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As cars become more efficient and manufacturers strive to avoid huge fines that will be imposed upon them by the EU if they don’t hit the CO2 reduction targets set, VW announces its first car to achieve zero VED status (that’s zero car tax to you and me). The new model which is based on the Golf 1.6TDi S 105bhp has the Blue Motion features and includes stop/start system, regenerative braking, longer gear ratios, low Read more »

Trying to get everyone to go green overnight and buy electric cars will simply not work. The view is now to take a piecemeal approach and start by getting people gradually into more fuel efficient cars that kick out fewer CO2’s. Drivers should first be made more aware of cleaner driving practices. Knocking 10% off your cruising motorway speed can improve fuel consumption along with controlled braking and less Read more »

There have been mixed feelings expressed over the Corporate Manslaughter Act that was introduced in April 2008. Basically, if you are an employer and you have failed your duty of care that results in the death of your employee or others you, or the director/partner in your business responsible, could face prosecution and a prison sentence as well as an unlimited fine on the company. Some have stated that the Read more »

New rules will be introduced next year to speed up insurance payouts following car accidents where liability is accepted. The Ministry of Justice said the agreement will streamline road traffic accident personal injury claims between £1,000 and £10,000 – around 80% of all motor personal injury claims. The new process comes into force in April 2010. It means, where fault is not disputed, Read more »

It wasn’t that long ago when you could return a car at the end of a lease in pretty average condition and the leasing company would overlook anything other than serious damage. These days they send out specialist inspectors to check over the car and seem to charge for anything that doesn’t conform to showroom condition, in one case they counted the number of stone chips on the bonnet and argued that there were Read more »

I’m not sure if this applies to all motorists but LeasePlan has found that the most dangerous day of the week to drive is Monday, replacing Tuesday in previous years. More company cars are involved in accidents on a Monday than any other day of the week with the most dangerous time to travel being between 8.00am and 10.00am. They also found that 10% of the accidents involved cars hitting stationary objects. Is this a good reason to turn up for work late on a Monday? I’m not sure but could be worth having a word with your boss. By Graham Hill

As drivers continue to feel the pinch of recession insurance groups warn about the dangers of not telling the truth when taking out car insurance. Every claim is now being closely scrutinised as a result in the upsurge in fraudulent claims, as explained in my recent crash for cash fraud item. As a result lies or mistakes made at the time of proposal is causing claims to be rejected so great care needs to be taken when completing proposals or you may not only find a claim rejected but Read more »

The RAC and AA have both warned drivers about the need for them to consider their roadside assistance cover. As more drivers are holding onto their cars for longer, during the recession, either by not replacing them or through lease extensions, they are forgetting to take out roadside assistance cover. Very often the car is covered from new for a period of three years but even if you car is only a year old you may find that the cover for years 2 & 3 is less than year one cover. This is often because Read more »

Hopefully as we move into spring we will see some warmer weather but following one of the coldest winters for years many local authorities now have the job of sorting out the damaged roads left behind. The increase in potholes has resulted in an increase of 13% in pothole related axle and suspension damage. Insurer Warranty Direct suggested that the repairs may be slow to fix with some roads being left as there is Read more »

We all know we shouldn’t drink and drive but following a study carried out by Lloyds TSB Insurance we shouldn’t have a cold or flu and drive. According to their survey they found that over 125,000 crashes last year were caused by motorists that were suffering with either a cold or flu. This equated to one in ten collisions being caused by people with either of these viruses costing around £350 million in claims. The survey found that Read more »