Are we looking at a future of lazy drivers?

The festive period is fast approaching and this Christmas many of you will be embarking on those long journeys across the country to visit close friends and family.  We all know what it’s like…the long drive can be tiring with that of the early start, the screaming kids and the continuous weaving between those slow Sunday drivers.  Sometimes all you want to do is sit back, relax and let the car do all the hard work.  A few years ago this wouldn’t have been given a second thought but now BMW have come up with an all new exciting invention that can potentially put all your worries to one side.  The BMW 5 series has a new built in technology that takes control of the wheel so that you don’t have to.

I know what you’re thinking…how on earth is that ever going to be feasible?

BMW have installed 12 sensors around the edge of the car that scan the surrounding road.  All the information that these sensors collect is then sent straight to a high tech computer system in the boot of the car which processes it and sends it forward to an advanced GPS system…pretty snazzy!  Once you hit the motorway all you would need to do is double click the volume button on the steering wheel and then you’re free to put your feet up!

Even the famous Jeremy Clarkson has tried and tested this exciting new piece of technology.  He took a back seat while the BMW 330 took him around the Top Gear track without him even needing to lift a finger!

Don’t get too excited, this new piece of technology is still under review and as a result the car is still a long way from reaching the showrooms.  But fear not…the technology has also been a successful guinea pig for future exciting driving gadgets- congestion assist and emergency stop assist.  The congestion assist gadget means that your car will be able to drive itself at any speed up to 25 mph!  We’ve all been there…half an hour has gone by, you’ve got cramp in your foot and you’ve still not made it through the traffic lights that are within reaching distance.  Well now you can sit back, relax and nurse that cramp as the congestion assist gadget does all the hard work for you in that dreaded traffic jam.  The emergency stop assist is another clever gadget that is currently under review.  It is able to monitor the driver’s health and detect any serious illnesses.  If detected, the car then has the ability to safely pull off the road and contact the emergency services on behalf of the driver.

Technology, especially in-car technology has come a long way in the past few decades, from the radio and cassette player to satnavs and portable DVD players.  It is therefore hardly surprising to find that this futuristic technology is now in the pipe line.  The concern is that this technology will simply promote lazy driving and hamper long term driving abilities.  Will motorists that put their trust in this new technology automatically expose themselves to increased danger on the road, or will it help prevent human error when driving and decrease the amount of road accidents?  Only time will tell, but it’s safe to say that we are entering a new era of driving and driving safety thanks to new technology like this.

Whether you’re driving or simply enjoying the view make sure that you are insured and covered!  Visit eCar- an online insurance solution that allows you to manage your car insurance at a time most suited to you! Alternatively, join Jeremy Clarkson and the boys down at Top Gear Live UK the weekend of the 11th Nov and visit stall s3 to get more great deals on your car insurance.  You may even be in with the chance of winning one year’s free car insurance and an iPad2!

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Safely tweet whilst driving on the M6 - Social Media to take the next step!

Over the past few years the usuage levels of both Twitter and Facebook have increased at an exceptional rate. Facebook numbers reached a new record in 2011 with over 500 million people being registered. Twitter is expanding on a similar scale with over  140 million tweets being sent per day.

Currently many motorists, especially young motorists, are continually picking up their phone to check Facebook and Twitter whilst driving- this is not safe!

It is therefore not surprising to find that technology companies are now talking about installing a new and exciting technology for motorists - web connected entertainment.  And yes, this means that motorists would have access to Facebook and Twitter while they are driving! So lets picture the scene: you’ve just got  back from a fab holiday and you’re now just about to embark on the dreaded car journey home in the pouring rain. You haven’t had any contact with your friends and family all week and are dying to find out all the recent gossip that you've missed out on! I know what you’re all thinking, “Facebook and Twitter installed in my car-what a great idea!”.

So how would it all work? ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) would all work within a type of cloud platform and absolutely everything would be stored within the car itself with all the necessary controls being stored on the steering wheel!

But wait, while this may all sound very snazzy there is major concern behind the technology, especially with the increasing number of youngsters now behind the wheel. It has been argued that the installation of this new technology could potentially cause further distraction and accidents on the road.

Rick Kreifeldt, vice president of innovation and research at Harman supports the new technology and argues that the technology would not be distracting and that it is actually no different to listening to the radio whilst driving.  He claims that instead this technology will get rid of any distractions and dangerous driving behavior seeing as the mobile technology is actually integrated into the car, unlike with smartphones or MP3 players.

Motorists today need to bear in mind that while this new technology is an innovative new invention that no doubt will be a big hit in the UK, it’s also paramount that when installed, motorists still give the road their full attention whilst driving in order to reduce the risk of accident! So when you’re embarking on that long boring journey home from the airport, its vital that you stay alert! Furthermore, make sure you’re fully covered. This way, motorists will be able to catch up on all the latest news and gossip safely.

Don’t be your own worst enemy, make sure you’re covered! If you’re a driver, new or old looking for an excellent quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance provider that will let you manage your car insurance at a time convinient for you. Alternatively, get yourself down to Top Gear Live at the NEC Birmingham 11-13th November and visit the eInsurance Group exhibition stand S3 for further information on excellent insurance quotes.

Honesty is our best policy and at eCar we believe that honest drivers who tell the truth on their applications should not have to pay for the cheats that don't! eCar is promoting its Truth or Dare campaign at TGL 2011 to encourage honesty amongst drivers when applying for a quote.  Furthermore, come along and visit the ‘Truth Booth’ to confess to a little secret and be in with the chance of winning a brand new iPad2! So what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set, CONFESS!

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How to avoid a £10,000 fine and 12 points on your licence. The eInsurance guide to tyre safety.

As the winter season approaches and the signs of colder weather are becoming more apparent, it’s not surprising that many websites are giving tokens of advice regarding safety on the road for drivers. Many of these handy tips are there to ensure you don’t run the risk of being involved in an accident on the road. But one car safety tip that is frequently mentioned, is not only there for your protection, but could also save you a fine of up to £10,000 and 12 points on your driving licence – tyre safety.

As October has officially been named Tyre Safety Month, it seems fitting that we’re writing a blog that raises the dangers of having unsafe tyres and the penalty you could pay if you don’t do anything about it.

The main issue amongst most drivers is the fact that the majority are unaware about the laws on tyre safety. A comparison website has recently discovered that 57% of drivers were unaware that the correct tyre depth is 1.6mm, whilst 58% did not know the answer to what the correct pressure of their tyres should be.

Surprisingly, it was also discovered that the age group least likely to know how to put air into their tyres are those aged 18-24, who are the group that  not too long ago would have been shown how to do this in their driving lessons. This bears evidence to the fact that not enough is being done to ensure road safety.

So what are the rules on tyre safety? The two main focuses are on tyre depth and tyre pressure. It’s suggested that you should check the pressure of your tyres once per week. However, it’s very unlikely that most people will have the time to do this, so we suggest at least once per month and to make it a priority before embarking on a long distance journey.

Tyre depth is especially important, as this can rack up a hefty fine if it’s not checked frequently. The law states that there should be a minimum of 1.6mm throughout the 3 central quarters of the tyre. If police discover that your vehicle is above this depth, they can slap you with a fine of £2500 and 3 points on your licence for each illegal tyre. Additionally, if you’re involved in a crash and it is found that your tyre depth is below the legal limit, you run the risk of voiding your car insurance policy all together!

Other tips on tyre safety include checking the overall appearance of your tyres. Any visual signs of wear and tear should make you consider replacing the tyre, as this is the cheaper alternative to getting caught with illegal tyres.

This may not be the most interesting topic and checking your tyres regularly is not on top of everyone’s list of priorities, but it’s seen as one of most basic aspects of road safety. It’s a worrying fact that most people are unaware of the rules on tyre safety whilst court convictions for driving on defective tyres are at a four-year high, not to mention the high level of risks you run when driving with illegal tyres.

Help is at hand for those still unsure about how to correctly check their tyres are legal on the road. Throughout Tyre Safety Month, tyresafe.org is sharing the best tips and advice available, with a focus on driving in the winter.

So as the winter months begin to set in, now is the perfect time to get into the habit of checking your tyres. It’s common knowledge that road hazards are much higher during this time and the risk of being involved in a car accident increases. Tyre safety is essential, whatever the weather. To ensure that you are completely covered on the road, this is one aspect of road safety you can’t afford to overlook.

If you’re a driver looking for a great value quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.

Make sure you’re kept safe this winter. Avoid fines and increased risks on the road by making sure your tyres are properly maintained and visit eCar to make sure you get the right cover whilst saving you money on your car insurance at the same time.

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To beat a car thief you must first think like a car thief...

There is no worse feeling for any driver than returning to your car only to find that it has been broken into, or even worse has been stolen all together. Whether it’s your £300 P Reg Fiesta or your £1m Bugatti Veyron, there is always the fear that when you leave your car, you’re leaving it in the hands of opportunistic car thieves.

Search the web and you’ll find thousands of articles that give you advice on how to keep your car safe. Here at eInsurance, we’ve decided to compile the best bits of advice from these articles into one handy list that will hopefully minimise your chances of becoming the latest victim of car theft.

•Buy a Ford Ka.
Between 2004-11, confused.com claimed that not one car theft had involved a Ford Ka. When questioning ex-burglar Michael Fraser, they discovered that one of the possible reasons for this may be because they are not very desirable cars in terms of ‘street cred’ in the crime world. Therefore cars such as BMWs, Jaguars and Range Rover Sports should be replaced with a Chevrolet Matiz or a Hyundai i10 Comfort, which are much less at risk to car theft, even if you may lose some ‘street cred’ points in the process!

•Get a tracker fitted.
A study has found that over 90% of vehicles with a tracking device installed that were stolen in the first half of 2011 were recovered, with 80% being returned to the owner within 24 hours. As many car thieves have discovered, it’s becoming much harder to physically break in and steal a car, which means that they focus on home burglary or assault in order to obtain the keys. A tracking device is an extra layer of security for your car should all else fail. Our sister company CVD have teamed up with security specialists Sure-Track to save you over £100 on the purchase of a wireless tracking unit. Many sites say that this should be a necessity for all vehicles, so click here to find out more and save money.

•Turn your wheels when you park/ ensure you steeling wheel is locked.
Many people advise that when you park your car, you should always turn the wheels to face the curb or towards another car next to you. This makes it much harder for thieves to move it, meaning they would have to put more time and risk into stealing it, thus making it more likely for them to move on from your vehicle. Most cars should now have a steering lock system installed, where the steering wheel will lock into place when the keys are pulled out.  It’s always a good idea to ensure that your steering wheel is locked into place before leaving your car, which again will make it much more difficult for car thieves.

•The usual...
Make sure your car is locked, keep any valuables out of sight (or take these with you) and wipe off any marks on your windscreen that might have been made from your sat-nav holder. These may all be pieces of advice that people have heard a thousand times, but many still fail to abide by them. Anything that is left on show that can suggest to thieves your car will contain something of value will make it more of a risk. So regardless of the situation, if you’re running late or in a hurry for example, always ensure you follow these basic rules.

•The importance of having the right insurance.
Earlier this year, the government made it compulsory for everyone in the UK who owned a car to have it insured, whether you were driving it or not. But making sure you have the right type of insurance for you is very important. When getting a new policy, always ensure you’ve told the truth on your insurance application to ensure you are fully covered for any situation. For car insurance, honesty really is you best policy.

Whilst many of you may already know what is written above, the fact is that those who are victim to car theft are found to have not followed these pieces of advice. Car thieves hunt for those who are in a hurry or the ‘it won’t happen to me’ types of people.  So the one time you may leave a valuable item in the back seat may be the time you find that your car has been broken into.

Whist all these things may be seen as an inconvenience or an extra expense you could do without, it can only take one moment of negligence to find that you have fallen victim to car theft. Security measures for vehicles are always changing, as are car thieves’ methods, so it’s always a good idea to keep up to date with the latest security measures and to ensure you keep as safe as possible.

If you want to sort out your car insurance right away, visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.

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Backseat drivers’ comments are steering motorists to danger.

As most drivers know, there are many factors that can distract you from concentrating when you are driving, both externally and internally, which can lead to dangerous conclusions.

In recent years, the most reported distraction has been the dangers of talking on your mobile phone whilst driving. In the UK, the law states that it is illegal to drive whilst using a mobile phone, with police ever being able to prosecute drivers when they are using a hands free devise if they think their driving performance is poor whilst using one.

A recent study by esure however has looked at another dangerous distraction that many believe to be harmless, but in reality is the reason for one in seven road accidents or near misses - backseat drivers.

This new study reveals how backseat drivers’ comments have increasingly become the cause of many road accidents, with partners being the worst offenders. This is becoming an increasing risk for many drivers, mainly because they underestimate the effects that distractions have on their driving. The study also shows that men are the worst culprits to take their eyes off the roads for a chat. But even when drivers keep their eyes on the road, backseat comments can cause distractions which may lead to the driver not spotting hazards on the road.

The study highlighted other top distractions for drivers, which included eating, drinking and changing music, but driving with other passengers was seen as a bigger distraction by those who took part in the study, with backseat comments topping the bill (51% of motorists citing this as the worst distraction).

What’s even more surprising is that even though this study showed that most people recognised backseat drivers as a distraction, almost all (91%) motorists who took part in the study admitted to being backseat driver themselves when travelling in another car!

You may find it difficult to manage distractions whilst driving. Some distractions are unavoidable, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming distracted. For example, you need to recognise what is causing the distraction. If it’s a backseat driver, you need to ensure they are aware that they are causing a distraction. You may think you are being rude to the passenger, but this is a much better outcome than being involved in a road accident.

Also, if you are aware that you are a backseat driver, like many who took part in this study admitted to being, it’s essential to learn to respect the driver of the vehicle and understand that you are more than likely going to be more of a hindrance rather than a help with your comments. Distractions are everywhere for motorists, so you should not add to these with your ‘helpful’ comments!

There is currently no law against back-seat drivers, but there are laws that focus on not engaging in distractive activities. Motorists can be charged with careless driving or failing to be in proper control of their vehicle. In other words, a backseat driver might not receive 3 points on their licence, but their comments may lead to the driver getting into trouble with the law if they become too distracted.

Above all, remember to simply focus on your driving. This needs to be a priority for all drivers, even if you’re driving on a route you regularly take. It may seem a pretty obvious, but many motorists forget this, which makes them victim to distractions like backseat drivers’ criticisms. And remember, if backseat drivers persist with their comments, you can always kindly remind them where the nearest bus stop is!

Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.

Click here to read more.

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