Despatches news - Road Transport

Satnav study results -

Using a satellite navigation system can show definitive improvements in fuel consumption and reductions in harmful emissions according to controlled trials In Germany on behalf of map produces Navteq. Drivers in the trials saw a 12 per cent increase in fuel efficiency which is said to equate to a 24 per cent fall in carbon dioxide emissions. The annualised reduction in distance was nearly 2,500 fewer kilometres per driver. The people in the study, which involved more than 2,100 individual trips, 20,000 km of travel and almost 500 hours on the road, had not previously used satnav.

Speed limiting technology test.

Trials of a system that limits vehicle speeds automatically to the roads they are on have been launched by Transport for London. Factors monitored during the six month trial which started in May include driver behaviour, journey times and in the impact on vehicle emissions. Each of the 20 vehicles specially equipped for the trial are required to monitor its current position by GPS and then set their vehicle up so that acceleration is blocked as soon as the current speed limit is reached.

Energy booster. Boost ~Drinks,

Clipper Logistics Group and road safety chariy Brake have mounted a campaign to raise awareness of the role that energy drinks can play in alleviating driver fatigue. Brake recommends that drivers who feel tired should stop, have a caffeine-based drink and then nap for ten minutes while the drink takes effect. After that, the risk of falling asleep at the wheel will be drastically reduced.

Congestion falling?

The latest monthly Department for Transport statistics on congestion on inter-urban motorways and trunk roads in England shows congestion continuing to fall. The indicator used to monitor reliability is the average delay in minutes per 10 miles experienced on the slowest 10 per cent of journeys for each monitored route. Provisional figures for the year ending May 2009 show that average vehicle delay on the slowest 10 per cent of journeys fell to 3.39 from 3.90 minutes per 10 miles since the baseline year ending March 2008, a decrease of 13.0 per cent. For the year ending April 2009 the decrease was 12.4 per cent compared to the March 2008 baseline. Do these figures tally with your experience?

Increase in fixed penalties.

Since 30 June, fixed penalty fines for failing to wear a seatbelt and for displaying illegal number plates doubled from £30 to £60. The increases followed public consultation and aim to ensure seatbelts are used to reduce fatal accidents - the Home Office say that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of dying in a 30mph accident by 60 per cent. The increase also covers misrepresentation of vehicle registration marks, including failure to conform with rules on font, size and colour of number plates. The use of illegal number plates can have a significant impact on criminal investigations and crime detection.