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Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Warning to drivers about how long alcohol stays in their system - and most don't know the truth
Many drivers may have woken up after a big night out uncertain if they are legally safe to drive. Among motorists, it's one of the most confusing aspects when it comes to driving - how long does it take for alcohol to leave the system and for you to be safe to drive again. There have been cases of people being done for drink-driving because they are still over the limit the morning after. READ MORE: 'Almost every driver' breaks this important law every day Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here And there are doubtless motorists up and down the country who take the risk without knowing if they are below the drink-drive limit. How long alcohol remains in the system is one of the most Googled motoring queries, showing the level of worry and uncertainty when it comes to getting behind the wheel after a night out. Police advice is people shouldn't drive the morning after a heavy night drinking as they may still be over the limit. They may also be less alert than they would normally be, potentially slowing reaction times. The general rule is it takes an hour for one unit of alcohol to leave the body. There are roughly two or three units in a pint of beer, depending on the strength, and around two units in a 175ml glass of wine. So that one drink would take around two hours to leave the body. This shows just how long alcohol can remain in the system if someone has a few drinks. Charlotte Adams, motoring expert at ALA Insurance, said: "Many drivers do not realise that alcohol lingers in their system, leaving them over the limit the next morning. "Prevention is the best solution, if you are unsure, do not take the risk." She added: "Plan ahead. Arrange alternative transport for the next day if drinking. "Use a personal breathalyser. While not fool-proof, these can give an indication of alcohol levels. "Do not guess. Wait it out - if in doubt, do not drive. Take a taxi, use public transport, or delay your journey.'
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'worst lay-bys to break down in' named as one tops UK list of shame
Experts have named and shamed the places that are the worst to have a breakdown. Scotland's "worst lay-bys to break down" have been revealed by car experts. And one even has the ignominy of being named the worst in the whole of the UK. According to experts at ALA Insurance, monthly search volume around 'car breakdowns' has hit 199,000 as of May 2025. As a result, they have created a ranking of the worst lay-bys across the UK in which to have a breakdown. The experts considered a range of factors when putting together their ranking, including the distance to services, the average temperature, annual rainfall, and mobile signal. These were then combined to give an overall 'Index Score'. According to the experts, the worst lay-by to break down in Scotland —and the whole of the UK—is the one on the A713 near New Galloway. It received an Index Score of 8.3. The lay-by is situated in the south of Scotland, a short distance from the town of New Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway. It scored poorly on distance to services, average temperature, and annual rainfall. And its position on top of the list of shame was secured by its weak mobile signal, which ranked 120 out of 120 locations listed. Meanwhile, the second worst lay-by in Scotland—and the whole of the UK, again—according to ALA Insurance is lay-by 99 along the A9 southbound. Located near Etteridge in the Scottish Highlands, it received an Index Score of 11.7. While its mobile signal was significantly better than the A713, it ranked last for average temperature and also scored badly for rainfall and distance to services. The third and final Scottish lay-by to appear on the experts' list is the one along the A84 in the FK1 postcode. Coming in at number five on the overall UK-wide list, the lay-by was assigned an Index Score of 17.5. Meanwhile, the other two in the top five worst lay-bys in the UK are one along the B4302 by Talley and another on the A483 near Gresford—both situated in Wales. Placing third and fourth respectively, they were assigned Index Scores of 12.9 and 13.1. ALA Insurance commented: "It's never an ideal situation when your car decides to act up during a long drive, especially during busier times around holidays, when motorway driving can be stressful enough as it is. "It's clear this is on the mind of Britain's drivers, with the monthly search volume around 'car breakdown' hitting 199,000 as of May 2025. "To help with this common concern and give you all the information you need on how to dodge the worst places in the UK for a breakdown to occur, we've taken a look at the quality of the nation's main roads and lay-bys." When setting out on a car journey, there is nothing worse than breaking down on a busy road. To help drivers this summer, ALA Insurance has also shared tips to prepare for a breakdown. The experts suggest checking tyres, fluids, and battery before setting off on a journey. They also recommend always carrying essentials such as a fully charged mobile phone and warm clothing, and letting somebody know your route and estimated arrival time. Meanwhile, according to ALA Insurance, it is also a good idea to plan routes carefully—particularly if journeying off the beaten track. Other top tips include downloading offline maps and being prepared for all weathers. The worst lay-bys in the UK A713 - New Galloway, Scotland A9 - Lay-by 99, Scotland B4302 - Talley, Wales A483 - Gresford, Wales A84 - FK1, Scotland A470 - LD3, Wales A44 - SY2, South East A57 - Cutthroat Bridge, North West A37 - BA3, South West A40 - LD3, South West Article continues below
Auto Express
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
UK's worst lay-bys for breakdowns named and shamed
We receive many unusual press releases here at Auto Express, but we've not seen anyone attempt to rank the UK's worst lay-bys to break down in. Until now. We'd say the worst lay-by to break down in is the one where it happens to you, but hats off to ALA Insurance for taking a more scientific approach to the subject, in an ultimately successful effort to grab a headline. The company has analysed 120 lay-bys across the country, rating them against a selection of criteria including mobile phone signal, distance to local (or otherwise!) services, and even the average annual temperatures and rainfall. Advertisement - Article continues below The resulting index allows ALA to name a lay-by on the A713 in Galloway in the south of Scotland as the UK's worst spot to get stuck in with car trouble, closely followed by lay-by 99 on the A9 southbound near Etteridge in the Scottish Highlands. 'The A713 lay-by scored the lowest overall for mobile signal, making it tougher to call for help when you need it most, while the A9 lay-by 99 may have scenic views, but you'd best have wrapped up for the journey if you find yourself stuck, as it's the worst weather-wise,' ALA explained. Third and fourth places go to lay-bys on the B4302 at Talley in Wales, and the A483 near Gresford, also in Wales. In fact Scotland and Wales grab all top six slots, with A84 (central Scotland) and A470 lay-bys (south Wales) next in the running order before the South East makes a surprising entry into the table – with a lay-by named as 'SY2' on the A44, a road which heads from Oxfordshire into, er… Wales again. Eighth, ninth and 10th spots in the ratings are the A57 Cutthroat Bridge lay-by on the A57 in the North-West that sounds positively dangerous, and two entries from the South-West on the A37 and A40. Check any car's MoT history in a few easy clicks with our MoT checker tool... Find a car with the experts Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here's everything we know so far Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers 'should steer clear' of these popular yet unreliable cars
The used car market can be a minefield [stock image] (Image: Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images) A popular online motoring influencer has flagged several car models for their dismal reliability ratings, cautioning used car shoppers to steer clear. Abigayle Andre is the force behind the TikTok channel @shetalkscars, where she churns out videos doling out advice on slashing car running costs and pinpoints top picks for new and pre-owned vehicles. In a fresh clip, Abigayle unpacks the UK's least reliable cars, as unearthed by a study from ALA Insurance, warning fans to give the Range Rover Evoque a wide berth if they're hunting for a steadfast SUV. She shared her personal ordeal: "This one is particularly touchy for me. READ MORE: Shoppers 'obsessed' with £20 retinol serum that 'smooths deep wrinkles' in two months "This channel would not be here if it wasn't for this car breaking down that much." Adding with a hint of relief: "It's the Range Rover Evoque! I don't miss that thing." Introduced in 2018, the second-gen Evoque is the most accessible Range Rover on the market right now, boasting an array of engines including petrol, diesel, and hybrids. Nonetheless, ALA Insurance pointed out that owners of the Range Rover Evoque placed 213 warranty claims in 2023 alone, slotting it as the third-most unreliable vehicle in Britain. For those still tempted by the Range Rover Evoque charm, Abigayle suggests targeting models under three years old that are still covered by the manufacturer's warranty, reports the Express. A Range Rover Evoque (Image: UGC) To add to Land Rover's woes, Abigayle later reveals in her video that the two other models at the bottom of the reliability chart also hail from the Jaguar Land Rover family. She said: "Number two is shocking but not surprising, and I know that this is going to upset people because, for many, this is their dream car. It's the Range Rover Sport. "And brace yourselves, folks – can you guess what took the number one position? I was totally expecting this one. Ta da! Sitting right at the pinnacle of unreliability is the Land Rover Discovery Sport." The video has since gone viral, racking up more than 112,000 views and 1,700 likes, sparking a fierce debate amongst drivers on whether Jaguar Land Rover vehicles truly merited such a prominent spot on the list. One disgruntled viewer shared their expensive ordeal: "A Discovery Sport blew up on me. Out of control, I had to pay for the new engine as it was a write off. £10,000!" On the other hand, a satisfied customer countered with praise for their vehicle: "Range Rover Sport, five years [I've] had mine. [It] hasn't failed once, the most reliable motor I've had."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Used car expert says 'avoid' buying these 3 popular models
Car journalist Abigayle Andre reckons said these vehicles aren't the most reliable buys Car buyers are being warned to avoid certain vehicles which one expert claims aren't the most reliable. Car journalist and well-known motoring personality Abigayle Andre regularly shares content on social media offering tips to help drivers lower their motoring costs, while recommending both used and new vehicles to buy. In a video published on her TikTok channel @shetalkscars, Abigayle highlighted some of the most unreliable cars available on UK roads, according to the latest study published by ALA Insurance. Among those which should be avoided is the Range Rover Evoque. As reported by The Express, she said: "This one is particularly touchy for me. This channel would not be here if it wasn't for this car breaking down that much." Built since 2018, the second-generation Evoque is currently the most affordable Range Rover for sale and can be ordered with a wide range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. But according to ALA Insurance, 213 warranty claims were issued by Range Rover Evoque owners in 2023, making it the third-least reliable car in the UK. People who are interested in buying a Range Rover Evoque are advised to try to find one that is under three years old, and therefore still under warranty. Later in the video, Abigayle revealed that two models with a poor reputation for reliability are from Jaguar Land Rover. She said: "Number two is shocking but not surprising, and I know that this is going to upset people because, for many, this is their dream car. It's the Range Rover Sport. "But can you guess what number one is? I was not surprised to see this at the top spot at all. Ta da! The most unreliable car is the Land Rover Discovery Sport." The video has sparked debate among viewers. It has racked up over 112,000 views and 1,700 likes, with opinions split on whether so many Jaguar Land Rover vehicles should be featured on the list. One viewer said: "A Discovery Sport blew up on me. Out of control, I had to pay for the new engine as it was a write off £10,000!" Another person said: " Range Rover Sport, five years [I've] had mine. [It] hasn't failed once, the most reliable motor I've had." A new Land Rover Discovery Sport costs at least £54,000. Abigayle Andre is known for her car insurance hacks and for interviewing Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.
