UK Government plans to introduce special traffic courts

The Government has announced that cases involving traffic-light jumpers and speeding motorists are to be dealt with by special traffic courts in an attempt bid to free up time for more serious cases.

About half a million motoring are heard in magistrates courts every year and on average take nearly 6 months from offence to completion even though 90% of such offences are guilty pleas or proved in absence. These delays are completely unacceptable and in a move to cut these delays the Ministry of Justice wants to set up traffic courts.

The justice minister Damian Green said: "Enforcing traffic laws is hugely important for road safety and saving lives��The justice system must respond more quickly and effectively to the needs of victims, witnesses and local communities, and these dedicated courts will enable magistrates to better organise their work and drive greater efficiency."

The government is in consultation with the judiciary as to how the traffic courts can be delivered across the country.

The nine police areas have trialled the new traffic courts - Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Metropolitan police, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and West Yorkshire. According to Chief Constable Chris Eyre, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) these courts have radically simplified and speeded up the process, reduced the amount of adjournments and a single court can deal with up to 160 cases a day. He said "This is only implemented when there is a guilty plea or where the case against a defendant is not contested�.

As a personal injury lawyer representing injured vulnerable road users, cyclists and pedestrians one of the most frustrating aspects of my job is failure on the part of the police and CPS to taking motoring offences seriously. All to often a decision is taken not to prosecute a motorist on the basis that it is felt that that is insufficient evidence to secure a conviction. I welcome the news that special courts are to be set up but I hope that this will mean that serious motoring cases are dealt with effectively and are properly resourced. It is important that dangerous drivers are dealt with appropriately by the courts and this should include driving bans.

If the special traffic courts will result in reducing court backlogs this must be welcome development. The special courts must not however be seen as undermining the importance of compliance of traffic laws.

What do you think about these proposals? Let us know�

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013: Everything You Need to Know

Goodwood Festival of Speed is a highlight on any British petrolhead�s calendar and the 2013 event is sure to be another spectacular event. The famous motoring festival happens every year and this will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, so you�ll be able to immerse yourself in a real party atmosphere.

Highlights of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013 

The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed is due to take place from 11th � 14th July in the grounds of Goodwood House, near Chichester, West Sussex. The main festival takes place over the weekend including Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but if you�re looking for inspiration for your next car purchase, why not head to Goodwood on the Thursday for the Moving Motor Show.

Here, you can take a look at some of the latest greatest models from a wide range of famous car manufacturers and even take some of them on test drives around the Goodwood Estate.

The Moving Motor Show is a great event to attend if you�re thinking of buying a new car � although if you�re splashing out on a vehicle, don�t forget to look into an online insurance policy to see if you could save money when it comes to getting your new pride and joy on the road. If you do end up buying a new car, consider multi car insurance policies, which cut out the hassle of insuring two vehicles separately.

The festival�s main events kick off on Friday 12 July. You can explore the site, watch drivers and riders practicing for the following day�s hill climb or look on in awe as wealthy motoring fans bid for high-value classic cars at the Bonhams� Summer Sale.

On Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy watching timed hill climb runs �a wide range of vehicles tackle the tough 1.16 mile course, which rises more than 300 feet.

If you�re a supercar fan, make sure you catch one of the Michelin Supercar Runs to see how some of the most expensive cars in the world perform on this testing course.


You can also watch motorbikes, vintage racers, touring cars and rally cars making their way to the summit and chat to the drivers in the Top Paddock once they have completed their runs.

Rallying fans will love watching some of their favourite drivers showing off their skills on the Forest Rally Stage, a 1.67 mile course designed by Hannu Mikkola; the 18-time WRC rally champion from Finland, whilst bike lovers can see some of world�s most talented riders in the world performing amazing tricks in the Goodwood Action Sports Arena (GAS).

Don�t forget to explore the vehicle display areas either. There are a number of dedicated display areas at Goodwood, including the Formula 1 Paddock, the Michelin Supercar Paddock and the Cathedral Paddock, and they are packed with priceless historic and contemporary vehicles you can look at in awe!

Will you be heading to Goodwood this year? Have you been before? What is it about Goodwood that we love so much?

The dangers of driving In Brazil

Driving�s a great way to see Brazil and get to its stunning beaches and most scenic parts, but be aware of some of the dangers� 

Driving hazards
Almost 40,000 people die on Brazil�s roads every year. Most of the deaths are causes by drunk or reckless drivers and the less than safe roads.

Drink driving has always been one of the biggest causes of accidents, but new Brazilian laws don�t allow you to drive even if you�ve only had the smallest amount of alcohol � you�re only allowed to drive with a maximum blood alcohol limit of 0.2g/l which takes into account trace amounts of the spirit found in mouthwashes.



That means that if you�ve only had a glass of wine or a single beer, you could be over the limit. And the more alcohol you�ve been drinking before driving, the bigger your fine will be if you�re caught by the police. This new law has helped bring down the number of alcohol-related deaths, but they are still tragically common. Try to avoid driving on public or national holidays when the locals will be out partying before getting into a car.

It�s not that Brazil�s road laws aren�t on par with those in Western Europe, it�s just that so many people ignore them. Drivers tend to respect speeding limits where they know there will be cameras. Brazilian motorists have been known to change lanes without warning, fail to stop at pedestrian crossings and swerve suddenly to overtake other cars. Notoriously, they don�t always keep a big enough space between cars either which often leads to collisions.
Later on at night, the motorways can become a playground for racers who blatantly flout speed rules and drive dangerously fast. The motorbike drivers are not much better than the car users, and often attempt daring manoeuvres to beat the traffic.

The situation is particularly bad in the more rural areas where the roads are less safe (often containing huge potholes), the nearest medical help may be far away and driving conditions become even more difficult as not all roads are well lit after dark. What�s more, drivers could encounter wild livestock roaming the roads or pedestrians who have learned to ignore traffic signs just like the drivers. Question marks have also been raised about the safety of cars manufactured in Brazil, with high mechanical failure rates posing even more risks. All this makes for a dangerous cocktail.

Car theft
Because the weather is so hot in Brazil and not all cars come with air conditioning, it�s easy for thieves to target vehicles which have stopped at a traffic light or for the driver to pop into a shop.
It�s always advisable to keep your doors locked and your windows closed at all times (especially when stopping at a red light) and remain vigilant. When you�re parked, keep your valuables hidden if you must leave them in your car.
Avoid getting lost and becoming an easy target by planning your route before you set off and having a detailed road map of Brazil in front of you. This is especially important if you�re exploring the more remote parts of the country where road signs can suddenly tail off, leaving you to fend for yourself.

If you�re in an accident
Brazilian road tax payments cover drivers for limited third party insurance, but take out your own private insurance policy as well so you�ll be covered for anything from auto glass replacement to more serious damage to the car.
If you get hit by another vehicle, try to get these details before they drive off:

• The car�s registration number, make, model and  colour
• The driver�s name, address, identity card number (if they�re a local) and telephone number
• The driver�s insurance details in case you want to make a claim

If the accident is serious and you need to call for help urgently, have the federal highway police�s emergency number (191) and the ambulances and fire brigade�s number (193) handy in case your mind draws a blank.

What�s been your experience of driving in Brazil? 

Importance of Car maintenance plans

Many of the car owners will get a common question in their mind that �how do I maintain my car?� and �how do I reduce the maintenance cost?�. Well the answer for these questions will be simple by following a regular maintenance plan. It is very essential to have a car maintenance plan as it will help reducing the cost of maintenance and will improve the reliability and safety of the car. It will also prove helpful to cut down the running cost of the vehicle by enhancing the fuel efficiency. So, what exactly that you need to do to prepare a perfect maintenance plan? It is very simply, as you must first start by reading the user manual of the vehicle. It is perhaps the best place to start with. This is the place where you will be able to find the car maker's maintenance schedules and recommendations that are completely based on your driving habits and patterns. Reading the manual will help you to obtain knowledge about changing engine oil, about the level of pressure in the tyres, and about several other things that helps to cut down the maintenance cost. These are the basic things that you can follow to maintain your beloved car and to improve its life. 

If you are not interested in maintaining your car on your own then you may have to find a reliable car service center that is connected to your new car dealers. You will also have to check whether it is a part of national chain or independent service. One of the most important thing is that you need to make sure whether the service center is equipped with certified technicians or not. This will ensure you that your vehicle will get a proper service at a reasonable price. While dealing with the technicians, it is very important for you to maintain proper communication with them and you need to be able to explain your problem so as to avoid misunderstandings. Today, auto services go high-tech, which indeed provide a better service and reduce the cost of maintenance. It is important for you to find the reliable dealer who is well equipped with high tech maintenance tools and kits. This will also reduce the time and hence prove very economical. 

There are lots of car care centers present across your regions but you'll have to find the most reliable service center. Many individuals face troubles with their car on the day when they have planed an holiday. For this you need to check for the condition of the car before the day of your are leaving to the holiday destination. This will help reducing the risks and help you to make perfect holiday plan. You must always check for the pressure in the tyre so as to avoid punctures and flat tyres. It will be helpful for you to obtain car care tips from the certified technician, which will help you to avoid rushing towards service centers for basic needs. One of the most important thing that every car owner needs to remember is that they need to maintain the car's speed levels under the manufacturer specified levels so as to enhance the fuel efficiency. If these tips are followed regularly then there is no doubt that your vehicle will last for a long time offering best of performance. 

 This article is posted by Shweta Aggarwal who is guest author.

Car rental in New Zealand

Heading to New Zealand and looking forward to getting out on the open road? There's nowhere better for it. But before you set off in your rental car, make sure you know what you're doing on New Zealand's roads.

Renting a car whilst on holiday can be a great experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. And there are few places on earth more perfect than New Zealand for taking to the road and discovering spectacular and secluded sights. However, there are a few things to bear in mind whilst driving down under�

�         Licence- You must have your current valid driver's licence with you at all times when you're driving in New Zealand. If your licence is not in English, make sure you carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit with you. As long as your licence remains valid, you can drive in New Zealand for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive using this permit.

�         Stay left - In New Zealand, people drive on the left. If you're an Aussie or a Brit, this is perfect - but if you're travelling from anywhere else, remember to take extra care when pulling out. It's easy to slip into autopilot.

�         Turning right? Give way - At an intersection, give way to all vehicles that are not turning. If you've driven in New Zealand before, bear in mind some of the rules have changed and drivers turning right should now give way to oncoming traffic.

�         No left turn on red - In some countries you may be used to turning left on a red light as long as the road is clear. In New Zealand this is not allowed - red means stop, no matter what way you're going.

�         Look out for pedestrians - When turning at traffic signals, give way to pedestrians - the green man will come on at many intersection crossings at the same time as the lights will turn green for you to turn.

�         Hang up - it is illegal in New Zealand to use a mobile or cell phone whilst driving, unless the device is completely hands free.

�         Travel times - New Zealand may not look that big, but travel times can be long, with many narrow, unsealed and hilly roads to negotiate on your way to some of the country's best sights. Plan your route in advance and think about where you'll stop to rest for the night.

�         Watch your speed - Speed limits in New Zealand are in kilometres rather than miles, with 100km/h being the limit on most motorways and main rural roads. Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit is usually 50km/h in urban or built- up areas.

�         Park wisely - Make sure you park in the direction of traffic flow on your side of the road. You could end up with a fine, or worse, having your car towed for parking on the wrong side of the street.

�         Know where you stand - Thoroughly check your rental agreement and ask any questions before you drive away. What kind of insurance do you have? Are you covered for minor scrapes or unforeseen necessities like windscreen repair? Taking a few minutes to read the small print could save you getting landed with a hefty bill - money that could be spent on experiencing more of New Zealand's spectacular scenery and activities.

Have you ever rented a car in New Zealand?

100 Years at the Morris Car Plant

Find out about Oxford's century old Morris car plant and the vehicles it has put on Britain's roads throughout its history. Two world wars, four monarchs and countless Prime Ministers - Britain has changed dramatically throughout the Morris car plant's century long history.

The iconic site is one of the most significant in British motoring and is renowned throughout the country and around the world for the vehicles it has produced. Still affectionately known by its Morris moniker, the plant is now owned by BMW and continues to produce the hugely popular modern MINI range of vehicles.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Morris car plant's rich past and what the future holds for the Cowley site.

History

William Morris opened the factory in 1913 on the site of the former Military College. The entrepreneur previously worked as a mechanic on Longwall Street, where he repaired cars and carried out windscreen replacement.

On the new site the car designer was able to adopt mass production techniques from the US to build his 'bullnose' Morris, an early staple of British motoring. Throughout his stewardship Morris, a renowned philanthropist, funded the expansion in the area surrounding the plant to improve the lives and opportunities of his workers.

After being used for making munitions and then aircraft salvage in respective world wars, the plant continued to prosper and was employing 20,000 people by the 1970s. During these years Morris' company went through a series of amalgamations, eventually having joined with Jaguar, Leyland and Rover before being purchased by British Aerospace in 1988 and then BMW six years later.

Famous cars

Whoever its owner, the Morris car plant continued to produce iconic British cars throughout its history. The Cowley plant's history is intertwined with that of the MINI, which was first produced in Oxford in 1959.
Dripping in cutting-edge style whilst remaining affordable to the masses, the compact car helped redefine motoring in Britain.

From Clubman to the Countryman World Rally Car, the MINI has remained hugely popular throughout its five decades-and-counting history. The economic Morris Minor is another of the Cowley plant's famous alumni. Showcasing elegant British lines, more than 1.3 million of the classic-looking cars were made during the quarter of a century it remained in production.

The Morris factory was also where many Rover vehicles were assembled, including both the successful 75 and 600 series.

Bright future�

The Morris car plant might be a hundred years young but it's still an integral part of BMW's global manufacturing network. Over 190,000 cars were produced at the site in 2011, creeping back towards the pre-downturn highs of the mid-noughties. And with the next generation of MINI Paceman launched earlier this year, the workers in Cowley will be building the iconic car for many years to come.

Have you ever owned Morris produced car?