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Motorists Worry About Safety On The School Run

AS THE start of new school term approaches, the latest research from BCA, a leading vehicle remarketing company, reveals the pressures faced by parents - and other motorists - on school run routes. Both parents and non-parents were surveyed and with nearly half (45%) of non-parents saying they drive by schools or use the same route as parents dropping off their children, it's clear that school runs create some significant pinch-points. Key findings: 46% of all motorists believe parents drive their children to school because it takes too long to walk 30% of non-parents believe children demand to be driven to school, compared to just 17% of parents Over a third (38%) of all motorists think unreliable public transport prompts parents to drive children to school More than half (57%) of motorists see illegal parking outside of school gates 44% of have seen parents and children not looking at oncoming traffic when opening car doors Both parents and non-parents were most in favour of schools creating drop-off areas to tackle congestion and parking issues during the school run at 52% and 57% respectively 29% of parents think police officers should be on patrol to tackle parking issues during the school run Parents in Northern Ireland are most likely to drive their children to school, topping the list at 51%, followed by families in the North East and West Midlands at 39%.

Daftest hard shoulder stops revealed

DRIVERS have illegally stopped on motorway hard shoulders for all sorts of barely believable reasons, according to a list from the Highways Agency Some of the dumb and dumber reasons include picking flowers, renewing insurance policies and even trying to sell their car. One motorist pulled over after seeing "Fire" on his dashboard display, but fortunately for his car it turned out to be the name of an Adele track he was listening to. On another occasion, traffic officers found two cars on the hard shoulder, with the owners halfway through the selling and buying process for one of the cars.

Late to the Fiesta: Ford offers $50 gift cards to buyers whose cars are late

Ford is giving a $50 Ford gift card to buyers of the 2011 Ford Fiesta who have had to wait longer than expected for their vehicles to be delivered. Ford spokeswoman Angie Kozleski confirmed that the company was giving the MasterCard gift cards to customers who ordered the new Fiesta, calling it “a token of our appreciation for their patience.” Ford couldn't disclose how many cards it is distributing, but said retail customers who reserved or placed an order for the new Fiesta would receive one. Fiestas have been slow to get to dealerships after a hurricane that hit Mexico in June crippled rail lines used to ship vehicles made at Ford's plant in Cuautitlan, near Mexico City.