Sixt rent a car blog » driving

Cool running’s on the A2

David Jackson — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:51:21 +0000

Ice scraper

The highways agency are using new methods to keep on top of the big freeze this winter as explained in their recent press release…

In addition to our fleet of winter salt spreaders that treat the roads, we will be using an innovative road de-icing system at some locations this winter. Read on to see how a stretch of the A2 Jubilee Way in Dover, Kent will benefit and keeping traffic moving in cold weather.

A pipe and nozzle system is attached to the crash barrier on the southbound carriageway of the road. Once the road/air temperature drops and the grip of the road surface is reduced, it automatically releases an anti-freeze solution on to the road surface. This prevents the build up of ice on the road, reducing potential incidents and keeping traffic flowing.

The system is designed to operate automatically, with surface sensors constantly monitoring the bridge surface temperature and grip to ensure that the anti-freeze solution is released when it is needed.

This simple system, which has been tried and tested in Europe and America, should be more than a match for winter’s icy blasts in this part of Kent this winter!

For handy tips when driving this winter visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

Essential items for your emergency kit

David Jackson — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:03:20 +0000

The snow which covered much of England last week may appear to be slowly melting but the icy conditions are set to stick around for the foreseeable future. With this is mind we thought it would be a good time to remind ourselves of the essential kit that should ideally be taken whenever you drive in the winter months. This advice has been supplied by the Highways Agency…

Pack an emergency kit before you set out this winter. You never know when you might need it!

It’s easy; just gather together the items below and pack in the car at the start of the winter season, leaving you concentrate on more immediate matters, like how you are going to get there…

Your emergency kit should include:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Mobile phone charger
• Food and a warm drink in a vacuum flask
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses (the glare off snow can be dazzling)

Don’t forget to take any personal medication too

For more handy tips when driving this winter visit www.highways.gov.uk/winter

Driving in Severe Weather

David Jackson — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:45:31 +0000

With large parts of the UK covered in snow and the forecasts showing no signs of it letting up in the near future it’s important that driving is only undertaken when absolutely necessary.

If you do need to use your car then it’s vital to plan ahead and ensure you are prepared for the worse case scenario. To help you out the Highways Agency have produced a very handy leaflet to driving in severe weather.

You can download and read the guide here. We’d highly recommend you take a look even if you aren’t planning to drive in the current cold spell as it’s always useful to brush up on your winter driving knowledge.

Snow and ice are not very nice. A little time can make winter driving easier

David Jackson — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:44:13 +0000

Winter can be a busy time for everybody. Whether working, at school or on holiday, there’s so much to remember. But whatever occupies your time this winter, don’t get caught out when driving in severe weather. Don’t just drive, prepare.

Putting aside ten minutes to plan your journey before you set off could make all the difference. Check your planned route at highways.gov.uk where you can find up-to-date traffic information. You should also check your vehicle is ready for the drive by checking the condition of your tyres as well as making sure your windscreen and lights are clean. For more tips on essential vehicle checks before setting out this winter visit Highways Agency – Make Time for Winter Driving this Season

As you pack your gifts, for a long journey to visit relatives perhaps, you should pack your emergency kit in your car. This simple array of everyday household items could be your salvation if you get caught out by adverse weather conditions on the journey. You only need to pack it once at the beginning of the season leaving you with one less thing to worry about this winter.

For more advice when venturing out in severe weather, take a look at the Highways Agency website. There are practical tips on driving in all weather conditions as well a list of winter emergency kit items. You can even find out how to download our free iphone app for regular traffic updates on your route.

So whenever you plan to drive this season, make time for winter. Visit Highways.gov.uk/winter

Highways Agency urges drivers to ‘Be Prepared For Winter’

David Jackson — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:00:22 +0000

As we head into the winter season the Highways Agency, which manages and maintains England’s motorways and major A roads, is urging road users to make sure that they are prepared to face severe weather.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said:

“The Highways Agency is prepared for winter, but road users must also play their part. Not all journeys are essential in severe weather, but if people feel that they must travel during severe conditions there are some simple steps that can reduce the risk of being caught out by the weather.

That’s why I am urging all drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before they set out; to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles; to monitor the traffic and weather conditions and plan their journeys.”

The Highways Agency has learned from the severe weather of the last two winters, and strengthened its capability to face extended spells of severe weather. State-of-the-art winter vehicles are being used in more parts of the country, and the Agency has reviewed salt stock levels and established a strategic salt stock to help ensure that there is enough salt to deal with severe winter conditions.

As well as snow and ice, strong winds, heavy rain and thick fog can affect journeys in the winter season. Met Office weather forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Control Centre will provide information on weather conditions across the motorway and trunk road network. Drivers can obtain up to the minute information on winter traffic conditions from:

* the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
* the Highways Agency’s ‘Traffic Radio’, broadcast on DAB digital
* the Agency’s website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic
* the Agency’s iPhone app and mobile website

For detailed information on local and national weather conditions, visit the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio broadcasts.

Christmas Shopping Boost from Highways Agency

David Jackson — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:32:05 +0000

Shoppers are getting a boost from the Highways Agency in the run-up to Christmas – a two month roadworks embargo on key motorway routes.

The embargo – which will benefit shoppers heading to the Trafford Centre and the Lowry Outlet in Greater Manchester and Cheshire Oaks in Merseyside – means a start on routine maintenance works, including overnight roadworks, will be put back to allow people get to the shops and away again without being inconvenienced or delayed.

Routine roadworks includes carriageway, lane and hard shoulder closures for lighting repairs and replacement, line renewals, gulley clearance, litter picking and other work such as barrier repairs and electrical faults.

Between the start of this month (Monday, November 1) and midnight on Friday, December 31, start times for routine maintenance works are being delayed for at least two hours on routes between junctions 5 and 15 of the M60, junctions 1 and 3 of the M61 and junctions 10 and 12 of the M62.

Typically, work on routine maintenance starts between 9pm and 10pm – and usually finishes at 5am – depending how busy the motorway is. However, thanks to the embargo, start times may be delayed until midnight in the run-up to Christmas.

Start times for maintenance along the M53, which serves the Cheshire Oaks shopping centre, will also be put back for a few hours at weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

As well as the embargo for Christmas shopping, regular embargoes – delaying the start of routine overnight and weekend roadworks for several hours each day – will also be in place over the next few weeks for football matches and concerts.

The Highways Agency routinely instructs contractors to ensure that football supporters and concert-goers can get to and away from key venues free of disruption from routine roadworks.

Weekend and mid-week matches at Anfield, Goodison, Old Trafford, the City of Manchester, DW and Reebok stadiums are all covered by a standing roadworks embargo throughout the year. During the week, for example, a start on roadworks is often delayed until 11pm or midnight to allow fans to get away smoothly from sports and concert venues.

Events venues like Manchester’s MEN Arena and the Liverpool Echo Arena are also covered by the routine embargo and concerts held during the busy period running up to Christmas will be no exception.

In addition to the routine roadworks embargo the Highways Agency will be removing all roadworks, where possible, over the Christmas holiday period – this year between 5am on Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and 5am on Tuesday, January 4.

Matt Sweeting, the Highways Agency’s Regional Performance Manager, said, “The Highways Agency works hard right across the year to plan essential routine maintenance and to ensure it is carried out at times which will least inconvenience our customers, including those attending sports fixtures and concerts at the region’s major venues.

“Over the next two months, in the run-up to Christmas, we are delaying a start on routine roadworks along key routes to the Trafford Centre and along the M53 at weekends around Cheshire Oaks.

“These embargoes are in addition to the routine embargoes we have in place day-in and day-out across the motorway network – for example to accommodate matches at Old Trafford or concerts at the Echo Arena.”

Article provided by the highways agency.

Snow Drives Britain Crazy

David Jackson — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:22:53 +0000

Unless you’re in one of the few unaffected areas of Britain you can’t fail to have noticed that it’s like a winter wonderland outside. But whilst a covering of fresh white snow can look pretty it can turn the roads into a winter woeful-land.

People across badly affected areas are being warned not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary and if you do venture out it’s vital that you do everything that’s possible to stay safe on the road (check out our winter driving tips).

Fluorescent coloured clothing can be extremely helpful under such extreme conditions so it was nice to see that Tim Bennett of our sister company United Rental Group was setting a good example by donning a bright yellow jacket before leaving the office earlier this evening.

Important Advice This Winter From The Highways Agency

David Jackson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:55:56 +0000

Wind and rain, ice and snow – winter can throw the very worst at us. So to help you prepare for travel this season, here’s some helpful advice from the Highways Agency.

FOR A SMOOTHER JOURNEY CHECK YOUR VEHICLE IS READY FOR WINTER

Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It’s worth making these checks regularly – and particularly before a long journey:

• Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
• Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
• Ensure your windscreen is clean
• Replace the battery if it’s not reliable
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum. For further information please see www.tyresafe.org

FOR PEACE OF MIND ALWAYS CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT

Gather a few items and keep them in your car – just in case. Below are items that should be in your Emergency Kit:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Food and a warm drink in a thermos
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Sunglasses – the glare off snow can be dazzling

FOR A SAFER JOURNEY ADAPT YOUR DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER

Even after roads have been treated, driving conditions may remain challenging especially on stretches of road where there’s greater risk of side winds or of ice forming. These include places where: -

• There are changes in road elevation or exposure
• Where the road passes under a bridge
• Objects at the side of the road create shade
• There is infrequent traffic

It’s also advisable to slow down on corners where the risk of losing control is at its greatest.

BE A SMARTER DRIVER – CHECK TRAFFIC AND WEATHER UPDATES
Before you set off it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren’t any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too – but remember not to use your phone while driving.

• Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx
• Check the weather at metoffice.gov.uk
• Call the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30
• Tune into DAB Traffic Radio

Remember to take regular breaks from driving – tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

Think ahead move ahead

View our Sixt winter driving tips.

Mobile Phone Use in Cars on the Increase

Sixt rent a car News — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:22:55 +0000

Even though it is now illegal to use your mobile phone in your car and the punishment for being caught currently stands at 3 points on your license and a £60 fine, more and more people are using their mobiles whilst driving. A recent study in London has shown that when the law on mobile use changed their use dropped. However in the last year the number of people texting or calling people without using a bluetooth headset has surpassed the figures from before the law was introduced.

The Transport Research Laboratory has released the results of their yearly look into mobile phone and seatbelt usage and has found that 2.8% of people are still using their mobiles whilst driving. Compared to 2006 when the legislation was introduced (2.6%) and the following year, when the punishment increased to include 3 points on your license, only 1.4% of people used their phones.

From the 14,000 people surveyed men aged between 30-59 where most likely to be breaking the law, but for women it was the 17-29 age group that was more likely to be operating their mobiles whialt driving. There is some positive from the report though, which has shown a steady increase in the use of Bluetooth devices from 1.2% to 4.8%. Using a mobile phone can drastically reduce a driver’s concentration level down to almost a quarter of that of a driver who is not.

Only drivers can prevent accidents

Sixt rent a car News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:51:12 +0000

Only drivers themselves, and not technology such as event data recorders, can prevent road accidents happening, a motoring expert has said.

Proposed black box technology would not directly prevent road accidents, an expert has said.

Peter Rodger, chief examiner at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, noted, that this is instead down to motorists.

He made this comment in reaction to news that the European Commission is looking into installing black boxes, similar to those on planes, in cars.

The technology, which is known as event data recorders, could record several different driver actions such as speed, braking and indication.

Mr Rodger said: “What we have to remember is that these things will not prevent accidents. A black box tells you what happened. What prevents the accident is the driver and the effect that the technology has on the driver.”

He added that the only impact the technology would have on motorists would be the cultural factor of knowing that motorists, such as car hire users, were being monitored by the black box.