Novice drivers caught speeding may face an instant six month ban and having to re-take their driving test under new proposals to tighten road safety laws; according to the Times Online.  Thousands of experienced drivers could also face a six-month disqualification period after just two offences if the proposals to double penalty points, from three to six, for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 15 or 20mph are introduced as law.

Currently, drivers who have held their license for more than two years face a ban if they receive 12 points within three years and novice drivers are already liable to be banned if they accumulate six points – but (and this is the important bit) only three points are issued per offence.  The new proposals, if instituted as law, will mean the 1.8 million people on the road who have passed their test within the past 2 years could be banned on their first offence, whilst the one million plus motorists who currently carry six points on their license are also only one flash of a speed camera from disqualification. The document also suggests a much greater use of average speed check cameras, which are currently only enforced where there are roadworks, on rural roads as this is where two-thirds of deaths occur.

On the issue of careless driving, it has been reported that police are reluctant to prosecute drivers due to the large amount of paperwork involved. In fact, during the past 2 decades prosecution has dropped almost two thirds meaning drivers are very unlikely to be prosecuted unless they cause a crash.  This is why the new proposals from the Department for Transport also suggest that police shouldn’t have to take careless drivers to court, instead they should be able to issue an instant £60 fine and up to three points at the roadside.

This is a huge issue for drivers everywhere, many of whom say it is too harsh as they stand to lose their jobs if they do not have license. Others say they should abide by the law to ensure they do not lose their license. How do you feel about the laws being tightened? Is it fair to up the penalties for speeding? How about the other side – should slower drivers be penalised too?

In my opinion, expanding the use of average speed check cameras is a good idea as it keeps the traffic flowing smoothly through motorway road-works. People do seem to speed all the time, but I think the new heavier penalties should focus on dangerous driving more than simple speeding.  For example, I’ve often seen drivers swerve across the motorway from the 1st lane to the 3rd lane and back again trying to overtake all the traffic and it’s just so dangerous that everyone has to slam on their brakes. The debate is heating up, have your say.

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Today’s news update from Travel Daily included an exciting newsflash announcing early snowfall across the Pyrenees.  As a result key Andorran ski resorts in the Grandvalira and Vallnord valleys will be fully open by this weekend!  So, if you’ve been waiting to hit the slopes all year there’s only 2 more days to go.  If you need car hire then do check out our rates here.

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In the last few days both the Times and FT have featured reports on how, from January 2009, rail passengers face the largest single fares increase since privatisation began.

Unregulated fares, which include peak singles or returns, 1^st class and advance purchase tickets, will rise by an average of 7%, with some fares going up by 11% – making them some of Europe’s most expensive.

The industry argues that the UK’s pricing has far wider variations than other countries, and the average cost per distance is actually lower than many places. Train company chiefs also say the rises are necessary to pay for investment in railways.

Tempting though it is, I’ll resist the urge at this point to reel off a list of reasons why car hire is better than train travel. There’s no denying the importance of public transport, and as improvements are made, railways will hopefully play a crucial part in helping to curb carbon emissions and reduce the weight of traffic on our roads during rush hours.

But the issue of sub-standard, expensive trains is raised every year in Britain, and very little seems to change, despite the examples of immaculate service provided by other nations. Many commuters have no option but to use our rail network (whatever the price) and the promise of bigger budgets for better tracks and carriages offer little comfort at a time when most of us are already struggling financially.

Leisure travellers may soon find that the disadvantages of inflated prices and delays caused by weekend engineering works outweigh the benefits. With many trains cancelled on Sundays, a long wait for a costly and uncomfortable journey isn’t a great end to a trip. As always, Christmas is a particularly problematic time. If you’re planning on using the railway over the festive period, check out the National Rail website for details of all cancelled, altered or reduced services.

If the rail industry wants to avoid losing weekenders, holiday-makers and day-trippers to the temptation of low-cost, hassle-free car hire, it’ll need to up its game quickly or risk a big drop in ticket sales next year.

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I came across a press release from Norwich Union: this morning, claiming that older cars are twice as likely to be stolen as newer models.  According to data gathered from insurance claims in 2007, the majority of cars stolen were worth under £5,000.

As the owner of a rather scruffy T-reg Vauxhall Astra (incidentally, one of the car thief’s most preferred models) I’d always maintained that parking next to a much newer, more valuable vehicle might help to protect me from crime. It seems I couldn’t be more wrong.

As the police often remind us, most thieves are opportunists, and are far more likely to go for the simple option, than a vehicle fitted with an immobiliser, alarm or steering wheel lock (up to ten times more likely in fact).  Old cars are usually quick and easy to break into – perfect for the thief who needs to get home after a night out, or to transport other stolen goods in.

It only takes about two hours to dismantle a vehicle for its parts, and the retail value of individual components can be worth up to three times the value of the car.  Airbag theft in particular is already big business in the US, and is now becoming a problem in the UK too.  When you consider that it can cost £1,000 to replace, a security measure or two is probably wise.

Whether you own your own vehicle or use hire cars, by taking a few simple precautions you can minimise the risk of becoming a car crime victim (or at least make it less worthwhile for the thief):

·         Try to park in a place with plenty of visibility, ideally under a light and/or near a CCTV camera.  You are 17% more likely to have your vehicle stolen if you park on the road, so car parks and driveways are best whenever possible.

·         Put all possessions out of sight.  Cars are often broken into simply for the CDs, mobile phones or even loose change.  If you’ve used a sat nav, as well as hiding the device (or taking it with you) rub the sucker marks off your windscreen.

·         Don’t store any documentation in the car, relating to you or the vehicle.  You could get your identity stolen along with the car.

·         Lock all doors, roll windows up fully and check that the sunroof is shut.

·         Be especially diligent on Mondays (peak car stealing day of the week) and in the winter, when this crime increases by 25%.

There are loads of other sensible tips for car safety on the Crimestoppers website.  If you do return to your parking space and find a big hole where your car should be, phone the police in the first instance, then your insurance company.  For hire cars, call the provider to explain the situation – they will handle things for you.

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This week at The Excel Exhibition Centre The World Travel Market arrived for 3 days of getting yourself around the world. I went to the exhibition to find out information on different countries I wanted to visit and perhaps discover some I had not thought of. I wasn’t really sure what to expect as this was going to be a whole new experience for me.

I was greeted with a vast array of colours as I entered one of the main halls. I didn’t know where to start. Such a big event, and a whole day to take in as much information as I could across the world. The market was divided into sections, Europe, Africa , Asia, UK & Ireland, London, Middle East and North Africa, The Americas, Global Village and Travel Technology which made it much easier if you were looking for something specific.

I began my travels in Africa and explored the depths of Ghana and Cape Town. Beautifully coloured with greens, reds and yellows I felt like I was almost there. Africa is filled with a very rich history from the slave trade to the day they were freed which all started in Ghana.

Middle East was my next destination. I’ve been to Dubai before, but I still enjoyed my time here as there were new promotions and excitement filled the air. Etihad airways have launched new flights from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne as of March 2009 and to celebrate who was there? None other than the absolutely stunning Danni Minogue! I was in awe, everyone had gone crazy for the starlet and judge of X Factor.

Europe was huge, there was so much to explore. From Austria to the UK it was wonderful going from country to country gathering information of places that I must visit and activites that I can not miss! For example within Iceland the Blue Lagoon is somewhere I now really want to go as the water has many healing qualities. Northern Norway is on my to do list as I wish to see the Northern Lights too. Turkey and Spain were over the other side of the building and then I wandered into the heart of Asia.

I explored Bangkok, gathering mini elephants, through to India, my origin and a mused over life here and how it is changing and growing so rapidly. I wandered into the Maldives which made me envious of the people that have already been to the ultimate paradise. I got a brochure and I will be cunningly leaving it on the table so my partner can see.

I had a quick trip down under to Australia and New Zealand and went on a 5 minute round trip starting at Melbourne, going across to New Zealand’s Auckland and up to Queensland seeing the Great Barrier Reef and then down west to Perth. It blew me away!

Finally I made my way across North and South America meeting the wonderful people along the way from New York to Florida and from Brazil to Chili.

It was so busy at the world travel market, cultures from the across the world gathering in one place to share all they know, as for the credit crunch, there was no sign of it here as everyone was very optimistic about the future of travel. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip around the world, collecting gifts along the way, I can not wait to go next year!

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Today both the Telegraph and Times have reported that a new dashboard gadget, designed to allow drivers to alert other vehicles when they spot speed traps, is exploiting a loophole in UK traffic law.

The ‘Mini Coyote’ device, made by Novus is already popular in France. There’s an estimated 64,000 of them on French roads and over 27,000 mobile speed camera traps have already been logged by drivers.

The Mini Coyote has a highly sensitive GPS receiver and uses GSM to update databases. As soon as a driver sees a camera, they simply press a button on the gadget, and just three seconds later everyone else with this gadget in their vehicle has received a warning. A car travelling 300 yards behind the person who spotted the trap should have plenty of time to slow down to a legal speed.

Speed camera warnings feature now on most satellite navigation units, but these can be out of date, and don’t include mobile camera units that move location frequently and often operate covertly.The success of the Mini Coyote depends on drivers to share information and protect fellow road users – then in theory getting the favour returned.

The police warn against alerting other drivers to speed traps, claiming it could lead to prosecution for perverting the course of justice (though this has rarely happened). Safety groups say the device could undermine the ability of the police to enforce the limit, because drivers could speed, safe in the knowledge that there’s very little risk of being caught.

Novus argues that the technology could actually improve safety and reduce accidents on the roads, with fewer drivers stamping on the brakes when they see a speed camera too late.

It is currently legal to purchase the Mini Coyote. There is an initial cost of around £200 to buy the device, then a monthly database subscription fee, similar to a mobile phone contract. The Government has said it intends to outlaw gadgets that detect the laser or radar systems used by speed cameras, but until this happens the chances are they will quickly become ever more sophisticated and effective.

Do let us know if you would consider using this kind of gadget, or if you think they should be made illegal.

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We may have experienced a sudden cold snap but, as always, the chances of a snowy British December are rather slim.

This is of course a good thing for drivers who want to avoid icy, dangerous conditions and snail’s pace traffic flow, but if you crave a truly festive scene, or can’t wait until 2009 to hit the ski slopes, it seems you’re in luck.

According to skiclub.co.uk, reports are already showing a very healthy covering of snow throughout popular European resorts like Val d’Isère in the French Alps, and some Austrian resorts. Traditionally the ski season doesn’t really start until January, when the atmosphere picks up and the après-ski night-life starts to buzz. But for anyone who wants to work on their technique, avoid the crowds, or even just enjoy a cosy stay in a chalet (and a chance to visit some fantastic Christmas markets en-route), December could be the perfect time to go.

As well as not having to queue for the ski-lifts or drinks, you might also be able to bag a much-needed bargain. There are still some excellent deals to be found as tour operators compete to avoid the effects of the credit crunch (though these might soon be snapped up as word of the weather forecast spreads), and generally prices are cheaper outside the peak season.

Hiring a car on arrival is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on all the best festive sights. You might even be able to squeeze in a stop in Geneva or Vienna for some shopping. But don’t forget, driving in snow-laden mountains requires a bit of preparation and either a four-wheel drive vehicle, or snow chains/tyres.

Some countries legally require cars to have snow chains or snow tyres during the winter months. Car hire outlets in these destinations (including Austria, Norway and Switzerland) will have a mandatory winter season fee to cover the provision of such equipment.

You can find full details of the winter season requirements for each region, along with some sensible advice on essential items to pack for a safe journey, and all the essential tips for handling a car in snowy conditions, in the Auto Europe ‘Snow-Safe Driving Guide’.

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According to the Times Online early next year tests are going to take place to look at a National Toll Road Scheme that may result in charges of up to £1.30 a mile on the most congested roads. The satellite tracking device will automatically deduct payments from a shadow account set up in the driver’s name.

The Transport Minister Paul Clark confirmed that the trials will go ahead despite many previous statements stating that national road-pricing would not happen. A study also said that the highest rate of £1.30 a mile would only be paid by 0.5% of traffic. In the long term, the technology could be used to introduce pricing on all roads with the price varying according to the time of day, direction of travel and the level of congestion.

How do you drivers out there feel about this if it goes ahead? Do you think the government take enough money from us as it is driving our cars? Would you be able to afford to pay not only for your road tax, petrol (approx 80% tax now), insurance, service on your car and now maybe an added charge for using the roads altogether?

Send us your thoughts.

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Whether you love it or loathe it, Christmas is on its way again.  For the increasing number of Brits who choose to sidestep the stress of the season with a break away from home, Auto Europe has compiled a yuletide guide to the most festive destinations around the world.   Called ‘The Great Christmas Escape’, this free guide is available to download now from the homepage of www.auto-europe.co.uk.

As well as featuring independent advice on some of the best white Christmas breaks available, December sunshine holidays, the top five New Year’s Eve parties on the planet and some invaluable travel tips, the guide also includes a selection of special offers to save money, including:

·         Stress-free driving with 10% off Zintech satellite navigation hire

·         A range of discounted UK hotels from Superbreaks

·         5% off theatre breaks and theme park tickets courtesy of Holiday Extras

·         Big group-booking discounts for golfing holidays, plus a free golf shoe bag with every booking made with Golfbreaks.com  

Auto Europe’s Commercial Director for the UK and Ireland, Peter McAree, explains: “Spending Christmas away from home doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and it can be the perfect way to take the work out of the festive period, leaving you to enjoy all the best bits – eating, relaxing and spending quality time with the family.  We’ve created this guide to show the wealth of choice available to suit all tastes and budgets.”

The Auto Europe team has trawled the globe to identify the very best Christmas holiday resorts, combining highlights of each with some useful advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of seasonal travel.

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Swindon is the first town in the UK to ban the use of speed cameras. According to the Times Online, it was a unanimous vote by the Conservative run council to remove the cameras claiming that the money would be spent on alternative speed reducing measures. Concerns have been raised over the experimentation with people’s lives by safety campaigners, academics, politicians and the local police.

The council have said that they want to scrap the cameras because they are forced to pay for the upkeep while the Government collected the revenue from the speeding fines. The Department for Transport generates a whopping £104 million per year and gives councils £110 million to pay for their own road safety measures. This figure is divided by councils according to the statistics on the amount of accidents leaving some councils with far more money than others.

The councilor for highways in Swindon, Peter Greenhalgh has led the campaign to remove speed cameras labelling them a “blatant tax on motorists” and soon after was hailed a hero on Top Gear. There are only 8 fixed point cameras – 6 speed cameras and 2 red light cameras. Mr Greenhalgh claimed that 70 people were killed in 2007/08 on the streets of Swindon which proved that the use of speed cameras had not made the roads any safer.

When the cameras are taken down in 6 months time, new road safety measures will be considered by the council including educating and training motorists, better street lighting and to reduce speed limits in problem areas. Police will also continue to use mobile speed-measuring devices.

What are your views on the use of speed cameras? Do you think they make the roads safer? Another article in the Times Online suggests that clusters of Average Speed Check cameras are going to be installed all across the country. In my personal experience this is a much better way in getting traffic to flow smoothly. As I drive along the M4 there is an average speed check where drivers are made to drive at 50mph from entry to exit point. This made traffic flow much smoother as people who didn’t obey the law received a surprise ticket through their door.

This technology is due to be approved by the end of January. As it has been proven, on the M1 the number of accidents have halved after average speed cameras were introduced between junctions 6a and 10, and on the M4 between junctions 10 and 12 only issue 1 ticket per 10,000 drivers. So perhaps this is the solution for Swindon.

Send us your thoughts.

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