Avoid drink driving this Christmas
If you’re old enough to drive you’ll have got used to being bombarded with anti-drink driving campaigns over the years. Every Christmas a series of adverts is aired in which you’re told that if you get caught drink driving your world will fall apart. Don’t get caught and the consequences could be much worse; there are 240 deaths each year through drink driving. Despite this high-profile campaigning, each year around 100,000 drivers lose their licence because they’ve been caught driving over the limit. The result is an instant driving ban for at least 12 months – but that’s just the start of it. So this Christmas – and indeed all year round – don’t take any chances if you’re driving, because it’s just not worth it. Many drivers are caught out the morning after. Some have been caught out by just moving their car while others have lost their licence by sleeping in their car while drunk. It’s easy to think that a few hours’ sleep will make all that alcohol in your system disappear, but whether you’re asleep or awake your body can process things only so fast. Just how quickly depends on whether you’re male or female, your weight, how much booze you’ve had, how much and what you’ve eaten – and more besides.
The complete winter driving guide
As temperatures drop your car has a harder time than ever – and so do you. So give yourself a fighting chance of getting through this winter, by making sure you and your car are fully prepared. Getting your car ready for winter By preparing your car for sub-zero conditions you’ll make your life a lot easier, as you’ll be less likely to break down and you’re also less likely to be involved in a crash. So kick off with the basics: Battery: Most fast-fit outlets will check the state of your car’s battery for free. If it’s on its last legs, the first sign of a sharp frost will see it fail altogether – leaving you unable to start your car. Coolant: To stop your engine from overheating it’s filled with coolant, which is a mixture of water and anti-freeze. If there’s too much water and not enough anti-freeze it’ll turn to ice when the temperatures drop, potentially wrecking your engine. So get the anti-freeze strength checked at a friendly garage. Tyres: You need to ensure your tyres are at the correct pressures and have sufficient tread all year round, and it’s no different in winter. If your tyres are close to the legal limit of 1.6mm, invest in a new set before the bad weather catches you out. It might even be worth investing in a set of winter tyres, although this means buying a second set of wheels or faffing about having tyres fitted to your existing wheels then back again when the temperatures rise in the spring – which is why few drivers bother. Lights: With short days, rain and fog all par for the course over the next few weeks, your lights will probably be on whenever you’re driving. Make sure everybody can see you – and that you can see – by ensuring they’re all working properly. Wipers: The last thing you want when it starts snowing is for your wiper blades to fall apart because they’re perished. If this happens you won’t be able to sweep away any rain or snow, plus there’s a good chance your windscreen will be damaged. Windows: Getting a clear view through your windows is key, so make sure the heating and ventilation work properly or everything will mist up so you’re driving in a permanent fog. And don’t forget to keep your washer bottle topped up.
How do Private Registration Plates work?
Personal Registrations According to the DVLA, around one in 10 cars on UK roads now wears a personal registration plate. When the registration A1 was issued in London at the end of 1903, Earl Russell queued all night outside the London County Council offices to secure it – so for well over a century there’s been a following for interesting car registrations. Nowadays it’s easier than ever to put a personal registration onto your car, whether you’ve got lots of money to spend, or just a little bit. If you just want to give your car a plate that catches your eye but isn’t likely to be of much to interest to anyone else, you can pick something up from just £50. But read on and you’ll see you can spend rather more than this if you want to really make your car stand out…
Guide To Driving Abroad
Now that the summer is here, if you’re lucky enough to be heading off on your holidays any time soon, there’s a good chance that you’ll be doing some driving abroad. Whether it’s mainland Europe or somewhere further afield, the prospect of driving on foreign roads can be as exciting as it is daunting. If you love driving, you’ll love it even more if you cross the Channel and explore mainland Europe. Just crossing that stretch of water somehow gives you a buzz; it instantly turns any drive into more of an adventure.