If you don’t clear the snow from your vehicle before driving off, you could land yourself a hefty fine.
Motorists could also be hit with points on their licence – even if there is snow on their car roof that doesn’t obscure windows.

Those caught driving without clearing their car sufficiently are in breach of Rule 229 of the The Highway Code, stating that all windows, lights and number plates on your vehicle must be clear of snow.

Failure to do so will result in a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence. However, the rule also requires motorists to remove any snow that could fall from their car and into the path of other road users.

An AA spokesman stated that when driving around with 12 inches of snow on your car, there is the possibility it will fall off at some stage, which is going to pose a danger to other road users – if snow falls off the roof it could obscure another driver’s vision, which can get serious for you if it causes an accident.

Safe driving from Britannia!

A woman was jailed for three years after hitting and killing a motorcyclist while making a hands-free call. She was travelling on the wrong side of the road before colliding head-on with the motorcyclist.

The driver of the car was convicted of dangerous driving after prosecutors argued that she was distracted while driving. She was also given a four-year driving ban.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the motorist was in mid-conversation on a long call with her friend when she veered across the road and hit the 26-year-old man on 7th November, 2016. She denied that she had been distracted after claiming she had hit a pothole, which had caused her to lose control – but police found no evidence to support this.

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media. This also applies if you are waiting at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. It is also illegal to use a mobile phone while supervising a learner driver.

While using hands-free is not illegal, it can cause a distraction and affect your ability to drive safely, meaning you can still be prosecuted. Research reveals that drivers are nine times more likely to be involved in a collision while using hands-free phones at the wheel.

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This is the questions that many British motorists are asking this festive season! By all means, there is no harm in adding a little Christmas cheer to your vehicle – but within reason. For instance, no decorations should obscure the view of the driver, and any exterior modifications must not endanger the driver, any passengers or other road users.

By shining multi-coloured lights from the front and/or rear of your vehicle you run the risk of confusing or dazzling other road users, and being pulled over by the police for dangerous driving. Fairy lights are therefore not recommended for displaying in the car!

A front-mounted wreath or any decorations fixed to the bonnet or roof of your car could come unattached and pose a hazard if, heaven forbid, you are involved in an accident. Remember, a safe vehicle means a sensible driver.

A solar-powered Santa or Rudolph on your dashboard should certainly suffice without causing any unnecessary distraction or danger! If you’re unsure which festive decoration ideas are deemed safe and legal for displaying in your vehicle, do a little homework before you go driving!

Safe driving from Britannia!

UK motorists are being warned about drug driving as certain prescribed medication could potentially result in them receiving a driving ban, jail sentence and/or unlimited fines.

Official figures revealed nearly four motorists are being taken off the road every day in the UK for driving under the influence of drugs – meaning that an overall 1,440 motorists are being convicted every year for drug driving. March 2015 saw new road-side drug screening devices being introduced, along with new limits for a range of prescribed medication. This enables restrictions on the various forms of medication that drivers may take safely while behind the wheel.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman Chief Constable stated that the change in the law has led to thousands more prosecutions of motorists who may well have previously escaped detection. Apparently, far too many people still attempt to drive under the influence of drugs.

The list of substances that police will now test for also include common medication/prescription drugs that people previously deemed completely innocuous. Illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin can see you banned immediately, but so can over-the-counter medication such as codeine. Furthermore, antihistamines can cause drowsiness, which in turn could impair and affect your driving.

Before taking any medication, people are reminded that they should always read the safety leaflet before driving. If unsure, they should ask the pharmacist whether or not they are safe to drive. Prescription drugs deemed impactful on driving by the DVLA include Amphetamine, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam, Lorazepam, Methadone, Morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, eg Codeine, Tramadol or Fentanyl, Oxazepam and Temazepam.

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New statistics reveal where to avoid when out on the road this festive period. For the past two years, Crewe has been shamefully crowned the UK city with the highest rate of drink and/or drug-driving offences. However, that’s not the case in 2017…

A review of more than 7 million insurance quotes has identified Sunderland as having the highest proportion of drivers convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to the review of insurance quotes, the haven from dangerous drink and drug-drivers is London – though that shouldn’t come as much a surprise considering the higher use of public transport and the introduction of the night tube on Friday and Saturday evenings.

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The Public and Commercial Service union has warned that thousands of driving tests could be cancelled as a result of examiners beginning a 48-hour strike. The union says the new driving test means examiners will have to work longer and harder for no extra pay.

The chief executive of the DVSA stated the union was “trying to undermine” the new test. He said it showed a “shameful disregard for both road safety and learner drivers who have worked so hard”.

The DVSA said the new test offered a more realistic assessment of driving skills.

The PCS general secretary said his union had tried to negotiate: “No one takes strike action lightly and we acknowledge the disruption to the driving tests for learner drivers keen to pass their test.”

The union said examiners, who are employed by the DVSA, were being told to work harder as the tests come into force.

It said the tests were being accompanied by a “flexible working” regime, which gives managers the ability to deploy driving test examiners anywhere they choose without notice.

The PCS says this could mean staff working six days a week, but only being paid for five.

The DVSA said this was “simply not true”, adding that it had recruited more than 320 extra driving examiners in the past year.

What are your thoughts on the new test?

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While many dogs will sit quietly on your back seat while you’re driving, others might move around, leap about and most likely cause a distraction. Even if your four-legged friend is well behaved in the car, it’s still vital to provide some means of restraint for them in case of an unexpected bump in the road or, heaven forbid, you are involved in an accident. The force of an impact could cause your dog to be thrown forwards in the car, resulting in serious injury or even death.

A dog should never sit on your lap while you are driving, or even on the laps of any passengers. It is generally safer for them to travel in the back of your vehicle as opposed to on the passenger seat. If your dog is happy to sit quietly in a crate or cage, then this is one potential option for restraining your dog when out driving. Alternatively, dog guards can be fitted in your vehicle, between the back seat and the boot area, providing a restricted area for your dog to be contained within.

For smaller dogs, it is possible to purchase a special “doggy booster seat” that ensures a comfortable seating position and safe attachment to the car. Harnesses are also available in most pet stores, and are generally considered to be the best and safest choice of restraint for your dog when travelling.

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A 15-year-old boy has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after five people died after a car smashed into a tree.

Two men and three children all travelling in the same car, were instantly killed in the “catastrophic” crash on Saturday night in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police said the suspect would appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning, charged with five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The crash happened just before 10pm when shocked neighbours reported hearing a “loud bang” and seeing a car “completely squashed”. A forensic investigator was later seen photographing debris next to yellow evidence markers.

Recent research by an insurance firm has shown that hundreds of underage drivers are being caught every year in the UK, and numbers are rising. Last year alone, 725 under 17s received a driving ban after being caught behind the wheel, before they’re even old enough to hold a licence.

This has prompted calls for tougher penalties to prevent underage driving. The number of repeat offenders suggests that the current system of disqualification is not proving an effective deterrent to underage drivers, with some children caught behind the wheel 15 times.

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We’ve all been stuck behind a bus at some point in our lives, and granted, it’s not much fun considering the number of stops it has to make between you and your destination. That said, your arrival on time is equally as important as that of the bus passengers, so try and be patient while behind the wheel. Furthermore, consider yourself fortunate enough to be able to drive to work in your own vehicle, as most commuters wish they could do.

Should the opportunity to overtake arise – if it is safe and legal to do so – then go for it! But if not, exercise that patience and wait for the right moment. Too many drivers get impatient and aggressive when the slightest delay is caused to their journey – even if they’re not required to arrive at their destination at any specific time.

Remember, the bus driver has a schedule to run to, and is in no more of a hurry than you. We can’t stress it enough – be patient, stay cool!

Safe driving from Britannia!

A number of drivers have been branded “irresponsible” for turning around after queieing inside a tunnel, causing what could only be described as chaos. The impatient motorists decided to simply ignore the fact that they were on a one-way system instead of waiting for the congestion to pass.

One motorist filmed the scene in the Butetown tunnels in Cardiff when they were faced with a “10 minute delay.” He said they simply exacerbated the situation after turning around and attempting to drive out of the tunnels on the wrong side of the road.

A minor collision on the A4232 flyover to Cardiff Bay had caused traffic to build at 6.15pm on Saturday afternoon, with cars queuing all the way down the dual carriageway.

However instead of waiting, footage shows a female driver of a black Mercedes telling other motorists to exit the wrong way out of the busy tunnel. Seconds later a silver 4×4 is seen with other cars using the tunnel’s second lane to turn around.

The witness reported: “The driver was telling other cars to get out the way and drive down the middle lane like you see emergency services do. People just started turning their cars around like it was a normal thing to do. They hadn’t been there for more than minutes. I couldn’t believe it.”

The traffic cleared in 15 minutes after the accident was cleared 300 yards away from the tunnel.

While there is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck in a traffic jam, please try and be patient as you may find the hold-up is not as drastic as it initially seems.

Safe driving from Britannia!