Spotted: 10 hilarious UK road signs

Let’s face it, we all need road signs to help direct us from A to B on the highways. But in true British fashion there are instances where we come across some utterly bizarre road signs and meanings that put a smile on our faces behind the wheel.

Prepare to be amazed with our collection of some of the most amusing and baffling road signs from Britain’s streets:

Are you sure you're not lying to us?

Secrecy is clearly not their strong point...

No stunt men allowed.

Beware people with bendy backs!

Shouldn't this belong in an art gallery?!

© Copyright Peter Robinson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Thanks for telling us Sherlock...

Beware of mole hills?

We challenge you not to take a wrong turning here...

Beware: Men with giant umbrellas ahead

Winner of the 2012 'How to state the blindingly obvious' award

Increased volume of used cars easing pressure on dealers

The number of second-hand cars entering the used car market has taken away some of the strain for dealerships that have recently found it difficult to source used cars at fair prices.

The influx of part-exchange cars is partly responsible for "taking the edge off prices", according to used car pricing experts CAP.

CAP has reported that the dip in prices is not likely to threaten the medium-to-long term stability of the marketplace.

Mike Hind of CAP, said: "A year ago the increase in volume was much more of a cause for concern because it was largely driven by dealer self-registrations. This was due to severe weakness in the new car market and it meant a sudden and large influx of late plate cars into the market.

"This time more of the March new car sales represented genuine business and the fact that there are around 15,000 fewer 0-12 month old cars advertised for sale at present than a year ago is evidence for that.

"The dynamic in the trade market has clearly shifted from that of a few weeks ago when franchise and independent dealers were competing hard for every quality used car and consequently finding it difficult to maintain satisfactory profit per unit. Now the heat is off we are hearing reports that margins are improving for many."

Quality used cars can be maintained to roadworthy standard without having to pay for brand new car parts from dealerships. At ASM Auto Recycling our used car parts department contains over 250,000 guaranteed and tested parts. Purchasing parts processed through our car recycling workshop makes economic sense and is ideal for those who know their way under a car bonnet.

The used car market is certainly buoyant at present, particularly with the fuel price war on British motorists still rife. More drivers are considering visiting an online salvage auction as a means of picking up a bargain. These cars have been sourced direct from insurance companies that can be repaired and restored to roadworthy condition at bargain basement prices.

Toyota responsible for 75% of UK hybrid car market

Japanese vehicle manufacturer Toyota has revealed they have currently held a market share of more than three quarters of the UK hybrid car market over the last five years.

Almost 100,000 hybrid cars have been sold between 2007 and March 2012 – 77,000 of which were Toyota-made vehicles, either from Toyota’s everyday brand or its high-class subsidiary Lexus.

These are encouraging figures for Toyota, at a time when the overall market share of hybrid cars in the UK almost doubled from 0.7 per cent to 1.3 per cent. Toyota successfully stole a march on its competitors by introducing its first Prius in Japan 15 years ago. In February this year Toyota astonishingly sold its 2.5 millionth Prius model.

Although many of its competitors are now implementing their own hybrid development programmes Toyota’s vehicle remains the only commercially-successful ‘full hybrid’ system where the engine is not constantly required to run in the background.

Hybrid cars are 25 per cent more efficient than other cars. They achieve this level of efficiency by combining an electric motor with a conventional car engine. The electric motor is used to charge the batteries allowing it to provide the sole power supply of the car at selected times.

A recent study from Deloitte of young drivers in America found they are becoming increasingly concerned with being environmentally friendly as opposed to driving a fast sports car. With more eco-friendly hybrid cars coming to market the trend for sporty cars appears to be declining worldwide.

Owners of inefficient second-hand cars are now choosing to scrap cars for cash, putting the funds towards new eco-friendly models. Car scrapping techniques have evolved over recent years and at ASM Auto Recycling our car recycling team has significant expertise in the art of vehicle de-pollution including the removal and storage of potential toxins from end-of-life vehicles and also the restoration of used car parts to good working order.

RHA slams Government for not addressing fuel duty issue

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has spoken out against the Government following the news that the UK has entered a double-dip recession period, with the economy shrinking by 0.2 per cent in Q1 2012.

Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the RHA, could not hide his disappointment at the Government for not attempting to tackle the problem of fuel duty, with reduced taxes on petrol and diesel fuels likely to provide savings for motorists that can be fed back into the economy through a number of other channels.

"Of course we are disappointed at the news that the UK has returned to a state of recession. However, what comes as an even greater disappointment is that this news is not unexpected," he said.

"If the Government would heed our advice and address the issue of fuel duty once and for all, this is a situation that could almost certainly have been avoided.

"Users of petrol and diesel fuels are desperate to see a reduction in fuel duty. The price of a tank of fuel would reduce and the subsequent savings would be put back into the economy, giving trade the boost it so desperately needs."

Reducing driving costs is most definitely a pertinent issue for UK motorists, who are battling against increasing fuel, car insurance and road tax costs. Second hand car owners in particular are choosing to keep their existing car on the road for as long as possible with the purchase of used car parts that are recycled from end-of-life vehicles sent to be scrapped for cash.

At ASM Auto Recycling we proudly supply second hand car owners with an excellent range of recycled car parts that are cleaned, tested and protected by our very own 90-day guarantee. If you are looking for peace of mind at the wheel then make the most of our car recycling expertise today.

How safe are Britain’s roads: 5 devastating road accidents

Following the recent news that even mobility scooter drivers in South Yorkshire are to be given a crash course in road safety it only serves to highlight the importance of keeping safe on Britain’s roads.

Many drivers take their driving licence for granted. After passing your test do you take active steps towards improving your driving skills further? Or do you simply take to the roads come rain or shine, regardless of traffic densities and risks?

Sadly road accidents are an inevitable occurrence when you consider just how many people use our nation’s highways. In order to make you even further aware of the devastation possible on the motorways here are five of Britain’s most devastating road accidents in history.

M5 crash – 4^th November 2011

Following a sickening 34-vehicle pile-up on a stretch of the M5 motorway in Somerset seven people were killed and 51 injured in one of the worst accidents on the UK’s roads in 20 years. Fog banks and wet road surfaces caused the pile-up which created a frightening fireball; such was the intensity of the crash.

M4 crash – 13^th March 1991

The worst road accident prior to the latest M5 incident, this 51-car pile-up on the Hungerford stretch of the M4 in Berkshire took the lives of 10 people and injured 25 others after a van skidded into the central reservation due to heavy fog in a morning rush hour. A cautionary tale that many drivers must always adhere to!

M61 crash – 28^th October 1987

Road accidents can occur just as easily in stationary traffic as the M61 crash in October 1987 proved when a diesel tank collided with vehicles near Preston, Lancashire. 12 people were killed as a result of the impact with a further six injured.

M6 crash – 21^st October 1985

Another sickening fatal accident occurring in stationary traffic – this time due to construction work on the M6 – which saw a coach career into parked vehicles killing 13 passengers.

B6265 crash – 27^th May 1975

Officially the worst ever road accident on Britain’s roads, the coach crash on the B6265 in the Yorkshire Dales took the lives of 33 passengers. The brakes on the 45-seat coach rapidly overheated as it rolled down a hill, crashing through a steel safety barrier, hitting the parapet of ‘Dibbles Bridge’ and plunging 15 feet head-long into a ravine.

These are genuine cautionary tales that we encourage our customers to keep firmly in mind when driving on busy roads regardless of peak or off-peak times.

However, if your car has been written off in an accident our very own vehicle salvage service can retrieve your car to be taken back to one of our car recycling sites for dismantling in accordance with the Environment Agency’s end-of-life vehicle directive.