Latest News

Welcome to our latest news page which will keep you upto date with what is happening on the roads and any other related news topics which will be of interest to you. 

28.04.2010 - Lambeth council puts itself in dock over parking

Lambeth council tried to take itself to court over an unpaid parking fine. Lambeth slapped a court summons for a penalty charge notice on the windscreen of one of its vehicles by - wait for it - one of its own wardens!.

The bizarre situation came to light via a freedom of information request that revealed the extent of this crazy behaviour. In the space of 5 years from March 2005 to March 2010, the council issued 52 penalty charge notices to its own vehicles and drivers.

Of the 52 tickets issued, 28 have been cancelled, 18 have been paid and 6 are still regarded as 'outstanding' by the council. On one occasion, the council issued a warrant to take one of its own employees to the appeals tribunal.

A spokesperson for the council said "no council employee is exempt, everyone has to adhere to parking laws".

Lambeth council is no stranger to parking related headlines, it won a 'bad parking enforcement practice award' in 2004 for slapping a ticket on a bike that was in bits on the floor, having been involved in an accident only minutes earlier. The Wandsworth councillor who had been riding the damaged motorcycle was lying on the pavement a few yards away receiving treatment for a broken leg.

Source: The Guardian 

27.04.2010 - Premier League footballer is arrested for cheating driving test

Premier League footballer Charles N'Zogbia has been arrested for paying another person to sit his 'theory' driving test. The Wigan footballer was arrested when he turned up for his 'practical' test.

It has been alleged that the footballer had paid someone else to sit his theory exam over 7 weeks ago and has now been released on bail from Altrincham police station. If found guilty, the footballer could receive upto 10 years in jail.

A Greater Manchester police spokeperson said "At 8.30am, officers working alongside the Driving Standards Agency arrested a 23 year old man at Sale driving test centre on suspicion of fraud by false representation".

The DSA etimates that approximately 500 people each year attempt to pass their driving test by allowing others to represent them.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

26.04.2010 - Driver blames UFO sighting for failure to pay parking fine

A London motorist failed to pay his parking fine because he said he was shocked by the sight of a UFO which caused him to inadvertently drive into a bus lane.

Another motorist blamed their colour blindness for offending as they said they thought the yellow lines were green.

It seems that when faced with a fine, some motorists let their imaginaion run wild!

One motorist said that they thought it was OK to park anywhere aslong as it was raining whereas another motorist said that they didn't know what yellow lines meant.

A spokesperson for Southwark Council said the imagination of some motorists was "quite impressive".

Source: BBC News

25.04.2010 - 5,500 drivers caught on M6 speed camera in just 5 weeks

Road safety bosses couldn't beleive their eyes when they found that a speed camera on the M6 motorway had caught more than 5,500 motorists in the space of five weeks. The camera was erected on the M6 by Carlisle to ensure that workers carrying out repairs had some additional protection. The fines that the camera generated amounts to £168,000 and that is just for fines issued to date.

The camera was installed between junctions 43 and 44 on 29th January 2010 and will continue to do its job until bridge repairs are carried out. It is operated by Cumbria Safety Cameras on behalf of Cumbria police and is part of the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership. Nevertheless, 'Safe Speed' the pressure group calls the figure 'disgusting'.

The manager of Cumbria Safety Cameras said "In seven years working on the safety partnership for Cumbria, I have never seen a camera generate so many tickets. I can't offer an explanation for it. I can't understand how people haven't seen the warning signs and are continuing to speed".

In total, 5,569 motorists were caught but only those who drove faster than 60mph - about 2,800 motorists will be prosecuted because of limited resources. They will each receive fines of £60 raising about £168,000 which will be passed to the treasurey.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said "We are concerned about the number of drivers who appear to be ignoring the speed limit, putting themselves and our workforce at risk. Driving through half-a-mile of roadworks at 70mph takes just ten seconds less than driving at 50mph - a ten second saving which can put lives at risk".

But Claire Armstrong, co-founder of Safe Speed which campaigns against speed cameras said "We are pretty disgusted, it's obviously got nothing to do with road safety. The fact that he camera is raising so much revenue will add to the police/public divide and continue to make people beleive that it is just about making money".

Ms Armstrong said that traffic police officers are a much better judge of road safety as they assess a motorists overall driving and not just their speed.

The works are due to be completed soon.

Source: BBC News

24.04.2010 - Roger Dalty of 'The Who' sells his C-Class Mercedes on Autotrader

Rock legend Roger Daltry is selling his C-Class Mercedes car on the Autotrader. There has only been one owner - Roger himself and the car currently has 80,000 miles on the clock. It also has sat-nav, electric windows and many other add-ons.

In their heyday, The Who had 18 gold, 12 platinum and 5 multi-platinum albumn awards in the USA alone. The advert can be found under the name of RW Bennett and the price is £8,995

Source: Autotrader

23.04.2010 - Fining motorists by motorway service stations could soon be a thing of the past

New government proposals could see an end to motorway service station having the power to fine motorists who spend too long in their cars. At the moment, motorists are only allowed to spend a maximum of two hours at a motorway service station. If they stay any longer, they are liable for a 'Penalty Charge Notice'. Fines of atleast £50 could be sent to them via post if they over stay their welcome. However, under Department of Transport proposals, motorists who stay for an unlimited amount of time will be expected to pay a reasonable parking fee as they leave the service station.

The AA welcomes the proposals, having campaigned for a better deal for tired drivers who do no harm when they grab abit of sleep during the night. 

"We have long said that motorway service stations should be allowed to develop as car sharing hubs or even link with bus or rail routes to the nearest city or town. Most rest areas will be welcomed too but the AA warns that French style picnic areas which contain basic facilities, could become a haven for crime if there is no staff on duty".

Source: The Daily Telegraph

22.04.2010 - Are potholes driving you 'potty'

Two teenage engineering students from Italy have come up with an idea to help deal with the pothole problem which causes nightmares for motorists.

Many local authorities find it difficult to fund repairs to potholes so they just leave them un-filled however, Italian road safety experts have taken on the idea of teenagers Domenico Diego and Christina Corradini, to adopt their simple but effective solution - paint all potholes bright yellow!

The idea being that if there is no money to fill potholes, then if they are painted bright yellow, people will be able to see them and avoid them. It is beleived that this simple approach could save many accidents and damage to motorists vehicles. Diego and Corradini now hope to persuade other traffic authorities around the world to introduce this 'Street Safe' initiative.

Source: The Daily Express

21.04.2010 - Motorists who use 'hands-free' devices have a 30% slower reaction time than when they are drunk

Psychologists at the university of Utah measured the reaction times of 200 volunteers, driving along a motorway in a simulator. They were then asked to repeat the exercise but this time they were asked to hold a phone conversation which involved memorising certain words and other tests.

According to the findings which are due to be published in the journal of Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, most of us cannot safely multi-task in this way. The study concluded that the decline in driving performance when talking on a phone and driving, is similar to the impairment displayed by drunk drivers.

Source: The Telegraph

20.04.2010 - Motorcycle instructor 'four times' over the legal drink-drive limit

A motorcycle instructor was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid of unpiad work after she was found to be nearly four times over the legal drink-drive limit. Onlookers were staggered to see her repeatedly fall off her motorcycle as she gave motorcycle riding lessons in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

When she was arrested she was found to have two bottles of brandy in her motorcycle jacket but insisted that she only had a mouthful that day. She was later sacked by the driving school that employed her.

Source: The Daily Mail

19.04.2010 - Think! - New road safety programme for children

The Department for Transport has produced a new programme called THINK! aimed at children between the ages of 3 -11. The purpose of the programme is to raise awareness of road safety in England among this age group and it does this by providing a range of cross-curriculur actvities for parents, children and teachers. Online books, songs and stories along with interactive whiteboard activities, games, videos, homework sheets and lots of other great resources come with the programme.

Source: The Times Educational Supplement

18.04.2010 - Griffiths, 37, lays claim to pulling off the longest landing jump in history

'Flyin' Ryan Griffiths is claiming to have set a new world record last weekend after the Northampton-based daredevil cleared 142ft  in a long-jump spectacular at Northamptonsire Beer Festival.

This record is widely beleived to have been broken by the legendary stuntman Eddie Kidd when he cleared 160 ft back in the 80's, but which was never recorded as the jump was never officially verified.

Mr Griffiths told a local newspaper "you could say that we might even have set a new record because the only 100% record I know of was 134ft set by Matt Coulter on a quad bike". "Last time I attempted the jump, at Peterborough, I broke both my ankles and busted my jaw pretty bad so that is always in the back of my head when I approach the ramp. I do not want people to see me smash myself into pieces".

Source: Northampton Chronicle

17.04.2010 - Wanted: Wall of death rider

Established stunt riding show seeks motorcycle rider with head for heights. No previous experience necessary.

A 'Wall of Death' motorcycle stunt riding company is looking for a new thrill-seeker to join their 80-year ol business. Mr James Messham - owner of the attraction said "we have never got enough riders". Jake Messham Jnr has been riding in the death defying show since he was fourteen and is the company's star rider. In a recent newspaper interview, he commented "I have broken my ankle in four places". "I had a metal plate put in and nine pins, for 7 months I couldn't do anything".

Riding this attraction takes alot of concentration and courage but despite the injuries and the risk, the nineteen still loves it and couldn't imagine doing anything else. He explains "if you go to fast, you black out but it is the greatest experience on the planet".

The Wall of Death is appearing as part of Carters Steam Fair should you wish to submit your application.

Source: VisorDown News

16.04.2010 - Parking meter machines loose £70,000

A parking meter repair man stole more than £70,000 from machines whilst he went about his work. The thief stole the cash over the period of six years whilst he was employed by Bristol City Council as a repair and maintenance officer. The offender told Bristol County Court that he was caught after the council noticed more than £70,000 had gone missing between January 2002 and November 2008. This led to the council contacting police for help.

Avon and Somerset police came up with a plan to track the stolen money by advisong city council officers to mark money left in the machines with 'SmartWater', a liquid which can only be seen under ultra violet light and which is used to mark household items.

Each bottle of SmartWater contains millions of microscopic particles , which make each bottle unique and helps police to track the rightful owner.

The court heard how the offender was arrested in November 2008 and it soon became apparent that he had come into contact with SmartWater on one of the machines. A sum of £3,727 of parking meter cash was also found on him. Today the offender pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from parking machines, possessing criminal property and 21 charges of converting criminal property.

The 21 counts of converting criminal property relate to the offender putting money he had stolen, into his bank account, in amounts varying from £600 to £1,250.

A Bristol council spokeperson said after the hearing "Bristol city council awaits the sentence imposed which it expects to reflect the severity of the crime".

Source: Gwent News

15.04.2010 - Motorist caught by police driving with bonnet up

Police pulled over a 53 year old woman who was caught driving with her bonnet wide open and peering through a tiny gap to see where she was going. When asked by police what she was doing, the motorist calmy replied that she was taking her car to the garage to get the bonnet repaired.

Incredibly, this bizarre incident occured in Weymouth, Dorset during a county-wide campaign entitled 'No Excuse' to educate people about bad and dangerous driving.

The woman was trying to drive her car through the busy town centre peering through a gap of approximately 4 inches. Another motorist was pulled over by the same police officers for rolling a cigarrette whilst driving, using his elbows to steer his car and reading from a clipboard that he had placed across the steering wheel.

2,364 driving offences were recorded across the county of Dorset during the first 6 weeks of the campaign.

Robert Smith, head of road safety for Dorset City Council said "our partners in the police aren't having to look to hard to find examples of dangerous driving from the bizarre to the truly terrifying. It shows that there is still a significant number of motorists who have yet to get the message that there is no excuse for putting lives at risk through dangerous and careless driving.

Source: Daily Telegraph

14.04.2010 - Worlds most popular van celebrates its 60th birthday

It is 60 years since the first Volkswagon Transporter van was produced and it has become one of Volkswagons commercial vehicles best selling models. As well as being the number 1 imported van into the UK, it is also one of the most popular vehicles on the planet.

Over 10 million Volkswagon Transporters have been produced since conception and the design has undergone 5 changes since the original was introduced. Both business users and private users equally love this ultimate mult-purpose vehicle as it works just as good as transporting goods as it does people.

Although the design has evolved over the last 60 years, the same badge has appeared on the van throughout its history and the consistent reputation for quality and durability remain. Over the years there has been many challangers to the Volkswagon Transporter but nevertheless, the van is still the preffered choice of travel for rock bands since the 1960's to the present day. Equally business prefer to use the van as part of their delivery and passanger carrying fleet.

1955 saw the first Transporter imported into the UK.

Source: Great Cars

13.04.2010 - Motorists face fresh blow as Government ends Biofuel subsidy

The governments subsidy to producers of 'environmentally friendly' biofuels which account for 3% of each litre of petrol and diesel, is to be scrapped from 1st April 2010. This will mean a rise in the cost of biofuels for petrol producers and the increase will be borne by the consumers. The average motorist will have to fork out another 60p to the cost of a tank of petrol or diesel. This will be in addition to other tax rises also due to hit on 1st April 2010.

A further headache passed on to motorists is the rise in wholesale petrol prices by 17% over the past month. It has all led to accusations that motorists are being 'mugged' at the petrol pumps. Also, the weakness of the pound against the dollar has made things alot worse as dollar's are the currency in which oil is traded in.

An AA spokesperson said "these price rises will have a bigger impact on family budgets than first thought. Record fuel prices in 2008 caused much hardship to many households and as we emerge out of recession, is something we can all do without". The spokesperson continued "soaring fuel prices will place intense pressure on the Government to pull back from planned tax increases in April 2010, similar to the pull back in March 2008 when pump prices went through the ceiling".

One ray of light has been the willingness of some supermarket chains to cut prices meaning a significant difference between petrol stations and supermarkets in a small geographical area. Motorists are advised to use a petrol comparison website and shop around for the cheapest fuel.

Source: Daily Telegraph

12.04.2010 - The truth about breathalysers

The rugby legend JPR Williams tried to avoid a drink-drive penalty by putting a penny under his tongue. It didn't work. This is just one of the many ways people think they can fool the breathalyser test. Other ways that people think they can fool the test include drinking cups of coffee in the belief that coffee can sober you up and clear your head. it doesn't. Alcohol takes time to leave a persons body and no amount of coffee will speed that process up.

Holding your breath before taking the test is thought by many to reduce the levels recorded by the breathalyser. This will actually have the opposite effect and give an enhanced false reading. This is because if no air passes through the lungs, the concentration of alcohol in the lungs will become higher.

Drinking lots of water before the test is also thought to help reduce the levels recorded. However, as the breathalyser only measures the content of alcohol in the air in your lungs, whatever is in your stomach will not register.

Other urban myth remedies on fooling the breathalyser test include, drinking mouthwash, vomiting, breathing in lost of fresh air and many others however according to Hunter Abbott of AlcoSense, it is pretty much impossible to fool the breathalyser test if you have been drinking. The best advice he gives to anyone who has had a drink is 'don't drive'.

Source: Great Cars

11.04.2010 - Government takes a tough stance on drink-drive levels

A cut in blood alcohol levels from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood is soon to be announced by the Government.

If predicted drink-drive reccomendations are to be passed into law over the next few weeks, even that one pint of a Sunday afternoon may be ruled out. Normally the average male drinker can consume a pint of lager or bitter and still be within the limit however according to the road safety charity 'Brake', their recent survey indicates that this change in the rules to lower levels is what 7 out of 10 of us want. This would bring us in line with tougher European limits.

In contrast to Brake's survey, the RAC polled opinion in 2009 and found that atleast half of us want the current levels to stay as they are. No doubt the subject of blood alcohol levels will continue to be debated on.

Source: Auto Express

10.04.2010 - Pay as you go comprehensive insurance for young learner drivers introduced

Young people learning to drive benefit from additional driving experience to enhance their professional driving lessons. However, the cost of putting learner drivers on their parents insurance can run into thousands of pounds. This week, a new insurance company called 'Provisional Marmalade' has teamed up with the Halfords chain to offer learner drivers a way of buying comprehensive insurance on a monthly basis, in their own name, at fees which wont break the bank. The policy is available at provisional-marmalde.co.uk or halfordslearners.co.uk

The insurance is bought by the provisional driver and the registration of the vehicle they are practising in, has to be provided. The car cannot have a value of more than £20,000 and must be lower than insurance group 16. The driver who is supervising the learner must of held a valid full UK driving license for more than 3 years and the supervising driver does not need to be the owner of the vehicle.

The cost of these policies is approximately between £90 and £100 depending on postcode and other factors and they can be bought for a month or upto 3 months. They are also re-newable as many times as needed.

The founder of Provisional Marmalade - Nick Molger, says that the idea of this insurance agreement is to allow parents to let their children use their car without risking their no-claims bonus. As soon as the learner driver passes their test, all cover under the insurance policy ceases immediately and the learner driver needs to be added to their parents policy as a named driver.

The team here at makemeadriver.co.uk thinks this is great news for learner drivers.

Source: The Guardian