MPs are to vote on whether to back a ban on smoking in cars when children are present. The Commons are to vote on an amendment to the Children and Families Bill which, if agreed to, will give the Health Secretary the power to bring in a ban in England which would make it a criminal offence for drivers to fail to prevent smoking in their vehicles when children are present.

A significant number of GP appointments each year are a result of children suffering from the effects of secondhand smoke which includes passive smoking in the back of a car.

Bans on smoking in cars carrying children already exists in countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US.

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All drivers are aware of this menace – crater-like cavities in UK roads have caused problems for many drivers, ranging from uncomfortable journeys to irreversible car damage in the more extreme of cases.

Pot holes are caused by a combination of nature and neglect – the constant stress of vehicles on the asphalt road surfaces causes the roads to crack, leaving room for water to eventually seep into these cracks from rain, which then freezes in the colder months, therefore expanding as it turns to ice, pushing the gravel slowly apart. And when this ice melts in the warmer months, it has often left a very noticeable crack in the road surface known as a pot hole.

Whilst these are unsightly and a hazard to road users, the consequences of pot holes can be easily avoided with some safe driving. By driving slowly, you give yourself time to manoeuvre around any deformations in the road you may see, minimising the risk of damage to your car.

It is also advisable to stick to roads you are familiar with, as you are more likely to notice any pot holes. Also, experts suggest that should you run inadvertently into a pot hole, the best course of action will be to drive straight over it, as braking into the hole could cause more damage to your car.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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Three-quarters of parents who do the school run have witnessed aggressive behaviour by adults as they look for a parking spot, according to a new survey.

In the survey 1,000 people who do the school run regularly, 39% of respondents said they had witnessed or know about accidents involving parents’ vehicles outside the school gates. In addition, 79% of respondents said they would support 20mph speed limits around schools, with a quarter-of-a-mile radius being the most favoured distance.

While 70% of respondents said they felt their child is safe during the school run, 19% worry about their child going to and from school on their own during the dark winter months. Because of this, walking to school becomes a less popular option for parents during winter.

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A new onslaught of speed cameras are set to be introduced to UK motorways in order to prevent drivers from travelling at speeds in excess of 70 mph.

The new devices, known as “Stealth Cameras” will be breaking the mould, with a subtle grey design rather than the traditional yellow, and will be placed along so-called “Smart motorways“.

The move of adding speed cameras to motorways has come under attack from various driving-related groups, who suggest that the introduction of such cameras is more about increasing revenue than encouraging safety in driving.

As the cameras are less visible than their previous counterparts, many argue that they will not function as a deterrent, but instead are only being introduced to boost profits through a subsequent increase in fines of speeding drivers.

What are your thoughts? Is this a new motorway menace, or are more speed cameras a godsend?

Let us know your views in the comments section below!

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Do you think you would pass your driving test?

Studies have shown that most drivers who pass their tests are more confident that those who fail at first- suggesting that a there is a strong dependence on your own assumptions of your ability.

If you consider yourself to be a good driver, you are less likely to make mistakes, as you will be more likely to concentrate on your positive driving skills, whereas a nervous driver will be constantly thinking about potential mistakes they could make, leading to them being more likely to make said mistakes and therefore to fail their test.

Other than learner drivers preparing to take their tests, another study has shown that many legal drivers are still concerned about the level of their driving ability, with a large proportion being unsure that they would pass their test if they were to take it again.

What are your thoughts? Are you a good driver, or do you need a couple of refresher lessons?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Safe driving this weekend from Britannia!