The Health Protection Agency has called for more research to be done into a possible link between Legionnaire’s Disease and motorists who don’t use additives in thier vehicle screen wash bottles. This comes after a preliminary study suggested that there is a strong association between the disease and drivers who use just water in their wash bottles. A further study is now needed to see if adding screenwash solutions to water in the wash bottle can kill the bacteria which cause the disease and so reduce the risk.

A separate investigation showed that 1 in 5 cars that were tested with no screen wash aditive in the bottle did contain the Legionella bacteria whereas no car with screen wash aditive was found to have the bacteria present.

A  proposal to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were published recently by the Department for Transport. 

The changes in regulations are needed due to differences that have arisen between new vehicles, which are fitted with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not. Because of the fact that newer LGVs are fitted with speed limiters they are only able to travel at 56 mph whereas older, unlimited, vehicles can travel up to 70 mph on motorways. The same problem arises between older and new vehicles with over 8 seats, with the newer vehicles being limited to 62 mph. In addition to this limited vehicles are not allowed to use the right hand lane of a three lane motorway but unlimited vehicles are.

Not only can this cause confusion with other drivers it also provides no incentive to companies to invest in newer, safer and more fuel efficient vehicles.

 The proposals put forward in the consultation document include:

-  Setting a 65 mph limit for all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-  Setting the motorway speed limit at 60 mph for all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes regardless of whether or not they are fitted with a speed limiting device;

-  Prohibiting all HGVs between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and all buses, minibuses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats from using the right hand lane of motorways with three or more lanes.

Paul Clark, the Road Safety Minister commented:

“We want to provide clarity for everybody – drivers, operators, other motorists and the police – as well as making sure that there is a level playing field for those operating in the bus, coach and road haulage industry.

“These proposals simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and lorries so that everyone has to abide by the same rules regardless of the age of their vehicle.”

A poll by Express Insurance shows the stereotype of ‘White Van Man’ being partial to the odd fry-up, a bet on the horses and a smoking habit to rival a 1970s Beagle to be more than a little exaggerated. The research  was conducted to see whether the image of the UK’s van drivers had evolved since radio presenter, Sarah Kennedy, first coined the phrase ‘White Van Man’ back in 1997.

According to the survey of more than 1000 van drivers across the country a healthy cereal breakfast, regular exercise and exotic holidays are all part and parcel of the life of the White Van Man in 2010.

The survey revealed that more 40 per cent visit the gym on a regular basis and now enjoyed holidaying in Latin America, South East Asia and the Caribbean.

Only 8 per cent of those asked said that the day had to start with a cooked breakfast, just 27 per cent smoke and spending time with the family was the number one pastime.

Some things don’t change. Football remains the favorite sport and action and comedy films are still preferred to costume dramas and romantic comedies.