Latest news with #BlueBadge
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Can speed cameras catch you from the front? Expert explains
That's why speed cameras have become essential in a bid to save lives. There are many myths around speed cameras, including how far one can record your speed and what speed actually triggers the roadside technology. UK speed limits explained But some might be wondering if speed cameras can catch you from the front and if a picture of your face can be taken. Let's find out, according to motoring experts at the RAC and AA. Can speed cameras catch you from the front? The RAC explains: 'Most speed cameras are rear-facing, however, there are exceptions. 'Truvelo Combi cameras, radar and laser speed guns, and the new 'Long Ranger' camera – that can measure speed and check for other driving violations from a kilometre away – all work by facing the front of vehicles.' Blue Badge user rules Do speed cameras catch your face? The AA says: 'If the camera detects speeding, it takes a digital image. 'The image will catch the vehicle's colour, type, make and registration plate. 'It may also capture the face of the driver, depending on the type of camera and which way it's facing.' Yet the AA adds not all cameras will get a clear picture of the driver. But speed cameras will also record: Time and date of the offence Speed you were travelling Speed limit on the road When caught speeding, the minimum penalty is usually a £100 fine and three points on your licence. Recommended reading: The AA continues: 'However, this could be higher if you've gone over the speed limit by a lot. You can even get a court summons. 'If it's a first offence and you don't have points on your licence, you could be offered a speed awareness course instead of penalty points. You can find more information about speed cameras on the RAC and AA websites.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Can speed cameras catch you from the front? Expert explains
Plus, more than 2,500 are left seriously injured, and that's all because drivers are travelling too fast, the RAC reports. That's why speed cameras have become essential in a bid to save lives. There are many myths around speed cameras, including how far one can record your speed and what speed actually triggers the roadside technology. UK speed limits explained But some might be wondering if speed cameras can catch you from the front and if a picture of your face can be taken. Let's find out, according to motoring experts at the RAC and AA. Can speed cameras catch you from the front? The RAC explains: 'Most speed cameras are rear-facing, however, there are exceptions. 'Truvelo Combi cameras, radar and laser speed guns, and the new 'Long Ranger' camera – that can measure speed and check for other driving violations from a kilometre away – all work by facing the front of vehicles.' Blue Badge user rules Do speed cameras catch your face? The AA says: 'If the camera detects speeding, it takes a digital image. 'The image will catch the vehicle's colour, type, make and registration plate. 'It may also capture the face of the driver, depending on the type of camera and which way it's facing.' Yet the AA adds not all cameras will get a clear picture of the driver. But speed cameras will also record: Time and date of the offence Speed you were travelling Speed limit on the road When caught speeding, the minimum penalty is usually a £100 fine and three points on your licence. Recommended reading: The AA continues: 'However, this could be higher if you've gone over the speed limit by a lot. You can even get a court summons. 'If it's a first offence and you don't have points on your licence, you could be offered a speed awareness course instead of penalty points. You can find more information about speed cameras on the RAC and AA websites.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Hosepipe ban for millions of households from TOMORROW – how to avoid £1,000 fine
Scroll down to see if your area is affected H2O-NO! Hosepipe ban for millions of households from TOMORROW – how to avoid £1,000 fine Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HOSEPIPE ban for millions will take effect from tomorrow following the driest spring in over 100 years. Southern Water was the latest to bring in restrictions for customers following another spell of hot weather. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A hosepipe ban for millions will take effect from tomorrow Restrictions will be brought in from 9am on July 21 across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. But other areas serviced by Southern Water such as West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent won't be impacted. Southern Water said customers on its Priority Services Register with medical or mobility needs are also exempt from the ban. This also includes Blue Badge holders and those on a WaterSure tariff. However, the company is still urging these households to restrict their usage where possible. No end date has been confirmed for the hosepipe ban with Southern Water saying it will remove it "as soon as we can". Anyone who is affected by the ban cannot use their hosepipe for the following purposes: watering gardens filling paddling pools, hot tubs or swimming pools washing cars, patios, or windows Where else is affected? Thames Water is set to bring in a ban for households in Oxfordshire, Gloucetershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire on Tuesday, July 22. The company is not bringing in a ban for the whole of its coverage area, just for the following postcodes: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. The hot weather has parched the land and drained reservoirs across the country as UK hit with hosepipe bans Thames Water said the reason these areas have had a ban imposed is because the Farmoor Reservoir, which supplies them, has seen its water levels drop significantly. Elsewhere, Yorkshire Water brought in a ban on July 11 across the whole of Yorkshire following the driest spring on record in the area. While South East Water enforced restrictions from Friday, July 18 for households in Kent and Sussex. The water firm said demand for water had increased to the highest levels it had ever seen for this time of year, leaving its reservoir and underground water storage levels low. All three firms are yet to confirm end dates for the bans. How to avoid a £1,000 fine Anyone who doesn't follow the hosepipe ban faces a fine of up to £1,000 under the Management Act 2010. Yet there are work-arounds to the bans, with loopholes allowing people to water newly laid turf for a restricted period, typically 28 days, to establish roots and prevent it from drying out. Water companies generally acknowledge this and offer exemptions, but it's always advisable to verify the specific regulations of your local water supplier. If you're uncertain or wish to err on the side of caution, you can also use a watering can, bucket, or drip irrigation system to hydrate your turf during the ban. If you opt to use a hosepipe, aim to water during off-peak hours to reduce water consumption and evaporation. A timer can also be useful to ensure the turf is watered at the optimal time and prevent overwatering. You will likely still be able to water your plants or wash your car using a watering can or bucket too. You can also use water that is not from the mains, like grey water from baths and cooking pots or rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe. Or you can use a hosepipe for medical reasons such as if you need to fill a pool due to a disability or illness you have. Blue badge holders are typically exempt from bans, as well as gardeners using approved drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with pressure-reducing valves.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Over 2.8million Brits can sidestep the hosepipe ban and may not even know it – check all the exceptions
MILLIONS of Brits can sidestep the many hosepipe bands springing up around the country – but may not know it. As much of England faces a blanket ban on using hosepipes to counter water shortages, there are a group of people who will avoid the penalty. 1 Southern Water is the latest company to announce a hosepipe ban – affecting almost one million customers – due to prolonged dry weather. The move will come into force for residents across much of Hampshire and all of the Isle of Wight from 9am on Monday, July 21. It will ban the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. Managing director Tim McMahon apologised to customers and said: "Only by working together can we make sure there's enough water to go around for customers and the environment." Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water are also bringing in, or have brought in bans. Anyone who breaches the ban without permission from the water company could be fined up to £1,000. But anyone who holds a Blue Badge, issued by the government, can carry on using the watering method. More than 2.8million people currently have the badges, which can be displayed in vehicles. These are issued to people with disabilities or health conditions to allow them to park closer to their destination. They cost up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and are free in Wales. They usually last up to three years. Under regulations governing water companies and hosepipe ban enforcement, people who are registered disabled, Blue Badge holders or on a water companies' priority services register, are exempt from the ban. Rainfall across England was 20% less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said. More heatwave conditions have followed in July, with the Met Office warning weather extremes such as heat have become the "norm" for the UK as a result of climate change driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Drought was declared in East and West Midlands on Tuesday, July 15 with the region joining swathes of northern England in drought status. Yorkshire Water became the first major water company to bring in a hosepipe ban which came into effect on Friday, July 11. South East Water has announced a hosepipe ban in Kent and Sussex from July 18, and Thames Water is bringing in a ban from Tuesday, July 22 for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. Southern Water said restrictions would come in for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from July 21. How do you qualify for a Blue Badge? You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 3 or over and at least one of the following applies: You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component). You are registered blind (severely sight impaired). You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement. You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. You receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress. If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application. Other conditions and benefits also make a person eligible, including if you cannot walk at all or you cannot walk without help from someone else. Click here to find out more. SOURCE: UK Government.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Over 2.8million Brits can sidestep the hosepipe ban and may not even know it – check all the exceptions
Plus, all the regions where bans are in place WASH ON EARTH? Over 2.8million Brits can sidestep the hosepipe ban and may not even know it – check all the exceptions Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of Brits can sidestep the many hosepipe bands springing up around the country – but may not know it. As much of England faces a blanket ban on using hosepipes to counter water shortages, there are a group of people who will avoid the penalty. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Southern Water recently joined other companies in issuing a hosepipe ban Credit: Getty Southern Water is the latest company to announce a hosepipe ban – affecting almost one million customers – due to prolonged dry weather. The move will come into force for residents across much of Hampshire and all of the Isle of Wight from 9am on Monday, July 21. It will ban the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. Managing director Tim McMahon apologised to customers and said: "Only by working together can we make sure there's enough water to go around for customers and the environment." Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water are also bringing in, or have brought in bans. Anyone who breaches the ban without permission from the water company could be fined up to £1,000. But anyone who holds a Blue Badge, issued by the government, can carry on using the watering method. More than 2.8million people currently have the badges, which can be displayed in vehicles. These are issued to people with disabilities or health conditions to allow them to park closer to their destination. They cost up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and are free in Wales. They usually last up to three years. Under regulations governing water companies and hosepipe ban enforcement, people who are registered disabled, Blue Badge holders or on a water companies' priority services register, are exempt from the ban. UK weather: Met Office issues yellow rain warning with thunderstorms on the way as heatwave ends Rainfall across England was 20% less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said. More heatwave conditions have followed in July, with the Met Office warning weather extremes such as heat have become the "norm" for the UK as a result of climate change driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Drought was declared in East and West Midlands on Tuesday, July 15 with the region joining swathes of northern England in drought status. Yorkshire Water became the first major water company to bring in a hosepipe ban which came into effect on Friday, July 11. South East Water has announced a hosepipe ban in Kent and Sussex from July 18, and Thames Water is bringing in a ban from Tuesday, July 22 for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. Southern Water said restrictions would come in for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from July 21.
