#Collaborative post
The UK has become a nation of drivers over the last fifty or so years. We drive to London to see the bright lights, to Scotland for mountains and lochs, and to Brighton for hen dos, stag parties and to see the magnificent Royal Pavilion. And we do so with surprisingly few accidents, especially compared to the early days of the advent of personal driving. Let’s look at MOT inspections and how they help keep us all safe on the road.
How It All Began
In the late 1950s, the incidence of road accidents was high – and climbing all the time. With the unrolling of the motorway network, it was anticipated that accidents would become more frequent and more severe, involving several cars, perhaps, all travelling at high speeds. Something had to be done. The MOT test was introduced, designed to assess the roadworthiness of each and every vehicle on the road.
What is the Point of the MOT Test?
The MOT test was designed at its most basic function to make sure that vehicles on could stop safely; could be steered to the roadside in the event of a breakdown; and could always be seen by other drivers and road users, as well as the driver having good visibility to see all around the car. To this end, that first set of tests simply looked at the brakes, steering and lights in vehicles – and those first sets resulted in a very high number of failures, perhaps because it was only vehicles over the age of ten that needed the test.
Has the MOT Test Changed Over Time?
The test has indeed changed from those early days. From three items on the checklist there are now more than forty, and these include things as diverse as a secure number plate (for easy identification of the car); tyre inflation; and emissions – after all, people living next to roads deserve to live long and healthy lives, untainted by polluting chemicals. In case you are finding a reliable MOT centre you can check KAP website to book your car MOT in Brighton.
Today, the MOT test has been estimated to have saved thousands of lives – perhaps even hundreds of thousands. And knowing that you are more likely than not to return contentedly from your weekend jaunt to Brighton once it’s all over offers something more precious than money: peace of mind, knowing that the UK’s roads are as safe as possible.