The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has decided not to regulate 'ancillary' charges – those which, from a consumer's perspective, do not form part of the 'essential bargain' between trader and customer. The BVRLA welcomed the announcement, calling it both sensible and fair. The association's head of legal services, Jay Parmar, said: "There was no justifiable basis for charges for administration, fuel and excess mileage to be regulated, especially as these are intended to recoup losses or costs incurred by our members and are therefore driven by cost recovery." source: BVRLA Labels: BVRLA, Money, Regulation
The Highways Agency have issued this advice on driving in severe weather conditions:
Winter can be a busy time for everybody. Whether working, at school or on holiday, there's so much to remember. But whatever occupies your time this winter, don't get caught out when driving in severe weather. Don't just drive, prepare. For a smoother journey check your vehicle is ready for winter. Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It's worth making these checks regularly - and particularly before a long journey: 1. Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
2. Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
3. Ensure your windscreen is clean
4. Replace the battery if it's not reliable
5. Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum.
Be a smarter driver - check traffic and weather updates. Before you set off it's worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren't any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too - but remember not to use your phone while driving: 1. Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx
2. Check the weather at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
3. Call the Highways Agency information line on 0300 123 5000
4. Tune into DAB Traffic Radio at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/
Remember to take regular breaks from driving - tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.
source: Highways Agency Labels: Highways Agency, Weather
The freezing weather shows no sign of letting up with more snow forecast for the rest of the week. Hundreds of schools are closed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north-east of England. The Local Government Association says councils have increased stockpiles of salt and grit but hundreds of motorists are trapped in their cars in Scotland. Gritting lorries servicing icy roads were attacked by youths in Londonderry on Sunday. The window of one vehicle was smashed and a number of roads in the Creggan and Gobnascale areas of the city went untreated as a result. There were further heavy snowfalls in Scotland overnight and traffic is backed up for several miles on the A9 between Dunblane and Perth after several lorries jack-knifed. The M62 between junction 34 and junction 38 in West Yorkshire was described as "hazardous" while one of the main routes into the centre of Sheffield, the Parkway, was said to be "treacherous". A Highways Agency spokesman said one lane of the eastbound M4 at the Severn Crossing had been closed as a precaution after ice started to form on the bridge.He said the road had now been reopened but added: "It is Monday morning and the advice that we issued last week still stands - be aware and be sensible. If the weather is bad, make sure you have got an emergency kit in the car and think about whether the journey is absolutely necessary." BBC broadcast meteorologist Philip Avery warned plummeting temperatures overnight on Monday were likely to lead to icy roads in many places, while the strengthening winds will make it feel even colder. The UK has been experiencing the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993. Met Office severe weather warnings for icy roads - and snow in places - are effective across central and eastern Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland. Warnings of heavy snow are also in place along the entire east coast of England, as well as in Cornwall, with more expected throughout Monday and Tuesday. Mr Avery said the worst weather would be in central and eastern Scotland and north eastern England but added: "There is a likelihood of wind in the northern half of the British Isles picking up in strength leading to more significant drifting." For some regions Monday's forecast is for a nicer day, he said, but he warned the biting winds would have an impact and make it feel colder. The Greater London area and Kent are at risk of snowfall from Tuesday, with the Met Office warning drifting snow could cause disruption to road and rail networks towards the end of the week. source: BBC
Labels: BBC, Highways Agency, Road Safety, Travel
Children across the UK are protesting that drivers go too fast in their community, putting young lives in danger. A national survey of 15,000 9-13 year-olds launched for Road Safety Week by the charity Brake and business insurance specialist QBE finds that almost nine in 10 children (86%) think drivers go too fast around their homes and schools. Shockingly, one in 10 children (10%) say they have been knocked down while walking or cycling; a further 56% have had a near miss, and a further 16% have had a frightening experience. source: Brake Labels: Brake, Road Safety
Guernsey has come into line with international standards of regulation in the insurance industry. The Guernsey Financial Services Commission signed an agreement approved by the world's main economies. The memorandum of understanding was organised by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. Regulators elsewhere should now be more willing to share confidential information with Guernsey. Nik Van Leuven, the commission's director general, said the agreement meant Guernsey had been recognised as having reliable legislation and practice when it comes to insurance supervision. source: BBC Labels: BBC, Insurance
In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Len Jones looks at the changing relationships between SME’S and their banks where a good relationship is essential for long term business success.
RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here...
Labels: Finance, Podcast, Rentals Radio
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel believes the team's first constructors' title is testament to six years of hard work since their 2005 Formula 1 debut. Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber's one-two in the Brazilian Grand Prix sealed the crown with one race to go. "When Red Bull entered Formula 1, I was a small boy. If I compare the place then to now, there is massive progress," German Vettel said. "It's not always investing money, it is time, patience and a lot of passion." The Milton Keynes-based outfit has an unassailable 48 point lead over McLaren as the teams head for the season finale in Abu Dhabi next Sunday. source: BBC
Labels: Red Bull Racing, RIVAL F1
Boris Johnson, has cut £13m from a scheme to install charging points for electric cars across London. The mayor had pledged to raise £20m for the £60m scheme which would see 22,500 charging points across London, with 7,500 being installed by 2013. But following the government's Spending Review he has cut his monetary contribution to the project to £7m. The mayor's office said its commitment to make London the electric car capital of Europe was "as strong as ever". Today it was announced that a city-wide electric vehicle charging network, 'Source London', will launch in spring 2011. Source London will consist of 1,300 public charging points across the capital by 2013. There will be an annual charge of £100 for participants, entitling them to use the public charging points. At present electric vehicle drivers have to register in each London borough to use its charging points. Further information on Source London can be found here... source: BVRLA Labels: BVRLA, Electic Cars
In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Len Jones shares his thoughts with Peter Roper on whether buying cars or renting cars is more cost effective for business. This recording in October 2010 looks at the latest market trends and opportunities for businesses. RIVAL Insurance Services are a keen sponsor of Rentals Radio, to find out more about us click here... Labels: Podcast, Rentals Radio, Resources
|
RIVAL Support
RIVAL YouTube Channel
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS feed
Get in Touch
Design by Citrus Frog