Cars

[SteveH]

20mph: Wales speed limit sat-nav warning ahead of change

Drivers have been warned not to rely on sat-navs for the speed limit on residential roads in Wales when it is reduced to 20mph from 30mph on Sunday.

Some GPS firms say map updates might not be immediate when Wales becomes the first UK nation to adopt 20mph (32km/h) in built-up areas.

Police in Wales have said enforcing the lower limit will be a "last resort" as drivers adjust to the change.

The RAC said motorists should follow road signs for the speed limit.

"Until sat-nav systems have been fully updated, they shouldn't rely on them to know what the speed limit is on any particular stretch of Welsh road," said Simon Williams, of the RAC.

"It's vitally important that drivers are fully aware of the arrival of the 20mph limit in Wales, and pay full attention to all road signage."

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66774380

[SteveH]

Chinese electric cars will reduce UK emissions but what about rivals here?

The UK is facing a dilemma: should it fight the rising imports of Chinese electric cars with big new tariffs, in the same way the EU has threatened to do this week? Or should it allow them to continue? Keeping open to the imports in would make it easier for the UK to hit its goal of no new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and it would make electric cars cheaper. But the UK car industry could be damaged.

The British car industry is showing off its green electric future at a Bedfordshire racetrack, and behind the marques, some familiar, some less so, there is a new force.

China is cornering the market in electric vehicles.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66820791

[SteveH]

Figures reveal cheapest and most expensive places in North Wales to fill up on petrol and diesel
Data has come from nearly 4,000 forecourts across the UK and will be regularly updated

Ten of the biggest fuel retailers have joined the voluntary scheme set up by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), including Shell, BP, Esso and supermarket retailers Morrisons, Sainsbury?s, Tesco and Asda. This provides data from nearly 4,000 forecourts across the UK.

Find the cheapest petrol station near you, enter your postcode ... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/figures-reveal-cheapest-most-expensive-27728113


These figures are from within 5 miles of Llandudno postcode
Figures for standard grade petrol (E10) and diesel (B7)
Petrol   Diesel
Texaco
MFG Princes Drive, Princes Drive, Colwyn Bay
LL29 8PL
155.9p   159.9p
ASDA
Conway Road, Llandudno
LL30 1PJ
156.7p   156.7p
TESCO
Tesco Stores Ltd 6 G Road Llandudno Junction
LL31 9XY
156.9p   158.9p
SHELL
Conway Road
LL28 5LE
159.9p   161.9p
Shell
MFG Orme View, Conway Road, Penmaenmawr
LL34 6UN
159.9p   162.9p

[SteveH]

Global oil prices have surged to the highest level in more than 10 months amid predictions of shorter supplies.

Brent crude, a benchmark for prices, breached $95 (?77) a barrel on Tuesday.

It came as the International Energy Agency (IEA) said a decision by Saudi Arabia and Russia to cut production could cause a "significant supply shortfall" by the end of this year.

The RAC motoring group warned higher oil prices meant drivers were "in for a hard time" at the fuel pumps.

Latest figures show UK drivers are now paying ?1.55 on average per litre, with diesel at ?1.59. That is up from around ?1.44 and ?1.53 back in May.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, oil prices soared, hitting more than $120 a barrel in June last year.

They fell back to a little above $70 a barrel in May this year, but have steadily risen since then as producers have tried to restrict output to support the market. Saudi Arabia and Russia, members of the Opec+ group and two of the world's largest oil producing nations, decided to reduce production earlier in August.

At the same time, the US Energy Information Administration said on Monday that US oil output from its top shale-producing regions was set to decline in October for the third straight month, reaching its lowest level since May.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66852329

[SteveH]

If you've ever found yourself in a road incident, you'll know it can be stressful, and we may not always use our best judgment when trying to handle the situation. You're often under pressure, and emotions are heightened, leading to mistakes.

It could still be difficult even if you're simply a witness, with shock likely playing a factor and potentially causing panic, which means these mistakes are more easily made. It may seem straightforward to handle an incident, in theory, but what should you do when you're faced with a road traffic accident?

Experts from High Rise Legal Funding, a pre-settlement legal funding firm, have revealed the biggest mistakes many victims of road traffic accidents make. They've also explained how to avoid them in the event you ever become a victim.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/never-apologise-after-a-car-crash-legal-experts-explain-why/

[SteveH]

Car manufacturers appear split on the decision by the government to delay the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the planned ban was being pushed back five years from 2030 to 2035.

He said it was "not right to impose more costs on working people", adding "sensible green leadership" was needed.

Ford said the move undermined its electric car investment plans, but Toyota welcomed the announcement, saying the delay was "pragmatic".

The UK's motor industry body, the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders (SMMT), raised concerns that the delay could put off drivers switching to electric vehicles.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66863966

[Hugo]

If you've ever found yourself in a road incident, you'll know it can be stressful, and we may not always use our best judgment when trying to handle the situation. You're often under pressure, and emotions are heightened, leading to mistakes.
 https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/never-apologise-after-a-car-crash-legal-experts-explain-why/

It happened to me on a May Bank Holiday in 2000.      I was on the A55 and both lanes had come to a halt and I was at the end of the slow lane.   Then a woman was driving in the fast lane and didn't realise that the traffic had stopped.   She did an emergency stop, switched lanes and hit my car in the rear.
A traffic Policeman stopped and asked if we were ok and the woman admitted to the Police officer that she was to blame for the accident.  The Policeman told her that she shouldn't admit anything and told us to get off the A55 and sort the insurances out in the nearby slip road.    He also said that he wasn't going to report this as an incident
I told him that I wasn't moving anywhere, there was a 50 yard skid mark and that the woman could have killed me and I asked him for his number and made a note of it
Anyway as other drivers were braking hard I decided to come off the motorway and sort out the insurances in a place of safety
The moral of this story is when it comes to accidents don't trust anyone, not even the Police get a dash cam fitted for the front and rear of your car and that's your evidence if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a crash

[SteveH]

New Brexit trade rules covering electric vehicles could cost European manufacturers ?3.75bn over the next three years, an industry body has said.

The rules are meant to ensure that EU-produced electric cars are largely made from locally sourced parts.

But manufacturers on both sides of the Channel say they are not ready.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) also warned the measures could reduce output from EU factories by 480,000 vehicles.

And they said customers would pay the price.

The main problem lies in so-called "rules of origin" which come into force in January. They apply to shipments of cars across the Channel under the terms of the Brexit deal, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

They will effectively ensure that electric vehicles will need to have batteries produced in either the UK or the EU.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66889029

[DVT]

Having spent most of today in YGC this is where the money should be spent ... it is said that 20mph will save a few lives a year ... how many lives would be saved if NHS had the resources it needs - quite a lot more, I am sure.

I do agree that one road death is one too many, but what Drakeford has done will not stop that.

[SteveH]

Well said Dave, and grants, the millions handed out for non priority reasons makes me very angry too.

[SteveH]

A recent survey has thrown light on a disturbing trend in parking habits. According to CarMats.co.uk, seven per cent of drivers admitted to using parking spaces designated for parents with children when they don't have children with them, and five per cent said they would use a parking space reserved for people with disabilities.

Parent and child parking spaces can be found in private car parks throughout the country, especially in supermarkets. The larger bays are intended to give parents enough room to get their young children in and out of their vehicles.

Misusing a disabled bay can result in a penalty charge notice, which can cost between ?70 and ?100. Additionally, using a Blue Badge without being eligible can result in a hefty ?1,000 fine.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/people-admit-to-parking-in-disabled-and-parent-spaces-despite-hefty-fine-threat/

[SteveH]

A DRIVER from Conwy has won this years BRC4 British Rally Championship title with a round still to go.

Stephen Waugh, originally from the Scottish borders and now based in Mochdre, said he can now relax and enjoy after winning the 2023 BRC4 title.

Victory was sealed after the penultimate round of the championship, the Trackrod Rally in Yorkshire on September 23.

BRC4 is the fourth level of the British Rally circuit, but Stephens win suggests he could be set for bigger things.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23823062.conwy-driver-claims-british-rally-championship-victory/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Petrol prices rise for fourth month in a row - RAC

Petrol prices have risen for the fourth month in a row, jumping by 4.5p a litre on average last month, the RAC says.

Unleaded went up from about ?1.52 to ?1.57 in September, pushing the cost of filling a family car to over ?86.

The RAC said increased fuel costs were being driven by higher global oil prices, but it also claimed that petrol was being "overpriced".

But independent forecourts said they were "not unjustifiably pricing petrol higher than needed".

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent sellers accounting for 64% of UK forecourts, said margins were "under pressure" due to higher labour and energy costs, and reduced sales.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66997316

[SteveH]

One North Wales garage going above and beyond on petrol prices as tracker shows cheapest sites
Fuel pump prices are climbing again and more rises are expected in the coming weeks

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/one-north-wales-garage-going-27905123

Conwy

Tesco Llandudno Junction
Unleaded: 156.9p
Super Unleaded: 164.9p
Diesel: 164.9p

Gulf Penrhyn Bay
Unleaded: 157.7p
Diesel: 165.7p

Waterloo Service Station, Penrefail Crossroads
Unleaded: 157.9p
Diesel: 162.9p

Texaco MFG, Penrhyn Bay
Unleaded: 157.9p
Super Unleaded: 169.9p
Diesel: 165.9p
Premium diesel: 179.9p

[SteveH]

More than 600,000 British drivers face disqualification with "one touch of their phone", a road safety charity has warned. Analysis of official data obtained by IAM RoadSmart found that 547,287 drivers had six points on their licence as of August 5, and a further 94,088 had nine points.

The punishment for illegally using a mobile phone behind the wheel was toughened in 2017. Those caught face six penalty points and a ?200 fine.

Drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within three years are usually handed a six-month ban. Varying amounts of points are handed out for motoring offences, such as three for using a vehicle with defective brakes, between three and six for speeding and 10 for drug-driving.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/more-600000-drivers-face-being-27912602