A new series of posts bringing you news stories from around the UK.
Campaign calls for EVs to be charged by the mile
In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has called for reform of motoring taxation.
Forecasts predict that tax revenue is set to fall by £5 billion by 2033. The rise in the use of EVs has meant an ongoing reduction in revenue from fuel duty. Zero emissions vehicles have also been exempt from paying road tax, although that is set to change in 2025.
CBT claims that the public agrees that all motorists should pay their share of tax to help address the shortfall, and suggests that introducing a small per-mile tax charge for drivers of electric vehicles would be a suitable first step to addressing the revenue issue.
The CBT is one of a group of 37 transport industry organisations and motoring interest groups, including the RAC, who are calling for tax reform to avert a crisis.
The UK's most reliable new car is...
The fact that the most reliable new car in the UK is Japanese is no big surprise. Japanese brands have consistently outperformed the rest of the world in rankings.
According to research by recycling experts National Scrap Car, the Lexus RX SUV, manufactured by Toyota's luxury car division, has been taken off the road by owners fewer times than any other. Data from a Freedom of Information request showed that only four Lexus RXs had been scrapped during the period 2014 to 2023.
Quality costs, however, and the Lexus RX is not a budget option. New models start at over £62,000.
Light aircraft crash lands on busy Gloucestershire road
On 27th August, a motor glider crashed onto the A419 between Cirencester and Stroud. The aircraft, a Grob G109B motor glider was carrying two people when its engine reportedly stalled and it "nosedived" to the ground. The occupants were both taken to hospital although neither was thought to be seriously injured.
Despite being equipped with an engine, The Grob G109B is designed to function as a glider as well as flying under engine power. It was not clear at the time why the stall resulted in such a sudden and dramatic crash onto a busy road.
Pilot scheme may herald standard assessment for drivers over 60
A scheme funded by the Road Safety Trust and implemented by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety in cooperation with the Older Drivers Forum, The Older Driver Task Force and the University of Warwick is set to examine the possibility of a standardised assessment for older drivers.
Drivers aged 70 already have to renew their licences and disclose any medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive safely, but the new pilot scheme will consider assessments that may also include drivers aged 60 and above.
Local authorities in the UK commonly offer voluntary driving assessments for drivers aged 60-plus but there has been no move to standardise assessment nationally, nor to make such assessment mandatory.
Specialists plan to examine statistics pertaining to road safety outcomes and to test skills such as hazard perception in older drivers.
The Older Drivers Forum has emphasised that the study is focused on voluntary assessment, and no mention has been made of any compulsory tests for older motorists or of any possibility of people losing their licences as a result.
Older Drivers Forum posted on X (formerly Twitter) to say, “... this standard is for VOLUNTARY Mature Driving assessments to help bring a standard across the country for all providers so we can help and support mature motorists with consistency and the correct support.”
There does seem to be some public support for the testing of older people to ensure they can still drive safely. A 2023 YouGov poll showed that 29% of respondents would strongly support a requirement to take a compulsory test at the age of 70, and 36% said they somewhat supported the idea. Only 12% of respondents felt strongly opposed to the idea.
More than half of UK van drivers use phones on the move
According to research by Volkswagen, 57% of the UK's van drivers still look at their mobile phones while they are driving. Research carried out by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showed that drivers are not deterred by the threat of a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licences.
The statistic does show a 7% reduction compared to last year's similar survey, also by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which indicated that an alarming 64% of van drivers were prepared to admit checking their phones while driving.
The phone problem amongst van drivers was also indicated by a recent survey by the Department for Transport, which found that the UK's van drivers are more than twice as likely to use mobiles while driving, than all other types of drivers.
The high usage rate of phones by drivers persists despite increased penalties for the offence, and the increase in hand-free technology supplied in vehicles.
Warning other drivers about speed traps could land you in jail
Flashing headlights, gesturing or otherwise warning other drivers about speed traps can get you into serious trouble. Tipping others off can constitute an offence under section 89 of the Police Act 1996. Possible penalties include a £1000 fine and up to one month in prison, as warning others about traps can be considered wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duty, which is an offence.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the police warn that using social media to warn of speed traps is also an offence as it may also prevent officers from catching speeding motorists and thus from executing their duty.
