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Electronic Floating Power (E-FP)
Electronic Floating Power (E-FP)
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Informal News & Chat for TOC Members
Thank you to everyone who responded to the contents of edition 3 of e-FP and thanks particularly to the members mentioned below. Thanks also to everyone who sent contributions to today's edition 4.
Direct, and to the point, Andrew Rolph wrote: "I think e-FP works rather well"
Jon Palmer wrote: "Received my copy of e-FP this week,and a day or so later the magazine. Very good, very clear and concise. Can imagine that it could well 'Go Somewhere'. Good idea."
David Cowie wrote: "Please include me on the e-FP list. Congratulations on a great initiative but I'm also very pleased that the paper version of Floating Power will continue. I belong to several car clubs, and Floating Power remains one of the best club magazines (probably THE best in fact).
Shaun Kemp wrote: "First thanks for the explanation regarding costs, my personal view (and feel free to post this) is that the club service is second to none, your work and (your wife's) is great. My father is in his third year and close to finishing the restoration of a 1940's Maygrave which without your dedicated help would not have been possible. More importantly my Father retired 3 years ago and 2 strokes later this restoration project has given him a new lease of life something that I can't explain, he is only doing it for me (his Son) but it doesn't matter it keeps him going, what a fantastic man and all down to a club like yours. Thankyou.
Mike Roberts wrote: "Thanks for your e-FP a very good innovation. Although I am enough of a luddite to also still have a paper licence can I express my support for your efforts. Having run too many agm's of a multi million pound company I avoid them like the plague and have yet to make a TOC one in 6 years membership. If people choose not to have a postal address they can't get letters, I have a free e-mail account and can access this free at any public library or for a modest cost at any interrnet cafe worldwide. A number of other clubs are removing paper publications or charging extra, without wanting to antagonise people why should those who choose not to access e mail be subsidised if things are then printed and posted, presumably overseas subs reflect their higher postage costs! Keep up the good work on Floating Power - of many club mags I read it stands out. Regards"
On the subject of members without email Mr Maxwell wrote: "I belong to several organizations in which some few people do not have email. Your suggested solution is perfect. It gives then an option-maybe an incentive to get with it and computerise. They really don't know what they are missing."
Since edition 3 went out another 10-ish email addresses have
been added to the circulation list and I've been able to sort out some more of
the rejections from the original TOC email address file - so the circulation is
now 407 and rising.
As always if you have comments on the contents of this newsletter, if you would like to respond to any items you read here or if you have news items or snippets of information that you think might be of interest to other TOC Members please email me at editor@traction-owners.co.uk
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Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Floating Power
You should by now have received your Jan/Feb 2009 edition of Floating Power (it was sent to you on 29th December). If yours hasn't arrived please contact John or Bev Oates as they have all the spare copies.
March/April 2009 issue of Floating Power
Sorry - I was so wrapped up in trying to get to grips with the new software in December and in getting the magazine to the printers early that I forgot to put in the deadline for input to the March/April edition of Floating Power - which is Friday 6th February.
The deadline is earlier than normal because I will be facing some new technical challenges for this edition so I need a little more time to be able to overcome them.
Also would you please note that I will not have access to a scanner during February so if you send me photographs or other articles that need scanning I may have to hold them over to the following edition.
TOC Calendar update
700 copies of the 2009 calendar were printed and all but 18 have now been distributed/sold. The calendars which were sold contributed over £203 (less postage costs) which will be offset against the original cost of production.
Whilst talking about calendars don't forget that the 2010 calendar competition is now open and that we might just be able to include a few coloured photographs in next year's calendar.
Reading my Morgan Sports Car Club magazine this month I was amazed to see that MSCC members sent in over 3000 photographs for the MSCC 2009 calendar competition - which is now in its 7th year. We have a way to go to catch up with them but I'm hoping that for 2010 we will get more than the 100 photographs we received for the current calendar.
What do you think?
In edition 3 your views were sought on whether future editions of Floating Power should be printed all in black and white or whether there should be some colour in the magazine.
An overwhelming majority of the people who responded to the question were in favour of retaining the black & white only format of Floating Power - but it was not unanimous as you can judge for yourselves.
Nic Shaw wrote : Please stick to black and white, despite the fact that my car is a blue one, I think that Floating Power would lose it's distinctive appeal in colour. Similarly the Calendar.
Mr Maxwell wrote : My opinion is to leave Floating Power alone and try out colour for the calendar. We can see the relative cost that way.
Andrew Rolph has a slightly different view: On the FP-in-colour issue, putting aside for one moment the question of cost, is it a possible compromise [at least as a foot in the door for colour] to have a centre-fold in colour? Not exactly 'playmate of the month', but you know what I mean? Or perhaps limited colour to help illustrate technical articles as an aid to comprehension; too many shades of grey under the bonnet are not always the easiest to interpret. I do agree that B&W is a big part of the charm of the magazine, so I think the cover, back and front, should be the last to 'go'.
Richard Heffer is quite clear: Thank you for the latest e-FP....may I put in a plea for the RETENTION of Black and White photography? Not only is it rightly appropriate for the era, but the shade and tone of B/W is far superior than t'other
Michael Redgrove writes: As for color printing of the magazine, I agree with the feeling that B & W is far more in keeping with the Traction era and at double the cost colour is not an option.
Lost in France
The following correspondence has been received from Carolyn & Nigel Dent and they have asked me to publish it so that anyone who wants to contact them will know that they are now back in the land of the connected - even if they are 'lost in France'.
Dear Friends
Sorry not to have replied to earlier emails and I guess that I am one of the
"emails that bounced and no reply as listed in the TOC Magazine.
Having relocated entirely to France on 3rd September it took France Telecom 7
weeks to get us a landline and only yesterday did we get Internet (1086 messages
downloaded!!).
Our new email address is lostinfrance0429@orange.fr -
how appropriate.
Perhaps this will get through to the appropriate webmaster and people at the TOC
Admin, we are receiving the hard copy of TOC Magazine as we were able to
communicate an address.
Best wishes to all for a Happy New Year,
we hope to link up with other TOC enthusiasts in France soon and get our
Traction Avant registered (!!!!!!!!!!don't hold your breath the system here is
tortuous and we also have to register a 1984 Panther Kalista). Perhaps an
article may follow.
Regards Carolyn, Nigel Dent and YHN 342
Club Shop
Unfortunately Tony Piper is unable to continue running the Club Shop - a real shame after he and Jeannie have made such a good job of restocking with new 75th anniversary regalia etc.
The committee is urgently therefore looking for someone able to take over the Club Shop from Tony and Jeannie.
Would anyone interested in finding out what's involved and in having a pressure-free discussion about the job please call Tony Piper on 0208 532 1648 or Tony Latchford on 01245 328009.
Did anyone famous own your Traction before you?
Our in-house database guru Robin Dyke sent the following uddendum to the entries in the last edition where you may recall several members listed the previous famous/celebrity owners of their Tractions:
Bibendum (no "y") is owned by Sir Terence Conran and was the London garage of Michelin (there are beautiful wall tiles).
Bibendum is the Michelin Man and one of the oldest trademarks. Drawn by O'Galop (aka Marius Rossillon) in 1898. Curnonsky wrote a Bibendum newspaper column for Michelin in 1908
The Chef at Bibendum is Matthew Harris (been there 21 years) - his younger brother Henry also there. Simon Hopkinson was the previous chef.
Nunc est bibendum is the Latin for Now is the time to drink (=cheers).
Before Sir Terence it was owned by the late Paul Hamlyn. A group of us had lunch there on Sunday 26th August 2001 - Tractions parked outside - photo in FP.I think Dave Davies (Kinks) was a previous owner of 51D1 (1951 Light 15),
next owned by ex TOC member Michael Shine (Ireland?). Also I think DD also once owned (for 10 years) FVJ 185 (1948 Light 15), now owned by newish member Mike McDonald.
My Light 15 (NYM 200) was previously owned (for about 20 years) by the singer Ralph McTell of "streets of London" fame.
TOC Annual Rally - urgent
Howard Spiers informs me that the 2009 Annual Rally organising committee is now receiving a steady stream of Booking Forms/Payments for the 2009 Rally... BUT... several Members have overpaid! Basically, the problem seems to be in the layout of the Booking Form.
Some members have paid the "Weekend Rally" amount (which includes, as stated, the Sunday at Pendennis Castle) and then also paid the "Sunday Only" amount of £15 per head.
So please note: if you are coming for the full Rally Weekend please only pay the "Weekend Rally" fee of £43.00. DO NOT pay the "Sunday Only" fee as well as the "Weekend Rally" fee already includes Sunday at Pendennis Castle as indicated on the Booking Form.
If you are coming for the full Rally Weekend the only "extra" to be paid for is the Geevor Tin Mine visit - which has so far enjoyed 100% support from TOC Rally attendees.
And please don't forget that a copy of the 2009 Annual Rally Booking form can be downloaded and printed from www.traction-owners.co.uk/diary/2009-Booking-Form.pd
Furniture Clinic
Furniture Clinic offers a leather repair and restoration service to classic and vintage cars and covers the whole of the north east based on the Team Valley, Gateshead. In an effort to develop new business Furniture Clinic is offering TOC members a 10% discount on its leather restoration services.
Furniture Clinic has been trading for about 3 years now and advertises in a number of classic cars magazines. If you would like to know more about this offer then please contact Craig Cavanagh, Director Furniture Clinic on 0191 487 8034 or gateshead@furnitureclinic.co.uk
Classic Cars
ISBN 978-1-84805-416-5
This is a coffee table book by the motoring journalist Andrew Noakes. It contains 96 pages and about 300 photos of more than 76 classic cars - including David Boyd's roadster which is featured. The book was published and is sold by Marks & Spencer, but there are now only a few copies left in stores around the country. However the prices has been cut to £1 (product code T79 5237 - enquiries 0845 302 1234) so if you are interested - be quick!!
Olivier de Serres on Youtube in "La Citroen Traction"
For those of you with high speed broadband not to be missed are the 3 x 10 minute videos of The Traction Avant by Olivier de Serres which can be found at:
1: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nxrI-vvDMWE
NB - according to Mick Popka the only problem is that it's all in French.
In the news
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EU Law
Regular readers of Floating Power may remember that in July/August 2008 edition I reported that breakdown companies were being impacted by a piece of EU legislation which limits breakdown recovery vehicles - weighing over 3.5 tonnes and not fitted with a tachometer - to journeys of not more than 62 miles from their base.
Having seriously broken my 2CV deep in Bovey Woods in Devon in the early hours of yesterday morning I was able to experience the results of this legislation at first hand.
After being recovered from the centre of the woods by a large, four-wheel drive tractor I called the RAC from the roadside (having first removed the more obvious signs of my off-road activities such as competitor numbers and tow ropes etc).
Now one of my primary reasons for joining the RAC (rather than the AA) was that the RAC always got you and your vehicle home in one go instead of operating a relay process such as the AA have always used.
My call to the RAC was placed just after 7.00am and the first RAC vehicle arrived within the 75 minutes I was told I would have to wait. Unfortunately this was just a breakdown van and not a tow vehicle but having established that Dolly had suffered a terminal failure of the gearbox/final drive the driver called a breakdown truck (supplied by a local garage).
The garage called me back within a few minutes to say that their normal process now for anyone breaking down over the weekend and needing recovery to somewhere up-country is to provide a hire car so that they can drive themselves home and then for their vehicles to be returned home to them during the following week.
When I explained why this would not be acceptable the garage agreed to send a breakdown truck but said that it would only be able to take me as far as Bristol - which is what happened.
Talking to the driver I discovered that due to the aforementioned piece of EU law all the drivers are now limited to basically 7 hours driving per day for 5 days with 2 days off in each seven. Because of this, at the weekend, the company is forced to operate with just a skeleton crew because most of the drivers are taking their off days.
Apart from the fact that this now limits the total amount that can be earned by the drivers (who can no longer work overtime) it also means that in order to be able to operate any sort of service the garage restricts journeys to 60 miles so that each vehicle can deal with more than one call out in the day.
So a little after 10.00am we were loaded onto a tacho-equipped breakdown truck with a driver on the first trip of his day (which was important as I was to find out later).en-route for Gordano Services on the M5, just south of Bristol.
We arrived at Gordano at 11.45 and whilst Barb and I grabbed a coffee in the service station Dolly was off loaded from the truck. As we were walking back across the carpark our second breakdown truck (from Stow in the Wold in Gloucestershire) arrived and within a few minutes Dolly was loaded up and we were on our way - again in a tacho-equipped truck with a driver on his first job of the day.
However, because the truck had been driven to the south of Bristol to pick us up the driver was already well into his permitted 4.5 maximum driving hours (in one stint) - so well before we reached home we were forced to stop for 45 minutes for the driver to rest before he could continue the journey and get us home.
Interestingly enough the second driver (who came from a much bigger breakdown company) told me that he works two week shifts - two weeks on tach and two weeks off tacho. In his on-tacho weeks his driving hours are very strictly controlled - but he can travel longer distances. On his off-tacho weeks he can (and does at times) work 24 hours per day but is limited to working within a 60 mile radius of his base.
Where is the sense in all of this?
Scheme to scrap cars 18+ years old backed by Citroën
Lobbying for a 'scrappage' scheme to incentivise consumers into newer cars is on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' longer-term agenda and has has the support of several SMMT members, including Citroën UK, whose managing director, Xavier Duchemin, has written to SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt urging him to focus on measures to re-energise demand.
Mr Duchemin said: "The VAT change is a move in the right direction, but I would like the SMMT to propose more to encourage consumers to buy cars, such as benefits based on CO2 emissions.
"We need things that consumers can understand and give them the drive to go into dealerships and buy cars. A scrappage scheme would encourage consumers to trade in their old, inefficient cars. It would be good for the environment and economy - everybody."
Mr Everitt said: "It's something that we will support, but it's not something that the UK Government is focused on spending money on at the moment, which is going towards things like cuts in VAT. It's on our agenda though."
Brighton motorcyclist beats GATSO speeding conviction - CPS evidence thrown out of court as "unreliable"
Pete Barker (51) of Fiveways, Brighton, has beaten a speeding conviction issued by a Gatso speed camera; a device almost universally disliked by long-suffering British motorists. In a case tried on December 17, 2008, a judge at Brighton Magistrates Court announced that the evidence behind the £60 speeding ticket, issued by a Gatso located at Ditchling Road, north of Fiveways junction, Brighton, on June 15, 2008, was "unreliable".
Evidence recorded by the Gatso initially alleged that Mr Barker was driving his motorcycle at a speed of 38mph and, finally, at "not less than 33mph". Mr Barker, who lives near the camera, maintains that he was driving at 30mph. He comments: "I was well aware of the Gatso, as I see it every day, and had no reason to be speeding past it. I was so convinced of my innocence that I spent months reading up about the intricacies of Gatsos."
Mr Barker, a software engineer for Digital Journey, maker of real time traffic information systems, raised various issues concerning the Gatso and its positioning. He explains: "These days, Gatsos can be placed anywhere. The installation of this camera is suspect and is poor for a radar operated device. It is positioned with a bus shelter, an iron railing fence, trees and other things in the radar beam. These act like a mirror and confuse the radar readings, giving a false result. The radar speed reading and photographic secondary check should be within 10% of each other, or the evidence is considered unreliable."
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to prosecute Mr Barker for exceeding the 30mph speed limit, saying that its experts had proved the alleged charge. The CPS evidence consisted of the record from the Gatso device. The experts called in Mr Barker's defence - including Tony Read, who headed the Princess Diana car crash investigation in 1997 - showed a difference between the radar measurements (primary evidence) taken by the Gatso and the photographs (secondary evidence). As this difference was more than 10%, the camera was not functioning under the conditions set by The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, section 20(4). The CPS therefore agreed that the photographic evidence could not be introduced under section 20.
However, the CPS then tried to prosecute Mr Barker using a "novel interpretation of the law", in which it argued that the photographic evidence, whereby experts gauged Mr Barker was doing a speed "slightly in excess of 30mph", could be introduced as "real evidence" via another route. The CPS brought up two earlier cases - DPP v Thornley, and DPP v Griffiths - where such evidence was introduced but when the accuracy of the speed camera was not in question. This approach was found to be unfair and the judge threw the unreliable evidence out of court.
The judge pointed out that the photographic evidence depended on the machine working correctly. To provide an accurate speed, the photographs must be taken 0.5 seconds apart. The judge further observed that the CPS would be relying on the workings of a machine which it admitted could not be considered reliable because of the more-than 10% difference between the radar and photographic measurements. He ruled the photographs inadmissible as evidence. The CPS then offered "no evidence" and the case was closed in favour of Mr Barker.
Mr Barker says: "Nobody wants points on their license and high insurance premiums when they weren't even speeding. This is a victory not just for me but for motorists who will be able to use my legal case as a precedent to challenge unfair speeding convictions issued by cameras that are not always reliable. For too long, the government has stealth-taxed motorists using these devices and now it is time for the motorists to fight for what is fair. In my opinion, these devices should be accuracy checked and monitored more closely."
Happy New Year from Citroën - Credit crunching deals on offer in January 2009
Citroën has made buying a brand new car even more affordable this January by extending its range of credit-crunch busting, value-for-money deals across the range. The Company are now offering a 'No VAT' deal on the Berlingo Multispace, C4, C4 Picasso, C8 and C-Crosser, whilst 0% finance is now available on C3, C3 Pluriel, C4, Xsara Picasso, C5 and C8.
The outstanding 'No VAT' deal means that the Company has slashed the 15% VAT on selected models giving customers the opportunity to save over £3,600 when buying their brand new Citroën. Three years 0% finance is available with no deposit on some C3 and C4 models, and, new car buyers can now drive away a brand new C3, C3 Pluriel, C4, C5 or C8 with two years 0% finance. And with just 20% deposit customers are eligible for three years 0% finance on the Xsara Picasso family favourite.
Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director of Citroën UK, said: "In the tough financial climate, value for money is of paramount importance. Citroën's ability to offer more achievable economical solutions to buying a new car is just one of the reasons why our market share has seen an improvement over recent months."
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) questions UK MoT tests
IAM research acquired in 2008 through the Freedom of Information Act revealed that 21.6 per cent of three-year old cars fail their first MoT test - a higher failure rate than in some European countries that do first roadworthiness tests after four years (the European minimum).
The research led the IAM to ask the following questions, many of which are yet to be answered:
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Why are first-test pass rates in some European countries better at four years than UK pas rates after three years?·
Does the three-year UK MoT test unnecessarily 'gold plate' the European minimum requirement for roadworthiness - at a cost to UK motorists of £465 million (see note 2)?·
Would the European minimum roadworthiness test be enough to guarantee safety?·
Do the additional checks in UK testing criteria relate only to safety?·
Are accidents due to vehicle failure greater in countries that wait four years for a first compulsory roadworthiness test?·
In the UK, only garages carry out tests test and supply the parts and labour needed to rectify faults. In some European countries, testing and rectifying procedures are kept separate - should we consider the (re)introduction of independent testing centres?The IAM also has unanswered questions for garages and manufacturers:
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Why are so many UK cars failing the first MoT test after just three years when three-year warranties and service agreements are common? Is it because:o
garages do the MoT test before the three-year warranty service instead of after it - if so, why?o
manufacturers' service schedules do not cover all the points needed to pass a MoT test - if so, why not?A 2007 IAM Trust survey showed that motorists viewed the MoT test as an essential road safety measure but that they suspected that failures were influenced by a garage's wish to carry out unnecessary work.
First-time MoT failure rates (2007), supplied by VOSA showed that 21.6 per cent (580,754) of three-year old cars failed their first test. Among 836,646 individual failure faults, the top 10 were:
1. Lighting and signalling 271,567
2. Tyres and wheels 155,489
3. Drivers view of the road 120,095 (Cracked/chipped windscreens, other obstructions)
4. Brakes 110,327
5. Steering and suspension 99,798
6. Fuel and emissions 23,634
7. Reg plates and VIN (vehicle identification number) 19,047
8. Seatbelts 11,271
9. Body and structure 7,705
Road wheels (loose, missing wheel nuts etc) 5,746
The relentless over-regulation of drivers and driving continues with the promotion of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) by the Government's farcical 'Motorists' Forum says the ABD (association of British Drivers.
The claim is that injury accidents could be reduced by 29% by fitting cars with ISA. The 29% is a figure spun from two entirely different 'contributory factors' for fatal accidents derived from flawed police 'box ticking' on STATS 19 forms: 12% for 'exceeding the speed limit,' and 17% for 'excessive speed for the conditions, UNDER the posted limit.'
Clearly ISA cannot control inappropriate speed under the posted limit and the 29% claim is therefore demonstrably bogus.
Indeed this government continues to use deliberately misleading statistics to underpin the war on drivers. Even the short-sighted and biased parliamentary transport select committee (TRANSCOM) has finally seen the flaws in the Government's Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) data, stating in a recent report that: "Up to this point we have accepted the assurances of the government that its casualty data were robust and that good progress was being made on bringing down the number of people killed or seriously injured. Given the significant yet unexplained divergence in the trends for deaths and serious injuries, and given the growing body of evidence of changes in the reporting rates, we can no longer conclude that good progress is being made on casualty reduction. Indeed, we are worried that ministers are not challenging their officials sufficiently and that policy-makers and practitioners are being lulled into a false sense of security."The ABD welcomes TRANSCOM's brief visit to the real world.
A safe driving speed must be related to the prevailing road conditions at all times - this can only be set by speed limiters in drivers' heads. ISA may well result in an increase in injuries on our roads because it could encourage 'foot to the floor driving' in the knowledge that the speed limit cannot be exceeded, and sends the wrong message that the speed limit is always the safest speed to drive at.
ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries said, "ISA is another tool of 'Big Brother' government using GPS tracking of drivers in the name of road safety. If the government were genuinely confident that ISA would aid road safety, then they wouldn't need to make dishonest claims based on flawed and spun statistics. The speed of a vehicle is rarely the cause of an accident and the 'correct speed' for the prevailing road conditions cannot be set by a number on a stick.
By attempting to tackle the 12% of fatal accidents purported to involve 'exceeding the speed limit' as a 'contributory factor', (which is distinct from 'cause') the danger is that the number of accidents under the posted speed limit involving 'excessive speed for the conditions' will increase well beyond the 17% currently claimed. ISA should therefore be renamed Un-intelligent Speed Adaptation."
Many Eco Driving Tips Worsen Congestion says the ABD
The ABD is urging motorists to "drive to reduce congestion" as the best way of saving fuel and reducing emissions and says of there considerable amount of advice floating around on how to drive economically, that much of this can cause congestion for others and so increase overall fuel consumption, some tips are downright wrong and others are even dangerous.
ABD Spokesman Nigel Humphries explains: "All road users have a duty to facilitate smooth flow of traffic and minimize congestion at every opportunity. This is the true way to minimize overall fuel usage. Unfortunately most current advice is of a selfish nature, advising drivers how to cut their own consumption with no regard to the effects on other road users and traffic flow."
The ABD is calling for public advice campaigns to switch their focus and look at the overall picture. Remember, congestion is the biggest waster of fuel and biggest cause of pollution. Slow moving, stop/start traffic is the least fuel efficient. Whilst the authorities seem to do all that they can to increase congestion there is much individual road users can do to prevent it.
The ABD offers the following congestion busting advice:
Traffic Lights
The vital thing is to maximise the number of vehicles getting through each green phase. Don't dither! Drivers should predict when lights are going to change to green and be ready in gear to go immediately if safe to proceed. The first driver should accelerate briskly, following drivers should move as soon as he goes and keep up. Whilst of course they must maintain a safe distance, this should not be excessive. When approaching green lights proceed at a speed where you can safely stop if they change or other hazards appear but there is no need to slow more. Try to anticipate light changes to avoid stopping if possible. Don't straddle lanes and indicate your intentions clearly for the benefit of drivers and pedestrians.
Junctions
Don't block them. When turning right position your vehicle close to the centre line so others can filter to your left. When exiting T junctions form two lanes as soon as there is space. Don't dither and be ready to go.
Roundabouts
Form two or more lanes on approach at the earliest opportunity. Don't stop or slow more than is necessary if your path onto the roundabout is clear. Maintain your lane through the roundabout allowing others to proceed in their lanes alongside you. Lanes are not usually marked on roundabouts but still need to be observed for efficient use. Don't 'straightline' roundabouts or cut across where other traffic is present. Indicate your intentions where appropriate - for example if you indicate left when taking an exit this allows others to confidently enter from that exit and enables pedestrians to make decisions when to cross safely. If in doubt on correct indicating practice consult the highway code.
Motorways
When entering accelerate on the slip road and merge smoothly at the speed of traffic in lane one. Don't disrupt or impede flow by entering too slowly.
When exiting leave the motorway at the general speed of lane one then slow down once on the slip road. Try not to slow down or brake whilst still in lane one as this can cause great disruption to flow (there are exceptions where slip roads are short or congested).
It can be more efficient to keep a constant throttle opening and gain speed on downhill stretches, allowing speed to drop off uphill, but don't obstruct other traffic while you are doing this (and watch your speed!).
Don't hog the outer lanes. If not overtaking other traffic move to the left. Staying in the middle or outer lane when lane one is clear seriously impedes the flow of traffic and is inefficient use of road space.
Avoid braking on the motorway unless unavoidable. Your brake lights will cause a chain reaction which is exaggerated as it filters back. Try to drive at an even speed. If you see stationary traffic ahead, try to slow down early in the hope it will be moving again by the time you arrive!
Remember, trucks are electronically governed to 56MPH. Do not impede their progress by driving slower than this as it means they have to change lane to pass you. Remember also that trucks and caravans cannot use the outer lane.
Single Carriageway Roads
The most efficient traffic is smooth free flowing traffic. Ensure you are driving at a speed where you are not holding others up. If you need to drive slower than the natural pace of traffic for the road then pull in at every safe opportunity to let any build up of traffic behind you pass. Keep an eye in the mirror. If a number of cars are bunched up behind you then you are likely causing a hazard and should consider pulling over or increasing your speed. Don't sit close behind other slow moving traffic if not intending to overtake. You are creating a double hazard for others to overtake.
Don't slow down more than is necessary for bends. The secret of safe driving is to always drive at a speed where you can safely stop in the distance you can guarantee to be clear. There is no need to slow more than this for bends, it wastes the fuel of all behind you who are forced to brake and accelerate too.
Pedestrians & Cyclists
Cyclists all too often fail to indicate their intentions. This can lead to drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists sitting at junctions for long periods only to watch the cyclist turn off.
If pedestrians are not going to wait for the 'green man' then they shouldn't press the button. This brings traffic to a standstill pointlessly after they have crossed.
Gang steal then re-steal over 30 cars
Five car thieves have been sentenced to a total of eight years in prison for stealing, selling, re-stealing and then re-selling more than 30 cars.
The gang targeted family cars worth £4000-6000 and police believe some cars were stolen, sold, re-stolen and then re-sold up to four times.
Most of the cars were stolen in east London, Essex and Hertfordshire, with the scam operating since 2003.
The defendants - Nokhiaz Khan, Paul Pepper, Michael Kellman, Wayne Francis and Sonny Sian - all pleaded guilty.
The gang's leader, Khan, is estimated to have made £1.2 million from the thefts. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
The other four were not deemed to have made visible gain from the thefts, having been involved only in the cars' sales. They were given sentences ranging from 36 weeks suspended for two years to two years in jail.
A financial investigation is now being conducted so any money they earned illegally is confiscated.
Drivers still flouting mobile phone laws
A What Car? survey has revealed that 36% of motorists still admit to using a handheld mobile phone while driving their car, with a quarter saying they've done so in the past week.
However, the true figure could be much higher because 93% of motorists say they've seen someone else using a mobile phone at the wheel in the past seven days.
In spite of tougher penalties being introduced in 2007, which include the threat of jail if a driver is prosecuted for dangerous driving, there has been no drop in the number admitting to using a handheld mobile over the past year. Last year's survey also showed that 36% admit to using their phone while driving. Only a slight drop of 6% has been recorded since 2005.
Steve Fowler, What Car? editor, commented: 'The message is obviously not getting through - if you use a handheld mobile phone while driving, you may end up killing yourself or others.
'Research has shown that using a mobile phone at the wheel could be more dangerous than drink driving. Yet it seems you don't have to travel far to see someone who's oblivious to the dangers - they're all too easy to spot by their bad driving habits.'
What Car? Survey Results
When did you last use a handheld mobile phone as you drove?
Today 12%
Yesterday 5%
Last week 8%
Last month 11%
Never 64%
When did you last see another motorist using a handheld mobile phone?
Today 57%
Yesterday 18%
Last week 18%
Last month 4%
Never 3%
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Upcoming Section meetings:
Upcoming Section meetings:
Eastern Section - 8.00pm on 25th Februray 2009 at The Royal Forest, Rangers Road, Chingford, London E4 7HQ
London Section
- 8pm on 27th January at The Rose of York, Petersham Road, Richmond, London TW10. Please ring Pete or Sue Simper before you go to check that the meeting is going aheadPeak Section - 12noon on 7th December at The Holly Bush in Makeney. Please let Richard Carlin know if you will be attending.
Scottish Section
- Spring Break weekend 27/28th March at Dunkeld, Perthshire. See Jan/Feb 09 Floating Power for full detailsWest of England Section
- 2009 planning meeting at 12 noon at the Tunnel House, Coates near Cirencester on Sunday January 11th. Come armed with bright ideas!!!Retromobile will be taking place in Paris (Porte de Versailles) from 6th - 15th February 2009.
La Vie en Bleu - Prescott, nr Cheltenham. 23-24 May. Details from Simon Saint
TOC Annual Rally - Cornwall 19-21 June
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Traction Wind Deflectors
Dress up your Traction for the 75th Anniversary year, with a set of New Zealand-made current production wind deflectors that are exact copies of the Slough units.
Stainless steel metal components to eliminate corrosion and toughened glass to auto specifications.
Prices include airmail postage (6-12 days from receipt of funds). To U.K - GBP£74.00. To Europe - Euro€90.00. To USA - USD$115.00.
Enquiries: Carl Rofe, Email bullshooter@xtra.co.nz Fax 0064 - 7 - 85 65 303
Quick Links...
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TOC website: www.traction-owners.co.uk
TOC spares hotline email: spares@traction-owners.co.uk
TOC helpline email: helpline@traction-owners.co.uk
TOCtech email: toctech@traction-owners.co.uk
TOC membership email: membership@traction-owners.co.uk
TOC magazine email: editor@traction-owners.co.uk
Nicholas Greene's TA Forum: http://tractionavant.
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page last updated: 25/01/2009
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