Archive for February, 2010

Seize the Moment: Fabulous Wedding Car Hire Ideas

The moment is finally here, guests are ecstatic to see the bride in her most beautiful day, but wait-there’s no car? How could one marrying couple overlook the most important thing-wedding car? Every bride should remember that her means of transportation also will make a great impact on the wedding day itself. The wedding would not be complete without the wedding car.

Recent changes in fashion and lifestyle have paved the way for wedding cars to go with the changing trend. Wedding car hire may come in different styles like Carriages, limousines, and even convertibles have made their statement among weddings. Some even go to wedding car hire. Such services make sure you get the right type of vehicle on your wedding.

Wedding car hire services will ask you the type of wedding you will have, of course, where it will be done, and how much you will go for a very fabulous yet sophisticated wedding cars. Wedding car hire agencies will provide you with the details of their services and will even offer a chauffeur to extend their help during your special day.

Choosing the best wedding cars for your wedding is as vital as choosing your wedding venue and wedding style. So always be careful, one more thing about wedding car hire is that you should be comfortable with the design as well as the value you are paying for. Even months before your wedding, research or even ask friends for wedding car services which they know and approve of.

Commercial Vehicle Drivers Should Take A Break

Commercial Vehicle Drivers Should Take A Break

An estimated 20% of all road accidents are caused by tiredness each year. Commercial vehicle drivers are at particular risk, with about one in four tiredness related crashes involving somebody at the wheel of such a vehicle.

Drivers of lorries, trucks and vans, in particular, are urged to ensure that they have had an adequate amount of rest and that they feel refreshed before setting off on a journey.

John Charles, a representative of Fleet News, said, ‘being fatigued significantly raises the risk of a collision. It makes van drivers less alert to what is happening on the road and less able to react quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises’.

According to the official guidelines, released by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), commercial vehicle drivers should be on the road for a maximum of 10 hours per day. It is strongly advised that they take a number of breaks within this period. They should organize their trip in advance so that they are fully aware of the places that they can stop.

Mr Charles said, ‘planning journeys more diligently, identifying places where drivers know they can stop safely to rest if they become fatigued and being aware of the body’s biological clock or circadian rhythms’ are all good ideas.

There are a number of contributing factors which can all lead to a driver falling asleep behind the wheel. There is a higher likelihood of this situation occurring at certain times of the day. The most dangerous periods are from midnight to six o clock in the morning and from two o clock to four o clock in the afternoon. It is during this time that the body clock takes a ‘dip’.

Perhaps one of the most obvious causes of driver tiredness is a lack of sleep. People may experience a lack of sleep for any number of reasons. Among these are disturbed sleep, perhaps caused by a baby or domestic problems, or sleep disorders such as insomnia. Insufficient rest periods can also cause a driver to feel tired. It is often best for people suffering from a lack of sleep to be checked at the doctors before driving anywhere.

Medication can also cause a person to feel drowsy. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs can affect an individuals ability to drive. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist of the effects that drugs can have on your driving.

A factor which many people may not consider when driving is that vehicles today are far quieter than they were in years past. The driver may experience such a smooth ride that it is easy to day dream or fall asleep. Commercial vehicle drivers are reminded of the necessity of being alert and refreshed at the start of a journey. If they feel that their mind is wandering it is best to pull over for a rest.

According to research, drivers are usually aware when they are becoming sleepy. They may experience difficulty concentrating, yawning, heavy eyelids, rolling of eyes and neck muscles relaxing. They are advised against attempts to battle their way through the symptoms of tiredness. It is best to pull over at the first possible opportunity.

Alastair Peoples, acting chief executive at VOSA, said, ‘research shows that up to one in six serious crashes are caused by drivers falling asleep and a significant number of crashes is caused by lack of attention which is also often due to sleepiness’.

A sleepy driver poses considerable danger to other road users. Any Commercial Vehicle Insurance policy is highly unlikely to cover accidents caused by tiredness