Holidaymakers heading for Turkey this summer are being advised by one of the UK’s leading car hire brokers that a change in Turkish law means they may face fines and invalid insurance if they drive some of the larger vehicle available for hire.

Economy Car Hire is warning that from May, UK drivers will not be able to drive a nine-seater minibus on a standard license – a popular choice for larger parties and families traveling together.

Economy Car Hire has now removed nine-seater vehicles from sale from this date, but is warning holidaymakers that not all car hire companies are aware of the law change. The company is contacting all customers who have booked such vehicles to offer them alternatives.

“With the strength of the Euro, Turkey is a popular choice for holidaymakers this year,” said Economy Car Hire managing director Rory Sexton. “This change in the law has been introduced quickly and quietly, so it’s important that holidaymakers know about it.

“From 1st May, British people driving a nine-seater vehicle on a standard UK license will be driving illegally, which will also invalidate their insurance, leaving them facing huge costs in the event of an accident.”

About Economy Car Hire:

Economy Car Hire operates fully-inclusive car hire services in over 20 countries worldwide, including the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece (mainland and islands), Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey, Jamaica, Australia and Sri Lanka.
Prices are all-inclusive, with no insurance excess (hence no collision damage waiver necessary), unlimited mileage, free additional driver, no airport surcharges, and included theft loss waiver.
Full details at www.economycarhire.com.

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent has awarded Volvo Cars a special international award(1) to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the invention of the three-point safety belt and in acknowledgement of the company’s vision to design cars that should not crash.

This announcement coincides with the anniversary of the fitment of the first three-point safety belt which was invented by Nils Bohlin, a Volvo engineer, in 1959. It is well recognized that wearing a safety belt can increase the chance of surviving a collision by 50 percent(2), meaning that the three-point safety belt is, and will remain, the car’s most important safety device..

Announcing this Special International Award, The Prince, Royal Patron of The Commission for Global Road Safety(3), who founded his award scheme in 1987 said:  “I congratulate Volvo on its outstanding achievement. Its leadership and commitment will make a significant contribution to our aim of saving five million more lives across the world over the next ten years.” (4)

Peter Rask, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK commented; “We are delighted and honoured to receive this very special and prestigious award. Volvo’s invention of the three-point safety belt 50 years ago is a perfect example of how the protection of human life is intrinsic to the company’s DNA. Now, it is a legal requirement that all cars on UK roads are fitted with the safety belt, I like the thought that there is a little piece of Volvo in every car.

“When Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson created Volvo in 1927, they famously quoted ‘Cars are driven by people. Therefore the guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo is – and must remain – safety’. The company is now aiming towards a vision that by 2020, nobody should be killed or injured in a Volvo and we are constantly innovating and developing safety systems and features that all contribute towards this vision,”

Ends

Notes to editors

Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards are made in recognition of outstanding achievement or innovation.

European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), “Increasing seat belt use”, 2007

The Commission for Global Road Safety is calling for a Decade of Action for Road Safety with a global aim of saving five million lives.

Prince Michael will present this special award to Volvo during his annual award ceremony to be held in London on 3 December.