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All the latest news from Motor Answering and the automotive industry.
Introduction of new safety measure to save 17,000 lives by 2025.
Posted by: Neil Murphy | Posted on: September 4th, 2014 | 0 Comments
The introduction of the new safety measure, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), being hailed as ‘the next seat belt’, could save 17,000 lives by 2025, if made a compulsory feature in all vehicles by 2015.
AEB has the technological capability to stop and slow vehicle that are driving at speeds of up to 50 mph, before a collision occurs. It uses radar and lasers that are able to detect uncertainties in the roads if there is no response from the driver. Such as another vehicle that is too close, if someone walks out in front of the car or if there are obstacles obstructing the path
The chief executive of Thatcham, Peter Shaw, told What Car magazine that it could be as significant as the introduction of seat belts. Since the introduction of seat belts in 1983 the number of motorists killed or injured in an accident was cut by 50%.
There’s hope that the AEB will be as successful in terms of the reduction of deaths with an estimated number of 17,000 less accidents by 2025. It has been suggested that as well as reducing deaths and accidents insurance premiums could fall by at least 10%.
According to official government figures last year the UK had 1,713 deaths and 21,657 people seriously injured due to car collisions. This number will be expected to drop significantly if AEB becomes a feature of new vehicles.
In a bid to kick start the process and introduce the technology to more cars, Mr Shaw has called for the Treasury to offer an incentive in the sum of £500 for cars fitted with this mechanism. He has said that this ‘has the potential to be as important a breakthrough as the seat belt in terms of vehicle safety’.
Even though it has been compared to the seat-belt AEB is actually from a new breed of ‘active safety’ that prevents accidents from occurring. Seat-belts are a form of ‘passive safety’ as they were introduced as a cautionary measure to reduce damage in the case of an accident.
On the market today AEB is available in an average of a quarter of new cars. Ford has fitted AEB in some of their Focus models however only 10% of these are sold. Volvo however is believed to be offering AEB as a standard feature on every model and they are the only manufacturer to be doing so.
Want to make sure the garage doesn’t rip you off? Follow these essential tips.
Posted by: Neil Murphy | Posted on: August 28th, 2014 | 0 Comments
With an increase in technology in the modern vehicle, owners are finding it more difficult to judge what the problem is when their car breaks down. Years ago it could be put down to a tank low in fuel, a faulty battery or a problem aided by the trusty jump lead. However now problems need to be identified by hi-spec mechanics which can charge a hi-spec price.
Research from Warranty Direct showed hourly costs hitting £92 in some areas of the UK.
With these increasing prices, what can drivers do to make sure they are getting the best deal?
Shop around for the best garage
Check the internet for the best deals and make sure you have left no stone unturned. You could be surprised at the prices you find online. Online shopping sites such as groupon also have deals on occasion for car garages so keep an eye out.
Research
Buy a Haynes Manual for the model and make of your car. It can highlight faults and let you know if that fault needs to been taken to a garage. It could save you a lot of money and time if you can fix the problem yourself.
Investigate
When you are quoted a price investigate and find out if that is everything included. Will you have to pay extra for parts? Added costs could shock you so make sure you know everything before shaking hands.
Are you guaranteed
It is vital you find out if your are guaranteed. Negotiate a one year guarantee for your car so its there fault is there is a problem and you can be sure it will be fixed.
Get educated
Ask the mechanic to talk you through what they are going to do. If you know exactly what’s happening you can research and make sure you are not being ripped off. Mechanics won’t mind you asking questions if they are legit and if they won’t tell you take your business elsewhere.
The motoring industry steers towards getting connected
Posted by: Neil Murphy | Posted on: August 20th, 2014 | 0 Comments
As technology develops and more and more people get ‘connected’ motoring manufacturers are developing their vehicles to keep up with this growing trend as SIM cards are introduced to cars.
With the introduction of a simple SIM card that will be inserted into the car, in the not too distant future drivers will receive help in terms of traffic jams, car crashes and breakdowns.
Using satellites cars will be able to monitor where other cars are in a bid to avoid congestion and shorten the journey for drivers. It will also allow the car to contact the police or emergency services in the event of an accident or breakdown.
When looking for a parking space the car will be able to tell you what car park has more spaces as well as directing you to an empty space.
Concierge services will help you find the nearest restaurant and after the meal help you catch the next film by telling you the cinema times.
Companies such as BMW have already started fitting 3G SIM cards into the cars that have been in production since April. By 2018 it is believed that 36 Million cars will be embedded with a SIM card.
One of the main factors that pushed this revival is the EU’s eCall legislation that is due to be in place by early 2018. Where by in the event of a car crash the car must automatically contact the customer services.
A survey produced by Management Consultant McKinsey found that 27% of iPhone users would change their car if an alternative offered greater connection. This may cause a problem for manufactures as they will have to keep up to date with the ever changing technological market.
The negative comments towards this move include hat drivers will have even more distractions. Tell us what you think by tweeting us @motoranswering
