CAMPAIGNERS are urging the Government to buy back the M6 Toll for £1 BILLION after its worst ever traffic flow figures.

The privately owned 26-mile road was opened in 2004 with the aim of cutting chronic congestion on the M6 motorway.

But drivers have steadily deserted the route after prices rocketed to £5.30 for cars, compared to just £2 when first launched.

Latest figures show the average daily number of motorists has fallen to just 34,900, compared to a peak of 54,700 in 2006 – or 35,800 in the first three months of opening.

Now the National Alliance Against Tolls has called on the Government to buy back the Toll road, which cost developers Midland Expressway Ltd around £900 million to build.

Spokesman John McGoldrick claims a £1 billion offer could benefit hard-pressed motorists and businesses, while tackling continuing congestion problems on the M6.

He said: “When the Toll road first opened traffic using it gradually grew, but that has fallen off and the average level is now below where it started.

“The problem is that people are still put off by the idea of paying to use it.

“If there’s an alternative they will take it, even though it might cost them more in fuel consumption because of traffic jams.”

Saudi Arabia will see women come out in force on Friday 17th June when they fight for their rights to be able to drive.

Currently there is no law banning women however, the interior ministry imposes regulations stipulating women should not drive and there are consequences if caught driving.

Female activists have started a campaign called Women2drive and ask that women take to the roads until a royal decree allowing women to drive is issued.

One women aged 32 found herself with a two week prison sentence when she posted a video of herself driving on the internet. Thousands of people petitioned for her release and Facebook pages were swarmed with messages.

Women are seeing some change, with the introduction of technologies such as radio and TV and education for girls. However, this has faced opposition from society and they still face many other constraints. Many of those that live in the Saudi society want to live in the modern world and are ready to embrace change.

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POLICE probing claims that Cabinet minister Chris Huhne dodged a motoring offence have met with prosecutors to decide how to proceed with the case, it was revealed last night.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that a representative had “given advice” to Essex Police investigators on Friday.

The Energy Secretary was accused of persuading ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take penalty points for speeding on his behalf in 2003.

Images of her driving licence apparently show that she received points for an offence on the M11 motorway that March 12.

Later she alleged 56-year-old Mr Huhne was at the wheel on the date in question.

Both parties were interviewed under oath last month.

They reportedly gave “terse” replies.

It is unclear if Ms Pryce, 57, repeated the allegation. To do so could incriminate her too, say legal experts.

The Lib Dem minister, whose affair with bisexual media consultant Carina Trimingham, 44, ended his 27-year marriage last year, denies any wrongdoing.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer is likely to decide on any move to press charges.

Statistics have always shown that those under the age of 25 are most at risk of having a car accident and as parents letting your children out in a powerful machine unsupervised can cause distress.

So what can parents do to reduce the risk of their child being involved in a car accident:

Firstly lead by example, always wear a seat belt and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Young adults are very sensitive to hypocrisy, if they see you doing something or not doing something they may copy your behaviour.

Set out the rules very early on, this may not work for the slightly older child however, imposing a curfew and not allowing your child to carry multiple passengers may save their life. Research in North America has shown that multiple passengers and driving between 12 am and 3am are prime factors involved in car accidents.

Ensure the car is roadworthy. Although the car may belong to your child, it is important that as a parent you check the car, especially the brakes and the brake fluid. Ensuring your child can stop effectively should they have too, could save their life.

Most importantly sitting down and talking about these risks and encouraging safe driving is going to be the most effective tool in reducing the risk of them having an accident.

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If you are one of those unlucky people that suffer from hayfever, it can affect your daily life in so many ways.

Keeping safe whilst driving is especially important for hayfever sufferers as sneezing at 70mph can be very dangerous.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School says:

Avoid driving altogether if possible

Keep your car clean, dust and pollen can be transferred from clothes, shoes, shopping bags etc

Keep windows and air vents closed to reduce pollen grains

Keep tissues handy

Wear sunglasses to block out bright sunlight

Medication may help however, you must ensure this does not make you feel drowsy and that you are in complete control of the car.

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Police forces across Scotland have launched their summer campaign against drink and drug drivers.

The campaign has been co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) and will run for two weeks.

It has been designed to drive home the possible consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking.

A well as an automatic 12-month ban, convicted drivers could face a fine of up £5,000.

A court conviction will stay on a driver’s licence for 11 years and a criminal record can remain in place for 20 years.

Since December 2009, about 120 vehicles driven by repeat offenders have been sold or destroyed.

Serious hazard

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Ewing, of Fife Constabulary, said: “All police forces in Scotland are supporting the campaign and will be using various methods to detect offenders.

“These will include high-profile patrols, targeted enforcement and extra coverage of identified key locations.

“During previous campaigns we have encouraged members of the public to report anyone who they consider to be unfit to drive. This has proved highly successful.”

The campaign has been backed by the Scottish government.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “People who drive under the influence of drink or drugs are a serious hazard to other motorists, pedestrians and themselves.

“The consequences of driving under the influence of drink or drugs are severe, and the message is clear. Don’t risk it.”

If you have told the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any conditions that may affect your ability to drive and they have issued you with a provisional driving licence you are within your rights to take a practical driving test and request changes to assist you.

Firstly the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) may grant you extra time, this will allow the examiner to talk to you regarding your disability and make any adaptations to your vehicle.

Should you require an interpreter due to hearing or language difficulties, you can bring someone along with you on test, as long as they are over 16 years of age.

If you have hearing difficulties but do not want to take somebody with you on test, the examiner can communicate with you by whatever means works best for you. They can use written notes, look at you in order for you to lip read and use hand signals to give driving directions.

Should you want to take your test whilst pregnant, there are no restrictions as to what stage during pregnancy you can take the test. You must however, be able and willing to do an emergency stop.

At the start of a test you will be required to read aloud the number plate of a vehicle parked 20.5 metres away. Should you have learning difficulties or English is not your first language you are allowed to write down the digits.

For any further information regarding taking a practical or a theory test please visit www.dsa.gov.uk

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A man aged 21 died with a 40-year-old woman when the Citroën Saxo in which they were travelling collided with a Ford Fiesta heading in the opposite direction. Two women, aged 28 and 35, died in the second vehicle.

Both cars were carrying four people when the crash happened close to a bridge over the Walsall Canal, in West Bromwich, at about 12.45am.

Two women in the Fiesta were killed instantly while the other victims died later in hospital. An 11-year-old girl, two women aged 28 and 36 and a 19-year-old man survived the crash. Len Williams, 65, a security guard at a nearby industrial estate, said: ‘I heard a massive bang and the sound of glass smashing. It was just a scene of utter devastation.

‘There was a small fire in the car when I arrived but it quickly took hold, there was no chance for anyone inside it.’

A bouquet laid at the crash site in memory of one of the women read: ‘Tracey – never to be forgotten. All our love, Anne, Scott and Meghan.’

Other flowers addressed to ‘my sister’ bore the message: ‘Tracy, you’re in our thoughts and in our dreams, this nightmare can’t be what it seems.’

Should you require changes to the driving theory test due to special needs, the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) may be able to make reasonable adjustments in order to help make things easier.

For many taking their theory test, English is not their first language or they may not be able to understand or read written English very well. In this instance, you can request a voiceover. This is where theory test instructions and questions are read via headphones in a different language.

Currently there are 21 languages available, for a full list of languages please visit www.dsa.gov.uk. If your language is not available you may ask to have a translator present however, this must be a DSA approved translator and there may be additional costs for this service.

The DSA also provide services for those that are hard of hearing and the test can be taken in British Sign Language or you may have an interpreter present.

Should you have difficulty reading the questions due to dyslexia or other reading difficulties, you can ask for the instructions and questions to be read in English or Welsh through a headset. You may also be entitled to extra time but will be required to show proof or your reading difficulty.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “Should you require any assistance of any kind when taking your theory test, you should contact the DSA to see what help may be available to you. The same goes for the practical test.”

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A fake driving instructor received a four month jail sentence after admitting fraud.

The 44 year old male from Dewsbury taught learners for cash despite not being qualified. He is thought to have taken around £9000 from pupils between 2007 and 2010.

Not only were learners duped into thinking he was a qualified instructor, but he did not hold the correct car insurance making what he offered a dangerous service.
The defendant said he knows what he has done is wrong but he just wanted to work, he apologises for what he did.

Holly Harper of Britannia Driving School said: “Always look for a reputable company when taking driving lessons. Ideally a company should have a shop premise for their clients. This allows you to know who you are dealing with and what you are signing up for.”

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