The Short Term Car Insurance Revolution

Although last 10 years or so the car insurance industry in the United Kingdom has gone through many changes, which is not being terribly popular with insurers who are, by tradition, adverse to change. One major factor in this has been the growth of the Internet and, more importantly, the greater acceptance of the population at large of the idea of buying services, including insurance, online. By automating different processors it has been possible to economically sell products which once upon a time would not have been possible under the old system whereby carry insurance was invariably sold by local insurance brokers, and one such product Has been short term car insurance which has undergone a phenomenal growth. You can learn more about this product at www.newzoid.com.

Stepping Up Driver Responsibility Beyond UK Car Insurance

UK car insurance can provide property, liability and medical care protection in the event of an accident. Drivers should be aware of traffic collision facts and factors that lead to crashes. In 2004, worldwide estimates reported that 1.2 million people were killed and 50 million more were injured in motor vehicle collisions. Motorcyclist casualty statistics show that they are more than twice as likely to suffer severe injury in a collision. In Great Britain during 2005 there were 198,735 road crashes. Casualties, reported as 271,017, included 3,201 deaths and 28,954 serious injuries, or 10.7%. Car users represented 66% of these casualties, or 178,302 people, and 9% motorcyclists or 24,824 motorcyclists. Twenty-four percent were injured and 569 were killed (or 2.3%).

In 2006, exceeding the speed limit appeared as a contributing factor in 5% of casualty crashes and 14% of fatal crashes, according to a British road casualty report. Driving too fast for conditions contributed to 11% of casualty crashes and 18% of fatal crashes. Forecasts predict that by the year 2020 road traffic deaths and injuries will exceed HIV/AIDS when it comes to death and disability.

Motor vehicle speed, driver impairment, road design, environmental conditions and other factors can result in motor vehicle crashes. Driver impairment includes physical impairment. Physical impairment includes alcohol, poor eyesight, old age, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and drug use. Physical impairment includes physical conditions that require vehicle modification. Sight tests can prescreen identification of drivers and require sight correction devices such as glasses or contact lenses while driving. Old age may impair driver reaction speed and eyesight. Sleep deprivation, fatigue and drug use can also impair a driver and lead to collisions.

The relative risk of an accident increases with blood alcohol levels. In Canada approximately 33.8% of car crashes involved alcohol use. Besides alcohol, substances that can impair drivers include legal pharmaceuticals such as prescription drugs and over the counter medications. Antihistamines, opiods and muscarinic antagonists are over the counter drugs that can impair driving ability. The use of illegal drugs can also adversely affect driving abilities.

Drivers may be legally under the influence of prescription or over the counter medicine yet still be a potential hazard to themselves and others on the road. Pedestrians or cyclists are also affected in the same way and pose similar risks to themselves or others when under the influence of medicine.

Research suggests that attention of drivers can also be distracted by sounds, music, conversations and the operation of mobile phones. The type of music can affect drivers differently. Classical music, though soothing, may cause drivers to over relax, while rock music may encourage drivers to accelerate driving speed.

Air bags, anti-lock brakes, front and rear head restraints, impact absorbing bumpers, retractable head lamps, and impact absorbing side panels were car among 1970s car safety design prototype innovations initiated by British Leyland's vehicle safety research programme.

The Campaign for Safe Road Design is a 13 member consortium imploring the UK Government to elevate safe road design into a national transportation priority. UK research shows that safe road infrastructure programmes can reduce road deaths by 33%, resulting in annual savings of as much as £6billion. UK car insurance can provide peace of mind and protection from the repercussions of auto accidents; however, driver awareness of injury, deaths and steps to take to avoid becoming a casualty are available.

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