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UK drivers are risking their licences by breaking the speed limit when overtaking, shocking government figures have shown.

 

According to official stats, in 2017 almost 8,000 vehicles were involved in collisions when overtaking – and over half (55%) of these were cars.

 

Safety chiefs are now urging motorists to watch their speed when overtaking to avoid putting themselves and other road users at risk – and avoid getting hit with heavy fines or even losing their licence.

 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is keen to set aside myths that speeding is acceptable when overtaking another vehicle.

 

“The common-sense message is do not overtake unless you are sure you can complete the manoeuvre safely and without causing risk or inconvenience to another road user,” warns an RoSPA spokesman.

 

“Although you should complete an overtaking manoeuvre quickly, never exceed the speed limit for the road.”

 

As rule 125 of the Highway Code states, the speed limit is the absolute maximum you should drive on any particular road. This does not exclude overtaking.

 

Exceeding the speed limit for any reason is dangerous as well as illegal and could see you hit with penalty points, a hefty fine, or even being banned from the roads entirely.

 

While overtaking is, of course, legal, there are strict rules about how and when it is safe to overtake – the most fundamental being that you should only overtake ‘when it is safe and legal to do so’.

 

If you’re caught speeding while overtaking, you could collect a fine up to £2,500 and six points on your licence, depending on your speed and the road you’re caught on.

 

Should you get 12 penalty points or more in any three-year period, you’ll have your licence revoked.  By Graham Hill Thanks To RAC

Breathalysers must be able to be fitted into all new cars from 2022 following a landmark decision by the European Council.

 

The technology, that could prevent drink-drivers from starting their engines, was approved in March but has only just been rubber-stamped by European officials last week.

 

The UK’s position is yet to be confirmed, but the current Government has previously said it will mirror European road safety rules post-Brexit.

 

Cars made before 2022 will have to comply with the new rules by 2024. Road safety charity Brake has labelled the move the “biggest leap forward for road safety this century”.

 

The recent approval also covers the mandatory installing of speed limiter software.

 

Timo Harakka of the European Council, said: “These new rules will help us to reduce significantly the number of fatalities and severe injuries.”

 

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said the measures could cut collisions by 30% and save 25,000 lives across Europe over the next 15 years.

 

Details on how car breathalyser protocol will play out remain deliberately vague. Some systems require repeat breath tests at random intervals to prevent drunk drivers to ask a sober friend to start their car.

 

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Although all new cars from 2022 will be enabled to have an alcolock, it will be up to the UK Government to decide how they are used.”

 

Speed limiters – or intelligent speed assistance (ISA) software – are already fitted on many cars and can be overridden by pressing hard on the accelerator.

 

The ETSC has suggested drivers should be able to deactivate ISA software.

 

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at Brake, said: “Drink-driving and speeding are a scourge on our roads and the cause of devastating crashes every day.

 

“On the eve of Road Safety Week, it’s fantastic to hear that alcohol interlock compatibility and speed limiting technology will soon be mandatory.”

 

Mr Greig said: “We see them (in-car breathalysers) as a useful tool for repeat drink drive offenders to get them back to safe driving after a ban.

 

“It is very unlikely that the vast majority of the law-abiding public will ever have to blow in a tube to start their car.”

 

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “Improving road safety is vital as too many lives are lost or ruined every year as a result of accidents on our roads.

 

“As we progress on the journey to self-driving cars it is important to take advantage of all the associated technological developments to take safety to the next level, particularly as road casualty statistics appear to have stopped falling in recent years.

 

“Features such as lane keep assistance, autonomous emergency braking and driver-drowsiness warning systems have the potential to have a very positive effect on the number of accidents.

 

“Speed limiting equipment while sounding somewhat Big Brother-like could also play a role in reducing road casualties. It’s important to realise, that as it stands, the technology could be overridden in certain situations – for example by pressing hard on the accelerator to complete an overtaking manoeuvre.

 

“In addition, vehicles will not brake automatically when going from a faster to a slower speed limit, meaning it will still be down to the driver to brake appropriately.

 

“As the limiters can be overridden it naturally begs the question whether some drivers will do this regularly to bypass the system, potentially undermining some of the system’s benefits.

 

“But just because a vehicle’s speed is limited doesn’t mean that drivers can accelerate as fast as they like up to the limit they are in. We should always drive at the right speed for the conditions, whether that’s due to traffic, bad weather or other hazards.”

 

Hunter Abbott, member of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and managing director of AlcoSense Laboratories comments:  “New cars manufactured after 2022 will have a ‘breathalyser interface’ fitted, which is essentially a universal port to enable the ‘plug and play’ installation of a breathalyser that can stop the vehicle from starting, if required.

 

This will make it easier for fleet operators to implement the safety technology and, potentially in future, for the mandatory installation of an in-car breathalyser for convicted drink drivers.” By Graham Hill Thanks To RAC

The number of speeding tickets issued to UK motorists have reached a record level, exceeding 2.1 million in 2018.

 

Figures released by the Home Office reveal that 85% of all motoring offences reported last year were for speeding (2,105,409), which was up by one percentage point on 2017.

 

The year-on-year statistics show that speed limit offences have continued to increase since 2011.

 

Edmund King, president at the AA, said: “Speed kills, so drivers should remember that lower limits on residential roads and are there for a very important reason.

 

“The next Prime Minister can become a champion of road safety, by reversing the cut to cops in cars who not only act as a deterrent, but also catch and penalise those with a heavy right foot.”

 

The latest data on the UK’s fixed penalty notice (FPN) statistics cover offences such as speeding and others such as using a handheld mobile device whilst driving.

 

Punishments can include fines, speed awareness courses and court action.

 

Of all the speeding tickets issued, 97% were captured by speed cameras.

 

The rise in such FPNs has led to some calling for increased speeding limits, but RAC head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, earlier this year, said: “Given that inappropriate speed is still a major factor in collisions, it’s unlikely many motorways in the UK are suited to an 80mph limit.

 

“We know a large proportion of drivers already regularly exceed the 70mph limit so there is a danger increasing it would send out the wrong message.”

 

Despite the FPNs rising for speeding offences, there has been a decrease for mobile phone usage.

 

In 2018, 38,600 FPNs were issued to those who offended, which is a drastic reduction on the 53,000 issued during 2017.

 

King, however, believes the reduction is not a result of drivers following rules and regulations, but a sign that a lack of police presence is to blame.

 

He continued “We must not be complacent as often drivers are still spotted using phones at the wheel.

 

“Only a fifth of drivers say there is a visible police presence on their local roads, so a more prominent presence would help to deter the use of hand-held mobiles and texting at the wheel.” By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The Government will close a legal loophole that allows drivers to escape prosecution for hand-held mobile phone use while behind the wheel.

 

Under the current rules drivers are not permitted to use a hand-held mobile phone to call or text, but drivers have evaded prosecution for filming or taking photos while driving as it is not classed as ‘interactive communication’.

 

The revised legislation will mean any driver caught texting, taking photos, browsing the internet or scrolling through a playlist while behind the wheel will be prosecuted for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

 

This is in response to the Transport Committee’s recommendation that the law be clarified to cover all hand-held usage, irrespective of whether this involves sending or receiving data.

 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he will urgently take forward a review to tighten up the existing law preventing hand-held mobile use while driving: “We recognise that staying in touch with the world while travelling is an essential part of modern day life but we are also committed to making our roads safe.

 

“Drivers who use a hand-held mobile phone are hindering their ability to spot hazards and react in time – putting people’s lives at risk.

 

“We welcome the Transport Select Committee’s report, and share their drive to make our roads even safer which is why this review will look to tighten up the existing law to bring it into the 21st century, preventing reckless driving and reduce accidents on our roads.”

 

The Government has previously given no indication it intended to change mobile phone laws after a driver won his case in the High Court.

 

Nick Lloyd, head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “Drivers who use their phones are up to four times more likely to crash, RoSPA highlighted this loophole in the summer and is delighted that such prompt action is being taken to ensure that all hand-held mobile phone use is to be prohibited, making our roads safer for all.”

 

While Ministers have also announced that they will consider the current penalties in place for hand-held mobile phone use, there are no plans to ban hands-free phone use.

 

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, added: “Far too many people still use their phone behind the wheel, yet it should be as unacceptable as drink driving, with research showing that reaction times whilst texting are double those of drink-drivers. We will continue to press the future new Government for further action to tackle the menace of mobile phone use behind the wheel.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Supermarket chain Lidl has announced it will install rapid electric vehicle chargers at all of its new stores.

 

In addition to installing the Pod Point chargers in its new buildings, Lidl will also retrofit charging points into “a number of existing stores”, which together with new stores represents a total investment of over £25m.

 

The supermarket already has rapid chargers at over 40 of its stores, which it says have helped to power more than 6.9 million EV miles. Its new commitment means over a third of all Lidl stores (more than 300) will have rapid electric vehicle chargers by 2022.

 

Sustainable lives

Ingo Fischer, chief development officer for Lidl GB, said: “At Lidl, we are committed to tackling the environmental concerns that our customers care most about, whilst giving them access to solutions that will support them in their ambition to lead more sustainable lives.

 

“Not only will our customers be able to charge their electric cars in 50 mins – less time than it takes to do a big shop – they will be able to do it for the best price on the market. It is our hope that, through this significant investment, we will enable easier access to charging points, ultimately helping more households switch to electric vehicles.”

 

Apps and maps

The points, which can charge vehicles from 0-80% charge in under an hour can be used via the company’s Open Charge mobile app. Chargers will have their own allocated and marked parking bays for use, and stores with charge points can be viewed via the Lidl app or on Zap-Map and Pod Point’s maps.

 

Growing network

Morrisons recently unveiled its first 50 GeniePoint rapid charging points at its stores nationwide, with a further 50 planned by 2020.

 

Last year Tesco announced it was to install thousands of ‘free’ EV charge points across its network of sites.

 

In partnership with Volkswagen, Tesco aim to develop what it claims will be by the UK’s largest retail electric vehicle (EV) charging network, rolling out more than 2,400 Pod Point EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The future of Smart Motorways could be short lived as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has called for a review into their safety.

 

Shapps told MPs “we know people are dying on smart motorways” and said recommendations are expected “in a matter of weeks” to ensure all motorways are “as safe as they possibly can be”.

 

His announcement follows an admission from Highways England that the dangers of removing the hard shoulder had not been investigated when it began introducing the concept.

 

Jim O’Sullivan, head of Highways England, said he does not think any more Smart Motorways will be built because “too many motorists don’t understand them. A huge U-turn on his previous positive sentiments in June, when he said Smart Motorways are as safe as conventional ones.

 

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “We welcome a commitment from the Secretary of State to review smart motorway safety. We know from our own research that drivers feel the permanent removal of the hard shoulder compromises safety.

 

They also tell us that emergency SOS areas are located too far apart at intervals of up to 1.6 miles.

 

“While it’s important that we increase capacity on our motorway network, this should only be done using the safest design features and the latest technology which has sadly only been the case on a fraction of smart motorways.

 

Drivers must have confidence that they will be protected from traffic in the event they suffer a breakdown in live lane, particularly where the hard shoulder has been permanently removed.

 

“We reiterate our calls for the latest stopped vehicle detection technology to be retrofitted on all sections of smart motorway as a matter of urgency and for more SOS areas to be built so drivers are never more than a mile away from one.

 

These measures should also be included in all smart motorway schemes that are currently being built or planned.”

 

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “While millions of drivers successfully use smart motorways there is more to do to improve their understanding of how they work and what you should do if you break down.

 

“Road users tend to trust that ‘the authorities’ would not allow motorways without a hard shoulder if it was unsafe. Highways England must remain vigilant that their trust is not misplaced.”

 

Earlier this month The AA revealed that only one in 10 motorists felt safer on Smart Motorways than conventional ones and its survey of more than 15,000 drivers found that seven out of 10 (71%) believed that all-lane running schemes felt more dangerous than a motorway with a permanent hard shoulder.

 

Edmund King, AA president said: “We are delighted that the Transport Secretary has listened to us and agreed to review the safety of ‘smart’ motorways.

 

“We have been raising concerns for more than six years about the dangers of the 38% who breakdown in a live lane on smart motorways. We hope the review will stop a further rollout unless more Emergency Refuge Areas are planned and retrofitted.

 

“We trust that the review will not get overtaken by misleading or partial statistical analysis about what type of road is safer but will concentrate on avoidable deaths. We know there are real situations where lives would have saved if drivers on smart motorways had somewhere safe to stop. We owe it to all drivers to give them a safe harbour to stop if their vehicle develops problems.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News.

Businesses and consumers could be paying almost £150 per month more than their whole life cost calculations suggest for each plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that is not being plugged in.

 

This isn’t the first time that I’ve reported this when a company invested in a fleet of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s only to find that drivers had no means for charging overnight and they were struggling to get anywhere close to 30mpg if the cars weren’t charged using a mains charger.

 

The data, revealed by Fleet Logistics UK, shows that the average PHEV returned 37.2mpg and 193g/km of CO2.

 

Using the popular BMW 330e as an example, the company calculated a monthly whole life cost of £57 if the vehicle is charged regularly, compared to more than £200 if it is not – based on official mpg figures.

 

Fleet Logistics UK says company car drivers who do not plug in and recharge their PHEVs are not only adding unwanted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere but are racking up unnecessary fuel and whole life costs.

 

But, PHEVs can be the ideal business tool for company drivers looking to transition between conventional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) engines and electric vehicles.

 

For a large fleet running several hundred of these cars, the cost increases are clearly substantial. However, the drivers are not penalised over their driving style in terms of the Benefit-in-Kind taxation they pay, as this can start at £106 per month for a 20% taxpayer and £212 for a 40% taxpayer, regardless of how they drive the vehicle.

 

“We believe PHEVs have a role to play in helping companies transition between ICE engines and electric vehicles. However, it is important they are used correctly so as not to impact air pollution as well as cost,” said Sue Branston, country head for Fleet Logistics UK and Ireland.

 

“They do not suffer from range anxiety and therefore can be suitable for even long-distance fleets. However, if they are not recharged regularly and in line with manufacturer guidance, then they become more costly to operate for the business than initially forecast.”

 

Branston believes PHEVs could play a role within the optimum fleet policy along with RDE2 diesels and petrol models for medium to long-distance drivers, and none should be ruled out without proper analysis.

 

“From this coming April, RDE2 diesels not only give the range and fuel consumption that many fleets still need for their longer distance drivers, but they also have the advantage of avoiding the 4% diesel surcharge and may attract a 2% reduction in BIK rate,” she said.

 

Petrol plug-in hybrids regularly get a bad wrap for delivering poor mpg, but Fleet News has been running a Mercedes-Benz E 300 de plug-in hybrid diesel for the last five months and found it is capable of achieving more than 80mpg, even on long journeys, and many trips can be covered using no fuel at all. With more vehicles in the range launching with this powertrain next year, it provides another alternative to ICE with less compromise.

 

Fleet Logistics UK PHEV wholelife cost analysis:

BMW 330E 4dr 2.0M Sport auto	36months/10,000 miles pa	36months/15,000 miles pa	36months/20,000 miles pa	36months/25,000 miles pa
Monthly business fuel cost (using 176.6mpg)	£23.10	£34.65	£46.19	£57.74
Monthly business fuel cost (using 50.4mpg)	£80.93	£121.40	£161.87	£202.33
Increase to monthly WLC	£46.84	£78.24	£112.47	£142.40

 

By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Private parking firms could be required to give drivers a 10-minute grace period after their tickets expire, as the Government unveils plans to clamp down on “rogue operators”.

 

Local Government secretary Robert Jenrick has instructed the British Standards Institution to write a new code of practice for private car park operators, forcing them to operate in-line with council-run sites.

 

Companies that fail to comply with the regulations will no longer be able to retrieve vehicle keeper details from the DVLA.

 

A 10-minute grace period was introduced for all council car parks in England in 2015, but remains voluntary for private parking firms.

 

Under new legislation, all private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales will have to give motorists an extra 10 minute before issuing a late fine.

 

Jenrick said: “For too long rogue parking firms have operated in an unregulated industry, handing out unjust fines, putting drivers through baffling appeals processes and issuing tickets to motorists who were only seconds late back to their cars.

 

“The new Code will restore common sense to the way parking fines are handed out, encourage people back onto our high-streets and crack down on dodgy operators who use aggressive tactics to harass drivers.”

 

Other measures include a reduction of intimidating debt collection practices by private parking companies, and an independent appeals service, which will give motorists further support to challenge unnecessary parking tickets.

 

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act became law in March 2019 and builds on action the government has already taken to reduce rogue private parking firms’ actions, including banning wheel clamping, towing and stopping rash parking enforcement. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

As someone who was diagnosed type 2 diabetes last year I was concerned about my driving licence. However, following a change to diet and medication my glucose reading dropped from a high reading of over 9.0 to 5.2 which is now at a normal level. Glad I was checked when I was.

 

The following report reveals licence revocations for all sorts of conditions.

 

DIABETES medical revocations have hit a five-year low as it was revealed the DVLA take away less driving licences from sufferers compared to previous years. Diabetes patients taking insulin saw just 1,713 driving licences revoked on medical grounds in a massive fall of almost 800 on 2017 figures which stood just shy of 2,500.

 

The figure is considerably lower than statistics over the last five years which has consistently put diabetes revocations between 2,400 and 2,600 each year.

 

Diabetes sufferers on tablets also saw a massive fall in medical revocations in 2018 as figures revealed a third consecutive yearly fall to 144, down from 209.

 

Diabetes patients driving a bus or lorry also saw a slight reduction in driving licence revocations compared to last year to hit 962.

 

The figure is down on the 973 medical revocations in this category in 2017 but is slightly higher than pre-2016 numbers.

The data was released by the DVLA through a Freedom of Information Act request which revealed the most common reasons why driving licences are revoked on medical advice.

 

The data showed dementia was the most popular reason why licences were revoked for car drivers.

 

A massive 7,767 dementia sufferers saw their licenses taken away on medical grounds last year in a new five-year high.

 

Numbers have crept up considerably over the last half a decade to increase by over 3,000 in a staggering 64.7 percent increase.

 

Speaking on the findings, a DVLA spokesman told Express.co.uk: “By law, all drivers must ensure that they are medically fit to drive and must notify us of the onset or worsening of a medical condition that could affect this.

 

“Where we are notified of a medical condition that may affect driving, the driver may be referred for further assessment. We then make an evidence-based decision on whether the driver can retain their licence.

 

“If anyone has concerns whether a medical condition could affect their ability to drive, we would advise they speak to their doctor or a medical professional involved in their care.”

 

Other highly targeted illnesses include epilepsy whose sufferers have seen more than 5,700 medical revocations in 2018.  By Graham Hill With Thanks To The Express

MOTORISTS could be fined £5,000 if they drive with a pet in the car under strict guidelines on road safety.

 

The Highway Code says drivers who are behind the wheel of a car with a pet which is not safely secured could be breaking dangerous driving offences. Having a pet in the car could also invalidate your car insurance even if they were not directly involved in causing the crash.

 

Drivers are urged to consider investing in dog crates or safety harnesses to avoid authorities forcing the fines on distracted motorists.

 

The strict clause is seen in Rule 57 if the Highway Code which states animals must be suitably restrained when you are driving.

 

The code states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly.”

 

“A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars”.

 

Police chiefs warn that having a pet safely stored is not a legal requirement and failure to comply will not necessarily lead to an instant prosecution.

 

The Highway Code says drivers who are behind the wheel of a car with a pet which is not safely secured could be breaking dangerous driving offences. Having a pet in the car could also invalidate your car insurance even if they were not directly involved in causing the crash.

 

Drivers are urged to consider investing in dog crates or safety harnesses to avoid authorities forcing the fines on distracted motorists.

 

The strict clause is seen in Rule 57 if the Highway Code which states animals must be suitably restrained when you are driving.

 

The code states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly.”

 

“A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars”.

 

Police chiefs warn that having a pet safely stored is not a legal requirement and failure to comply will not necessarily lead to an instant prosecution.

 

Although not following the Highway Code may be used in court proceedings and could see motorists still forced to pay a fine.

 

Police could issue up to a £1,000 fine for driving without proper control if authorities feel a driver is being easily distracted.

 

If a case goes to court, drivers could see themselves paying the top fine of £5,000 and facing up to nine penalty points on a driving licence.

 

A recent US study revealed driving with an unrestrained pet in the vehicle leads to drivers getting more stressed and more distracted.

 

The Volvo USA and Harris Poll research highlighted 649 unsafe driving behaviours while a dog was unrestrained, compared to 274 when they were.

 

Distractions were also up on drivers with an unrestrained dog in the vehicle as 3h 39 min was spent not focusing completely on the road ahead.

 

Shockingly, having a loose animal in the boot of a vehicle could allow insurers to invalidate your policy for careless driving.

 

MoneySuperMarket spokeswoman Rachel Wait said: “While driving with your pet in your car – whether in the boot or on a seat – might seem like a harmless way of getting from A to B, the truth is you can risk invalidating your car insurance.

 

“If you’re in a prang with an unrestrained pet in your car, insurers may use it against you – regardless of whether it was as a direct result of the animal itself – so it’s worth being on the safe side and making sure ‘man’s best friend’ is properly restrained.”

 

A recent study by Conused.com showed more than half of pet-owning drivers do not know that having a pet in a car can also invalidate an insurance policy.

 

One in ten drivers had an accident when travelling in a car with a pet, or had known someone who had suffered one.

 

Amanda Stretton, Motoring Editor at Confused.com said: “Many drivers will be joined by four-legged companions as they set off on trips across the UK.

 

“But drivers must restrain their dogs properly, or they could receive fines up to £5,000

 

“Driving with an unprotected pet can also invalidate your car insurance, meaning having to personally payout for repairs in the event of a claim.”

 

To get around the issue, Confused.com have advised drivers to consider using a dog crate to safely transport an animal on a car journey.

 

Drivers should also consider purchasing a safety harness for their animal to keep it from excessively moving around during a trip.

 

Motorists on long-distance journeys should stop every few hours when travelling with an animal to allow their pet to stretch their legs and have a drink.

 

Drivers are also urged to carry water for animals during long car journeys and to never leave pets in a vehicle during warm temperatures.  By Graham Hill With Thanks To The Express