Van driver praised for tackling vehicle blaze

On the 25th of January, a 34-year-old was travelling down the M271 when he saw flames appear from underneath the car in front. This vehicle, a silver Peugeot, then spun out of control and landed on its roof.

Quickly applying the brakes, the motorist stopped his van, switched on the hazards, and jumped out the vehicle – with a fire extinguisher in hand – to tackle the flames coming from the flipped car.

Furthermore, he checked the wreck for any passengers and dragged the sole occupant – the driver – to a safe location.

Although it is currently unknown what actually caused the accident, it seems the Peugeot suffered a tyre blow-out – resulting in the car spinning out of control.

Regardless, the van insurance policyholder deserves substantial praise for this actions. Without his quick thinking, the driver could have easily suffered serious, or even fatal, injuries. Instead, he has only sustained minor whiplash.

Commending the man's actions, a spokesperson for Hampshire Police also asked for witnesses of the accident to contact Totton Roads Policing Unit with any relevant information.

Whether you have purchased Ford Escort van insurance, cover for a Transit, or a similar policy for a different vehicle, it is probably fair to say that the majority of your journeys take place without incident.

Unfortunately, sometimes traffic accidents do occur, and although many motorists do not know how they would respond in this situation, this van driver is rightly being praised for his selflessness.

Photo © matthew venn via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Mobile phone use may be common amongst motorists

It sounds quite obvious, but using a hand-held mobile phone while behind the wheel is illegal for a reason. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), this action may increase a person's chances of performing various dangerous driving behaviours, such as failing to notice road signs, maintain a central lane position, or observe other road users.

As a result, this dramatically increases their chances of suffering traffic accidents – potentially harming themselves or other people in the process. In addition, research published on the RoSPA website suggests that van drivers are more likely than other road users to talk on a phone when behind the wheel.

However, although all motorists should recognise the dangers of using mobiles while driving, the results of a Halfords survey suggest that this behaviour could be commonplace.
After polling a selection of motorists, the retail firm discovered that 36% of respondents had conversed on their devices when behind the wheel – sometimes more than once a week. In addition, when on the roads, 35% stated they looked at text messages while 19% admitted to accessing websites or social media.

Despite these somewhat troubling results, 88% of respondents believed that using a hand-held phone while on the roads placed themselves and other individuals in danger.

All motorists, including car drivers and van insurance policyholders, should refrain from using mobiles when behind the wheel. If caught, they could face various penalties, such as receiving a £60 penalty fine or having three points added to his or her licence.

In addition, in the event of a traffic accident, those responsible may have to pay for an expensive vehicle repair bill – and might also find it hard to obtain affordable motor cover in the future.
Photo © satguru 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