Don't be a "Morning After" Drink Driver

New Year's Eve is a great time to get together with friends and family. 

The Morning After Campaign reminds drivers that they may still be over the limit the morning after a party even if they have been to sleep.

There are some great morning after calculators you can use to see if you’re still over the limit to give you peace of mind that you’re not drink driving.

Happy 2018 and Safe Driving from everyone at the Good Garage Scheme.

Tiff Needell Advises on Summer Driving

With new research by the Good Garage Scheme revealing we are nation of motorists unprepared for long car journeys during the summer, Fifth Gear presenter, Tiff Needell will be speaking with radio stations this week on the importance of a Holiday Check for your car and advising motorists to visit their nearest Good Garage Scheme member for a check.

Photo courtesy of Tiff Needell

More than 41% say they have no plans to get their car checked before their next long journey, and this can lead to unwelcome breakdowns on holiday or even while travelling to the airport.

What precautions should you take before a long car journey?

• Give your car a visual check. Are there any visible cracks or bulges on the tyres, and are they looking as full as normal? Check with your tyre pressure gauge
• Ensure your fluid levels (namely coolant and oil) are topped up sufficiently. This five minute job may mean the difference between a trouble-free journey and parking at the road side with an overheating car.
• Ensure you have plenty of water in the car for you and your passengers (including any pets) when travelling in hot weather.
• Lastly, make sure your air conditioning system in the car is clean. A musty smell from the vents is a tell-tale sign there may be bacteria lurking.

If you are unsure about carrying out these checks yourself and want peace of mind before you set off, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and look for a garage you can trust for a Holiday Check.

It's like having a friend in the know!

Don't be Dazzled by the Winter Sun

While any amount of sunshine is welcomed at this time of year, the glaring low winter sun is taking no prisoners.  In 2015 dazzling sun was a factor in over 2,500 crashes including 17 fatalities.  Even though we have many tools that aid in protecting us from the glare, we often forget to use them.

This week’s tips from from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, offers good advice on how to stay safe on the road with the glare of the sun on rampage...

Keep your windscreen clean both inside and out. Dirt or salt residue will magnify the effect of the sun.

Regularly check for chips or cracks on the outside of the windscreen. Replace worn wiper blades and make sure your washer bottle is kept well topped up with good quality screen fluid strong enough to avoid freezing.

Keep a cloth or chamois to wipe away the dirty film that builds up on the inside due to screen heating and condensation.

Use your sun visor. It may sound pretty standard but a surprising number of people forget.

Invest in polarized sunglasses and remember to take a rest. Your eyes will strain quickly if you are squinting.

Slow down and leave extra space between you and the driver ahead if you are dazzled. This will give you more time to regain full control and assess the situation. 

 

Richard said: “Low winter sun may not deliver a useful tan, but a clear view of the road ahead is vital if you are going to get through the winter as safely.”


To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website

10 of the Worst Roads to Drive in the UK

In the running theme of the Good Garage Scheme's 10th Anniversary Year, we look at the Top 10 worst roads in the UK for driving as reported by the Road Safety Foundation, a UK charity advocating road casualty reduction.

With hundreds of scenic views, advanced safety measures and regular maintenance, many of the UK’s roads offer a brilliant driving experience. And with a comprehensive network of criss-crossed roads small and large, there are a variety of options to take us comfortably from A to B.

However, a recent report from the Road Safety Foundation confirms that some roads are much safer for motorists than others. The charity states that in the past 10 years, more than 375,000 people have been killed or seriously injured on Britain’s road network.

We take a look at the most dangerous, higher risk roads in the UK – if you’ll be driving through any of these routes, it’s even more vital to check that your car is running properly and that you’re driving safely!

1. A18: Laceby - Ludborough

This 16km route has been reported as having the highest risk for UK drivers. Single carriageway ‘A’ roads have 8 times the risk of motorways, and the A18 forms part of the area with some of the highest average risk of death or serious injury.

2. A36: Totton

The most dangerous ‘A’ roads and motorways lie in the South East of England, with the lowest risk roads in the West Midlands. The A36 and A3090 connection in Totton, in the South East, is the second worst road for UK drivers.

3. A588: Blackpool - Lancaster

The North West route by the A585, has the third highest risk rating from the report. From 2011-2013, there were 26 fatal or serious crashes from this route.

4. A44: Llangurig - Aberystwyth

This A44 route runs for 39km in Wales, with 50% of its total crashes between 2011 and 2013 involving a motorcyclist.

5. A532: Crewe

Another road in the North West region of the UK, the A532, running between the A530 and A534, is the fifth most dangerous driving route according to statistics.

6. A291: Canterbury - Herne Bay

The A291 is in the South East, the 6th ‘A’ road and route in the highest risk roads to drive on. The single roads, particularly rural routes with sharp bends, are more likely to have unforeseen hazards and place less restrictions on speed limits.

7. M6 J33: - Lancaster

This junction makes for the highest risk part of a motorway in Britain. The route is 9km long and saw 23 fatal and serious crashes between 2011 and 2013.

8. A361: Chipping Norton - Banbury

The A361 is another road in the South East, in 8th place. 46% of crashes on this route resulted from a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist in the reporting period.

9. A40: High Wycombe

This South East road, at the M40 J5, has a high risk for UK drivers, with 20% of crashes caused by road run-offs and rear end shunts.

10. A643: Brighouse – Morley

Finally, this ‘A’ road in the Yorkshire and the Humber region, is the 10th highest risk road in the UK. The 12km route lies in one of the highest risk regions for fatal or serious injuries, alongside the East Midlands and South East regions.



Motorists driving on these higher risk roads need to ensure that they have taken the proper measures to maintain their vehicle. A badly serviced or unattended vehicle could further increase the risk of serious accident or injury on some of Britain’s worst roads.

If your vehicle is in need of servicing or if you just need some advice, contact your local Good Garage Scheme member garage.

It's like having a friend in know!

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AfrikaansAlbanianArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanCebuanoChichewaChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKoreanLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSerbianSesothoSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSpanishSundaneseSwahiliSwedishTajikTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduUzbekVietnameseWelshYiddishYorubaZulu

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Don't get blown away this autumn

Changes in wind speed can affect your driving, but with the latest tips from the leading road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), you can find ways to better prepare for the windy weather – ensuring your drive is as safe as possible.

What’s around the corner?
As you approach a sharp bend, ease off the acceleration. You never know what’s around the corner. Gusts of wind can force large branches to fall onto the road, completely blocking it. Be prepared for any debris that obstructs the road and be ready to make a U-turn and use another route if necessary.

Don’t get blown away
Be aware of other motorists around you as the windy weather can affect both their and your vehicles. Strong winds usually come in gusts blowing motorcycles, lorries and buses from side to side. If you’re driving on the motorway, keep an eye on other vehicles making sure you hold firmly onto your steering wheel to stay in control. Be aware that as you come out from overtaking a lorry, there is likely to be a strong side wind pushing against your vehicle.

Park it right
If possible, avoid parking your car in a bay that is surrounded by trees as high winds can cause large branches and debris to fall on to your car bonnet. Gusts of wind can also force parked cars to shudder, so make sure you fully apply your hand brake before leaving the car. If it’s a manual gearbox leave it in gear – this is very important if you’re parking your car on a slope.

Planned and routed
Last but not least, make sure you plan your route ahead to avoid any disruptions. Narrow roads are more likely to get blocked by fallen trees, branches and wet leaves in the windy weather – it is therefore best to avoid narrow roads and lanes which are exposed to debris.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for these useful tips and also remind motorists to always ensure your phone is charged before setting off in the car and download the Good Garage Scheme app in case you need to contact a nearby garage for help.