News

Revealed: the best and worst motorway services in the UK

motorway services
Do you have a favourite motorway services? A review of user ratings reveals the best (Picture iStock/Gas Station)

At some point this year, you will have to pull into a motorway services. But the kind of experience you have – supreme or shoddy – will depend on which services you use. A new survey has revealed that there’s a huge difference between the best and worst.

Car dealership Brindley Group carried out the study. It looked at user reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and MotorwayServicesOnline for all 100 of the UK’s services on our 29 motorways. Researchers then collated review marks to award an average score out of five for each site.

What is the UK’s best services?

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Proof of why tired drivers pose a threat to other road users

tired drivers
Being tired at the wheel can have potentially lethal consequences (Picture iStock/LSOPhoto)

It’s obvious driving and sleepiness don’t mix. But some new research shows just how much of a threat tired drivers can pose to other road users.

It’s not only nodding off at the wheel that can be dangerous. Tired drivers struggle to anticipate hazards, drive too quickly and aren’t as aware of other road users. They’re all the traits we associate with drink driving. Hardly surprising that statistics show driver fatigue may play its part in up to one in five road crashes.

How was the study carried out?

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James Foxall 2 Comments

Half of all speed cameras are switched off, new report finds

speed cameras
There’s a 50% chance this will be switched off but drivers are still speeding (Picture iStock/Daniel Heighton)

Love ’em or hate ’em, speed cameras have been a part of British motoring life for more than 30 years. But your chances of getting a ticket for speeding from a fixed camera are now significantly reduced. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by BBC Panorama has revealed that only around half of fixed speed cameras now work.

Meanwhile, another request to police forces showed that the highest a driver has been caught speeding at between 2018 and 2020 was 163mph, more than twice the legal limit.

Why have speed cameras been turned off?

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James Foxall 5 Comments

How much do you know about alternative fuels?

A transport revolution is underway with the adoption of battery-powered electric vehicles. Although they’re new to us, there’s nothing radical about using a fuel that isn’t petrol or diesel. But how much do you know about alternative fuels? Take our crafty quiz to find out.

There have been all sorts of alternative fuels for cars over the years. But how much do you know about them? (Picture iStock/SimonSkafar)
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James Foxall 2 Comments

Is a city near you getting a Clean Air Zone this year?

clean air zone
London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone is the pioneer. More are being launched in 2022 (Picture iStock/Cheekylorns)

You might have heard of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone. But depending on where you live in the country, you’re more likely to have a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) coming to a city near you this year. We investigate what these are, what they mean to car drivers and reveal which cities are getting them in 2022.

What are Clean Air Zones?

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James Foxall 11 Comments

Read up on the new rules coming to a road near you in ’22

new rules
From next year, local authorities will be responsible for policing yellow box junctions (Picture iStock/JikGoe)

New year new rules, at least in the UK. For 2022, there’s a bumper set of new laws that will apply to drivers. If you’ve been struggling to keep up or read about and then forgotten some of them, don’t worry. We’ve summarised them below. Read on to see what’s new for ’22 when it comes to driving.

Bus lane and box junction fines are changing

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James Foxall 47 Comments

Driving licence backlog causing 10 week delay on new permits

driving licence backlog
Applying for a driving licence hasn’t been straightforward for some younger and older drivers (Picture iStock/stocknshares)

If you’ve applied for your driving licence and it still hasn’t turned up, you’re not alone. New figures have revealed that drivers are facing a 10-week wait if they’ve applied for a new driving permit.

The driving licence backlog is so bad that MPs are demanding action by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). We look at what’s causing the problem and what you can do about it.

How bad is the driving licence backlog?

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The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is here for vehicles

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard is a discrete way to show that you have some form of disability (that may not be immediately obvious). This could be any condition, impairment, illness, or disability that impacts day-to-day life.

The lanyard has been a great help for people all over the country, as it lets others know that they may need some extra help, support, or even just a bit more time in certain situations. And now, National Highways has announced the Sunflower is here for vehicles.

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Jack Stoker 4 Comments

Fuel shortage advice: how to use less petrol while driving

The fuel shortage is causing queues and chaos all over the country. Right now, we’re encouraging all drivers to make sure they only hit the road if they’re certain they have enough fuel to make the trip.

If you are heading out, you’ll probably want to use as little fuel as possible. Well, just follow these steps and you’ll get the most out of the fuel you’ve already got.

1. Slow down and stay steady

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Jack Stoker 4 Comments

Car ownership to rise, motoring costs to fall, new report says

motoring costs
This could become a more familiar sight on our roads (Picture iStock/Rajurahman85)

If you thought the roads were crowded at the moment you haven’t seen anything. That’s according to a leading think thank which has investigated the future of transport in the UK. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) forecasts that by 2050, there will be millions more cars on UK roads but less space to accommodate them. The good news is there could be a fall in motoring costs. Read on to see what changes we can look forward to.

How many cars will there be?

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James Foxall 3 Comments

Lack of computer chips causes new car shortage. How and why?

computer chips
Computer chips are an integral part of car manufacture (Picture iStock/Madmaxer)

Anyone who’s tried to buy a brand-new car this year may well have been disappointed. Dealers will happily sell you one. But actually getting to enjoy that new-car smell and all the electronic wizardry a new car will feature now involves a lengthy wait.

The delays are all down to a shortage of a part that costs a few quid. They are called integrated circuits or semi-conductor chips, more commonly known as computer chips. There’s even a knock-on to used cars with prices of these increasing. Read on for the full story.

What are computer chips?

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Stolen cars: why ‘chop shops’ are the new threat for car buyers

chop shops
Chop shops are like legitimate garages but stolen cars are stripped for their parts (Picture iStock/Patrick Heagney)

If you’re unlucky enough to have your car stolen, there’s a very good chance it will end up in what’s known as a chop shop. There it will be dismantled or chopped up and its parts will either be sold to innocent consumers or used to repair wrecked cars.

Why might this be a problem for car buyers?

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A new petrol is on sale. Will E10 petrol be a problem for your car?

e10 petrol
E10 petrol is here, but what does it mean for your vehicle? (Picture iStock/Dutchphotography)

A new fuel, called E10, is now the standard petrol available in the UK. However, this new petrol may not be suitable for all vehicles. Read on to find out if you’re going to be affected.

What is the new petrol?

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James Foxall 17 Comments

Experts claim high returns from investing in a classic car

classic car
Buy a Ford Cortina Mk1 and you could see its value increase by nearly a fifth in a year (Picture Ford)

Interest rates have been super low for years so rather than investing in a savings account, why not invest in a classic car? And we’re not talking about putting money into a motor with a famous name such as Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin or Jaguar.

Experts are claiming that the prices of many cars once considered run of the mill are on the up. It’s been fuelled by enthusiasts who following the pandemic find they have more time and funds on their hands. It means finding an old car might make a more sensible investment than putting your money in the bank.

What age of cars should you look for?

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Number plates are the most popular illegal car modification

modification
Illegal number plates can be used to dodge number plate recognition cameras (Picture iStock/yevtony)

You’ve given your car a good clean but it still doesn’t quite say enough about you. What about a modification?

Perhaps a fancy new number plate that spells out your name. Or some tinted windows to make it look a bit more ‘gangsta’. Or even some tasty lights that illuminate the road beneath as you drive along.

Of course we’re not against freedom of expression. But there are laws that must be abided by when it comes to car modifications, even if those changes are just cosmetic. New research by Comparethemarket has revealed the most popular modifications that have landed drivers in hot water.

Number plates the most common illegal mod

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James Foxall 12 Comments

Parent and child parking bays at supermarkets – the rules

parent and child parking bays
Use a parent and child parking bay wrongly and you could face an unexpected fine (Picture iStock/Daniel Heighton)

Who hasn’t been tempted to leave their motor in one of those handy parent and child parking bays at the supermarket? After all, they’re extra wide and usually conveniently positioned right next to the main doors. And they’re often empty. What harm could it do?

But slipping into one, even for a few minutes, could land you a hefty fine if you don’t comply with the supermarket’s terms and conditions.

Parent and child parking bays – the law?

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Traffic offence changes in December mean drivers face more enforcement

traffic offences
In London drivers get fines for stopping in yellow box junctions. That could spread through England and Wales (Picture iStock/GeorgeClerk)

Drivers are likely to face even tougher traffic enforcement from December onwards. Under new plans any council in England and Wales will be able to fine drivers for traffic offences. That means up to 300 councils will be able to apply to take over traffic enforcement. Read on to find out how this will hit drivers.

What sort of traffic offences will be penalised?

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James Foxall 14 Comments

Why driver distraction is a growing problem for all car owners

driver distraction
Programming the sat nav or changing ventilation settings could be dangerous (Picture iStock/Spukkato)

If you’re behind the wheel of a newish motor, driver distraction might be diverting your attention away from the business of driving.

Anything that potentially interferes in the driver’s relationship with the road can be hazardous. Latest Department for Transport figures for the UK show annually, driver distraction causes 3500 casualties.

These always used to be non-car related factors. They might have included advertising billboards, confusing road signs, children arguing in the back or map reading. But now experts believe cars are just as likely to be the cause of driver distraction. And top of the list of offenders are their sometimes confusing in-car infotainment systems.

How do cars distract you?

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James Foxall 6 Comments

Can new cars really spy on you and record personal information?

record personal information
Modern cars are constantly recording data and can be transmitting it too (Picture iStock/Oonal)

You know the make and model of your car. You probably know how much fuel it uses and maybe even what it’s worth. But how much does your car know about you? Read on to find out if new cars really can spy on drivers and record personal information.

Does your car record information?

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James Foxall 2 Comments

What are low traffic neighbourhoods and what do they mean for drivers?

low traffic neighbourhoods
Low traffic neighbourhoods turn roads into areas prioritising cyclists and pedestrians (Picture iStock/Michael Puche)

Car drivers, particularly in cities, are having to deal with a new feature: the low traffic neighbourhood. Brought in during first pandemic lockdown in mid-2020, they’ve split neighbourhoods. Some people are very pro; others seriously anti. Read on to find out all about LTNs as they’re often known.

What are low traffic neighbourhoods?

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