April

Keep up-to-date with relevant news

• 30/04/2012 Friendships 'formed on aeroplanes' Two in five travellers strike up a friendship with someone they meet on a plane for the first time and around 6% even claim to have embarked on a romantic relationship with an on-board stranger, according to a poll.
• 30/04/2012 IAM issues flood driving advice Despite the unpredictable nature of the UK's weather, drivers are failing to consider adverse road conditions, running the risk of criminal charges for careless or even dangerous driving. Adhering to the speed limit and having valid car insurance is not necessarily enough.
• 30/04/2012 Parents 'fear for children on roads' Most parents fear for their child's safety once they start getting behind the wheel, research has shown.
• 30/04/2012 Whiplash claim crackdown planned Plans to "weed out" false car insurance claims are being devised by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke and Transport Secretary Justine Greening.
• 30/04/2012 Number of older used cars for sale rises, report A report has found that the number of older cars up for sale rose while the volume of newer cars dropped during the first quarter.
• 27/04/2012 Homeowners advised over flooding Large parts of England and Wales are enduring torrential rain, leaving many people with homes and other property wrecked by the resultant flooding and strong winds.
• 27/04/2012 Small 'tornado' tears through town High winds described as a 'mini tornado' by locals have ripped through a market town.
• 27/04/2012 Tanker drivers to vote on proposed deal A key group of Unite union leaders has advised its tanker driver members to reject a proposed offer aimed at resolving the workers' dispute, further triggering fears of a strike.
• 27/04/2012 Official figures 'overstate mpg' An investigation by What Car? magazine claims to have found that official Government figures overestimate how many miles a gallon vehicles are capable of.
• 27/04/2012 First-time buyer hotspots announced Research has revealed that Milton Keynes is a magnet for first-time buyers, with newcomers to the market making up almost a tenth of households.
• 26/04/2012 Council to reimburse bus lane fines Hertfordshire Council has agreed to reimburse more than 30,000 motorists who were fined for driving in a bus lane.
• 26/04/2012 Unsafe tyre sales practice uncovered Motorists who think they can save money by driving on worn tyres are putting themselves, their passengers and members of the public in great danger, TyreSafe has warned.
• 26/04/2012 Drivers 'wasting money on diesels' Researchers have warned motorists that they need to travel at least 10,000 miles per year if they are aiming to save money on running costs by driving a diesel car.
• 26/04/2012 Hunt for UK's most reliable garages The hunt is on to find the nation's most trusted garages with 20 regional finalists already identified.
• 26/04/2012 Drought region flood warnings issued Householders in one English region hit by drought are on red alert after a number of flood warnings were issued.
• 25/04/2012 Red light rule change 'is unlikely' Rule changes to allow cyclists to turn left at red traffic lights are unlikely to be implemented, according to Roads Minister Mike Penning.
• 25/04/2012 House price optimism 'on the rise' Two-thirds of homeowners - the highest proportion in two years - believe that house prices will have risen by the autumn.
• 25/04/2012 Passengers 'favour window seats' Air passengers favour window seats and spots on the first six rows, a survey has shown.
• 25/04/2012 Cambridge is top university again Cambridge has been named the UK's top university for the second year running after topping the charts in the entry standards, completion rates and research categories.
• 25/04/2012 Insurers call for whiplash changes Several radical reforms need to be considered to help clamp down on people making bogus whiplash claims, according the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
• 24/04/2012 UK braced for heavy rain this week The importance of purchasing home insurance has reared its head once again with news that many parts of Britain will face heavy rainfall this week.
• 24/04/2012 Stricter rules wanted for dangerous dogs The latest measures from the Government to deal with attacks by dangerous dogs have received widespread disapproval from a number of animal welfare charities.
• 24/04/2012 Men bear burden of packing limits Boyfriends and husbands are having to make space in their suitcases for their female partner's belongings because of overpacking, says a poll.
• 24/04/2012 Mortgage loans at six-month high Mortgage lending was at a six-month high in March, indicating increased activity in the home insurance market as new home-owners look to protect their news properties.
• 24/04/2012 Poll reveals student costs concern Having enough money while being a student is a worry for many so it might not come as much of a surprise to learn that nearly half of undergraduates worry about covering their living costs.
• 23/04/2012 Holidays 'still a priority' for Britons Britons are continuing to make sure they get away on holiday this year despite facing a tight squeeze on their finances, new figures suggest.
• 23/04/2012 Women 'more likely to ogle on holiday' Research has suggested that women are more likely than men to stare at members of the opposite sex while on holiday with their other half.
• 23/04/2012 New puppy microchip plan revealed Puppy owners are set to face extra expenses after ministers revealed their pets will have to be microchipped under new plans.
• 23/04/2012 Government aims to lower car insurance An "alarming" number of fires caused by faulty kitchen appliances has led a consumer watchdog to call for the Government to act.
• 23/04/2012 Breathalyser test numbers fall Police are breathalysing fewer motorists now than they have done in the past, the Government has revealed.
• 20/04/2012 Call for Government action on faulty appliances An "alarming" number of fires caused by faulty kitchen appliances has led a consumer watchdog to call for the Government to act.
• 20/04/2012 Burglaries up in England and Wales The number of burglary incidents rose in England and Wales last year, new research suggests.
• 20/04/2012 UK car production increases - SMMT Car production in the UK increased slightly last month but the manufacture of commercial vehicles (CV) fell dramatically year-on-year.
• 20/04/2012 Cat stunned by tail swing incident Pet insurance can cover injuries to your animal but some times traumatising events cannot be cured.
• 20/04/2012 Dogs reflect owners' personalities When dog owners take out pet insurance, it seems they may well be trying to look after their own kind.
• 19/04/2012 Glasgow to host new 'green' plane A Scottish airport is set to play host to the new Dreamliner aeroplane from Thomson Airways.
• 19/04/2012 Eating behind wheel 'slows reaction times' A report has revealed that motorists who eat behind the wheel take longer to react to situations.
• 19/04/2012 Fuel tanker drivers reject peace offering The fuel tanker driver dispute still looms large after the Unite union rejected a peace deal aimed at averting a strike.
• 19/04/2012 Drivers 'distracted more by iPods' It is safer for drivers to enjoy the sounds of the radio while they are at the wheel, research suggests, rather than an iPod.
• 19/04/2012 Car fumes 'more deadly then accidents' Air pollution from cars and other vehicles causes more deaths per year than road traffic accidents, new research suggests.
• 18/04/2012 Many drivers 'cut up on roads' A poll has revealed that more than half of drivers were cut up by another road user in the past six months, underscoring the importance of car insurance cover.
• 18/04/2012 House prices 'decline in first quarter' House prices in Britain are now almost £7,000 lower than they were a year ago, according to property website zoopla.co.uk.
• 18/04/2012 Mexican volcano on yellow alert The Popocatepetl volcano located south east of Mexico City has been put on higher alert after new activity was detected.
• 18/04/2012 Tourists 'annoyed with rising prices' Research has shown that rising fares are having an impact on tourists' travel plans.
• 18/04/2012 Energy efficiency plan faces axe Plans to make homeowners pay for energy-efficiency measures when doing home improvement work look set to be axed.
• 17/04/2012 Chile hit by strong earthquake A powerful magnitude-6.7 earthquake has struck central Chile, although there have been no initial reports of sustained damage or deaths.
• 17/04/2012 £1 coach travel from UK to Europe A new coach service has been launched today by budget operator megabus.com, with journeys from UK to mainland Europe on offer from as little as £1.
• 17/04/2012 Noisy kids are top flight annoyance Nothing irritates Britons more on an airplane than loud children, a survey of in-flight annoyances has revealed.
• 17/04/2012 Emergency landing at Gatwick Airport Gatwick Airport passengers bound for Florida had their flight delayed after their plane was forced to make an emergency landing.
• 17/04/2012 Mortgage costs rise for first-timers February saw the first rise in first-time buyer mortgage costs in nearly 12 months, according to new data.
• 16/04/2012 Property asking prices 'soaring' Home insurance seems more important than ever for protecting the value of your home as the asking price for many properties is now at an all-time high.
• 16/04/2012 Michelin tyre performs well in test Choosing a good set of tyres is vital to the performance of your car and to keeping it on the road, thus decreasing the likelihood of having to make a car insurance claim.
• 16/04/2012 Brits 'losing out' at foreign ATMs UK tourists are paying £260 million every year in ATM fees while abroad, according to new research.
• 16/04/2012 New rural road tips for UK drivers Motorists taking trips to the English countryside this summer are being warned of the unique dangers posed by rural driving.
• 16/04/2012 Jilted lover ploughs into bowling alley Break-ups are often messy, but one man got more than he bargained for when his ex-girlfriend crashed his car into the bowling alley where he worked.
• 13/04/2012 Driving ban for Bolton winger Eagles They might be rich and famous but professional footballers can also be caught out for speeding - just like Bolton Wanderers' Chris Eagles.
• 13/04/2012 Botched Easter DIY jobs 'cost £166' Easter could have been an expensive time for many of Britain's DIY enthusiasts as home improvement projects ended in disaster during the holiday, according to a study.
• 13/04/2012 Police crack down on driving offences A police campaign in Scotland that aimed to catch out motorists driving without car insurance or valid licences has proven to be successful.
• 13/04/2012 Fewer buses and lorries on the roads Those who have caught a bus recently may feel they've had to wait longer than usual.
• 13/04/2012 Fewer robberies at BBC Salford base Fears that crime levels would be higher around the BBC's offices in Salford than around its London headquarters are wide of the mark, Salford City Council's leader has claimed.
• 12/04/2012 Earthquake sparks tsunami fears Britons on holiday in south-east Asia were given a scare on Wednesday when tsunami warnings were issued for countries near the Indian Ocean.
• 12/04/2012 Skoda tops Driver Power survey Skoda has proven a strong consumer favourite, coming first in the 2012 Auto Express Driver Power car ownership survey with its Yeti SUV.
• 12/04/2012 Easter fuel sales down year-on-year Easter fuel sales were almost a third lower than last year because many motorists were still well-stocked following the recent scenes of panic buying at the pumps, research has shown.
• 12/04/2012 Heathrow sees 70 million passengers Figures have revealed that 70 million people passed through Heathrow Airport in the past year, its highest ever figure over a 12-month period.
• 12/04/2012 Drought warning over flood risk Environmental officials have claimed that drought conditions could increase the risk of flash flooding in the event of heavy rain.
• 11/04/2012 Fuel tanker driver talks continue Efforts to avert a strike by fuel tanker drivers will continue on Wednesday after a talks resumed on Tuesday.
• 11/04/2012 Sunshine brings housing market boost Last month's warm weather brought out bare arms and sunglasses, and prospective home buyers as well.
• 11/04/2012 Expert offers commuting advice One of the UK's driver training firms has issued advice for those using cars to commute to work.
• 11/04/2012 100 most trusted UK garages revealed Even with excellent, cheap breakdown cover, it's still important to find a good mechanic to repair and service your vehicle should the worst happen.
• 11/04/2012 Ford Focus drivers 'escape fuel hike' Ford Focus hatchback drivers have dodged the fuel price hike, paying less to fill up their cars than they did four years ago.
• 10/04/2012 Tanker strike talks set to resume Talks aimed at averting a strike by fuel tanker drivers are set to resume after "constructive" discussions were held before Easter.
• 10/04/2012 New car customer return to market Older people will soon be offered help to find travel or car insurance as part of a new industry agreement.
• 10/04/2012 Britons' travel confusion revealed Many Britons cannot match capital cities to countries, according to a survey.
• 10/04/2012 Easter car trips 'average 10 hours' Some families will have spent nearly 10 hours in the car this Easter, while only half of that time would have been spent enjoying the outdoors, a survey has revealed.
• 10/04/2012 Petrol panic lifts Visa transactions The fuel tanker dispute helped push spending on Visa cards at petrol stations through the roof, the credit card company said.
• 05/04/2012 Insurance change to help older drivers Older people will soon be offered help to find travel or car insurance as part of a new industry agreement.
• 05/04/2012 Ministers pressured over dangerous dog laws The Government has come under pressure to change the laws on dangerous dogs as councils in the capital called for a crackdown.
• 05/04/2012 Stable euro makes Spain top holiday spot The stability of the euro has seen Spain become the most popular Easter holiday destination, travel money firm ICE has revealed.
• 05/04/2012 Superheroes needed for charity run An animal charity is seeking help from superheroes to rescue and support abandoned cats and kittens - by asking them to take part in its fun run event to raise cash for the animals.
• 05/04/2012 Highway Code ignorance 'prevalent' A survey has revealed an alarming lack of knowledge about the Highway Code among motorists in the UK.
• 04/04/2012 Britons 'heading abroad over Easter' Some 1.5 million Britons will be escaping the forecast snow, cloud and rain and heading for overseas sun during Easter, it has been revealed.
• 04/04/2012 Malaria drug breakthrough hailed When going through your holiday checklist, you are likely to tick off tasks such as booking car hire, taking out travel insurance and swotting up on diseases to be wary of for those off to more exotic locations.
• 04/04/2012 Buyers on alert as used car prices fall The average used car price in the UK has dropped by 1.5 per cent since January to £9,376 due to the weak economy and a preference from consumers to keep their cars for longer as a consequence.
• 04/04/2012 Toy dog suffers mistaken identity Nottinghamshire Police were left red-faced recently after officers smashed the window of a parked car in an attempt to rescue a dog, only to find it was actually a stuffed toy.
• 04/04/2012 Warning over GPS jammer thefts An increasing number of criminals are using GPS jammers to steal commercial vehicles, Sentinel consortium has revealed.
• 03/04/2012 Excess baggage fees soar to £168m When it comes to packing for your holiday, excess baggage should be up there with travel insurance high on your list of considerations.
• 03/04/2012 Uninsured drivers 'still a big issue' The number of uninsured young drivers has dropped but motorists driving without car insurance is still a big issue, according to a report from the Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB).
• 03/04/2012 Survey: Children lack geography know-how A tenth of children cannot find the UK on a map, and 24% don't know what an atlas is.
• 03/04/2012 IAM issues managed motorways advice Even the most experienced drivers can find motorway driving daunting, but the good news is that driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive explains how to negotiate managed motorways in its latest round of motoring tips.
• 03/04/2012 Britons likely to visit church on their travels The likelihood of Britons visiting a church whilst on holiday is much greater than the chance of them doing so at home, according to a survey.
• 02/04/2012 Tanker drivers ready to back strike Thousands of truckers are preparing to go head to head with the army in support of striking tanker drivers.
• 02/04/2012 UK better prepared for strike - Hague Britain is better prepared to withstand a strike by tanker drivers because of the actions taken by the Government over the past week, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
• 02/04/2012 Travellers hit by air duty tax hike Higher rates of the air passenger duty (APD) airport departure tax took effect on Sunday, hitting passengers with a ticket increase of around 8%.
• 02/04/2012 Don't feel deflated - check your tyres Checking your tyres before heading off on a Bank Holiday trip could help you avoid the driving blues, TyreSafe has advised.
• 02/04/2012 Britons plan holidays to miss the Games New research has found that one in three UK adults have deliberately booked to go on holiday abroad during the London Olympics in July.