Sixt rent a car blog » drive

Driveway parking, a new concept…

David Jackson — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:28:03 +0000

With Christmas looming, the onset of rail strikes and redundancies, life can seem pretty bleak at times. Money is tight for many households and mortgages have to be paid. This could be the time for change! Houses with drives located in popular areas can now benefit from a little income boost. Steering away from traditional car parking methods a new concept is beginning to take off with websites such as Park on My Drive offering private parking spaces throughout the UK. Homeowners who have an extra space or spaces on their driveway that they don’t use or have vacant for most of the day can rent them out, either by the hour, day, week, or month.

This is a great opportunity for those who live near rail stations, beaches, sports stadiums and airports to take full advantage and generate a bit of extra money. The going rate for a space varies across the country and the particular locality or event.

For those looking to park their vehicle this solution offers a safe, secure and stress free way of parking. Pre-booked parking takes the hassle out of driving around searching for a space to park, worrying about returning in time to avoid a parking fine or the dreaded clamp. Some of the drive owners even offer other services such as taking holidaymakers on to the airport and even valeting the car whilst they’re away.

If you have a drive that you think might be in a popular location or if you need to find a private space in a busy area or at an event or airport why not take a look at Park on my drive.

New review into drink-driving limit

Andy Aspden — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Every year, as the country heads towards the holiday season the government adds to the drink driving part of it’s Think! Road Safety Campaign. With Christmas being one of the most likely times for people to take the risk of having few drinks before getting back in their car, the Think! campaign highlights how even a few drinks can take you over the limit.

With the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis asking for a review on the current legal drink-drive limit there is a possibility that the current limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood could be lowered to 50mg.

Legal expert Sir Peter North is to advise on the changes to the limit as well as looking into tightening the laws on driving whilst under the influence of drugs. If the limit is to be lowered people caught with a blood alcohol content of between 50-80mg may not face an outright ban, unlike the current law which gives drivers an automatic 12 month ban.

The independent report, containing Sir Peter’s conclusions and advice, is due to be published by the end of March next year.

Think! Don’t Drink and Drive

David Jackson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:49:16 +0000

As a responsible car hire company Sixt are always looking at ways to encourage safe and responsible driving. In our first Think! blog post we look at drink driving and how it can be avoided…

Take a different way home

If you’ve been drinking, it’s better not to drive. There are plenty of alternative ways to get home – you could:

> book a taxi
> use public transport
> stay overnight
> arrange a lift with someone who isn’t drinking

Sobering-up tricks do not work

Coffee and cold showers the morning after a night out don’t help you sober up. Time is the only way to get the alcohol out of your system and you could still be over the legal limit many hours after drinking.

Drink driving and the law

The legal consequences of a drink driving conviction are severe and long-lasting.

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs = 14 years’ imprisonment, together with an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving for at least 2 years and a mandatory extended driving test.

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink = 6 months’ imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years).

Being in charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink = 3 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500 and discretionary disqualification from driving.

Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis = 6 months’ imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months.

No drinks, no excuses

‘I had a drink, but it was at lunchtime.’
Even a small drink at lunchtime makes you sleepier and impairs your driving.

‘I feel fine to drive.’
Any amount of alcohol affects your judgement.

‘I’ve only had a couple.’
Even a single drink makes you drive less well.

‘I’ve had a meal.’
Alcohol still gets into your system and affects your driving.’

‘I can handle my drink.’
Alcohol affects everybody’s driving for the worse. It creates a feeling of overconfidence, makes judging distance and speed more difficult and slows your reactions so it takes longer to stop.

‘I’m only going down the road.’
A large proportion of all drink drive crashes occur within three miles of the start of the journey.

‘I’m driving slowly and carefully.’
Alcohol actually makes you less alert and careful, however slowly you drive.

A drink drive endorsement will remain on your license for 11 years.

For more information on the Think! Drink Driving campaign visit http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/driving/drinkdriving