» Listings for 2011

1. New Survey from AA

   Posted on 8:19pm Thursday 23rd Jun 2011

   21 June 2011

   The AA's Great British Motorist report looks at motoring opinion since the start of the Coalition Government.

   Potholes, parking and lack of traffic police alongside strong views on speed cameras, speed limits and speed awareness courses have been some of the critical issues on this year's Populus agenda, tracking the views from 150,000 members.

   Some 200 questions have been asked, ranging from serious motoring issues like drink drive limits (the majority support lower limits) to the best song to drive to ('Bat out of hell').

   Fuel prices

   Soaring fuel prices are rammed home as one of the big challenges facing the coalition government in its first year, according to new research. The proportion of drivers affected by record pump prices has leapt from 63% at Christmas to 76% now.

   With just under half still blaming the Government for the high cost of fuel and a quarter blaming oil companies, the relevance of research as the barometer of driver opinion across the full range of motoring issues over the past 12 months is clear.

   Comment

   According to Edmund King, AA President, "The Coalition Government has talked about 'ending the war on the motorist' yet some of their actions appear at odds with motoring opinion, such as, not lowering the drink drive limit or suggesting less frequent MOTs. Our research shows that the majority of drivers supported a lower drink/drive limit and they felt that less frequent MOTs could hinder safety.

   "The cost of fuel is top of drivers' concerns. The number of driver's adversely affected by fuel prices is now running at an all time high of 76%.

   "Despite the Government ditching the proposed fuel duty increase at the budget, 42% of drivers still blame the Government for high fuel prices. If the Government really wants to get the motorist on board their policies should reflect mainstream motoring opinion."

2. Bus and Train Service see's Profit as Motorists struggle to afford cars

   Posted on 1:53pm Thursday 23rd Jun 2011

   Bus and train operator Go-Ahead has reported that profits have been given a further boost as more hard-pressed motorists opt to use the company’s services.

   Go-Ahead, which has a fleet of 3,800 buses and is part of a joint venture responsible for Southern, Southeastern and London Midland rail services, said its buses represented “better value” than travelling by car.

3. A new way of scrapping your car?

   Posted on 11:34pm Wednesday 22nd Jun 2011

   A FED-UP motorist decided to get shot of his duff Porsche — by giving it to a gun club for target practice.

   The £50,000 luxury motor was riddled with more than 10,000 bullets after 140 weapons enthusiasts were done with it.

   Its owner decided to make the generous gift after getting fed up with his silver 911's constant engine problems.

4. Almost half of motorists are driving less.

   Posted on 10:14am Wednesday 22nd Jun 2011

   48% of motorists are 'cutting back on driving'

   By Peter Woodman

   Almost half of motorists are cutting back on journeys for financial reasons, according to a survey by the RAC.

   The cost-of-motoring impact is likely to get worse with car users feeling isolated, particularly those in rural areas, the poll found.

5. Taxi war in the west midlands

   Posted on 2:12pm Monday 20th Jun 2011

   Birmingham Council braced for a taxi war among black cab drivers!!

   
   

   A BIRMINGHAM taxi war could be looming amid fears that cabbies from across the Midlands could exploit a legal loophole to work in the city.

   Black cabs registered in other boroughs can now pick up pre-booked passengers in Birmingham following a High Court