The Watling Street bridge on the A5 in Hinkley has been named the most-bashed railway bridge in Britain. Vehicles struck it 25 times in the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
That’s according to research conducted by Network Rail. It found that the Bromford Road bridge in Dudley was the second most-struck bridge, leading to 72 hours of delays for rail passengers. Bridge strikes also cause disruption for motorists, as engineers are forced to embark on lengthy and costly repairs.
Most of the vehicles involved are Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and buses. On average, a bridge strike costs £13,000, which totals around £23 million a year for the UK taxpayer. In 2019, one single strike amounted to £1.8 million in train delay costs.
The release of information is timed to coincide with Black Friday and the Christmas shopping rush, when more large vehicles are expected to be on Britain’s roads. A Bridge Strike Prevention Group has been established to raise awareness of the problem and ensure companies and drivers have the knowledge required to avoid an accident.
‘Wise Up, Size Up’
Bridge strike incidents fell by 11 percent to 1,714 in the last financial year. However, Sir Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail, says there is more to be done. “We’ve done a lot of work with partners across the industry in recent years to tackle bridge strikes, and whilst it’s encouraging to see our work is paying off with numbers now on the decline, there’s a lot more to be done to cut the unnecessary delays, costs and safety risks they pose.”
In November and December, Network Rail will run a campaign reminding drivers to ‘Wise Up, Size Up’. Network Rail research shows that 43 percent of lorry drivers admit to not measuring their vehicle before taking to the road. And 52 percent admit to not taking low bridges into account.
Network Rail can now claim back the costs incurred by bridge strikes from hauliers. Until recently, the company had been paying for repairs and compensating train operators.
The top five most-hit railway bridges
In the past year, these have been Britain’s unluckiest railway bridges:
There’s never been a better time to buy a car online. Lockdown restrictions and fears over public health mean consumers are happier to shop online when searching for a new car. In some cases, it might be the only way to buy one.
According to a recent survey, around a third of consumers are comfortable buying a car online. This has led to the emergence of online sellers such as Cazoo and Cinch. The entire purchase is completed online, before the car is delivered to your home.
It represents a major shift in the way we buy and sell new cars. In the future, buying a car online is likely to be as normal as ordering a pizza via a smartphone app, or grocery shopping on a supermarket website. Traditional car dealers will still exist – but walking into a showroom will no longer be the only way to buy a car.
While the likes of Cazoo, Cinch and BuyaCar focus on used cars, many manufacturers are using the online space to sell new cars. As Vincent Tourette, managing director of Group Renault UK, commented: “We are seeing more customers wanting to complete more of their purchase online.
“Alongside our virtual showroom, we are supporting the traditional physical customer journey with the ability to do everything digitally from the comfort of your own home. We believe that this will become an increasingly useful tool, not only in the future but at present given the current nationwide restrictions.”
Here’s a rundown of the online car buying services, where you can browse a virtual showroom, sort the finance and arrange to click and collect the car of your choice. In some cases, you can even arrange home delivery.
BMW New Car Locator Tool
It’s not possible to complete the purchase of a BMW online, but a £500 payment will reserve a vehicle of your choice. The full BMW range is available, along with the facility to set a monthly or overall budget and find your nearest BMW dealer. Following further filters, you have a choice of reserving a car or sending an enquiry to a BMW dealer.
BMW New Car Locator Tool
Citroen Store
The French company revealed its Citroen Store in September 2020, following the launch of a virtual showroom. The entire buying process can be completed in less than 30 minutes and the UK is the first market to allow Citroen customers to complete a purchase without visiting a dealer. Once the order is placed, a customer can ask a dealer for home delivery, where available, or to collect from their local showroom.
Citroen Store
Dacia Select & Collect and Buy Online
Dacia sells Britain’s cheapest new cars, with prices starting from £7,995. That’s based on an entry-level Dacia Sandero. Alternatively, you can buy a Sandero Stepway for £10,145, or a Duster for £12,995. Using Select & Collect reserves a new Dacia at a selected dealer – it does not commit you to a purchase. For that, you need to use the Dacia Buy Online service.
It’s possible to personalise your car, select a finance deal, then decide whether to have the car delivered or collected at your nearest dealer. The price for home delivery is £250. A part-exchange facility is available.
Dacia Buy Online
Hyundai Click to Buy
Hyundai says there are six steps to securing a new car via its Click to Buy service. You start by entering your car’s registration for part-exchange purposes. Alternatively, you can skip this part. Then it’s a case of choosing your preferred method of payment and selecting the Hyundai of your choice. You’ll need to create an account before making a purchase. An initial payment of £250 and the balance of your deposit is required. Finance customers will need to collect their new car from their nearest Hyundai dealer, but cash customers can arrange home delivery.
Hyundai Click to Buy
Jaguar
There are two ways to buy a new Jaguar online. One is to build and order the car online, which should take no more than 30 minutes. Once complete, you choose a date for contactless collection of the car. Alternatively, you can select from an existing stock of new cars, which takes no more than 15 minutes. In both cases, a fully refundable £249 deposit secures the vehicle.
The process for buying a Land Rover works in the same way as buying a Jaguar. In both cases, the contactless vehicle collection is arranged in accordance with the latest government guidelines.
By visiting the Online Showroom, you can browse the range of new and used Mercedes-Benz cars. A ‘buy from home’ label will show you which cars are available for home delivery. A £500 deposit will reserve the car. The Mercedes-Benz dealer will call you to arrange payment and sort the necessary paperwork ahead of delivery. You’ll be sent a short video on the important details about your new car, but it’s possible to arrange a physical handover once lockdown restrictions have been lifted.
Cars sold via Nissan’s websites in China, Europe and North America accounted for 11 percent of the company’s overall sales in these markets in the first half of 2020. That’s up from 4-5 percent in the same period last year. The Shop@Home facility enables you to build a Nissan using the configurator, request a finance quote and share your desired model with a Nissan dealer. The necessary documents can be signed online, while the click and collect facility allows you to receive your car from a local dealer.
It’s possible to configure a new Mitsubishi online, then choose to collect it from your local dealer or get it delivered to your home for free until 29 December 2020. You can choose to pay monthly or in cash, while business users can spread payments over two to five years. The entire Mitsubishi range is available to buy online, from the Mirage to the L200.
With Peugeot Checkout, you can browse an online showroom, create your ideal car and select the appropriate finance deal. A part-exchange facility is available, and it’s possible to have the new car delivered to your home or nearest Peugeot dealer. Home delivery is free and in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.
Using Renault’s aptly-named Buy Online service, customers can order a new Clio, Zoe, Captur, Kadjar and Megane. Customisation options are available, along with an ability to pay cash or arrange finance. Home delivery costs £250, or you can arrange to click and collect your new Renault from the nearest dealer. All cars come with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. A part-exchange facility is available.
Renault Buy Online
Smart Online Showroom
To buy a Smart online, you will be directed to the Mercedes-Benz website. It works in the same way, so that while it’s not possible to complete a purchase online, you can arrange to click and collect your new Smart.
Smart Online Showroom
Tesla
Tesla is the odd one out on this list, because the company only sells online. Although it’s possible to browse and chat to a Tesla representative at one of its stores (once lockdown restrictions have been lifted), all orders are placed online. This can be done in a Tesla Store or at home via the Tesla website. A delivery date will be provided for every custom order, but it’s also possible to select from an inventory for accelerated delivery.
Buy a Tesla online
Toyota Buy Online
At the time of writing, anyone buying a new Aygo via the Toyota Buy Online facility will benefit from a free two-year service plan on vehicles ordered and purchased until 15 December 2020. Other Toyota vehicles are available online, but they’re not covered by this offer. It’s a simple process: you choose the Toyota you want, customise the car, value your existing car, then decide whether to buy outright or arrange a finance deal. The new car will be available to collect at a Toyota dealer of your choice.
The first 100 customers who order a new car online using the Vauxhall Online Store will get their first year’s insurance for free. The facility only offers the ability to calculate a PCP finance deal – you will need to contact your local Vauxhall dealer for alternative options. A part-exchange option isn’t available. Although it’s possible to sign the relevant documents online, the Vauxhall Online Store is for click and collect purchases. If you want the car delivered to your home address, you’re advised to contact your local Vauxhall dealer.
Vauxhall Online Store
Volvo Online
Volvo launched its online new car buying service in 2019. All forms of purchase are possible, including PCP, a structured payment plan and cash, along with the opportunity to part-exchange your existing vehicle. Although it’s possible to browse online, you must create a Volvo ID to see exact retailer prices and save your configurations. Once ordered, the selected dealer will be in touch to arrange collection.
The government has launched a consultation on introducing longer trucks to UK roads. This follows a trial of longer semi-trailers (LST) for articulated goods vehicles, which began in January 2012.
The trail was scheduled to run for a maximum of 10 years, with a total allocation of 1,800 LSTs. In 2017, the government agreed to increase the number by an additional 1,000 LSTs and to extend the trial by five years to 2027. The Department for Transport (DfT) gave no guarantees that the use of LSTs would continue beyond the trial period.
Although longer semi-trailers are, by definition, longer than regular HGVs, they must operate within the UK’s domestic weight limit of 44 tonnes for vehicles of six axles. In real terms, an LST can carry three more rows of supermarket goods cages on each journey compared with existing trailers.
In the past year, the 2,600 vehicles involved in the trial have saved lorry drivers 33.5 million miles and 48,000 tonnes of CO2. That’s the equivalent of 20,000 cars. There have also been fewer personal injury collisions compared with standard HGVs. Some 91 commercial vehicle operators supplied data for the trial.
‘Clear and undeniable’
Argos, United Biscuits and Eddie Stobart are three of the big names to participate in the trial. In 2017, the Freight Transport Association argued that LSTs should become permanent. Christopher Snelling, head of national and regional policy, said: “The success of the LST trial is clear and undeniable – it is time DfT looked to simply establish the flexibility in law so that the UK can continue to benefit from the efficiency it brings.
“The success of this project shows what can be gained from adding marginally to a dimensions of our road freight fleet – massive carbon, air quality and safety benefits can be achieved right now. Weights and dimensions should be looked at in a rational, evidenced based manner and not simply rejected because some campaigners do not like the sound of them.”
‘Boost safety and cut emissions’
The government wants to end the trial early and seek views on whether LSTs should be allowed to permanently operate on UK roads. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Our freight industry keeps the country moving, delivering vital goods and services every single day – which, as we all know, has never been more important than it is now, during the pandemic.
“These trials clearly show the benefits for business and the environment of using longer trailers. By determining the next steps to get them on our roads permanently, we can benefit industry and our economy, boost safety and cut emissions.”
England is now subject to new national lockdown restrictions, in place from 5 November to 2 December 2020.
The new regulations are slightly less restrictive than those introduced earlier in the year, but still have an impact on motorists.
Car insurance is one of the areas affected, but perhaps not one that many drivers consider. We explain what the latest rules mean.
What are the rules on non-essential travel?
The new Covid-19 legislation introduced to cover England specifies that non-essential travel is not permitted. In particular, the new restrictions state that: ‘No person may leave or be outside of the place where they are living without reasonable excuse’.
Justifiable reasons for leaving the home are detailed on the GOV.UK website. Separate guidance is in place for other parts of the United Kingdom.
Uswitch, which has helped compile information for motorists on lockdown, notes that drivers potentially risk a £200 for making unnecessary journeys.
However, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has some better news. The trade association for insurance companies has confirmed that drivers will not invalidate their policies by making non-essential journeys.
What if I have to drive to work due to coronavirus?
Motorists may find they need to drive to their place of work, rather than taking public transport. According to the ABI, this will not invalidate your car insurance, and should not require you to inform your insurer. This rule will remain in place until 31 December 2020.
Those on the government’s list of critical workers, who now need to drive to multiple locations for employment, will also be covered by their existing policy.
If your mileage is likely to increase substantially, Uswitch recommends speaking to your insurance company.
What if lockdown means I am driving less now?
Conversely, many motorists will be returning to working at home, leaving their cars unused. Should this lead to a substantial reduction in your annual mileage, you can contact your insurer to revise your policy.
It may result in lower premiums, but be sure to keep your insurance company informed if the mileage increases again.
Can I pause my car insurance for the next month?
It may seem an easy way of saving money, but pausing your car insurance cover for the next month could have unintended consequences.
If you have access to off-street or private parking, cancelling your insurance for a month may be an option. You will need to apply to the DVLA for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to avoid remaining liable for insuring the vehicle.
Your car must remain insured if parked on the public highway.
What happens if my car needs an MOT during lockdown?
Unlike during the first lockdown, MOT testing centres will remain open. This also means the requirement to have a valid MOT certificate continues as normal.
Should your MOT expire, your car insurance will not be valid. However, you will be permitted to drive to an MOT testing centre for a pre-booked test.
Due to an ongoing backlog from the previous government MOT extension, it is advisable to book your test as early as possible.
Can someone else drive my car if I need to self-isolate?
Covid-19 may require you to self-isolate, meaning you cannot use your car for even essential journeys.
Someone else may drive your car to get supplies for you, but they still need to be insured as normal. They may have ‘driving other cars’ cover from their own insurance policy.
Alternatively, you will be able to add them to your own insurance as a named driver.
Many people have already switched to commuting by car as a means to avoid public transport during the coronavirus pandemic. And as winter tightens its grip, with freezing temperatures and dark roads, the temptation to drive is stronger still.
If you are driving more this winter, you may hope to use less fuel – both for environmental reasons and to save money.
We have some helpful tips to cut your fuel consumption below. But first, let’s look at how winter takes its toll on your car.
How winter affects your car’s engine
Your car isn’t at its best in cold conditions. It becomes less efficient, revving harder as it takes longer to warm up. Cold oil increases friction and wear inside the engine, too.
Blasting the cabin heater also makes the battery work harder, as do ancillaries such as the rear window demister, heated seats, heated steering wheel and so on.
Mark Newberry of breakdown service Green Flag told us: “Drivers need to know how their vehicles are being affected by the seasonal drop in temperatures. Oil will be thicker in colder weather, until the engine warms up, increasing friction in both the engine and the gearbox, meaning that the engine will always have to work harder to make things move.”
Winter fuel saving tips
Here are four easy ways you can save fuel when driving in winter:
Don’t leave your car idling
It sounds obvious, but if you think you will be stationery traffic for a while, switch off your engine. Not only will you save fuel, you could also avoid a fine. Many modern cars have start/stop to do this automatically, of course.
Avoid short trips
Winter driving means it takes longer for your car’s engine to reach optimum temperature. Try to combine trips, using your car while it’s warm to save wear and fuel.
Limit which gadgets you use
Headlights, heater, heated seats, demisters for the windscreen, rear window and door mirrors – it all adds up to more energy and a bigger fuel bill. Wrap up and only heat the car as much as you need to.
Pump up your tyres
Aside from keeping you safe, the condition of your tyres also affects how much fuel you use. Make sure they’re pumped up to the correct pressures to get the best from your car.
Prices for cars using the M6 Toll road will rise by up to 30p a trip from 4 December, although rates for vans and trucks will be held.
The operator of the M6 Toll has also announced a new pre-pay ‘FlexiPass’ giving a heavily discounted rate for short local journeys.
The aim is to encourage local drivers to use the M6 Toll (also known as the Midland Expressway) rather than congested roads such as the A5 and A38.
A FlexiPass costs £29 for 10 journeys that start and end at the T4, T5 and T6 junctions. Trips can be carried out at any time: day or night, week or weekend.
It works out at £2.90 a journey, compared to the new daytime rate of £4.90 for cars using the junctions from 4 December 2020.
The FlexiPass will be introduced in January 2021.
“The new FlexiPass will help to encourage more short, local journeys on the M6 Toll by providing local road users with a flexible and discounted pricing option and achieve the aim of alleviating congestion on local roads,” said M6 Toll chief executive Andy Cliffe.
“It’s the latest in a suite of products designed to provide drivers with an accessible and cost-effective way of using the M6 Toll.”
Motorists pay one of two different rates when using the M6 Toll. The more expensive rate is called the mainline price. It is charged to those using the full length of the motorway, exiting via the north or south mainline plazas.
The cheaper rate is called the junction price, for motorists exiting at a junction and not using the full length of the road.
From 4 December, the mainline weekday price for cars will be £6.90 and the junction price will be £4.90.
It hasn’t been a good year for new car sales. Registrations of 140,945 vehicles in October resulted in the worst performance in the month since 2011, and things are not expected to improve before next year. So-called scrappage schemes are being used by manufacturers to tempt you into parting with your cash. You could save thousands off the price of a new car, as the details of the latest scrappage deals reveal.
What is a scrappage scheme?
A scrappage scheme is a way to encourage motorists to part exchange their old, polluting vehicles for new, eco-friendly models. The UK government ran an official scrappage scheme from April 2009 to to March 2010. Anyone trading their old car (10 years or older and with their name on the V5 for 12 months or more) would be given a guaranteed £2,000 towards a new model (£1,000 from the government and £1,000 from the manufacturer of the new car).
The scheme proved controversial among environmental groups and classic car enthusiasts, as it dictated all cars traded in through the scheme must be scrapped – even if they were in road-legal condition. In total, more than 390,000 vehicles were scrapped as part of the scheme.
The Citroen Swappage Scheme 2020 offers a discount of up to £5,000 across the entire range of cars, from the C1 city car to the SpaceTourer large MPV. The amount you save depends on the car in question. For the maximum discount, you’ll need to trade in your old car for a Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer.
Grand C4 SpaceTourer: £5,000
C4 Cactus: £4,000
C3, C3 Aircross, C5 Aircross, Berlingo and SpaceTourer: £3,500
C5 Aircross: £3,000
C1: £2,750
Qualifying vehicles must be first registered in the UK before 1 January 2014. You must have owned the car for a minimum of 90 days. Cars must be ordered and registered by 31 December 2020.
Citroen Swappage Scheme
Dacia – save up to £750
The Dacia New for Old Scheme provides a discount of up to £750 when you swap your old vehicle for a new Duster. There’s a smaller £250 discount available on the Sandero and Sandero Stepway. The Logan MCV has been discontinued.
You must have owned your car for at least 90 days to take advantage of the offer. The new Dacia must be ordered by 15 December 2020 and registered by 31 March 2021.
Dacia New for Old Scheme
Hyundai – save up to £5,000
Hyundai is billing its offer as a Scrappage and Emission Reduction Scheme. Your car is eligible for a discount of up to £5,000 if it was registered before 1 July 2012 and you have owned it for at least 90 days.
The company says that Euro 1-3 emission standard cars will be scrapped and removed from UK roads. Euro 4-5 cars can also be traded in.
Tucson (hybrid diesel) and Santa Fe: £5,000
Tucson (petrol): £4,000
i30: £3,500
Ioniq: £3,000
Kona (non-electric), i30 N Line, i30N and Tucson N Line: £2,500
Kona Play and Kona Hybrid: £2,000
i20: £1,700
i10: £750
Kona Iron Man and Kona Electric models are not available with the scrappage discount. Cars must be registered by 31 December 2020.
Kia is offering a scrappage discount of up to £2,500 on selected models. The new car must be registered by 31 December 2020 and originally registered on or before 31 December 2013. You must have owned the car for at least 90 days.
Stonic, Sportage, Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid: £2,500
If your car was registered before 1 October 2012 and you have owned it for at least six months, you’re eligible for the Lexus Scrappage Scheme. A discount of up to £4,000 is available, with the amount varying according to the model.
ES, NX, RX and RX L: £4,000
CT and UX: £3,500
The new Lexus must be ordered by 15 December 2020 and registered by 31 December 2020.
Mazda is offering a scrappage incentive of up to £4,000 off a new sub-161g/km CO2 car. Your old car must have been registered on or before 31 December 2011, but the offer is open to petrol and diesel vehicles.
Part-exchanged cars will be scrapped and removed from the road by CarTakeBack. The new Mazda must be registered by 31 December 2020.
With Renault’s New for Old Scheme, you could get a discount of between £750 and £3,000 when buying a new car. The car must be ordered by 15 December 2020 and registered by 31 March 2021.
Kadjar and Zoe GT Line: £3,000
Zoe (others): £2,500
Megane plug-in hybrid, Captur plug-in hybrid and Clio hybrid: £1,250
A discount of between £2,000 and £4,000 is available when you trade-in any car or commercial vehicle registered before 30 September 2012. You must have owned the car for at least six months. The new car must be ordered before 15 December 2020 and registered by 31 March 2021.
Hilux and Supra: £4,000
Proace and Proace Verso: £3,000
Aygo, Corolla, C-HR, RAV4, Prius, Camry, GT86 and Land Cruiser: £2,000
Unless otherwise specified, the car park spaces outside your house and on your street are open to all motorists. Roads controlled by resident parking permits or a bay reserved for disabled drivers are a couple of exceptions.
New research shows that 60 percent of motorists think they have a legal right to park in the spot outside their house. However, this isn’t the case. While you might have an understanding with your neighbours, there’s nothing to stop them or anyone else from parking outside your house.
Hannah Parsons, a solicitor at DAS Law, said: “A homeowner has no special legal right to park directly outside their property. All road users have the same right to park anywhere on the public highway as long as they do not contravene parking restrictions.”
‘Not something we can help you with’
A quarter of drivers revealed they would be happy to ‘steal’ a parking spot outside somebody else’s home. Drivers over the age of 55 are the group most likely to do just that.
In Edinburgh and London, one in seven motorists admitted to leaving an angry note on a car’s windscreen for parking outside their property. Meanwhile, one in eight drivers in Nottingham have actually confronted a stranger for what they deem anti-social parking.
Although you’re not permitted to park in front of an entrance to a property, it’s not actually an offence to park on somebody else’s driveway. Here, the line between criminal and civil law is blurred.
A statement on the Metropolitan Police website advised: ‘If someone parks their vehicle on your driveway without your permission, this is a civil dispute and not something we can help you with.’
As Hannah Parsons explains, it’s not a criminal offence. “If a vehicle is parked on your driveway without your permission, they are trespassing. As trespass is a civil and not criminal offence, the police will not always get involved. At most, they may send an officer to try and determine the owner of the vehicle and ask them to move it.”
‘Best to have a polite discussion’
Once the car is on a driveway, it’s technically on private property – where the local council has no jurisdiction. A council will remove an abandoned car from private or public property, but if the vehicle is taxed, insured and has a valid MOT they’re unlikely to touch it.
The research was conducted by Uswitch. Florence Codjoe, a car insurance expert at the firm, said: “Whilst it’s really frustrating to find a vehicle parked outside your home for weeks or months, it’s the decision of your local council as to whether it’s removed. If the vehicle is damaged, causing an obstruction, uninsured and without road tax, it’s likely the council will remove it.
“However, if you know the owner of the vehicle, it’s probably best to have a polite discussion with them before contacting local authorities, as they may not realise how much distress their vehicle is causing you.”
New car registrations fell 1.6 percent in October 2020 as the Welsh ‘firebreak’ lockdown dampened a surprise rise in private buyer demand.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders indicate the Welsh lockdown accounted for more than half the losses in October 2020 – and warns worse is in store for November following the English ‘stay at home’ lockdown that forces showrooms to close.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “When showrooms shut, demand drops, so there is a real danger that with England today entering a second lockdown, both dealers and manufacturers could face temporary closure.
“What is not in doubt, however, is that the entire industry now faces an even tougher end to the year as businesses desperately try to manage resources, stock, production and cashflow in the penultimate month before the inevitable upheaval of Brexit.”
New car registrations of 140,945 vehicles in October resulted in the worst performance in the month since 2011, with sales running more than 10 percent below average.
Demand from private buyers was actually marginally up 0.4 percent, but the larger fleet car market was down 3.3 percent, leading to the overall 1.6 percent market decline.
October’s figures follow a 4.4 percent fall in September 2020 new car registrations. This took them down to levels last seen in 1999.
‘Weakest since 1982’
The second lockdown has now led the SMMT revise down its predicted total for 2020 by a further 100,000 vehicles, to 1.56 million registrations.
This equates to 750,000 fewer registrations this year – a £22.5bn loss in turnover for retailers.
2020 is now expected to be the weakest year for new car sales since 1982.
In more positive news, over 9,300 100 percent zero emissions electric cars were registered in October, a 195 percent increase on 2019 figures. This saw electric cars take a 6.6 percent market share.
In contrast, the decline of conventional diesel vehicles continued, with sales falling 38.4 percent to a market share of less than 15 percent.
Even with mild hybrid diesels included, the fuel still now takes less than one in five new car sales.
Top 10 best-selling cars: October 2020
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was the surprise best-selling car of October 2020.
It beat the Vauxhall Corsa, which again edged ahead of the Ford Fiesta – although Ford’s supermini still holds top spot for 2020 year-to-date sales.
The new Ford Puma also bolstered Ford’s fortunes by coming in fifth, just behind the Volkswagen Golf and ahead of the Volvo XC40.
New data has revealed the motoring offences committed most often by young drivers in the UK.
In a year-long period spanning 2019 to 2020, young drivers aged between 16 and 25 broke the rules of the road more than 81,000 times.
More worrying were the 4,000 drivers who became repeat offenders. This creates the potential to see them instantly banned from the road.
The need for speed
Car leasing provider Moneyshake conducted the research, submitting a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
From the 81,509 offences recorded, speeding was by far the most common offence committed by young drivers. Those aged between 16 and 25 racked up more than 60,000 incidents of driving too fast.
Driving without insurance was worryingly high, with 6,367 incidents recorded. Expensive premiums for those under 25 may explain the motivation to drive without cover in place.
Despite Generation Z drivers typically being tech-savvy, using a mobile phone whilst driving was only seventh on the list. Hopefully it means even that younger drivers know not to update Instagram or use Snapchat on the road.
Repeat offenders
Making mistakes is understandable for young drivers starting out on the road. However, the data supplied by the DVLA showed that some aged 16-25 were quickly becoming repeat offenders.
A total of 4,371 drivers committed multiple driving offences in the same year. Some were found to have broken the law on up to five separate occasions.
Becoming a repeat offender for young drivers can have serious consequences. New licence holders are limited to just six penalty points for the first two years.
Exceeding this will see a driving licence revoked automatically by the DVLA.
Speeding was by far the most common repeat offence. This was followed by defective tyres, and failing to identify a driver also cropping up.
Given that young drivers are reported to spend more than £7,000 to get on the road, some are clearly happy to risk starting all over again…
