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15.6M VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SAFE, RESEARCH REVEALS
20 Nov 2023 12:52:12
Would you leave your MOT for more than a year? According to the latest research on motoring knowledge, a whopping 38% of UK drivers are unaware their vehicles are legally required to undergo an MOT test every year. The shocking discovery estimates that of the 41.2m vehicles registered in the UK, a staggering 15.6m may not be road safe. Conducted by Fixter, the MOT service provider's findings reveal the misunderstanding Brits have between an MOT and a regular car service, with one in five unaware of the legal requirements for their vehicles. The survey of UK drivers revealed that 19% thought an MOT is dependent on mileage, whilst a further 16% believed an MOT was required only every two to four years. This is despite UK law dictating that driving a vehicle without a valid MOT could lead to a £1,000 fine and points on your licence. Taking into consideration the estimated 15.6m uncertified vehicles on UK roads, the nation could foot a total bill of £15.6bn in fines. Interestingly, women are more knowledgeable than men when it comes to their vehicles, with 66% aware that an MOT is an annual activity, compared to 61% of men. What's more, a higher percentage of men thought an MOT was based on mileage (20%) compared to just 17% of women. The younger generation are the least knowledgeable, with over a quarter (27%) of 18 to 24 year olds believing an MOT is based on mileage, whilst 7% admit to having no idea an MOT is even needed. There is also a clear North-South divide, with just under half (47%) of London drivers aware that an MOT is due yearly, while 70% of Northerners know it is an annual requirement. Introduced in 1960, MOTs are a legally required service to ensure vehicle safety, from checking brake and fuel systems to seatbelts, lights and exhausts. Unlike an MOT, servicing is not legally required, however, vehicle providers recommend a service every 12,000 miles or annually.
REVVING UP THE COSTS - UNVEILING F1'S COSTLIEST COMPONENTS
20 Nov 2023 12:50:25
Experts at ALA Insurance have explored the true cost of F1 crashes with a review of the most highly valuable components found in Formula 1 cars, accompanied by the approximate cost of each: Power Unit (Engine): - £5 million - £15 million The power unit, consisting of the engine and associated hybrid systems, is one of the most crucial and expensive parts of an F1 car. The power unit in an F1 car is a highly advanced and meticulously engineered piece of machinery. It consists of a combustion engine and hybrid systems that recover and deploy energy. The extensive research, development, and manufacturing processes, along with the utilisation of cutting-edge materials and technologies, contribute to the high cost of F1 power units. Carbon Fiber Monocoque: - £200,000 - £500,000 The monocoque, which serves as the structural chassis of an F1 car, is typically constructed using carbon fibre composites. Carbon fibre offers excellent strength and lightness, making it ideal for maximising performance and safety. The complex manufacturing techniques, meticulous quality control, and high-grade carbon fibre materials contribute to the significant cost of producing an F1 monocoque. Aerodynamic Components: - £50,000 - £200,000 Aerodynamics play a vital role in F1 cars, optimising performance and handling. The design and development of intricate aerodynamic components, such as wings, diffusers, and bargeboards, involve extensive wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and continuous refinement. The complexity of these components, along with the costs associated with research and development, contribute to their higher price tags. Gearbox: - £200,000 - £500,000 The gearbox in an F1 car is a highly specialised and complex piece of engineering. It must withstand immense forces and transmit power efficiently. F1 gearboxes are typically built to withstand rapid gear changes and extreme torque, requiring high-performance materials, precision machining, and stringent quality control. These factors contribute to the substantial costs associated with F1 gearboxes. Hybrid Systems: - £500,000 - £2 million F1 cars employ advanced hybrid systems to capture and deploy energy for improved performance. These systems, including the Energy Recovery System (ERS) and associated electronics, incorporate cutting-edge technology and components. The development and integration of these complex hybrid systems, along with the necessary research and testing, contribute to their high cost.
THE BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY CALLS FOR GREATER DRIVER CARE WITH HORSES
20 Nov 2023 12:47:53
The British Horse Society (BHS) is revealing 'the truth about horsepower' in a bid to keep everyone safe on our roads. With a medium-sized horse weighing an average 500kg and able to reach a very high speed, they can cause catastrophic damage to a vehicle if they have cause for alarm. The equine charity are striving to raise awareness of this power and the impact a collision with a horse can have on not just the animals themselves, but also the horse rider or carriage driver, the motorist and any passenger in their vehicle. Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at The British Horse Society says: “Horses are flight animals, and their instinctive response to danger is to react and move very quickly. Even the most experienced and well-trained horse can be startled by unexpected movements or loud noises, just like a human. Understandably, a driver passing at great speed can be a cause for alarm. That is why it is so important for drivers to consider the true power of horses, and to pass horses slowly and with plenty of room, if everyone is to remain safe.” In 2022, the BHS reported that 82% of road incidents involving horses occurred because a vehicle passed by too closely to the horse and 78% occurred because a vehicle passed by too quickly. To reduce the rate of these incidents, which very often can heavily impact all parties involved, the BHS is working with other road safety user groups to drive awareness of the guidelines set out in the Highway Code for passing equestrians, which were recently updated to align with the equine charity's Dead Slow campaign messages. Alan adds: “Last year, the Highway Code stated the advisory speed at which to pass ridden horses or horse-drawn vehicles was a maximum of 10mph, and drivers should now allow at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space. Taking these steps will make a difference, as well as increase the safety of horses and their riders. Horse riders would prefer to stay off the roads, but unfortunately this isn't always possible due to the shrinking bridleway network. So, we are extremely grateful to all those who continue to follow this guidance set for passing equestrians. It really is important if we want to stop these tragic and unnecessary incidents from occurring on our roads.”
OVER A THIRD OF UK DRIVERS WOULD CHALLENGE A THIEF TRYING TO STEAL A CAR
20 Nov 2023 12:42:20
According to an Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers by InsuretheGap.com, a third (36%) of UK drivers would challenge a thief trying to steal their car (42% men and 30% women), rising to 42% of those aged 55-64 years, and 44% of over 65s, compared to 24% of under 34s. More than one in ten (12%) would also like to take drastic action to protect their car, e.g., putting an electric shock device on the car door to stop thieves, rising to 17% in London. The survey found that a fifth (21%) of respondents worry about their car being stolen. A fifth (21%) worry about criminal gangs targeting cars, with drivers in Wales and Yorkshire being the most concerned (25%), compared to just one in ten in Scotland (10%), the least concerned region. One in seven (14%) have CCTV or a video doorbell to monitor their car, while one in ten (9%) have a visible dashcam that records even when the engine isn't on, rising to 16% of drivers aged 18 - 34 years, compared to 9% of 35 - 54 years, and 6% of over 65s. Nearly one in ten drivers (10%) use a wheel lock or a gear clamp to stop thieves. However, almost a quarter of drivers (23%) admit to leaving their car unlocked by accident; a home goal for car thieves. Ross Callander from InsuretheGap.com said: “Car thefts have gone up by a quarter according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) with prestige cars like Range Rovers, Mercedes and BMWs amongst the most common cars stolen. Thieves seem to be finding ever more clever ways to crack the increasingly complex levels of security put in place by the car manufacturers. Perhaps to counter this, many drivers are returning to old school wheel locks and gear clamps to protect their cars when they're parked.”
KEEP POINTS OFF YOUR LICENCE AND POUNDS IN YOUR POCKET SAYS GEM
20 Nov 2023 12:41:16
Watching your speed is an ideal way of keeping the pounds in your pocket and the points off your licence, according to road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist. GEM road safety adviser James Luckhurst said: “We need to choose speeds that are both legal and appropriate for the conditions. It's a vital part of taking personal responsibility for our own safety - and that of others - when we are driving. “Research shows that reduced speeds mean fewer collisions, and reduced severity of collisions. For example, an overall 1mph reduction in speed results in an average five per cent reduction in collisions. We also know that a car speeding at 80mph uses 10 per cent more fuel than one driven at 70mph. A car driven at 70mph uses 15 per cent more fuel than one at 50mph.” Top tips for slowing down Don't rush on a journey. Leave earlier and ensure you have plenty of time, with no reason to speed. Keep a close eye out for speed limit signs, and watch for clues that the speed limit may soon be about to change. Scan the speedometer frequently so you always know your own speed. Always ask yourself: is my speed both legal and safe? After all, the speed limit is just that - a limit, not a target, and there will be circumstances when you will feel much safer driving below the limit. The financial cost of speeding A 'speeding ticket' will result in three points on your driving licence and a fine of £100. In some circumstances a speed awareness course may be offered, costing around the same as the fine. Completing a course avoids the fixed penalty notice and points. Changes to the system of fines in 2017 means higher-end speed offenders now face fines of up to 150 per cent of their weekly salary, with six penalty points and/or disqualifications of between seven and 56 days.
YOUNGER DRIVERS PREFER EVS, SURVEY REVEALS
20 Nov 2023 12:39:53
Younger drivers are nearly three times as likely to make their next car an electric vehicle than older drivers, an independent study has revealed. Research commissioned by mobility provider SOGO reveals that 59% of drivers aged 18-24 are more likely to replace their existing car with an EV than 12 months ago, compared with just 21% of motorists aged 55+. The research found that amongst other drivers, 53% of 25-34-year-olds are more likely to replace their car with an EV than they were 12 months ago, 35-44-year-olds (40%) and 45-54-year-olds (32%). Over 55s are the least likely to replace their existing car with an EV. Karl Howkins, managing director of SOGO, said: "The majority of drivers do not learn to drive in an EV, and many have never even experienced driving one, so there are lots of safety issues to consider when getting behind the wheel for the first time. The acceleration can be very surprising. Instant torque is one of the key advantages of EVs, and they accelerate much faster than traditional cars, which can be useful in dangerous driving situations but also take some time to adapt to.” “Few driving instructors in the UK currently have access to an EV for students, and the issue of battery range lasting long enough for lessons and the availability of charge points along UK roads are slowing down the move towards getting more EV motorists on the roads."