A new technologically-innovative, data-driven project that aims to prevent cyclist collisions before they happen is being launched on Birmingham’s roads. Cycle Smart Brum will see cyclists gathering data as they ride around the city, collecting intelligence on issues such as near misses, poor road surface and potential problem junctions, enabling authorities to identify and prioritise … [Read more...]
Travel Features
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 3 May
I’m still keeping calm and carrying on sifting through the latest automotive news items and press releases pinging into my Inbox, writes David Miles. Some are less ‘newsy’ than others and some press releases are just recycled items as PR operators seek to keep us informed by promoting their brands so here as some worthwhile snippets of news worth passing on. A lock-down reminder – Indian … [Read more...]
Extinction Rebellion – warning to prestige car dealers
A stark warning has been made regarding action from Extinction Rebellion against car dealers, car manufacturers and car firms in Bristol and London. “The warning makes sober reading. Action will likely be against 4x4 and luxury car dealers and manufacturers, and while we expect it to be a non-physical social media campaign, dealers need to reinforce their security pronto”, explained Patrick Jones … [Read more...]
Hydrogen is just the ticket for bus business
Plans for a UK-built 3,000-strong hydrogen national bus fleet have been revealed by JCB heir Jo Bamford in a move he hopes can lead the nations’ economic recovery. Mr Bamford claims his plans are “an ideal option for a Government that needs to boost UK manufacturing at this critical time whilst radically reducing our carbon emissions and air pollution”, and has already submitted his vision in a … [Read more...]
Save Welsh bus services, Tories tell Welsh Assembly
Wales’ bus routes are ‘at risk’ and Welsh Conservatives call for increased support for bus companies during the Coronavirus lockdown. Information obtained by the Welsh Conservatives suggests that bus companies and the routes they operate are under threat as a specific grant for bus services in Wales to help them through the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has not been passed on by Welsh … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 April
The Welsh Government has effectively made it illegal to visit second homes in Wales under the latest lockdown legislation. It has moved beyond the UK Government and made it unlawful to remain away from your normal home without good reason, so owners and tenants cannot use casual accommodation. Renault is seeking €600M from the French Government to protect it during the production lockdown. It … [Read more...]
More older drivers giving up licences
Prince Philip’s hair-raising traffic accident last year has been credited with a 21% rise in the number of very old motorists handing back their driving licences — including a huge 39% jump for drivers his own age or older. The Duke of Edinburgh was left hanging upside down after a collision with another vehicle as he pulled out of a driveway near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on 17 January … [Read more...]
40M vehicles now used in UK
The number of vehicles registered for use on British roads has surpassed 40 million for the first time, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK’s largest automotive analysis reveals that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use in the UK in 2019, representing a 1.0% increase on the previous year. Light commercial vehicles saw the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news
With the motoring media world in lockdown, the supply of new models and new model test driving events are all cancelled so instead of road test reviews we are keeping the wheels turning by covering some news items you might just have missed, says David Miles. Adversity is driving innovation at Skoda Virtual showrooms in the car sales industry is not a new thing, its click and view, tick a few … [Read more...]
Dangers lurking on empty roads
Empty roads over the last few weeks have been used as race-tracks by some drivers, police have reported. Opportunist thieves and drug running gangs have also desperately used them to quickly move about, despite the risk of being caught by routine police patrols stopping to check on Coronavirus compliant trips. Now company car and van drivers have be warned to take extra care on the roads as … [Read more...]