Technology is making all the headlines again in the ongoing battle for road safety. In the latest motoring developments, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are poised to transform the landscape of traffic enforcement, promising greater efficiency in deterring reckless driving on our roads. This evolving innovation comes in the form of a National Highways trial, which uses state-of-the-art mobile technology equipped with AI capabilities and Boston Dynamics robot dogs (Video Link). Partnering with AECOM, the trial first started in February 2021 and will c ..read more

As millions of Brits geared up for a well-deserved Easter break by land, sea and air, anticipation clashed with the reality of bumper-to-bumper traffic and congested motorways. The exodus of holidaymakers and regular commuters led to unprecedented travel chaos nationwide and beyond. Both news reports and road-watch website premonitions came to fruition as more than 14 million leisure journeys inundated popular routes, causing travel times to double, sometimes even triple, the norm. Thursday, 28th April, emerged as the battleground for traffic supremacy, with the evening rush hour transforming ..read more

In an eyewatering revelation, the latest AllCosts report from Allstar exposes a stark contrast in the expenses incurred by private and motor trade drivers when charging their electric vehicles (EVs) at public charge points versus the cost of charging from the comfort of their homes. Utilising proprietary data gleaned from millions of fuel transactions and hundreds of thousands of on-the-road charging events within the extensive Allstar network, in addition to EVs home charging statistics, the AllCosts report stands as the first of its kind quarterly publication. Aimed at providing businesses ..read more

In a historic move, local leaders are set to receive a transformative boost by announcing the £4.7 billion Local Transport Fund, aimed at revitalising transport networks across the North and Midlands. This unparalleled budget, dedicated to smaller cities, towns, and rural areas, will finance projects of utmost significance for local communities. The newly unveiled local transport fund, disclosed by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Transport Secretary Mark Harper, promises improved public transport, reduced travel congestion for private and motor trade drivers, and upgraded local bus and trai ..read more

Private and motor trade drivers will no doubt welcome that the UK government is to act against unfair fuel pricing. Motoring costs are increasing everywhere: car parts, insurance, and mechanic labour are just a few examples. In this article, we’ll explore how this can affect motorists and their finances. In 2023, the government highlighted that certain supermarkets failed to adjust fuel prices at the pump following wholesale cost changes, resulting in customers paying more for fuel. The revelation stemmed from an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which uncovered th ..read more

The UK government’s commitment to supporting electric vehicle (EV) drivers has taken a significant leap forward based on the latest measures introduced as part of the ‘Plan for Drivers’. EV motor trade dealers may be interested to learn of the new initiatives. These encompass grants for schools, financial support for councils, and innovative proposals to bolster the number of EV charge points nationwide. In Nottinghamshire, Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne is spearheading support for greener schools through a groundbreaking grant. This grant, an integral component of the ..read more

A recent motor trade study conducted by Transport & Environment (T&E) revealed that new cars across Europe are widening by an average of 1cm every two years. This trend is expected to rise due to the increasing popularity of SUVs, a trend observed both in the UK and across the continent. The data reveals that approximately half of the new cars sold off a motor trade dealers’ forecourt are already too wide for the minimum on-street parking space in many countries, including the UK. T&E’s research indicates that the average width of new cars expanded to 180.3cm in the first half of ..read more

New research reveals that drivers in England lose nearly 40 hours annually due to road delays, equivalent to over 2,200 minutes spent stuck behind the wheel. The study, utilising Department for Transport (DfT) figures on average road delays per vehicle mile and DVLA mileage data from 2022, calculated the annual time lost for each driver. A well-known comparison website conducted the data analysis, considering delays on the strategic road network, including major motorways and A-roads. Surprisingly, the data showed that most hours are wasted on local A-roads. On average, private and motor trad ..read more

A recent report has unveiled the make and model of the most scrapped vehicles in the UK for 2023. The data, sourced from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Autocar, indicates that 798,363 vehicles were scrapped during this period, reflecting a decrease of 60,000 compared to the previous year. According to the FOI findings, the Ford Focus emerged as the most scrapped car of the year. The Vauxhall Astra and Vauxhall Corsa followed closely, securing second and third places, respectively. Notably, the FOI request highlights a noteworthy trend that will interest motor trade dealers. There w ..read more

The RAC is urging the UK Government to conduct an independent study on headlight glare, as recent research reveals that 85% of those affected believe the problem is worsening. A survey of 2,000 drivers conducted by the RAC found that 89% of respondents think some car headlights are too bright, with 28% believing that most are excessively bright – the highest proportion recorded. Of those who complain about headlight brightness, 91% experience dazzlement, with 74% reporting it as a frequent occurrence. The effects of glare on private and motor trade drivers are significant, with two-thirds (67 ..read more