Summer means less Traffic and more Travel for the AA

Thu, Jun 06, 2013

June means a change of pace and a different set of priorities for us in the AA. Traffic is never as bad in the Summer months.  Car breakdowns do still happen but they tend to be more scattered through the day and across the country, reflecting travel patterns as many families start to think of summer holidays.

High five as Nissan launches new models

Thu, Jun 06, 2013

Nissan has launched five new models on the Irish market that the carmaker claims will strike a chord with consumers.

Seven per cent of Irish drivers have had damage done by an uninsured driver

Thu, May 30, 2013

No-one likes paying bills especially when they are compulsory. Motor insurance is a classic grudge purchase. It is resented and resisted. People tend not to have any loyalty to a particular company and will do whatever they can to lower the cost.

Which is all fine but there are people who take it a step further and choose not to pay at all. This is illegal and we should not have any sympathy for those who do it because they effectively raise the cost for the rest of us.

Bradley Motor Works launches customer loyalty scheme

Thu, May 30, 2013

Galway’s Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda and Renault dealership, Bradley Motor Works, has launched the west’s first vehicle service loyalty scheme for its customers.

Summer cyclists – a new and colourful hazard on the roads

Thu, May 16, 2013

Working for the AA can get you into hottish water from time to time. There are those who contact me on a fairly regular basis about the behaviour of cyclists. A lot of people have a lot to say about badly behaved cyclists on our roads and a few suggest colourful and rather draconian punishments for them.

There is the other side as well – plenty of cyclists have encountered obnoxious and dangerous car drivers. I have seen mini road rage incidents on both sides, including cars deliberately splashing cyclists through puddles or blasting them with horns. I’ve also seen a spandex-psycho kicking a car wing-mirror in retribution for something or other, which is unforgiveable.

Electric cars for Dublin EU environment summit

Thu, May 16, 2013

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potonik, pictured beside a 100 per cent Nissan Leaf electric car at Dublin Airport. As part of ESB’s sponsorship of Ireland’s presidency of the EU, the company is facilitating the provision of electric cars.

Fatigue – the fourth ‘Big Killer’

Thu, May 09, 2013

Using the roads is the single most dangerous thing that most of us do every day. It is more than a little terrifying when you think about it. Especially for drivers, we control a ballistic missile weighing more than a tonne travelling at anything up to 120 kph.

As we fiddle with the radio, yawn, daydream, we are at every single moment only a heartbeat away from dying or killing someone else.

New Audi S3 hatchback arrives

Thu, May 09, 2013

The Audi S3 hatchback is now available to order with an entry level price of €45,260 on-the-road.

Wow, the stunning new BMW Z4 is on the way

Thu, May 09, 2013

The interplay of classical proportions and state-of-the-art technology defines the unmistakable character of the BMW Z4 – and now an updated version of the roadster is ready for action, armed with a raft of additional powertrain and equipment innovations.

Rating results confirm Volvo’s safety leadership

Thu, May 02, 2013

Talk to Volvo Cars and the company will tell you that as far as it is concerned, every year is a safety year.

The company is working towards the vision that by 2020 nobody should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo – and data from independent rating institutes all over the world emphasise and reinforce this life-saving philosophy.

Nissan launches new finance product

Thu, May 02, 2013

Nissan has launched a new finance product, which, it says, offers customers a surprisingly affordable way to drive a new Nissan.

Skoda Yeti named 'most satisfying car' again

Thu, May 02, 2013

The Skoda Yeti has been named Britain’s most satisfying car to own in the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

New Peugeot 208 GTi offers performance and style

Thu, May 02, 2013

Peugeot’s iconic GTi returns to Irish roads next month.

End of the line for cowboy clampers

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

I was very pleased to see this month that Leo Varadkar is planning to tighten the rules for private clampers. Back in February of last year I attended a session of the Oireachtas Transport Committee to let them know what the AA felt about the issue.

BMW named Ireland’s most reputable company

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

BMW has been named the most reputable organisation in Ireland, according to the results of the annual Ireland RepTrak 2013 study, announced by Corporate Reputations today.

Toyota hybrid vehicle global sales top five million

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Global sales of Toyota Motor Corporation’s hybrid vehicles topped the five million unit mark at the end of March.

Ford’s new fuel-efficient 1.5-litre eco boost engine

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Ford Motor Company has confirmed a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will join its line-up of fuel-efficient, innovative powertrains.

Bradley Motor Works appointed Renault dealer

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Renault is back in business in Galway as Bradley Motor Works has been appointed main dealer in the county.

Damaging your own car is costly but common

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

Car manufacturers have spent millions investing in new technologies to protect drivers. There are thousands of components that go to make up a modern automobile and every single one has been researched, scrutinised, refined and redesigned a thousand times.

Mercedes-Benz world first in van safety systems

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

Mercedes-Benz is claiming a ‘world first’ status for its new Euro 6 compliant Sprinter vans range into which an additional five new safety assistance features are being fitted with the aim of preventing accidents from occurring.

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