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Driving News 2011
TRAFFIC SIGNS UPDATED, CLUTTER AND RED TAPE REDUCED: -
14/10/2011 (information from Department of Transport)
Unnecessary Whitehall bureaucracy will be tackled and costs for councils reduced following the biggest review into Britain's traffic signing system for 40 years, announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
The government hopes that the review will dramatically reduce the number of signs councils need to use by relaxing rules such as by removing the requirement for some signs - including those to indicate the start of a pedestrian zone, to be placed on both sides of the road.
The new framework includes measures to update and improve traffic signs to make sure that they reflect the way we travel now, as well as providing clear information on prohibitions on the road network. Changes will include:
Unnecessary Whitehall bureaucracy will be tackled and costs for councils reduced following the biggest review into Britain's traffic signing system for 40 years, announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
The government hopes that the review will dramatically reduce the number of signs councils need to use by relaxing rules such as by removing the requirement for some signs - including those to indicate the start of a pedestrian zone, to be placed on both sides of the road.
The new framework includes measures to update and improve traffic signs to make sure that they reflect the way we travel now, as well as providing clear information on prohibitions on the road network. Changes will include:
- measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes and making it easier for councils to use Trixi mirrors to improve visibility of cyclists at junctions and 'no entry except cycles' signs to allow contra-flow cycling
- a new sign warning lorry drivers that a road is unsuitable for their vehicles. This will help to prevent situations where lorries following sat nav systems use inappropriate roads, sometimes causing disruption to the local road network and delays to their journey
- measures to simplify some parking signs after research showed that, although overall understanding of traffic and parking signs among drivers is good, there is scope for some signs to be made clearer
- allowing councils to use innovative new measures such as pedestrian countdown timers and diagonal crossings without government approval
PROVISIONAL DANGER: -
07/10/2011 (information from ADI News)
Young drivers are flouting the law by driving with provisional insurance after they have passed their test, according to insurance provider provisional marmalade.
The leap in premium costs encourages many youngsters not to tell their insurance company that they have passed their driving test. Estimates suggest that as many as 50% of drivers with annual provisional cover are driving on the road illegally.
Provisional insurance is invalid once they have passed their test, meaning more young drivers are now believed to be driving uninsured, with potentially severe consequences for all other road users.
Young drivers are flouting the law by driving with provisional insurance after they have passed their test, according to insurance provider provisional marmalade.
The leap in premium costs encourages many youngsters not to tell their insurance company that they have passed their driving test. Estimates suggest that as many as 50% of drivers with annual provisional cover are driving on the road illegally.
Provisional insurance is invalid once they have passed their test, meaning more young drivers are now believed to be driving uninsured, with potentially severe consequences for all other road users.
GOVERNMENT PROPOSES 80MPH MOTORWAY SPEED LIMIT: -
06/10/2011 (information from Department of Transport)
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The Government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.
Vehicles have changed dramatically since the current national speed limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly safer then they were - contributing to a fall of more than 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since 1965. That is why the Government feels it is now time to look again at whether the speed limit set in 1965 is still appropriate.
Road safety is a top priority for the Government and action is being taken to tackle uninsured driving and help police enforce against drink and drug driving. However, the Government believes safety cannot be the only consideration when setting speed limits. Previous analysis shows that raising the motorway speed limit would generate significant economic benefits, worth hundreds of millions of pounds per year from savings of travel time.
Initial work by the Department suggests that setting the motorway speed limit at 80 mph is likely to represent the best balance of costs and benefits and it is similar to the motorway speed limit in other EU countries. As many as 49% of drivers currently break the 70mph limit. Ministers believe that raising the limit to 80mph would mean that millions of otherwise law-abiding motorists would be brought back inside the boundary, restoring the moral legitimacy of the system.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The Government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.
Vehicles have changed dramatically since the current national speed limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly safer then they were - contributing to a fall of more than 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since 1965. That is why the Government feels it is now time to look again at whether the speed limit set in 1965 is still appropriate.
Road safety is a top priority for the Government and action is being taken to tackle uninsured driving and help police enforce against drink and drug driving. However, the Government believes safety cannot be the only consideration when setting speed limits. Previous analysis shows that raising the motorway speed limit would generate significant economic benefits, worth hundreds of millions of pounds per year from savings of travel time.
Initial work by the Department suggests that setting the motorway speed limit at 80 mph is likely to represent the best balance of costs and benefits and it is similar to the motorway speed limit in other EU countries. As many as 49% of drivers currently break the 70mph limit. Ministers believe that raising the limit to 80mph would mean that millions of otherwise law-abiding motorists would be brought back inside the boundary, restoring the moral legitimacy of the system.
CAR MOT TEXT REMINDER SERVICE: -
05/06/2011
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has set up a new MOT text reminder service for customers. By registering, you'll get text messages telling you when your MOT is due.
To benefit from the MOT text reminder service you will need to register your details with VOSA. Once registered, three text reminders will be sent to your mobile phone to remind you of your MOT date.
The text message reminders will include the vehicle registration number and MOT due date. To use this service there is a one-off charge of £1.50 (including VAT). This charge will be collected through your mobile phone network provider once your registration has been accepted.
If you do subscribe for the MOT text reminder service, you will still be responsible for ensuring your vehicle has its MOT test by the due date. This is regardless of whether you receive the MOT reminder texts.
Find out more about how the service works and how you can register on Directgov.
MOT text reminder service : Directgov - Motoring
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has set up a new MOT text reminder service for customers. By registering, you'll get text messages telling you when your MOT is due.
To benefit from the MOT text reminder service you will need to register your details with VOSA. Once registered, three text reminders will be sent to your mobile phone to remind you of your MOT date.
- Five weeks before
- Two weeks before
- The day before
The text message reminders will include the vehicle registration number and MOT due date. To use this service there is a one-off charge of £1.50 (including VAT). This charge will be collected through your mobile phone network provider once your registration has been accepted.
If you do subscribe for the MOT text reminder service, you will still be responsible for ensuring your vehicle has its MOT test by the due date. This is regardless of whether you receive the MOT reminder texts.
Find out more about how the service works and how you can register on Directgov.
MOT text reminder service : Directgov - Motoring
BETTER ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION TO CUT ROAD DEATHS: -
11/05/2011
Plans to improve road safety education while taking tough action against the small minority of dangerous drivers were set out by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today.
Careless driving will be made a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle reckless driving that puts other road users in danger, while disqualified drivers face having to take a new test before regaining their licence.
There will also be more educational courses that can be offered in place of a fixed penalty and points in appropriate cases as well as a new post-test qualification for novice drivers, under plans set out in the new Strategic Framework for Road Safety.
Some of the planned changes include:
Plans to improve road safety education while taking tough action against the small minority of dangerous drivers were set out by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today.
Careless driving will be made a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle reckless driving that puts other road users in danger, while disqualified drivers face having to take a new test before regaining their licence.
There will also be more educational courses that can be offered in place of a fixed penalty and points in appropriate cases as well as a new post-test qualification for novice drivers, under plans set out in the new Strategic Framework for Road Safety.
Some of the planned changes include:
- Make careless driving a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle the wilfully reckless driving that puts other road users in danger.
- Require offenders to pass a test before they regain their licence after a serious disqualification.
- Make greater use of powers to seize vehicles to keep the most dangerous drivers off the roads.
- Increase the level of fixed penalty notices for traffic offences from £60 to between £80 and £100 and penalty points.
- Improve enforcement against drink and drug driving, as announced in the response to the North Report in March.
- Launch a new post-test qualification for new drivers, including an assessment process to give insurers confidence that it will create safer drivers who can expect to pay lower insurance costs. This will replace the current Pass Plus scheme.
- Continue to improve the driving and motorcycling training processes, including introducing film clips into theory test.
GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWM ON DRINK AND DRUG DRIVING: - 21/03/2011
A package of measures to tackle drink and drug driving was announced today by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. Improved testing equipment to detect drink and drug drivers will be given the green light and key changes made to streamline enforcement of both offences. The government will also examine the case for a new specific drug driving offence – alongside the existing one – which would remove the need for the police to prove impairment on a case-by-case basis where a specified drug has been detected. The measures are set out in the government’s response to the North Report on Drink and Drug Driving, which was published last year. The prescribed alcohol limit for driving will not be changed, with the focus instead on improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk.
The full response to the North Report, which also includes the Department’s response to the Transport Select Committee’s report on the same subject, has been published today at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drivinglaws/.
A package of measures to tackle drink and drug driving was announced today by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. Improved testing equipment to detect drink and drug drivers will be given the green light and key changes made to streamline enforcement of both offences. The government will also examine the case for a new specific drug driving offence – alongside the existing one – which would remove the need for the police to prove impairment on a case-by-case basis where a specified drug has been detected. The measures are set out in the government’s response to the North Report on Drink and Drug Driving, which was published last year. The prescribed alcohol limit for driving will not be changed, with the focus instead on improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk.
The full response to the North Report, which also includes the Department’s response to the Transport Select Committee’s report on the same subject, has been published today at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drivinglaws/.
UNINSURED DRIVERS FACE NEW CRACKDOWN: -
12/01/2011
New powers to tackle uninsured driving will come into force within months, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.
Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured
Under the new system:
New powers to tackle uninsured driving will come into force within months, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.
Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured
Under the new system:
- The DVLA will work with in partnership with the Motor Insurers Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles.
- Motorists will be informed thet their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action.
- If the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be fined £100.
- If the vehicle remains uninsured (regardless of whether the fine is paid) the vehicle will be seized and destroyed.
- Vehicles with a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) do not require to be insured.
POTHOLE SEASON WILL BE "THE WORSE EVER": -
11/01/2011
Motorists are being warned to brace themselves for what experts are expecting to be the "worse ever pothole seadson".
Last year motorists paid out £320m in repairs to everything from wheels and tyres to suspension failure. "That figure could pale into insignificance," warns Duncan McClure Fisher of Insurance provider Warranty Direct, which runs Potholes.co.uk.
Anyone can report a road defect using potholes.co.uk which has details for councils accross the country.
Motorists are being warned to brace themselves for what experts are expecting to be the "worse ever pothole seadson".
Last year motorists paid out £320m in repairs to everything from wheels and tyres to suspension failure. "That figure could pale into insignificance," warns Duncan McClure Fisher of Insurance provider Warranty Direct, which runs Potholes.co.uk.
Anyone can report a road defect using potholes.co.uk which has details for councils accross the country.