Even when re-engineered as speed ‘ cushions ’ or ‘ tables ’, more than 30 years of speed humps hasn ’ t lessened the loathing among 62 % of a sample of 24,070 AA members . Road works wind up 59 % of those questioned but the true strength of feeling is revealed among ‘ extremely annoyed ’ drivers , making up 38 % of those against speed humps compared to 31 % of those against roadworks . The reason is perhaps best found in the number of times drivers bump into a hump each day – at least one a day for 50 % of drivers , between six and 10 a day for 14 % and more than 10 a day for 21 %. For fleet and business drivers , humps bring added risk to cargo , and even passengers , as evidenced

by the death of an 86-yearold passenger on a bus in 2014 . The prevalence of speed humps remains despite

them being introduced as far back as 1983 and the government ’ s ‘ dump the hump ’ initiative in June 2011 , which allowed

councils “ to put in place 20 mph schemes on residential roads or use common-sense measures such as variable speed limits

outside schools ”. More cost effective than speed humps , they also reduce the potential of damage to vehicles and the impact on ambulances . However , the cost of removing the older humps and the introduction of newer versions means that they remain daily obstacle for drivers . Drivers in Yorkshire and Humberside are most vexed ( 69 %) by road humps . However , with 27 % of them having to negotiate up to five speed humps a day , they are better off than the 36 % of Londoners and 29 % of the AA members in Northern Ireland facing the same challenge . Vehicles in the North East ( 17 %), Wales ( 17 %) and Northern Ireland ( 18 %) are most likely to face an ordeal of ten road humps or more a day .

DRIVING ADVICE AA DriveTech ’ s trainers recommend the following for driving over speed humps in business vehicles : Go slow on the approach , using brakes , and then let the vehicle ’ s momentum take the vehicle over the hump . With half bumps , keep the vehicle stable by straddling the bump equally . Smooth driving in humped areas is better than harsh acceleration and braking between them . Humps indicate the need for increased driver awareness as they tend to be placed in higher risk areas . Route planning to avoid road-humped residential streets can reduce their impact on cargo and passengers .

www . theaa . com

Motorists face yet another fuel price hike , following the news that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( Opec ) has agreed to limit output of the world ’ s oil for the first time in eight years . The cost to fill an average family car is set to rise by £ 5 as forecourt prices are pushed up , with a two-year high of 123p a litre estimated . This is a stark increase compared to 2016 : in February that year the price was just 101.1p / litre for diesel drivers and 101.5p / litre for petrol . To help to keep costs down , the people behind fuel additive Redex have come up with these tips :

KEEP TYRES INFLATED Having a lower tyre pressure can increase drag on your car , so it is beneficial to check pressures are correct . It could increase fuel efficiency by up to three per cent .

DECLUTTER YOUR CAR Clearing out junk from your boot and foot wells makes it easier to accelerate . By not carrying around any unnecessary weight , you can save around two per cent of fuel .

TAKE YOUR ROOF RACK OFF According to the RAC , a roof rack can affect fuel consumption by ten per cent . If you don ’ t need it , take it off , along with anything else inefficient .

DON ’ T FILL YOUR FUEL TANK UP While it might be tempting to fill your car up while prices are lower , fuel is heavy , so by doing so you ’ re adding quite a bit of weight to your vehicle . By filling up slightly more often and putting less in ( 1 / 2 or 3 / 4 full ), your car will run more efficiently . However , don ’ t be tempted to run the fuel too low – winter driving uses more fuel , so you ’ ll cover fewer miles per litre .

USE REDEX You can make your tank go further by using Redex , the fuel additive . It cleans the fuel system in your car , preventing build-up of harmful deposits on injectors . This increases miles per gallon , reduces emissions and ultimately extends engine life .

Redex is available in a handy boot pack of four ‘ one shot ’ bottles , for both diesel and petrol engines . The range is sold at Tesco , Asda , Halfords , Wilko and independent motoring specialists .

www . holtsauto . com