Friday 26 June 2015

Tiff Needell Launches Good Garage Scheme Holiday Check

Tiff Needell, 5th gear, head shot
photo courtesy of Tiff Needell, Fifth Gear
Good Garage Scheme spokesperson Tiff Needell was in the studio last week speaking with BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio WM about the importance of checking your vehicle before setting off on the long-awaited summer holiday.

According to research, a worrying 54% admitted they were not planning to have their car serviced before the next journey.

Tiff reminded listeners about the dangers lurking in an unused air conditioning system, an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that is potentially blown into your passenger cabin area causing flu-like symptoms.

Visit GoodGarageScheme.com and find a local garage you can trust to carry out a 21 point Holiday Check for peace of mind before you make the trip to the airport or in the UK with your family and friends.


Friday 19 June 2015

Drive Safely During Ramadan

The Good Garage Scheme welcomes advice from the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) for drivers to stay safe on the roads during the holy month of Ramadan which began this week on the 18th June.

driving photo, steering wheel, safe, drivingRamadan is a time when most followers of Islam will undertake a daily fast for approximately 30 days. For those drivers that are fasting, the IAM has tips to ensure both you and your passengers are as safe as possible.
  • Try to maintain a daily schedule; eat your meals and stay hydrated when you are supposed to, exercise regularly and sleep well – disrupting your daily routine too much can affect your behaviour behind the wheel.
  • If possible, avoid setting out early in the morning or late in the evening as you’re less likely to be naturally alert. The same applies for when you have just eaten a heavy meal; you will only end up feeling lethargic.
  • Avoid driving if you are feeling tired or sleepy as this greatly increases the risk of a sleep related crash. If you have no choice but to travel and the destination is within a short distance, take a power nap beforehand to help relieve some fatigue.
  • If at any point you are feeling tired or sleepy when you are driving, ensure that you stop in a safe and legal place where you can park your vehicle and take rest. Take a short nap and once you have woken up get out of the car and walk about to help improve your circulation. Remember, if you are travelling on the motorway you must not stop on the hard shoulder at any point unless your car has broken down.
  • Be extra alert when driving just before sunset or on the way to have Iftar refreshments which break the day’s fast – at this time of the day your blood sugar levels will be at their lowest so take it easy.
  • Do not speed or drive erratically in the hope of arriving home at sunset for Iftar – it’s better to drive to steady and safely than to be sorry.
  • Sharing the drive when possible is always a good idea especially on long journeys – the chances of you feeling tired will be significantly reduced.
  • Your concentration will also be impacted if you are feeling tired or dehydrated – consider using public transport.IAM logo, Driving, Road, Safety
Peter Rodger, IAM's head of driving standards commented: “If your eating and drinking patterns are altered for any period of time your abilities and reactions behind the wheel will be affected. This applies equally at Ramadan. Do allow for this if you’re fasting. Look after yourself and you can continue your journeys as normal.” 

The IAM also thanks Emirates Driving Institute for their help creating these tips.

Wednesday 10 June 2015

UK Driving Licence Goes Paperless

red x on UK Counterpart Driving LicenceA big change to the UK driving licence came into effect this week when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) abolished the paper counterpart of the driving licence. As of the 8th of June, the paper driving licence is not required and any changes you make to your address or name on your licence will be made on the photocard and sent back and also held online.

If you  need details of your licence, you can now access them via the website www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence. You will need your national insurance number, your driving licence number and postcode to access the information. You are also free to apply for the information by post.

If you need the information for a hire company or an employer, there are a set of instructions to apply for a code which is only valid for 72 hours. Please see more information here.                                                     

The Good Garage Scheme advises all motorists hiring a vehicle both in the UK and abroad to check on requirements so that you can be well- prepared.
 
The Government has introduced the change to save money and make the system more efficient but probably best to hold on to your paper counterpart until all teething problems have been sorted.