logo
'A simple improvement could be implemented at Salisbury's Trief kerb'

'A simple improvement could be implemented at Salisbury's Trief kerb'

Yahoo4 days ago
THERE have been a lot of letters and opinions about the Trief kerb on the roundabout on Fisherton Street, where there have been multiple accidents when turning left from South Western Road under the railway bridge.
There has also been an article on the BBC website on July 28. This is clearly a difficult manoeuvre, as it involves a turn of much more than a right-angle, and is very likely to catch out drivers who are unfamiliar with the roundabout, including visitors to Salisbury.
It appears that the double width of the lane at the entry to the roundabout contributes to the problem.
A savvy driver will surely position themselves to the right of the lane before entering the roundabout and turning safely under the bridge.
Read more
Man ordered to pay thousands for abandoning worn-out car in Old SarumYoung man sustains life-threatening injuries in crash on rural road
The kerb is often struck by vehicles turning onto Fisherton Street (Image: Newsquest) A simple improvement could be implemented to exclude approaching vehicles from the area close to the kerb by painting white hatched lines on the road, bordered by a solid white line.
I hope this suggestion will be implemented.
It is simple and cheap, yet it has the potential to warn motorists of the hazard and dramatically reduce costly accidents and associated trauma.
Alan Ruddell Longhedge
Send letters by email to newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk or by post to Editor, Salisbury Journal, Suite B (Ground Floor), Milford House, Milford Street, Salisbury, SP1 2BP.
All letters and e-mails must include full names and addresses (anonymous letters will not be published), although these details may be withheld from publication, on request, if the reason justifies it.
Letters of 300 words or less will be given priority, although all are subject to editing for reasons of clarity, space, or legal requirements. We reserve the right to edit letters.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Drivers caught behind wheel of unroadworthy vehicles up 52% in a year
Drivers caught behind wheel of unroadworthy vehicles up 52% in a year

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Drivers caught behind wheel of unroadworthy vehicles up 52% in a year

The number of motorists caught driving unroadworthy vehicles jumped by 52% last year, new figures show, sparking fears that law-abiding road users are being put at 'serious risk'. A total of 13,109 British drivers were convicted of the offence in 2024, official data obtained by the RAC revealed. This is up from 8,614 during the previous 12 months. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency statistics, released in response to a freedom of information request, show the number of penalty point endorsements issued for driving vehicles with defective brakes, tyres, steering or other problems. The offence attracts three penalty points which stay on drivers' licences for four years. As the figures only reflect those caught, the RAC believes they represent the 'tip of the iceberg' when it comes to the number of unroadworthy vehicles being used. RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: 'The steep increase in drivers receiving points on their licences for unroadworthy vehicles is a cause for alarm, as it could indicate more drivers are running the gauntlet and driving unsafe vehicles – although it's also possible more drivers are being caught by the police. 'Whether it's brakes, tyres, steering or something else, every mechanical component in a vehicle plays a critical role in ensuring it can be driven safely and confidently. 'By getting behind the wheel of vehicles that are defective, a minority of drivers are needlessly putting the law-abiding majority at serious risk. 'For every person caught there will doubtless be more who are knowingly in charge of unroadworthy vehicles that could be involved in completely avoidable collisions in the future. 'We strongly urge drivers to keep on top of routine maintenance and get any issues checked by a well-qualified mobile mechanic or reputable garage.' Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier, part of the portfolio for roads policing at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: 'These figures are shocking. 'If you are driving an unroadworthy vehicle with defects such as tyres or brakes, you are not only putting yourself at risk but you are putting the lives of other road users at risk too. 'Ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy and safe to drive is your responsibility and we would encourage everyone to routinely check their vehicle before getting behind the wheel.'

Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line
Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line

Economists are busy hunting for signs of tariff-induced price hikes in the monthly inflation data. They may be overlooking some good news, which is that a surge in the cost of car insurance is finally abating. The cost of owning a car has soared during the last few years, with drivers absorbing hits from all angles. The average cost of a new car is now $49,000, and Trump's tariffs will likely push that well above $50,000. As new cars get costlier, so do used cars. Fancy new technology and other factors, meanwhile, have raised the cost of parts, repairs, and maintenance. But the biggest jump has been in the cost of insurance, up 60% during the last five years, to an average monthly premium of about $213. A bill that was once an afterthought now totals nearly $3,000 per year, and a lot more for some vehicles and drivers. Read more: The cheapest car insurance in the US in 2025 Relief is on the horizon. In April 2024, the annual rate of car inflation peaked at 23%. It's now at a much tamer 5.3%, and the lower annual price hikes are likely to stick. Insurance is different from most other products and services people buy. Drivers buy insurance only once or twice per year, with the monthly premium set for the duration of the policy. Insurers set premiums based on car-pricing data that also has a lag. They must also deal with regulators who may resist premium hikes that are too steep. The recent surge in car insurance premiums dates to the first days of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Supply chain disruptions, such as a lack of semiconductors, sent new car prices higher, with used car prices soaring as buyers priced out of the new market shopped used. That means the replacement cost of a vehicle totaled in a wreck went way up. All the digital technology on new cars, such as cameras, sensors, and processors, raises the cost of repairs, as well. At the same time, global warming is causing more severe weather that leaves more cars destroyed in floods and storms. And for reasons researchers don't fully understand, crashes have been getting more of those factors push insurers' costs higher, with the industry as a whole enduring several years of net underwriting losses on autos. So insurers have been raising their own prices to get back in the black. That simply takes time, since they can only change their prices once or twice per year. And in some cases, regulators force them to spread premium hikes over several years to spare consumers too much pain all at once. After big jumps from 2021 to 2023, prices for cars and car parts have been relatively stable. Insurance prices flattening out too suggests most insurers have raised premiums by the amount they consider necessary. Insurers can try to price gouge and push rates needlessly high, but it's pretty easy for most consumers to switch carriers, which helps keep premiums in check. Trump's tariffs could reverse the improving trend. They'll make parts more expensive, for example, raising repair bills that insurers will have to foot. That will ultimately trickle down to policyholders through higher rates. But that may be around the next bend, not quite coming into view yet. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Bluesky and X: @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Sign in to access your portfolio

Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line
Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Some good inflation news: Car insurance is falling back in line

Economists are busy hunting for signs of tariff-induced price hikes in the monthly inflation data. They may be overlooking some good news, which is that a surge in the cost of car insurance is finally abating. The cost of owning a car has soared during the last few years, with drivers absorbing hits from all angles. The average cost of a new car is now $49,000, and Trump's tariffs will likely push that well above $50,000. As new cars get costlier, so do used cars. Fancy new technology and other factors, meanwhile, have raised the cost of parts, repairs, and maintenance. But the biggest jump has been in the cost of insurance, up 60% during the last five years, to an average monthly premium of about $213. A bill that was once an afterthought now totals nearly $3,000 per year, and a lot more for some vehicles and drivers. Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 Relief is on the horizon. In April 2024, the annual rate of car inflation peaked at 23%. It's now at a much tamer 5.3%, and the lower annual price hikes are likely to stick. Insurance is different from most other products and services people buy. Drivers buy insurance only once or twice per year, with the monthly premium set for the duration of the policy. Insurers set premiums based on car-pricing data that also has a lag. They must also deal with regulators who may resist premium hikes that are too steep. The recent surge in car insurance premiums dates to the first days of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Supply chain disruptions, such as a lack of semiconductors, sent new car prices higher, with used car prices soaring as buyers priced out of the new market shopped used. That means the replacement cost of a vehicle totaled in a wreck went way up. All the digital technology on new cars, such as cameras, sensors, and processors, raises the cost of repairs, as well. At the same time, global warming is causing more severe weather that leaves more cars destroyed in floods and storms. And for reasons researchers don't fully understand, crashes have been getting more of those factors push insurers' costs higher, with the industry as a whole enduring several years of net underwriting losses on autos. So insurers have been raising their own prices to get back in the black. That simply takes time, since they can only change their prices once or twice per year. And in some cases, regulators force them to spread premium hikes over several years to spare consumers too much pain all at once. After big jumps from 2021 to 2023, prices for cars and car parts have been relatively stable. Insurance prices flattening out too suggests most insurers have raised premiums by the amount they consider necessary. Insurers can try to price gouge and push rates needlessly high, but it's pretty easy for most consumers to switch carriers, which helps keep premiums in check. Trump's tariffs could reverse the improving trend. They'll make parts more expensive, for example, raising repair bills that insurers will have to foot. That will ultimately trickle down to policyholders through higher rates. But that may be around the next bend, not quite coming into view yet. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Bluesky and X: @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Sign in to access your portfolio

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store