There is such a thing as driving too slowly

Thu, May 17, 2012

So much of road safety centres around persuading people to slow down. Rightly so; speed does indeed kill. In ordinary circumstances any given human mistake and any given collision will be made much worse by excessive speed.

 Nevertheless there can be times when slow driving is what causes the problem. Think about a typical Irish single-carriageway road. We have a lot of these. You will generally get a fairly wide road with hard shoulders marked by yellow lines and the centre divide marked in white.

Mazda’s new CX-5 launched in Ireland

Thu, May 17, 2012

Mazda has just launched its new CX-5, a compact SUV crossover model.

Change the 13 number plate to lucky unique IE

Thu, May 17, 2012

On January 1 next year, the number 13 is set to adorn all new cars registered in the Republic of Ireland, writes Padraic Deane.

New Citan van to deliver for Mercedes-Benz

Thu, May 10, 2012

Mercedes-Benz has just taken the covers off its new compact urban delivery van, called the Citan, at a special press preview.

High and dry - Drugs the new alcohol?

Thu, May 03, 2012

There is a nasty hidden problem on Irish roads – drugs and driving. 

Of course the nastiest drug on the road is still alcohol, but at least that is a problem that is well understood. There is an abundance of research nationally and globally on the effects of alcohol, so much so that we can comfortably draw up clear rules for permitted levels in the blood. 

Sleek sophisticated all-new Kia cee’d arrives

Thu, May 03, 2012

The new Kia cee’d goes on sale here in Ireland early in May.

Speed limits have become an Irish joke

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Irish speed limits are daft. Without looking very hard, any one of us can come up with a list of locations where we know the limit is too high, too low, or just plain ridiculous. 

At the start of the year the AA asked people to report bad speed limits to us up and down the country.We got a tremendous response from motorists and those reports are still coming in. The pattern is not a pretty one – shambolic, daft, and ludicrous limits litter the country and no county is exempt. 

Jaguar confirms new F-Type sports car

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Jaguar confirmed at the recent New York Auto Show that it will bring a new sports car call the F-Type to production.

€5,000 spring bonus off new Nissan Leaf

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Nissan is inviting people to spring into action with its Leaf all-electric car, and has launched an enticing new promotion which should grab the attention of anyone who is interested in getting good old-fashioned value for money.

For a limited period, Nissan is offering an extra €5,000 spring bonus off the all-electric (no oil, no emissions, no exhaust) Nissan Leaf. What this means is that customers can now drive away in a new 100 per cent electric Nissan Leaf for €25,595.

A great ambassador for Honda

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Universal Honda, in conjunction with Clonskeagh Motors in Dublin, recently appointed Olympian Gráinne Murphy as a brand ambassador for Honda in Ireland.

New VW free insurance and road tax April offer

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

Volkswagen Ireland is offering free insurance and motor tax on any of its new cars purchased in April.

Audi compact SUV scores highest safety rating

Thu, Apr 26, 2012

The Audi Q3 has been rated best in class in the ‘Small Off-Road 4x4’ category by the European consumer protection initiative Euro NCAP.

The Q3 received five stars – the highest possible score – for passive crash safety.

Car tax on Road to Nowhere

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

The Irish government has a problem. It is a problem that the AA can be very relaxed about because it is something our members are likely to cheer. Vehicle Registration Tax takings have collapsed. This monstrous tax on car owners has always been deeply unpopular and lots of people will be glad to hear that motorists are paying far less of it.

Five years ago VRT raised €1.4 billion for the exchequer. This year they will be lucky to break €400 million. That is a shocking trend line even in a recession.

VW Ups the ante for the small car segment

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Annual World Car awards announced
The New York International Auto Show is the biggest attended motor exhibition in the United States and second biggest in the world. It is a fitting setting each Easter for the announcement of the World Car awards, and, having the honour to represent Ireland on the World Car jury, I was there to report on big event, writes Padraic Deane, our motoring correspondent of long-standing who represents Ireland on the World Car jury.

Stylish new Kia Optima arrives next week

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Kia's long-awaited family size Optima saloon will arrive here next week. The sister model of the Hyundai i40, the Optima has won numerous design awards worldwide.

Hyundai unveils new Santa Fe at New York Show

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Hyundai gave a world premiere to the new Santa Fe at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, reports Padraic Deane from the Big Apple.

Insurance Prices – be thankful we’re not as bad as UK

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

The average cost of motor insurance rose during the last year but only slightly. It is up by three per cent and most of that is explained by the increase in the government levy on insurance from 3 per cent to 5 per cent One more way in which the taxman gets his pound of flesh from us.

Pothole related damage down year on year

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

After a mild winter, damage to vehicles in Ireland as a result of potholes is down on last year, according to the results of an AA poll of more than 20,000 people.

Exclusive preview of Nissan NV400 at CV show

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Nissan has chosen the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham in April to give operators an exclusive preview of its new NV400 chassis cab range.

Volkswagen Up is the World Car of the Year

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

The Volkswagen Up has been declared the 2012 World Car of the Year at a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International AutoShow.

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