Behind the wheel with 1st CENTRAL
Sharing the latest news, views and top driving tips

9th April 2024

Drivers urged to ‘Think Bikes’ with stickers on mirrors

The latest Department for Transport figures show that 91 cyclists and 350 motorcyclists were killed on Britain’s Roads in 2022.   Now, on the 10th anniversary of […]
4th April 2024

Despite being hands-free, phones still cause distractions while driving

Do you use hands-free technology while driving?  While just over half of drivers say they don’t use their phones at all while behind the wheel, the […]
3rd April 2024

DIY tips for looking after your car

Knowing how to look after your car can save you time and money. Here’s some of our tips to help you avoid unnecessary trips to a […]
2nd April 2024

More than 70% of MOT testers could be banned

A swathe of mechanics across Britain could be prevented from carrying out MOT tests simply for not completing annual tests.  Are MOT testers leaving assessments too […]
28th March 2024

UK car production on the rise again

UK car production has increased for six consecutive months thanks, in part, to the gradual transition to electrified vehicles.  How many cars are being built?  The […]
26th March 2024

More than 14m car trips planned this weekend

If you’re planning on going away for Easter this weekend, make sure you know the best times to hit the road.  Good Friday to see 2.6m […]
21st March 2024

The 8 most misunderstood road signs

Understanding road signs is a vital part of keeping safe on the road. Thats why it’s important to get to know some of the more uncommon […]
20th March 2024

How to claim compensation for pothole damage to your car

Potholes have become one of the biggest problems on Britain’s roads. If your vehicle has been damaged by potholes, here’s how to claim compensation for the […]
19th March 2024

Car tax change could hit drivers with higher fees

A Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) update could see drivers hit with ‘significantly higher’ fees this year.  What is VED?  VED, also called car tax or road […]
12th March 2024

M25 to close this weekend

Part of the M25 will be closed for the first time this weekend as National Highways plan to carry out extensive work.  When and where will […]
7th March 2024

Spring Budget 2024: what drivers need to know

From fuel duty to national insurance, the Spring Budget covered a few motoring areas, but what do drivers need to know? We’ve got you covered – […]
6th March 2024

Tips for road trips with kids

Half the fun of a holiday is the road trip you take on your way to your destination. But if you don’t want to hear countless […]
5th March 2024

New car market sees strongest February in 20 years

Did you buy a new car last month?  If so, your purchase contributed to the highest February sales the UK’s new car market has seen in […]
29th February 2024

Most drivers haven’t seen the Highway Code since getting their licence

Have you freshened up your knowledge of driving rules recently?  More than half of UK drivers are unfamiliar with the latest Highway Code rules, a new […]
27th February 2024

Council road maintenance drops to lowest point in five years

Road maintenance in 2022/23 dropped to the lowest it’s been in five years according to RAC, analysis of the latest government statistics. Just 4% of A […]
15th February 2024

Braking hard for potholes causes more damage, study shows

When you see a pothole approaching on the road, do you immediately slam on the brakes?  This is a natural reaction for many drivers, as we […]
14th February 2024

Councils call for a ban on pavement parking

Do you think parking on pavements should be allowed? Recent investigations into pedestrian safety have councils calling for pavement parking to be banned across England. “Pavement […]
7th February 2024

More than 80% of drivers dislike using parking apps

How do you feel about parking apps?  A recent survey by Autocar revealed that more than four in five drivers dislike using the many parking apps […]
6th February 2024

Fuel price fall hits a standstill – but prices are still uneven across the country

Fuel prices finally stabilised in January after falling for three months, but price analysis reveals a ‘blatantly wrong’ 14p difference between the highest and lowest-priced supermarket […]
5th February 2024

UK’s most popular cars in 2023

The UK’s most popular cars from 2023 have been revealed, and not all is as expected. With almost 50,000 registrations, find out which car has dethroned […]