Monthly Archives: April 2020

April 29, 2020
A $265K Mclaren supercar car driver insists driving is a form of exercise.

A $265K Mclaren supercar driving insists driving is a form of exercise when pulled over by police after breaking Coronavirus rules, he went on to tell the officers a fine would not make a difference to his $15 million fortune!

The 43-year-old male was pulled over in his $265,000 McLaren 650S in Kings Cross in Sydney’s CBD just after midnight on Saturday. He told officers he was on his way to Wolloomooloo to get petrol with a friend – despite living over 30 kilometres away in Fairfield in the city’s south

When police told him he was breaking the law, he lashed out at officers and boasted about his fortune.” Do what you want mate, i dont care” he told the officers from the Kings Cross Police Area Command, “This $1.000 fine wont hurt my $15 million”

Police have issued at least 45 infringement notices regarding the coronavirus lockdown policies in the last 24 hours in New South Wales alone. Australians have been urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary, and cannot travel in groups of more than two people.

The only acceptable reasons for leaving the house include daily exercise, collecting essential supplies like food or medicine or to go to work.

Other infringement notices that were handed out on Saturday included a group of four men – aged between 18 and 23 – who were travelling in a car together on the mid north coast and a Mount Druitt man who told officers he was on his way to a friend’s house to ‘smoke weed’.

Two men, aged 71 and 77, were also fined after they were moved along with warnings twice on the same day before being caught breaking the rules again.

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April 27, 2020
Speed awareness courses will be held via online video chat app Zoom during coronavirus lockdown

TTC, which runs them for UK Road Offender Education, is now offering remote options. One speeder reckoned: “I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw the course was being run via Zoom. I thought we were meant to watch our speed.”

Courses are offered to offending drivers as an alternative to prosecution, a fine and/or points. Anyone who does not want to take an online course will be contacted by police over “the next steps available.

TTC’s Jim Kirkwood said: “We’ve always taken great pride in delivering excellent face-to-face driver training across our business that changes the attitude and behaviour of drivers for the better.

“The business environment has changed out of all recognition and we needed to react quickly.

“We are now moving drivers to take their currently booked classroom course onto the online version, via a secure video link within a Digital Classroom.

“These courses are offered by UK police forces to drivers who commit offences as an alternative to prosecution, fine and/or points on the licence.

“If drivers choose not to participate in the online course the police will make contact to advise the driver directly about the next steps available.”

Zoom has become a household name since the start of the COVID 19 outbreak- connecting families and friends, hosting Cabinet meetings and even online gym classes.

Last December, Zoom hosted ten million meetings a day. By the end of last month, the figure had increased to more than 200 million!

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April 24, 2020
BRITS tiring of lockdown have hit the roads this week – with the AA seeing a 10 per cent rise in journeys since the start of restrictions.

BRITS tiring of lockdown have hit the roads this week – with the AA seeing a 10 per cent rise in journeys since the start of restrictions. As the UK heads towards  the fifth week of full coronavirus lockdown more people have been seen struggling to stick to the rules.

As Brits were first easing into lockdown our  major roads were mostly empty, but now as the restrictions carry on with no end date in sight there are more cars out and about.

Edmund King, AA president said: “The majority of drivers are still following Government advice to only make essential journeys by car, however, this week we have seen traffic and breakdowns creeping back up. “It is a worry that some drivers seem to have got bored being locked up at home and are now venturing out in their cars.

“Breakdowns have increased by about 20 per cent this week and traffic seems to be 10 per cent  higher than under earlier lockdown conditions. “It is important to cut out non-essential travel as one crash can tie up the emergency services for hours and may also result in a precious NHS hospital bed being taken. The message is still to stay home and help to save lives.”

Shoppers have been seen heading to DIY stores as cooped up Brits relax to the rules. This morning MP Brandon Lewis told of his fears people will be struggling to stick to the lockdown after so many weeks inside.

He said: “I think there is always a risk when you are doing something like this, particularly those living alone, will be finding it really difficult. “We’ve got to look at the success we’ve had in flattening that curve. We’ve lost too many lives already. “When you follow the guidelines, when you stay home, you are doing something directly personally that is not just helping the NHS, but saving lives.”

The warm and sunny weather has made  the corona virus lockdown even harder for Brits, with the forecast to be hotter than Lanzerote today and tomorrow.  Its bringing fears the high temperature will be too tempting for some as the the weekend comes at the end of five very long weeks being stuck at home .

As the death toll hit 18,000 yesterday, Hyde Park in London was packed with young Brits exercising, while a group of paramedics were seen enjoying a well-deserved break in the sunshine.

In the government press conference, it was announced that traffic on Britain’s roads is beginning to increase during lockdown. Graphs show all motor vehicle traffic spike since yesterday – the first significant rise since April 14.

 

 

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April 22, 2020
LOCK AND ROAD Drivers racing at THREE TIMES speed limit on empty coronavirus lockdown roads with one clocked at 134mph in 40mph zone

RECKLESS drivers have been speeding at over three times the limit on empty roads during the coronavirus lockdown.

Police chiefs have slammed the speed demons for using empty motorways as a “personal racetrack”, as one driver from London was recently clocked doing 134mph in a 40mph zone.

While data from the Department of Transport has shown a decrease in motor vehicle use of two thirds over the past month, senior officers say that speeding is up by nearly 50 per cent, the Daily Telegraph reported. Police have warned that incidents caused by speeding could take up “vital resources” in the NHS and the police that are already stretched by the coronavirus crisis.

Superintendent Julie Ellison, from the Greater Manchester Police, said the force had seen “a massive increase in speeding offences” since the beginning of the lockdown. She added that one driver in the city was recorded doing 115mph on a 40mph road, with another reaching speeds of 129mph on the M62.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police are even set to launch a special unit to crack down on speeders in the capital, which has seen seven people killed in road traffic accidents since the beginning of the lockdown. Superintendent Andy Cox, from the Met Police, will be heading the unit and vowed that police would come down hard on “unacceptable” speeding. He told the Telegraph: “In some roads where we have checks, the average speed has increased by more than 50 per cent and one 20mph road is averaging 40mph. “Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and increases the chances of a serious collision.

 

It comes after police arrested a biker who was caught doing 150mph on a motorway earlier this month. Police followed the bike off the M23 to Fulking, West Sussex, where the rider momentarily managed to slip out of sight. Chief Inspector Michael Hodder said the biker was “lucky to be alive” and urged drivers not to speed on empty roads.

It was revealed today drivers booked on speed awareness courses will be taken online as all class based courses are suspended until June.

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April 17, 2020
PUMP WARS Petrol prices set to be slashed at historic levels due to coronavirus – with 10p discounted per litre

PETROL prices across the country are set to be cut at historic levels following the coronavirus outbreak, experts reveal. Forecourts around the country are under more pressure than any point in the past seven years to slash the cost of fuel.

The recent figures from the RAC reveal the price of oil has dropped  more than $50 a barrel to just $30 in the past week. This results in the gap between what UK petrol stations are paying and what drivers are being charged is at the widest in recent history. In some cases, this difference is around 12p per litre for petrol and 9p per litre for diesel. Despite this difference, the RAC is  expecting big price cuts to take effect from as early as next week.

If retailers reduce pump prices to reflect what they’ve been buying on the wholesale market, around 10p per litre should come off the price of fuel. This should mean average unleaded prices would drop to around 112p per litre and diesel to 115p per litre, prices which we last saw in late 2016.

Supermarket chains are expected to be the first to reduce their fuel prices during periods of declining wholesale prices. Normally, cuts of around 2p per litre are announced first, although last month Asda cut diesel prices by up to 4p in a single day. This is an indication that the major retailers are expected to cut further in one go than they have ever before.

It currently costs an average of £67 to fill a standard 55-litre car with unleaded petrol, and £68.50 with diesel. But if prices fall as they’re expected, this would save drivers around £5.40 per tank of petrol and £5.30 per tank of diesel.

Decreasing consumption of oil as a result of the coronavirus is considered to be the biggest reason for the cheaper fuel prices. Simon Williams, fuel spokesman for the RAC, said: “The oil price has fallen dramatically as a result of several major oil-producing countries ramping up supply at a time when demand is reducing due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This has led to wholesale petrol prices dropping to their lowest levels in four years and means there is now enormous pressure for pump prices in the UK to drop significantly, by around 10p a litre from where they are today. A drop of this size would see average petrol prices fall to 112p per litre, and diesel to 115p per litre, and we’d expect supermarkets to sell the fuels for as little as 108p and 111p respectively.

All eyes are now on the UK’s fuel retailers, large and small, to cut fuel prices considerably, and fast. It is vital that drivers are given a fair deal and retailers accurately reflect the lower wholesale prices at their forecourts.

 

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April 14, 2020
Driverless vans that deliver medical supplies and food see demand surge during coronavirus outbreak

DRIVERLESS delivery vans that transport goods are being used to help restrict physical contact during the coronavirus outbreak. Chinese start-up Neolix has experienced a huge increase in sales since the virus shocked the country earlier this year. The four-wheeled robots are being used to transport medicine, food and other goods across city centres.

The tiny autonomous vehicles are capable of navigating any environment without a driver at the wheel. The Bejing-based company has taken  orders for more than 200 vehicles in the past two months, according to its founder Yu Enyuan. Before the virus outbreak, it had only produced 125 units since manufacturing began last May 2019.

They are also being used to sterilise abandoned streets, after thousands of workers were forced to be quarantined. The use of driverless vehicles was previously limited in China, but these rules have been relaxed since the outbreak has made the streets virtually empty.

The Chinese Government is even offering to subsidise the cost of the driverless vans, with discounts of up to 60 per cent in some areas. Yu Enyuan, the founder of Neolix, told Bloomberg: “Demand has been surging since the virus outbreak and more importantly, people’s perception toward driverless delivery has had a complete 180-degree shift.

People realise that such vehicles can get things done when it is risky for a human being to do so.

The industry has entered into a fast expansion phase because of the virus. He expects the company’s production to increase to 1,000 units.

 

 

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April 8, 2020
Learner driver given £800 fine for going for lesson with mum during lockdown

A teenager has been slapped with a $1,600 fine – about £800 – after going out for a driving lesson with her mum during the coronavirus lockdown. Hunter Reynolds and her mother Sharee were pulled over by a police officer in Victoria, Australia at the weekend

The 17-year-old student was given the on-the-spot fine for breaching the “stage-three coronavirus restrictions” in place across the country. Under the restrictions, people should only be out driving to buy food or other necessary goods, to attend work or education, for an emergency or to provide care.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton says driving lessons do not count as education under the Covid-19 restrictions set by Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. He said: “This isn’t driving around the corner, it was driving 40 minutes from Hampton down to the Peninsula Link.

“It’s quite possible it will be withdrawn because the public is now aware they can’t be doing that activity, unless of course it’s mixed in with driving to the shops where you are exempt to go and buy food.”

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said people should not go looking for loopholes in the restrictions to avoid fines.

More than 100 fines were issued from nearly 1,000 spot checks in the 24 hours to 8am on Monday.

Hunter said she did not initially understand what they had done wrong as the learner plates were correctly displayed, she was observing the speed limit and they were not stopping anywhere.

“That’s not exempt and it’s not lawful to occur.

“Are we able to send a message to the public without having to fine in this circumstance? The fact it’s been raised has given actual clarity of the circumstance.

“(The police officer) said it was because of unnecessary travel,” Hunter told Seven news in Australia.

“I’ve been following all the Covid-19 guidelines – so I thought – I haven’t been seeing anyone or anything, so I was really surprised.”

Australia has more than 5,700 confirmed coronavirus cases, and its death toll rose to 40 on Monday after five additional deaths were recorded overnight.

 

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April 6, 2020
Never Pay by Bank Transfer For Lessons, Find Out Why…

Kate Danby’s 19-year-old daughter Brook Mather learnt the hard way how ruthless the market can be. She booked a course of lessons with Drive Dynamics and was asked to pay by bank transfer.

The lessons never materialized and nor did a refund. Her bank couldn’t reclaim the money as it wasn’t a credit or debit card transaction.

“She was thrilled at the prospect of passing her driving test and in excitement, she didn’t research how long the company had been established,” says Kate. “She had saved hard for the money and was proud that she had organized her lessons and test herself, so the loss has left her devastated.”

Emily at Britannia Driving School Says: “be suspicious if you are asked to prepay for your lessons by bank transfer rather than a card, because if your lessons don’t materialize you will not be able to reclaim your money from the instructor’s bank. Also make sure when you get a quote for lessons that it’s for one hour lessons and not just 45 minutes.”

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April 3, 2020
Coronavirus Car Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your car is a fast, simple, low cost job that might minimise the spread of coronavirus and keep loved ones safe. Handy if there are ‘essential’ trips that cannot be avoided. So, how might you clean your vehicle to minimise the spread of coronavirus?

  • Clean first (then disinfect). It is hard to find disinfectant in the shops, so preserve resources and remove any typical dirt with standard vehicle cleaning products (or soapy water).
  • Disinfect after cleaning. Isopropyl alcohol is among the disinfectants that might kill coronavirus in your car.
  • Test disinfectant. Whatever disinfectant you choose, test it on a small, hidden part of each type of material in the car before applying throughout. Why? Because some disinfectants can be problematic. Bleach can discolour plastic, for example.
  • Focus effort. Whereas it is preferable to clean the whole vehicle, focus primarily on the parts that get touched most frequently. These include the: steering wheel, gear stick, parking brake, door handles, seatbelts, heater controls, etc.
  • Feed the leather. Consider whether your cleaning product has removed moisture from leather upholstery. If so, feed the leather to keep it comfortable, flexible, and attractive.
  • Beware moisture. Minimise how much moisture gets close to electrical items such as your window switches, heater controls, and stereo. Damp electrical components tend to behave erratically. Also, moisture can stain fabric seats.
  • Protect yourself. Wear gloves while cleaning the vehicle and wash your hands afterwards (with soap for twenty seconds).

Note too that coronavirus is a new, unprecedented issue and our understanding of it is still evolving. This article does not therefore contain medical advice. The National Health Service is the best place for that. However, car cleaning might be a further tool to tackle this virus and minimise casualties. Happy scrubbing!

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April 1, 2020
Coronavirus: MOTs due from 30 March 2020

If your car,motorcycle or light van has an MOT due on or after 30th March 2020, Your car, motorcycle or light vans MOT expiry date will automatically extended by 6 months, You will have a valid MOT certificate for an extra 6 months.

You will not have to do anything for this extension of MOT but you must make your vehicle is safe to drive and roadworthy. It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended.

Check your vehicle is safe to drive

Checks you should carry out

Every time you drive you should check:

  • the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
  • all lights work
  • the brakes work

Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to check the:

  • engine oil
  • water level in the radiator or expansion tank
  • brake fluid level
  • battery
  • windscreen and rear window washer bottles – top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
  • tyres – they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects

The handbook will also tell you when your vehicle needs to be serviced.

Example Your vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 April 2020. This will automatically be extended to 3 October 2020. You will need to get your MOT by this date. Your MOT expiry date will usually be updated on the day your MOT is due to expire. However, it might be done up to a few days before.You can check your MOT history to see when your MOT expiry date has been extended. Keep checking back if your new expiry date is not showing yet.

You can Tax your vehicle as soon as the expiry date on the MOT has been extended.

 

 

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