How Will Self-Driving Cars Work?

How Will Self-Driving Cars Work?

The latest technological advancements in self-driving cars have been incredible, and everyone from Tesla to Google are working on their prototype. Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous cars can drive without any input from a driver, with the car completely controlling itself. If these new technologies continue to develop and take off, this could radically change our current transport system.

These autonomous cars work by internally mapping their surroundings, using a range of intelligent sensors monitoring different things. These sensors differ from prototype to prototype but have used; radar, lasers, high powered cameras or sonar. Computers within the car then process all of the information from these sensors to intuitively map their location and know what is surrounding the car, and what hazards there might be.

Once the car is aware of its surroundings It can steer, accelerate and break accordingly. The car is programmed to follow rules of the road such as speed limits and stop lights, but is also instilled with responsive rules such as object avoidance and ‘Smart Object discrimination’.

It is estimated 90% of road accidents are caused by human error, whether the person is distracted, under the influence or simply made a mistake, human error can be deadly. The hope is that autonomous cars will reduce accidents by eliminating the human error aspect. These self-driving cars will soon be able to communicate with each other, this will help to avoid accidents as they will know what the other cars are doing around them.

This tech is not without its risks however, in 1018 a self-driving car that was being tested on the streets struck and killed a cyclist who was trying to cross the busy road. Whilst the cause of this incident is still under investigation, it has reminded people that there are risks, this technology is still in its infancy and will still have a lot of issues to work out before it can be set loose on our roads.

Fly Tip & Risk Getting Your Car Crushed

You may have seen examples of fly-tipping in many locations across the country. Discarded mattresses, electrical good and even bin bags full of unwanted items and rubbish are some of the common sights when it comes to fly-tipping. However, Ashfield District Council have been working hard to not only clean up the unwanted mess but also working towards clamping down on this unpleasant and illegal act.

What exactly is Fly-tipping?

Fly-tipping is officially recognised as an illegal deposit of any waste onto land that does not have a licence to accept it. Not only is fly-tipping an unwanted sight to our local community, but it can also be extremely hazardous to members of the public. Some waste may contain toxic materials or asbestos, which in turn could directly damage water sources and even the quality of the soil.

Ashfield District Council Intervention

Fly-tipping is considered as a serious criminal offence and up until recently offenders could be served with a fine up to £50,000. However, Ashfield District Council has now gained the authority to crush any vehicles found fly-tipping.

Ashfield District Council Visit Scrap Your Car Online:

Find out in the video below what could happen to your car if you are caught fly-tipping in the local area.

Click Here For More Information

Are Mandatory Speed Limiters Coming Soon?

A proposal has been approved by the European Transport Safety Council, which plans to see all new cars fitted with devices to physically restrict them to speed limits. The plan put forward states within the next 3 years, all new cars sold in the EU will have to be fitted with one of these automatic speed limiters as standard. This device is called intelligent speed assistance (ISA) and will use GPS data or traffic sign recognition cameras to know what the speed limit is and enforce it.

If a driver does go up to the speed limit the device would not let the speed go into illegal speeds unless the driver pressed forcefully on the accelerator. This would override the system and would take the speed up, however visual and audio alerts would repeatedly signal that the car is over the limit until the speed was brought back down.

All cars produced from 2020 will have these devices, but they have already been installed in some cars out now! For all of those worried about the limits there is going to be an off button for these machines, at least when they are first implemented. The ability to disable the device is an attempt to make people more tolerant to them being introduced, but they are expected to be permanently on at a later date.

These ISA’s are being implemented to make roads safer and lower the rates of injury and death by dangerous driving. There’s also a move to implement and enforced black boxes and lane assist systems in all cars, but there are currently no plans in place for this. 

4 European Road Trips Ideal For Spring 2019

With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning a European road trip. Although it may not be everyone’s first choice, road trips are ideal for motoring enthusiasts. With almost no limitations, road trips can allow you to get a real feel for what a country has to offer.

However, with so many beautiful destinations on offer, it can be difficult to settle on one location. So, that’s why we have put together five perfect European road trip ideas, ideal for this spring!

Germany – Experience the Autobahn

Every enthusiastic motorist finds themselves on the famous Autobahn at one stage or another. The famed German highway system has no speed limits in non-urban regions, making it the perfect location to quench the thurst of budding motor-racing enthusiasts.

Alongside the unrestricted speed limits, the Autobahn takes drivers through a vast amount of beautiful German countryside. Popular tourist locations include The Black Forest, Munich, Neuschwanstein and Hamburg. 

Italy – Drive the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is located in the south of Italy and is a sought out location for many holidaymakers. Offering travellers a rich variety of beautiful architecture, history and breathe taking scenery, this truly is one of the best road trips in Europe.

Austria – Grossglockner High Alpine Road

If your road trip tick boxes include mountain roads and endless untouched countryside, then Austria is the perfect location. Take to the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria and enjoy nearly 50km of breath-taking mountain views. 

At the highest point of 2,505m, the Grossglockner mountain can be enjoyed from a variety of viewpoints and coffee shops along the way. Accessible from Kaprun, the high alpine road is a tolled road, prices for vehicles can be found here.

Ireland – Ring of Kerry

Get a real feel for what Ireland has to offer, by embarking on the 111-mile circular route that takes you through the stunning countryside, historic villages and white sandy beaches. Although this famous road trip can be completed in just under four hours, why not take your time and spread this road trip over a long weekend.

How To Jump Start A Car

As we head into some cold weather and possible snow it is important to know how to jump start your car battery in case of an emergency. Cold weather can really wear down batteries and make them more prone to draining and not turning on in the morning when you need them. Other things like leaving lights on, the battery being defective or general age of the battery, can all contribute to a battery that won’t start.
If you get stuck in the cold this winter then follow these simple steps to get your car up and running again!

• To get started you will need, jump leads and to find another car with a good battery to jump start yours on. Avoid using a hybrid or an electric car as this can damage their car.
• Ensure that all electricals in the car are switched off including, the lights, the radio and sat-nav etc. For safety reasons ensure you are not wearing anything metal, or that anything metal can touch the battery.
• Check over the battery before you begin. Do not attempt to jump start the car if there is any visible damage to the battery.
• Pull the other car in as close to yours as possible. Switch both cars off, open the bonnets and remove the keys from the ignitions.
• Attach the red cable to the positive side of the dead battery, this should be recognisable by a red cover or a plus symbol +. You may have to remove a cover to access these metal attachments. Then attach the other end of the red cable to the positive side of the working battery. Again, this should be clear by a red cover or + symbol.
• Attach one end of the black cable to the negative side of the good battery. This will feature a – minus symbol. Attach the other end of this black cable, to an unpainted metal part of the engine.
• Start the car that is helping, after a minute or so attempt to start the engine of the car with the drained battery. If the battery does not start with this help it may be time to call a garage.
• If the engine does start up again, let both of the cars run for 5 mins before removing the cables.
• Be careful when removing the cables. Ensure both cars are switched off disconnect the black cable first, start from the car with the drained battery.
• Drive your car around for about 30 minutes to let the engine recharge as much as possible.

If your battery keeps dying you may need a new battery or other car parts.

Search on Megavaux today if you’re looking for Vauxhall parts!

How to Claim Against a Pothole

How To Claim Against A Pothole

Potholes are a common sight on many roads within the UK, especially around springtime. No matter how hard we try to avoid them, there is always that one pothole that catches us off-guard. If you are fortunate enough to leave a hit pothole with all coils and tyres in tacked, then you can drive off with little concern.

However, if you have been made a victim by a nasty pothole that has left you with a deflated tyre or broken coils, you can claim compensation.

 Collect the Evidence

The first action that you should take after hitting a pothole is to collect all the evidence possible from the scene. This includes the exact location of the pothole, photographs showing the pothole and any photos of any damage caused when you hit it.

If safe to do so, return to the pothole with a ruler or measuring tape. Place the ruler or measuring tape in the bottom of the hole and take a photograph. By doing this, it illustrates how deep the pothole is. 

Report the Pothole

Once you have collected all the evidence you now need to report the pothole to your highways agency or local authority. They are responsible for maintaining the roads in your local area and will need to organise a repair in due course.

Keep Your Receipts

It is unlikely that you will be compensated before you need your car back on the road.

This means that you will need to pay to get any damages fixed before receiving any possible money. Once your car has been fixed, ensure that you get a receipt for all work carried out to repair the damage, this will vital evidence in your case.

 Make A Claim

Each local authority has a specific protocol when it comes to claiming against a pothole. Contact your local council to find out what information they require and start the claim proceedings.

I’ve Submitted A Claim – What Now?

Now that you have submitted your claim, you may be starting to consider what you can do if you aren’t happy with your compensation offer or rejection.

I’ve Received A Pothole Offer I’m Not Happy With

You may feel that you have no control over what the council can offer you, but this is not the case. Don’t be afraid to negotiate costs of repairs with your local authority

My Pothole Claim Was Rejected – What Can I Do?

If your pothole claim has been rejected, you may be able to appeal the claim. Put in a request for the council’s road inspection reports. Once you have them you can check to see if they have followed the process as required. If the claim hasn’t followed protocol you can appeal for a review.

My Local Authority Still Aren’t Paying for The Pothole Damage

If you are struggling to reach a resolution with your local authority you can take your pothole claim to a small claims court. Seek legal advice before going down this route. If your legal team are in support of your claim and believe they can help you get the compensation you can further pursue your claim for your pothole damages.

Cold Morning Tips: How To Safely Clear Your Window Screen

How To Defrost Your Car Windows Quickly And Safely

Winter is coming, and based on reports it's going to be a cold one!

As temperatures are already dropping, get ready for the dreaded morning routine of thawing your car before you can drive off to work. We look at some of the best tips to defrost your window quickly and safely!

Tips

• Use a scraper, be careful to hold the scraper at an angle and to not scratch or damage your glass. If the ice is too thick for this to be effective, try combining it with some other options below.
• Use a card if you don’t have a scraper in a pinch. Make sure to choose a more disposable card though, such as a loyalty card. Do not risk bending your credit card or drivers licence!
•  Use a de-icer, available in aerosol or spray forms, leave the spray to sink into the ice for a couple minutes before you go in with a scraper and it should be a lot easier.
• Use your car heater, turn the heating up all of the way, and aim the fans at your windows. This will start the ice defrosting from the inside and will really help when you come to scrape it off!
• Lukewarm water, use the water to soften up the ice as you scrape at it. Be careful to only use lukewarm water and not hot.
• A solution of rubbing alcohol and water, one part water to two parts alcohol is supposed to clear the ice right up!

What Not To Do

•  Do not use boiling water! It is tempting to want to get rid of the ice as soon as possible, but boiling water will cause the glass to change temperatures dramatically which causes cracks or weakness in the glass.
• Don’t use anything sharp. Don’t chip away at the ice with a sharp object, this will chip or scratch your glass.
• Do not drive, this seems obvious but do not start driving and hope the glass will clear up quickly. This is not only dangerous but it’s against the law.
• Don’t leave your car running as you go inside, there are reports every year of people getting their cars stolen as they were inside waiting for them to heat up.

Prevention

To prevent ice build-up try using something to cover your windows at night to reduce the amount of ice on there by the morning. You can get tarps or window covers, but even a folded sheet will help. Getting a ‘night before de-icer’ is also a good option, spray it on the windows as you park up for the night and in the morning you will have less or no ice! Or try getting a de-icer for your window cleaning solution, to similar effects, this should help prevent the ice building up. They coat the window in a film and help prevent the ice sticking.