The GEM Blog
POOR ECONOMY HAS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON CAR MAINTENANCE HABITS
Posted on May 16th, 2012, by motoringassist, in Press Releases
As petrol prices continue to soar and the economy shows no signs of improving, GEM Motoring Assist, road safety organisation and the number one for breakdown cover in the UK*, is warning UK motorists not to be tempted to cut corners when it comes to car maintenance. With summer on its way and families planning UK ‘staycations’, it is more important than ever for drivers to continue to take … read more
Another absurd attempt to avoid speeding points is thwarted
Posted on May 15th, 2012, by James Luckhurst, in Road Safety Articles
A MAN attempted to avoid fines and points on his driving licence by claiming his car was being driven by his wife. Trouble is, she had died some months before the offences were recorded, a court heard. Christopher Bingley, 44, was caught driving too fast on four occasions after his wife Joanne died. The bankrupt management consultant had filled in a notice stating that his 39-year-old wife had been driving … read more
Transport Safety group: ‘Spending cuts putting lives at risk’
Posted on May 11th, 2012, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring News
Research reveals half of all local authorities feel they lack the resources necessary to promote road safety The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has published the third report in its series “Tackling the Deficit”, looking at the impact of the government’s austerity programme on road safety. This report, entitled “Checking the Health of Road Safety” and written by Naomi Baster (PACTS’ Policy and Research Officer), includes an analysis … read more
Guess the car
Posted on May 3rd, 2012, by Rob Marshall, in Competitions
Last month’s look at lamps seemed too easy. Everybody identified the Renault Mégane (which was a convertible) and the majority recognised the bland but serviceable Hyundai Getz. This time, we have returned to a scrap yard, to uncover a car that had been subject to a particularly nasty side-swipe. Fortunately, nobody was hurt but the car has seen better days. What is its make and model?
DON’T BE ‘DOM’; BE COURTEOUS WITH YOUR CONVERSATIONS!
Posted on May 1st, 2012, by motoringassist, in Press Releases
GEM Motoring Assist, the number one for breakdown cover in the UK and road safety organisation, joins forces once again with the National Campaign for Courtesy to encourage more politeness across the UK, including the creation of a courtesy code for mobile phone use. An avid supporter of the Campaign for Courtesy, GEM continues to be committed to the ongoing success of the Courtesy on the Road campaign, encouraging … read more
Is Kwik advice Fit advice?
Posted on April 27th, 2012, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring Advice Articles
During a typical working week, press releases flow in-and-out of my inbox, most of which are fairly dreary but Kwik Fit’s latest PR campaign caught my eye, when the company saw fit to issue money saving advice, during last month’s questionable fuel shortages. Interestingly, Kwik Fit had initiated its own research, which found that over two-thirds of cars in the UK are driven with tyres that are at least 3psi … read more
Collision prevention – The only way to reduce motorcycle fatalities?
Posted on April 26th, 2012, by James Luckhurst, in Motoring Advice Articles
Research points to collision prevention as the only way to reduce motorcycle fatalities The motorcycle safety organisation, Right To Ride, has published the “Northern Ireland Motorcycle Fatality Report 2012″, an in-depth study of 39 cases relating to motorcycle fatalities in Northern Ireland (UK) between 2004 and 2010. The study, supported by the British Motorcyclists Federation Foundation, was carried out by Dr Elaine Hardy of Right To Ride with the collaboration … read more
GEM CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF ROAD SAFETY
Posted on April 24th, 2012, by motoringassist, in Press Releases
Road safety organisation and breakdown cover provider GEM Motoring Assist is celebrating its 80th Anniversary and 80 years of road safety campaigning. Formed in 1932, the company has been a champion of road safety issues since its creation, and continues to be committed to road safety campaigns today. As well as supporting a wide variety of activities including conferences, award schemes and research, GEM also champions national and local road … read more
RIP the creator of the Porsche 911 and my kettle
Posted on April 23rd, 2012, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring News
Hardly any fifty year-old car designs have endured continuous production, evolving into icons that outlast not only their competitors but also their inventor. Sadly, on the 5th April, the Porsche 911’s designer, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the grandson of the Stuttgart company’s patriarch, became survived by his most celebrated creation. At the age of 23 years, F.A. Porsche joined the company’s design office, became the Head of Porsche Design four … read more
Badge Engineering: When badges hide the truth
Posted on April 19th, 2012, by Rob Marshall, in Motoring Advice Articles
During the Easter holidays, my mother’s 20+ years-old washing machine ground to a halt and was deemed uneconomical to repair by her local service engineer. Having had such sterling service from her trusty Hotpoint, her natural inclination was to buy another one, until she was informed that times have moved on. When she interrogated the engineer further, she was informed that market forces had seen the Hotpoint washing machine disappear … read more
