Some months ago, I agreed to become a Patron of the Association of British Drivers, together with Karl McCartney MP and David Morris MP, so I was glad today to speak at their 2011 AGM. My presentation covered: Coalition policy for the roads Fuel prices: how tax and currency debasement drive pump prices, also promoting fairfueluk.com Speed limits and enforcement Congestion and road infrastructure The politics of driving My fledgling idea for a programme towards a better way – The Great [...]
When Norman Baker delivered his recent statement on the sustainable local transport White Paper, I was surprised he said: “our transport decarbonisation strategy centres around the progressive electrification of the passenger car fleet”. Of course, I understand why the Government is attempting to promote the use of electric cars and to decarbonise our transport system at taxpayer expense. There’s a consensus among certain political elites about what’s best for us all but it appears we won’t choose to do as others think we ought, so [...]
Tags: Driving, Environment, Fuel, Roads, Transport
The Royal Air Force used to send me to Bardufoss in Arctic Norway, in winter. I learned there that, if you want to drive on snow, use winter tyres and, if you want to drive on ice, have studs in them. The point was hammered home when we went to Ørland near Trondheim, south of the Arctic Circle, for a month from mid-September. We drove there in British cars, using the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen, and of course they were [...]
Tags: Cars, climate, Driving, Environment, Road, Saab, Snow, Transport, Weather
I had the pleasure last night of attending the Skidz awards. Skidz is: A Motor Project that gives young people a chance to gain vocational skills in motor mechanics in an adult work-style environment so that they have a better chance of finding employment. And SKIDZ Motor Projects support a wide range of young people and adults who may be experiencing difficulties in the more traditional educational settings. The personalised courses help to re-engage, inspire and educate – both practically [...]
Police have confirmed that Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman is being investigated over her involvement in a car collision. It follows claims that she allegedly left the scene of an accident without giving her insurance details – an offence carrying a possible six-month jail term. The Mail on Sunday said the accident happened when the Leader of the House of Commons drove into a parked car while talking on her mobile phone. But a spokeswoman for the MP for Camberwell [...]
Tags: Driving, Harriet Harman, Incompetence
The statutory body “The Committee on Climate Change” has announced: Cutting gross UK aviation emissions in 2050 to 2005 levels together with 90% emissions cuts in other sectors would achieve the required economy wide 80% emissions reduction which has been committed to by the UK under the Climate Change Act. Yesterday, I learned there is an agile sports car in development which will achieve 75 mpg: very impressive, but cutting emissions by 90% means a target of about 300 mpg. [...]
Tags: Driving, economics, Environment, Government, Liberty, Market Intervention, Society, Transport
Via BBC NEWS | England | Wiltshire | Town switches off speed cameras. Swindon has become the first English authority to scrap the use of its fixed speed cameras. The Conservative-run borough council said it was reinvesting the £320,000 a year maintenance costs for the five cameras in road safety measures. Let’s hope people reward their good faith by behaving responsibly.
Tags: Driving, Optimism, Responsibility, Transport, Wiltshire
Plans to impose pay as you drive charges on every motorist in the country have been killed off by Lord Adonis, the new Transport Secretary. The proposals, which would have seen drivers paying up to £1.30 a mile during the rush hour, will not now be included in the next Labour manifesto. His decision represents a major volte face by the Government which had once regarded national road pricing as a flagship policy. via Road pricing killed off by Transport [...]
Tags: 1984, Driving, Road pricing, Transport
This morning, I coached two drivers via ClubDriving. We began with a demonstration in my car, followed by about 90 minutes each in a Mazda RX-8 and a Honda Civic. Both drivers were well-qualified — IAM senior observer and RoSPA Gold — and their drives were excellent. All of us found details to improve in the endless struggle to be ever more safe, systematic and smooth. The RX-8 is a superb car: taught, sporty and comfortable. The power from the [...]
Tags: Coaching, Driving, Transport
Today, I discovered and I am delighted to recommend Pitstop-Racing of Brize Norton. This is a proper workshop, where you can not only get your suspension set expertly for your own style, you can meet the mechanic and have a conversation about camber, toe-in and understeer. This may not matter to you, but if you are a driver, it will. The inside shoulders of my winter tyres were chamfered when they came off, suggesting too much toe-out or camber. It’s [...]
Tags: Capitalism, Competence, Driving, Saab, Suspension, Transport
Steve Baker is MP for Wycombe. He was previously an RAF officer then a business software consultant. Find out more...
Steve holds regular surgeries in High Wycombe. If you would like an appointment, please call 01494 448408.
