Monthly Archives: August 2021

August 18, 2021
Drivers urged to check dashboard warning lights or face ‘£500 repair costs’ – here’s 30 signs you NEED to know about

DRIVERS have been urged to check their dashboards for warning lights or they could end up facing up to £500 in repair costs, it has been revealed.

Research into 2,000 motorists found 60 percent do not understand what their warning lights mean and a third have no intention of addressing them any time soon.

Of these, 43 per cent claim there are too many warnings to fathom, and 30 per cent have no idea what action to take when they appear.

Notifications that windscreen washer fluid running low are likely to be ignored for the longest, closely followed by the fuel light, faults with the rear fog lights, and tyre pressure.

And more than one in 10 have found themselves in a bit of a pickle as a direct result of ignoring the warning lights – either by breaking down on the road, having to pay repair bills or being stopped by the police.

Other issues experienced by motorists after turning a blind eye to their warning lights include stalling in traffic, failing their MOT and suffering a punctured tyre.

A spokesperson for Vertu Motors, which commissioned the research, said: “As many drivers are now back on the roads, it’s vital not to ignore your warning lights on your vehicle’s dashboard as this may lead to serious consequences in the long run.

“What’s more concerning is that several drivers only understand some of the warning lights on their dashboard.

“It’s crucial people read up on what their warning lights mean so they can respond with the appropriate action.”

The research also found a third of adult motorists are unsure what action to take when they see a warning light appear, regardless of what it is.

TOP 30 WARNING LIGHTS BRITISH DRIVERS IGNORE ON THEIR DASHBOARD:

1.           Windscreen washer fluid level

2.           Low fuel level

3.           Replace car key battery

4.           Seatbelt buckles

5.           Rear fog lights

6.           Tyre pressure monitoring

7.           Rain and light sensor

8.           Lane assist – system fault

9.           Doors

10.         Bulb monitoring

11.         Boot lid

12.         Key not in vehicle

13.         Airbag and seatbelt system

14.         Engine management warning light

15.         Emissions control light

16.         Engine oil level

17.         Tower hitch

18.         Rear spoiler

19.         Convertible roof

20.         Engine oil pressure

21.         Headlight range control

22.         Brake lights

23.         Recharge adblue

24.         Air suspension

25.         Steering lock

26.         Electronic stability programme

27.         Brake system

28.         Adaptive light system

29.         Bonnet

30.         Anti-lock brake system

Worryingly, six in 10 adults polled don’t know what it means when a green alert appears on their dashboard, with 21 per cent assuming it means something needs servicing.

While 31 per cent of drivers don’t know a red alert means there is a serious problem, with one in 20 assuming it means the car system is operating as normal.

But when motorists do pay attention to the dashboard and its symbols, 34 per cent will first refer to the vehicle’s manual for the next steps.

Around a quarter will pull their car from the road to a safe location to assess the situation while 18 per cent immediately take their vehicle to the garage for inspection.

For instant advice, 32 per cent call on their partner to help with understanding their warning lights while only 12 per cent reach out to the parents for assistance.

But the study, via OnePoll, found 23 per cent of drivers are guilty of ignoring their warning lights as they fear they won’t be able to afford the repairs – with those who have been hit with a bill forking out an average of £500.

A further 27 per cent will only tend to their vehicle’s servicing when it has actually broken down, or the car won’t start.

A spokesman for Vertu Motors added: “There’s a clear link between the time it takes for people to tend a warning light and the cost associated with repairs, which is why most drivers find it a bothersome task to do.

“But to protect yourself, your vehicle, and others on the roads, it’s important to cover all the checks to ensure your car is running as smoothly as possible.

“If you’re unsure on what to do, there are plenty of useful guides and resources online from the get-go.”

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August 13, 2021
Always Do your homework when looking for an instructor!

A couple who mis-sold driving lessons to thousands of learner drivers across the country have been sentenced to 46 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday 24th July) after pleading guilty to breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

The pair have also:

  • been ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work
  • received director disqualifications for seven years
  • been ordered to pay £24,974.09 in compensation, £50,000 in court costs and £100 each in victim surcharges.

Beverley Midgley-McDonald (51) and Alistair Midgley-McDonald (52), of Stanwell Road, Penarth, ran ‘Drive Dynamics’, a driving school that promised customers very cheap driving lessons with local instructors, who were either independent driving instructors or franchisees.

The company advertised online, describing itself as ‘the UK’s most liked driving school’. This attracted many learner drivers who paid hundreds of pounds up-front for driving lessons. They were told their money would be refunded if a local instructor was not available.

Customers soon discovered the promises made by ‘Drive Dynamics’ were too good to be true. Specifically:

Customers would not be contacted as promised or even at all about arranging a lesson.

Instructors were not available in the learner’s area so lessons could not be provided unless the customer was prepared to travel elsewhere to get them, sometimes hours away.

Instructors who were available were not prepared to provide or continue with lessons, if they had started, because they had not been paid by ‘Drive Dynamics’

Every year from 2013 the company received hundreds of complaints, either directly or via Citizens Advice, Action Fraud, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and Trading Standards services from across the country. Hundreds of customers sought refunds or repayment through chargebacks, but the company actively tried to avoid giving refunds.In mid-2014, ‘Drive Dynamics’ was contacted by West Yorkshire Trading Standards and received training and advice to improve business practices, such as processing refunds, terms and conditions, cancellation rights and claims on its website. This advice led to a fall in complaints.

The company behind Drive Dynamics went into liquidation in 2015 – as it was unable to pay its creditors – and ceased trading, although it appeared that Drive Dynamics itself was still operating. The company was still trading, still making sales and still generating complaints under a newly incorporated company. Thereafter, the company continued with the same flawed business model that generated even more complaints.

Customers regularly posted negative reviews of the company on Trust Pilot, which led the defendants to hire outside agencies to manipulate review sites rather than provide refunds or improve business operations. As well as customer detriment, many drivers who had provided lessons simply weren’t paid.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

“The defendants profited from a business model that cheated learner drivers and instructors. Their company took people’s money, frequently didn’t give them what they’d paid for and ignored complaints and refund requests. Rather than take steps to improve their operation, they have acted dishonestly and it is only right that they now face consequences for their actions.”

The sentences follow an investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigation Team (Yorkshire and Humber), which is hosted by City of York Council.

Councillor Andrew Waller, portfolio holder for Trading Standards at City of York Council, said:

Our team undertook a complex investigation into a prolonged period of unfair trading. Not only did the defendants leave hundreds of learner drivers, parents and driving instructors substantially out of pocket, but they tried to frustrate and delay the investigation getting to court. I applaud our investigators for their persistence and showing that unfair trading won’t be tolerated.”

The Advertising Standards Authority had also issued warnings to Drive Dynamics, ruling that its advertising to instructors was misleading.

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August 2, 2021
DRIVE ON The eight changes for drivers including petrol, motorway speeds and a clampdown on seatbelts

DRIVERS could be hit with penalties and even points on their license if they’re not aware of some of the changes coming into place this year.

Some motorists might not have been behind the wheel much over the past year which is why it’s important to gen up on all the new measures

Coming into force is new guidance on smart motorways as well as tougher penalties for using a mobile phone while driving.

There’s also a new cleaner petrol known as E10 on the way which will seriously impact those who have older cars.

We explain everything you need to know about the new changes.

Motorway changes

Motorway speed limits are being slashed to 60 mph in an attempt to cut down on air pollution.

Speeds have been reduced on sections of the M1, M6, and M5.

So in these areas you’ll have to watch how fast you’re going with the new changes in place as you could still face a penalty for not sticking to the directed speeds.

Highways England has said it will keep the new speed limits in place for the “foreseeable future” until the pollution falls below the limit.

The only other way to subvert the emissions and return to the previous speeds is if more electric vehicles join the road.

There are stricter rules on smart motorways too.

The hard shoulder is used as a running lane on smart motorways which means there’s no dedicated space for drivers to pull into if there’s an emergency.

In response, Highways England announced changes to the Highway Code, making it illegal to drive in a lane marked with a red X.

It’s usually indicated this way because a vehicle has broken down in the hard shoulder, and so drivers shouldn’t drive down it or they could come into difficulty.

E10 fuel introduced

This summer the standard or premium petrol grade in the UK will become E10.

It’s being introduced to work towards cleaner air and to cut CO2 emissions.

But it could costs drivers more in the long run.

The new fuel only works for certain cars too so you’ll need to check yours fits the bill.

Seatbelt clampdown

You could be slapped with penalty points if you fail to wear a seatbelt under new road safety plans.

Motorists could get at least three points and a possible driving ban under changes being considered.

The change is part of a road safety clampdown plan set to be published this year.

You might even get the penalty if you’re wearing a seatbelt but your passenger isn’t.

As it stands, drivers can be given a £100 fine for failing to wear a belt – raising to £500 if the matter goes to court.

Or you take an online seatbelt awareness course for £53 to save on the fine.

MPs fear the £100 fine does not deter drivers enough from flouting the rules which is why stricter measures are due to come into place.

E10 petrol is already widely used around the world, including across Europe, the US and Australia.

You will be able to use the fuel in the UK by September 2021.

The change in fuel only applies to petrol – diesel fuel will not be changing.

It is believed that the switch is the equivalent of taking up to 350,000 cars off the road and reduce CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year.

20mph limit in residential areas

A new law is being introduced in Wales that limits speed in residential areas to 20mph.

The limit is set to launch in eight areas to begin with and could be rolled out nationally in two years time.

During the pandemic a similar initiative took place in areas across England with the goal of rolling it out to London, Warwickshire and Shropshire.

Stricter penalties if you use your phone

A loophole has been closed that meant people could get away with taking photos or videos while driving.

Now you could get a £200 fine and six points on your licence if you’re caught holding your phone or using it as a sat nav while you’re driving.

You definitely can’t get caught scrolling through a playlist, playing a game or using social media either.

You can also be fined heavily for vaping behind the wheel or if you fail to disclose certain medical conditions to the DVLA.

Low Emission Zones introduced

Lots of built up towns and cities already have low emission zones in place charging vehicles with high emissions to enter.

They’re usually found in areas that have high levels of pollution.

Oxford’s Zero Emissions Zone will start next month and from October 25 London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone will extend to North Circular Road (A406) and the South Circular Road (A205).

Birmingham’s Low Emission Zone is now active as is Bath’s and Bristol’s.

To get into Bath for free, Your diesel vehicle must be Euro 6 and petrol vehicles must be Euro 4 minimum to get into Bath or Birmingham for free, or if you ride a moped or motorcycle .

In Bristol you’re charged around £9 to enter the zone if your diesel vehicle is Euro 5 or older or your petrol vehicle is Euro 3 or older.

Changes to the Highway code

There’s due to be a  change to 33 existing rules in the Highway Code this year as well as adding two new rules.

The main takeaway of the changes is that the new version will include a “hierarchy of road users”.

It means that pedestrians will have priority on pavements and at zebra crossings.

So under the new rules drivers will have to give way at a zebra crossing until a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.

Previously motorists turning into a road at a junction would only have to give way to pedestrians “if they have started to cross”.

It also means motorists who can cause the most harm in a collision bear the “greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others”.

So, a lorry driver would have a greater responsibility to those driving a car or motorcycle, and cyclists would have a greater responsibility than pedestrians.

Proposed changes to the Highway Code are due to receive parliamentary approval in the autumn.

Regardless though, the Highway code on its own is not law.

Speed limiters will be mandatory

Speed limiters will be mandatory in new cars from next year.

The technology alerts drivers if they’re going too fast and if you don’t slow down then it will act on your behalf.

It’s known as an Intelligent Speed Assistant system (ISA) and you’ll need to have one if you get yourself some new wheels in 2022.

Cars on the road currently don’t have to have one of these but they are considered a great safety precaution.

There are circumstances where the limiter can be overridden.

These can be if you step on the gas harder when you’re overtaking or if you simply turn it off.

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