New drivers ‘under prepared’ to drive despite passing test

Almost half of newly qualified motorists recently surveyed said they were under-prepared and nervous about taking to the highways for the first time since passing their driving test.

Almost 90 per cent of new drivers questioned revealed they took less than the recommended 40 hours of driving lessons before taking their test, according to the study by car insurance company ingenie and the RoadSafe organisation.

Self-assurance is not something that young male drivers lack and this is backed up by this latest study which shows male drivers aged 17-25 exude confidence after passing their test.

Despite this confidence young male drivers are more than twice as likely to have a prang in their first month at the wheel in comparison to female drivers of the same age bracket.

This poll of 1,000 new UK motorists found that over a third (35 per cent) of drivers admitted to having an accident within their first 12 months on the road. Young motorists also admitted to changing their driving style depending on their passengers, whether it’s friends or parents.

Richard King, Ingenie chief executive, said: "It’s clear from our research findings that many young drivers speed through their theory and practical tests and get straight out on to the road without the essential skills necessary to give them confidence to drive alone."

The threat of car accidents for newly qualified drivers make it all the more sensible to purchase cheaper second hand vehicles to get used to the demands of regular driving. Driving a car costing hundreds rather than thousands means that young drivers who do have an unfortunate incident can ask themselves "should I scrap my car?" or vehicle dismantling without losing a significant investment.

Owning a second hand car also gives young drivers the freedom to repair prangs and damaged areas with significantly cheaper used car parts that are tested and guaranteed to last for considerable period of time. More importantly they are much more cost-effective than fitting a brand new car part in a second hand run-around. 

Folding electric car prototype launched in Spain

An innovative folding electric car prototype that folds into itself to save parking space was launched in Spain last month.

The EU-endorsed two-seater vehicle, called the Hiriko, is a result of a unique partnership between Basque businesses, the Spanish government and US experts, MIT Media Lab.

"Robot" in-wheel electric motors drive each wheel independently making for extra manoeuvrability, while the rear of the capsule-shaped car can fold underneath its chassis to free up valuable car parking space in major Spanish towns and cities.

The Hiriko is said to have just two-thirds of the carbon footprint of a Smart car and the project’s leaders hope this will spark interest in electric car transportation in other cities, with trials expected in Bilbao, Malmo and Boston later this year.

There is very little that’s conventional about the Hiriko, with driver and passenger both entering and leaving the car via a single door at the front. Meanwhile the traditional steering wheel is also replaced by a "haptic" joystick-style steering device.

Ryan Chin, researcher behind the concept developed within the MIT labs in the 1980s, said: "I call this mobility on demand. Hiriko’s technology and green footprint is five times better than you find in today’s Smart cars."

Commercial versions of the vehicle are expected to be available come spring 2013, with Madrid backing the project with €15 million in grants for vehicles that are expected to cost €12,500 each to build.

Electric vehicles are just one of the ways drivers can look after the wider environment. Owners of end-of-life petrol or diesel cars can scrap their cars for cash in a safe and efficient manner. Car recycling is not a new phenomenon. At ASM Auto Recycling we have been dismantling, cleaning and recycling used cars for over 20 years and are now regarded as one of the UK’s most modern and professional used car parts recyclers.

London to host Electric Vehicle Charging trial in early 2012

In a bid to help England become the continental pioneers of electric driving, the UK government is working in tandem with the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and Qualcomm Incorporated to conduct a Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial in early 2012.

The trial will make use of Qualcomm Incorporated’s wireless inductive power transfer technology as a means of testing its potential across the country.

To charge an electric vehicle the driver will simply park their car in the usual way and the system automatically aligns for power transfer, ensuring a hassle-free parking and charging experience.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, is enthused about steps being taken to drive forward innovation in the automotive industry.

"This wireless charging technology is a giant leap forward for the electric car industry and I am delighted that London businesses will be among the first to benefit from the trial," he said.

"Creative, high-tech advances such as this are extremely important as we work to rebalance our economy."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson added: "In my quest to deliver cleaner air for the capital, I want London to be the electric car epicentre of Europe.

"Encouraging a massive uptake in electric driving is key to this vision of becoming a zero emission city."

With an increasing number of motorists warming to the idea of hybrid and electric-powered vehicles our job of dismantling end-of-life fuel-powered vehicles becomes ever more important to protect the environment.

At ASM Auto Recycling our car recycling facility includes state-of-the-art de-pollution rigs to process abandoned and end-of-life vehicles in accordance with the European end-of-life vehicle directive.

Unfortunately vehicle dismantling isn’t just about discarding the shell of a car, we work to carefully remove and store all potential toxins as well as salvage and recycled car parts that can be used again.

Motorists downsizing as a result of fuel price increase

The latest Used Car Market Report from British Car Auctions (BCA) reveals half of respondents feel they will be forced to change to a more fuel-efficient car or alter their driving habits as a result of continued fuel price increases.

The leading vehicle remarketing company found that a fifth of respondents felt the need to downsize or change their driving habits once fuel hit £1.30 per litre and by the time the price of fuel hits the £1.50 per litre mark a further 15 per cent of motorists will be in the same boat.

As MPs recently debated in the House of Commons about a deferred annual increase of 3p per litre, 39 per cent of respondents said they would cut fuel duty if they could influence the nation’s transport and motoring strategies.

The number of two-car households in the UK is also on the decline with the report showing this figure had fallen by five per cent in the last 12 months.

Fuel consumption is now a top priority for motorists. 27 per cent of those surveyed in the BCA Used Car Market Report said they would pay more attention to fuel economy when choosing their next vehicle.

If you have a vehicle that's approaching its end-of-life period due to its age or poor fuel efficiency the safest thing to do is to take the car to a car recycling facility such as the one here at ASM Auto Recycling.

Every year two million end-of-life vehicles are scrapped in the UK in an effort to remove and store potentially harmful toxins from older vehicles, in accordance with the European ELV directive.

Nevertheless, vehicle dismantling is not just about retrieving harmful toxins and casting aside the shell of the vehicle, which is particularly important to note for those looking to scrap my car for cash. We carefully remove all recyclable car parts to ensure they can be sold on, giving motorists an additional option to paying the premium for a brand new part from a dealership.

Classic cars to be made exempt from MOTs?

Owners of classic cars will be interested to hear that Transport minister, Mike Penning has published new proposals for consultation, under which classic cars may not require MOT testing.

The Government is particularly focusing on vehicles manufactured pre-1960, as it considers whether to scrap MOT testing for these cars as many features of the modern-day MOT exam are not suitable for assessing classic and historic cars.

Owners of classic vehicles generally keep their cars in tip-top condition, says Mr Penning.

He said: "We are committed to reducing regulation which places a financial burden on motorists without providing significant overall benefits.

"Owners of classic cars and motorbikes are enthusiasts who maintain their vehicles well – they don’t need to be told to look after them, they’re out there every weekend checking the condition of the engine, tyres and bodywork."

Owners of older vehicles are also likely to have a good idea of exact car parts required when making repairs or alterations to improve efficiency and performance.

Nevertheless, classic car parts are far more difficult to pick up than modern-day used car parts, not to mention significantly more expensive to source!

In the current financial climate, many owners of second-hand cars do not want to pay full price for new car parts to get their vehicle back on the road. That’s why our used car parts at ASM Auto Recycling provide a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to repairing second-hand vehicles at a dealership.

Every single car part recycled from our vehicle dismantling department comes tested and covered by a 90-day guarantee, giving you peace of mind from the moment you start your engine.

Although you will be required to know your way under a car bonnet or chassis, it truly is an inexpensive way of restoring your car back to roadworthy condition, whilst making the most of all available car parts from salvage and end-of-life vehicles.