 charging points for electric vehicles have been drawn up by Sunderland City Council.

There are to be a total of 30 Elektrobay points split between 11 council-run car parks. Locations include the multi-storey car park at the Civic Centre, Houghton, Washington, Roker and Seaburn.

Electric vehicles are plugged into the post, and are allowed up to four hours free parking during re-charging with the free electricity.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We're seeing a lot of technological development in the North East for electric vehicles, and Sunderland is at the heart of these developments. "The charging points will help make it easier for electric vehicle owners across all of Sunderland."

In March Japanese car firm Nissan announced that its new electric car - the Leaf - would be built at its Sunderland plant.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

'Homes and cars' smoking ban call by Wales' chief medic

2010-10-06T08:46:00.001+01:00

The smoking ban should be extended to the home and private cars to protect children from second-hand smoke, says Wales' top doctor.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said it was "unfair for children to bear the brunt of other people's habits". He said if the assembly government extended the ban on smoking to private cars and encouraged smoke-free policies in homes where children live, it would help to discourage children from taking up smoking themselves in later life and may help some adults to quit.

The Tobacco Manufacturers Association's said "In private vehicles, adults should be free to smoke, provided they do not light up or smoke in a way that would distract from safe driving. They should also show due consideration for other occupants and dispose of cigarette ends responsibly in ashtrays."

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Most rental companies already prohibit smoking in their vehicles. If you're a rental company and would like to find out more about RIVAL Insurance Services click here...

Government to scrap M4 bus lane

2010-10-01T15:34:00.001+01:00

The controversial M4 bus lane is to be scrapped at the end of the year.

All motorists will again be able to use the 3.5-mile (5.6km) lane, which operates on the London-bound carriageway from near Heathrow Airport.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the move, saying the bus lane was "not effective".

It will be suspended from 24 December for 18 months when the lane come back into use for the Olympics, after which it will be scrapped for good. The motorway's third lane between junctions three and two - which carries about 7% of London-bound traffic - is reserved for buses, licensed black taxis and motorcycles.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Rentals Radio Podcast - Toby Poston on the BVRLA's support of the car and van rental industry

2010-10-01T09:04:00.005+01:00

Established in 1967, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is the trade body for companies engaged in the leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles.

Its members provide short-term self-drive rental, leasing hire and fleet management services to corporate users and consumers. Through its 750 member companies and their customers, the BVRLA represents the interests of more than two-and-a-half million people who drive at work and the 10 million people who use a rental vehicle each year.

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Toby Poston from the British Vehicle and Rental Leasing Association (BVRLA) shares his thoughts with Peter Roper on why it is so successful in supporting the car and van rental industry.

To hear the latest podcast from the BVRLA's Toby Poston click here...

RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...

source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio

Blackberry launches Playbook rival to iPad

2010-09-28T09:15:00.002+01:00

Blackberry has announced its answer to Apple's iPad with a device called the Playbook.

The company unveiled its tablet computer to much anticipation at its developer conference, Devcon, in San Francisco. It is one of the first business-centric devices in the tablet market.

Analysts said that the release was a clever move by the Blackberry maker Research In Motion whose smartphones dominate the business sector.

"RIM's Blackberry Playbook tablet looks to be a real challenger to Apple's iPad, playing on its business credentials, rather than being just another joy machine'," Stuart Miles, editor of mobile technology website Pocket-Lint told BBC News.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

To get ahead of your rivals, why not find our more about RIVAL Insurance Services and click here...

source: BBC

DfT days driving is getting safer

2010-09-27T14:07:00.004+01:00

Newly published Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that compared to previous figures, driving is becoming far safer.

According to the DfT, in 2009 there were 222,146 reported casualties of all severities, 4% lower than in 2008. Of these, 2,222 people were killed, 12% lower than in 2008. The number of fatalities fell for almost all types of road user, most notably with a drop of 16% for car occupants.

Figures on the number of people killed and injured on the roads in 2009 were published in June, but this report provides more detailed information about accident circumstances, vehicle involvement and casualties, as well as trends in accidents and casualties.

Further information on Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2009: Annual Report can be found on the DfT website by clicking here...

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Safety concern over choice of driving shoes

2010-09-23T10:24:00.001+01:00

An AA survey for the BBC suggests that some drivers feel unsafe driving because of their choice of footwear.

The survey for BBC Breakfast, which questioned over 18,000 people, found that more than one in four drivers have at some point not felt fully in control of their vehicle - because of their footwear.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

F1 designer Gordon Murray unveils lightweight city car

2010-09-20T10:40:00.002+01:00

Imagine a car so narrow that two can drive next to each other in one lane; a car so small and short that three can park in one parking space. Now imagine that the car is built in a shed from glass fibre, recycled plastic bottles and hollow steel tubes, using just a fifth of the material required to build a conventional car.

Such a vehicle would have the potential to prevent gridlock on the world's roads as the number of cars quadruples to 2.5 billion by 2020. It could also help hundreds of millions of people achieve their dream of owning a car, without depleting scarce resources such as water, energy or steel.

Well, that car has been made. It seats three, weighs just 575kg, has a top speed of almost 100mph and is expected to cost about £6,000 ($9,000).

Using fewer and cheaper parts to build cars provides manufacturers with tremendous cost savings, but perhaps more importantly it reduces investment risk as less money is required upfront to get a project started, according to Prof Murray. In the future, car factories could be smaller, cheaper and less polluting than they are today "I love efficiencies in design, but I love efficiencies in business even more," he says. "The actual factory that builds an iStream car - no matter what shape it is, no matter what size it is - is about 20% of the capital investment and 20% of the size of a conventional car manufacturing plant - and about half the energy."

"What we want to do is to sell as many iStream licences to as many people for as many different cars as possible, all around the world," Prof Murray says, hoping to kick-start an automotive revolution.

For the full story from the BBC website click here...

source: BBC

Nissan increases China production target

2010-09-20T10:36:00.001+01:00

Japanese carmaker Nissan has increased its vehicle production target for China over the next couple of years.

The company now says production will increase from the current 670,000 units per year to 1.2 million in 2012. It had previously targeted production of one million units in 2012.

Nissan has overtaken Toyota as the top-selling Japanese carmaker in China and is expanding its facilities there. The firm is aiming for a 10% share in China - the world's biggest car market.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Inside world's first hydrogen-powered production car

2010-09-15T10:20:00.000+01:00

The world's first hydrogen-powered production car has arrived in the UK for the first time.

The Honda Clarity is not on sale yet, and may not be for many years. But does the technology behind the car - which emits just water and has a range of more than 200 miles - represent the future of motoring?

To see the BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott looking around the vehicle visit the BBC website by clicking here...

source: BBC

Scotlands 2020 vision

2010-09-14T12:16:00.001+01:00

A £300-a-year workplace parking levy, lower speed limits and a national emission-based road pricing scheme are some of the proposals being looked at by the Scottish Government to help combat climate change.

It is has been suggested that these proposals could help to cut vehicle CO2 emissions from the current level of 70 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes by 2020. However, the plans have been condemned by the CBI and the Institute of Advanced Motorists, who claim the charges will disadvantage Scottish businesses and drivers.

The Scottish Government has already announced a £4.3m financial package to help encourage the use of low-carbon vehicles by Scotland’s public services, as well as the installation of publicly accessible charging points, of which there are at present only 14.

To join the BVRLA click here...

source: BVRLA

BVRLA rejects regulation of contingent charges

2010-08-31T09:19:00.004+01:00

The BVRLA has rejected suggestions that contingent and ancillary charges – such as those for administration, fuel and excess mileage – should be assessed for unfairness. In its response to a call for evidence from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the association called for the government to clarify what the objectives of changing existing legal principles would be and how this would improve consumer protection.

BIS believes that a case may exist for it to regulate charges which, from the consumer's perspective, do not form part of the 'essential bargain' between trader and consumer. The department believes these charges are not actively considered by consumers when entering into a contract and are therefore not subject to normal competitive pressures.

The BVRLA contends that charges for administration, fuel and excess mileage do not need to be regulated by the government as these are intended to recoup losses or costs incurred by members and are therefore driven by cost recovery.

The association's full response can be found on the BVRLA website by clicking here...

source: BVRLA

RIVAL's software allows you to add contingent charges to your rental agreement easily and individually, to find out more about our REVOLUTION rental system click here...

China traffic jam stretches 'nine days, 100km'

2010-08-24T07:22:00.002+01:00

A massive traffic jam in China has slowed vehicles to a crawl for nine days near Beijing, local media say.

Vehicles, mostly lorries bound for Beijing, are in a queue for about 100km (62 miles) because of heavy traffic, road works and breakdowns. The drivers have complained that locals were over-charging them for food and drink while they were stuck. The situation has now "basically returned to normal," state television said on Monday.

There has been a boom in road building in China in recent years but vehicle use has soared at the same time. The stalled traffic stretched between Jining in Inner Mongolia and Huai'an in Hebei province, north-west of Beijing, said the Global Times. The road works which were obstructing traffic are necessary to repair damage caused by an increase in cargo lorries using the highway, the state-run newspaper said. They are not expected to be finished until mid-September.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Rival does not provide overseas cover to China, but to see what we can offer visit our home pages by clicking here...

Martin Flanagan: Standard Life shows you could always bank on insurance

2010-08-12T10:26:00.004+01:00

Insurance, the more staid financial cousin of the "I'll get my coat" banking sector, continues its recovery.

Standard Life took up yesterday where rivals Aviva and Legal & General left off earlier this month with a decent set of interims, including a 10 per cent rise in profits. Prudential is expected to continue the trend when it reports today.

For the full story click here...

by Martin Flanagan, for The Scotsman

source: BBC News link to The Scotsman website

Prudential cuts the cost of AIA bid failure

2010-08-12T10:15:00.001+01:00

Insurance group Prudential has announced that the cost of failing to buy Asian business AIA was less than it first estimated.

The Prudential had initially said it would lose £450m on the failed deal, but now puts the final figure at £377m.

The update came as the firm reported a 19% rise in underlying operating profits for the first half of 2010.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Call for law change on quad bikes

2010-08-03T09:05:00.003+01:00

Doctors say the law should be changed to force people who use road legal quad bikes to wear helmets.

Accident and emergency medics say lives are put at risk because riders do not have to wear protective gear - despite the fact the bikes can reach 90mph.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said there are no plans to make helmets compulsory but added that he will keep the matter under review. However the government says it does strongly advise riders to wear helmets.

The DVLA does not keep specific figures on the number of road legal quads but the main UK suppliers say that since 2005 they have gone from selling a few hundred each year to thousands.

For the full story on the BBC website click here...

source: BBC

RIVAL does not provide cover for quad bikes or motorcycles. To see what we do have to offer please visit our main site by clicking here...

Commission's goal to halve road deaths

2010-08-03T08:00:00.002+01:00

The European Commission has announced a target of halving road deaths in the European Union by 2020. A total of 35,000 people died in 2009 as a result of accidents on European roads. The UK has the lowest annual road fatality rate in the EU – 38 per million inhabitants.

Towards a European Road Safety Area: policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020, sets out seven strategic objectives: improved safety measures for trucks and cars; building safer roads; developing intelligent vehicles; strengthening licensing and training; better enforcement; targeting injuries; and a new focus on motorcyclists.

The Commission has concerns over the 'vehicles of tomorrow', including electric vehicles, as some of these are radically different from traditional vehicles in ways that might affect safety. It has said that, amongst other things, it will encourage progress on the active and passive safety features of motorcycles and electric vehicles. The Commission previously set out an action plan to halve annual EU road deaths from 50,000 to 25,000 between 2001 and 2010. The Commission's latest figures show that although substantial progress has been made this goal is unlikely to be achieved.

Further information can be found on the European Commission Road Safety website...

To visit the BVRLA website or to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

Uninsured drivers are becoming rarer

2010-07-27T13:55:00.002+01:00

According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), an estimated 1.5 million motorists in the UK drove with no insurance in 2009, compared to 1.8 million in 2005 – a drop of approximately 20%.

In a new report, the MIB also notes that drivers under the age of 21 were the least likely to be insured, with an estimated 243,000 breaking the law when they get behind the wheel – 20% of the drivers in that age group.

Further information on the report, and the MIB's 'Stay Insured' campaign, can be found on its website by clicking here...

To visit the BVRLA website or to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

Do speed cameras really cut accidents?

2010-07-27T11:20:00.001+01:00

Motorists in Oxfordshire may feel a little more free with the accelerator from Tuesday as the council was due to switch off its fixed speed cameras. The move is angering some safety campaigners but others say it will have little impact on accident figures.

The ultimatum comes after Downing Street announced it would be cutting the road safety budgets it gives to English and Welsh local authorities by 40%, as part of the wider efforts to reduce public spending. With a number of other local authorities saying they are likely to follow suit, the key questions are whether speed cameras have been successful in reducing road traffic accidents, and if we may now see a rise in such incidents.

Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, the organisation that operates the speed cameras in Oxfordshire on behalf of the council, has already said it fears a big increase in accidents.

Figures from the partnership appear to back up this claim. They show that at the 212 fixed camera sites across the wider Thames Valley region - which also includes Buckinghamshire and Berkshire - there was a 38% drop in vehicle collisions.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

BVRLA slams new vehicle registration certificate

2010-07-26T13:26:00.002+01:00

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is to issue a restyled vehicle registration certificate (V5C). It will be sent to all newly registered vehicles from 15 August and all relicensed vehicles, or those subject to a statutory off-road notification (SORN), after July 2011. The DVLA says the move will help protect motorists from being sold vehicles with false documentation.

The new V5Cs have a predominantly red cover, replacing the current blue, and carry a statement confirming that a V5C is not proof of ownership. According to the government's Directgov website: "The re-designed V5C now makes it clear that it is not proof of ownership and will provide details of where you can get advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of vehicle crime."

In 2006 a large batch of blank V5Cs was stolen and the DVLA has admitted that the theft was a factor in its decision to revise the former design.

Approximately 31 million genuine V5Cs are in circulation. With the production and distribution cost for each new certificate estimated to be around £10, the BVRLA believes the de facto recall of old V5Cs will cost the DVLA £310m. The association regards the move as ill-considered given the disruption and administrative costs this change will impose on fleet owners. It has called for an urgent meeting with the DVLA to discuss the steps the agency should take to minimise the impact for all parties. One proposal the BVRLA intends to table is to only issue a new V5C to recognised fleet vehicles when they are sold and registered to a new keeper.

The old and new V5Cs can be compared on the Directgov website by clicking here...

To visit the BVRLA website or to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

Government to review MOT test frequency

2010-07-21T09:31:00.002+01:00

Transport department whip Earl Attlee has said that the Government will review the need for annual MOT tests for cars and vans more than three years old.

In a written reply he told Tory Lord Marlesford that the issue would be looked at later in the year. Under EU rules, cars and light goods vehicles must be tested no later than four years after first registration and then at least every two years.

The BVRLA supports the idea of a review and is also lobbying for a change in legislation that would remove the need for one or two-year-old heavy commercial vehicles to have an annual test.

To visit the BVRLA website or to become a member click here...

source: BVRLA

Handy Rental Guide Gets The Green Light

2010-07-13T09:03:00.002+01:00

A guide to help people hiring cars understand the rental contract was approved by the BVRLA's Rental Committee last week. It was produced in response to feedback from the European Consumer Summit hosted by the European Commission in May, which recommended such a guide to help rental customers understand their contractual obligations when hiring a vehicle.

The guide is expected to become available to all BVRLA members next month via the association's website. It will be produced in several languages in order to help tourists.

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

Government Turns Its Attention To Ancillary Charges

2010-07-12T13:08:00.001+01:00

Charges for administration, fuel and excess mileage could be regulated by government, according to a discussion document published last week by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The government believes that an economic case may exist for it to regulate charges which, from the consumer's perspective, do not form part of the 'essential bargain' between trader and consumer. BIS believes that these charges are not subject to normal competitive pressures because they are not actively considered by consumers when entering into a contract.

The government's interest in ancillary costs follows the Supreme Court decision in November 2009 that charges for an unauthorised overdraft are a legitimate part of the cost of banking services.

The deadline for responses to the BIS discussion document is 23 August. For a copy contact BVRLA legal services executive Amanda Brandon.

To visit the BVRLA website click here...

source: BVRLA

'Most dangerous' roads in Britain

2010-06-30T14:21:00.001+01:00

Half of all fatal road crashes occur on one-tenth of Britain's roads, according to charity the Road Safety Foundation.

Its report, covering 28,000 miles of A-roads and motorways, says Scotland has the highest-risk highways, followed by parts of northern England. It identified the A537 between Macclesfield, Cheshire, and Buxton, Derbyshire, as the most dangerous road.

The charity wants government spending to be targeted at improving safety on the most dangerous roads. Its report, entitled Saving Lives for Less, suggests the high cost of emergency services and hospitals could be avoided by spending small sums in accident blackspots. The foundation is the British arm of the European Road Assessment Programme, the sister organisation of EuroNCAP, which measures car safety.

It examined accident data relating to roads across Britain. Among its conclusions were:

A third of all fatal and serious crashes happen at junctions
Single roads carry six times the risk of motorways and twice that of dual carriageways
One-in-four fatal or serious crashes on A-roads or motorways involves a motorcyclist
There was a 5% reduction in the number of fatal crashes on such roads in the past three years
West Midlands is the safest region

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Final day for the Elgar £20 note

2010-06-30T09:13:00.000+01:00

The £20 English banknote featuring the image of composer Edward Elgar will be accepted in shops for the last time on Wednesday.

Banks, building societies and post offices will only exchange the note for a newer replacement at each institution's discretion after then. From 1 July, customers may find they can only swap it by sending it back to the Bank of England.

The alternative £20 note carries a picture of economist Adam Smith. The Elgar £20 banknote, first issued in June 1999, has gradually been replaced by the Adam Smith note since March 2007.

For the full story click here...

source: BBC

Riesling road scheme plans

2010-06-28T13:48:00.002+01:00

Wine critics are angered by plans to build one of Germany's biggest bridges and a four-lane motorway through the historic Riesling vineyards of the Mosel valley.

Over 10,000 people have signed a petition asking the government to scrap the project. But local authorities say that it will significantly cut travel times between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Electric car arrives at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant

2010-06-22T19:14:00.002+01:00

Vauxhall's prototype electric car has arrived at its Ellesmere Port plant after workers drove it in relay from the firm's Luton base.

The Ampera goes on sale in 2012 but it is not certain whether it will be built in the UK. Vauxhall bosses have said the Cheshire base, which produces the Astra, has a good chance of making the Ampera.

Managing director Duncan Aldred said the car was "a truly revolutionary vehicle." He said it "catapults Vauxhall to the forefront of electric vehicle technology."

For the full story click here...

source: BBC News

Ad: For details of RIVAL Insurance's 'REVOLUTION' rental software click here...

Rentals Radio Podcast - Clive Lewis discusses key regulatory issues

2010-06-05T11:29:00.000+01:00

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Clive Lewis from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) discusses with Peter Roper the key regulatory issues to consider in the car and van rental business.

To hear the latest podcast from the ICAEW's Clive Lewis click here...

RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...

source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio

Rentals Radio Podcast - Clive Lewis on how to raise funding for your rental business

2010-05-12T17:12:00.001+01:00

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Clive Lewis from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) gives his view point on how to raise funding for your car or van rental business.

To hear the latest podcast from the ICAEW's Clive Lewis click here...

RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...

source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio