Consumer news
Tory no-show at ‘fair fuel prices’ debate sparked by 102k-signature petition
Tory no-show at ‘fair fuel prices’ debate sparked by 102k-signature petition
As the public calls for action, the treasury points to ‘savings’ from a 2010 fuel price escalator freeze
Speeding to be recorded as a cause of many more car accidents
Speeding to be recorded as a cause of many more car accidents
New police guidance for reporting will see a big rise in speeding recorded as a cause of car crashes
Bugs Away! Number plate spatter-count reveals shocking insect decline
Bugs Away! Number plate spatter-count reveals shocking insect decline
Bugs Matter project shows flying insect numbers have fallen by almost 60 per cent in 20 years
Fossils fuels are the problem not combustion engines, experts say
Fossils fuels are the problem not combustion engines, experts say
Mechanical Engineering Industry Association criticises EU plan for phasing out of internal combustion engines in cars
Gap between electric car ownership and charging provision grows
Gap between electric car ownership and charging provision grows
Official figures reveal 29 per cent more electric vehicles were sold in March 2022 than new public chargers were installed
Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars under EU ruling
Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars under EU ruling
Concerns over “Big Brother in your cockpit” as speeding drivers could hear alarms or see engine power reduced
Exclusive: more than 280,000 speeding fines cancelled in 2021
Exclusive: more than 280,000 speeding fines cancelled in 2021
Over one in seven speeding tickets were cancelled in 2021, with administrative errors and stolen vehicles among the most common reasons
Delayed trailer test law changes come into force
Delayed trailer test law changes come into force
You no longer need to take an extra test to tow a trailer, irrespective of when you passed your driving test
Gridserve announces raft of new motorway electric car charging hubs
Gridserve announces raft of new motorway electric car charging hubs
Gridserve planning a total of 20 Electric Hubs and six Electric Forecourts, with 13 sites already under construction
Stellantis plans huge revenues with new software-driven cars
Stellantis plans huge revenues with new software-driven cars
Stellantis says it’ll rake in more than €20 billion in annual revenues by 2030 thanks to its new technology and subscription services
Dashcam-upload portal reports spike in ‘dangerous driving’ videos
Dashcam-upload portal reports spike in ‘dangerous driving’ videos
Big increase in citizen policing on British roads pays dividends for hard-pressed police forces
Prime Minister to confirm plans for electric car chargers in every new home built in UK
Prime Minister to confirm plans for electric car chargers in every new home built in UK
England will be the first country in the world to introduce mandatory electric car charging points for new-build homes
Autumn Budget 2021: fuel duty frozen
Autumn Budget 2021: fuel duty frozen
Chancellor of the Exchequer announces that fuel duty will remain frozen once again in light of high petrol prices
Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirms digital driving licences are on the way
Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirms digital driving licences are on the way
DVLA plans to offer a digital provisional driving licence by 2024, with full digital licences to follow at a later date
Over 5.5m cars had MoTs delayed under Covid extension
Over 5.5m cars had MoTs delayed under Covid extension
More than a fifth of drivers took advantage of MoT extension, with motorists warned MoT bookings will be in high demand this September
Four million people in the UK have fallen asleep while driving
Four million people in the UK have fallen asleep while driving
Research produces worrying revelation that four million UK motorists have nodded off behind the wheel at some point
Thatcham approved devices and crash tests explained
Thatcham approved devices and crash tests explained
Thatcham studies crashes, rates alarms and sets insurance groups to help cut drivers’ costs. We find out how
UK child car seat, booster seat and baby seat laws explained
UK child car seat, booster seat and baby seat laws explained
Detailed info on latest baby seat and child seat regulations, plus when it’s OK to use a booster seat
8,800 drivers on UK roads with 12 points
8,800 drivers on UK roads with 12 points
There are currently 8,800 drivers in the UK still driving despite having enough penalty points to trigger an automatic ban
Councils to get new powers to issue fines for traffic offences
Councils to get new powers to issue fines for traffic offences
Local authorities will be able to fine drivers who commit moving traffic contraventions under legislation being drawn up
UK drivers to escape EU speed camera fines due to Brexit
UK drivers to escape EU speed camera fines due to Brexit
UK’s departure from the European Union puts an end to cross-border directive, leaving EU countries unable to enforce speeding penalties for drivers ca…
Driverless car users may not be liable in accidents
Driverless car users may not be liable in accidents
Law Commission proposes motorists in driverless cars should be renamed “users in charge” as part of “no-blame culture”
Warning: scam emails, texts and calls targeting motorists rise 600%
Warning: scam emails, texts and calls targeting motorists rise 600%
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has released images of common scam emails, as fraud reports skyrocket 600 per cent
Fiat-Chrysler faces £5bn UK lawsuit over defeat devices
Fiat-Chrysler faces £5bn UK lawsuit over defeat devices
Around half a million FCA-engined vehicles in England and Wales could be affected by diesel emissions scandal, says law firm
Driving licence validity extended for 11 months
Driving licence validity extended for 11 months
Move follows seven-month extension announced in June; photocard licences expiring between 1 February and 31 December 2020 get automatic 11-month exten…
Government weighs up ban on pavement parking
Government weighs up ban on pavement parking
Consultation into parking on pavements considers three options, as practice puts people with disabilities, and others, in danger
Government teams up with supermarkets to map potholes
Government teams up with supermarkets to map potholes
Audit of perilous state of UK’s roads will be bolstered by data from Tesco, Ocado, Uber and Deliveroo
Over four million motorists at risk of expired MoTs
Over four million motorists at risk of expired MoTs
MoT extension scheme has caused spike in number of vehicles needing MoT test in the next three months; those driving a car with expired MoT risk £1,00…
London and Cardiff authorities take £58.2m fines from moving traffic offences
London and Cardiff authorities take £58.2m fines from moving traffic offences
London and Cardiff see 25 per cent rise in money from fines for stopping in a yellow box junction, making an illegal turn or driving down a no entry
Deaths on UK’s major road network reach eight-year high
Deaths on UK’s major road network reach eight-year high
Official figures reveal an increase in fatalities on Strategic Road Network, with collisions costing over £1 billion in a year
BMW and Mercedes pause autonomous car partnership
BMW and Mercedes pause autonomous car partnership
German firms had previously agreed to work together on Level 4 self-driving systems, plans that have been paused following a "mutual and amicable agre…
Concerns as rise of connected cars coincides with sharp increase in cyber attacks
Concerns as rise of connected cars coincides with sharp increase in cyber attacks
Some 67 per cent of new cars registered in the UK are ‘connected’, with automotive cyber attacks rising rapidly
Calls for car dealerships to reopen as closures costs Treasury £61 million a day
Calls for car dealerships to reopen as closures costs Treasury £61 million a day
Every day dealers remain closed costs the Treasury £20 million in lost tax revenue, and £41 million in furlough payments
European cars subject to 10% import tariffs from 2021
European cars subject to 10% import tariffs from 2021
UK will default to World Trade Organisation rules from 1 January 2021 unless a a free trade agreement is struck with the EU
Electronic Stability Programme prevents half a million accidents
Electronic Stability Programme prevents half a million accidents
In the 25 years since ESP was introduced, half a million accidents have been prevented and 15,000 lives have been saved
Electronics make up 40% of a new car’s cost
Electronics make up 40% of a new car’s cost
Cost of car electronics see sharp rise over recent years, and are projected to make up half of the cost of a new car by 2030