Driving Home for Christmas?

Most of us will travel at some stage over next week. Sharing the road with what can feel like the entire population can be stressful.

image courtesy of IAM Roadsmart

This week’s tips from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, give advice on driving home for Christmas…

• Try and avoid setting off at peak times which includes early afternoon on Christmas Eve as this is when many motorists will start their journey. With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, you might be able to travel on a different day. Don’t forget to check for weather or traffic-related updates so you can allow more time to travel.
• If you’re travelling a long distance then take into consideration that the weather in one region may not be the same as another. So plan for the whole length of your journey and take note of what the weather is like closer to your destination.
• Before you set off, make sure your friends and family know where you are going and your expected time of arrival. Try to be as realistic as possible so they are not worrying about you if you get a little late, and always ensure you have enough fuel as some garages can close early.
• Packing the car can leave you fraught. Make a check list of everything you need and try to ensure there are no loose parcels that could turn into missiles in the event of having to brake in an emergency.
• Family pets pick up on the excitement of Christmas; remember they need seatbelts or a method of restraint too. Keep them away from where you pack the chocolate and mince pies as both are really bad for dogs and you don’t want to start Christmas with a large vet bill.
• Make sure you take regular rest breaks but avoid leaving valuable gifts on show by locking them away out of sight in the boot.
• If you’re too tired to drive then delay your journey. And if you begin to feel tired on your journey, then take a rest break. A coffee and a 20 minute stop are the bare minimum to help you stay alert. In any case, your journey should be planned with breaks every 2 hours. 

Richard said: “Careful planning and preparation can ensure your Christmas drive home is a safe and smooth one. So long as you give yourself extra time at this busy time of year, your journey home doesn’t need to be as arduous.

“We all look forward to spending the festive season with loved ones so let’s all do our bit to make it a safe one for the road. From all here at IAM RoadSmart, here’s wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Everyone at the Good Garage Scheme sends the same wishes and thanks IAM Roadsmart for this useful advice. Don't forget to download the GoodGarageScheme App before you set off on your Christmas journey so that you can always find a garage you can trust.

What's in your favourite Christmas drink?

Did you know a glass of mulled wine contains the same calories as three pieces of chocolate orange?

Whilst Christmas is all about enjoying yourself, it’s important to keep an eye on what you’re drinking during the festivities so that you don’t regularly exceed the daily unit guidelines and put on any extra Christmas plump in the process.

Here is a handy guide to some popular Christmas drinks to help you stay within the guidelines and stop you from piling on the pounds.

Champagne
Units: 1.5 units in a 125ml glass
Calories: 89
Equivalent to: 2 pigs in blankets

Sherry
Units: 0.9 units in a small (50ml) thimble glass (17.5% strength)
Calories: 77
Equivalent to: small slice of chocolate log

Mulled wine
Units: 2.3 units in a 175ml glass
Calories: 134
Equivalent to: three pieces of chocolate orange

Irish cream liqueur (Baileys etc)
Units: 0.9 units in 50ml measure
Calories: 175
Equivalent to: two mini mince pies

Brandy
Units: One per (25ml) measure of 40% brandy
Calories: 61
Equivalent to: 3 cocktail sausages

If none of the above are your usual tipple and you'd like to know how many units and calories are in other alcoholic drinks, this unit calculator has all the information you need.

Still not sure about alcohol units? Watch this short video from Drinkaware.

 based on an average adult

This blog has been written with permission from Drinkaware, an independent charity working to  reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

If you are drinking alcohol,
please do not drive. 
It is not worth the risk.

New smartphone or tablet for Christmas?

If you are one of the many lucky ones who received a new smartphone or tablet device in your Christmas stocking, you may be downloading new apps and learning how easy it is to access your favourite games, social media, news and useful websites at the touch of a button.

What is an "app"?

For those who are still new to the world of apps, it is not complicated. "App" is short for application software that is designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices such as iPods. They can be downloaded either free of charge or for a listed price from app stores such as iTunes or Google Play.

The Good Garage Scheme created its free app for iPhone in 2010 and then for Android smartphones the following year. So far over 12,000 users have downloaded the app and The Sunday Times even voted it one of the World's Top Apps in 2011 and 2012.

It is a handy app to have on your phone when you are driving in the UK. You never know when you will need to find a trustworthy garage, and there are also some handy tips on how to check your oil so that you can keep your car maintained between services.

To download your free app, simply click here.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year from the Good Garage Scheme.

Happy Holidays from the Good Garage Scheme

The Good Garage Scheme wishes you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Travel safely and don't forget to download the Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind
wherever you travel this Christmas. Locate a garage you can trust no matter where you travel in the UK. 

Christmas Surprise for BEN

On Tuesday, 17th December, staff from the Good Garage Scheme, including Mr. Miles Better, delivered a Christmas hamper to Arthur Wilson House in Coventry, one of BEN's day care centres. Manager, Lynn Walker, was grateful for the items which will be shared in a raffle for the patrons.

 
BEN is the UK’s dedicated charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants. Care centres like Arthur Wilson House do a fantastic job caring for those most in need.

If you would like to learn more about BEN and the work they do, please visit www.ben.org.uk.

Christchurch Motorist Wins Good Garage Scheme Competition

A valued customer of Good Garage Scheme workshop Twynham Motor Services in Christchurch has won back the cost of his car service. Christchurch motorist Mr Gardiner's feedback on his service was selected from customer feedback forms submitted by Good Garage Scheme member customers throughout the UK over a five month period. Good Garage Scheme customers are encouraged to send in their feedback after a service or repair at a member garage to help provide motorists visiting www.goodgaragescheme.com make an informed decision when selecting a local garage to service or repair their vehicle.



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 Mike Cheffings of Twynham Motor Services, presenting Good Garage Scheme competition winner Mr Gardiner of Christchurch  with a cheque for the cost of his car service.

Mr Gardiner gave Twynham Motor Services a five-star rating for their helpfulness, communication, standard of work undertaken on his car and his overall satisfaction. In his glowing feedback, Mr Gardiner stated:

“Twynham Motor Services are a lovely garage with friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. The workshop is regularly used by myself, as well as my family and friends and I would recommend them to other drivers in our local area.”

The next Good Garage Scheme Feedback prize will be drawn on December 20th. Another lucky motorist will win back the cost of their service or repair in time for Christmas. Don't forget to enter your feedback via the website, post or app the next time you visit a Good Garage Scheme member garage.

Happy Holidays from the Good Garage Scheme

The Good Garage Scheme wishes you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Travel safely and don't forget to download the Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind wherever you travel this Christmas. Locate a garage you can trust no matter where you travel in the UK.

Don't Drive if You Drink this Holiday Season

The Christmas party season is upon us and chances are you may be celebrating with friends and family. Whether you are driving to a party or hosting one, make sure everyone driving is safe to do so.

According to Gov.uk, "It’s not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. There are strict drink driving penalties if you are caught over the limit. You could be imprisoned, banned from driving and face a fine if you’re found guilty of drink driving."

More importantly, a person who drives after an alcoholic drink not only risks their own life but those of their passengers and others on the road.

If you're planning on drinking alcohol, decide on how you will get home without driving:

•    Agree on a designated driver
•    Save a taxi number on your phone
•    Find out about public transport routes and times before you go out

Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system.

Make sure you are completely sober before you get behind the wheel. You could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink, even if it's the 'morning after'.  Coffee and cold showers don't help to sober you up.

Download the Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind wherever you travel this holiday season. http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/phone_app


It's like having a friend in the know!

Happy Christmas wishes from the Good Garage Scheme

The Good Garage Scheme wishes you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

 Travel safely and don't forget to download the
Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind
wherever you travel this Christmas. Locate a garage you can
trust no matter where you travel in the UK.

Don't Drink and Drive this Christmas - It's not worth the risk

The Good Garage Scheme hopes that everyone will enjoy the holiday season and remain safe on the roads. Whether you are driving to a party or hosting one, make sure everyone driving is safe to do so.

According to the THINK! campaign run by the Department for Transport,  250 people died in 2010 due to drink driving.  A person who drives after an alcoholic drink not only risks their own life, but those of the passengers and others on the road.

Any amount of alcohol affects an ability to drive and there is also risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record. The best way to remain safe is not to drink and drive.

 If you're planning to drink alcohol, plan how to get home without driving:

•    Agree on a designated driver
•    Save a taxi number on your phone
•    Find out about public transport routes and times before you go out

Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system.

Make sure you are completely sober before you get behind the wheel. You could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink, even if it's the 'morning after'. Sleep, coffee and cold showers don't help to sober you up.

Download the Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind wherever you travel this Christmas. http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/phone_app