Roads Named & Shamed

A recent survey carried out by Lex has identified the most boring road in Britain.  The survey, which captured data from company car drivers, named the M1″the most boring road in Britain” with a 1/3 of the votes! Boredom apparently the cause of heavy traffic, the length of road and the frequency we use the road.

Boring?

The results also suggest avoiding the M4, M5, M6, M40, A1, A38 and A14, for a more interesting journey. Apparently 42% of the company car drivers polled said that they “lose their concentration when driving on boring roads” and admit driving faster.  Perhaps this is further evidence that the van driver is safer - as brought to you by Vansdirect last week (to see article click here).

New EU Directive Comes Into Force

Drivers of buses, coaches and minibuses now need to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in addition to their driving licence.  The requirement is regardless of whether the vehicle is used for hire or reward.  Lorry drivers will need the CPC by 10 September 2009.

According to direct.gov.uk, the CPCs “is aimed at improving road safety by providing better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties.  It should also bring an improved professional and positive image to the industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and lorries for a living.”

Catalytic Converters Targeted By Thieves

Van drivers have recently been warned by police to be careful where they leave their vehicle.  According to the Times newspaper, thieves can steal your catalytic converter in under 3 minutes!  Those sporting 4×4s are under particular threat because of the high clearance - an easy opening for even the opportunist thief.  The police cite the Mitsubishi L200, BMW X5, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Shogun and Land Rover Discovery as the most targeted!

A Catalytic Converter of a Dodge Ram