The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders yesterday said 55,305 new cars were sold in August, down 17.5 per cent.

Sales of petrol cars crashed 38 per cent as motorists switched to diesel.

Experts said punters seemed to have been holding back until new 60-reg models hit the forecourts this month.

Motorists are expected to splash out £6 billion on 320,000 cars in September.

But the SMMT said sales for the rest of the year would probably be lower than 2009, sparking fresh fears over the economy.

SMMT chief Paul Everitt told Sun City: “We expected numbers like this after the end of the scrappage scheme in March. But we face a difficult period. Consumers and businesses don’t have a lot of confidence in their own circumstances over the next six months.

“There is definitely slower traffic on the forecourt than earlier this year.”

The SMMT said most car manufacturers are offering big savings to attract buyers before January’s VAT hike.

Sales had increased for 12 months in a row until July. The Ford Fiesta continues to be the most popular car, with 66,863 bought so far this year.

The Mini dropped out of the top ten motors in August but remains the ninth highest-selling car in 2010.

Separate figures from the British Retail Consortium last night showed high street sales crept up one per cent in August. But the BRC said furniture stores suffered a “dreadful” month as Brits showed signs of cutting back on big-money purchases.

Thousands of drivers are under the impression that their fully comprehensive insurance policy entitles them to drive other vehicles.

According to statistics around 27% of young drivers under the age of 25 think they can drive friends and families cars whilst still being covered by their insurance policy. This false sense of belief is extremely dangerous as it means many people are driving on the roads illegally, whether they realise it or not.

It is thought that this misconception comes from the older generation of drivers, where by most comprehensive insurance policies used to allow you to drive other vehicles as standard. However, even then when driving another vehicle you were typically only covered for third party and any damage to the vehicle you were driving would be your responsibility.

However, the rules have changed somewhat and even the few policies or add ons available that allow drivers to drive other vehicles would not apply to those under 25.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “Driving uninsured carries heavy penalties. With a fine of up to £5000 and 8 penalty points on offer (for new drivers 8 points could result in you losing your licence), it is imperative that you check your policy and know what you are covered for.”

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A campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of texting and driving has begun in Slough.

As part of the initiative, a billboard featuring a mobile phone with the text, “Hi darling, just about to run someone over”, has been put up in Ledgers Road.

Police caught 32 drivers using mobiles phones during a recent one-day check on Farnham Road, the council said.

Drivers face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence for using mobiles while driving.

Research carried out by the RAC Foundation in 2008 suggested texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs.

A new offence of causing death by careless driving came into force in August the same year.

Motorists who kill after allowing themselves to lose concentration by avoidable distractions – such as reading a text message, glancing at a map, eating and putting on make up – can be imprisoned for up to five years.

Dave Smith, 24 and Claudia Kauert, 30 were both killed last year when a van rolled down a hill and pinned the individuals to the wall in Central London.

The driver of the van Larkland May, 52, was delivering a parcel when he left his van parked on Pudding Lane without applying the handbrake. The Highway Code states that when facing downhill you should select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb, unfortunately Mr May failed to do this.

Due to the van partially blocking the narrow road, a passing car touched the van very slightly which in turn meant the van started to move forward. Mr Rosenbaum the driver of the car had presumed the van was occupied and that the driver was moving the vehicle in order for him to pass more easily.

The van continued down the hill travelling at around 12mph and struck both pedestrians from behind. Despite passers-by pushing the van off them, both died later that day from internal injuries.

It was unfortunate that these two individuals were even on this road, as Ms Kauert from Germany was only in London on a business trip and Mr Smith had only recently returned from a year abroad travelling.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “This highlights the vital importance of securing your vehicle before leaving it and allowing other vehicles clear access especially on narrow roads. This accident could have been avoided and it is important for drivers to learn from this tragedy.”

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A Romanian lorry driver caused a fatal head-on crash after he forgot he was in the UK and drove for more than half a mile on the wrong side of the road, a court heard.

Florentin Humeniuc, 54, was yesterday jailed for two years after he earlier admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Humeniuc ‘reverted to Continental driving mode’ after he left the M50 motorway in Gloucestershire and turned on to the A417, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

He drove for more than half a mile uphill in the wrong lane before smashing into an oncoming Mercedes panel van being driven by fire service engineer Michael Bryan.

Mr Bryan’s van was doing 37mph at the time of the collision but was shunted back more than 26 ft before coming to a halt, the court heard.

Passing sentence, Recorder Paul Dugdale said: ‘It is clear that he took up a driving position in the right hand lane as if he was on the continent.

‘It is accepted by everybody that this was a lapse of concentration and that until he saw Mr Bryan’s van approaching he was not aware of his error.’

Drivers all have their pet hates but the list below highlights some of the most infuriating behaviour on the roads.

Manners, or lack of – How difficult would it be to thank drivers for being courteous on the roads, or for drivers not to not pinch that parking spot you were waiting for.

Box junctions and blocking roads – Everyone is in a hurry and wants to get through the lights, but keep road entrances clear and only pull forward when it is safe and sensible to do so.

Middle lane hoggers – Drivers that drive at 60mph in the middle lane when the slow lane is free.

Tailgating – It makes drivers feel uncomfortable and pressured and can lead to an accident. Remember the rule, stay at least two seconds behind the car in front.

Indicators and not using them – Indicators are there to give prior warning of an action, let drivers and pedestrians know what you intend to do.

Jumping red lights – Red lights are there for a reason, it means STOP. But for many drivers and cyclists (just as dangerous if not more for cyclists) they seem to view a red light as optional.

Finally taxi drivers – Many of them are culprit to all of the above, they spend all day on the road therefore feel it is their right to be there.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “All drivers should be considerate to other road users and pedestrians, stay safe and enjoy the journey.”

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EXPERTS REVEAL HOW TO GET A CHEAPER CAR AND INSURANCE..

New cars start appearing with ’60’ number plates today and while they are now updated twice a year – March 1 is the other – it’s still a crucial time for manufacturers and dealers who expect to sell 331,700 vehicles this month.

If you’re in the market for a new motor, Your Money has the lowdown on how to drive a hard bargain – and not just on the car.

Two Cars that were big in the sixties are set to make a comeback. The Peel P50 and the Trident Bubble Car are the world’s smallest road-legal cars.

The television programme Dragon’s Den saw the new eco-friendly versions which are set to be introduced worldwide.

The cars are reasonably priced at around £8,000 and currently have a battery life of around three hours. However, they are not for everyone, the P50 has only one door on the left side and are extremely small, measuring just 4ft 4in long, 3ft 11in high and 3ft 3in wide.

The cars were taken out and about for the public to view with one admirer claiming he wanted one…he was only six years old mind you.

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A new requirement for learner drivers will look to include compulsory driving lessons.

Pupils will be required to fill out a logbook which they will receive once they sign up for lessons with an instructor. They will be required to take a minimum of 36 hours and the logbook will have to hold details of all lessons and include night time driving.

Learners will then be put under a two year restriction period, where they will be required to display ‘R’ plates. ‘R’ plate drivers will be allowed to drive on the motorway however, they will be subject to many of the same restrictions as an ‘L’ plate driver.

Research has shown that a large majority of accidents that involve drivers aged 17-24 are connected to a lack of experience. The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are already implementing a revised practical driving test to help bring those at test standard up to post test standard.

Currently this is set to be introduced in Ireland and there are no immediate plans to bring the scheme over to the UK however, with the driving test over 75 years old, changes need to be made to keep up with current times.

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Two football fans created a new record by driving to all 20 Premier League clubs in just over 14 hours.

Teacher Paul Cox and Spanish pal Luis Felipe completed the 572-mile trip in 14hrs 3mins 18secs. This knocked 46mins off Paul’s previous unofficial record.

They kicked off at 9.35pm at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur, and finished at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park at 11.38am next morning.

They parked their Vauxhall Corsa at every ground to take pictures. Apart from that they only stopped for petrol and a couple of coffees.

Paul, a Derby County fan from Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, said “I got to show Luis the delights of a Wigan sunrise.

“And we celebrated the end with two Geordies in Shearer’s Bar. Luis couldn’t understand a word they said.”

The trip is not recognised as a Guinness World Record. But the pals challenge anyone to beat their time.