Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor of the Irish Times answers your queries.
From Fiona Shields:
I'm having a debate with my colleague over whether motoristsare allowed to use mobile phones in cars. I know you are not allowed to use them but she says that you can for now and that the gardai can't do anything to stop you. Who is right?
Neither of you. Your colleague is correct in that the initial proposal to ban mobile phone-use by drivers ran into difficulty shortly after it was announced, so it isn't actually a penalty point offence to use hand-held phones in cars for now. The Minister has stated, however, that he fully intends tointroduce a full ban as part of the new Road Traffic Act due before the Dáil the spring. Gardaí do have the power to stop you from using your phone, however. They can simply charge you with a normal traffic offence of driving without due care and attention. Of course, you could fight it in the courts but - with a proviso for our supreme lack of legal knowledge - we reckon your chances of success would be slim. The problem for gardaí is that mobile phone use carries no penalty points at present, but in the future there will be one point for someone caught using a mobile, or three points if contested in court and found guilty.
While the ban will only affect hand-held mobiles at the start, the Minister has warned that other items, such as the bluetooth or hands-free systems will be carefully monitored and may be banned in the future if gardaí request it. A recent study by the AA in Britain showed such systems are just as distracting to drivers.
From S Clarke:
I'm looking to buy a used car in the New Year and I've been told that the hire cars are worth considering, particularly if there's low mileage. A garage nearby has a couple that may beworth looking at. I have been shopping around for a while but I'm wondering if I should buy now or wait for until January.
Hire cars are generally good buys, have good service history and in some cases have little mileageon the clock. Years ago they were scuffed and worn out on Irish roads by visiting Americans new to the concept of driving on the left, or turning corners for that matter. These days the car is just as likely to have been used by European businessmen getting around the city suburbs.
Have a good look at it, but as the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred, they offer some sweet deals. It's very hard to predict whether now is the right time to pick up a bargain. Certainly with the rush to get 04-registered cars and dealers keen to get some cash in the bank so they can buy new models, you could probably do a good deal at present.
The only potential problem is that a lot of the hire market cars came back earlier in the autumn andthe really good ones may have already been snapped up. It's a tough call, but generally we'd suggest there's no real need to wait to the New Year to buy rental and a dealer may offer a good price to get a car off his forecourt before the trade-ins arrive in January.
From Paul White:
My son was recently quoted €530 for a set of regular tyres. Icouldn't believe it when he told me and we went down to another local garage, where we wereoffered exactly the same tyres for €350. That's a difference of €180 for the same product. What is this country coming to? I myself have since discovered by surfing the Internet that the very cigarette lighter on my car is part of an optional 'smoking package' on my car. Idon't even smoke and never knew it was an option.
Consumers need to be extra vigilant - because even on small items the variations in price can beenormous. It's not just tyres, but all replacement items like wipers. Shop around and, as the current radio campaign advocates, be price conscious and aware. It's crazy that we haggle over a few hundred euros on the price of a car, complain about an increase in motor tax of up to €64, yet we happily buy the first part that comes along. This despite the fact it may be 20-30 per cent cheaper next door. New EU rules should also make it easier to get even the most complicated parts without harming your warranty, and that should make it easier for motorists to shop around. As for tyres, good quality treads are vital for road safety, especially coming in to the winter months. It's ridiculous to scrimp and save on such a vital element in a car worth thousands. That said, tyres tend to represent uncharted territory for many car owners - and they can easily lose hundreds of euros as a consequence. The only answer is to shop around.
Send your queries to:
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie