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Finally it would seem that fewer people are using private cars for business since the Government chose not to adjust the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) in line with increasing running costs especially the increase in fuel costs. The rates are still set at 40 pence per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25 pence per mile thereafter, tax and NI free. This rate was set six years ago Read more »

The Institute of Advanced Motorists has found that young male drivers cope better at busy junctions than young females. It found that the most common accident for a young driver in an urban area is at a junction. Forty three percent of young men and 46% of young women struggle to cope at busy intersections. What that proves – I don’t know other than take more care when approaching a junction where another driver is a young woman rather than a young man! Whatever! By Graham Hill

Motoring costs have increased by 19% in the last year according to the RAC’s Annual Cost of Motoring Index. The average cost of running a family car has increased to £2,435, an increase of £277. This equates to £47 per week or 20.3 pence per mile. The index found that depreciation, which is causing major problems for rental and leasing companies is on average £826 more per year. The happy bunnies at the RAC have predicted that costs will rise further with volatile fuel prices and the uncertain economic climate. By Graham Hill

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 »

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.

I can’t believe I’m writing this piece but I felt it should be included. It’s to do with pregnant women and the wearing of seat belts. Volvo, who is the only car manufacturer to have a pregnant test dummy (look – leave it – I’m just reporting it OK) called Linda, it’s true, the bloody dummy is called Linda – good grief. Anyway, Volvo, on a very serious point says ‘car safety for unborn children is rarely documented as foetal injury and deaths often do not show in statistics.’ As a result of extensive tests with Linda they have found Read more »

Do you suffer with hay fever? Are you taking anything? If you take antihistamines in order to relieve the symptoms of hay fever they can cause drowsiness which can increase the risk of an accident. Not only that if you take any drugs at all, prescription or non prescription that can make you unfit to drive the penalties are the same as drink driving. You don’t have to be snorting crack cocaine to be considered to be driving under the influence of drugs it can simply be something that relieves pain! Be careful and don’t lose your licence – or your life!