Drivers who know damaged car parts would be the least of their worries if they hit a pedestrian may agree the government needs to look at changing the way time is kept in the UK.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), serious thought should be given to adopting a Single Double Summer Time system.

It explained this would mean the clocks were two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in summer and one hour in front during winter.

Chief executive Tom Mullarkey stated: "It is time for the issue to come off the shelf and for the full implications to be considered. A three-year trial could answer many of the questions."

In the meantime, the organisation said it is vital motorists are particularly vigilant during winter when the dark evenings make it hard to spot pedestrians stepping into the road.

Last month, Rospa called on more drivers to consider refresher training.

People planning to attend the MPH Prestige and Performance Motor Show next month may be impressed by the latest addition to the lineup.

Organisers have revealed the Caterham Superlight R500 is due to appear in the Top Gear Live section of the event.

Fans of the television programme may already know the model was voted the show’s Car of the Year in 2008.

Last autumn, the Stig took the wheel of the six-speed, two-litre vehicle and achieved a time of one minute 17.9 seconds around the Top Gear test track.

According to organisers of the MPH show, this performance "embarrassed" many "big ticket supercars".

The Caterham Superlight R500 boasts 520 bhp-per-tonne.

Motorists keen to attend the MPH Prestige and Performance Motor Show have the choice of two venues – the event kicks off at London’s Earls Court between November 5th and 8th, before moving on to Birmingham’s NEC from November 12th to 15th.

In other news, Caterham recently announced it will be exhibiting at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Vintage vehicle enthusiasts who like to buy antique autos and restore them with car spares purchased online may find there are some tempting models on offer at this year’s Classic Motor Show.

Organisers have promised there will be numerous "internationally-renowned dealers" at the event.

Hurst Park Automobiles confirmed it will be offering attendees the chance to purchase a range of cars, such as a 1951 XK120 that has been restored to look and perform like a 1950s club racer.

Other dealers scheduled to make an appearance include Mercedes-Benz W123 expert Mark Cosovich and Aston Martin specialist the Runnymeade Motor Company.

The team behind the event stated: "Enthusiasts in the market for a classic are spoiled for choice at this year’s Classic Motor Show."

Earlier this week, organisers revealed the Ferrari Lusso previously owned by Hollywood legend Steve McQueen will be on display at the gathering, along with a range of other prestige cars.

Motorists should not find themselves at the mercy of cowboy clampers, it has been claimed.

The RAC Foundation urged the government to act on its promise to regulate the activities of "unscrupulous vehicle immobilisers".

It issued this appeal at the Parking Summit, which was attended by Sadiq Khan from the Department for Transport.

Director Stephen Glaister voiced concern about the unregulated and arbitrary way in which charges are being imposed and collected by private land owners.

He explained his organisation receives many calls from the public about being clamped and having to pay exorbitant fees – and said it was time for the country’s leaders to take action.

"The bottom line is that we need to put an end to the horror stories we hear about on a daily basis," Mr Glaister concluded.

In other news, the RAC Foundation recently called on the government to invest more money in improving Britain’s road infrastructure.

Mazda has drawn attention to the fact it is currently working on a range of car parts designed to help keep drivers of its vehicles safe.

The manufacturer pointed out most accidents are caused by mistakes made by the person at the wheel.

It stated: "Mazda’s research and development programmes aim to produce measures to counter such human errors when they occur and even to eliminate the causes of human error altogether."

One device the company has already created in a bid to protect its customers is the Emergency Signal System.

This technology automatically activates the hazard lights when it detects sudden and heavy braking at speeds of above 50 mph in order to alert drivers following behind the car that there is a problem.

In addition, the group has developed a Rear Vehicle Monitoring System to ensure motorists do not move into busy lanes.

Meanwhile, it was recently announced the new Mazda CX-7 is due to arrive in UK showrooms at the beginning of November.

A group of female drivers in Bradford have been learning about how to look after themselves, as well as important car parts.

Skoda organised the Women in Gear workshop at one of its showrooms in the city to advise motorists how they can keep on top of vehicle maintenance and protect themselves from potential attackers should they find themselves stranded at the roadside.

The session was led by karate instructor Grant Hicks, who showed people how they can disarm a would-be assailant in three simple moves using an everyday object like a pen or a torch.

Meanwhile, former police officer Vic Botterill also offered tips on how drivers can diffuse situations that could become aggressive.

He stated: "Mouthing sorry can stop a minor incident turning into road rage. If you know you’re wrong, just say it."

In other news, a mother of three from Walsall recently won a Skoda Yeti after taking part in a nationwide competition organised to mark the launch of the company’s latest model.

Damaged car parts could be the least of a driver’s worries if they do not allow plenty of time to renew their vehicle insurance, it has been suggested.

According to cover provider Footman James, with postal workers due to strike later this week, being well organised is even more important than ever.

It pointed out people who get behind the wheel after their insurance has expired are risking penalty points, fines and even having their vehicle crushed.

Statistics provided by the company show 60 per cent of motorists renew their cover within four days of the date it is due to run out.

Meanwhile, a further 16 per cent do it on the actual day of expiry.

The firm claimed drivers who leave it to the last minute are taking a big risk.

Managing director Paul Matthews commented: "There are no days of grace – you’re either insured or you’re not."

In other news, Footman James previously announced it will be attending this year’s Classic Motor Show, where it will be giving attendees the opportunity to win a range of prizes.

Motorists contemplating buying a new Toyota may want to act sooner rather than later.

The manufacturer has pointed out it might be a good idea to make a purchase before the end of the year, as VAT is set to go back up to 17.5 per cent on January 1st 2010.

It also drew attention to the fact that those who place their orders before the beginning of December could make even bigger savings.

The company explained the prices of some of its models are due to increase after the end of November.

Drivers considering purchasing a five-door Aygo Blue with manual transmission were advised they could save £500 by ordering before December 1st and registering the vehicle by the end of the same month.

Meanwhile, Clean Green Cars recently praised Toyota for becoming the first mainstream manufacturer to reduce the average CO2 emissions of its UK range to less than 130 g/km.

There could be an increase in demand for Perodua car parts in the coming years in the UK, if recent sales figures are anything to go by.

During September, the manufacturer saw registrations increase by 21.4 per cent compared to the same month last year.

The company’s range includes the Kenari and Myvi – and the group claimed the latter model played a particularly significant role in its recent strong performance.

Last month, sales of the car rose by 90 per cent in comparison to September 2008.

Perodua acknowledged this was largely down to the scrappage scheme, under which the vehicle is available for £5,599.

Motorists who buy the Myvi will find it boasts electric windows and mirrors, central locking and air conditioning as standard.

In other news, Parker’s annual report for 2008 placed two of Perodua’s models in the top ten slowest depreciating cars of the year.

The manufacturer claimed this demonstrates that its vehicles are the ideal solution for motorists keen to reduce costs.

The scrappage scheme may have provided a boost to car parts production for small models, if comments from one industry body are anything to go by.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 70 per cent of purchases under the initiative have been for diminutive, fuel-efficient vehicles.

The average CO2 emissions of autos bought through the programme stands at 132.1 g/km – 10.9 per cent below the typical figure for all cars registered between May and September.

It is also 27.4 per cent lower than the mean amount of CO2 released by the models that have been scrapped.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said the positive environmental impact of the programme is not its only benefit.

He stated: "Not only is it helping to reduce average CO2 emissions, but it is putting safer vehicles on our roads."

This comes after the group welcomed the recent extension of the scrappage scheme.