|
|
Check your car for safety and avoid winter problems
publication date: Dec 16, 2008
| If you drive an unroadworthy vehicle that is involved
in an accident you can be prosecuted, fined and have points put on your
licence and your insurance company can refuse to pay out for the
damage.
| According to Direct Line Insurance, a vehicle should be
roadworthy prior to an accident in order to make a claim. Simply having
a valid MOT certificate is not enough to ensure you are covered on your
car insurance policy.
The car insurance companies employ engineers who inspect vehicles
to make sure they were roadworthy prior to an accident. Driving with
defective brakes, steering or suspension or other safety critical
component at the time of an accident could result in your insurance
company refusing to pay out.
Mark Cornwall of Car Parts Direct said, “Many motorists believe
they are driving a roadworthy vehicle because they have an MOT
certificate. This only shows the condition of the vehicle on the day it
passes. If a suspension coil spring snaps on a speed bump the day after
an MOT the car is no longer roadworthy.”
It’s obvious when items such as wiper blades or bulbs need to be
replaced. Other safety critical parts, however, are not quite so simple
to detect.
A knocking noise when turning bends is normally a driveshaft, brake judder is often caused by warped discs.
A leaking steering rack can leave a driver with unresponsive steering.
A
leaking shock absorber or broken coil spring can double the length of
time it takes to stop a vehicle and cause a vehicle to skid off the
road.
Motorists can download a free online MOT checklist to help ensure
their vehicle is roadworthy an view helpful videos on how to replace
safety critical parts such as wiper blades, brakes and shock absorbers.
Simply click onto the Car Parts Direct link below for help. | | |
With freezing conditions an almost daily occurrence
at the moment, the Highways Agency has launched a new campaign to
highlight the possible consequences of not planning ahead when
travelling in severe weather.
The Agency's research shows that a large majority of male
travellers (62%) would carry on with their journey regardless of
hearing a severe weather warning and that women are statistically more
likely to take provisions such as a blanket or bottled water in case
they encounter weather-related problems.
Over 450 large posters are being put up in 115 motorway service
areas across England to promote the Highways Agency's campaign, and to
demonstrate that a few simple checks and some preparation can help
avoid disaster.
| | |
Download the Wheels Within Wales toolbar for your quickest way to keep in touch with everything that's happening on Welsh roads and in showrooms or use our RSS feed for the headlines you will not want to miss
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}