Woolf Reforms

1) Also known as Civil Procedure Rules. A procedure introduced in 1999 for speeding-up civil claims through courts, particularly the pre-trial procedure, and reducing the cost of litigation.

Wipe the slate clean

1) Term used in connection with the driving licence penalty points scheme whereby once 12 points have been accumulated within a three-year period a mandatory disqualification has been imposed; the driver's 'slate' in this respect will be wiped clean for a fresh start.

Wide-angle mirror

1) Mirror on goods vehicles designed to give the driver wide angle vision along the side of his vehicle, usually combined with close-proximity mirror to show side of the vehicle near to ground at front.

Whole life cost/costing

1) System for counting the cost of buying and operating a goods vehicle or plant over its whole life (including its value at final disposal) when making purchasing decisions, rather than just comparing initial prices of one vehicle against another. See also Tero-technology.

White ticket

1) In connection with fixed penalty system, ticket issued by police or traffic warden for non-endorsable offences.

White goods

1) Distribution term for domestic appliances/equipment.