–

Further to the DfT’s recent announcement regarding the imparity of falling traffic numbers with the reduction in road deaths at 0.7% and 0.5% respectively, the ABD made their feelings plain.

"This effective increase in road deaths per mile travelled is an abysmal indictment of the failed government medicine of the last decade or more. Despite massive improvements in car safety features which must have saved lives, the government plods on with the tired old policy of focus on speed limit enforcement as almost its sole road safety strategy whilst completely ignoring all other factors which cause the vast majority of crashes. The medicine isn’t working, the answer is not more of the same medicine!" said ABD Chairman Brian Gregory.

The ABD recently called on Justice Minister Ken Clarke to prove that minor speed limit infringements do indeed cause casualties before moving to almost double speeding fines from £60 to £100.

"The vast majority of speeding fines are for low level infringements by sober, otherwise legal drivers. Despite previous challenges from the ABD, the government seem totally unable to provide any evidence that such drivers are causing or even involved in more than a handful of accidents. Tellingly, neither can the campaigning organisations calling for more enforcement. Of course, a number of casualties do involve drivers travelling above speed limits (around 5-6%), however nobody in government seems to know, or of even more concern, be at all interested in finding out how many of these ‘speeding’ drivers are sober, licenced drivers travelling within a few MPH of the limit and how many are also drunk, drugged, unlicensed, in stolen cars or travelling at reckless speeds well above the limit. For all we know most ‘above speed limit’ casualties could fall into the latter category," added Mr Gregory.

Mr Gregory concluded that until the relevant information is collated to answer just how many people are killed or seriously injured by sober drivers travelling above but within 20% of a speed limit then the government should desist hounding such drivers.

“There is no excuse as estimated speed, alcohol, licence details etc., are recorded after each and every fatal or serious accident. All it would take is a few days work for a data input clerk to collate them, but perhaps the truth is too inconvenient?”

Do you agree? Do you believe that too much emphasis is placed on speeding and fines and not enough on the bigger picture or that any breaking of the law should be punished and enforced? We would love to hear your views.

–

Road safety charity IAM reacted to provisional DfT figures that stated 1,690 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured in the period of July – September 2011, which averages 18 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured every day during that period, an increase of two per cent compared to the same period in 2010, whilst the figures stated for casualties among car users have reduced by seven per cent.

“The increase in motorcycling casualties is worrying especially while casualties among car drivers continue to fall. The government needs to ensure that education campaigns targeting motorcycling continue and funding is made available for local initiatives. The police and councils must continue to work together to improve high risk routes, encourage post test training and target bad riding behaviour through innovative enforcement techniques,” said IAM director of policy and research, Neil Greig.

–

Jaama has revised and updated its Fleet Management Essentials seminars for 2012, which offers full-time professional fleet decision-makers as well as administrators and managers who have the responsibility but not necessarily the experience of running a fleet of vehicles the opportunity to learn about the very latest legislation and best practice strategies in key operational areas.

The seminars have proved so popular that 800 people have so far attended. This year will see that figure rise yet again as issues including grey fleet management, car salary sacrifice, employee driver licence checking and carbon footprint cutting strategies, will be addressed as well as other issues such as:

• The costs associated with running a vehicle fleet and how to effectively control and reduce them – including employer and employee taxation – in the challenging economic climate;
• Key performance indicators to measure to ensure optimum fleet efficiency and effectiveness;
• Mechanisms to choose and manage fleet suppliers;
• The pros and cons around the array of vehicle acquisition routes;
• Employers’ duty of care responsibilities towards their at-work drivers and key legislation, including the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and how it impacts business;
• The Driver CPC legislation and why it is important for businesses.

“Our entire seminar programme has proved very popular in the almost eight years we have been running it, with those employees who combine fleet responsibility with another role in their organisation, those who have financial or HR responsibility for the fleet and those who are new to vehicle management.

“The whole area of fleet management can be daunting, especially in the current climate of stringent cost control, environmental impact reduction and ensuring comprehensive duty of care for employees. In addition, we recognise and appreciate that operators of smaller or employee-owned fleets do not always have the luxury of a full time dedicated fleet manager and often the responsibility for the fleet can be across departments,” said Jaama managing director Jason Francis.

Seminars start with registration at 9.30am and conclude with an open question and answer session from 4.30pm and delegates will each receive: a sample fleet policy template, a sample driver handbook and handbook template, seminar documentation, a copy of the Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Driving at Work: Managing Work-Related Road Safety’ publication, guidelines produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in relation to a number of key issues including safe journeys, mobile phone use, safer speeds, vehicle technology and drink and drug policies, driver assessment and training guidelines and a copy of ‘Managing Your Company Cars – Expert Opinion’.
For more information on the seminars, which will run during April, or to book a place please visit www.jaama.co.uk or contact Collette Dooley, Seminar Coordinator at Jaama on 0844 8484 333.

–

And finally…

IAM’s chief examiner and Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger, is this week offering motoring tips on what to do following an accident. Rodger says: “The reality is nobody wants to think about having a car accident. It’s important to be prepared in case you are involved in one. Knowing what you must do and taking simple precautions can make things easier afterwards.”

Hi top tips are:

• If you have the option, stop where it is safe;
• Turn the engine off and put your hazard lights on (if appropriate);
• Keep yourself safe and check others are too;
• If you need the emergency services, call 999;
• Stay calm. You must swap some details with the other driver(s). Unless that isn’t possible due to injury or because they drive off. If you don’t, you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours;
• Give your name, address, and registration number and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle. You should get these details from the other driver(s);
• If someone is injured, ensure you exchange insurance details;
• Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you can;
• Get any witness contact details and take photos of the scene and vehicle damage;
• Note carefully how many people are in the other vehicle.

Don’t forget to check out IAM’s website, www.drivingadvice.org.uk, for traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter.

–

And that’s it for another seven days. With the recent arctic weather set to hang around for a little while longer please do plan in advance for your journeys and make sure you have emergency warm clothing etc. packed and ready in your vehicle should you need it. Until next week drive safely and don’t forget to clean your thermos thoroughly!

John Lewis, chief executive of the BVRLA is battling against the negativity being put out by many economists regarding the year ahead. He and his organisation have preferred to focus on the possibilities that 2012 may hold for the industry by producing a ‘Fleet Optimists’ guide to 2012.

Mr Lewis said: “With economic growth slipping across the world and austerity measures biting hard in the UK, business is not going to get any easier in 2012, however, road transport is an essential, not a luxury, and vehicle rental and leasing will continue to gain market share as long as businesses and consumers continue to look for cost-effective, hassle-free motoring.”

Vehicle Registrations: The BVRLA see 2012 continuing in the same way as the previous year, which saw sixty per cent of new car sales being attributed to business registrations. They also see a continued rise in commercial vehicle registration thanks to growth in the courier and home delivery sector and increased demand from contract hire and rental customers.

Mr Lewis commented: “Business users recognise the advantages of buying newer, safer and more fuel efficient cars, but only as long as manufacturers resist the urge to push up prices. We are going to see some very interesting competition below the premium marques, with Korean brands in particular challenging existing fleet favourites including Vauxhall, Ford and the French carmakers with their much improved build quality, low emissions and aftercare offering,”

Funding: The BVRLA say the appointment of new funders last year to should see credit being delivered this year to the independent leasing and rental sectors.

Mr Lewis stated: “These funders are fully engaged with the motor finance market and should hopefully be immune to any further Eurozone-related banking crisis. They will also reduce the industry’s dependence on non-interested parties like Lloyds, who continue to cynically price themselves out of the market.”

Used Market: The BVRLA expect there to be no change in the reducing demand for used cars, however, they foresee residual values continuing to hold as less stock comes into the the remarketing system. Dealers and customers alike will turn to high-quality six-month to four-year-old ex-rental and leasing stock, keeping the new car retail market subdued.

Mr Lewis said: “You only have to look at the way prices held up in the final quarter of 2011, despite some of the pessimistic predictions from so-called remarketing ‘gurus’.”

Rental Market: The BVRLA expect the rental market to see an increase in choice for customers including newer and more fuel efficient models.

Mr Lewis expanded on this saying: “We expect to see even more urbanites turn their back on car ownership and take a pay-as-you-go approach to motoring. “At the same time, we hope that more organisations will take the brave step of tackling the cost-inefficiencies and safety threat posed by their grey fleet, which would also give a boost to the rental sector”

Electric Vehicles: The BVRLA expect 2012 to be the year that EV could really live up to the hype after the disappointing sales of 2011 in this new technology, with just over 1000 Plug-In-Car Grant eligible cars being sold. However, they warn this is only possible if manufacturers are more realistic regarding pricing and the government extends the incentive grant scheme to electric vans as well, making running costs more viable.

Mr Lewis explained: “The new range-extender Ampera and Volt are an attractive prospect for company car fleets, as are the next generation of diesel hybrids and plug in hybrids. Depending on manufacturer allocations, up to 80% of these vehicles could end up on fleets.”

Taxation and Regulation: The BRVLA see last year’s results from the government’s Red Tape Challenge and its announced changes to the DVLA could signal a steady and fairer approach to changes in company car tax CO2 thresholds that would see fleets being able to plan ahead by at least three or possibly four years.

Mr Lewis concluded by saying: “However, as with many government projects, the improvements on offer will take a long time to materialise.The government has just started to wake up to the fact that a successful emission-based tax regime means less revenue for the Exchequer, but we will be alert to any knee-jerk efforts to make up the shortfall.”

–

The £32 billion HS2 fund, recently announced by the government has prompted ABD Chairman Brian Gregory to make an alternative suggestion for such a large purse in these times of austerity:

"Imagine what reducing fuel to around £1 per litre would do to kick-start the UK economy, bringing down prices of goods in the shops and taking thousands out of poverty. That is what £32 billion could achieve for more than eight years. £32 billion could have been used to scrap VAT on road fuel altogether for the next eight years plus. That rather puts this colossal sum into perspective. Instead the government are apparently set to completely ignore public opinion and build this white elephant which will only save a few businessmen a few minutes."

Do you agree with the ABD? Do you think this money will be squandered if used for the new high speed train line or do you believe the Government’s statement that it will generate £44 billion of benefits to the UK’s economy over a 60 year period? We want to hear your views, so don’t forget to use the comment box at the end of this article.

–

Toyota and Lexus have signed up to epyx’s 1link e-commerce platform as part of its new Fleet Charter. It is hoped this move will prove beneficial to not only service levels but allowing customers greater pricing transparency.

Ewan Shepherd, General Manager of Fleet and Remarketing at Toyota and Lexus, explained: “Delivering a great sales experience to fleet customers is key to Toyota and Lexus and our Fleet Charter is designed to ensure that we are providing pricing and service levels that meet and exceed customer expectations.”

Gary Gibson, Head of Customer Service at epyx said: “We are very pleased to be working with Toyota on this project and look forward to achieving strong results.”

–

And finally…

IAM chief examiner and Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger is this week offering his top tips on saving fuel and money, with green driving able to save you up to 15% on your bills.

Rodger said: “We’ve all got better things to spend our money on than petrol. This will help you save cash and reduce your carbon emissions.”

1. Keep your vehicle moving for as long as possible, even in traffic queues. This is far more fuel efficient than stopping and starting, so slow down earlier, to avoid braking as harshly and often;
2. Stick to the speed limit. This offers a good compromise between economy and getting somewhere. There’s a significant saving made by doing 70 instead of 80 – and you avoid any risk of speeding fines;
3. Reverse into parking bays. If you do all the manoeuvring with a hot engine you can drive straight off when you come back and warm the engine up more quickly;
4. Check your vehicle regularly to ensure it operates efficiently. In particular check the condition of your tyres, and measure tyre pressures when they’re cold;
5. Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot. The more weight you carry in the car, the more fuel you’ll burn;
6. Keep the inside of the front and rear windscreens squeaky clean. Traffic fumes form a film on the glass which attracts moisture and makes them mist up easily – a clean screen will rarely mist up, so you won’t be using the heater and air-conditioning.

Other driving tips, traffic updates and weather forecasts can be found on the IAM website, drivingadvice.org.uk, make sure you check it out before you travel.

–

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s selection and hope you’ll take a minute to share your comments on these stories using the comments box below. Make sure you drive safely everyone and we’ll bring you the best news the world of fleet has to offer next week. Until then…

–

ABD comment on the use of 3D scanners
Our first story is from the ABD, who have made comment on the use of 3D scanners at the scene of serious road traffic accidents (RTAs).

The organisation have applauded the government for implementing this technology to avoid the 10 hours plus tailbacks, that have become the norm in recent times, following the police’s preference to treat all serious accidents as crime scenes.

They are now calling for the ‘Road Death Investigation Manual’ produced back in 2007 by the police to be rewritten, pointing out that only a minority are due to a crime being committed. They also point out the seriousness of vehicles diverting onto unsuitable routes in an attempt to avoid delays being a real safety hazard, as well as the inconvenience of missed appointments being another knock-on effect.

They have called for RTAs to be treated in the same way as air traffic accidents (ATAs) with the emphasis on establishing the cause of the accident rather than apportioning blame.

Do you agree that this is the way forward? Are you confident that a desire to keep traffic moving should in no way mean a crime may go undetected or evidence of one be missed? Let us know your views using the comments box below.

–

Kwik-Fit support Tim Hudson’s recent statement
Kwik-Fit were delighted by the vice chairman of the National Association of Motor Auctions, Tim Hudson’s recent statement that the importance of a franchised dealer stamp being critical in the resale value of vehicles has greatly diminished, as he pointed out: “What is essential is that company cars and vans have a documented service history across their fleet life to ensure top residual values are potentially achievable.”

Although an increasing number of fleets, contract hire and leasing companies are turning to the independent sector for servicing and MoT requirements some operators remain nervous of not taking vehicles to a franchise dealer, fearing this could have detrimental repercussions on the future value of their assets.

Kwik-fit expect to see the current 35% year-on-year rise of company-owned vehicles taken to their centres rising further after these welcomed words.

“Confirmation from an independent authority such as Tim Hudson of the National Association of Motor Auctions will give more fleets and leasing companies the confidence to have their vehicles serviced at Kwik-Fit centres in the knowledge that residual values will not be damaged,” commented Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert.

–

ACFO honour Tony Leigh
The ACFO have honoured one of their longest standing members with an honorary life membership. Tony Leigh is, after twenty-five years service, stepping down as ACFO company secretary in order to let new blood into the organisation.

“I believe now is the right time to step down and to let younger fleet decision-makers become more involved with ACFO. In more than a quarter of a century of involvement with ACFO I have seen the organisation change and grow so that it now deservedly is the premier organisation for fleet operators. I wish the organisation every success in the future,” said Mr Leigh.

“Tony has been a tremendous servant to ACFO for more than a quarter of a century. His in-depth fleet knowledge and experience has been hugely beneficial to ACFO as a whole and many members,” added Julie Jenner, who took over from Mr Leigh as ACFO chairman in 2006.

Although retiring from ACFO, Mr Leigh, continues in his job as head of car fleet services at PricewaterhouseCoopers and will have his lifetime membership confirmed at the organisations 2012 AGM. Meanwhile, the ACFO board is currently considering the appointment of a new company secretary, and will announce its intentions early in the New Year.

–

Leasedrive win furniture supplier contract
Leasedrive have won a five-year sole supplier contract from furniture supplier Harveys, who previously opted to use several suppliers and brokers for its fleet needs.

"An existing customer of our rental management division, we were doubly delighted to win the tender process for Harveys’ contract hire business. We have also provided financial modelling to determine the optimum financial funding route and are providing a duty of care service for cash allowance drivers," commented Roddy Graham, commercial director at Leasedrive.

Leasedrive will supply around 140 contract hire vehicles to Harveys, who are owned by the Steinhoff UK retail group.

–

Ogilvie Group hope to continue strong performance in 2012
Ogilvie Fleet have reported a strong performance through 2011 and are looking forward to the same this year, having increased its UK fleet to over 10,000 vehicles. Owned by the Stirling based Ogilvie Group, which achieved a seven per cent increase in turnover in 2010, Ogilvie Fleet have plans to continue to strengthen its place in this sector.

“We have continued to maintain a solid performance in what are difficult economic conditions and expect that consistency to continue into the coming year," commented Duncan Ogilvie, Chief Executive, Ogilvie Group.

–

Brake call on the government to address rising drug-driving problem
Brake, together with Direct Line, are calling on the government to act now and push through proposals on addressing the rising problem of drug driving.

A survey by Brake and Direct Line found that three per cent of young drivers (age 17-24) regularly drive after taking drugs, often once a month or more. It also revealed that one in nine young drivers, eleven per cent, has driven on illegal drugs in the past year.

Brake, together with the family of Lillian Groves, a young girl who was only 14 years old when she was killed by a driver who had been smoking cannabis are calling for long-needed reform, including:

1. A new law making it an offence to drive while on illegal drugs, to rectify the current loophole. Currently it is only an offence to drive while impaired by drugs, meaning police must prove impairment to prosecute;
2. Approval and roll-out of roadside drug screening devices, so police can test for drugs at the roadside and immediately following a crash.

"The risks of driving on drugs are huge, and the consequences devastating – yet a huge proportion of young drivers are taking this appalling gamble with their own and others’ lives. We need all drivers to pledge to never mix drugs and driving, and we need the government to follow through with its commitment to tackle this problem. For too long the law on drug driving has been totally inadequate. We need a ban on driving with illegal drugs in your system, and we need roadside drugalysers. The longer this takes, the more lives will be violently and tragically lost," commented Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer.

Staying with Brake, they will be hosting their 10th annual Fleet Safety Forum Awards in June 2012 and are inviting entries, the deadline of which is March 16, this year, and which can now be made online.

The evening, which will be held at the MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, includes a drinks reception, 3-course dinner with wine, casino, disco and entertainment and is an important networking event in the fleet calendar.

Brake make no entry charge but do require any company entering to book at least one seat at the gala dinner and awards ceremony.

To book places for the event, click here to access the online form or contact Brake on 01484 559909 or by emailing admin@brake.org.uk.

–

IAM concern over young male driver overconfidence
A report from IAM worryingly shows that sixty-two per cent of male novice drivers feel they possess greater driving skills than average, with only thirty-two per cent of female novice drivers saying the same.

The report entitled ‘The fast and the curious: young people’s attitudes to driver training’, also highlights that real incentives such as reduced insurance premiums are required to attract these drivers to taking further training.

“Young male drivers suffer from a lethal combination of overconfidence and inexperience. They don’t need curfews and other restrictions on their driving; they need to practice and gain driving experience safely. There are many paying thousands of pounds a year in insurance and killing themselves. The solution to this problem is to link driver training and insurance discounts," commented IAM chief executive Simon Best.

–

And finally, staying with the IAM…

Have you made your new years resolutions yet? Road safety charity the IAM, chief examiner and Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger is this week offering his top new year driving resolution tips.

Rodger said: “The new year is a common time for people to sit back, reflect and revaluate. Why not begin by making changes to your driving to make you safer on the road in 2012?”

1. Look out: Keep an eye on the road ahead including pavements to give yourself more time to identify and respond to hazards;
2. Anticipate what the traffic around you may do especially at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions;
3. Room: Make sure you keep space around your vehicle to leave you more time to deal with hazards;
4. Refuel: When embarking on longer journeys, take a break every two hours;
5. Mirror-effect: Use all your mirrors regularly so that you have 360 degree awareness of what is going on around you;
6. Don’t presume: Never assume that another motorist has seen you or will react in the same way you might;
7. Learn: Be open minded and realistic about your limitations and always be prepared to learn from any errors you make.

Don’t forget to visit the IAM website, www.drivingadvice.org.uk, to get up-to-date traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter.

–

So that’s the first News Round-up of 2012 and we hope you have found it as stimulating and informative as the previous year’s offerings. We’re looking forward to a whole year of news ahead and sharing the best of all things fleet related with you. Don’t forget, we also want to hear from you and your views on the stories featured above so we hope you’ll take a minute to use our comments box below. Until next week drive carefully and tally-ho 2012!

–

The Association of British Drivers are happy to remind David Cameron that during his 2010 election campaign he hinted at a ‘fair price stabiliser’ and the recent 100,000 signature petition calling for lower priced petrol and diesel has forced the subject to be raised in the House of Commons this week.

"British drivers are paying the highest rates of tax on both petrol and diesel in the EU. The fuel tax escalator must be scrapped and replaced with a mechanism to stabilise fuel prices. We need a fair fuel tax for ALL and we need it now!" comments ABD Chairman Brian Gregory.

Staying with the ABD and the news that it has come to light, after information was requested by an ABD member, that Thames Valley Police are receiving in excess of £1m per annum from AA Drivetech’s ‘Speed Awareness Courses’ that the ABD say constitutes a “perversion of the course of justice” as payments are made directly to the police from a third party in place of a prosecution.

The ABD say that since the government funding for Speed Camera Partnerships ended and local authorities became responsible for their funding, that alleged speed offenders are being offered these ‘Speed Awareness Courses’ for a fee, the revenue of which has been diverted by police forces such as Thames Valley directly back into the operation of these speed cameras.

The ABD are questioning the legality of this and are urging any drivers offered such a course in any area where such operations exist, such as Thames Valley, to complain to their MP as they fear that such schemes will serve only to promote speed cameras as a tool to produce revenue rather than safe roads.

Do you agree with the ABD? Would you contact your MP to complain if you had been accused of speeding and had been given the option of a Speed Awareness Course as opposed to points on your licence? Let us know your views on this subject.

–

After the British Medical Association last week called on smoking to be banned in vehicles as recent research revealed the levels of noxious air is 23 per cent higher in the confined space of a car when compared to a bar, which is currently privy to the public smoking ban.

However, Tim Naylor, PR Manager at British Car Auctions is pointing out the benefits to this possible ban that many drivers may not have even thought of: “Lighting up inside a car seriously devalues the vehicle for resale. Our research shows that presentation is one of the top factors influencing the price of used cars. So if a car is more like an ashtray on wheels, chances are buyers will move on to find one that looks and smells fresh as a daisy.”

He points out whilst professional valeting my remove some of the evidence of a smoked filled interior that some items, such as nicotine stained trim and headlining, things that may put a potential buyer off, even one that smokes, may need replacing altogether at the sellers expense.

“This is an incredibly important health issue and we don’t want to undermine that by any means. But if drivers aren’t motivated by the health of their passengers, perhaps they will be by the diminishing health of their finances,” Naylor concluded.

–

The IAM are urging drivers to take action now to reduce their fuel bills and not wait for the Chancellor to bring the cost of fuel down.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said: “For millions of motorists driving is a necessity, not a luxury. The way you drive has a big impact on the amount of fuel you use. If you slow down and leave more of a gap between you and other vehicles, you won’t need to accelerate and brake so much. That’s two easy ways to improve your miles per gallon by up to 15 per cent.”

Rodger advises:

1. Keep moving rather than stopping and starting. Look further ahead and slow down earlier to avoid stopping. Driving at a constant speed is far more fuel efficient than heavy accelerating and braking;
2. Check your tyres. Under-inflated tyres have a big impact on fuel economy;
3. Put your car on a diet. Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot;
4. Try to avoid using air conditioning and climate control at low speeds as they increase fuel consumption. Open a window instead. At high speeds, close your windows to maintain the aerodynamics of the car. Use air-con to get the car to a comfortable temperature, and then turn it off to save fuel
5. Clean screens rarely mist up, so you’ll use the heater and air-conditioning less;
6. Try changing up your gears earlier; petrol engines at 2,500 rpm (revs per minute), and diesel engines 2,000 rpm;
7. Reverse into parking bays: manoeuvring with a cold engine uses more fuel, so make the most of having a hot engine;
8. It will take most cars at least a couple of miles to warm up and run efficiently. Could you walk or cycle?
9. Drive at an even pace over speed humps. Slowing down and speeding up drinks more fuel;
10. Stick to the speed limit. The faster you go, the more fuel you use.

–

Lex Autolease are convinced that the way forward with regards to reduced motoring costs is the use of the use of electric and hybrid vehicles and it seems a recent survey they conducted of financial directors and company drivers shows that they too believe the benefit of reduced fuel spend is a main motivator in adopting low or zero rated emission vehicles (LEVs) to existing fleets.

However, Chris Chandler, principle consultant at Lex Autolease said factors other than running costs are still important to many: “Some of the so called ‘soft measures’ – such as reputation, refinement and kerb appeal – can be underestimated, but companies and their employees will not select vehicles on cost alone. Running costs will remain the primary motivating factor, of course, but LEVs will need to compete with petrol and diesel alternatives in all areas to ensure their slice of the market grows.”

The surveys were conducted with 230 company car drivers and 70 finance directors of UK companies.

Survey – FDs

In which areas do you think your company can gain most from introducing plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles? (please tick all that apply).

• Fuel 73%
• Corporate Responsibility / Environmental objectives 65%
• Maintenance 23%
• Marketing/marketability 22%
• Corporate Tax 15%
• VAT 7%
• National Insurance 5%
• Employee retention and recruitment 5%

Survey – Drivers

In which areas do you think could gain most from leasing a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle? (please tick all that apply).

• Reduced fuel costs 67%
• Lower benefit in kind (BIK) payments 67%
• Cheaper motoring (parking & congestion zone privileges) 41%
• Feel good factor (green pioneer) 26%
• Greater refinement (quieter more comfortable vehicle) 12%
• Enhanced professional status (kerb appeal) 3%

–

The DVLA this week announced good news for insulin dependent diabetics, who have until now been disallowed to drive buses or lorries, with a change in the law to allow insulin treated diabetics the chance to apply for a licence covering all categories of vehicles, providing certain criteria are satisfied.

This amendment follows recent changes for drivers who suffer from recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, and comes after consultation to meet European minimum medical standards for drivers, which have also included reviews on standards on eyesight and epilepsy.

Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said: “Britain has some of the safest roads in the world and licensing rules have an important role in maintaining this position. We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads, while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary restrictions on people’s independence.

“We have listened to expert advice and it is clear that treatment and diagnosis has improved since the existing medical standards were put in place, so a blanket ban is no longer needed. These changes strike the right balance in allowing as many people as possible to drive, without compromising road safety.”

–

And finally…

Five members of fleet services provider RunYourCars, including managing director Steve Whitmarsh have pledged to abandon their razors for the month of November and grow moustaches to help raise money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.
‘Movember’, as it has been renamed will see the employees grow a ‘mo’ in an aim to raise awareness of men’s health issues. It is a worrying trend that men are seen to be more indifferent towards their health when compared to the efforts of women, who proactively and publicly address their health issues.

Mr Whitmarsh said: “We are looking for individual sponsorship and every organisation that joins Run Your Cars during November we will donate the first month’s membership fee from those companies to the fund.”

Run Your Cars is asking customers and supporters to click on the ‘mo’ link on the company’s website to send your donation. The website is accessible at www.runyourcars.com and as a thank-you to those who support this worthy cause, they will be sent a Run Your Cars stick on moustache to enable them to join in the fun.

The idea is for ‘Movember’ comes from the Movember Foundation, which is supported by the Institute of Cancer Research and The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Mr Whitmarsh’s colleagues who are also growing a ‘mo’ in November are Jamie Normansell (sales director), Simon Shiner (finance director), Craig Pullen (systems development manager) and Luke Savage (sales executive).

We wish them well and hope they’ll be forwarding us a photo of those handlebar ‘tashes, eh chaps?…

So that’s it for another News Round-up, we hope you found our offering of the last seven days of news succinct, informative, and a little entertaining. If there is anything you would like to comment on then we would love to hear from you using our comments box below. So until next week please remember to drive thriftily but more importantly safely, always with your moustache wax to hand of course.

The Association of British Drivers have been voicing their stance concerning comments made by former London Mayor Ken Livingston, and his views on the current parking charges in the borough of Westminster citing that these charges were "nothing to do with regulating congestion or improving the environment, and everything to do with ripping off Londoners to fill Westminster council’s coffers".

ABD London media spokesman Brian Mooney responded, "It is slightly hypocritical of Ken to complain about drivers facing ‘charges of up to £22 or more for one visit’, as he had tried to raise his ‘Kengestion Charge’ to £25 for some vehicles. Transport for London also admitted that the charge had been made difficult to pay, resulting in £40 penalties being handed out to drivers and some marked cases of injustice.

"Ironically I agree with Ken that motoring taxes are having a harmful effect on jobs and incomes, and that this is an issue that goes beyond party politics."

Mr Mooney went further: “I challenge the new Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, to work with other government departments and councils to reduce the tax burden on Britain’s drivers. We pay about £50 billion a year in motoring taxes, and get less than £9 billion a year back.

“The government should immediately call off next year’s above-inflation rises in fuel duty and stop vested interests from making blatant profits out of us".

–

The low carbon vehicle sector in the North East has received an immense boost with £6.2 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to further the production of a Low Carbon Vehicles project and its associated technologies, which is currently being undertaken by Gateshead College and its partners.

It is hoped that the outcome of this bid will be to produce 1,500 new apprenticeships in the low carbon vehicle sector and will see the North East receiving recognition as a national and international leader in the production of LCVs whilst also developing the workforce in these areas.

Mick Brophy, managing director for business, innovation and development at Gateshead College said; “We’re delighted that our bid has been approved, it’s great news for Gateshead College but also for the growth and development of the region. This programme will take forward the work we’ve already started and firmly places us at the forefront of training for the renewable energy and low carbon sector. As the preferred training provider for Nissan UK and Smith Electric Vehicles we have a proven track record of delivering effective training in this field and have recently opened our Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation (SASMI), in Washington, which is the UK’s first training centre dedicated to the clean technologies sector. We also run a Performance Track designed for low carbon vehicle development, testing and trialling.

“The programme will be delivered using a unique model that will see public and private sectors, including universities and research centres, come together to create capacity and jobs in the North East. It will include the creation of 5,000 jobs over 10 years, of which 1,500 will be apprenticeships in sustainable manufacturing and electric vehicles specialisms, a dedicated Innovation Centre based at SASMI and curriculum development.”

Dr Colin Herron, North East England Low Carbon Vehicle specialist, said: “This is a real boost to the region and cements our already international reputation in this field. As a region we have worked very hard to secure this investment which will bring massive long-term benefits to the region’s economy.”

–

IAM Drive and Survive are this week offering tips on the safe use of acceleration and power in wintery conditions via its head of training, Simon Elstow, who warns: “Power and acceleration are no good without control. This is especially true when drivers are faced with cold, wet and slippery conditions.”

1. Be aware of the way your car applies power to the road. As acceleration shifts weight from the front to the back of the car, the wheels of front wheel-drive cars will spin more easily in wet and icy conditions;
2. Accelerate smoothly and maintain a safe speed particularly in wintery conditions – remember the speed limit may be too fast especially when conditions are poor;
3. Make sure you’re in the correct gear before overtaking and use as much power as is safe bearing in mind your car’s abilities, the speed limit and the road conditions;
4. Changing your use of the accelerator is a good way of slowing down, without ever needing to touch the brake. When you can see traffic slowing up ahead, ease off the power in advance instead of driving up behind it and breaking as you arrive. This will reduce the amount you have to brake and save fuel;
5. When approaching bends, reduce your speed, but ensure you maintain a constant speed and a smooth line through the bend. As you drive out of the bend, you can increase the power. If it’s slippery, leave accelerating until you are straightened up properly;
6. On level ground or downhill you should be able to start from stationery without using the accelerator in a modern car – just lift the clutch carefully, and then very gently apply power once you are moving. When the roads are icy, this can be a useful technique.

Elstow concludes by saying: “Wintery conditions don’t necessarily mean you can’t go out, but if weather conditions are very hazardous, do question whether you really need to make the journey. Understanding your car’s acceleration and power will help you stay in control whatever the weather.”

IAM are also warning that despite the last two winters proving severe and treacherous for motorists, as many as seventy-seven councils are thought to be planning to cut back on winter road services such as salting and gritting, with thirty-three reducing their budget by more than ten per cent.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Roads are essential for the economy – not only in rural areas where cars are the only way to get around but also on the main routes that keep our economy moving. Ambulances, supermarket food deliveries, meals on wheels, utilities, even the armed forces, all rely on having a usable road network. Last year, parts of Scotland nearly ran out of food and fuel. The 24-hour, just-in-time logistics system simply wasn’t able to cope with the weather.

“Councils must make contingency plans to ensure that essential supplies can always get through, no matter what the weather. This has to include dealing with large numbers of drivers stranded for hours with no access to heat or food.”

IAM’s tips for making journeys in severe or snowy weather are:

• Is your journey essential? If at all possible postpone or reschedule your trip and don’t ignore police warnings about closed roads;
• Double or even triple your normal stopping distance from the vehicle in front. Drive so that you don’t rely on your brakes to be able to stop – on an icy surface they simply may not do that for you, but keep moving as much as possible, even if it is only at walking pace;
• On a downhill slope get your speed low before you start the descent, and do not let it build up – it is much easier to keep it low than to try and slow down once things get slippery;
• Start gently, avoiding high revs, and use second gear to avoid wheelspin. If you get yourself into a skid the main thing to remember is to take your foot off the pedals and steer. Only use the brake if you cannot steer out of trouble;
• Plan your journey around busier roads as they are more likely to have been gritted. Avoid using short cuts on minor roads – they are less likely to be cleared or treated with salt, especially country lanes;
• Always clear your windows, lights and mirrors. Don’t forget that snow on the bonnet can blow back onto your windscreen, so clear that off, and clear the roof to avoid snow being blown onto traffic following you before moving off;
• Make sure you have an emergency kit so you are prepared in the event of a breakdown. This should include a charged up mobile phone, torch, food for energy, water and a blanket. For snow you also need a shovel with you. On longer journeys always let someone know you have set off and tell them your planned route;
• You can also improve car performance in snow by fitting winter tyres. Winter tyres have a different tread pattern to give better grip on snow and ice and have a snowflake on a mountain as a symbol on the sidewall. The symbol indicates that they use winter grade rubber which stays flexible and maintains grip to well below freezing. The rubber used on standard tyres hardens as the temperature drops.

Don’t forget to visit IAMs new website at drivingadvice.org.uk, for advice on dealing with all winter weather conditions.

GEM Motoring Assist has joined the campaign to back the Daylight Saving Bill and is calling upon motorists to get involved and show their support for the Lighter Later campaign, which GEM believes will alleviate unnecessary risks that drivers currently have to undertake by being forced to drive in the dark.

GEM Chief Executive, David Williams MBE, comments, “The news that the Government is backing the bill, albeit with some compromises, is definitely a step in the right direction. Poor weather, decreased visibility and bad road conditions are all rife during the winter months and have a serious effect on the rise in accidents and hazardous breakdown situations. Changing the clocks only adds further to the dangers for road users.

It’s not only motorists who are at risk, but other vulnerable road users, including children on their way home from school. Introducing lighter evenings will make our roads a safer place by increasing visibility and in turn will help prevent unnecessary accidents. We are calling on motorists to show their support for a campaign that has so many benefits for so many people.”

You can show your support by visiting www.laterlighter.org and making your voice heard.

–

And Finally…

This week saw the ACFO Awards take place, which are unlike other awards as they are voted for by the organisations members and so reflect a the true experiences of these vehicles by actual fleet decision-makers.

Now in its 28th year the event saw Ford triumph in not one, but four categories; the Ford Focus took the number one company car title, while the Ford Transit Connect collected the nations favourite small van award, for the ninth time no less, and the Ford Transit took the large van award. Ford also won the Fleet Safety Initiative Award for its Focus Driver Assistance Pack.

BMW also had reason to celebrate, retaining its Environmental Initiative Award for another year, for its low emission EfficientDynamics technology, which is set to be rolled out across the entire BMW range. The title of Green Vehicle of the Year was taken by Volkswagen’s Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion.

ALD Automotive, won the prestigious title of Fleet Service Company of the Year with ACFO members declaring that the organisation fully understands fleet decision-makers requirements and offers the best overall combination of products.

ACFO chairman Julie Jenner said: “Fleet decision-makers are reliant on motor manufacturers to deliver vehicles that are cost effective to operate, safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly and supplier companies to provide a first class service.

“Operating successfully in partnership it means that through the availability of top quality vehicles and first rate suppliers, vehicle downtime can be kept to an absolute minimum and fleet managers can focus on the efficient and effective operation of their vehicles to support their businesses.”

–

So that’s it for News Round-up for another week, so until next week’s snow storm of all things fleet related drive carefully and we’ll hope to see you then.

However, the body has its reservations over the decision to slacken the lead on local authorities that will mean they will no longer be required to secure Government permission every time they wish to erect signs.

“While this may sound like a welcome reduction in red tape, experience shows that many local authorities already do as little as they can get away with to publicise such proposals, in the hope that no one will notice and lodge objections,” read a statement from the ABD.

“[We] fear that giving them more freedom will, in practice, lead to users of roads affected by proposed restrictions getting even less chance to have their views considered.”

The association also believes that local authorities should be required to publish all proposed traffic regulation orders on their websites.

“Adequate on-site notices should be provided to inform all road users, including passing drivers, of a proposed restriction and the website address where details can be found,” adds the statement.

The ABD also raise concern that without signs within Restricted Parking Zones drivers could be confused and inadvertently contravene waiting restrictions.

Chairman Brian Gregory believes this would sting motorists in the pocket: “For 50 years, drivers have become accustomed to associating yellow lines with parking restrictions. 

“If yellow lines are removed from some areas but not others, some drivers are likely to end up parking where they should not.

“Councils will no doubt be rubbing their hands at the thought of all the extra penalty charge money they can make from this confusion. This is a step too far in the drive to reduce sign clutter.”

Click here to read more on what is being dubbed the “most far-reaching review of traffic signs in 40 years”.

This is the opinion of ABD Chairman Brian Gregory on the recently announced proposals that would deal tougher punishments to reckless and aggressive drivers whose actions leave people severely injured or relying on 24 hour care.

If passed, the current sentence would be pushed from two years to five.

Brian Gregory of the Association of British Drivers believes actions leading up the incident should be equally considered in the sentence.

He explains: “It is quite sickening to read of so many cases where car thieves and drunks wilfully drive the wrong way up motorways, break through level crossing barriers, deliberately drive at reckless speeds and often even crash, yet because they don’t actually kill or injure anybody, they get off with minimal sentences.

“Watching any of the ‘Police, Camera, Action’ type programmes, one cannot fail to be angry at the pitiful sentences handed out.

“The new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving will not touch these deliberately dangerous drivers at all whilst those who have a momentary lapse of concentration resulting in an injury could face a jail sentence.

“Ken Clarke says he has taken the views of victims into account when preparing these changes but surely those victims would be better served by removing these drivers from the road and from society where appropriate before they kill or injure?”

Announcing the proposals, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said: “Making our roads safer is a priority – five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.”

Mr Gregory added that reckless drivers should be handed lengthy driving bans while calling on the Government to up the number of police patrols to prevent and deter aggressive and negligent driving.

Our first story falls to the Association of British Drivers (ABD) who feel Mr Cameron is being rather remiss in remembering the pledges he made to motorists a mere two years ago when he promised “a major shift in road safety policy”, away from making money from drivers by giving people the power to remove cash cow speed cameras and ending the quangos associated with them.

However, ABD media spokesman, Nigel Humphries pointed out: "Our new Road Safety Minister has been canny enough to note that most of the cameras recently reviewed were ‘cash cows’, and that a camera could even be the cause of accidents. However, the quangos running them are very much still in place. Many of these ‘revenue camera partnerships’ couldn’t meet the deadline for justifying their existence. What further evidence does the government need to keep its promise, and move away from the failed policies of the past?"

ABD Chairman Brian Gregory added that Mr Cameron’s encouragement of cheaper and more effective ways of implementing road safety measures have failed to materialise, with repeated fuel tax rises and local authorities continuing to operate high parking charges.

He added: “David Cameron has already announced a consultation on cutting red tape bureaucracy. As he has said that he’d be a ‘friend of the motorist’, he should announce an immediate consultation on what anti-motorist measures the public would like scrapped. This must be followed by firm action, including cancelling the planned fuel tax rises"

–

We move now to news from road safety charity Brake, who have labelled the governments proposed motorway speed increase as shameful.

Brake chief executive Mary Williams OBE explained: "The minister Philip Hammond is partially arguing that this move is a good idea because a proportion of drivers break the 70mph limit and that their law breaking needs to be made ‘legitimate’. Actions of law breakers should not be legitimised. This is a selfish move that will achieve nothing other than carnage and is pandering to an uninformed few. What is far more legitimate is the grief of families bereaved on Britain’s motorways in horrendous pile ups at high speed, and the rights of all UK citizens to have slower, not faster, speeds on roads to enable drivers to avoid collisions. The tragedies on Britain’s motorways, often in treacherous weather conditions and due to all sorts of causes, ranging from driver fatigue, to vehicle technical problems, to dangerous driving, are real and inevitable and more inevitable the faster the speeds. Higher speeds equal less time to react and avoid a collision in an emergency."

Williams is calling on the public to voice their objections to the planned increase and says the government should focus on a review of the UK’s entire trunk network and invest in ensuring that existing crash barriers are adequate for the job as well as looking at the frequency that rest stops and hard shoulders are available to drivers. Williams also proposed investment in methods to battle driver fatigue, which at speed can cause maiming and death.

Do you agree with Brake? Or do you believe the Road Minister’s views are more realistic and that he is merely bowing to what drivers do anyway? We would like to hear your views on this issue.

–

Staying with Brake and the news that they have revealed the results of a survey undertaken by Leigh Day & Co solicitors which found that four in five parents would like to see a government enforced measures for new young drivers, such as night-time driving curfews, a lower drink-drive limit or restrictions on the number of passengers they can carry. 84 per cent of parents questioned also said they would be willing to buy affordable technology, if available, to prevent their child from speeding.

Brake will be concentrating on their Too Young To Die campaign during Road Safety Week, which takes place during November 21-77 and is calling on the government to introduce a graduate driving licence to tackle issues, such as the unnecessary, risks young drivers take and allow these new drivers to build experience over time.

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer, said: “Parents of young drivers are worried and rightly so – a horrifying number of road deaths and serious injuries involve young people – but there are things they can do. It is vital that parents talk to teenage children about the risks of driving and crucial steps like staying within speed limits, never driving after drinking, and ensuring they and any passengers belt up. Brake is urging the government to listen to parents’ concerns and introduce Graduated Driver Licensing to prevent more needless deaths and injuries caused by young drivers’ inexperience and risk taking. These casualties are horrendously traumatic for the families involved, and constitute a significant economic burden, but we can tackle them.”

Brake also made comment this week on the Department for Transport’s (DfT) annual ‘Reported Road Casualties Great Britain, which gives the figures for road casualties for 2010.

Whilst the report showed a dramatic fall in casualties it still highlighted the that road crashes remain the biggest killer of young people and a major cause of suffering to UK families, with a rise of five more families being bereaved every week.

Julie Townsend, campaigns director, said: “As a charity that supports bereaved and injured road crash victims, Brake strongly welcomes the news that road casualties are falling at unprecedented rates, reducing the appalling trauma and suffering caused to families and communities. But it remains that five families every day must face the unbearable news that their loved one is never coming home, having been killed suddenly, violently and needlessly. Many more must suffer the pain and upheaval of a serious injury.

“Road deaths and serious injuries are preventable, and as such we must work in the long term towards eliminating them.

“Brake is desperately worried that this trend of falling casualties is under threat, and in coming years we could see more lives destroyed as a result of cuts to road safety work and a lack of decisive action from the government on key issues, such as young drivers, speed and drink driving.

“Cuts to road safety work are a false economy because deaths and serious injuries exert a huge financial burden on our fragile economy.”

Brake are calling on the government to cancel the drastic cuts in road safety investment, as they themselves admit in their report that the drop in road related deaths and accidents is due in part to road safety engineering improvements . It also points out the reduction relates to less vehicles on the road due to the economic downturn.

–

Also adding their voice to the DfT’s annual road casualty report for 2010 is road safety charity IAM who’s 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.

IAM are also calling on the government to reverse proposed spending cuts and are also calling for post-test training.

Best continued: “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.”

–

Simon Elstow, the head of driver training at IAM Drive & Survive this week offered his top tips for dealing with dirty windscreens and low sunlight, he says: “Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get every morning and late afternoon in the winter months. Your heater is often on demist, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen which quickly builds to a film of grime which is a major cause of glare. Clean your screen inside and out, with glass cleaner at least once a week.”

1. Always keep a good pair of sunglasses in the car to combat glare; they really help;
2. If you can’t see, do the obvious thing and slow down, keeping an eye on the vehicle behind, in case the following traffic can’t see you against the sun;
3. If the sun is behind you, it’s in the eyes of drivers coming towards you so be mindful that they might not see you;
4. Low sun behind can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot;
5. Low sun highlights scratches and grime, so keep your washer bottles topped up with a good quality screenwash and change your windscreen wipers every year;
6. Turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight.

–

October is tyre safety month and with it the DfT have released figures showing that 1,210 of Great British road casualties were caused in 2010 by defective of under-inflated tyres with a total of 18 fatalities caused by the same reasons.

Stuart Jackson, Tyresafe chairman voiced his shock at these tragic statistics stating: “Making sure that your tyres are safe and legal is a quick and easy job, yet we still see hundreds of accidents occurring each year because drivers don’t make these essential safety checks. If all drivers took just a few minutes every month to check their tyre pressures, condition and tread depth, we could help prevent this needless injury and loss of life,” continues Jackson. “Our website contains some really simple guides to help drivers understand what to look for. But if they still find this confusing or don’t have the time or confidence to do this for themselves, they simply need to visit their local tyre dealer who will be more than happy to make sure their tyres are safe and legal.”
As part of Tyre Safety Month, drivers will be able to have a free tyre safety check at one of the hundreds of garages and tyre dealers that are taking part or visit www.tyresafe.org where you’ll find information on how to make simple but critical checks to the read depth, tyre pressure and condition of your tyres.

Mike Wise the managing director of fleettyres24.co.uk says that with the snowy and icy conditions of the last two winters having serious knock-on affects for many UK businesses that changing to winter tyres is a worthwhile investment. While the number of organisations benefitting from this seasonal tyre change is on the increase the number of fleets switching to winter tyres is still only at 3 per cent.
Wise said: “We suspect that following two cold winters there may be a shift in winter tyre sales this year as a result, as more and more companies appreciate their responsibilities under duty of care requirements.”

–

AlignMyCar.co.uk, is supporting October’s Tyre Safety Month with their online portal helping to raise drivers’ awareness about misaligned tyres and the dangers this can cause, such as vehicle pull or drift and a crooked steering wheel, which can not only be unnerving for the driver but other motorists.

Kathryn Beaurain from AlignMyCar.co.uk explained: “Many safety conscious motorists will be changing their tyres in readiness for winter, but they should remember that for maximum safety, maximum tyre life, and motoring cost savings, they should have their alignment checked as well. In fact, even if drivers aren’t changing tyres, it is advisable to have a proper four wheel alignment check at least once a year or every 12-15,000 miles.”

–

And finally…

Well we’re giving the last word to Tyresafe and their ‘Magnificent 7’ list of top tips for tyre safety:

1. Make sure your tyres have adequate tread depth to keep you safe and legal by taking the 20p test;
2. Ensure your tyres are properly inflated and checked at least once a month and before any long journeys;
3. Check the condition of your tyres by looking for any lumps, bulges or cracks and remove any objects embedded in the tread;
4. When checking the tread, pressures and condition, don’t forget the spare;
5. Consider fitting winter weather tyres for the whole winter period. At temperatures below 7 degrees C they provide much better safety and grip;
6. Remove wheels or jack the weight off any vehicles’ tyres that will not be used over the winter months such as caravans, horseboxes or motorcycles;
7. Visit your nearest participating tyre dealer for a free tyre safety check.

We would love to hear your thoughts and views on the issues covered and hope you’ll use the comments box below to share these with us. Until next week compadres, drive safely, get those tyres checked and we’ll see you for another News Round-up at the same time, same place.

–

Well, it’s that time of year again. Just when you were starting to enjoy those almost stress free journeys into work we’ve hit September already and the roads are set to return to their pre-summer holiday state.

But fear not because good ole’ Peter Rodger, Britain’s top advanced driver with road safety charity IAM is on the case with his top tips.

“The school run brings with it a 20 per cent growth in rush hour traffic. A little preparation can go a long way to making the school run easier, and reducing your blood pressure in the morning.

1. Don’t compromise your concentration and the safety of other road users by being in a hurry. Leaving the house five minutes earlier changes the nature of how you make the journey;
2. Take extra care to compensate for the fact that children won’t always be paying attention, especially when approaching the school gate;
3. Never stop on the yellow “zig zags” by the school gate, and always ensure you let your passengers out on the pavement side;
4. An informal arrangement to share the driving with other parents reduces driving pressure;
5. Be aware that the speed limit surrounding your local school may have been reduced to 20mph, so slow down and keep an eye out for children crossing the road;
6. If your children are walking to school on their own, make sure they are aware of the potential hazards such as crossing busy roads and encourage them to always use the pedestrian crossing if there is one.

Staying with IAM, they have recently conducted a poll concerning pedestrian-priority zones and who should be held legally responsible for accidents occurring between cars and vulnerable road users in these areas.

The poll also introduced the idea of having ‘woofners’, a zone where there are no pavements, but cars, cyclists and pedestrians have equal use of the same road space.

Woofners originated in the Netherlands where they are commonly and successfully used. The concept requires all users to travel at a walking pace with the biggest benefit, as recognised by those participation in the survey is the removal of street clutter, including kerbs, sign posts, rails.

The poll conducted with 4,000 respondents found forty eight per cent in favour of woofners, with areas such as shopping areas, areas with high pedestrian traffic and possibly residential being nominated as prime sites. 27 per cent of respondents were totally against the idea.

“Our poll reveals a surprisingly positive attitude towards better protection of cyclists and pedestrians, both in road layout and legal responsibility. On the continent, attractive street design is used to make it clear where pedestrians have priority but this approach is in its infancy in the UK.

“The IAM supports any move to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, but research is needed into the best way to inform drivers about changes in legal responsibility, and also on the effect a woofner might have on the road sense of children brought up in such a zone, when later exposed to less protected areas," commented IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig.

We would like to hear your feedback on woofner zones, do you agree and think this is something that could work in this country or do you think it would cause chaos in our already congested town centres and possibly increase dangers to the very group of road users it’s trying to protect?

–

Awards next and our congratulations go to Jaama who’s Key2 Vehicle Management system won the Best Fleet Management System in the 2011 BusinessCar Fleet Technology Awards this week.

“Jaama’s Key2 Vehicle Management system impressed the judging panel with its breadth of offering across driver risk management and driver information functions. Continual improvements to a highly rated system, such as the Road Fund Licence online renewal addition and electronic submission of expenses and benefits to HM Revenue & Customs meant Jaama’s system stood out as the best in a competitive category," commented Paul Barker, editor of BusinessCar.

The award is one of several won over the past seven years by Jaama for the Key2 system, with the company investing more than £6 million to date in its product.

–

Another cause for celebration is the news this week that Renault has increased its corporate business and has seen a 28 per cent rise in fleet orders during the first half of this year. It has also received awards for Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer of the Year from Fleet News and Fleet World in the past eighteen months. Its revised fleet teams’ approach and appointment of three additional Pro+ sales managers for it’s ever growing network show the level of commitment the business is applying to continue building on its recent success.

"The team and the Pro+ dealer network have done a great job in growing our fleet business consistently in recent months, so I’m sure this revised set-up with greater focus will allow us to get even closer to our customers, as well as delivering a more personal service," commented Darren Payne, Renault UK’s Director of Fleet and Commercial Vehicle Operations.

–

Appointments next and ŠKODA UK has appointed two new Fleet sales managers for its expanding Fleet Sales team with John Burton appointed Fleet Sales Manager for East Midlands and the North West and Liz Johnson appointed Fleet Sales Manager for East Anglia, Lincolnshire & Yorkshire.

Both joined the ŠKODA UK team in May 2011, with John previously having worked in IT leasing for CHG Meridian Capital Ltd and Liz having previously worked for Peugeot for ten years.

Congratulations also go to Jane Roxburgh for her promotion to Fleet Relationship Manager. She will now be in charge of the group’s ‘Fit for Fleet’ initiative and has worked for the company since 2006.

We’re delighted to have two new members on board and I’d like to welcome both John and Liz to the ŠKODA UK team. I’d also like to congratulate Jane on a well-deserved promotion. She has been a valued member of the team for the past five years and I’ve no doubt that her expertise will help us to build upon previous successes,” commented Martin Burke – Head of Fleet Sales at ŠKODA UK – on the new team.

–

Nationwide Accident Repair Service plc. has also announced a new appointment with Sarah Wilcox appointed as its new National Account Manager.

Having previously worked for Northgate plc. for five years as Head of Sales for Non-Rental Products and, for two years, as Sales Director at Target Vehicle Hire, Sarah brings a wealth of market knowledge. Prior to these roles Sarah was the General Manager for Customer Services at Camden Corporate, and National Sales Manager at First Mutual Contracts also.

“I am delighted to be working for a market-leading organisation which is investing in growth even in today’s difficult climate, and offers flexible, bespoke solutions to fleet customers. What Nationwide does, it does well and it will be very exciting to see how the organisation steps into its role in the fleet market over the years ahead," commented Sarah.

–

Moving to all things green. Elektromotive supplied five of its Elektrobay EV charging stations to the GreenFleet Scotland event on September 1, ensuring more than 20 vehicles including the Nissan Leaf pure EV and the Vauxhall Ampera extended-range EV in its role as ‘Recharging Technology Partner’.

Elektromotive has recently launched two new products: The Three-Phase Elektrobay has an output of 400 Volts, 32Amps and 21Kwh, making it ideal for charging batteries that are fitted to electric light commercial vehicles; The 50Kw, DC-to-DC Rapid Charge Elektrobay, is suitable for smaller passenger EVs and can charge to 80 per cent of its capacity in only 20 minutes.

“Fleets across Europe have already shown they are willing to adapt in the face of ever-rising fuel costs and a need for greater efficiency, and it’s down to suppliers like Elektromotive to respond their requirements,"commented Calvey Taylor-Haw, Managing Director of Elektromotive.

–

And finally…

The ABD has slammed the the DfT’s recent release of information, which it believes to be botched, in response to its request for camera partnerships to share speed camera statistics.

“The public must ask the question: ‘What are camera partnerships trying to hide?’. For years we have been trying to get proper statistics out of them and have invariably come up against a brick wall. The government eventually politely requested information without putting in place any demands to produce full data needed for a proper analysis. Some of the camera partnerships have reluctantly complied by publishing the minimum data they can get away with an others haven’t published at all. Quite clearly, if the data showed cameras in good light, the partnership would be proudly shouting the full facts from the rooftops. Their reluctance says it all," commented ABD Chairman Brian Gregory.

The ABD is calling on all journalists to fully investigate the figures and demand the facts!

–

So to the end of another week. We hope as always you have found the stories covered informative and thought provoking and we would love to hear your views on any or all of the subject matters so please do take a minute to use our comments box below. Until next week, take care and safe driving…

Local authorities began publishing data on how many motorists have been clocked by fixed speed cameras last month with just over half of the councils in England making at least some of the information public so far.

The information shows an increase in number of deaths and injuries since the introduction of speed cameras at certain sites, sparking much uproar, and Brian Gregory, Chairman of the ABD, believes certain data is being withheld for a reason.

He said: “The public must ask the question: ‘What are camera partnerships trying to hide?’.

“For years, we have been trying to get proper statistics out of them and have invariably come up against a brick wall. 

“The Government eventually politely requested information without putting in place any demands to produce the full data needed for a proper analysis.”

Lift the lid

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning urged all local authorities to come clean so residents could see how speed cameras are affecting accident rates in their areas.

As of 24 August 2011, just 46 authorities have provided the full picture while 29 have provided parts of the information.

This leaves 72 councils yet to lift the lid on any figures regarding the speed cameras in their region.

Many have also criticised the fiddly fashion in which the data has eventually been provided, with figures split into separate webpages for each individual camera, making any analysis a very time-consuming process.

Mr Gregory added: “Some of the camera partnerships have reluctantly complied by publishing the minimum of data they can get away with.

“Quite clearly, if the data showed cameras in good light, the partnerships would be proudly shouting the full facts from the rooftops. 

“Their reluctance says it all.”

The ABD’s comments come as a reaction to a recent survey that hinted at strong support for the introduction of speed cameras which penalise drivers that travel considerably slower than the speed limit, creating a hazard and pumping stress levels for other road users [full story].

Brian Gregory, ABD Chairman, explains: “If only everybody drove around the speed a reasonable person would expect to travel, the roads would be much safer, less stressful places for all. 

“Unfortunately there will always be small minorities who either wish to travel dangerously fast or far too slow, disrupting safe traffic flow, causing congestion and prompting rash behaviour as highlighted in the survey.”

Mr Gregory said rarely exercised due care and attention laws already exist to sort out snail-like drivers.

He added that Britain should take inspiration from other continental countries which have laws where slow driver must pull at the earliest opportunity to allow faster vehicles to overtake.

“We also have grave concerns over the 40mph limits for heavy goods vehicles on single carriageway roads,” Brian continued.

“These are outdated and should be scrapped.”

Highly irresponsible

ABD Spokesman Nigel Humphries believes the ‘hysteria’ created by anti-speeding campaigns has deluded these slow drivers into thinking they are making the roads safer.

He commented: “One petrol company, egged on by Brake, recently held a campaign asking drivers to pledge to drive at 20mph or slower in 30mph limits. We regard this as highly irresponsible.

“Whilst lower speeds are of course appropriate in some areas, driving below 20mph regardless of conditions and hazard density is simply dangerous and would lead to a failure of the basic driving test.”

Mr Humphries was referring to comments made by Julie Townsend, campaigns director of Brake, who urged all drivers to “take responsibility” and drive at 20mph or below when driving in communities

“We’re also calling on local authorities to put in place more widespread 20mph limits, which are a cost effective way to help make our communities safer, healthier, more family-friendly places.”

A survey carried out by Brake and motor insurer Churchill found that 70% of pedestrians consciously fear for their own safety due to the threat of being knocked down.

According to figures released by the Lancashire Constabulary last week, the number of incidents and casualties increased following the installation of speed cameras at three locations in Preston.

Brian Gregory, Chairman of the Association of British Drivers, believes someone should be held accountable for the cameras’ failure.

He said: “Not only is it scandalous that cameras where casualties have increased have been kept in operation for many years, it is even more disturbing that the authorities have hidden this data and authorised continued operation whilst being in possession of this knowledge.

“The Government should get a grip and insist that those responsible for such malpractice in all regions are removed from public service with immediate effect.”

30 year low

There are 285 fixed speed cameras across Lancashire and despite the ABD’s criticism, the county’s roads are the safest they’ve been for 30 years. 798 people were killed or injured last year, a drop from 852 in 2009.

Tim Ashton (pictured left), Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, insisted that speed cameras do work.

He explained: “Using cameras to target locations where speeding is an issue is just one of the ways we’ve been able to make our roads safer and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by more than 40% in five years.”

Mr Ashton added that other steps to change driver behaviour will be implemented such as introducing 20mph limits in residential areas, and focus education towards groups at increased risk of being involved in an accident.

Although one of the cameras in Fulwood only clocked nine speeding drivers, the three cameras at the centre of the argument collected £18,000 in fines last year.

A total of 49,825 people were papped by fixed and mobile sites in Lancashire in 2010.

Out of these, 21,809 were fined and saw points added to their licence, 15,458 completed a speed awareness course and 6,260 were asked to attend court.

This is the first time these figures have been made public and it is believed they will be now published annually.

Figures for the rest of Britain are expected to follow.