Most Brits aren't exercising enough

With the Olympics upon us, I've been thinking recently about my day-to-day routine and, more specifically, about the amount of exercise I get. Admittedly, I could be doing better.

Having said this, new research suggests I'm not the only one.

A collection of studies, published in the Lancet medical journal, show many British adults – around 63% of us apparently – fail to achieve the minimum recommended amounts of physical exercise – that's 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.

If we do not meet these guidelines, we could be more likely to suffer from various conditions such as coronary heart disease or diabetes – and I thought only the price of my van insurance could cost me!

Our alarming levels of inactivity may be attributed to a wide variety of factors, such as Britain's generally poor weather conditions or our busy schedules. In my case, I spend too much time on the roads. Although I take breaks every couple of hours, I really don't have enough time to exercise.

To correct this problem, I did a quick bit of research online and found an exercise programme which drivers can carry out while behind the wheel. This routine, put together by a car insurance company and the University of Wales in Cardiff, suggests several interesting methods, including:

• Exercising your arms by stretching them over the steering wheel, in the direction of the windows and towards your back;


• Gripping the steering wheel, releasing and then stretching your fingers to exercise your hands and wrists; as well as


• Exercising your shoulders by sitting in an upright position, moving them towards the ears and then bringing them back down.

While this routine may ease stress and help motorists become healthier, it should only be carried out while stationary in a safe location. Personally, I'm going to see if I can improve my fitness levels by visiting my local gym.

Photo © Tobyotter via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Are your tyres suitable for wet conditions?

Drivers in the United Kingdom may have recently experienced heavy rain, severe storms or even flooding – I know I did. Although this weather may put a dampener on summer plans, these conditions can also make driving hazardous.

To help motorists stay safe on the roads, TyreSafe, a tyre safety organisation, is urging motorists to check the treads on their vehicles to ensure they are suitable for wet conditions.

Oh, great! How long is that going to take? Well, fortunately, these checks should only take a minute and use something which every motorist should have access to – a 20p piece.

Apparently, to check the quality of their van tyres, drivers should insert the coin into the main grooves of the tread. If they can see the outer band of the piece after insertion, the tyre may not be able to safely handle wet road surfaces. This is dangerous as a vehicle with unsuitable tyres may be unable to grip road surfaces properly, might take longer to stop when the driver brakes, or could aquaplane.

If a vehicle's tyres contributed to the outcome of a traffic accident, the owner may find it hard to obtain cheap van insurance following a claim with their insurer.

In addition, while carrying out the 20p test, drivers should also check their tyres for any signs of degradation; such as cuts, bulges or wear and tear. I had a look at mine and saw a cut on the inside of one of my tyres just in time – I've since purchased a replacement.

If you're concerned about the safety of your vehicle tyres, it is always better to be safe than sorry – take a look yourself, or ask a qualified mechanic to inspect them as soon as possible.

If a tyre does not have a minimum depth of 1.6 millimetres across the central three-quarters of the tread around its complete circumference, the owner may be breaking the law.

As a result, those who drive with illegal tyres may receive three penalty points on their licence and a £2,500 penalty fine for each offending tyre – I don't know about you but I'm keen to avoid that!

Although this summer may be turning into a washout, it doesn't have to be a dangerous one. Before setting off, reach into your wallet and test the safety of your tyres. By ensuring they are working appropriately, you might be less likely to claim with your van insurance provider.

Besides, if you save money on your premiums, you may be able to visit a warmer, sunnier country this summer!

Photo © nateOne via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence