19/07/2012
Be careful where you park your lifeboat
Getting a parking ticket is always frustrating, particularly if you are only a minute or two late in returning to your car. However, it’s generally only cars, vans and motorbikes that get issued with the fines.So imagine the surprise of an emergency crew when they returned to their lifeboat to find a parking ticket attached to the covers.
The Atlantic 75 lifeboat, which was positioned on a trailer, had only been left unattended for a few minutes as crew members signed paperwork to have it decommissioned.
They were reportedly fuming when they discovered the fine, stating that it hadn’t even crossed their mind that they might get a ticket.
Fortunately the local council has now cancelled the fine and the crew can go back to saving lives without the fear of receiving a parking ticket for their efforts.
Photo © sgetliffe via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, crew, fines, lifeboat, parking ticket, vehicles
06/06/2012
A gold medal for British drivers!
The Queen’s impending Diamond Jubilee celebrations together with the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics seem to be having a real impact on all of us, including the British motorist.
And while you can be sure that there’ll be a fair amount of enthusiastic flag waving taking place over the summer, there are other ways we’ll be showing our patriotism.
Perhaps surprisingly, given the economic austerity we all find ourselves in, more than two-thirds of drivers intend to purchase a car over the next six month – and, most surprisingly, 58% of these say that the vehicle they buy will be British.
And while around half of these drivers that they will do it out of a conscious desire to boost the UK economy, nearly as many say that they will do it out of a pride in our British heritage.
It’s great to hear that people are thinking outside of a purely individualist mentality and looking to, by their actions, bolster Britain.
And while not everyone may be able to afford iconic British vehicles such as the Range Rover, Aston Martin or Jaguar, many of us may still be able to invest in brands such as Mini and Vauxhall.
Here’s a gold medal for effort!
And while you can be sure that there’ll be a fair amount of enthusiastic flag waving taking place over the summer, there are other ways we’ll be showing our patriotism.Perhaps surprisingly, given the economic austerity we all find ourselves in, more than two-thirds of drivers intend to purchase a car over the next six month – and, most surprisingly, 58% of these say that the vehicle they buy will be British.
And while around half of these drivers that they will do it out of a conscious desire to boost the UK economy, nearly as many say that they will do it out of a pride in our British heritage.
It’s great to hear that people are thinking outside of a purely individualist mentality and looking to, by their actions, bolster Britain.
And while not everyone may be able to afford iconic British vehicles such as the Range Rover, Aston Martin or Jaguar, many of us may still be able to invest in brands such as Mini and Vauxhall.
Here’s a gold medal for effort!
Photo © foshie via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Aston Martin, British, drivers, Jaguar, mini, Range Rover, Vauxhall, vehicles
23/04/2012
Scooter safety deemed a serious issue
Motorised scooters have long been one of the most popular forms of transport among the elderly and people with mobility issues. Unfortunately media stories regarding the dangers posed by these slow-moving vehicles are all too common.
In 2010 an Essex resident sustained serious injuries after accidentally driving his scooter into a pothole and being jolted forward into the road. The following year a scooter user accidentally drove into an unsuspecting elderly shopper, who is yet to fully recover from her injuries.
It has been suggested that such accidents will keep happening until the scooter users are legally required to register for some form of on-road training. The Labour MP for Plymouth Davenport has also called for regular in-depth safety checks.
She said, “With an increasing ageing population, some action has to be taken to ensure that standards are maintained in terms of the safety of these vehicles and that some basic training is undertaken by all users.”
Any changes in the law are likely to be readily accepted by individuals who might have had to rely heavily upon friends and family if it hadn't been for their scooters. If the car world is anything to go by then training could even come with the incentive of a reduction in scooter insurance premiums.
In 2010 an Essex resident sustained serious injuries after accidentally driving his scooter into a pothole and being jolted forward into the road. The following year a scooter user accidentally drove into an unsuspecting elderly shopper, who is yet to fully recover from her injuries.
It has been suggested that such accidents will keep happening until the scooter users are legally required to register for some form of on-road training. The Labour MP for Plymouth Davenport has also called for regular in-depth safety checks.
She said, “With an increasing ageing population, some action has to be taken to ensure that standards are maintained in terms of the safety of these vehicles and that some basic training is undertaken by all users.”
Any changes in the law are likely to be readily accepted by individuals who might have had to rely heavily upon friends and family if it hadn't been for their scooters. If the car world is anything to go by then training could even come with the incentive of a reduction in scooter insurance premiums.
Photo © Lighthelper :) back at work for now. :) via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: insurance, mobility, pothole, premiums, road, scooters, transport, vehicles
12/04/2012
Austin restored to its former glory
A number of previously popular vehicles have been consigned to the dustbin of time. Take a walk around a local scrap-yard and you're bound to see the parts of once grand cars such as the Sierra Cosworth or Rolls Royce. However, there are some motoring enthusiasts who are unwilling to stand by while their favourite cars deteriorate.
One such vehicle fanatic couldn't quite believe his eyes upon opening the garage of a recently deceased next-door neighbour to find a rusting and sad looking Austin 'Heavy'. As a long-term family friend he saw fit to enquire about the purchase and restoration of this 1930s vehicle.
Keen to see the classic car go to a good home the neighbour’s family readily accepted the offer and the vehicle's restoration is now complete. With a new lick of paint, exhaust system and tyres, the vehicle is ready to begin impressing the local people once more.
The new owner said, “It’s surprising how many gadgets there are, such as a picnic table on the back seat – it’s quite sophisticated really.
“When we took it to the petrol station we told the attendant that it was the first time it had been filled up in 53 years.”
As avid car lovers we are particularly intrigued to hear of similar noteworthy stories. So if you've taken the time to restore a battered and beaten rally car or a rusty Morris Minor then why not tell us about it? You never know, the story might even be good enough to feature in one of our regular blogs.
One such vehicle fanatic couldn't quite believe his eyes upon opening the garage of a recently deceased next-door neighbour to find a rusting and sad looking Austin 'Heavy'. As a long-term family friend he saw fit to enquire about the purchase and restoration of this 1930s vehicle.Keen to see the classic car go to a good home the neighbour’s family readily accepted the offer and the vehicle's restoration is now complete. With a new lick of paint, exhaust system and tyres, the vehicle is ready to begin impressing the local people once more.
The new owner said, “It’s surprising how many gadgets there are, such as a picnic table on the back seat – it’s quite sophisticated really.
“When we took it to the petrol station we told the attendant that it was the first time it had been filled up in 53 years.”
As avid car lovers we are particularly intrigued to hear of similar noteworthy stories. So if you've taken the time to restore a battered and beaten rally car or a rusty Morris Minor then why not tell us about it? You never know, the story might even be good enough to feature in one of our regular blogs.
Photo © Jon’s pics via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Austin, cars, classic car, garage, motoring, restoration, Rolls Royce, scrap-yard, Sierra Cosworth, vehicles
24/06/2011
Soon electric won’t seem so eccentric
One of the major reasons people are sceptical of the benefits of electric cars is a fear that this type of vehicle will leave them short.
It’s understandable – I mean, who would want to run out of juice just as they’re on a deserted road in the wilds of Rannoch Moor and a louring sky is closing in?
But slowly, ever since the first generation Prius appeared through to the latest Nissan Leaf, people are being converted to greener motoring.
Just last week it was reported that the founder of the charity Zero Carbon World had managed to drive the 894 mile length of Britain in an electric Tesla car, using only public car battery charging points to keep him going.
Good news is that the car managed to negotiate even the most challenging of terrains and conditions without so much as a hiccup, often reaching speeds of 70mph.
Maybe one day we will all be electric and the petrol pump will be a thing of the past.
It’s understandable – I mean, who would want to run out of juice just as they’re on a deserted road in the wilds of Rannoch Moor and a louring sky is closing in?But slowly, ever since the first generation Prius appeared through to the latest Nissan Leaf, people are being converted to greener motoring.
Just last week it was reported that the founder of the charity Zero Carbon World had managed to drive the 894 mile length of Britain in an electric Tesla car, using only public car battery charging points to keep him going.
Good news is that the car managed to negotiate even the most challenging of terrains and conditions without so much as a hiccup, often reaching speeds of 70mph.
Maybe one day we will all be electric and the petrol pump will be a thing of the past.
Image by NRMAdriverseat via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: electric cars, Nissan Leaf, Prius, vehicles
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