THEGAYUK

Category: Motoring

  • Union Jack To Be Featured On Driver Licences

    British motorists will be able to fly the flag with pride in the new year thanks to government plans to display the Union Flag on driving licences.

    Anyone applying for a new licence or changing their personal details will be issued with a licence showing both the British and European Union flags.

    The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity.

    Transport Minister Claire Perry said:

    “People in this country rightly take pride in our national flag which is why I am delighted it will now be displayed on British driving licences.

    “Celebrating Britain strengthens our sense of national identity and our unity. I will feel proud to carry my new licence and I hope others will too.”

    The inclusion of union flags on licences is one of a number of improvements being made for motorists. On 25 October this year, the DVLA announced a dramatic drop in licence fees for those who apply online. In the interests of reducing unnecessary red tape, since 1 October this year the paper tax disc is no more and motorists can pay their vehicle tax by direct debit. From 8 June next year the paper counterpart of the photocard licence will no longer be required.

    DVLA has also introduced a service to allow the public to check the most up to date information on their driving record.

    The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998. More than 127 million photocard licences have been issued since they were introduced.

  • Male Motorists Hit Hard With Car Insurance Rises

    Premiums for male motorists have risen by almost double that of females compared to this time last year.

    • – Car insurance premium prices up in Q3 2014 vs Q3 2013 – first year on year rise since 2011 peak

    • – MoneySuperMarket urges drivers to compare insurers to find the best deal for them

    Male motorists have been hit the hardest by rising car insurance prices, as year-on-year their premiums have increased by 3.2 percent, almost double the 1.8 percent increase for women, according to the latest analysis from MoneySuperMarket.

    The UK’s number one comparison site analysed 55 million car insurance quotes run on the site between April 2010 and September 2014, and found the average premium for male drivers has increased £14 from £425 in Q3 2013, to £439 on average this year. This compares to a £6 increase for women, with cover now costing £360, up from £354.

    This is despite the ECJ gender neutral ruling coming into force in December 2012. This prevents insurers charging men and women different amounts purely on the basis of their gender.

    Overall, car insurance premiums are up across the board when looking at Q3 premiums for all drivers, over the last three years. Premiums were flying high in Q3 2011, with a peak average price of £512 a year. This fell steadily – dropping to £456 on average in Q3 2012, and bottoming out at a wallet-friendly £394 in Q3 2013. This year has sadly seen the first premium price increase for all drivers, with overall premiums rising to £401 for annual cover at the end of September.

    Kevin Pratt, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket said,

    “Premium prices do fluctuate, and while we’ve been in a deflationary market for car cover for the last few years, costs are now creeping back up. What is surprising is that, despite the fact that gender neutral pricing has been in place in the car insurance market for several years, it turns out that men are still paying more. Insurers look at a wide range of factors when calculating premiums, such as postcode, profession, make of vehicle, driving history and points on a licence. Clearly, for whatever reasons, men are registering higher when it comes to insurer risk profiling, and they’re paying more than women as a result.

    “For car insurance, the key message is always to keep an eye on your renewal premium, and always to shop around and seek out the best possible deal for your circumstances. With premium prices currently trending upwards, it is even more important to make sure you aren’t paying over the odds on your renewal.”

  • Driving abroad this summer, Be prepared

    Many Brits will hit the roads abroad this summer, with around two million people steering their cars overseas every year*. MoneySuperMarket is urging motorists to check their car insurance policy before they go away to make sure they are fully aware of the cover provided when driving in Europe and further afield.

    Kevin Pratt, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: ‘If you’re taking your car to Europe this summer, the key advice is to understand how you are covered by your car insurance in the country you’re visiting. That means checking to see if your policy covers you to the level legally required in the countries you’re driving through as well as your destination. Many policies will protect you on European roads, but those with ‘fully comp’ cover are often downgraded to the minimum level of cover required in the country they are travelling in. In some cases cover can be limited to the basic third party level unless you pay to extend your fully comprehensive protection to apply off UK soil.

    ‘It is also important to check the number of days you are allowed to be away as this can differ between providers. Read through your policy wording before you travel as you may have to pay an extra premium if you are away longer than your standard cover permits.

    ‘The same applies for breakdown cover. You need to check you’re covered in Europe – on a country by country basis – because being stranded by the roadside, perhaps not speaking the language, and with a car full of fretful passengers, could ruin your holiday and cost you a fortune.’

    Rules of the road
    It’s important to swot up on the local rules of the road – do your homework before you set off on your trip so you are not caught out in an unfamiliar territory. Rules will change from country to country – from carrying a warning triangle, fluorescent vest and breathalyser in France, knowing the alcohol limit in Spain, and giving way to traffic entering a roundabout from the opposite side in Greece, so it really pays to research the rules in your chosen destination.

    Kevin Pratt, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, continues: “When people are relaxed on their holiday they may let their driving guard down, but as soon as you hit European soil, local driving rules apply, so it’s vital holiday-makers are vigilant. In the EU there are certain items you must have stored in your boot while driving such as warning triangles, so it’s worth reading up on exactly what you need before setting off.”

    Top tips for driving abroad:

    – European speed limits are displayed in km/h and not mph, therefore you should watch your speed.

    – In many European countries, the use of dipped headlights is compulsory for cars in poor daytime visibility and compulsory for motorcycles no matter what the visibility, day or night.

    – If travelling between countries, ensure you have a warning triangle in your boot, reflective jackets for each passenger and, if you are travelling to or through ski resorts, snow chains. If you do run into trouble, the emergency number in most countries is 112.

    – You’ll need to display a GB sticker on your car when driving within the EU – failure to do so could result in an on-the-spot fine. It’s also a requirement in some non-EU countries so it’s best to display one wherever you’re driving.

  • CAR REVIEW | Ford Fiesta 2013 Econetic

    Ford has created an amazing car in its updated 2013 Fiesta range.

    The car which was first unleashed upon the world in 1976 has gone through a number of guises from essentially a cheap run-around, to mum’s best friend, a first timer’s to boy racer – The new Fiesta gives a nod to all of its predecessor and adds something new to the list – maturity. The new Fiesta is the baby car that grew up. It’s an extraordinary car, with tonnes of hidden extras that will leave you smiling.

    Since the launch of the Fiesta, Ford has sold over 15 million of the little car, but you won’t find much to link the original to the latest mach. Gone are the cheap looking fittings, the uncomfortable seat fabrics and the vastly unpowered engines and hideous pea green or insipid browns finishes. That’s all been replaced by sleek lines, fresh modern colours and a cabin that is as exciting as it is relaxing.

     

    The Drive

    The Fiesta delivers incredible power and economy for its class, we tested a Titanium Econetic 5 door 1.6 TDCi 95 PS in Copper Pulse – and we found it surprisingly zippy and at home in London traffic or on the motorway.

    The ride was smooth, agile and solid and the car almost wants you to chuck it around corners, with it’s crisp and clean steering. The ESP systems ensure that you won’t over or under steer – and keeps all four tyres safely in contact with the road, even in slippier environments.

    Ford has hidden a few neat tricks up the Fiesta’s sleeve – like the hill start assist, which ensures that you don’t roll back while waiting at the lights.

    On the version we tested the car also has a camera at the back, which turns on automatically when you select the reverse gear. A clever guidance graphic helps you park perfectly, every time

    The built in SatNav can calculate your route’s destination in 3 different types of journey: fast, most direct and eco. And some of our favourite features include: the easy to select Cruise Control, the auto engine stop, which helps the eco credentials as it switches off the engine at traffic lights and the Active City Stop – which makes sure you won’t bump into the car in front.

    My only complaint would be that at lower speeds, in the car we tested, you require a number of gear changes and you find that you’ll have to rev quite a bit to get the power you really want when coming out of country road corners, it really doesn’t enjoy sitting in 3rd or even 2nd where other cars might be quite happy – but this is a minor quibble as you remind yourself you’re driving a diesel.

    The Fitout.

    We have to say that we wholly approve of Ford’s attention to detail – the cabin feels huge up front- complete with LED mood lighting, this car feels a million miles away from a first timer’s car. It’s seductive lines and textures actually beg for tactility. The seats feel solid and allow you to maintain a good posture, ensuring that even after a long haul in the 2013 Fiesta you step out feeling alive.

     

    We loved the in car entertainment – especially on the version we tried out – which included Ford’s revolutionary SYNC system, which can play your phone’s music list, read texts, place phone calls and in an crisis situation can even call the emergency services – all via Bluetooth connection.

     

    The Fiesta comes in a 3 door and 5 door version, with plenty of room – although the longer legged of us, might struggle in the back – and the boot space is impressive, but not quite big enough for an all out camping trip to North Wales Pride.

     

    The positive

    Looks great in its class of car

    Safety features

    In car entertainment and extras

    Great responsive steering and suspension

     

    The Negative

    Legroom for back seats

    1.0 Eco Boost Diesel needs constant gear changes at lower speeds

    Pricier than other models in its class

     

    Conclusion

    All in all Ford’s updated Fiesta is a car we’ve fallen in love with. The small car that’s grown up.

     

    Options

    Petrol engine options – 1.25-litre (59bhp, 81bhp); 1.0-litre (79bhp, 99bhp, 123bhp); 1.6-litre (104bhp, automatic gearbox only). Diesel engine options – 1.5-litre (74bhp); 1.6-litre (94bhp).

    Transmission options: five-speed manual gearbox, or six-speed automated manual (1.6-litre 104bhp petrol only). Trim levels: Studio, Style, Zetec, Zetec S, Titanium, Titanium X, plus Econetic sub-models at Style, Zetec and Titanium level.