Britain’s motor industry could be on the road to recovery as the “car scrappage” scheme helps put the brakes on sliding sales.

New car sales fell 15.7% last month, but that was the smallest drop for almost a year according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT).

Sales to private buyers rose 3.9%, the first increase since November 2007.

The SMMT said the “banger bonus”, which offers a £2,000 incentive to swap 10-year-old motors for new, was having a “positive impact” with 87,000 orders since its May launch.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “We expect the pace of improvement tincrease in the coming months, but we can already see the industry making steady progress.” Under the scrappage scheme half the money is paid by the Government and the rest by the motor industry.

Drivers are being warned that a drink this summer could put them behind bars as the Government and police join forces to crack down on the menace of drunk driving.

A £1.5 million THINK! Campaign will remind motorist of the devastating consequences of drunk driving.

All 43 police forces in England and Whales will be targeting drink drivers this summer with many using new digital breath testing equipment funded by the Department for Transport.

The TV campaign, “Moments of Doubt”, which focuses on the consequence drink drivers face when they are caught, will be supported by advertising in pubs, radio and online.

Simon Bush of Britannia Driving School said: “With warm weather and long summer evenings motorist might end up drinking when they hadn’t planned to, but that doesn’t mean we have to drive home. Use public transport or take a taxi – don’t risk your driving licence by getting in the driving seat.”

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Good news for those heading off on motoring holidays as fuel prices have plummeted across Europe.

Unleaded petrol prices have fallen by as much as 12% and diesel by up to 32%, compared to last summer, according to research from the Post Office.

Although Switzerland is the cheapest for unleaded petrol at 91p per litre, Austria and Spain work out as better overall value.

Motorists visiting these Eurozones will pay 1p more for unleaded (92p), but much less for diesel at 83p and 87p per litre respectively.

Despite a 19% drop in the price over the past 12 months, the UK is the only country where diesel costs more than petrol.

And surprise, surprise, high taxes mean we have the second most expensive diesel at £1.05, only beaten by Norway at £1.14 out of the 12 European destinations compared.

Eurozone fuel prices vary considerably with the cost of motoring in Belgium 27% more expensive than Austria or Spain and the Netherlands 32% dearer.

However, anyone jetting off on a fly-drive to Florida could be in for a shock. The combination of the weaker pound and higher fuel and rental charges has sent prices up 64% compared to last summer.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has adjusted the way out of hours driving tests are offered from 17 May 2009.

Appointments for the practical car driving test outside normal hours are offered only where overall demand is high at individual test centres.

Appointments classed as out of hours are those offered at the weekend and, during the summer, weekday early mornings and evenings.

DSA Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew, said: “These changes will ensure that our examiners’ time is focused on where it is needed most. We will keep the situation under constant review and offer testing outside normal hours to provide extra capacity where it is needed.”

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