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New Tax Code Clarification for Diesel Hybrids
Volvo UK has welcomed the announcement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which means its new V60 Hybrid Plug-in will be classed as a ‘hybrid' for tax purposes when it arrives next year.

Diesel-electric hybrids have now been incorporated in the type A tax band rather than the previous type D, which covers diesels but attracts a 3% levy on the Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax payment. This is likely to translate to a saving of at least £200 per year for company car drivers*.

The clarification follows an analysis from HMRC rules and guidance notes by Volvo Car UK's tax consultants, Hampshire-based BCF Wessex, amidst fears that vehicles such as the low CO2 emitting diesel hybrids like the new V60 Plug-in at just 49g/km CO2 would inadvertently be incorporated in the diesel category.

Volvo UK's national corporate operations manager Selwyn Cooper, comments: "We are delighted that HMRC has both cleared up the confusion as well as acknowledging the rightful banding for diesel hybrids is alongside its petrol hybrid siblings."

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid integrates the very best properties from three different car types into one, single attractive sports wagon. At the press of a button, the driver can choose which ‘type' of car to drive: pure, hybrid or power.

*Depending on the on-the-road pricing, to be announced nearer the launch date

Source: Volvo Press Release 18/11/2011. 
 
Blue Light Aware Campaign
Blue Light Aware is the title of an excellent short video designed to make drivers aware of how to respond to the presence of emergency service vehicles displaying blue lights (and often two tone horns as well).
The driver of the emergency service vehicle is basically asking you as a driver to use common sense in clearing a path through the traffic; nobody is expecting drivers to break the law or risk damaging their vehicles in an attempt to clear a way through.

Watch the video now and you will see how to respond.......... click here now.
 
Crackdown on uninsured driving gets underway

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law it's an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

From today (20/06/2011), registered keepers identified as having an uninsured vehicle will be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured, and warning them of the consequences if they fail to take action. Those who don't act on this warning - either by taking out insurance or declaring their vehicle off the road - will receive a £100 fine and could have their vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. They may also face a court prosecution.

All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded correctly for free at askMID.com

Under the new system: -

  • DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles
  • motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action
  • if the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine
  • if the vehicle remains uninsured - regardless of whether the fine is paid – further action will be taken. If the vehicle is on public land it could then be clamped, seized and destroyed; alternatively court action could be taken, with the offender facing a fine of up to £1,000
  • seized vehicles would only be released when the keeper provided evidence that the registered keeper is no longer committing the offence of having no insurance and the person proposing to drive the vehicle away is insured to do so

Vehicles with a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) won't be required to be insured.

For more details, visit direct.gov.uk/stayinsured

 
 
Shocking New Research Shows Drivers Concentrate on the Road Just One Third of the Time!

The Fuelcard Company has warned commercial drivers against over reliance on sat-navs after shocking new research shows fleet drivers concentrate on the road just one third of the time.

While satellite navigation systems have transformed life for commercial drivers, the devices are also one of the main causes of absent mindedness, tempting motorists to rely solely on the automated directions and pay no attention to road signs.

The Fuelcard Company's warning follows evidence compiled by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) which found fleet drivers give the road their full attention just 66 percent of the time. Jakes de Kock, Sales and Marketing Director at The Fuelcard Company, said this lack of attention is a real concern and should be tackled by fleet companies head-on.

"Communication devices are essential for the business driver and the sat-nav in particular has revolutionised fleet operations. However, we are developing a worrying over-reliance on this technology which is all too often overriding common sense and undermining road safety. Drivers should never follow their sat-nav blindly and always pay attention to road signs which deliver important safety warnings, such as road or lane closures, which can not be picked up by satellite navigation systems."

This week the Telegraph revealed the top ten worst sat-nav blunders which included a group of British tourists who were stranded for four days when their sat-nav directed them down a road which had been closed because of heavy rain.

In another instance, a group of schoolchildren from Hampshire missed out on a school trip to see the palace of King Henry VIII in Surrey when their bus driver dropped them off in Islington, north London courtesy of his sat-nav.

Ack -The Fuel Card Company - 4 May 2011
 
Highway Code celebrates 80 years on the road

One of Britain's best selling and most iconic publications - the Highway Code - is 80 years-old today (14 April 2011). 

The first edition was published on 14 April 1931 in a bid to cut down on the number of accidents taking place on Britain's roads. Despite the fact there were just 2.3 million motor vehicles at the time, over 7,000 people were killed in road accidents that year.

The Highway Code quickly became the 'must read' publication for those using the road and is now recognised the world over. The Code is now used by millions of drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians every year and has even been featured in TV drama storylines. 

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: -
"The Highway Code is the official guide to using the roads safely and responsibly.  The Code has helped to save thousands of lives over the last 80 years, which is cause for celebration.

The Highway Code is not just for new drivers, it holds crucial information for everyone from experienced motorists and motorcyclists to horse riders and pedestrians.

The publication offers the latest information on the rules of the roads and road safety advice, as well as promoting greater courtesy and understanding among all road users. Its long-standing success is one of the reasons why Britain's roads are among the safest in the world".

The Highway Code has moved with the times and is available in a variety of formats, including online from the Directgov website, as a download and on CD ROM with a voice-over for people with reading difficulties.

 
 
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