Tag: RAC
Roads minister announces ‘evidence review’ of red lights for recovery operators
In a significant win for the roadside rescue and recovery industry, Roads Minister Michael Ellis MP today announced that the Department for Transport would be reviewing the evidence base for the benefits of recovery operators being permitted to use red flashing warning beacons, instead of the amber warning beacons current legislation allows. The announcement occurred during a Westminster Hall debate led by Tracey Crouch MP.
RAC and Euro Car Parts form 500 branch-strong independent garage network
The RAC has joined forces with Euro Car Parts to create the biggest independent garage network in the country. Formed from existing RAC Approved Garages and Autofirst Network members, along with new sign ups, the newly created ‘RAC Approved Garages powered by Autofirst Network’ already has 500 garages on board and is expected to exceed 650 by April this year.
Pothole-related breakdowns on the increase, says RAC
RAC patrols attended 11 per cent more breakdowns that could be attributed to potholes in the last quarter of 2017 than in the same period in 2016, according to new data used to compile the RAC’s Pothole Index.
‘Scrapping hard shoulder will risk lives’ – RAC
The RAC has announced that scrapping the hard shoulder on busy motorways will put more motorist’s lives at risk. According to the RAC, more than half (55 per cent) of drivers do not know where to go if they break down on stretches of the new ‘smart’ motorways and 52 per cent did not know what an emergency refuge area was.
Driving Test changes meet with general approval
Changes to the driving test will help save lives and improve road safety, said transport minister Andrew Jones. Learner drivers will need to pass a modern test that will include new manoeuvres and a longer independent driving section to make sure drivers have the skills, knowledge and confidence to drive on their own. The changes will also include a section where drivers use satellite navigation to find their way.
Government launches plans to improve driver and motorcyclist training
Plans to improve driver and motorcyclist training to improve safety on roads in Great Britain were announced by Transport minister, Andrew Jones on Friday 30 December 2016. The proposed changes will see competent learner drivers able to have lessons on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a dual controlled car. Allowing learners on a motorway will improve the awareness and experience of new drivers which is aimed at boosting safety on roads in Great Britain.
LeasePlan urges drivers to carry out simple checks
LeasePlan UK has reacted to the RAC’s 2016 Report on Motoring that revealed car maintenance was the second biggest concern for motorists. Jennifer Gradden, fleet risk management account director at LeasePlan UK, part of the world’s largest vehicle management group, comments, “There is a worrying level of motorists in the UK who are baffled by car maintenance. It’s hugely important to maintain the upkeep of a vehicle, not only to conserve its value and improve fuel economy, but also because poor maintenance can be dangerous and potentially cause an accident.
Nebula Systems call on independent garages to ‘connect with the future’
Nebula Systems says independent garages can “connect with the future of diagnostics” by employing its new MECH5 diagnostics system. MECH5 is a new cloud-based vehicle data analytics platform that can help garages access the wealth of data within the ECUs of modern vehicles. The system is due to be launched commercially in September.
RAC’s Nebula Systems to launch MECH5 diagnostics platform in September
Following its acquisition by the RAC, Nebula Systems is preparing to launch commercially its MECH5 diagnostics platform for independent garages. The platform will initially offer the functionality of Superscan 3 on a pay-as-you-go basis. With the help of the RAC investment, Nebula says it will use the flexibility of scalable cloud-based IT infrastructure to develop MECH5 rapidly.
Changes mean driving test ‘will reflect real-life driving’
Millions of newly qualified drivers will be better prepared for life on the road under changes to the driving test that will better reflect real life driving. The proposals announced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will help reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads, and ensure safer drivers and journeys.
DVSA aims to improve ‘real-life’ driving with test changes
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has outlined a number of proposed changes to the driving test, which are being made in order to improve road safety. The changes, subject to the outcome of research and consultation feedback, will be introduced in early 2017. The changes have been trialled with more than 4,500 learner drivers and 850 driving instructors in 32 locations across Great Britain. The 6-week consultation starts today and closes on 25 August 2016.
CDL to provide vehicle data services to the RAC
CDL has signed a three-year deal to provide full vehicle provenance and valuation data to the RAC for motor trade, vehicle breakdown, and insurance customers. The partnership will also provide vehicle provenance information for consumers through the newly launched RAC Passport product and vehicle look-up data to support RAC's breakdown service, call centre operations and RAC Cars.
RAC Car Passport goes live
RAC Car Passport for dealers officially opens for business at 8am on Wednesday 9 March following its launch last month. Until 30 April, RAC will make all checks available at an introductory price of £1. Robert Diamond, managing director of Motoring Services at the RAC, said: "We've had a very strong reaction from the market since the announcement of Car Passport for dealers and are talking to a large number of potential customers."
Growth in electric charging network
About 98 per cent of England’s motorway network is within 20 miles of an electric vehicle charge point, with 72 per cent of service stations now providing electric charging.
Liverpool firm to supply diesel engine cleaner to RAC fleet
Liverpool-based engine care specialist Cataclean has finalised a major agreement with the RAC’s fleet of UK patrol vehicles following a limited trial, conducted via Cataclean’s distribution partner Euro Car Parts on 40 vehicles. As a result, the RAC’s 1,400 vehicles will carry one of the company’s flagship products, Cataclean Diesel, which is primarily pitched as a solution to clogged diesel particulate filters, but can be used for petrol and hybrid engines too. Cataclean’s director of sales William Jones said the product was selected following a rise in the number of RAC call-outs to vehicles with clogged diesel particulate filters (DPFs).