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Car thefts are down by 12% according to Home Office statistics to end of June 2008. But HPI have been quick to point out that car theft is not the only crime and motorists need to be more vigilant than ever if they are to avoid some of the more sophisticated crime that the crooks are now perpetrating. As a result HPI have offered up some advice for motorists to follow. HPI checks reveal that around 30 vehicles Read more »

 I have just read about a most bizarre scheme that seems to have the support of the courts but has caused lawyers and businesses great concern. It came to light in a recent case where the driver of a car involved in an accident  was handed a card by the at fault driver giving details of his employer and offering to assist with the repairs and arrange a replacement vehicle free of charge. The claimant rejected Read more »

This item is probably one of the most significant items that I have ever written about consumer rights, something I am passionate about. It will be worth cutting and pasting into a secure file as a reference point in the future should you or anyone you know experience problems. The case I am about to refer to is to do with pension advice provided by a financial advisor but according to Greg Standing, partner in Wragge & Co LLP’s Finance, Insolvency, Recoveries and Sales Team, the Court of Appeal ruling has far reaching affects and is Read more »

The Health & Safety Act 2008, which increases penalties for those who break health and safety laws, has received its royal assent. The act raises the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened. I will hopefully be able to bring you more information over the next few weeks. Don’t forget that health and safety at work extends to vehicles used for company business. By Graham Hill

Insurance giant Norwich Union has warned businesses with fleet insurance policies to avoid the practice known as ‘Fronting’. This practice allows people who are not directly connected to the company to drive under its insurance. Mike Smith of NU said ‘Fronting in most instances, will invalidate the company insurance policy, leaving the business to pay for any damage to their vehicle. Also if any other driver is involved in an accident, while the insurer will be obliged to meet any liability cost, they can seek recovery of any such payments from the policyholder.’ By Graham Hill

New legislation will be brought in to make it compulsory for all drivers to have an eye test at least every 15 years. Some bodies have said this period should be much less when drivers drive for a living but it is believed this will be reviewed once the new rules have been introduced. By Graham Hill

Warnings have been issued with regard to illegal parking in spaces reserved for disabled people. Many local authorities are now removing cars that are illegally parked in these bays including those showing a disabled badge where the person named on the badge had not been in the car when parked or being picked up. The officers are removing all doubt by calling the person named to see if they are at home and if they are the car is being removed to a pound and a stiff fine imposed. Drivers who argue that they are on an errand for the disabled person will receive no sympathy as drivers are only permitted to park in the bay if they are transporting, dropping off or picking up the disabled badge holder. By Graham Hill.

I certainly notice less drivers using mobile phones whilst driving, possibly as a result of more prosecutions and fines, but we now see local authorities turning more of their attention to smokers in company vehicles. Whilst some issue warnings many are starting to issue more £30 penalties. A recent case saw a self employed painter and decorator, Gordon Williams fined £30 by his local council for smoking in his van, even though it is privately owned and he wasn’t working at the time. 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 »

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 »