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MOTORING LAWS THAT HAVE CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC
The motoring experts at LeaseCar . uk have shared the rules that have been updated or instated over the last year , while the country has been in and out of national lockdowns :
1 . Stricter phone penalties
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel has long been illegal , but updates to the law this year have seen a legal loophole sealed . People were able to avoid prosecution when taking photos or videos when driving , but penalties for those caught have been introduced . Now , any driver caught holding their phone or satnav whilst driving could receive a £ 200 fine and six points on their licence .
2 . Smart Motorways
The roll out of smart motorways seems to have gone on forever , but it is now illegal to drive in a lane which has a red X sign overhead . If drivers are caught in a closed motorway lane , they could receive a fixed penalty of up to £ 100 and three points on their license . In some more dangerous cases , stronger penalties are issued .
3 . Clean Air Zones
Throughout 2021 , major UK cities with high emissions will see the introduction of ‘ Clean Air Zones ’, which champion electric and low-emission vehicles . This means that there will be a daily charge to drive in certain areas when behind the wheel of less eco-friendly transport . The first city to see these changes will be Birmingham . By June , non-green motorists will have to pay £ 8 per day to drive anywhere within the A4540 Middleway ring-road . Throughout the year , Bath , Oxford , Leeds and Bristol will also start introducing charges .
4 . MOT changes
During the height of the pandemic , vehicles requiring an MOT certificate could get a sixmonth extension . This precedent has since ended , so all vehicles due an MOT will need them going forward . There were updates to the MOT defect categories in 2020 and a variety of new vehicle checks were added . These checks include under-inflated tyres , contaminated brake fluid and brake pad warning lights . Newer cars will also have their reversing lights and daytime running lights checked . Driving without a valid MOT certificate could see road users fined up to £ 1,000 .
5 . Driving in the EU
Post-Brexit , there are number of differences to the way British people can drive in the EU . From now on , everyone will need a green card , their logbook , and a GB sticker on their number plate . The card will prove the vehicle is fully insured and drivers can obtain them through their insurance provider .
6 . Green plates
Owners of electric and zero-emission vehicles can now purchase the brand-new green number plates . This is an initiative designed to help promote green vehicles by making them more visible to others on the road and those with these plates will be given special privileges , such as access to cheaper parking and free entry into Low-Emission Zones and Clean Air Zones .
Top tips to decrease fuel consumption amid price increases
According to recent data , petrol prices have risen from an average of £ 1.06 per litre pre pandemic ( March 2020 ) to £ 1.29 per litre as of June 2021 . This increase is said to be the biggest rise within a twelve month period since May 2010 .
AUGUST 2021 | 37
Motoring
A spokesperson for Lease- Car UK said : “ With the cost of petrol and diesel rising above pre-covid prices , our pockets will be really taking a hit . That ’ s why it is important to look after our vehicles and take measures to increase our mileage in order to get the most for our money .”
Top tips to decrease fuel consumption
Look after your tyres
Driving with flat tyres can significantly reduce their life expectancy and can lead to an increase in fuel consumption . It is important to check tyres regularly - usually about once a month will suffice and definitely before any long journey . Tyre pressure information can often be found on the inside of the driver side door or in the car ’ s manual .
Pick the right cooling method
Selecting the right way to cool down in the car is key to preserving fuel . Opening the windows when driving in the city is actually more efficient than using air-con . However , when you are driving at a higher speed like on the motorway for example , it is more fuel efficient to use air-con as opening the windows can make the vehicle less aerodynamic and consequently create more drag force .
Remove excess weight
Anything such as roof racks and boxes should be removed when not in use as they can also create a greater drag force , especially at higher speeds . The same effect can be had with weight inside the car , unnecessary items in your boot or back seat will decrease the amount of miles you can get per gallon .
Driving style
Simple changes to your driving style can have a massive impact on the amount of fuel you use . Slamming down on the accelerator and staying in a low gear can both have a negative effect on your fuel economy . Remaining smooth when accelerating and braking can help to stop wasting fuel and also make for a more pleasant driving experience .
Don ’ t drive in neutral
It is a common misconception that you don ’ t expend any petrol or diesel when putting your car into neutral whilst travelling down a hill . However , this is often false as many drivers fail to gauge the right gear to go back into , which in turn burns more fuel . Attempting to put your car back into drive can be particularly risky if you drive an automatic because your engine has not gone through the natural progression of gears . Doing this is not only a safety concern , but places a lot of stress on your engine which in turn uses more fuel than if you were to just stay in gear .
Avoid idling
Not only is remaining idle for too long a punishable offence , but it also wastes a considerable amount of fuel . If you have a modern car , it is more efficient to use the stop start feature than to keep your engine running . If however , you have a vehicle that doesn ’ t have this feature and you are waiting for more than thirty seconds , it is best to turn the engine off until you need to go again .