Motorists downsize as petrol prices rise

New figures reveal that the cost of a tank of petrol could hit £100 by 2015, putting further pressure on UK households.

Illustrating the possible consequences of this continuing rise in fuel on UK motorists, research from leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) reveals that motorists are already planning to keep their cars for longer and drive less.

The latest Used Car Market Report** from BCA included a survey of 4,000 motorists.  This revealed that half of respondents felt that, at some point in time, the rising cost of fuel will force them to change to a more fuel-efficient car or alter their driving habits. Around a fifth reached that point when fuel hit £1.30 per litre and by the time the price of fuel reaches the £1.50 per litre mark a further 15% of car owners will be in a similar position.

Further demonstrating how strongly motorists feel about this issue, 39% of respondents to the survey said they would cut fuel duty if they could influence the country's transport and motoring strategy.   22% said they would tackle the national fuel price.

"Our research shows that fuel consumption remains the top priority for motorists, with 27% saying they will be looking for better fuel economy on their next vehicle," says Tim Naylor of BCA. "With fuel prices expected to keep on climbing, we anticipate the current motoring trends to continue. For instance, the number of two-car households has fallen by 5% in the last 12 months, as people look at ways to save.

"Plus if the latest predictions are realised, the used car market is going to see demand surge for smaller, fuel-efficient cars, as families continue to downsize in a bid to stretch their budget further. We are already seeing demand for these cars outstrip supply, which means rising prices for low mileage, good quality stock.

"With rising costs hitting households from every side and many wages frozen, it's no wonder that two out of five motorists would like to see a cut in fuel duty. But rather than waiting for that unlikely change, car owners are changing how often they drive, as well as what they drive, in a bid to combat costs."

DIAmond warns against this weekend’s road accident perfect storm

DIAmond Advanced Motorists - which administers advanced driving tests on behalf of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA) - are warning British motorists of a potential perfect storm of circumstances that could lead to road traffic accidents at the end of the weekend and the beginning of next week.

The first danger is the clocks going back on Sunday morning, taking us out of British Summer Time and leading to earlier dark evenings. Traffic accident statistics show an 11% increase in car accidents just after the clocks go back, every year, so while the extra hour in bed will be welcome for most people, drivers on the road in the early evening could be caught out by darkness descending earlier than expected. All drivers need to be alert to the earlier lighting up time and remember to switch on their headlights at dusk.

The problem could be exacerbated on Sunday by the increased traffic levels as many families return home after the half-term break. A combination of frustration at being stuck in a jam, in-car distractions and post-holiday fatigue could lead to loss of concentration for a split second, which is long enough to find yourself in a collision.

Monday morning - the first working day after the clocks go back - will also require drivers to be cautious, as it is statistically one of the most dangerous days of the year on the roads.

Steve Garrod, DIA group manager, said: "A major cause of the problems is that everyone on the road will have experienced a 25-hour Sunday. This, combined with driving in unfamiliar conditions, can lead to the kind of fatigue more often associated with jetlag."

"We recommend that all drivers on the road at this time of year be extra attentive and aware of the changing conditions."

Avoid Buying A Clocked Car

This month marks the end of British Summer Time and, as we turn the clocks back, vehicle information expert, HPI, reminds used car buyers to watch out for unscrupulous sellers turning the clocks back on their mileage readings. Known as ‘clocking', it not only adds false value to a vehicle, but it could add to the longer term running costs of the vehicle as it might have more wear and tear than the buyer realises. With more than 600,000 clocked vehicles estimated to be on the UK's roads, it signifies a huge threat to used car buyers.

"Car ‘clocking' involves altering a vehicle's mileage and is often done by dishonest used car sellers wanting to hike up a car's value," says Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager of HPI. "Winding back just 1,000 miles on a car can add an estimated £100-£400 to its value, so a seller would only need to take 2,000 miles off a £2,000 car to almost double its value - offering a profit many unscrupulous sellers can't resist. 6 out of every 100 vehicles checked by HPI show a mileage discrepancy, showing that clocking is a more common occurrence than consumers might like to believe. Recent years have seen dodgy sellers come up with new methods of clocking, so it's harder than ever to identify a tampered car by simply looking at it."

In the past, older vehicles had a simple mechanical odometer, which criminals could easily remove and literally turn back the miles with a screwdriver. This process would generally leave tell-tale signs, such as a small amount of damage or poorly aligned screws that could indicate that a car's mileage had been tampered with. Modern vehicles are fitted with digital odometers, which can be quickly and simply altered with the use of   diagnostic mileage correction software, readily available on the internet and which leaves no trace of interference.

Furthermore, HPI has seen a rise in ‘mileage correction' companies, offering their services to ‘correct' - or alter - a vehicle's mileage, without asking too many questions. Whilst altering a car's mileage is not illegal itself, not declaring that mileage change to a potential buyer is illegal, but this doesn't stop dishonest vendors who see clocking as a victimless crime and an easy way to make some extra cash. The OFT investigated the issue in 2010, and found there were very few legitimate reasons to alter a vehicle's mileage and called for mileage correction companies to be regulated or even banned. However, there are still around 50 active companies of this type in the UK.

Johnson continues, "As in-car technology has moved on, so have the criminals, with clocking becoming even easier to do, and harder to trace. Where there used to be small signs people could look out for, there is now very little to go on. Now, more than ever, used car buyers need to keep their wits about them and use services like the HPI Check to identify a mileage discrepancy and in turn protect themselves against clocking."

The HPI Check draws upon HPI's National Mileage Register (NMR), which is adopted as standard by leading motor retailers and manufacturers.  It contains over 130 million mileage records, giving buyers extra assurance that a vehicle checked by HPI has not been clocked. With access to more vehicle information than anybody else, HPI also confirms the vehicle description, whether it is currently recorded as stolen, been written-off by an insurance company, has had a plate change or is subject to outstanding finance. The HPI Check offers a financial guarantee in the event of the information it provides being inaccurate, offering added peace of mind to used car buyers.

"As the clocks go back this autumn, we urge used car buyers to conduct an HPI Check to ensure the vehicle hasn't had the miles turned back by clockers. As well as increasing the chance of paying more than the vehicle is worth, buyers also run the risk of purchasing a vehicle which may have missed significant service intervals. Failure to change a timing belt or other important components could lead to serious mechanical failures, and could represent a major safety issue if the engine fails whilst at speed. An HPI Check comes with a mileage check as standard to help buyers avoid paying over the odds for a vehicle that may have more wear and tear than they realise, making it a potentially dangerous purchase."

HPI'S TIPS ON SPOTTING CAR CLOCKING * Check the service history - Check the mileages displayed in the service history and look for service stamps from a genuine dealer. Ideally the service invoices will accompany the service history. If in doubt, contact the servicing dealers and check the mileages they recorded at the time of the service. Speak to the previous keeper - Get in contact with the previous keeper (details can be found on the V5/logbook). They can identify the mileage of the vehicle when they sold it. Make sure this adds up with the current mileage. Trust your judgement - Check who the car was last registered to on the V5. Was it registered as a company car but has done less than 12,000 miles per year? Or is it 15 years old with only 20,000 on the clock? Look for any evidence that indicates clocking. Check the mileage - It has been known for clockers to wind back the mileage when you first view the vehicle and then return it to its original value once the transaction is complete. Make sure you check the mileage is the same when you pick up the vehicle. Look for signs of wear and tear - Does the wear and tear on the vehicle match its mileage? Be careful to look out for signs such as worn seats, steering wheels and other vehicle parts. Also look out for brand new easily replaceable parts; the wear and tear should be consistent with the vehicle's displayed mileage. Conduct an HPI Check - HPI's National Mileage Register has over 130 million mileages recorded on it, and can identify mileage discrepancies recorded against the vehicle. *Many of these signs could be innocent, so look for more than one of the above as possible evidence of clocking

Mobile Phones Creating A Safety Threat To UK Roads

Research by Confused.com reveals a new safety threat to UK roads…motorists and their not-so-smart phones

• Nearly 40% of drivers admit to using their phones whilstdriving
• Almost half of motorists ensure that they can see their phone when behind the wheel
• Over one fifth (23%) of UK drivers check their phones every 15 minutes or more
• Nearly half (45%) of car owners get agitated when they receive incoming calls or texts behind the wheel

Research released today reveals that UK drivers prioritise their social lives before saving lives on the road. Almost half 40% (38.95%) of motorists check their phones whilst driving, with 27% admitting to logging onto Facebook behind the wheel. The car insurance expert also found that nearly half (45%) will not start their journey unless they can see their phone. A lethal combination considering that drivers are four times more likely to crash when using a mobile phone.

The increasing popularity of Facebook and Twitter means that the ‘Twitch Factor' is on the rise, with one fifth of motorists not being able to last more than 15 minutes without checking their phones.  15% of workaholicmotorists take advantage of time stuck in traffic to catch up on their workcalls or emails, and over one fifth (21%) update their status whilst caughtbehind a red light.

Surprisingly, although 75% of motorists are aware of the penalty for being on their phone behind the wheel, 60% of them still answer their phone when they're driving. The ignorance of drivers suggests a harsher penalty should be introduced, with over 50% of motorists supporting this idea.
Adrian Walsh, Director of RoadSafe says:

"It's a frightening thought that people are checking their smartphones whilst driving. Many studies from across the world prove that drivers using phones are slower to respond than those who are just over the drink-drive limit.  It is dangerous to use a phone - even hands free when driving."

A recent study from the Texas A&M University (August 2011) has shown how much text based activities like Facebook and Twitter can effect driving reactions, with reaction times being more than doubled, and that motorists that were texting were actually 11 times more likely to miss an obstruction altogether.

Advice:

• Don't make or answer calls when driving
• Park safely before using your phone
• Don't call other people when they're driving
• It's illegal to use a hand-held mobile when driving even if stopped at traffic lights, stuck in a traffic jam or in a car park
• The maximum penalty for using a phone when driving is 3 points on your licence, and up to a £60 fine

Remember:

Drivers are 4 time more likely to crash if using a mobile phone while driving

Reaction times for drivers using a mobile phone are around 50% slower than if not using a mobile phone.

Drivers need an extra 10 metres to respond when using a hand-held phone compared to having drunk alcohol.

Bald tyres can mean insurance claims are denied

Drivers could see their motor insurance claims denied and face fines of up to £10,000, simply by failing to take proper care of their tyres.

One defective or bald tyre could see drivers hit with a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points¹ or up to £5,000 and 6 points for two defective tyres. In fact if all four tyres were defective, the maximum fine could be as much as £10,000 with a whopping 12 penalty points.

As Tyre Safety month kicks off a new poll of drivers also reveals that many of us don't know how to keep our tyres roadworthy. We interviewed 2,000 motorists who told us:

• 57% of drivers don't know the correct tread depth for their tyres which is 1.6mm
• 58% don't know the correct pressure of their tyres
• 18-24 year olds are least likely to know how to put air in their tyres
• 87.4% of people do not change their tyres for the winter weather

According to the poll, 58% of people do not know what the correct tyre pressure is for their vehicle with18-24 year olds being the key culprits. On top of this, 1.4% of people don't even realise that their tyres need air!
Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com said: "Tyre maintenance may not sound like the most exciting topic on the planet but is important to basic road safety. If your tyres have too much air or too little this can wear the tread of tyres down quickly."

"If a tyre has a tread of less than 1.6mm it is qualified as an illegal tyre. If the police stop someone with an illegal tyre they will be fined up to £2,500 for each illegal tyre. If someone is in a crash and their tyres are below the legal tread limit, a fine can be issued causing their insurance to be denied."

"Tyres must be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are up to road safety standards. An easy way of checking tyre tread is the 20p check. Place a 20p coin into the main tread of the tyre and if the rim of the coin is covered by the tread this shows it is a legal road worthy tyre."
Confused.com tips on how to maintain car tyres

1. Check tyre pressures and adjust at least once a month. Uneven inflation between tyres affects the driving qualities of your vehicle and makes the tyres wear unevenly.
2. Check the tyre tread - Worn down tyre tread is more likely to cause a sliding accident and lower the traction of your car. It is recommended to replace your tyres before the tread gets less than 1.6mm.
3. Store the tyres in proper conditions - Keep tyres in the right place to ensure nothing affects the rubber of the tyres. You should avoid storing tyres in a place where the temperature is above 77 ºF or below 32 ºF. It is also necessary to keep your tyres away from any form of oils or solvents.
4. Rotate your tyres regularly - Rotate your tyres on a regular basis as this will help to get uniform wear on all your tyres.
5. Replace the tyres - When you replace your tyres, it is important to use tyres of the same size, type and speed rating to those that originally came on the vehicle.

Deaths and Injuries on Britain’s roads – 2010

The IAM today welcomes new figures from the DfT that show another significant drop in road deaths and injuries on Britain's roads.

Today's Department for Transport statistics confirm numbers of people killed in road accidents in 2010 fell to 1,850 a reduction of 17 per cent on the previous year. Seriously injured numbers fell to 22,660 - down eight per cent.

Despite this decline, the IAM's latest poll reveals that very few of the 2700 respondents have any faith in road deaths continuing to drop: Twenty-five per cent think they will keep going down. Thirty-four per cent think they will remain the same, and 36 per cent of respondents think that casualty rates will rise a little over the next three years.

The poll respondents are realistic about the likelihood of getting improved services on their roads with the threat of spending cuts. Seventy per cent think there will be a negative impact on the number of police enforcing traffic laws, 84 per cent think road conditions and potholes will worsen, 72 per cent think there will be a negative impact on the focus on road safety education and fewer road safety officers, and 62 per cent think there will be more unroadworthy cars on the road.

Seventy per cent think improved vehicle design and technology is the biggest single reason for declining deaths and injuries on our roads and 37 per cent think that more incentives to take post-test training courses will deliver the biggest improvements in the future.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "The value of preventing each fatal crash on UK roads is around £1.8 million, and approximately £200,000 for each serious injury - it's clear that effective road safety initiatives not only save lives but also save the nation money.

"The government should think about the real value of road safety initiatives when it considers its expenditure plans.

"As more and more driver aids are introduced we need to re-think the way we approach safe driving.  Vehicle technology requires new thinking and an even greater emphasis on the driver as the decision-maker.

The challenge now is for us all to treat driving as a skill for life and embrace post-test training."

£12,000 – the cost of a first year’s motoring

Young drivers are likely to pay more than £12,000 for a year on the road, even before their car is driven anywhere, according to road safety charity the IAM.

In order to afford the costs of lessons and a first year of driving, a 17 year old male would have to pay £12,300. In 2009, the average full-time salary for 16-17 year-olds was £9,300 and for 18-21 year-olds, £14440. The biggest proportion of that cost is not the price of an insurance-friendly car, but the insurance itself. The breakdown of costs, excluding fuel and maintenance, is:

• Average cost of lessons before you pass test, £1128
• Driving test costs (theory and practical assuming first time pass), £100
• Five-year-old Kia Picanto, £3000
• Insurance (based on popular comparison site quote), £7900
• Tax and MOT, £180

Young men pay the most for insurance because they are the highest risk on the road. But legislation coming in at the end of 2012 will make it illegal for companies to discriminate on grounds of gender - young women are likely to see their premiums rise significantly. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "The average cost of a claim by young drivers is £4,500, but insurance can cost nearly twice that. This will have an effect on road safety because young drivers are consequently unlikely to afford newer and safer vehicles. It also affects their chances of getting a job, especially in rural areas where a car is essential to get to work. "The IAM wants to see driving risks - and therefore claims - reduced with more pre-driving training for 14 to 16 year olds, so that they understand the skills they will need when they get behind the wheel.  "We also need to see post-test training for young drivers in the first 12 to 18 months after passing their driving test. In Austria this has been shown to cut the death rate for young male drivers by 30 per cent*. "Where drivers can demonstrate that post-test training reduces their risk, the insurance industry needs to respond with lower premiums." ENDS

Notes:

1. *In Austria new drivers have at least three further contacts with qualified instructors within 12 to 18 months of passing their driving test. This has successfully reduced the number of deaths of young male drivers by nearly 30 per cent. After taking the test, drivers have an initial assessment to gain knowledge of their experience and to highlight any deficiencies. This is followed by visits to a road safety centre to demonstrate handling in the wet, speed into corners and the impact of speed on stopping distances.
   
2. The IAM is the UK's largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

http://www.iam.org.uk/

Cheapest Cars to Insure For 17-20 Year Olds Revealed

Ford KA and Peugeot top the poll

Ford KA2 cheapest car to insure for 17-20 year olds

Honda Civic most expensive car to insure for 17- 20 year olds¹

50% of under 25s could save up to £594 on car insurance

17-20 year olds pay over £4,000 a year for car insurance

New research from Confused.com has found the cheapest cars to insure for 17-20 year olds. The Ford KA2 topped the leader board followed closely by the Peugeot 107. However Confused.com data shows the worst car to run if you're a young driver and looking for low insurance prices is the Honda Civic. This research is capped and based on vehicles between the values of £600 to £10,000.

Car insurance costs for young drivers hit record highs in the second quarter this year, with 17-20 year olds paying as much as four times the average amount for car insurance.

The Confused/Towers Watson price index shows that motor insurance based on a 17-20 year old male is now £4,006 per year for comprehensive cover, highlighting the need for research when buying a car.

To help young drivers, Confused.com has undertaken research to give teenagers a helping hand and unveiled the five cheapest and most expensive cars to insure for 17-20 year olds.

Top five cheapest cars to insure for 17-20 year olds

Make	Yearly Insurance Cost	Monthly Insurance Cost
1. Ford KA2	£1,651.40	137.62
2. Ford KA	£1,781.25	148.44
3. Peugeot 107	£1,994.42	166.20
4. Daewoo Matiz	£2,258.26	188.19
5. Mini One	£2,268.85	189.07

Top five most expensive cars to insure for 17-20 year olds

Make	Yearly Insurance Cost	Monthly Insurance Cost
1. Honda Civic	£4,515.92	£376.33
2. Volkswagen Golf	£3,928.30	£327.36
3. Vauxhall Astra	£3,722.97	£310.25
4. Ford Focus	£3,677.06	£306.42
5. Renault Megane	£3,327.21	£277.26

 Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com says: "Young drivers and learners are telling us that the cost of insurance is the biggest barrier to getting behind the wheel: more so than the cost of buying the car.

"Buying your first car should be exciting, not a worry about whether you can afford the insurance costs. Here at confused.com we want to offer young drivers the chance to find the perfect car with the cheapest insurance."

"Once the car has been found drivers should shop around for cover as premiums can vary greatly between providers; a comparison site is a great way to do this."

Using A Mobile Phone While Driving Poses No Crash Risk

A new study claims driving while talking a mobile phone causes no increased crash risk. This claim, by two academic from the London School of Economics and the University of Chicago, has caused outrage amongst road safety experts.

The study was based on mobile phone data from the United States. After isolating calls made solely from moving vehicles, they analysed the spike in phone use when cheap evening rates kicked in. they expected to see a rise in crashes, but were shocked to find none. From this they have concluded that the current belief, talking into a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of crashing by 400%, is wrong.

An explanation for this may be that when talking into a mobile phone drivers reduce their speed and up their concentration levels, as compensation for the perceived additional risk.

However, the study and the findings have been widely condemned with one critic pointing out that the rise in mobile phone use may have been due to passengers in the car and not the drivers.

Driving While Tired As Bad As Driving While Drunk

A study by Utrecht University in the Netherlands has shown that driving while tired can be as bad as driving while drunk. The study showed that after just two hours behind the wheel, drivers made the same mistakes they would if they had 0.05% blood alcohol content, which is more than half the UK legal drink drive limit. After three hours’ driving their performance corresponded to 0.08% blood alcohol content, the national limit. By four and a half hours, it was equivalent to 0.10%. Driver tiredness is thought to be responsible for 20% of road deaths in the UK.

Drugalyser

The Home Office has produced the specification for a new poilice-station based drug screening device to test drivers suspected of drug driving, pushing it higher up the practical delivery date list. The drugalyser testing kits, capable of identifying substances such as amphetamines, cannabis and ecstasy, will be available for police to use by July.

In addition to this new station based tester police will have new roadside testing devices ready to use by 2012.

These devices will enable screening of suspects at police stations, removing the need to call out a doctor. If the screening is positive, a blood sample will be taken straight away for evidential testing. This should reduce the waiting time before evidential samples are taken, helping to ensure that any drug levels are recorded before they dissipate.

Currently, there is no law against driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Prosecutors have to prove that the presence of the drug had impaired the motorist.

Drivers Escaping Reality

Between 14% and 17% of drivers killed or injured in road crashes have drugs in their system. This is according to a new report from the International Transport Forum: a transport think tank at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The report is based on roadside tests, surveys and questionnaires from 16 countries. It highlights some worrying facts and shows that cannabis and benzodiazepines top the list of drugs involved in lethal motor accidents.

Jack Short, secretary of the International Transport Forum, said ‘both illicit substances and prescribed medicines are involved. Current drink-driving measures and legislation do not take this into account.’

The forum says the drug-driving issue is moving up the policy agenda in many countries, and a major European Union funded research project called DRUID (Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol and medicines) is already in progress across Europe.

Older Drivers Are Safer

The latest analysis of the official road casualty figures by the IAM reveals that the greatest risk to pedestrians is car drivers under the age of 30 who are involved in more than a third of pedestrian fatalities. Whilst there have been big reductions in fatalities within our two most vulnerable age groups over recent years – 33% in the 16-19 year age bracket, 25% for drivers in their 70’s and 22 % for drivers aged 80 or over since 2008 – 16-19 year olds continue to be the highest casualties by a long way. The other side of the equation shows that the greatest risk to the oldest group on the road is as a pedestrian – pedestrian risk increases from 2% of those injured aged between 20 and 50, to around 9% aged 80 and over – in particular from young drivers.

Increasing age and experience behind the wheel makes a rapid difference. During their teens and twenties the risk of young drivers being killed halves every five years as they gain more driving experience.

This has led some in the industry to call for post-test training to be made compulsory such as it is in countries such as Austria, where reductions of up to 30% in young male fatalities have been achieved. If new drivers can be kept alive during this most dangerous stage of their driving career, the risk of them becoming another killed or seriously injured statistic reduces significantly.

Despite widespread beliefs to the contrary, older drivers are no more likely to be involved in an injury crash than middle aged drivers, and are much less at risk than drivers aged under 30.