2009 news stories from the AA

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2009 news stories from the AA

30 December 2009The AA is calling on drivers to make a New Years Resolution to reduce driver distractions

Putting on mascara, watching 'Battlestar Galactica' on a lap top or ogling attractive pedestrians are all activities that drivers get up to behind the wheel, according to the AA.

23 December 2009Insurance claims coming in for damage to abandoned cars and for cars stolen while warming up

Drivers who abandoned their cars in the snow are returning to find them damaged. Claims are also coming in for cars stolen off drives while warming up, says AA Insurance.

23 December 2009AA breakdown patrols have attended 114,000 breakdowns over the last six days

By the end of today (Wednesday), the AA expects to have attended around 114,000 breakdowns in total across the UK since Friday, 18 December 2009 – its busiest period in ten years. The busiest day was Monday 21 December when AA patrols attended 22,000 breakdowns. We are expecting around 16,000 breakdowns today.

21 December 2009Stories from AA Insurance claims department highlight hazards of driving on snow and ice

Flying ice, parked cars, posts, telephone boxes – all fair game for out-of-control drivers, says AA Insurance It's carnage out there in the snow and ice, if the claims from AA Insurance are anything to go b.

21 December 2009The AA is having its busiest day on the roads in ten years with record numbers of breakdowns

Following an exceptionally busy weekend, the AA is having its busiest day on the roads in ten years with record numbers of breakdowns. By 3pm the UK's biggest breakdown organisation has attended around 16,000 breakdowns – more than the 10,000 it normally attends for the whole of a Monday in December.

20 December 2009AA warns of five routes to court for drink driving this Christmas

The police are increasing their targeting of drink drivers this festive season, a move welcomed by the AA and our members, especially as annual figures for 2008 showed an increase in drink-drive deaths – to 430 – while there was a substantial fall in overall road deaths. Last Christmas 183,397 breath tests were carried out with 5% proving positive, and there is every indication that Christmas 2009 will be similar. And there are five simple ways for a drink driver to be caught – and end up in Court:

18 December 2009December fuel prices - scrooge retailers siphon off Christmas spirit says AA

Average UK petrol prices, which last week rose to a level never seen before at this time of year, have started to fall, the mid-monthly AA Fuel Price Report for December reveals. However, many retailers have delayed passing on a drop in wholesale prices and major towns in the South are paying up to £2.50 a tank more for the cheapest petrol compared to others in the region.

17 December 2009AA Travel Insurance position in respect of the BA strike threat and Flyglobespan collapse

The following is the position of AA Travel Insurance in respect of the British Airways strike threat and collapse of Scottish operator Flyglobespan. Customers of the latter may be covered for financial failure as this is included in all AA travel insurance policies issued since 4th July 2009.

17 December 2009'Snow' joke this Christmas as 12 million expected to travel to visit family or friends

More than 12 million drivers are expected to put recessionary blues behind them and travel to spend Christmas with family or friends this year, according to new research from the AA.

16 December 2009Servicing cutbacks may come home to bite millions of motorists this winter

The 4.3 million drivers who said they were likely to cut back on servicing during the recession may be in for a chilling shock this winter, warns the AA. Over time, the antifreeze in engine coolant deteriorates, leaving it vulnerable to freezing – with no coolant circulating through the radiator, the engine can overheat resulting in potentially severe and expensive damage.

15 December 2009AA driving theory test App in iTunes top ten

The AA's Theory Test app for the iPhone and iPod Touch has made it into 6th place in the Rewind section for the best paid for app in 2009 in the iTunes store and has also topped the Educational category.

14 December 2009Half of UK local authorities have salt stocks for just six days of continuous freezing weather

Half of UK local authorities have salt stocks that would last just six days of continuous freezing weather, the AA has learnt. With the UK enduring its first cold snap, the UK's ability to deal with a major snowfall is again open to question. Continued reliance on supermarket-style 'just in time' deliveries leaves too many local authorities just as vulnerable to a lengthy big freeze or major snowfall as last year.

8 December 2009The AA has launched a new fuel prices application for the iPhone

The AA are coming to the aid of cash-strapped motorists by launching a fuel price iPhone application that will instantly help users reduce their motoring costs with the touch of the screen by finding the cheapest fuel near their current location.

8 December 2009The AA's pre-budget report 2009 fact file

On the day before the pre-budget statement the AA is warning the Chancellor not to pull any "tricks out of his box" to hammer the motorist in a pre-Christmas stunt - since the last pre-budget report fuel duty has already risen by 5.84 pence/litre so the Chancellor should not be looking to revise his plans on fuel duty.

4 December 2009AA Insurance calls for widespread police action against 'cash for crash' insurance scams

A new initiative by the Metropolitan Police to target 'cash for crash' insurance scams should be copied by other police forces, says AA Car Insurance. The Metropolitan Police has established a specialist unit to train officers to watch out for signs of suspicious collisions that could be staged accidents designed to defraud insurance companies for bogus personal injury claims.

3 December 2009AA reaction to drink/drug review by Sir Peter North QC

2 December 2009AA highlights importance of sports holiday insurance this winter

26 November 20091 in 7 loathe motorway driving or say they lack the skills needed for motorway driving

24 November 2009British drivers support planned new offence of 'keeping a vehicle without insurance'

20 November 2009New flood bill will still leave homes at risk of flooding according to AA Insurance

20 November 2009AA specialist flood team working flat out to rescue drivers in storm-hit Cumbria

20 November 2009Latest AA fuel price survey shows diesel hits £5 a gallon as fuel prices surge to new high

19 November 2009Canny drivers can save at the pumps with the new AA credit card

19 November 2009AA urges global ministers to support call for decade of action on road safety

16 November 2009Congestion starts to increase again - but is it the end of the recession

13 November 2009Start-of-the-weekend road deaths add new horror to Friday 13th

11 November 2009Motorists demand transparency over use of trainee driving instructors