Daily Motor News – Tuesday 14 January 2025 

A word from…

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads: “National collision statistics, which can record headlamp dazzle as a contributory factor, do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively to road vehicle collisions.” Full story

Three-quarters of motorists “blinded” by dazzling headlights, AA survey suggests

Brighter headlights are causing problems for motorists “more than ever before”, according to a survey of AA members, but ministers have played down the road safety concerns associated with them. Three-quarters of AA members have told the organisation that LED lights on vehicles are among the factors causing them to be “blinded” while driving. But Lilian Greenwood, the UK’s minister for the future of roads, said the data doesn’t suggest “advances in lighting technology” are making collisions more common. Full story

Top 10 drink driving hotspots in the UK

A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request issues to the DVLA has revealed the UK’s drink driving hotspots. Every year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency highlights the areas where drivers get convicted for being caught over the drink-driving limit. Full story

Meeting Gen Z’s demands – the digital shift in motor insurance

With digital technology reshaping nearly every sector, insurers are racing to modernise, personalise, and simplify their motor insurance offerings to meet the demands of a younger generation of customers. Insurers face a clear challenge: create a frictionless, omnichannel experience that resonates with modern lifestyles. Full story

Warning to Herts drivers as vehicle thefts rise in 2024

Figures released by Hertfordshire Constabulary show vehicle thefts increased last year by more than 11%, compared to the previous 12 months. However, in both Welwyn Hatfield and North Herts they increased 30% and in Broxbourne thefts rose by 22%. Many of those stolen were high value keyless vehicles. Full story

Acorn Group strengthens its position in telematics insurance with acquisition

Acorn Group, a non-standard provider of car, van, taxi and household insurance to retail customers, has acquired a telematics insurance broker, for an undisclosed sum. The deal to buy Halesowen company MyPolicy, strengthens the position of Formby-based Acorn in telematics insurance. Full story

Beyond ADAS: Building a data-driven fleet culture for long-term safety success

Recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows a steady rise in large truck crashes since 2009. Despite this, there are signs of progress. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a 3.6% decrease in vehicle-related fatalities from 2022 to the most recent data compiled for 2023. Full story

Ontario increases threshold to report collision to £4,100 as cost of repair rises

Ontario has increased the threshold of loss needed to report a collision from £1,600 to £4,100 due the increasing cost of repairs. The Ministry of Transportation implemented the changes to the Highway Traffic Act Jan. 1 to help reduce the administrative burden on drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and police services, according to a release from the Ontario Office of the Premier. Full story

Euro NCAP Boosts Capacity with Approval of DEKRA and TRANSPOLIS Test Centres

Euro NCAP is pleased to announce that DEKRA and TRANSPOLIS have been accredited for Euro NCAP active safety testing, formally joining its network of approved testing facilities around Europe. These facilities will build on existing expertise to successfully deliver consumer testing of passenger cars, vans, and trucks. Full story

Amazon expands zero-exhaust emission deliveries with the UK’s largest-ever order of electric trucks

Amazon is expanding zero-exhaust emission deliveries with the UK’s largest-ever order of electric trucks as well as the launch of rail deliveries across the UK and on-foot deliveries in central London. More than 140 new electric Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks are joining Amazon’s transportation network over the next 18 months as part of the UK’s largest-ever electric heavy vehicles (eHGV) order. Full story

Ben shares ways for automotive people to improve their health & wellbeing for 2025

This New Year, Ben is sharing ways for automotive people to improve their health and wellbeing for 2025. Although it’s a positive time for some, the New Year can be challenging for many. With Blue Monday approaching on 20th January, Ben is here to help automotive people live life well by enhancing their health and wellbeing. Full story

The recent Ogden Rate announcement: A strategic perspective

Rarely do we see an event in UK General Insurance that so profoundly influences the consumer and the insurer equally. Yet, with the recent Ogden rate announcement, we find ourselves at such a crossroads, with both immediate and long-term implications for pricing, reserving, and overall market behaviour. Full story

Turners Accident Repair unveils seventh site

Turners Accident Repair has unveiled its seventh site in Chester-Le-Street, Durham. The 16,000 sqft repair centre follows an investment of more than £700,000, with the installation of brand-new equipment, including two commercial spraybooths, the latest ADAS repair technology and the ability for plastic repair and cosmetic aluminium repair on all types of vehicles including EV and hybrid. Full story

Zenzic and IMI launch CAM skills survey

Zenzic has launched a new Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Skills Survey to better understand the recruitment and skills challenges facing the sector. The 15-minutes survey, which is being run in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry, is divided into four categories: current pain points, sources of hiring, activities for skills scouting, and company values and culture. Full story

Hard-working households face tough decisions on running a car in 2025

As the cost-of-living crisis deepens in 2025 with a second consecutive energy price cap rise and further utility bill increases on the horizon, hard-working households are also confronting difficult choices when it comes to car ownership, according to a new report from The Motor Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector. Full story

Briefs 

Eddie Longworth, Founder and Director of JEL Consulting Ltd, has been named CEO of e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management.