Friday, September 14, 2012
Over-zealous young drivers in F1
It is not only on the general roads that young driver insurance tends to be a bit pricey.
In Formula One racing things are much the same – in this high octane world of races, chases, thrills and spills it is the older, more experienced and less gung-ho drivers that are cheapest to insure.But there is a more serious side to this – younger drivers in F1, so keen to make their mark and to show their fearlessness, are said to be more liable to take the kinds of risks that might lead to serious accidents.
It was during Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix that the young Romain Grosjean caused havoc as he shot dangerously out of the blocks in his Lotus car. He was found to be driving recklessly and will miss the Italian Grand Prix as a punishment.
Such antics do not go down well with other drivers, although most remember what it is to be younger and less reflective. "I'm not angry with Grosjean, he definitely didn't do it on purpose," said Fernando Alonso, one man who suffered because of Grosjean’s over-zealous start.
"It was a case of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I think that certain drivers should try and take fewer risks at the start. It's a bit of a tendency currently in the junior formulae, but it would be better if, right from the start of their career, they got used to respecting more strictly the rules relating to behaviour on track."
It’s also true that the more accidents drivers have, the higher their motor insurance premiums will be. And which team in its right mind would want to insure an accident-prone driver!
Image © UNIF1ED via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, F1, Formula One, Grand Prix, insure, race, road, young driver insurance
Friday, May 18, 2012
Young passengers a risk for young drivers
This week a U.S study showed that carrying a passenger who is younger than 21 increases the risk of a young drivers dying in a car crash by nearly 50 percent.
Although it has long been known there is a danger of the least mature young drivers becoming reckless or careless when driving with their peers, the figures still make for shocking reading.And, astonishingly, the risk of death actually doubles when the number of young passengers is increased to two, and then quadruples when the number of young passengers is increased to three or more.
Against such a background it becomes easier to understand why some companies struggle to provide cheap car insurance to young drivers.
But not so for those of us at Hoot. That’s because we target responsible young drivers who in turn find us – all with one aim: providing more affordable policies.
That means if you’re one of the 17 percent of drivers who admit to playing Angry Birds or a similar smartphone game while behind the wheel, you’re unlikely to be here looking for a policy in the first place.
If you want to know how to avoid an accident (and we’re guessing that you do), it’s worth knowing that young drivers are less likely to suffer an accident when they have a passenger over the age of 35 in the vehicle. So do yourself a favour: give an older friend or relative a lift!
Photo © SuperMac1961 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, cheap car insurance, passengers, young drivers
Friday, March 9, 2012
The friendly woonerf
Apparently, in about ten years’ time, the UK government may begin using a traffic calming measure already in use in Amsterdam.
If I write ‘woonerfs’, you might think I didn’t check my blog through for typos, or perhaps you might think that I’m about to tell you about some strange woolly animal.
Well neither of those thoughts would be correct, because a woonerf is a type of road layout which is slowing motorists in Amsterdam down to about 12mph without much work.
Meaning ‘road for living’, or ‘living road’, a woonerf provides motorists, cyclists and pedestrians with a more equal amount of space.
Drivers are forced to slow down by strategically placed plants, play areas, buildings, and an unnerving lack of pavement kerb, making it difficult to tell where you should be driving and where pedestrians should be walking.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) undertook a survey and out of 4000 people, only 27% were against the appearance of woonerfs in Britain.
Unfortunately for the individuals who’d happily see them in the UK right now, it might not happen for a while yet. The executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety has explained that at the moment councils just haven’t got the money to be introducing these new road layouts.
However, he believes that when the UK starts building things again, as our economic situation improves, woonerfs may begin to help reduce the number of accidents on our roads.
Well we can’t wait to see these woonerfs, they sound friendly.
If I write ‘woonerfs’, you might think I didn’t check my blog through for typos, or perhaps you might think that I’m about to tell you about some strange woolly animal.
Well neither of those thoughts would be correct, because a woonerf is a type of road layout which is slowing motorists in Amsterdam down to about 12mph without much work.
Meaning ‘road for living’, or ‘living road’, a woonerf provides motorists, cyclists and pedestrians with a more equal amount of space.
Drivers are forced to slow down by strategically placed plants, play areas, buildings, and an unnerving lack of pavement kerb, making it difficult to tell where you should be driving and where pedestrians should be walking.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) undertook a survey and out of 4000 people, only 27% were against the appearance of woonerfs in Britain.
Unfortunately for the individuals who’d happily see them in the UK right now, it might not happen for a while yet. The executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety has explained that at the moment councils just haven’t got the money to be introducing these new road layouts.
However, he believes that when the UK starts building things again, as our economic situation improves, woonerfs may begin to help reduce the number of accidents on our roads.
Well we can’t wait to see these woonerfs, they sound friendly.
Photo © La Citta Vita via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, Amsterdam, cyclists, drivers, government, IAM, Institute of Advanced Motorists, motorists, pedestrians, road layout, slow down, traffic calming, UK, woonerf
Friday, February 10, 2012
Could personalising your car be dangerous?
A recent survey published by a UK car insurance company showed that the average British motorist spends nearly £100 personalising their car with accessories, but these extras could potentially increase their chances of being involved in an accident and might raise their insurance premiums.
Apparently, 57% of motorists accessorise their cars; typically choosing options such as floor mats, air fresheners, stickers and even on some rare occasions... fluffy dice.Around one in ten of these drivers modifies their car to express aspects of their personality, but a third said they just wanted to make their vehicles more comfortable.
However, 70% of those surveyed had placed accessories which obscured or blocked their view.
Modifying a car should never be carried out at the risk of safety.
A spokeswoman for the insurance company said, “You can understand why so many of us want to make them more comfortable or individual, but car accessories should never impede the driver’s vision in any way.
“If you are going to adorn your rear window with stickers or soft toys, make sure they don’t obscure your view.”
The research also revealed that young drivers are more likely to accessorise their vehicles which, depending on the level of customisation, could increase their insurance premium. To find out how much your extras could set you back, click here to get a quote.
Photo © yortw via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, car insurance, insurance premium, young drivers
Friday, December 9, 2011
Getting onto the motorway
When I was taking my driving lessons I found ‘A’ roads frightening enough to tackle with my instructor next to me, so I can well imagine that there is some merit in the new scheme coming into effect next year.
Apparently, road safety minister Mike Penning has stated that soon learner drivers will be allowed to go onto motorways as long as they have a qualified instructor with them. The aim of this initiative is to familiarise learners with the 70mph (perhaps eventually 80mph) speed limit and the motorway layouts, so that their risk of suffering an accident on these roads once they pass their practical test is reduced.
The head of road safety at the AA stated, “This is good news. It will end the ludicrous situation where people can live near a network of motorways and pass their test without ever having been on one.”
I have to say I agree. The first time I went onto the motorway I had to take my dad with me for support and almost missed my exit because I suddenly forgot how to change lanes through fear of the high speed I was traveling at.
Exactly when this scheme will begin hasn’t been reported, but I have a feeling learner drivers will really appreciate the experience. I know I would have.
Photo © Firing up the quattro… via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: 70mph, AA, accident, driving lessons, learner drivers, motorway, road, road safety, speed