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Few people are aware of their obligations if they have medical problems. Gavin Jones, risk management expert at Masterlease pointed out ‘All drivers are required by law to notify the DVLA of any medical condition which may affect their fitness do drive but many drivers are failing to report this and could be using the road illegally.’ He added ‘When the DVLA is notified of any medical issues, a full investigation is carried out before the motorist is deemed fit to continue with their licence.’ If this is the case and drivers are driving Read more »

BMW Financial Services have warned about an increase in lease scams whereby cars are obtained illegally by the scammers then sub leased to innocent third parties. One such fraudulent act included the customer signing the documents of a well known finance company and a seperate direct debit form which paid money straight into the scammer’s account and not the contract hirer’s account. The scammer made no payments for the car and disappeared whilst the driver continued Read more »

Warnings have been issued by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare regarding the lack of eye tests being insisted upon by employers. They recommend that all employees that drive a car as part of their job should have their eyes tested every year and at worst every other year, if not this lack of management could lead to prosecution of the employer in the event of a fatal injury. Their investigation found that 84% of employers recognised the need for Read more »

When I first started driving I drove an Austin Nash-Metropolitan, a rather cool car with a bench seat, column gearchange, low slung windows that you could really lean out of and wait for it – a built in valve radio that could pick up the pirates a treat although it did take a trip of more than 20 minutes to warm up! I could snuggle up to the latest squeeze whilst driving with my right arm nearly scraping the road whilst squeeling round corners on two remoulds a cross ply and a radial (Pirelli – naturally) having been to a disco and drunk to the point of being probably twice the legal drink drive limit by today’s standards then believing that I could drive at Read more »

The Sentencing Guideline Council who advise magistrates and judges as to the recommended maximum term felons should face if committed for particular crimes have issued new guidlines for the the newly established crimes of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving. The new laws and associated prison sentences cover such things as momentarily looking at a map, adjusting their sat-nav and talking on a hands free phone, each of these will result in a maximum of Read more »

Whilst identity fraud continues to increase and cause concern to the leasing companies that often pay out tens of thousands of pounds for cars after receiving just a few signed documents and an advanced rental cheque, often for less than £1,000, motor finance fraud is relatively low compared to say credit card fraud or online purchase fraud. But there has been a steady increase in some more sophisticated organised fraud that results in professionals having their identities used in order to Read more »

Proposals have been made to re-schedule MOT tests. The first to take place after 4 years followed by biannual checks. As cars are built better and service intervals stretch out to 2 years or 20,000 miles it is felt that MOT tests are not required so frequently. However, the vehicle repairer’s association, MVRA, has objected strongly referring to ‘serious safety issues’ if the new proposals are adopted. I’ll keep you posted. By Graham Hill

It would seem that as cost of living continues to increase more motorists are attempting to give up smoking but as a result warnings have been issued not to drive if you are taking a drug designed to help smokers to quit. The Government appointed MHRA Pharmacovigilance Risk Management Group warned that the anti-smoking drug Champix could cause adverse effects that would affect the driver’s ability to drive. You should remember that driving under the influence of drugs carries the same stiff penalties as drink driving.

Since the changes to the Highway Code, brought in last year, Churchill Car Insurance carried out a survey and found many drivers unaware of the changes. More than 80% were unaware that playing loud music in cars is against the new Highway Code rules and almost two thirds admitted to eating whilst driving which is against the new rules. The research also found that 30% of drivers think that driving in flip flops or high heels is forbidden and yet this is not the case! That’s a relief eh fellas! You can view the new highway code online by visiting www.direct.gov.uk  scroll down to travel and transport and click on highway code then scroll down again to view all the headings.

There has been a loophole in the law allowing drivers in the EU to apply for a driving permit (equivalent to a licence) in another country whilst having their original licence confiscated following a driving offence. There was already a mutual recognition of disqualification’s between Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain but the European Court Of Justice has ruled that drivers who have had their licences confiscated cannot apply for a driving permit in another EU country. The main problem was apparently between the Czech Republic and Germany whereby German drivers who were banned were crossing the border and applying for a driving permit – but no more it would seem!