AutoAlert

Have you ever left your car somewhere then had that sinking feeling when you’ve realised you can’t remember where you parked it.

With AutoAlert you don’t need to worry.  Simply open your AutoAlert iPhone Groups application, send your location then access the Radar screen to see where you are in relation to your vehicle.  Leave the application tracking and you can watch yourself home in on your cars position.

If you haven’t got an AutoAlert GPS Tracking Unit in your vehicle, you can still use the AutoAlert iPhone Tracking app to leave your location when you get out of your car then see your current position relative to that location when you are trying to find your car later on.

And if you don’t have an iPhone, you can use any colour mobile telephone to check the last known position of your vehicle by pointing your phone at http://www.autoalert.me.uk/mobile/ then logging in with your account details.

For any other help and advice using any AutoAlert product, check out our AutoAlert Support pages

We get numerous questions via our http://www.nocongstionchargefines.co.uk website from worried motorists trying to find out when they have to pay the London Congestion Charge or if they are liable to fines.

Unfortunately thousands of people each year get fined when they do not realise they are in the London Congestion Zone, when they are not sure what time the fines operate or from those who simply forget to pay.

Fortunately our iPhone and portable GPS tracking applications help people reduce the risk of fines by showing when you are in the zone, allowing you to pay there and then via your iPhone or providing a text message reminder later in the evening if you have forgotten to pay. However, for those that didn’t have our application there is still help available if you know where to look for it.

Check out our website at http://www.nocongestionchargefines.co.uk/london_congestion_charge.html for more information on the London Congestion Charging Zone. There is also a wealth of information available on Transport for London’s website at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/ although finding the right information can be difficult.

One of the questions we get asked a lot, is from people that have already received a fine and want to know whether it is worth appealing.  Finding out this information from Transport for London has been notoriously difficult.  However, a recent freedom of information request meant that TFL had to publish the attached document.

London Congestion Charge Appeals Process

This sets out the decision making process for TFL and when they will accept or reject a decision.

Having recently spent 6 hours stuck on a snowbound road on the Penines, I know all too well the dangers of driving in the harsh conditions currently sweeping much of Europe.

Obviously if you don’t have to drive then don’t. Sit in your warm home and watch the travel report on the TV.  However, if you do have to drive then a bit of preparation can help you avoid the worse.

First, check the route and don’t just listen to the first directions provided by your satnav.  With AutoAlert I can get the directions from my vehicle to my destination.  However, rather than taking the first route offered – over the Pennines.  Perhaps I should have thought first and then taken a slightly longer route south, sticking to the bigger roads and motorways which was always going to be the more sensible option.

Once you have selected a route, check the traffic conditions and weather if you can.

Ensure your vehicle is serviced, the battery is charged and the tyres are not worn to reduce the chance of mechanical wear and tear leaving you stuck whilst everyone else drives off into the sunset.

Top up the water in your windscreen washers and ensure it has anti freeze.  The screen soon gets clogged with snow and grit making visibility difficult.

A bit of practice is always good.  Ok, so we got in trouble when we were young skidding our parents cars around disused car parks.  However, understanding how your car will react and knowing how to get the best traction will reduce stress whilst everyone else is skidding into each other or finding it impossible to get up hills.

Keep some extra jumpers and socks in the boot of your car.  Perhaps if your are extra cautious then take a duvet as well.  Hopefully the snow in the UK is never going to be as bad other countries but with a bit of wind and heavy drifts you never know.

If your car does get covered in snow then be wary of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Ensure the exhaust pipe is spewing its noxious fumes into the clear environment rather than back into the cabin and don’t keep the engine on continually if you can help it.

Some chocolate, food and hot drinks will also help if you’re stuck for a while and take something to keep you occupied. There’s only so much you can take from a Radio DJ.

Make sure people know where you are going.  If you have AutoAlert installed then friends and colleagues can track your progress.  If not, at least ensure your phone is charged and that you have notified people before you leave.

Other than that,  Sit back, relax and enjoy the countryside at a speed in which you actually get to see it.