Motorists against fixed penalty rise

Video Transcript

Heading off on a road trip this coming bank holiday? It's a good idea to give your motor's tyres a quick check to make sure they're in good condition.

The bank holiday should be a time of enjoyment, relaxation and fun – so don't let something as simple as a dodgy tyre ruin your well-earned break.

TyreSafe, the tyre safety organisation, is urging motorists to conduct some simple maintenance checks before heading off this spring.

With millions of drivers taking to the roads for a quick getaway over Easter, shortly followed by the May bank holiday, breakdown firms are bracing themselves for a deluge of tyre-related call-outs – so how can you make sure you're not one of these stranded drivers?

"Spending just a few minutes checking your vehicle's tyres could ultimately save you hours of hassle following a puncture or blow-out," said Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman.

"However, what's more important is that an unchecked tyre might be unsafe, putting the driver, passengers and other road users in very real danger."

According to TyreSafe, two important things to bear in mind are air pressure and the overall tyre condition.

Correct air pressure is crucial because vehicles tend to be loaded with extra people and luggage on bank holiday trips.

Therefore, vehicles may need to have their tyres inflated to a higher pressure to stay safe.

Some vehicle manufacturers state that tyre pressures should be increased when the car is fully laden with passengers and luggage – such as suitcases, bikes and roof boxes.

If tyre pressure is not adjusted and the tyres run under-inflated, excessive heat can build up inside the tyre which can lead to premature tyre failure.

The condition of the tyres should also be checked. TyreSafe advises removing any objects embedded in the tread of the tyre.

If there are any cuts, lumps or bulges, get a professional to check the tyres, it advises.

TyreSafe has devised the '20p test' so that motorists can check their tread depth is sufficient.

All drivers need to do is insert a 20p coin into the main grooves of the tyre. If the outer band of the coin is visible when inserted, then the tyre may not have sufficient depth and should be checked by a qualified specialist.

"Don’t let the state of your tyres put a dampener on your bank holiday fun," Mr Jackson said.

"It's quick and easy to check them and will leave you free to enjoy what really matters."

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Child car safety is a paramount concern to most parents, which is why the extent to which some neglect to address car seat risks will come as a shock to many motorists.

It is well understood that car safety is not just a matter of keeping car insurance costs down - it's also a matter of driver and passenger safety.

However, Road Safety Scotland (RSS) has identified nearly 500 minor faults in a survey of 2,000 car seats checked throughout 2011.

Some of the most significant problems were seats being unsuitable for the children using them and failing to fit seats securely or appropriately in cars, according to figures published by the Evening Times.

Speaking to the newspaper, RSS director Michael McDonnell explained: "Unfortunately around half of the seats checked in 2011 had faults - 305 of which were major faults.

"Alarmingly, 90 of these cars had unsuitable seats for either the child or the vehicle. Glasgow showed that only 37 per cent of the people we spoke to had fitted their children's car seats correctly."

The RSS has been so shocked by its findings, its upping efforts to improve car seat safety awareness among Scottish motorists. There is strong evidence that proactive action produces results too.

A year after new car seat laws were introduced in the UK in 2006, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) noted a significant decline in injuries to children under 12 on Britain's roads.

The new law, which made it compulsory for children under 12 and below 4ft 5in to use child car seats or boosters, coincided with more than 1,000 fewer children being killed or injured between 2006-07.

RoSPA also notes that there remains a huge demand for more information about car seat safety among parents.

Speaking last year, five years after the introduction of the new law, RoSPA's road safety manager for England Duncan Vernon explained: "People are starting families all the time and they are looking for information about what the law requires and about the types of seat available for babies. Likewise, the parents of toddlers and older children are looking for advice about when to move their children from one seat to another."

The law requires that motorists ensure children have a seat suitable for their height and weight. Failure to properly comply with the law could land parents in court or, worse still, their children in hospital.

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This Sunday heralds the beginning of British Summer Time as the clocks go forward by one hour.

While it means we all enjoy an extra hour of daylight in the evenings, motoring groups are renewing their calls for the clocks to be changed permanently.

Groups including Brake and GEM Motoring Assist are backing the Lighter Later campaign, which wants to see clocks in Great Britain shift forward by one hour throughout the year – so GMT+1 in winter and GMT+2 in summer.

The model is known as Single Double Summer Time.

It is thought such a move would have an important impact on road safety, saving around 80 lives a year.

It would also mean more people are awake when the sun is out, cut carbon emissions, cut crime, create jobs and give people more time for outdoor activities like sport and BBQs.

However, shifting the clocks forward by an hour would of course mean darker mornings, as the sun would rise an hour later throughout the year.

Making evening lighter would mean fewer daylight hours ‘wasted’ in the early mornings, when most people are asleep.

Brake said the lighter evenings would mean reduced danger to pedestrians and cyclists in the dark afternoons and evenings through the winter months.

"Brake is urging the government to put the clocks forward by an hour throughout the year, to make the evenings lighter and our communities safer, happier places," said Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive.

"We waste too much precious daylight when most of us are asleep."

The Lighter Later campaign has seen more than 26,000 people write to their MP in support. Earlier this year, a Daylight Saving Bill, which would have required the government to review and act upon the evidence on the impact of changing the clocks, ran out of time, despite widespread support from MPs.

"Changing the clocks would mean it stays lighter later in the day, so we have more daylight when most people are awake," Ms Townsend said.

"The effect would be safer roads in the afternoons and evenings, when many are walking and cycling home from school or work and need to be seen by drivers to prevent devastating road casualties. The change would also promote healthier lifestyles and stronger communities as it would encourage more people to get out and about on foot and bicycle."

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The government is to press ahead with trialling an 80mph speed limit on some sections of the motorway network.

The pilot scheme will see the higher speed limit implemented on up to seven sections of the network, the Sunday Times reported.

Road safety charity Brake said it was "hard to see the logic" behind the trial.

The idea of an 80mph limit has been in the offing for some time. It was introduced by Philip Hammond, the former transport secretary, before he became defence secretary in October.

Earlier this year, Mike Penning, the roads minister, acknowledged the 70mph limit is often exceeded by drivers.

It is thought that if trials prove successful speed limits could be raised to 80mph as early as next year.

In its report, the Sunday Times said the safety trials would take place on sections of the motorway where variable speed limits are already in place – including stretches of the M25, M1, M6, M42 and M20.

On these sections, totalling about 70 miles, there are signs on overhead gantries that keep traffic moving by controlling vehicle flow when routes are congested.

Under the trial, the signs will allow motorists to drive up to 80mph; however, only when traffic flows are light.

A computer system works out the most appropriate speed limit based on the volume of traffic.

Speed cameras will enforce the new limit.

Justine Greening, the transport secretary, is understood to be in talks with motoring groups in the next few weeks in advance of the trials starting.

A Whitehall source told the Sun: "It will be introduced first on sections where the infrastructure to manage speed limits already exists."

"Consultations with various groups will begin shortly about the best way to move forward. But a higher limit will only be introduced where it is safe."

The Department for Transport has said that as many as 49 per cent of motorists exceed the current 70mph limit.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said the pilot scheme was a "gamble with people’s lives".

"There has been no research into the safety of this trial, but there is a mountain of evidence that higher speeds result in more needless and violent crashes and casualties," she said.

"It is hard to see the logic behind this trial when the potential benefits of 80mph limits are so questionable. On our congested motorways they are unlikely to significantly shorten journey times, and could lengthen them by creating an uneven flow and increasing speed differentials between cars and speed-limited trucks. Driving at 80mph also means higher fuel consumption and increased carbon emissions."

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Anyone buying a new car is being advised to cast a steely eye over the vehicle's odometer as new research shows a rise in the number being 'clocked'.

A study by HPI, a vehicle history information firm, found the number of clocked cars – where a motor's mileage is wound back to defraud a buyer – has risen by ten per cent over the past five years.

Over one million cars checked by the company last year as part of its National Mileage Register had a mileage discrepancy, it said.

HPI is warning that with tampering with a car's odometer becoming easier, it is important that customers protect themselves from the risk of purchasing a car with an adjusted odometer.

Altering a car's mileage is not in itself illegal; however, not declaring that mileage change to a potential buyer, is.

"It is simply too easy for sellers to hike up the value of a car by turning back the miles on the odometer, making clocking one of the biggest risks for consumers," said Kristian Welch, consumer director at HPI.

Mr Welch said there is a "worrying trend" where some owners are clocking a car regularly throughout their ownership – this practice makes it harder still for a buyer to establish if a vehicle's mileage is correct.

"We also know there are people who are returning leased cars to the leasing company, having adjusted the vehicle's mileage so that they meet the terms of their PCP (personal contract plan/leasing) agreement, which is further adding to the problem."

"With one in 20 cars we check recording a discrepant mileage, buyers need to take steps to be sure their potential purchase really is everything it seems."

Today's odometers make it "easier than ever" for clocked vehicles to evade detection, HPI said.

While the practice can potentially increase the perceived value of a car by hundreds of pounds, what is also a worry is the costs that drivers who buy a clocked vehicle can incur over the long-term.

Unsuspecting buyers could be saddled with higher running costs further down the line, as it is likely the vehicle will have more general wear and tear than expected, and may have missed vital servicing intervals.

Mr Welch said: "It's alarming to think that people are exploiting new ways to reduce the mileage on a vehicle in order to put hundreds or even thousands onto the price tag."

HPI's tips for spotting a clocked car

Look at the service history – invoices and service stamps will help you ensure the mileage displayed is genuine

Contact the previous keeper - ask them to confirm the mileage of the vehicle when they sold it

Use sound judgement – trust your instinct. Is there any evidence on the car that suggests clocking? Is there anything out of keeping with the general condition of the vehicle?

Does the vehicle's mileage match the condition of the vehicle – look out for brand-new parts that don't reflect the car's apparent mileage.

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Ford says its brand new B-MAX vehicle will reduce the risk of low-speed accidents and injuries thanks to its on-board collision avoidance system.

B-MAX is the first compact Ford to feature the technology, called Active City Stop, which is designed to help avoid frontal collisions with stationary or slow-moving traffic.

There are more than half a million injuries sustained in car crashes in cities in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain each year.

Of these, about one-in-eight are rear-end shunts, exactly the type of collisions Active City Stop is designed to reduce in severity or, at best, avoid altogether.

The way it works is simple: when the system detects that a low-speed collision is imminent, it applies the brakes, helping drivers avoid collisions or reduce their impact.

"Low-speed front-to-rear collisions are one of the most common accidents in urban traffic," said Roland Schaefer, safety analyst at Ford Europe.

"They can happen at traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts and other stop-start driving situations. You don't have to be travelling fast to get injured. Even at speeds of just 10mph you can suffer soft tissue neck injury."

B-MAX – which was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show and went on sale earlier this month – is the first compact Ford car to feature the braking system.

In tests, Active City Stop successfully prevented collisions at speeds up to 10mph and reduced the severity of impacts at speeds as high as 18mph.

The system is also just one safety feature of the new B-MAX.

Other technologies include Launch Assist, which stops the car rolling back during hill starts or when on a slope, and a rear-view camera that helps motorists park in small spaces and tight spots.

"We believe B-MAX is the perfect vehicle for 21st century city driving," said Joerg Beyer, Ford vehicle line director.

"Features such as Active City Stop are new to this sector. These technologies, coupled with B-MAX's compact chassis, and tight turning circle supported by carefully tuned electronic power-assisted steering, enable B-MAX to be far greater prepared for the demands of even the most congested city."

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Susie Dixon, of Barrow-on-Trent, learned to drive in 1930 by jumping behind the wheel of her father's Bullnose Morris. This was five years before compulsory tests were brought in.

Now approaching her 100th birthday, she spoke to This is Derbyshire recently about her life and her exploits behind the wheel.

"The Mini Cooper I had was my favourite car. It was fantastic," Susie told the newspaper. "It was electric blue but that went about 30 years ago, sadly."

"The worst must have been the Triumph Herald. That was a really terrible car."

Talking about her dad's Bullnose, she said it was very difficult to drive. "It had a crash gearbox, so you had to double-clutch to change gears."

She now drives a much more manageable Fiat Cinquecento.

Susie will shortly be one of very few drivers who have carried on driving after reaching the age of 100.

There is no legal age at which people can stop driving. As long as people don't have any medical conditions that would affect their driving it is up to them to decide when to stop.

After turning 70, drivers are required to renew their licence every three years, but there are no laws on what age you must stop driving.

"I've just renewed my licence, so hopefully I will be on the road for another three years," Susie told This is Derbyshire.

"I've never actually passed my test, as you just went and got a licence in those days, but I've never had an accident or a speeding ticket in all the time I've been driving."

Alongside her driving, Susie is still very active – swimming every week and spending time with her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She said the secret to her long life is cod liver oil.

This Saturday, she will celebrate her birthday by watching Derby Country take on Watford, 66 years after watching them lift the FA Cup at Wembley.

"I watched them for years and had a season ticket up into my 80s and I still keep up with the scores," she said.
Then it's dinner at Pride Park Stadium where she will be given a signed birthday card by the legendary former footballer Archie Gemmill.

Her son Tom told the newspaper: "She's fantastic for her age. People are stunned when they find out how old she is."

"She's really alert and remembers things from our childhood that the three of us have totally forgotten about. I think it's much better for her to be out driving and mobile than sitting in her chair."

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About half of the UK's road markings are barely visible, according to a study.

The survey, by the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA), found markings on Scottish and Welsh roads were especially bad.

The association looked at 483 miles of British roads, including motorways like the M1, M6 and M18, major A roads managed by the Highways Agency, and A and B roads managed by local authorities.

It found that 50.6 per cent of road markings surveyed were "barely visible" with 23 per cent of roads labelled as being in need of "emergency repairs".

Well over half of white lines in Wales and Scotland were "almost non-existent", the RSMA said.

Less than seven per cent of surveyed roads scored the highest rating.

In contrast, a survey carried out a year ago on the ten most dangerous roads in the UK found that 23 per cent of centre lines fell into the lowest category while 31 per cent qualified for the highest rating.

George Lee, RSMA national director, said: "These findings are shocking. We could see a clear, direct correlation between deadly roads and deadly road markings when we examined the ten most dangerous roads identified by the Road Safety Foundation."

"Now, just a simple cross-section of roads – arguably representative of the entire network – shows a level of deterioration that defies belief."

The UK is under huge financial pressure but road markings are widely acknowledged as providing the best and most simple navigation aid to drivers, Mr Lee said.

"It is time we gave drivers the vital clues they need to use our roads."

Road safety minister Mike Penning told the Press Association: "Simple measures - such as good road markings - can make a massive difference to road safety and I urge highway authorities to consider this carefully as they continue to strive to reduce deaths and injuries on their roads."

Mr Penning said the Highways Agency conducts annual surveys on England's motorway network and all-purpose trunk roads, to assess the condition of road markings.

Where deterioration in road markings is identified, action is undertaken to ensure that journeys can be made safely and reliably, he said.

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Nissan is to build its new hatchback model, Invitation, in the UK, it has been announced.

The news is a massive boost to the UK economy and the manufacturing industry.

The Japanese carmaker said its £125 million investment would create 2,000 jobs. The government is also supporting the project with £9.3 million.

It will be officially announced later today at the Geneva Motor Show.

Invitation will be built at Nissan's Sunderland factory, where 400 of the 2,000 new jobs will be created. This takes the overall workforce at the plant to around 6,000 - its highest ever.

The car is set to launch in 2013 and is expected to make an initial annual volume of around 100,000 vehicles.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building the new model in Sunderland. The investment is a boost for jobs at Nissan’s plant as well as the wider supply chain."

"This latest announcement highlights the UK's track record of attracting inward investment. Global vehicle manufacturers are beating a path to the UK's door. They recognise that the government values the automotive sector."

Trevor Mann, Nissan senior vice president for Europe, said of the Sunderland factory: "This plant has a 20-year heritage in producing successful compact cars stretching back to the first Micra rolling off the line in 1992."

"I'm delighted that Sunderland has secured what will be another very important model for Nissan in Europe. It is a testament to the workforce, the ongoing support from the UK government and all of our regional partners and suppliers."

About Invitation

Described as a "head-turning" and "dynamic" vehicle, the model will be built alongside Nissan's popular crossover car, Juke.

It is designed to succeed Nissan's current Note model.

Resembling more a sports car than a hatchback, the model is striking to look at and has styled headlights and an exaggerated front bumper. The concept version has a fixed glass roof which floods the cabin with light and creates and open and transparent atmosphere.

According to Auto Trader, the Invitation could be the "first ever Nissan hatchback that’ll get you noticed".

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Using a smartphone while driving is more dangerous than drink-driving or being high on cannabis when behind the wheel, a study has claimed.

Sending and receiving Facebook messages was found to significantly slow drivers' reaction times.

The study was conducted by road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Transport Research Laboratory.

It is illegal to use any hand-held mobile phone while driving. Motorists caught doing so face an automatic fixed penalty notice – three points on their driving licence and a fine of £60.

But that does not stop people from trying. According to the research, eight per cent of motorists admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving – equivalent to 3.5 million people.

In the study, a group of young drivers were put in a simulator and asked to use a smartphone to access Facebook to see how reaction times changed.

It was found that when receiving and sending Facebook messages, reaction times slowed by 37.6 per cent and drivers often missed key events.

They were also unable to maintain a central lane position, resulting in an increased number of unintentional lane departures, and were unable to respond as quickly to the car in front gradually changing speed.

The study found that the level of impairment social networking has on driving is greater than the effects of drinking, cannabis and texting.

Texting has been found to slow reaction times by 37.4 per cent, cannabis by 21 per cent and alcohol by between six and 15 per cent (when above the UK driving limit but below 100mg per 100ml of blood).

The IAM is calling on the government, mobile phone makers and social networks to highlight the danger of using smartphones behind the wheel.

This research shows how incredibly dangerous using smartphones while driving is, yet unbelievably it is a relatively common practice," said IAM chief executive Simon Best.

"If you're taking your hand off the wheel to use the phone, reading the phone display and thinking about your messages, then you're simply not concentrating on driving. It's antisocial networking and it's more dangerous than drink-driving and it must become just as socially unacceptable."

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There are calls in the US for limits to be imposed on the number of in-built gadgets in cars to ensure that drivers are not being distracted while behind a wheel.

The Department for Transport in the US specifically wants to limit gizmos that allow drivers to make and receive calls and text messages. This move could have serious ramifications on the way other countries legislate in this area.

Ray LaHood, secretary for transportation, has expressed a desire to see car manufacturers take up this challenge to develop new criteria that governs the use of not only communication systems, but anything that constitutes as a distraction.

This includes the proliferation of navigation systems, either integrated in the car or portable, as well as increasingly sophisticated entertainment systems.

"Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America's roadways – that's why I've made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel," LaHood was quoted by Reuters as saying.

On the back of this announcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which exists to improve safety on the roads, issued its first-ever document about devices that have the capacity to distract drivers.

This requires things like sat-navs and hands-free calling to be of minimum disruption to someone in control of a vehicle, so that when they are being used, they engage the driver for only a limited amount of time.

"The guidelines we're proposing would offer real-world guidance to automakers to help them develop electronic devices that provide features consumers want without...sacrificing safety," said David Strickland, NHTSA administrator.

There has been no official comment from the UK government about what plans it has for tackling this serious issue.

The road safety charity Brake revealed in 2011 some startling facts about driving while distracted in the UK. Its survey found that 28 per cent of all drivers admitted text when behind a wheel, while nine per cent disclosed using the web and apps when in control of a car.

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Car owners are in for a new era of improved customer service from garages under a new package of measures, the government has announced.

The Department for Transport (DfT) wants to make the experience of visiting a garage for all sorts of reasons more transparent, fairer and accountable.

Working with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the DfT aims to overhaul the current modes of practice in many garages.

It plans on doing this in a number of ways, including keeping MOT inspections an annual requirement.

The proposal to move it to every two years has been scrapped because research conducted by VOSA found that the current system in itself is not satisfactory, with vehicle defects being overlooked and road worthiness being assessed incorrectly.

Other changes include establishing common problems experienced by customers at garages and looking at how this can be enhanced. The government has suggested a feedback service comparable to hotels and restaurants, where drivers can share their experiences with others.

Justine Greening, the transport secretary, stated that although she acknowledges that garages are crucial to keeping the UK's roads among the safest in the world, there is still plenty of room for improvement. A code of practice is something that could go a long way to remedying this.

"I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service," she said.

"Giving drivers the very best information about garage performance is absolutely key to achieving this goal. It means that responsible garages will be well placed to reap the commercial benefits of transparency."

She added that those garages who were not performing as well as others, would be under pressure prove themselves and do more for their customers.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) welcomed news of these proposed changes, especially the decision to retain MOT testing as it is.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, stated that consumer confidence and satisfaction would be better than it has ever been.

The SMMT commented: "The decision ensures that road safety, consistency of service, quality assurance and consumer confidence in the automotive service and repair industry will be maintained and enhanced."

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The reforms, which came into force in England and Scotland on January 1st, mean new badges will have added security features. The method to determine people's eligibility for a badge is also being improved.

Campaign groups have welcomed the changes.

There are thought to be 2.5 million blue badges in circulation. The scheme, first introduced in the early 1970s, allows drivers to park on yellow lines, avoid parking and congestion charges and use key parking spaces close to important services.

But the government says increasing levels of badge fraud has meant those key parking spaces are often full and disabled people are not able to access the services they need.

The National Fraud Authority estimates blue badge fraud to be costing an estimated £46 million per year.
It is hoped the redesign will make blue badges harder to alter or forge.

Norman Baker, the transport minister, said the new badges would be "secure as a banknote".

"Motorists who pretend to be disabled to get some free parking are frankly disgraceful," he said.

"They prevent real blue badge holders from using parking bays designed for those genuinely in need and they cheat the vast majority of road users who play fair when they park their cars."

Previously, blue badges were made from card and handwritten. But as of January 1st disabled drivers are able to apply for an electronically-printed badge, similar to a driving licence.

It will have additional security features such as a unique hologram, digital photo and serial number, allowing parking attendants to check for genuine badges more easily through the windscreen.

To fund the improvements, the maximum fee for a badge that councils can charge will rise from £2 to £10.

However, this is the first increase in cost for 30 years. The government said badge holders will benefit from less abuse, improved accessibility and better customer services in return.

Mr Baker said: "Our new blue badge will be as secure as a banknote and anyone thinking of faking it can forget it."
"We are also tightening up on enforcement and eligibility so there will be no way to scam the system."

Another measure being introduced is the ability for badge-holders to apply for and renew badges online, through the government's centralised information service, Directgov.

From April 2012 customers will also be able to report lost and stolen badges online.

Helen Dolphin, director of policy and campaigns at Disabled Motoring UK, welcomed the changes.

"The new badge design will stop badges being so easily forged and new guidance to local authorities will make the issuing of badges fairer," she said.

"The blue badge is a fantastic scheme and all these changes will help ensure the scheme will only benefit those it was intended for."

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Traffic jams have been named as one of the top things people hate about Christmas, in a revealing poll.

Nearly half of respondents (45 per cent) to a poll conducted by satnav company TomTom said that being stuck in long queues over the festive period was their biggest Yuletide gripe.

In the run-up to the big day, roads are often heavily congested as people whizz around buying presents, attending socials and looking to get away for a family holiday with some schools having already closed.

It is estimated that up to 18 million cars will take to the roads over the festive period.

Another pet hate over the festive period was listening to Cliff Richard, with 49 per cent of people hoping that the star's seasonal song Millennium Prayer doesn't come on the car radio.

"We think of Christmas as a happy and fun event and it is...mostly. But let's face it, there are aspects that do not add to the general goodwill, and one of those is being stuck in traffic jams," a spokesman for TomTom said.

"We can't do much about too many repeats on TV or Cliff Richard on the radio – but we can help those who want to avoid the worst of the Christmas traffic."

The survey also revealed some interesting facts about the amount of time people spend on the roads over Christmas.

Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) will spend around five hours behind the wheel of a car, with 65 per cent reckoning they will clock up to 50 miles during this time.

TomTom also found that one in four adults (24 per cent) end up arguing over directions during Christmas.

Driving to the in-laws for Christmas was also another pet hate for motorists, with 17 per cent of respondents citing this experience as something they never looked forward to.

With the Highways Agency announcing that it is aiming to complete more than 500 miles of roadworks on England's motorways and major roads in the week leading to Christmas, motorists might not have to worry so much about traffic jams.

"Christmas is one of the busiest times on our roads and that's why we will be completing or lifting roadworks wherever possible to help people get back to see their families and loved ones," said transport secretary Justine Greening.

"More than 98 percent of the strategic road network will be roadworks free, meaning that more lanes will be open and many speed restrictions lifted."

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People are being advised to adopt a zero tolerance approach with drink-driving over the festive season.

Brake, the road safety charity, wants members of the public, especially youngsters, to not drink any alcohol at all if they are going to be driving – even if it is within the legal limit.

In the UK, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is 35 mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath and 80 mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

As the government has stated, there simply is no safe way to calculate how much alcohol you can consume and remain under the limit.

Bearing this in mind, drivers are urged to not drink at all, which is something Brake wants to promote.

"Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate. But for some of the families Brake supports, it’s a sad time when they remember loved ones who have been killed in crashes caused by drink-drivers – in many cases young, inexperienced drivers who didn’t think through the consequences," said Julie Townsend, Brake campaigns director."

"Their deaths were preventable, and we all – young and old – have a responsibility to do what we can to prevent further drink drive deaths and injuries."

She said this can be achieved if drivers "pledge" to never drink a single drop of alcohol when they get behind a wheel.

"Never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking, and speak up about drink driving to friends and family this Christmas," she added. "Making this commitment could save your life, or the lives of loved ones."

In a recent survey conducted by Brake, it found that 29 per cent of people said they were willing to drink and drive over the Christmas holidays, with 53 per cent admitting they drove into work after a heavy night of drinking.

The charity said it found these figures concerning, especially the revelation that a large number of people are unaware of how long alcohol stays in the system.

It's innovative and interactive Morning After Calculator allows drivers to figure out when is safe to drive after a night out of boozing.

If a person consumes nine units of alcohol, which is the equivalent of two pints of lager and a glass of wine, they will be safe to drive after ten in the morning.

Add a double-shot of whisky to that figure – 12 units – and it is only safe to drive after 1pm.

Video Transcript

Motorists will be pleased to hear the government is cutting the reams of red tape required for accessing and owning a car, the Department for Transport has announced.

This has largely come about as a result of the government's Red Tape Challenge campaign, which invited members of the public to help get rid of what it described as "the burden of excessive regulation".

Transport secretary Justine Greening, who revealed the news, explained that because this was a digital age, the transport industry should move with the times.

"Motorists shouldn’t have to keep numerous bits of paper just to prove they can drive and have bought insurance – we live in digital age and we need to embrace that," said Ms Greening.

"Reducing the number of rules and regulations in our life is absolutely vital to removing barriers to economic growth and increasing individual freedoms. This whole process just proves that there’s so much sitting on our statute books that at the very least needs a good spring clean or can be scrapped entirely."

One of the biggest changes will be scrapping the need for drivers to have a paper equivalent to their driving licence by 2015. The government claims it will save motorists up to £8 million.

After lengthy consultation with the public and key figures in Whitehall, a massive 142 road transport regulations have been scrapped.

Mark Prisk, business and enterprise minister, said he was delighted that so many of the wasteful regulations were either being abolished or improved.

"The Red Tape Challenge has built up real momentum since it was launched in April. Overall, of over 1,200 regulations considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve well over 50 per cent," he said.

Another notable change has been simplifying how often drivers need to notify the DVLA that their vehicles are off the road (statutory off road notification).

Once a driver has contacted the DVLA their vehicle is SORN, they no longer need to update this annually.

The red tape reduction campaign is currently ongoing. One of the key areas of regulation under scrutiny is the need for an insurance certificate. The government is currently discussing with the insurance industry on how they can remove this requirement.

Video Transcript

Drivers looking to hire a car over the festive period need to take extra care when confronted with cheap deals, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has advised.

The trade body for companies that lease and rent cars explained that this year was no different in fraudsters trying to scam people out of their hard-earned cash over Christmas.

Last year, many motorists were stung by clever swindlers, resulting in them handing over hundreds of pounds to hire cars that didn't exist, the BVRLA stated.

"These companies offer unbeatable prices and free delivery – but they really are too good to be true," said John Lewis, BVRLA chief executive.

People looking to book online have been urged to be extra-vigilant.

"Unfortunately it is very easy for fraudsters to build a simple website and set up a call centre to pass themselves off as legitimate business," Mr Lewis added.

"These sham operators are damaging the reputation of car rental. We are working with the authorities to help stamp them out."

The BVRLA has come up with five tips to encourage people to rent or hire a vehicle safe in the knowledge they are getting a good and legitimate deal.

1 – Use a company that is a BVRLA member. Motorists should try and spot the trade body's logo or ask whether the company is a member.

2 – Never pay in hard cash. Most reputable companies will offer the option to pay by debit or credit card.

3 – Find out if the company has a legitimate, physical presence. A virtual office or a PO Box are things to keep an eye on.

4 – Ensure that all cars are owned by the company. Again, the BVRLA seal of approval is important here. All its members operate their own fleet.

5 – Although everyone is looking for a bargain, be conscious of deals that seem like absolute bargains. There's the possibility they might well be ‘too good to be true'.

The BVRLA recently revealed that UK rental cars are more environmentally friendly than the average privately-owned car because they pump out fewer emissions.

“It is now clearer than ever that car rental presents a cheaper, safer and more sustainable alternative to car ownership for millions of business and leisure motorists," Mr Lewis said.

Video Transcript

From January 23rd the theory test that all learner drivers must take will be changing, the Department for Transport has reported.

The changes have been overseen by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), whose aim has been to get learner drivers to engage more actively with material.

The biggest change is that the multiple-choice questions prospective drivers will have to answer will be completely unique and separate to what is usually found in learning materials.

The DSA explains that the current practice simply allows for people to memorise questions and answer them verbatim.

This is known as rote learning, the implication of which is that content is remembered but not necessarily understood.

It means that learner drivers might be able to confidently navigate a car but have a shortfall of knowledge about everything to do with driving.

In the run up to the change the DSA has published a raft of new material to help learners engage with the theory side a lot more enthusiastically.

Reading things like case studies helps people put information into context, which in turn makes it easier to understand and apply.

This is important because becoming a driver is a serious affair with a lot of information to process and understand while behind a wheel.

For example, at any given time, motorists are exposed to countless numbers of signs, they have to constantly re-evaluate their speed in line with speed limit, traffic and weather and keep alert for any hazards that might present themselves.

"This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, reworded live questions used in the actual test," the DSA explained.

The format of the test, however, remains the same. There will still be two parts: 50 multiple choice questions and a hazard perception element. Wannabe drivers will still have to pass both sections.

In other related news, the road safety minister revealed that learner drivers will be able to access the motorway to get a proper driving experience.

Mike Penning explained that it was only logical to familiarise new drivers with motorways as they would eventually have to take their cars on them.

Video Transcript

Two of the world's biggest entrepreneurs have teamed up to boost a greener way of travelling on the roads in the UK.

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman have been working on a new project that aims to promote short-term car sharing, which massively cuts the amount of carbon that is emitted from vehicles.

Provisionally known as The Car Club, the scheme's unique selling point is its 'share' concept, whereby drivers allow others access to their car.

"If you are looking to rent a car, you could be renting your neighbour's car, rather than one from a car rental company," the company's blurb reads.

"If you own a car that you are not using that much, become a member of our Car Club and make money from your car being rented to other members of our community."

This way of operating is in stark contrast to other similar initiatives – the likes of City Car Club and Zipcar provide service users with their own fleet of cars.

"Rather than having to buy the cars to be rented and pay the ownership costs, this business model relies on the fact that there are plenty of under-used cars on the road already, and that is lazy capital that can be put to work again," Sir Stelios said.

One of the major incentives for car owners who don't use their vehicles as much as they used to, is the financial pay off. Car owners can set the rent cost and moreover, insurance is paid for by the company.

Another bonus is the flexibility – a car owner can set the terms of how available their vehicle is.

For customers, the service is equally promising, the duo explained. It is extremely cheap, easy to use – bookable online – and convenient – they will have access to a considerable number of cars in any given area.

A 'test-drive' pilot of the project is scheduled for the spring of 2012.

For peace of mind, all participating cars will be fitted with an 'automated entry and tracker system'.

The duo claim that it is an extremely green endeavour, with every car shared cutting the number of cars on the road by ten. This also reduces personal car emissions by a whopping 40 per cent.

Video Transcript

Learner drivers are to be able to access motorways from next year as the government looks at ground-breaking new ways to improve the skills of youngsters who get behind the wheel.

Mike Penning, the road safety minister, made the announcement to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), explaining that the government wanted to cut the number of accidents and fatalities involving young drivers that occur on the motorway.

The current ban is now viewed as outdated as youngsters who pass their test, technically have no experience of the challenges of driving on motorways. By bringing this into the scope of driving lessons, they will be better prepared.

"Are we teaching young drivers to pass a test or are we giving them the skills to enjoy life on the road?" asked Mr Penning, addressing his concerns about the current system.

"I will allow driving instructors to teach on the motorway before their test."

However, learner drivers would only be able to access motorways under the care of a qualified driving instructor – parents, for example, who often teach their kids to drive, will not have the authority to do so.

Simon Best, chief executive of the IAM, the road safety charity, welcomed the announcement: "This change will mean that properly supervised young drivers can learn how to drive on a motorway with somebody beside them."

He added that the IAM would go even further by adding rural road training for learner drivers as they can be extremely dangerous roads and difficult to navigate around.

Mr Penning, who has been an active force in all things pertaining to transport and driving since taking office last year, also discussed his aims to prevent trainee driving instructors from being allowed to teach unsupervised.

"I was shocked when I discovered my daughter could be taught by someone that wasn’t qualified. I assumed they would be," he said.

"But it's entirely possible that they wouldn't, as they can teach while they are training. I'm going to put a stop to that. They need a qualified instructor to teach them."

Recent figures released by the Department for Transport showed that 82 drivers under the age of 21 were involved in fatal motorway crashes between 2006 and 2010.

Video Transcript

Learner drivers are to be able to access motorways from next year as the government looks at ground-breaking new ways to improve the skills of youngsters who get behind the wheel.

Mike Penning, the road safety minister, made the announcement to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), explaining that the government wanted to cut the number of accidents and fatalities involving young drivers that occur on the motorway.

The current ban is now viewed as outdated as youngsters who pass their test, technically have no experience of the challenges of driving on motorways. By bringing this into the scope of driving lessons, they will be better prepared.

"Are we teaching young drivers to pass a test or are we giving them the skills to enjoy life on the road?" asked Mr Penning, addressing his concerns about the current system.

"I will allow driving instructors to teach on the motorway before their test."

However, learner drivers would only be able to access motorways under the care of a qualified driving instructor – parents, for example, who often teach their kids to drive, will not have the authority to do so.

Simon Best, chief executive of the IAM, the road safety charity, welcomed the announcement: "This change will mean that properly supervised young drivers can learn how to drive on a motorway with somebody beside them."

He added that the IAM would go even further by adding rural road training for learner drivers as they can be extremely dangerous roads and difficult to navigate around.

Mr Penning, who has been an active force in all things pertaining to transport and driving since taking office last year, also discussed his aims to prevent trainee driving instructors from being allowed to teach unsupervised.

"I was shocked when I discovered my daughter could be taught by someone that wasn’t qualified. I assumed they would be," he said.

"But it's entirely possible that they wouldn't, as they can teach while they are training. I'm going to put a stop to that. They need a qualified instructor to teach them."

Recent figures released by the Department for Transport showed that 82 drivers under the age of 21 were involved in fatal motorway crashes between 2006 and 2010.

Video Transcript

Parents looking to buy a family car should "double check" the vehicle is safe, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has advised.

The road safety charity explained that when looking to purchase a new or used vehicle, parents should look at the star rating system for cars, which is known as the European New Car Assessment Program.

"That takes models that are available and puts them through a series of tests including a test of how it will protect young children in the event of an accident," explained Robert Gifford, executive director of PACTS.

"It then gives the vehicle a star with one being the worst and five being the best. It is certainly a consumer tool that has driven standards of safety quite considerably in the last decade."

Beyond the actual car, parents of young children are required by law to use the most appropriate 'child restraint' until they are either over the age of 12 and/or under 135cm (approximately 4ft 5in).

The simple reason for this is that seat belts aren't designed for children, the government has explained. There are two reasons for this – one, they are 'proportioned' differently and their bones are still developing.

It's not as simple as buying a child seat from a catalogue – ideally, it needs to be purchased in line with what kind of a person drives and the age and size of their child.

After all, the variety of child car seats is varied. There are, however, four distinct seats to be aware of: rearward-facing baby seats, forward-facing child seats, booster seats and booster cushions.

"If you are buying a child seat or a booster seat, take professional advice when you get one," advised Mr Gifford.

"Companies like Halfords will often provide advice on the right kind of seat for the child that you've got and also local authority road safety officers often will check that the seat has been fitted properly."

It is recommended that parents purchase child car seats or boosters brand new. If you do opt for a second-hand model, the government advises people to check that the model is fairly up-to-date, has all the necessary fittings and comes with an instruction manual and that it actually hasn't been used in a crash.

One thing to note is that only European-approved child car seats can be used in the UK. This can be identified through a label with a capital, encircled E.

Video Transcript

The government is encouraging people to adopt designated drivers over the Christmas period as it attempts to come up with innovative ways of tackling drink-driving.

Any person who is declared as a designated driver will be rewarded with a cool, free glass of cola in any one of 8,000 pubs and student union bars for taking up the responsibility of driving home people who have had a few drinks.

The Department for Transport's THINK! campaign has teamed up with Coca-Cola to deliver the buy-one-get-one-free campaign as part of its £660,000 advertising push.

In a bid to encourage more people to adopt a designated driver approach to socials; the government is delivering a huge multimedia advertising promotion, which includes radio advertising, online via Facebook and Twitter, in pub bathrooms and on huge billboards.

Although the number of drink-drive deaths has fallen by an extraordinary 75 per cent since 1979, it is still a serious issue, explained Mike Penning, road safety minister, as he launched the latest government effort.

"Our THINK! campaign makes it clear that drivers who get behind the wheel over the limit risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence," he said.

"We are also teaming up with Coca-Cola and pub chains across the country to reward designated drivers as part of our driver friendly initiative, as well as reminding people of the consequences of getting a drink drive conviction."

The campaign is specifically aimed at young men aged between 17 and 29, who are statistically over-represented in drink-drive accidents.

For those drivers who are taking up the baton to not drink and drive, they can use their smartphones or pop online to find out which pubs are taking part in the unique initiative.

Coca-Cola has designed an easy-to-use search tool dubbed Designated Driver pub Finder to help people to locate participating establishments.

All people need to do is explain that you are this evening's driver to the bar staff – who have been informed of this policy – and they will oblige with a courtesy free drink.

"Designated drivers provide a fantastic service by helping their friends and family get home safely at the end of the night out," added Jon Woods, general-manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland.

"That's why we think it is so important to recognise them and reward them."

Video Transcript

Millions of drivers have claimed that they will not be changing their driving habits this winter, a new survey has revealed.

Manheim Auctions, a leading car auction company, found that 2.5 million drivers were so confident in their everyday driving that they believed they didn't have to adapt their style to fit in with the cold, frosty and snowy weather conditions.

There were distinct regional differences in terms of who was the most confident.

For example, motorists in Northern Ireland came up top, with 75 per cent believing they were able to navigate the roads safely whatever the weather.

Meanwhile, in East Anglia, 41 per cent of drivers said snowy weather didn't present them with any challenges while they were behind the wheel.

"While it is good news that so many motorists have the confidence to drive in wintery conditions, driving in the snow should not be underestimated as not only should you take extra care yourself but you should also be more aware of what is going on around you," said Craig Mailey, managing director of Manheim Auctions.

"However, there will be occasions when driving in bad weather is not recommended and we urge drivers, whatever their confidence levels, to heed the advice given by motoring organisations."

Interestingly, there are a sizeable number of car owners who have not actually experienced what it is like driving in snow.

Some 60 per cent of Welsh respondents, 45 per cent of Londoners and 42 per cent of people living in Yorkshire and Humberside, said they had never ventured out in their cars while it was snowing.

Last month, Manheim found in another survey that one in three drivers have not prepared themselves ahead of the winter season.

In response to this, it asked respondents to come up with their top winter driving tips.

This included topping up screen wash, carrying an ice scraper and shovel, packing spare items of warm clothing and remembering to pack a reflective jacket.

Mr Mailey said: "Preparing for winter is second nature to many people but it goes beyond just carrying an ice scraper and de-icer. You need to prepare for the possibility of being stuck in traffic for long periods or of getting stranded in the snow."

Video Transcript

Rental vehicles are more likely to be environmentally-friendly than the average privately-owned car, according to new research.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the trade body for companies that lease and rent vehicles, found that rental car CO2 emissions were 12 per cent lower than private cars.

Rental cars, the research explained, tend to be better maintained than vehicles under the ownership of a person or family. They are also more likely to be fitted with the latest safety technology.

Also, because they spend more time being used, they help reduce parking congestion in urban areas.

The research came on the back of the RAC's recent annual Cost of Motoring Index, which revealed that the yearly average cost of maintaining a car now sat at £6,600.

With this in mind, John Lewis, the BVRLA's chief executive, said it was high time for rental cars to be considered part of the green agenda in transport.

"It is now clearer than ever that car rental presents a cheaper, safer and more sustainable alternative to car ownership for millions of business and leisure motorists," he said.

"We hope this research will help convince policymakers to give rental markets more consideration within the general transport mix."

The report also suggested that rental cars could help promote the adoption – and acceptance – of new technologies, especially in the area of electric cars.

However, as the authors noted, the car-rental system is still very much in its infancy and new research still needs to be done.

"In particular, understanding what people would do were rental not available, and how the availability of rental interacts with car ownership decisions for certain groups," the report stated.

"It is also clear that rental has been neglected by public policy makers, and requires more strategic assessment and integration in mainstream transport planning."

Transport minister Norman Baker commented by saying this study suggested, "in environmental terms", that rented cars were cheaper, greener and more efficient.

"What's more they have real potential to encourage the take-up of new low-carbon vehicle technologies. The government wants people to travel in more sustainable ways, choosing the low-carbon alternatives that suit them best – whether that means working from home, working more flexibly or sharing a car," he said.

Video Transcript

As the Christmas season starts to crank up a gear in the countdown to the big day, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) 'lead for roads policing' has launched a new national campaign to tackle drink drivers, a move welcomed by the road charity Brake.

Northamptonshire Police deputy chief constable Suzette Davenport explained that up and down the country, thousands of alcohol tests will be performed day and night to catch people flagrantly disregarding the law and putting other people's lives at risk.

"People often ask how much they can safely have to drink before driving," she said. "The simple answer is that the only true safe drink-drive limit is none."

Brake, an independent road safety charity, said it supported this "vital crackdown".

"Every Christmas, and indeed every week of the year, many families are confronted by the death of a loved one, or a terrible injury, caused by drivers wilfully taking these appalling risks," said Ellen Booth, the charity's senior campaigns officer.

"We urge drivers to imagine the consequences for a second to realise it's never worth chancing your life and other people's. Our simple message is not a drop, not a drag – please make the pledge to never drive on any amount of alcohol or drugs."

Brake has also launched its own campaign under the banner of 'Not a Drop, Not a Drag', which is asking for the government to introduce tougher legislation to "outlaw and control this menace".

It also wants the government to cut the drink-drive limit to 20mg alcohol/100ml blood; to provide police officers with the power to conduct random breath tests; introduce roadside drug testing; and make roads policing a national policing priority.

At the beginning of this year, ACPO revealed that 6,600 arrests had been made over Christmas and New Year (December 2010). The independent and professionally-led strategic body, which deals with matters pertaining to the police force, said that this was a worrying figure on account of the poor weather.

"Given the exceptional road and weather conditions which we experienced in December, forces across the country reported a significant reduction in the number of people using the roads," the former ACPO lead for roads policing, Mick Giannasi, said at the time.

"Understandably, in those conditions, we were not able to conduct as many tests as we did last year. Despite that, there were still 6,613 people who chose to put the lives of others at risk by driving under the influence of drink and drugs."

Video Transcript

The MOT test is to become more stringent in order to ensure testing covers the latest innovations in engineering.

Under the plans, set to be implemented in January, a motorist whose car fails to meet the new standards will be given a grace period to make the necessary repairs, the Daily Telegraph reported.

However, by the end of the grace period the necessary repairs will have to have been made for an MOT certificate to be issued.

The changes are thought to be the biggest structural overhaul to the MOT test since the inclusion of car emissions in the early 1990s.

A recent survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found many people are confident about the quality of the MOT test.

The overhaul, announced by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa), is being rolled out to cover the latest advances in car-making.

New checks will be included on a number of items including:

• Anti-lock braking systems / Electronic stability control systems

• Tyre pressure monitoring systems

• Supplementary restraint systems including airbags and seat belt pre-pensioners

• Electronic power steering systems

• Electronic parking brakes

"The test is being brought in to make sure that all this new technology works properly," an AA spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.

"It means if you buy a nearly new car you will have to double-check that all the warning lights are working properly, or you could be left with a hefty bill."

"The upside is that if you buy a car with an MOT you will know that these things have been tested properly."

"The MOT test is designed to make sure that a vehicle is fit to be on the road and so it needs to be updated to reflect new vehicle technology," said Alastair Peoples, Vosa's chief executive.

"We have worked with the industry to prepare them for these changes to make sure that the measures are introduced in the least burdensome way possible."

The overhaul comes as the government considers delaying the first MOT test until a car is four years old and extending the interval between inspections from one year to two.

But, according to the aforementioned IAM survey, most motorists would rather stick with the current MOT system, rather than switch to the new European Union directive's minimum requirements of testing.

The IAM found that 60 per cent of motorists think that a car's first MOT should continue to be carried out after three years, while 29 per cent would opt for a move to the European system.

Video Transcript

More cyclists on the roads and an increasing number of accidents means they should seriously consider taking out insurance, the Association of British Insurers has said.

The organisation said that a failure to get proper cover could leave cyclists facing high bills if they are injured in an accident or found liable for causing one.

Cycle use is about 20 per cent higher than in the late 1990s and figures recently published by the Department for Transport show accidents involving cyclists rose by 12 per cent in the first half of the year.

Malcolm Tarling of the ABI told the BBC: "If you are a cyclist and you are involved in an accident the chance of you being injured are quite high."

"Some 230 cyclists a month are killed or seriously injured on the roads so there is a good chance you are going to be off work for weeks, if not months, so some sort of insurance to cover you for loss of income makes sense."

One cyclist who found himself in hospital after colliding with a car on his work commute is Pepe Tozzo from south Wales.

He told the BBC how he collided with the side of a van that came out of a side road as he was cycling down a hill.

The van driver had no insurance or driving licence. Mr Tozzo had no personal injury or legal cover and soon found himself facing high costs.

"There has been a long lasting legacy," he told the news provider. "It probably knocked my career back by one year."

"If you are a cyclist and you are involved in an accident and you are at fault for causing it you could be sued for damages," Mr Tarling said.

"If you are cyclist you should always have some form of liability insurance. It is essential."

Is he right?

According to the cycling website Road.cc, kind of.

"While we would say that personal injury cover and third party liability are definitely things that responsible cyclists should consider it might also be observed that Mr Tarling is possibly over-playing his hand here," the website said.

It explained that if a cyclist is injured by another road user that doesn't have any insurance he or she can claim compensation through the Motor Insurer's Body.

"However, it should also be said that this is likely to a slow process and the compensation on offer may not fully compensate for your loss or suffering," the website added.

Video Transcript

While it's not all that unusual to give your car a name, many motorists are going so far as to name their motors after celebrities and the weird and the wonderful.

The poll of 3,000 drivers by NCP car parks found many drivers have named their cars after public figures.

Rooney, Angelina and Prince William are among the strange names Brits have given their cars.

Many of the monikers appear to be influenced by some of the biggest female celebrities in recent years including Cheryl Cole, Holly Willoughby and Kate Middleton.

The likes of David Beckham, Alan Carr and Arnold Schwarzenegger also made an appearance in the list.

The 'NCP Car Names Report' quizzed 17-45 year olds on their car-naming habits and found six in ten have named their car at some point.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of drivers polled said they liked to name their cars after celebrities, film stars or pop stars, while 11 per cent name them after cartoon characters, four per cent after footballers and three per cent after politicians.

Oddly, three per cent named their cars after work colleagues.

Close to half – 43 per cent – said they thought it was normal for people to name their cars and 12 per cent thought it was cute.

There were plenty of weird and wonderful names too, including The Chariot, Bullet, Babe Mobile and Destroyer of Cars.

Betty, Bertie and Bob emerged as the most common car names.

Car expert Tiff Needell said: "I completely understand the need to name a car, and many famous petrol-heads have been known to do it too."

"Top Gear's Richard Hammond has Oliver, his yellow Opel Kadett, while Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel has 'Kate's Dirty Sister', 'Luscious Liz' and 'Kinky Kylie'."

"This is a fun study and confirms what I’ve always known – that we love our cars at least as much as we love our pets and our partners. Good thing too or I might just be out of a job."

Top ten most common names Brits give their cars

Betty
Bertie
Bob
Percy
Susie
Dave
Boris
Freddie
Cheryl
Rosie

Some weird and wonderful names Brits give their cars

(Prince) William
David Beckham
Cheryl (Cole)
Rooney
Angelina
Alan Carr
The Beast
Gaga
Holly Willoughby
Jordan

Video Transcript

Ask any mum and dad who is the better driver and they are likely to point to themselves. So who would you be better asking to get to the truth? Their children, obviously.

And, according to a poll of British kids by Hyundai, mums are far superior than dads when it comes to getting behind the wheel.

Some 80 per cent of the 1,000 young people aged between six and 16 polled said they felt "happier" and "more relaxed" with mum in the driving seat.

Dads were too aggressive, the children said, driving too fast and quick to let their tempers fray when on the roads.

Conversely, mums were found to be less likely to let other motorists or bad driving habits get to them, maintaining a happy mood throughout the journey.

The poll also found while mums are more likely to stall the car or have trouble reversing, four out of five children still reckon mum's driving is better than dad's.

Dads' impatience has an effect on youngsters – 23 per cent said they were often "scared" when road rage struck.

While 81 per cent said dad drives at high speeds and 64 per cent say he often shouts at other drivers, 64 per cent of children say mum happily chats non-stop whilst driving, and 67 per cent say when she’s not talking she's keeping the family entertained by singing.

"Most men believe they are better drivers than their partners, and would naturally grab the car keys when setting off on a journey with the family," said Tom Barnard, spokesman for Hyundai.

"But the shocking truth is that many children dread dad driving. And they are not just scared of him driving too fast and being dangerous – the kids are also too frightened to say anything."

"The only time dads actually seem to come out on top is when it comes to parking. If Britain's children had their way, Mum would drive for most of the journey and then swap with dad to get the car parked up."

Adrian Walsh, director of road safety partnership RoadSafe, said: "Females generally take less risks than males driving and in other everyday activities."

"Some research has shown that they are normally better drivers but are prone to different errors than men - for example signalling left and turning right."

Video Transcript

Motorists would rather stick with the current MOT system rather than switch to the new European Union directive's minimum requirements of testing, according to a poll.

The survey, by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), found that 60 per cent of motorists think that a car's first MOT should continue to be carried out after three years, while 29 per cent would opt for a move to the European system.

In the UK, MOT testing is quite stringent.

The first test is when the car is three years old, followed by annual testing – known as a 'three-one-one cycle'.

The new EU directive sets down a minimum requirement for a vehicle roadworthiness test with the first test when the car is no more than four years old, and subsequent tests no more than two years apart – the 'four-two-two cycle', widely adopted across Europe.

However, despite the UK's strict roadworthiness rules, 27 per cent of three-year-old cars in the UK fail their first MOT test, according to the IAM.

In France, where the test cycle is four-two-two, six per cent of cars fail the first test at four years old.

"In a time when people are struggling financially, the MOT seems to be one cost they are happy to pay. The IAM is wary of abandoning our well-established and accepted cycle of MOT testing. The poll suggests that most motorists are happy with it," said IAM chief executive Simon Best.

But he added: "The question needs to be asked, why are so many cars in the UK failing at only three years, and why does France have a much better pass rate at four years?"

"Before any change to the system, the government should commission a review to assure motorists that MOT tests are safe, reliable and consistent. The test should be for the benefit of road safety – not the garages that carry it out."

The survey also found many people are confident about the quality of the MOT test, with 63 per cent believing it will always pick up potential dangers with the car or bike.

However, 30 per cent said they thought garages are not independent enough to conduct MOTs, 26 per cent think that garages deliberately find things wrong in order to get money out of them, and 40 per cent think there is no consistency between garages in the way they do the test.

Video Transcript

They are supposed to be the vanguard of the next generation of car technology and a key cog in our fight for sustainability.

Yet electric cars are failing to stimulate much interest among motorists, with the main reason why they are failing to really catch on being because drivers are confused about some of the basic tenets of the technology.

Interestingly, the lack of understanding is particularly deeply felt among those most keen to buy one, the survey, by market research company GfK Automotive, found.

The poll of more than 3,000 British motorists found that electric cars have failed to generate sales because motorists are confused about the realities of their cost and performance.

Just eight per cent of motorists plan to buy an electric car, and the vast majority of this group underestimate the cost and time it takes to charge the vehicles and also overestimate their range, GfK said.

The firm's research shows there is a clash between the perception and reality of electric car technology.

GfK's study suggests that the actual number of drivers who would consider buying an electric car and have a realistic idea of the costs and performance of the vehicles is just one per cent of UK drivers.

Recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trades shows that only 1,021 electric cars have been sold in the UK to date in 2011.

Of the drivers planning on buying electric cars, they seriously underestimate the cost of purchase.

Some 44 per cent of those intending to go electric think they cost the same – or less than traditional cars. In fact, according to GfK, electric models tend to retail for around £10,000 more than their petrol engine equivalents.

"For all investment the government and manufacturers have made in promoting electric cars, it is clear the public remain largely confused and to a certain extent uninformed about the specifics," said Francisco Lopez, managing director of GfK Automotive.

"If they are serious about transforming Britons into an electric motoring nation, one of the first things to do is to ensure consumers are clear of their genuine benefits. Only when consumers have a good understanding of the practicalities of owning an electric car can they realistically be expected to start purchasing them."

The study shows there is also a lack of knowledge about the charging time and range of vehicles.

Of those most interested in purchasing electric cars, 60 per cent think they should only have to charge the vehicle for a maximum of two hours whereas the actual average figure is closer to six hours – a time only three per cent were willing to accept.

Similarly, 52 per cent of potential electric purchasers also over-estimate the distance electric cars can travel between recharging, with over half expecting the minimum driving range to be over 200 miles. In reality, the range is only about half of that, GfK said.

"It is telling that those who are enthusiastic about electric cars are generally unaware of the realities of owning one," Mr Lopez continued.

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Kia Rio has been named the most fuel efficient car in the UK in the latest data bank results from honestjohn.co.uk.

The specialist motor website, which is edited by Daniel Harrison, put the brand new car top of its charts, which has surprised many.

Kia Rio Ecodynamics has only been on the market since September of this year and it's proven to be a worthy winner of the title.

Its 1.1 litre engine delivers 88.3mpg (miles per gallon), which will be music to the ears of hard-up motorists who are looking at all possible avenues to get around the consistently high fuel prices.

Other things attributed to the car's fuel efficiency include a closed-off radiator grille, longer gearing, low-rolling resistance tyres and its intelligent stop and go technology, which switches the engine off whenever the car is stationary.

In its review of the Kia Rio, What Car? gave it a resounding thumbs up.

"This particular Rio is a mechanically sophisticated car," its reviewer wrote.

"You'll pay no road tax, no London congestion charge and enjoy the potential for spectacular fuel consumption in a car that's thoroughly up-to-date, well-equipped (with plenty of safety kit) and comes with a strong seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. For many, that will prove an irresistible combination."

In second place was the Smart Fortwo CDI diesel, which has a fuel efficiency of 85.6mpg.

Although not the most powerful fuel-efficient car out there, what it lacks in power it makes up in its diminutive size, making it an urbanites ideal choice of car, Mr Harrison said.

In third place was the Citroen C3 1.6 e-HDi Airdream, again an exceptionally new car. Although the costlier choice compared to the other two (sells brand new for £15,290), it's up there in terms of delivering exceptional fuel efficiency (83.1mpg) and stands out with its panoramic windscreen.

Mr Harrison said: "Fuel consumption has become a key selling point in recent years and every manufacturer makes a claim of some sort. It can leave buyers baffled, so this list clearly sets out the nation's cars and how much they'll cost motorists."

HM Revenue & Customs recently said that hybrid diesel/electric cars would be exempt from the three per cent benefit in kind tax levy that applies to standard diesel vehicles.

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The British Medical Association (BMA) believes that smoking should be banned in cars and enforced through legislation that would make the act illegal.

After conducting research, the BMA, a voluntary organisation representing the views of doctors and medical students, has called on the government to extend the current smoke-free legislation to cover motor vehicles.

The BMA has said there is strong evidence to suggest that smoking in cars exposes passengers to extremely high levels of second-hand smoke.

Because a car is a closed-space, non-smokers are exposed to 23 times more toxins than they would have been in a typical smoky bar that preceded the public ban of smoking, the BMA noted.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's director of professional activities, commented that every year there were 800,000 deaths caused by smoking.

Globally, this figure jumps to a "shocking" figure of six million, she said.

"But behind the stark statistics, doctors see the individual cases of ill-health and premature death caused by smoking and second-hand smoke. For this reason, doctors are committed to reducing the harm caused by tobacco," explained Dr Nathanson.

"The UK made a huge step forward in the fight against tobacco by banning smoking in all enclosed public places but more can still be done. We are calling on UK governments to take the bold and courageous step of banning smoking in private vehicles. The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling."

She finished by saying that the coalition government's approach to smoking – voluntary measures to bring about health change – were not having any impact at all.

Vulnerable groups to passive smoking include the elderly, who are prone to respiratory problems and young people who, because of their age, do not have the same choices as adults, the BMA said.

Recent research from the BMA revealed that in 2009, 21 per cent of the adult population of the UK were smokers.

Although this is lower than the figure 30 years ago (39 per cent of the population were smokers in 1981), the figure has not changed since 2007, when the smoke-free legislation came into force.

At present, England and Scotland have yet to make any decision on introducing legislation, Wales is pre-empting any discussion of law-making measures by launching a public awareness campaign, whereas Northern Ireland is in fact launching a consultation.

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The coalition government has announced plans to make driving an electric vehicle easier and more convenient by systematic mapping charging points at key and regular spots across the entire country.

POD Point, a UK-based company that specialises in all aspects of electric vehicle charging, has been assigned with the task of developing a National Chargepoint Registry, which will let people know where they can find access to chargers.

Transport minister Norman Baker explained the decision to put in place a comprehensive network of chargers was in response to an increasing public appetite for plug-in electric vehicles.

"This registry will get us away from the mind-set of 'Will I, won't I get there?' And I'm sure that public and private chargepoint owners alike will get behind the initiative because the more information we have up there the more motorists will be encouraged to make the switch to electric," said Mr Baker.

"The Central Whitelist offers charging scheme operators a really straightforward way to share membership card details – it will enable their members to access chargepoints outside their 'home' charging scheme. This freedom to roam between charging schemes is a very important step forward for the plug-in vehicle market."

He added that low-carbon vehicles were here to stay, signalling that the government was doing everything to help make the UK one of the leaders in electric cars.

This was a view shared by business minister Mark Prisk who hopes the network of chargers will encourage more people to take up electric cars, many of whom it is argued fail to do so because of lack of convenience.

"The registry will allow businesses to innovate and provide products, such as satnav and mobile apps, for plug-in vehicle owners to access," he said.

"Motorists will then know where and how they can charge along their journey, so addressing concerns about the range of vehicles and the new Central Whitelist will increase people's charging options – enabling members of a particular charging scheme to easily access chargepoints in other areas of the country."

The Central Whitelist is a registry that contains membership card information on its database of the different recharging schemes. The registry effectively makes recharging universal within the UK, so that cardholders are not required to sign up to a new scheme every time they access a charging station.

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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced far-reaching plans to modernise the Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

In a bid to improve the standard of courses that are on offer to offenders and take away the cost from taxpayers, the DSA is proposing that people found guilty of drink-driving would have to pick up the cost of their rehabilitation.

The DSA believes that through better, thorough and more focused education, as well as the added 'burden' of cost, the number of people reoffending will drop.

As a consequence of this reduction of offences, the general standards of driving will improve and the number of potential accidents that arise through alcohol consumption will fall dramatically.

According to figures released by the Department for Transport in its consultation paper, around 90,000 people a year are convicted of drink-driving offences, which includes "driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit".

Of this figure, 60,000 are referred by the courts to courses currently under the DDRS. However, only half (30,000) of the people referred actually finish the course.

Mike Penning, the road safety minister, explained that while most drivers respected the rules of the road and adhered to safe and responsible driving, there is a "reckless minority who put lives in danger by drink driving and those drivers need to be tackled effectively".

"As well as taking action to help the police to deal with drink-drivers, we are looking at how we can reduce the likelihood of re-offending through improving the Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme," he said.

"Improving the way courses are delivered is a positive step towards achieving this and will help to ensure Britain's roads remain among the safest in the world."

In 2009, the Department for Transport's annual report revealed that 380 people out of a total of 2,222 killed on Britain's roads, died through drink-driving incidents.

It's a serious crime that has devastating repercussions. The same report said many people convicted of drink-driving offences lose their jobs and find their motor insurance rates skyrocket.

Nile Ranger, a Newcastle United footballer, was banned from driving for a year and fined £3,300 on November 10th for drink-driving offences.

Keith McIntosh, chairman of the bench at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, told the 20-year-old footballer: "When someone has a drink they are not aware how much alcohol they have taken with regards to the law. The best advice we can give is not to drink and drive."

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The car manufacturer Nissan has announced that it is to fit 400 new quick charging stations at key locations across Europe for free making it easier to top up electric vehicles [EV].

Nissan, which is keen to push the green agenda in the motoring industry, hopes that in giving away 400 chargers to service stations it can speed up plans for a European-wide Quick Charge (QC) network.

It hopes to have the charging stations, which supply energy to electric vehicles in the same way petrol and diesel provide fuel, in place by the end of 2012.

What this ultimately means is that electric car drivers will be much more confident and comfortable in the knowledge that no matter where they are, there's a charging station nearby.

With this greater freedom, electric cars will have a far greater range of travel than they have ever had.

For British electric car owners, Nissan hopes to put in place 65 strategically placed chargers at service stations along the motorway network, allowing people to charge at suitable spots.

It is hoped that QC technology, which can, in the case of the Nissan Leaf (the leading, environmentally-friendly, affordable, family car) recharge batteries from zero to 80 per cent capacity in 30 minutes, will encourage more people to go green.

Jim Wright, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB), said: "While we are confident that the Leaf's range will satisfy most customers' needs, we understand that some will need to make occasional longer journeys."

"Our vision is to create a 'pathway charging network' which would remove so-called 'range anxiety' and open up pure EV ownership to a whole new spectrum of drivers."

One of the benefits of implementing a widespread QC network is that it allows for more travel to be done over the course of one day.

By significantly reducing the amount of time it takes to charge a car – petrol and diesel is relatively quick by electric standards – there is less time spent 'hanging around'.

Electric cars are considerably cheaper to run too.

Pierre Loing, vice president of product planning and zero emission business unit at Nissan International, said: "With a significant number of QCs available across Europe, EV owners will be able to recharge quickly no matter where they go. We believe this is essential for the mass adoption of EVs."

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The top ten speed cameras by revenue have been named and they take £3 million a year from motorists.

A temporary camera on the A1(M) southbound in Hertfordshire was the biggest earner, capturing an average of 789 speeders a month.

If each motorist received a £60 fixed penalty, that would amount to £568,000 in fines over a year.

Second place went to a fixed camera on Portsmouth's A3 Anglesea Road. It snared an average 537 drivers a month, generating £387,000 a year.

A site on London's A40 Western Avenue came third, with an average of 499 speeders a month being captured – an estimated £359,000 in fines.

The worst-performing speed trap was one on the A348 in Ferndown, Dorset, which caught no speeders in three years.

The Sun obtained the government data using the Freedom of Information Act.

It also found that the single most risky route for fines in the UK was a 12-mile stretch of seafront road in Brighton, east Sussex. Its 11 cameras caught 18,045 drivers in three years.

Commenting on the figures, the Drivers' Alliance told the Sun: "Cameras don't improve safety. They're often placed to generate maximum revenue."

But road safety charity Brake said: "They are an extremely effective way of enforcing the law, reducing speeds and preventing tragedies."

According to SpeedCamerasUK.com, there are 6,000 speed cameras in the UK which are estimated to be netting more than £20 million a year from fines.

However, a survey by Which?, the consumer group, found that most speed cameras in England and Wales don't actually work.

The investigation, in the February issue of Which? magazine, found that 53 per cent of fixed cameras in England and Wales are not in operation at any one time.

There were big differences in the number of speed cameras used by each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales, the study found.

For example, Sussex has 60 fixed speed cameras, all of which are operational, while Lancashire, which has 287 fixed cameras, uses just ten per cent at any one time.

Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire were found to have no fixed speed cameras at all.

This means the chances of being caught speeding are dramatically different depending on the area in which you are driving, Which? said.

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For some it's the world's biggest car park. For others it’s the Road to Hell. But it remains that the M25 is a crucial part of the UK's road infrastructure – an average of 150,000 to 200,000 vehicles use its busiest sections each day.

Now that its reached the not so grand old age of 25, we take a look at the famous 117-mile stretch of pure motorway.

The fruits of the idea for a London Orbital were born in 1905 when a royal commission looking into the capital's traffic came up with the idea.

In those days motor vehicles made up only a tiny proportion of traffic, but even then the commission proposed a ring road of about 12 miles from the centre of London.

But it wasn't until the 1960s that calls for a high-capacity bypass were made. By then the huge growth of motor traffic had made it clear the capital needed to address the issue and in 1970 the first detailed government plans for an orbital motorway were developed.

The first section – between junctions 23 and 24 – was actually opened in September 1975 but it wasn't until October 29th 1986 that the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher opened the final 13-mile section of the motorway.

In total two million tonnes of concrete and 3.5 million tonnes of asphalt were used during construction of all the motorway sections. More than 2.1 million trees and shrubs were planted.

On October 28th, roads minister Mike Penning visited the Highways Agency’s regional control centre at south Mimms and paid tribute to the motorway, hailing the economic benefits of the Orbital.

"The M25 has been and continues to be a catalyst for economic growth," he said.

"The opening of the M25 in 1986 was a celebration of engineering excellence, and since then communities, businesses and millions of road users have benefited from the vastly improved transport connections it provides for them."

The M25 has continued to evolve, and currently the final phases of schemes to add a fourth lane in each direction between junctions 16 and 23, and between junctions 27 and 30 are being carried out.

They will be completed ahead of the 2012 London Games.

M25 in details

• It stretches for 117 miles with a radius between 13 and 22 miles from Charing Cross

• It is Europe's longest city bypass – when it opened 113,000 vehicles used the section around Heathrow and today up to 200,000 vehicles use that section every day.

• It has 33 junctions and 234 bridges

• There are 500 kilometres of safety fence, 225,000 road studs, and 860 bridges which cross the M25

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Motorists who consider their cars to be an extension of themselves and their personality are more likely to be aggressive drivers, according to new research.

The report, entitled Aggressive Driving: A Consumption Experience, which is published in the Psychology of Marketing, has delivered a thorough document on how attitude, values and personality all contribute to a driver's temperament.

Lead author Ayalla Ruvio, a professor from Temple University Fox School of Business, Philadelphia, focused on how these various factors led to people being aggressive drivers.

He said: "It explains much of the phenomenon we knew existed. We know men tend to be more aggressive drivers and we know men tend to see their cars as an extension of themselves more than women."

Professor Ruvio conducted two studies. The first, involving 134 people, male and female, with an average age of 23.5, looked at the influence of values, attitudes and personality on a motorist's driving habits.

The second study, which involved 298 people, looked at other factors including driving under time constrained conditions – being late for a meeting for example – the attraction of risk, impulsivity and the idea of driving as a hedonistic activity.

Key findings of the study include aggressive drivers admitting that they were more likely to be involved in other law-breaking incidents, there's a link to being materialistic and being an antagonistic driver and that young people at the start of their driving life are more likely to be reckless in a bid to show off.

As such, aggressive drivers tend to view the road as 'their territory', and like animals in the animal kingdom, "seek to maintain control over it and defend it as necessary", the report suggests.

Motorists who find that other drivers on the road are acting aggressively, through speeding, tailgating, excessively honking of a horn and overtaking in dangerous situations, are advised to maintain driving sensibly.

If an aggressive driver persists, then slowing down or coming to a full stop to allow them to continue with their journey might be the best course of action and reduce the risk of a serious accident occurring.

Drivers who feel that they are in physical danger should try and jot down the details of the car – registration plate, model, any notable scratches and bumps – and report the matter to the police straight away.

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Classic car fans can get their hands on a new Volkswagen (VW) Beetle with the latest incarnation.

The third-generation model still retains its classic curvy shape, but is a lot longer, sportier and smoother than the previous two models.

One of the advantages of the bigger shape is a considerably bigger boot. It is now 30 per cent bigger than the previous model's boot.

First released 73 years ago, the VW Beetle has captured the collective hearts of car lovers all around the world and is viewed as one of the all-time iconic designs.

The latest edition to the popular franchise comes in three distinct trims – the classic Beetle, Design and Sport. The Beetle and Design trims pack a standard 1.2-litre engine, with a starting price of £16,490, while the Sport version delivers a nifty 1.4 litre engine.

Three other engines – a 1.6-litre TDI, 2-litre TDI 140 PS and 2-litre TSI 200 PS – will be available next year, satisfying those customers who would like a bit more 'muscle' on the car.
In homage to its long, illustrious history, VW have kitted the new Beetle with a retro interior, defined by large instruments and a big glovebox that references the original Beetle aesthetic.

Although a vintage design might be important to the car, VW have by no means ignored consumer desire for the latest gadgets and gizmos to be incorporated into the vehicle.

There is, for example, parking sensors, keyless entry, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, a range of satnav systems to choose from and a DAB digital radio with a CD player.

The VW Beetle, which the famous Hollywood actor and racing car enthusiast Paul Newman loved and referred to as 'sleeper car', was first developed in 1938 by Ferdinand Porsche, who was famous for designing the first of many eponymous Porsches and the iconic Mercedes-Benz SSK.

It was known as the 'People's Car' in its early days and though it first hit the roads in the late 30s, it was only after the second world war that it began to be mass produced.

Over the years, the car has been referenced many times in popular culture, especially in the 1960s when it was co-opted as the hippie movement's car of choice. Like the MINI, the Beetle has also made its mark in cinema; most famously as a self-aware vehicle called Herbie in the hit Disney film The Love Bug.

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Motorists who are finding it a little hard to locate a petrol station and are forced to pay expensive prices for fuel when they do are being offered the chance to take part in 'green' driving lessons, which aim to save them money in the long run.

The Energy Saving Trust, a not-for-profit company that is looking to seek charitable status, is offering drivers in Scotland the opportunity to take part in unique, green 50-minute driving lessons, which cost £12 a go.

It is hoped that by encouraging motorists to take up these specially-designed lessons they will improve the way they drive in terms of fuel consumption.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), said: "Green driving techniques save money at the pump, but a smoother and relaxed style of driving is safer for other road users, too."

The ETA, which was established in 1990, is an ethical motoring organisation and sustainable travel lobby group.

Some notable fuel efficient driving tips include shifting to a high gear as soon as it is possible as driving at lower engine speeds reduces the amount of fuel that is consumed; driving a lot more smoothly – i.e. avoiding repetitive harsh braking and starting; and sticking to the driving limits – a higher speed taxes more fuel.

Other tips for motorists wanting to be more fuel-efficient include using the much-loved air conditioning in moderation as the engine has to work harder to maintain this function; removing weighty items from your car – luggage, sporting equipment and work documents – as a heavy car has to cope with more weight than it is used to; and to not let your engine run unnecessarily – for example, it is advised that when stuck in exceptionally congested traffic, drivers should switch off their engines. So too when waiting to pick someone up.

Motorists can further reduce the amount of fuel they use by getting their cars regularly serviced, keeping tyres suitably inflated and holding back on making excessive gear changes.

Lastly, drive less. The car is often used for short trips that could be done on foot or by other means of transport like a bus or bicycle. According to Eartheasy around about 50 per cent of trips made in the car is for within three miles of the home.

The ETA estimates that drivers who adopt fuel efficient driving habits can save anywhere in the region of £300.

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There are now fewer than 9,000 petrol stations in operation across the UK, further compounding the difficulties already faced by cash-strapped motorists, according to new research.

This is a considerable drop from the 21,000 petrol stations that were providing petrol to drivers 20 years ago.

The magnitude of the situation is highlighted by the fact that today there are 31 million cars on the road at any given moment, double the amount two decades ago.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry, said: "We have repeatedly warned government that increasing fuel taxes, increasing global crude oil prices, increasing business rates especially on forecourt convenience stores and unfair pricing regimes from some hypermarkets and oil companies are threatening the existence of the independent retailer."

Palmer & Harvey, a wholesale supplier, found that a considerable number of closures had occurred in southern English counties.

Particularly bad hit is Torridge in Devon, which has, on average, one petrol station for every 11,300 cars.

In north-east Wales however, things were massively different with motorists having the best access to fuel in the UK. The county Clwyd has 250 petrol stations.

Chris Etherington, chief executive of Palmer & Harvey, said: "These fuel deserts lead to massive inconvenience for the already hard-pressed motorist and also to the loss of a focal point in communities that have often lost their local pub, village shop, post office or even, in the worst cases, their entire high street."

He added that these 'fuel deserts' had been created by a number of factors, all of which are attached to the economy.

This includes volatile fuel prices, which have remained excessively high for a long period now, an economy that has stagnated, crisis in the eurozone and general global economic uncertainty and "fluctuating land prices and supply chain costs".

One of the ways in which these petrol stations are attempting to buck the trend is by upping the number and quality of their wholesale operations by bringing in more groceries and offers to entice motorists to buy more than just petrol.

Earlier this year the research-based retail consultancy him! found that one in five shoppers at a petrol station were there only to buy groceries and not petrol.

Researchers found that this was because of a rise in the quality of items on offer, excellent customer service, value for money and long opening hours, which made it easier to shop when it's convenient.

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Want a holiday that allows you to take in a lot of sightseeing? Why not jump in the car and hit the road. Whether it's a gentle cruise around the UK or a zoom around Europe, a driving holiday is the perfect way to take in a host of tourist spots and cities – while enjoying some stunning scenery along the way.

A UK motoring break is perfect if you’re watching the purse strings, and with regular ferry crossings into mainland Europe, the continent is easily reachable too – and you don't have to worry about a hire car, either.

Here's our pick of top driving holidays.

Hit France's wine roads

Why not head aboard a ferry across the Channel for a trip through one of France's stunning wine regions.

Embark on a crossing from Portsmouth or Dover before travelling through some coastal towns – like Le Havre, Dieppe and Dunkirk – you could even head over the border into Belgium if you wanted – before going onto one of the country's wine regions.

Some might require a lengthy drive, but it'll be worth it. Choose from the Loire Valley, one of the most beautiful regions in France, the famous Champagne, the quaint Cotes du Rhone, and, of course, Bordeaux, probably the most famous wine region in the world.

Enjoy a couple of days travelling the wine roads before parking up at your hotel and enjoying a wine tasting evening, or simply a good house red in front of a roaring fire.

Route 66

Probably the most famous driving route in the world, Route 66 has to be seen to be believed. It'd mean a flight to the US and also a hire car (you might want to consider looking at your insurance cover should anything go wrong), but once there you'll be amazed – it's the road trip of a lifetime.

Taking on Route 66 requires a fair bit of pre-planning – it's a good idea to work out where you're going to start from and where you're going to end up, allowing you to book hotels and schedule places to visit appropriately.

Once there, you'll be driving one of the most well-travelled roads in the US, cutting through much of central America. You won't be short of things to do, either – there are cities like Chicago, Oklahoma, Texas and California to stop off at.

Indulge in the Black Forest

It's the Germanic equivalent of the Lake District, all mountain peaks, lakes and charming valleys. The beautiful and unspoilt Black Forest is one of the most picturesque places in the world.

And it makes for a great driving holiday. Encompassing 11,400 square kilometres in Germany's south-west, the Black Forest by car is a great way to experience the varied landscape the country's largest national park offers.

Populated with rivers like the famous Danube and the mighty Rhine and lovely towns like Freiburg and Baden Baden ("so good they named it twice," quipped Bill Clinton) the Black Forest offers a new delight at every turn.

Driving holidays – cheap, convenient and simply relaxing.

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It used to be that driving somewhere new was something that required a bit of effort, or at least a brief peruse of a map.

Now getting from A to B is increasingly easy and straightforward – thanks to the rise of satnav technology.

It's easy for motorists nowadays to head off wherever they want – as long as they have a location or postcode they can drive just about anywhere, all directed by a little black box positioned on the windscreen.

At least, that's what we like to think.

In one sense, satnav has revolutionised motoring – we can now find our way around unfamiliar places with hardly any effort. And the technology is cheap and easy to use.

But there are also those who bemoan the death of the road map or A to Z – which for decades was any car user's bible.

Critics of the satnav say that it has made us lazy thinkers: reducing our need to work out routes, it's devalued the concept of navigation and made us bovine slaves to technology.

But some recent research now suggests that far from curing all our driving ills, satnavs are a perennial source of frustration for motorists – chiefly because the technology takes them in the wrong direction.

According to a survey by app developer skobbler, six in ten satnav users have fallen victim to so-called 'satnav rage' and have shouted, screamed, sworn at or even lashed out at their navigation system after it sent them the wrong way.

Unclear directions, annoying voice-overs and out of date maps are also likely to test a driver's patience.

The survey interviewed 2,000 male and female drivers across the UK.

''The sole purpose of any satnav is to assist drivers in getting from A to B, safely and efficiently, and it appears that some satnavs are simply not living up to motorists' expectations," said skobbler spokesman Marcus Thielking.

''It certainly seems that drivers are experiencing a new form of rage as a direct result of the shortfalls of their satnav device."

The study quizzed Brits aged 17-45 on their driving habits, relationship with and reliance on their satellite navigation system.

It found one in five frequently get riled by their satnav, and one in ten said something happens on every journey which stresses them out. Nearly half (47 per cent) said they have a 'love/hate' relationship with their device.

One in ten has ended up stopping the car in frustration whilst one person even admitted to throwing their satnav out of the window.

"The conclusion we draw from the survey is that whilst satnav is here to stay, the dedicated satnav device is out of date, expensive, inconvenient and not very user friendly," Mr Thielking said.

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Quelle surprise – British motorists still love the hatchback.

According to research by car website ContractHireAndLeasing.com, the lure of that expandable boot and fold-down seats shows no signs of going away – the hatchback is still the vehicle of choice for most Brits.

Nearly a quarter – 24 per cent – of all vehicle searches on the website were for hatchbacks, followed by saloons (21 per cent) and the estate (20 per cent), the report reveals.

And despite the vagaries of the British weather, 16 per cent of users logged on to search for a convertible vehicle.

About three-fifths of these were searches made by personal users, with the remainder coming from business customers.

The company said its most popular cars so far this year are the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, which, unsurprisingly, are all available as hatchbacks.

"Our love of the hatchback appears to be alive and well," said the website's Richard Lawton.

"We believe that it is the hatchback’s flexible nature that makes it so appealing both for businesses and for family use."

The research shows that despite the gamut of different car styles available on the car market, motorists still opt for tried and tested types when they come to look for a new vehicle.

All this is of no surprise to freelance motoring journalist Carlton Boyce, who identifies one key reason for the unwavering popularity of the hatchback: ease of use.

"A hatchback is popular because it's so practical," he explains.

"An estate car feels much bigger than a saloon, so if a car owner wants to be able to fit a dog or a large amount of luggage/shopping in their car then they buy a hatchback."

Indeed – the chief benefit of owning a hatchback is the "masses of space" the vehicles offer, Mr Boyce said. Folding the rear seats down opens up plenty of room, and even when they are up they still have a larger usable space than in a saloon.

There are disadvantages to the hatchback, Mr Boyce conceded – such as being less secure than a saloon with a separate boot – but these are "more than compensated for by the advantages".

"Decent resale value also means that depreciation is lower than saloons, helping the owner's bank balance too!" he said.

The popularity of the hatchback comes after a buoyant month for new car sales. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 332,476 new cars were registered last month, less than one per cent down on last year.

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Driving used to be a fairly straightforward task. You'd get in the car and head out onto the road – using a few helpful road signs, telling you the speed limit and distances to destinations – to help you along your way.

Nowadays it's a different story. Even veteran motorists admit to their bemusement when they head out for a drive only to find themselves immersed in a veritable jungle of traffic signs.

The abundance of traffic signage in the UK is not new – it has been a problem for many motorists for some time and charities and community groups have long complained about the issue.

But now it looks as though the multitude of signage could be streamlined and significantly improved – under government plans to de-clutter the nation's roads.

The crackdown, announced by transport minister Norman Baker, follows the biggest review into Britain's traffic signing system for 40 years.

Under the proposed shake-up, signage will become simpler and clearer, while ensuring that limits and rules are still enforced.

One of the biggest proposals, for example, is a new sign designed to stop lorry drivers getting stuck down roads that are unsuitable for their vehicles after being directed there by satnav devices.

Not only does this cause delays to the lorry drivers' journey time, but it can have a serious impact on the local road network.

In addition, there will be new signs to alert drivers to parking spaces with charging points for electric vehicles and councils will be able to indicate estimated journey times on cycle routes, to help people plan their journeys.

These moves in particular are part of an effort to reflect the way travel has changed in recent years, with the increased take-up of cycling and more and more interest in energy-efficient ways of driving.

Measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes are also part of the plans.

Mr Baker said: "This is the most far-reaching review of traffic signs in 40 years. We are cutting pointless bureaucracy, giving councils more freedoms, and updating our suite of signs for the modern era.”

"Sometimes the jungles of signs and tangles of white, red and yellow lines can leave people more confused than informed. This expensive clutter can also leave our roadsides looking unsightly and unwelcoming, so the changes I am announcing today will help councils cut the number of signs they need to use.”

Video Transcript

If you've ever been stuck in a traffic jam on one of the nation's motorways you'll be all too familiar with the feelings of frustration and anger that can arise.

It's especially worse if you're on your way to work, or are setting off for a relaxing holiday somewhere.

Well, all that could be a thing of the past – meet Wildcat, the car that can 'see' the world around it.

Developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, Wildcat uses robotic car technology that interprets its surroundings and makes decisions about where to go.

In other words – it's a car that does the driving for you.

Researchers say Wildcat could eliminate the agony and cost of traffic jams.

While GPS is now hugely popular among motorists, the technology is limited in that it cannot accurately guide a car at speed without the risk of error.

The Wildcat is different in that its sensors can pinpoint its exact location and enable it to respond to its changing environment more safely.

Oxford researchers say the Wildcat vehicle, built by defence firm BAE Systems, will remove the reliance on GPS, improve navigation, lower emissions, interpret local traffic conditions, track risks, and offer a "hands-free experience" to the driver.

All this by monitoring data from sensors like cameras, radars, and lasers mounted on the car itself – all very impressive.

"Only by understanding its environment can an autonomous vehicle genuinely drive itself, safely, without the need for human intervention," said Professor Paul Newman of Oxford University's Department of Engineering Science.

"Our long-term aim is to enable a new generation of robotic vehicles that can make the roads safer, less congested, cleaner, and personal transport more accessible. We do this by making smarter cars."

With recent research from the Department for Transport suggesting that the overall cost of road congestion in the UK to business is likely to rise to £23 to £24 billion a year within the next 15 years, autonomous vehicles like Wildcat that make road journeys safer and more efficient could be the key cog in keeping Britain moving.

"We need cars that do the thinking and concentrating for you, cars that do not insist you do the driving all the time," Professor Newman explained.

"If the going is slow why can't I watch the show I missed last night, Skype with the kids, read a book or send that last email and elect the car to handle the drudgery of the trip for me?"

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New cars quickly depreciate in value, a fact that probably influences most people to buy a used car – after all, they tend to hold their value better.

A used car can be picked up for a great price and in a condition that is near-enough perfect. Here are some tips on how to make sure you get a good deal.

After you've sorted out a budget for how much you are willing to spend on a car and decided on the model you really like, you will have to come to a decision to either buy from a dealer or privately.

It's not an easy, straightforward choice. Private will, for the most part, be cheaper than dealers, but they'll more than likely not come with the same benefits – namely warranties and guarantee that the car is in a good condition as described in any promotional documentation.

Recently, Trusted Dealers, a used car website, conducted a survey of 2,000 motorists, with some startling results. What it found was that at least 1.4 million cars are being sold dishonestly each year by private sellers.

Neil Addley, managing director of Trusted Dealers, said: "This research clearly demonstrates the hidden dangers of buying a car from a private seller and although the majority of lies covered small defects, a worrying minority were trying to conceal potentially serious problems.

"The Scambusters campaign will protect motorists and help to raise standards in the used car industry by identifying and exposing rogue operators and conmen."

Before you even decide on buying, it is advised you test drive the car. It's the best way of gauging how it runs and how you feel behind the wheel.

One of the best tips going is to never buy on your own – if you have a clued-up friend or family member that has a detailed history with buying cars, then they can help you secure the best deal possible.

They'll also prove to be useful company when it comes to haggling – as with new cars, you shouldn't aim to pay the asking price. A lot of fun can be had here as freebies like mats, iPod docks, Bluetooth and even a tank full of petrol can be acquired.

Other things to bear in mind are costs after the purchase – you might get a really good deal on the car, but if your car insurance is sky high, it can cancel out any savings you've made on the price of the vehicle.

Look at how much road tax is left on the car, when it was last serviced and its MOT history. The last two points will help you identify if the car has had a reliable history or is beset with problems.

Video Transcript

Motorists who drive dangerously and recklessly will face tougher punishments as part of a series of measures being proposed by justice secretary Ken Clarke.

One of the proposals being put forward is the creation of a new offence known as "causing serious injury by dangerous driving".

Police officers would also be equipped with new powers to fine drivers, saving courts a lot of time and money.

Those found guilty of more serious driving offences could be sentenced to five years in jail. The current sentence is two years imprisonment.

Lesser driving offences like undertaking, cutting in front of incoming traffic and tailgating would result in a fine of at least £80 with three points put on their licence.

Mr Clarke said: "Dangerous driving can destroy lives and have a devastating effect on victims and their families and friends. We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes."

He added that improving the safety of roads was a priority citing the fact five people died on British roads each day last year.

Keeping alert, sticking to the speed limit, respecting other drivers and being aware of changing weather conditions while driving are just a few ways that motorists can improve their driving.

Mike Penning, road safety minister, said: "The vast majority of motorists are safe and responsible but the willfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious penalties.”

"These measures - together with improved educational courses for drivers who need to improve their skills - will help ensure Britain's roads remain among the safest in the world."

In other, related developments, transport secretary Philip Hammond has proposed that disqualified drivers would need to undergo retraining and even have to take another test in cases of dangerous driving. Educational courses would also be on offer.

In some instances, fines and points could also be avoided if drivers were willing to undergo this retraining.
Also proposed are measures to help new drivers adjust to life on the road.

Video Transcript

There are so many things that are memorable about movies, be it an outstanding performance, the amazing CGI effects or the cool costumes. But time after time, cars tend to steal the show.

In this article, we take a look at some of those gorgeous, full-of-character models that have stolen bits of our heart.

Where to start? Like classic Hollywood actors from the dawn of cinema to the present day, memorable cars run into their hundreds.

It seems apt to start with James Bond, where cool cars, along with gadgets and girls, have been an integral part of the successful film franchise. There is of course the Aston Martin DB5, perhaps the most famous of the lot. However, there are those with a soft spot for the underwater white Lotus Esprit from the Spy Who Loved Me, with many people keen to have a car that converts into a submarine.

Another equally ludicrous but utterly charming car was the modified time-travelling DeLorean out of Back to the Future, a car that unfortunately didn't do too well commercially. That said, there are one or two on the roads if you keep your eyes peeled.

An equally outrageous concept that has had many incarnations is the Batmobile, from the classic black Cadillac of the 60s to the Art Deco concept in Tim Burton's movie to the current tank-like beast in Chris Nolan's hugely successful reboot.

And what about those cars with a bit of personality, like the Herbie Beetle (1963 Volkswagen Type 1), the customised Ectomobile from Ghostbusters (Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance) and, of course, the 2009 yellow Chevrolet Camero from Transformers, which is based on a '74 version.

Then there are the cars that are simply effortlessly cool.

Here we're talking about the pugnacious orange dynamo out of the Dukes of Hazzard, the wild 1969 Dodge Charger R/T and Steve McQueen's 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback in Bullitt.

Or what about Ferris Bueller's 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, a car many teenagers would love to pull up to school/college in and the 1977 Pontiac Tans Am, naturally driven by a delightful Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit.

All of them share a common theme that bears repeating: they're cool.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg. We haven't even mentioned the Mini out of The Italian Job, the plethora of cars which star in Gone in 60 Seconds – including a Ford Mustang nicknamed Eleanor – and the beautifully restored 1948 Ford convertible from Grease.

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It goes without saying that there'll be plenty of rain to contend with on a daily basis, that's the UK climate for you, but when it comes to torrential rain, we're lucky that we don't get it so bad.

However, as recent floods have shown in southern England in August, it does happen, so we've put together a guide for motorists on how to drive safely when it rains cats and dogs, whether it's an average downpour or something altogether heavier.

Add more time to your journey

You can't really maintain the same speeds during a heavy downpour as slippery roads mean it takes much longer to stop. As a result your journey time will need to be extended if you have to be somewhere at a certain time.

Light it up

Because your own visibility and visibility to other drivers is impaired by the rain, even if it's daylight, you should switch on your headlights and/or fog lights. Don't go full beam though – they'll reflect off the water and hamper the view of other drivers.

Keep a healthy distance

In normal circumstances, drivers are told to adhere to a three-second rule, which allows you to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. During inclement weather, the Highway Code suggests leaving a greater distance than normal to increase your ability to plan ahead.

Getting through flooded roads

If you are genuinely unsure as to how deep the flooded part of the road is, then do not go through it. As a general rule, if the water is deeper than the bottom of your doors and covers your exhaust, avoid it. Otherwise, move through it slowly.

Other things to consider

It is advisable to get your window wipers checked – like anything, they do wear out over time. Likewise, with tyres, make sure they are pumped up and at their optimum level. Depending on which season it is, you may consider putting on winter or all-season tyres.

All cars are generally well-equipped to deal with the caprices of the weather, which is something that should bring comfort to most people. Accidents tend to happen where people are under-prepared. So, keep calm, being cautious and alert, and make every effort to ensure that you are safe and comfortable. All that in mind, like Gene Kelly, you may well be singing in the rain.

Video Transcript

Brand-spanking new cars that roll off the production line like hot-cross buns come equipped with computer technology and instruments that any gadget-crazy person would love.

Those of us who've had our cars for a few years now can still up the ante on our motor vehicles by adding gizmos specifically designed with drivers in mind.

Social network hub

The first car gadget on our list is from Harman, the electronics audio manufacturer, which earlier this year showcased a social network hub that is integrated into car systems.

It allows motorists and passengers the ability to access Facebook and Twitter updates through intuitive voice technologies, whereas Wi-Fi connection to both people and places the car is stationed next to makes it an ideal way to be connected. And for music lovers, the ability to share music from one platform to another is another bonus.

Speaking at the time, Sachin Lawande, Harman chief technology officer and co-president, said the company had "once again led the automotive industry by bringing our most advanced technologies to the forefront and creating a new lifestyle experience that mirrors the current social networking revolution."

Rechargeable LED torch

A torch is handy for so many reasons, from finding keys that have dropped into your car's many crevices to finding things at a spot where there is no natural light. But how many times have you gone to pick up your torch and found that the batteries have died? Too many times we bet.

The Spotlight LED torch, which comes in a range of funky colours, is small and lightweight and charged via the cigarette lighter. A handy gizmo if ever there was one.

The Wonder Holder

Mobile phones these days are powerful devices with so many apps and programmes that we can only marvel at how such a small device can cope with all that power.

The Wonder Holder, from the company of the same name, is basically an adhesive magnet that you apply to your dashboard, don't worry, it won't affect all that computer power in your mobile phone.

It's especially ideal if you don't have Bluetooth and a separate satnav system – once secure, it keeps your mobile in place, making your use of it both accessible and very safe.

Viabtor Plug-In Fuel Saver

It's not often you come across a device that saves you money and helps the environment, but the Viabtor Plug-In Fuel Saver is one such device.

A simple device that is plugged into the cigarette lighter, the Viabtor works by "stabilising the electrical circuit of the car", according to the manufacturer, which claims it optimises"the injection and combustion process of the engine". This basically compensates for the lack of steady driving that is near-impossible on busy roads.

And it has no impact on electrical systems and units within the car, which gives you great peace of mind.

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There's nothing quite like hitting the road and enjoying the natural splendours of the UK's rich and diverse landscape. We've come up with some of the best scenic rides for you to consider this autumn.

Be sure to fill the tank up with petrol, pack spare clothes in case the weather turns – including wet weather garments, charge your mobile phones and make sure your MP3 player is loaded with all your favourite tunes to enjoy on the drive.

Black Mountain Road

Everyone's favourite denim jean and blazer-wearing car personality Jeremy Clarkson brought this route to the wider attention of the car community when he tore along the curvy route in an AMG SLK.

Located in the west of Brecon Beacons National Park, it features a number of dips, twists and climbs, a suitable prelude to a hairpin, which makes this ride not only pleasant in terms of view, but an enjoyable one too.

Humber Bridge

Situated near Kingston upon Hull, the Humber Bridge is a breathtaking single-span suspension bridge – the world’s fifth largest in fact – with a view that is out of this world.

Although it'll set you back a tidy £3, it is one of those things that begs to be done. Towering over the Humber, it connects North Lincolnshire with the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Cheddar Gorge

A beautiful, gargantuan gorge located in the Mendip Hills near the village of Cheddar – which gave its name to the British cheese – that looks like something out of a Lord of the Rings book.

Driving through the many twisty roads, the impressive towering cliffs leave you in absolute awe, as does the natural wonder of peregrine falcons going about their business.

For those who decide to take a picnic break they might also want to check out Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave, two amazing stalactite and calcite spaces deep within the caves, a tourist attraction that has wowed people for years.

Hutton-Le-Hole

A gorgeous, picturesque and quintessentially English village, this tranquil spot is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a slow drive around somewhere new before parking up and exploring many of the quaint rural attractions.

Home to the Ryedale Folk Museum and the Red Lion Inn, arguably one of the remotest pubs in the UK, the Yorkshire village is accessible from the south of the county.

Video Transcript

Potholes – the scourge of UK roads. A regular frustration for motorists, potholes aren't merely annoying, they can seriously damage cars' steering and suspension systems, wheels and exhausts.

And, with winter approaching, it's possible we'll see a lot more potholes littering the nation's roads, especially if we have bad snow this year.

Much work is being done to sort out the pothole problem – councils are spending millions investing in repairs in an effort to sort out our roads.

And if you live in Stockport, Greater Manchester it seems if you want a pothole fixed you'll have to really put the work in to prove it's worthy of being repaired – by walking out into the road and taking a photo of it.

Under a new policy, Stockport Council will only repair holes that are more than a foot wide or 1.5 inches deep.
The Manchester Evening News said residents ringing a special pothole repair helpline are asked if they can check measurements and take photographs of the offending crevice.

It's part of an effort to save the authority money and better protect it when it comes to compensation claims.
But road safety chiefs are concerned that advising people to wander into the road armed with a ruler and a camera isn't the best way to go about solving the area's pothole problem.

Iain Roberts, executive member for transportation at Stockport Council, defended the authority's approach.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "We ask callers whether they think the pothole is a hazard to motorists or a trip hazard to pedestrians. Many residents choose to give us extra information about potholes they've spotted, but that's never been a requirement – we check all potholes reported to us.”

"We take a planned approach to our work on the highway, and want to obtain the best value for money and fix the largest number of potholes we can within resources."

According to research earlier this year by the BBC, councils have been paying out millions of pounds repairing potholes and compensating affected road users.

Despite government spending cuts, it is still investing in pothole repairs. Earlier this year, councils in England were given more than £100 million in extra funding to spend – in addition to the £831 million already provided to councils for road maintenance.

Video Transcript

If you're lucky enough to own an Aston Martin, you'll no doubt be a little annoyed that your secret is finally out.

That's because the iconic car manufacturer has been named the UK's coolest brand in a new poll – beating off tech heavyweights like Apple, BlackBerry and Google.

Ferrari was the only other car brand to make it into the top ten.

It also found that women are equally as impressed with technology brands as men are – 47 per cent voted Apple their favourite tech brand and 44 per cent voted for BlackBerry.

"Cool is subjective and personal," said Stephen Cheliotis, chairman of the CoolBrands Expert Council.

"But being identified as a cool brand by the British public and a panel of influential opinion formers implies it is a brand that most Brits wish to own," he added.

"Votes are based on a wide criteria of factors but these brands are clearly delivering cool in the eyes of consumers and influencers alike."

The annual CoolBrands survey, which was established in 2001, polls marketing experts, business figures and consumers, and asks respondents to take style, innovation, originality, authenticity, desirability and uniqueness into consideration when deciding on the coolest brand.

This year's council of 36 influencers includes music artist Jessie J, DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank and actress and fashion designer Sadie Frost.

After 10,000 brands are initially identified, a shortlist of 1,500 brands is established and the panel and consumers then vote to produce a top 500 of the most highly rated brands.

Aston Martin, which is probably best-known for its association with the James Bond films, is now one of the world's leading luxury car brands.

The firm recently pitched up at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it unveiled its new DBS Carbon Series.

Its other famous models include the stunning One-77 supercar, the V12 Zagato, the Cygnet, the Vantage range and the exquisite DB9, DBS and Rapide vehicles.

"Smooth, sexy and sophisticated; British built, high quality and hand finished, let’s be honest, young or old, male or female, opinion former or British public, who wouldn’t aspire to own what is truly the coolest car on the road," Mr Cheliotis said.

Video Transcript

Now that summer is sadly behind us, the mornings start to get that little bit darker, you pull your winter coat out of the cupboard and ensure your scarf and gloves are ready to go should you need them in the mornings.

While autumnal delights are in abundance – think woodland strolls and evenings spent by the fire – the season can also present riskier driving conditions, making it important that care is taken and plans are put in place.

Autumn brings with it seasonal changes: ground frost, low sun, leaves littering the roadways, even snow, all elements that can hamper and affect driving conditions.

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has this week called for drivers to take extra care in the riskier driving conditions of autumn.

Here's its key advice:

Plenum chambers

That's the tray-like area under the bonnet. It needs clearing out as it can fill up with water when it gets blocked-up with leaves. This water can then seep into the car's electrics, causing expensive and potentially dangerous damage.

Watch out for leaves

A patch of wet leaves can be as dangerous as hitting standing water, says the IAM. Take extra care – reduce your speed before driving onto them.

Windscreens

An extremely important part of vehicle maintenance. In cold weather, clear windscreens of condensation or ice before setting off. Make sure you give yourself extra time, to ensure visibility is at an optimum before starting your journey. Be sure to use a proper scraper and de-icer spray and don't be tempted to use hot water as this can cause the glass to crack.

It is also important to check for chips as in cold temperatures any small cracks can become much worse.

Wiper blades

These always need to be in good condition. A warning sign is wipers that squeak as they wipe across the windscreen – an indication they probably need replacing.

It's also a good idea to make sure the wipers are turned off before starting the ignition to save the blades and the risk of a blown motor fuse when that first frost hits.

Batteries

The harsh weather autumn often brings can take its toll on car batteries – the IAM advises keeping the top of the battery clean and dry and making sure the terminals are tight and free from corrosion.

It suggests that if a battery is more than three years old, it needs a check now – this could save many a frustrating start to a morning.

"Autumn may be a beautiful time for a drive out to the country, but it carries its own risks," said IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger.

"Hitting a patch of wet leaves can be as dangerous as running into standing water, when lower grip can reduce braking and steering. Piles of leaves could be obscuring a pot hole, and with road surface conditions in a poor state after last winter, this is a distinct possibility."

"Avoid hard acceleration or braking as it can cause skidding. And be aware that there may be a dip, pothole or other road hazard hiding under those leaves covering the road."

Video Transcript

Car-sharing schemes could be big in 2012 as more people look to alternative ways of travelling in a bid to save money and look after the planet.

Environmentally-conscious people who find themselves relying less and less on their actual motor may consider 'sharing' it with friends, family-members, neighbours, work colleagues and even strangers.

So what exactly is car-share? Basically, it's about cutting the number of cars on the road by 'pallying' up. Instead of four people taking their own car, each person takes it in turn to take their car, picking people up along the way.

Fewer cars on the road equals less congestion, massive savings on petrol – i.e. you're not visiting the petrol station that often – a reduction in carbon emissions and greater community spirit.

Schemes are already popping up all over the country – and across the world too. Liftshare, the UK's largest car sharing organisation, is finding itself in demand. It recently partnered up with Central Bedfordshire and Luton's respective councils to launch a new scheme in the area.

Ken Matthews, executive member for strategic planning and economic development at Central Bedfordshire Council, told Bedfordshire News: "With petrol prices hitting an all-time high it is great to be launching a free scheme which will not only help residents to cut fuel costs, but reduce emissions and cut congestion.

"The more residents who take part in Central Beds and Luton Liftshare, the greater the benefit to all road users throughout the area, so make sure you sign up today."

Liftshare has an extensive database which people interested in car sharing can access for free. It matches up motorists who live, work and travel around the same area. And it doesn't matter where you are going – whether it's work, university or a short break – so long as the match fits and all parties are happy, it's a go-go.

Dave Taylor, portfolio holder for environment and transport at Luton Borough Council, told the BBC: "It's just one step in the right direction of trying to reduce traffic congestion in the area.

"If everybody shared just once a week, it would significantly reduce commuter congestion and significantly reduce carbon emissions."

Video Transcript

Tougher driving tests are just one of the recommendations by the Transport Committee on how to tackle congestion.

Making driving tests a lot tougher, using real-time information systems much more effectively and ensuring there is better coordination between road management authorities could drastically cut the amount of congestion there is on roads.

This is according to the government's Transport Committee, which has just released a new report entitled Out of the Jam: Reducing Congestion on our Roads. In it, the committee looks at alternatives to road pricing and road building, which would be costly to motorists in terms of delays – roadworks – and finances.

Though the idea of tougher driving tests might be a concern for would-be learner drivers, motorists who often find themselves rolling to a standstill in their everyday commute to work, are willing to consider some of the recommendations of the report if it leads to open roads.

Nobody likes to be stuck in traffic. After all, there's always that feeling that you're wasting valuable time which could be better spent reading an interesting book or getting home to your partner or family. Or a good action DVD!

Louise Ellman, chair of the committee explained that congestion costs the UK economy billions of pounds every year. A previous inquiry into the problem of traffic estimated that by 2025, congestions would hit the UK economy with an extra £22 billion bill per annum.

Imagine what a reinvestment of that money could do for public services – it could improve the quality of people's lives massively.

"More must be done to improve driver behaviour and road safety through better understanding of and adherence to the Highway Code," said Ms Ellman, suggesting the responsibility for cutting congestion also lay with ordinary people.

She went on to say that "much more" can be done to improve harmonisation between highway authorities and organisations responsible for street works to ensure "local authorities use the best available technology to coordinate their road or traffic management activities".

Some of the other recommendations included a free Highway Code app for those enthusiastic "gadgetistas", sending out up-to-date leaflets to drivers when they applied for a new tax disc or licence about changes to the code, new legislation or travel information and monitoring the pilot project where utility companies are charged for working on roads during peak times.

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Over the last decade cars have become increasingly sophisticated as computer technologies have begun shaping the way they operate. Now while this has brought added security, McAfee has warned it has brought with it new threats.

The security software company explained that hackers could endanger the lives of motorists in hi-tech cars by tapping into the vehicle's computer system and turning the engine off and/or inflating airbags.

It's a growing sign that hackers and criminals are coming up with ingenuous ways around new security. Research done by the company has tested hypothetical situations where a criminal only needs to use a text message on a mobile phone to get a car's engine running and open its doors.

Of course car owners love the new gizmos that come with cars these days, from in-built satnavs to wireless functions like Bluetooth. This has made the experience of being in a car even more luxurious, and for those who use their cars every day, it has made the experience almost "homely".

Stuart McClure, senior vice president and general manager of McAfee, said: "As more and more functions get embedded in the digital technology of automobiles, the threat of attack and malicious manipulation increases. Many examples of research-based hacks show the potential threats and depth of compromise that expose the consumer.

"It's one thing to have your email or laptop compromised but having your car hacked could translate to dire risks to your personal safety."

The report, which is entitled Caution: Malware Ahead, studied various risks associated with cybercriminal activity in contemporary cars. This included stealing personal data via Bluetooth, disabling a car remotely – i.e. the criminal does it from his laptop – unlocking and starting a car with a mobile and disrupting satnavs.

Georg Doll, director of Wind Riversenior, who also worked on the report, said: "The auto industry is experiencing a convergence of consumer and automotive electronics. Consumers are increasingly expecting the same experiences in-vehicle as they do with the latest connected consumer and mobile devices.

"However, as the trend for ubiquitous connectivity grows, so does the potential for security vulnerabilities."

Video Transcript

An innovative new concept electric car that is notable for the fact its wheels are made out of plastic and not metal will get its first official showcase at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show on September 13th.

Smart's amazing new Forvision concept car, which brings a funky new look to its classic range of cute micro vehicles, has plastic wheels which were developed in collaboration with BASF, which is one of the world's leading chemical companies.

What do these ground-breaking plastic wheels actually mean then? Well, they shed a whole load of weight for one – approximately 3kg per rim lighter than conventional metal alloys. They also make for a more efficient and greener drive – the less weight the wheels have, the more resourceful the ride is. It'll almost feel like you're hovering off the ground.

If you thought that was it, you'd be wrong. There's a whole load of inventive ideas being touted by the stylish car, which, although still in concept stage, could soon be put into production.

Its roof ticks the box for the never-seen-before in a car category. Its organic-glass roof, which looks like a mesh fence, is made up of light-transmitting solar panels, which not only light up the interior of the car, but provides green energy for its multimedia system and climate control systems.

Speaking of interiors, things get even more futuristic with this car. As well as the LED cable lighting, the comfy seats are covered in e-textiles, which is a special type of material that conducts electricity and heats the seats to a comfortable temperature as and when it is needed. Not bad eh?

The gold and white car, which has that stop-and-stare X factor vibe about it, is definitely pushing forward the boundaries as to what a car can be and what it can be made of. As for its green credentials, well, if this is the future of car manufacturing, consumers have a bright, cleaner and safer future ahead of them, and one in which they look cool too. Got to have a car that takes people's breath away, don't you think?

Video Transcript

Many people are making the effort to be greener in their lives from the type of energy they use to heat and light up their homes to the amount of waste they recycle, so why should it be different with motor vehicles?

Of course, not everyone is looking to buy a new car, but when that moment comes a lot of people are sure to be considering a greener option. Road transport is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the UK, which does a huge amount of damage to the planet and people's health.

However, more needs to be done to get this sector thriving, and when it comes to that all important question of cost, electric vehicle manufacturers need to start snipping away at the current level of prices.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is urging electric car manufacturers to step up their game if they really want to get the "green" ball rolling.

John Lewis, chairman of BVRLA, said: "More than a dozen new vehicles are set to hit the UK over the next year, but most of them will be decorating showrooms unless manufacturers are more realistic on pricing.

"Ultra low-carbon transport is a necessity and electric vehicles have a big part to play in getting us there, but these vehicles are simply too expensive for most fleets at the moment."

Recently released figures from the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders revealed that just 812 buyers have taken up the government's innovative £5,000 Plug-In-Car Grant this year, which many commentators believe is to do with the fact that it is too expensive.

The BVLRA got its calculator out to do a bit of maths wizardry and found that an electric Nissan Leaf would cost a massive £5,000 more to run than a bog standard diesel car over a typical three year period. At a time when people's personal finances are being squeezed, money issues could prevent them buying a green car even if they really want to.

It makes sense to cut the cost of electric cars – there's a demand for them and the benefits are massive, especially considering road transport currently accounts for 22 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions.

Video Transcript

Ford, one of the original pioneers of the motor vehicle, is ushering in a new era of better, safer and more environmentally-friendly driving with its latest technological innovation known as MyKey.

Parents in particular will love this latest development from the car giant, which will basically allow new owners of a 2012 Fiesta the power to program the key in such a way that it restricts the vehicle's top speed.

A survey commissioned by Ford revealed that parents in particular were impressed by this new feature, which also includes capping the volume of the stereo - reducing unwanted noise and helping keep motorists focused on driving.

An enormous 75 per cent of respondents were especially amazed with the speed limiting feature, closely followed by the seat belt reminder (72 per cent) and then the audio limiting feature, which also scored relatively highly (63 per cent)

Sue Cischke, Ford group vice-president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering, said: "Ford not only offers industry-leading crash protection and crash avoidance systems, we also are committed to developing new technologies such as MyKey that encourage safer driving behaviour.

"MyKey can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging safety belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions."

There are benefits for young people too. For example, 50 per cent of respondents to the survey said that they would allow their children to have more access to the family car with MyKey. This increased trust and independence is important in building up a young driver's ability to drive safely, and like stabilisers on a bike, it provides suitable support until they are mature and confident enough to drive without restrictions.

Teenagers who were surveyed by Ford were initially sceptical of the "limiting" features of MyKey, with 67 per cent not in favour of it. However, they were a lot more supportive of the idea if it led to them having more freedom to drive. This reduced objections to the special key to 36 per cent.

Beyond the safety and environmental positives the key brings, it could go some way to reducing the cost of car insurance for young drivers, which would be a welcome relief to parents and young professionals who are trying to manage their budgets.

Video Transcript

A whopping 67 per cent of people believe that 20mph speed zones should be put in place outside of schools, according to a new poll.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), which is a charity that supports the raising of driving and riding standards and campaigns for increased on-road skills, found that though people were in favour of various speed restrictions, actual physical enforcements "enforcing" this would be unwelcome.

Of the 4,000 people surveyed, 40 per cent felt that speed limits were best enforced by signs, which many motorists would happily agree as being the ideal solution.

Most people are responsible drivers, and if there are well positioned signs asking drivers to respect their speed, many people will respond accordingly.

An increase in bumps and speed cameras could possibly annoy motorists and cause more problems than solutions.

This is clearly a sentiment expressed by those surveyed, with only 20 per cent showing their support for speed cameras and 21 per cent expressing support for a mix of methods.

Kevin Delaney, head of road safety at the IAM, said that they supported the "selective" use of 20mph speed limits, especially where there is clear evidence that the risk of casualties will be reduced.

He said: "But blanket 20mph speed limits or limits at inappropriate sites risk widespread disregard by drivers who do not recognise a necessity for them. Consultation with, and buy-in from, local people here is essential."

Mr Delaney went on to say that passive enforcement measures like speed bumps were unpopular and in the current sluggish financial climate, ideas like active police enforcement were not realistic.

"If lower speed limits are restricted to locations and times where there is an obvious need, responsible drivers, who are the overwhelming majority, will adhere to them without the need for enforcement," he said.

The study also showed that opinion was divided over whether people wanted a 20mph speed limit put in place for the road outside of their homes, with 43 per cent in favour of such a measure and 39 per cent against.

Motorists against fixed penalty rise

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.

Video Transcript

The government is proposing to increase fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90.