Cars

[SteveH]

Drivers across the UK who own and use a Blue Badge for parking are being urged to check their eligibility and ensure they have not let it expire

While most users know that their Blue Badge expires three years from the date of issue, some may not realise that renewal is not automatic. To avoid having an invalid permit, it's important to apply for renewal 12 weeks (or 3 months) before it expires.

Failure to do so could result in a substantial ?1,000 fine if the expired badge is still displayed. This is because displaying an out-of-date Blue Badge is classed as ?misuse? under transport guidance.

https://www.gov.wales/apply-or-renew-blue-badge#:~:text=The%20badge%20is%20usually%20valid,weeks%20to%20process%20an%20application.

[SteveH]

Limiting what new drivers can do will combat 'needless' deaths, says AA
The AA president said one in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test.

A series of restrictions on new drivers may soon be on the horizon, as they could save thousands of lives and help tackle serious injuries on the road, according to the AA. The automotive firm said motorists should be prevented from carrying similarly-aged people for at least six months after they've passed their test.

It also advised that new drivers should be forced to keep a record of evidence that they've driven on every type of road. The restrictions would be in force under a graduated driving licence system; these licences place limitations on motorists for a specific period of time after they've passed.

They're used in a number of countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden. In July 2019, The Department for Transport (DfT) revealed that it was considering launching the licences across England. However, it was stopped in 2020, partially due to the possible impact on young people's job prospects.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/graduated-licences-could-combat-needless-deaths-among-young-drivers-says-aa/

[SteveH]

The Conwy roads where most parking tickets issued from March 2023-24

Here are the 10 roads in Conwy where the most parking tickets were given between March 11, 2023 and March 11, 2024:

Mostyn Street, Llandudno - 704
The Parade, Llandudno - 635
Happy Valley Road, Llandudno - 567
Tudno Street, Llandudno - 339
A5 (Llyn Ogwen) - 304
High Street, Conwy - 217
Penrhyn Road, Colwyn Bay - 207
Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay - 203
Castle Street, Conwy - 195
Llewelyn Road, Colwyn Bay - 183

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24262918.conwy-roads-parking-tickets-issued-march-2023-24/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

'Mandatory' speed limiters from July as drivers face new driving law changes
The intelligent speed assistance can automatically slow down a vehicle if a driver is exceeding the speed limit

From July, drivers could be required to have 'mandatory' speed limiters installed in their vehicles as part of new driving law changes. The introduction of mandatory intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems is set to automatically reduce a vehicle's speed if it exceeds the limit.

This rule change will take effect from July 6, making the safety feature compulsory for all cars. The new regulations, which apply to both the European Union and Northern Ireland, dictate that all cars sold in the UK must come equipped with ISA, irrespective of the manufacturing location.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mandatory-speed-limiters-july-drivers-29099480?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

10 cheapest cars to insure this year... and the most expensive - full list
It's worth researching makes and models before you fork out for a new car,

Consumer watchdog Which? has outlined the 10 most and least expensive cars to insure on average using GoCompare research. The Peugeot 206 landed the top spot with an average of ?241 per year, with the Porsche Boxster reaching second with ?243 and the Mazda MX-5 in third with ?249

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/10-cheapest-and-most-expensive-cars-to-insure-this-year-full-list/

[Hugo]

We were walking over the Menai Suspension Bridge today when three old cars drove past.   We were lucky to see them again when they were parked at Pringles in Llanfair PG

[SteveH]

Asda now the most expensive supermarket for fuel - report

Asda’s fuel has become the priciest among supermarket groups - after years of being among the cheapest - despite its pledge to offer the best value, research suggests.

According to the RAC, average petrol and diesel prices were higher at Asda at the end of May than at Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.

Asda disputed the findings, saying they covered its whole estate, including convenience shops, and that it still had the best prices at supermarket forecourts.

Global fuel prices are falling, but the RAC said supermarket chains were not passing the savings on to customers.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jj77kxjveo

[SteveH]

Jaguar Land Rover says it plans to invest more than £1m to help the police fight vehicle crime in the UK.

The money will be used to support police operations in theft hotspots, as well as to fund intelligence gathering.

Earlier this year, the company’s boss angrily denied reports that Range Rovers were particularly vulnerable to theft.

However, owners have complained that insurers have been hiking their premiums dramatically, or even refusing cover.

Among them is Meryl Cabellos, a 41-year-old Frenchman who has lived in the UK for seven years, and works in the technology industry.

Last year, the cost of insuring his 2017 Range Rover Sport doubled, from £2,000 to £4,000.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpee844x4yvo

[SteveH]

Police hit back at 'Operation Overkill' critics after three Llandudno drivers lose licences for poor eyesight
Officers said keyboard critics 'should have gone to Specsavers' for criticising road safety exercise

Officers from the NWP Roads Crime Unit visited the Conwy resort last Friday (June 14) as part of efforts to improve road safety. Stopped drivers were asked to perform an eyesight test – it’s a legal requirement that drivers can read a standard UK number plate at 20 metres during daylight

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/police-hit-back-operation-overkill-29371455?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Drivers need better incentives to buy electric to help manufacturers ahead of the government's plan to ban sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, the UK car industry has demanded.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said support packages were needed to make the electric vehicles (EV) switch more attractive and affordable.

It comes as figures reveal EV production, which includes hybrids, dropped 7.6% in the first half of 2024.

The new Labour government has pledged to restore the petrol and diesel ban to 2030, after previous prime minister Rishi Sunak pushed it back to 2035.

Car firms across the world have been changing their production lines as governments try to persuade people to drive greener cars to meet environmental targets.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn09pvjpzdjo
cont

[SteveH]

Drivers are still paying too much for fuel, the UK's competition watchdog has warned, with high prices costing motorists £1.6bn last year alone.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that weakened competition in the fuel sector is impacting drivers' wallets.

It found that supermarkets' profit margins - which is the difference between the price they buy fuel at and what they charge motorists - had doubled since 2019.

The CMA is calling for more pressure on supermarkets so they "have to offer better prices because they know that they can’t rip consumers off", chief executive, Sarah Cardell told the BBC's Today programme.

"When it comes to road fuel, the simple answer is that drivers are still paying too much," she added.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kr2kdv181o

[SteveH]

Conwy drivers are paying the second highest prices in the UK for fuel according to new data.

Refuelling at a petrol station in Conwy will cost you almost 10p per litre (ppl) more for diesel and over 7p per litre more for unleaded than the Welsh average. The data from Fleet News also shows that across the UK only Dumfriesshire in Scotland is a more expensive place to fill your tank.

But how serious is the problem for Conwy's road users?

Taking a 45 litre fuel tank found on many small cars, filling up in Conwy will cost a driver £73.63 for diesel and £69.99 for unleaded. If you need to fill up weekly, a diesel drivers could face a bill of £3,828.76 while unleaded costs could be £3,639.48 per year.

Neighbouring Anglesey by contrast is the cheapest county in Wales, with drivers spending just 147.04ppl on diesel and 142.84ppl on unleaded. Based on the same calculations that means the same 45 litre tank filled up weekly on Anglesey would cost just £3,440.73 per year to fill with diesel - a saving of over £388.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24527713.conwy-drivers-pay-second-highest-fuel-prices-uk/

[SteveH]

From FB, by David Owen Jones............

A few nice supercars on the promenade this morning, plus a rather nice large dog!!!

49 great photos............   https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161403887008632&set=pcb.10169020074365641


If he had left the keys in this one......................

[Hugo]

It would be no good for me Steve, even if I  could get in some of those cars I  don't think I would be able to get out of them       
Great to look at those super cars though

[SteveH]

A 5p cut on fuel duty should be scrapped in the upcoming Budget, according to the RAC motoring organisation, because drivers are not gaining any benefit.

The RAC has claimed that retailers have failed to pass on lower petrol and diesel prices to motorists and instead have boosted their own profits.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out a rise in fuel duty in the forthcoming Budget.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2nrneym82o