Green Flag

Motorists unhappy with highways

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:27:29 GMT

Motorists satisfaction on the state of the highways has dropped, as the number of potholes on them increased after the recent wintry weather.The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) report n ...

Read the full story

Car production shows further rise

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:20:55 GMT

Car production rose for the fourth month in a row in February registering a year-on-year increase of 62.7%, new figures have shown.According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ...

Read the full story

McLaren make 'affordable' supercar

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:10:47 GMT

McLaren Automotive have unveiled details of an "affordable" £150,000 supercar to be built in a new £40 million production plant.The new car will use a one-piece carbon-fibre chassis and allo ...

Read the full story

Warning on flood vulnerability

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:02:56 GMT

An agency has warned the Government that floods of the scale of the one in Cumbria last autumn could destroy thousands of bridges in the country.The UK Roads Liaison Group submitted a writte ...

Read the full story

Nissan Leaf to be produced in UK

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:56:04 GMT

Nissan is planning to build its new electric car in Sunderland, which is claims will be the world's first affordable mass-produced zero emission car.The Japanese manufacturer announced that ...

Read the full story

Toyota breakdowns 'spark new era'

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:56:04 GMT

Toyota's president has vowed to take the company "back to basics" in order to tackle the quality control problems that led to millions of cars being recalled due to faults.Akio Toyoda said t ...

Read the full story

Terry 'not to blame' for collision

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:17:59 GMT

The Chelsea football club security guard who suffered leg injuries after allegedly being struck by John Terry's car has said the under fire footballer was not to blame for the collision.Depu ...

Read the full story

Report slams used car dealers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:17:59 GMT

An official report has found that used car dealers are not only being unhelpful but also resorted to illegal means to sell their products.Almost 20% of consumers who buy cars from dealers fa ...

Read the full story

'Marginal' rise in used car prices

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:49:19 GMT

There has only been a small rise in the cost of used cars so far this year, according to auctioneers.An increase of just under half of 1% was recorded in February compared with January, maki ...

Read the full story

Kia offers new discount scheme

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:38:29 GMT

Kia Motors has introduced a new scheme offering owners of cars over seven years old an opportunity to trade in for a latest model.Under the new '7 Year Switch Plan', owners of older vehicles ...

Read the full story

Classic car sellers win big in EU

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:38:29 GMT

The declining value of the pound has seen classic car enthusiasts make hay by selling their left-hand drive vehicles on the continent, Glass's Guide has reported.The fact that European colle ...

Read the full story

Volkswagen's Transporter turns 60

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:38:29 GMT

The iconic Transporter van is celebrating its 60th birthday this month.One of Volkswagen's most successful commercial vehicles, the Transporter first went into production in March 1950.< ...

Read the full story

Honda set to recall vehicles in US

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:07:16 GMT

Honda is set to recall more than 410,000 vehicles in the US to fix braking problems.The Japanese car giant is recalling 344,000 Odyssey minivans and 68,000 Element small trucks that were man ...

Read the full story

Motorists favour lower drink limit

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:07:16 GMT

More than seven in 10 motorists have backed a proposal to slash the current drink-drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood during a survey.The poll of 800 drivers by road safety cha ...

Read the full story

Beckham's pants 'not up to scratch'

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:50:06 GMT

The beautiful British countryside is more distracting to drivers than the famous Wonderbra adverts or David Beckham in his Armani underwear, a poll has found.The study saw Beckham rated as l ...

Read the full story

Families 'breaking insurance law'

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:50:06 GMT

Up to 10% of parents are breaking the law by insuring their child's car in a different name and nominating their son or daughter as the second driver, research has suggested.The practice - k ...

Read the full story

'No excuses' for shoddy driving

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:33:46 GMT

Police in Dorset have caught a woman driving to a garage with a faulty car bonnet almost entirely covering her windscreen.The 53-year-old was driving along the road in Weymouth with just a n ...

Read the full story

Toyota dismisses Prius owner claim

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:23:41 GMT

Toyota has questioned a US Prius owner's claim that his car sped out of control on a California motorway last week.The firm said its initial investigations have not found any evidence to bac ...

Read the full story

Call to change commuting practices

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:53:21 GMT

Flexible work patterns and changes to commuting practices needs to be introduced to ease congestion on the roads in the future, the CBI has said.The business group suggested that "staggered" ...

Read the full story

Fast Car honours Continental tyre

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:36:29 GMT

This year's awards issue of the modified car magazine Fast Car has honoured Continental tyre for its emphasis on safety.The firm manufactures original fitment tyres for top-end rides like AM ...

Read the full story

Most back retest for older drivers

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:36:29 GMT

Nearly seven out of 10 motorists believe drivers over 70 should undergo a mandatory retest, while three-quarters would report elderly people whose driving they were worried about to authorities, a ...

Read the full story

Motorists confused over age of cars

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:25:36 GMT

UK motorists are in danger of being misled when buying a used car after a survey revealed a quarter of owners were unable to identify the age of a vehicle.According to the study by Auto Trad ...

Read the full story

Call to make roads 'toad-friendly'

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:56:59 GMT

A green charity is urging authorities to make roads more "amphibian-friendly", as more than 40,000 toads begin their annual spring migration.Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (Arc) has sugg ...

Read the full story

Police 'human shield' act condemned

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:56:59 GMT

Police in Moscow have used motorists on the road as a "human shield" to attempt catching a fleeing armed criminal, it has been revealed.The men in uniform ordered drivers of vehicles parked ...

Read the full story

Coffee-powered car completes trip

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:56:59 GMT

A coffee-powered car named the "car-puccino" has completed a 250-mile trip from London to Manchester. Engineer Jem Stansfield, presenter of the BBC1 show Bang Goes The Theory, who built the ...

Read the full story

Further driving ban for Doherty

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:34:03 GMT

Former Libertines frontman and musician Pete Doherty has been banned from driving for 12 months and fined £500 after he allowed his manager to drive his car without insurance.A guilty plea w ...

Read the full story

Government defeated over park costs

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:44:22 GMT

The House of Lords have voted against a plan to bring in parking charges at two London parks, with one peer calling for "more imaginative policy".The Government proposal applied to Richmond ...

Read the full story

Driver fined for playing chicken

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:44:22 GMT

A man caught playing chicken with a train at a railway crossing has avoided a driving ban.Magistrates in Newcastle heard how motorist Douglas Hall jumped a red light at Metro light railway c ...

Read the full story

Hospital car parks 'add to stress'

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:44:22 GMT

New research has found that visits to hospitals are made more stressful due to crowded and expensive car parks.In a survey carried out for consumer watchdog Which?, half of the people questi ...

Read the full story

Coffee power fuels BBC road trip

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:44:22 GMT

Coffee power has been harnessed to fuel a car which will take a BBC television presenter on a 210-mile trip from London to Manchester to draw attention to the world's energy crisis.Some 10,0 ...

Read the full story

Toyota faces class-action lawsuits

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:21:45 GMT

Car giant Toyota has suffered a fresh blow after US owners filed class-action lawsuits claiming diminished value of their cars due to the global safety recalls.It has been estimated that the ...

Read the full story

Google Street to cover 95% of UK

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:21:45 GMT

Google Street View will cover more than 95% of the UK's roads from Thursday, the company has announced.The new enhanced service will increase coverage by 210,000 miles of road, and includes ...

Read the full story

Campaign aims to find best garage

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:20:29 GMT

More than 4,000 motorists have already voted for their favourite garage in a national campaign to find the best for car servicing and repairs.The UK's top 50 garages can already be seen onli ...

Read the full story

Demand for used cars set to rise

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:20:29 GMT

The end of the car scrappage deal is expected to cause a surge in demand for used cars, according to industry experts.Following the end of the Government's scrappage deal and VAT reduction, ...

Read the full story

Bug 'holds key to cleaner fuel'

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:42:58 GMT

A marine pest could make sugars from munching woody raw material that can be fermented into fuels for vehicle engines.Scientists think it could be the key to a biofuel breakthrough.Gr ...

Read the full story

Car scrappage plan's green benefits

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:42:58 GMT

Apart from boosting UK car sales amid the recession, the popular car scrappage scheme also helped new cars reduce carbon emission last year, a study has shown.Research by the Society of Moto ...

Read the full story

Thousands paid to fix police cars

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:55:53 GMT

Thousands of pounds have been paid out for repairs to hundreds of police cars following crashes with parked cars, walls and tree branches, forces across Scotland have revealed.But following ...

Read the full story

Dft advert 'did not breach rules'

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:21:52 GMT

The advertising watchdog has said that a television advert which shows a cartoon character of a girl being hit by a car did not breach rules.The Advertising Standards Agency said five viewer ...

Read the full story

Mobility scooter test considered

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:20:33 GMT

A rise in the number of deaths and serious accidents involving mobility scooters has prompted the Government to consider making users take a "fitness to drive" test.The proposals, which coul ...

Read the full story

Council to fine drivers for idling

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:20:33 GMT

Drivers who do not switch their engines off when parked or stuck in traffic for any length of time could face a £20 fine, a council has warned.North Lincolnshire Council is planning to intro ...

Read the full story

26.4% rise of new car sales in year

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:20:33 GMT

Sales of new cars last month rose 26.4% on the February 2009 total, reaching 68,686.The figure was 1.3% below that of February 2008 and 12.2% below the average for February from 1999 to 2009 ...

Read the full story

Audi cars unveiled at motor show

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:20:33 GMT

German car maker Audi has pulled the wraps off its new R8 Roadster at this year's Geneva Motor Show, flaunting a 5.2-litre, 525-horsepower engine.The much-awaited car, a drop-top version of ...

Read the full story

Toyota Prius 'top-selling hybrid'

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:15:42 GMT

Despite global recalls, car buyers in Japan have remained loyal to Toyota, making its flagship hybrid vehicle Prius the top-selling model in the home market.According to figures released by ...

Read the full story

Nissan unveils new Micra at Geneva

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:15:42 GMT

Nissan's new fourth generation Micra compact hatchback has been unveiled by the company's chief Carlos Ghosn at the Geneva Motor Show.The Japanese company claimed that the new car, built on ...

Read the full story

Bentley Mulsanne's details revealed

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:15:42 GMT

Bentley has announced the technical specifications of its new high-end luxury car, the Mulsanne, at the Geneva Motor Show.Revealed for the first time in Europe, the Crewe-based car maker's l ...

Read the full story

Showroom tax to burden car buyers

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:52:27 GMT

A 'showroom tax' to be introduced in April is set to increase the burden on new cars by up to £300 in the first year, according to research.The study by Auto Trader advised that the tax hike ...

Read the full story

Governments announce fines deal

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:52:27 GMT

Northern Ireland motorists who commit driving offences in the Irish Republic are to be chased-up for fines from Wednesday, the Northern Ireland Assembly has announced.The move will also see ...

Read the full story

Live traffic app becomes iPhone hit

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:15:20 GMT

The Highways Agency's new live traffic update application for the iPhone has become the fourth most popular free download on the App Store.In just over a week of its release, the software, w ...

Read the full story

Honda announces CR-Z model prices

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:15:20 GMT

Honda has revealed that three new CR-Z hybrid coupe models - S, Sport and GT - will cost between £16,999 and £19,999.The Japanese car giant said all three models will come fitted with six ai ...

Read the full story

Ban for behind the wheel dog walker

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:15:20 GMT

A jobless motorist has been banned from driving after he was caught walking his dog from behind the wheel.Paul Railton dragged his pet lurcher alongside his Nissan Navara by dangling its lea ...

Read the full story

Powell hit with lengthy driving ban

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:09:33 GMT

Welsh rugby ace Andy Powell has been slapped with a 15-month driving ban after pleading guilty to being in control of a golf buggy while drunk.Powell, who was dropped from the Wales rugby te ...

Read the full story

Drivers happy to improve, says poll

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:09:33 GMT

Drivers seem prepared to improve on their motoring habits for Lent, but less so to cut road use to help the environment, a survey has shown.Just 10% of motorists polled were willing to drive ...

Read the full story

Derby road named after Lara Croft

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:33:01 GMT

A city's new ring road has been named after Tomb Raider star Lara Croft following the moniker's victory in an online poll with 89% votes.Nearly 25,000 people in Derby voted for the new road ...

Read the full story

Drivers caught in phone crackdown

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:33:01 GMT

Police have been left "disappointed" after they caught 180 motorists in a day using their mobile phone while driving.All eight of Scotland's police forces teamed-up as part of a 24-hour mobi ...

Read the full story

Toyota moves to fix leaky oil hoses

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:45:20 GMT

Beleaguered Toyota suffered another quality control problem as it moved to fix potentially leaky oil hoses on nearly a million vehicles in the US and Japan.The world's biggest car manufactur ...

Read the full story

GM to recall 1.3m compact cars

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:45:20 GMT

General Motors (GM) has announced it is recalling 1.3 million vehicles in the US, Canada and Mexico to address a potential problem with power steering.The car maker assured that the vehicles ...

Read the full story

Used car sales 'face tougher year'

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:45:20 GMT

This year's used car market is predicted to be significantly hit by the long downturn in new-car sales in the last few years, with a major drop in the supply of one and two-year-old used cars.< ...

Read the full story

Road casualty targets 'need change'

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:50:08 GMT

Road casualty reduction target strategy overhauls have been proposed by a Parliamentary committee.The targets need to be more carefully worked out with regard to areas where road users live, ...

Read the full story

Energy efficiency driving test call

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:50:08 GMT

Energy efficiency techniques should become a mandatory pary of the driving test in a bid to cut transport emissions, the CBI has said.Under the plans, learners would have to demonstrate that ...

Read the full story

Overrunning roadworks fines raised

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:15:31 GMT

Utility firms are facing crippling £25,000-a-day fines for overrunning roadworks in the future, compared with the current £2,500 daily charges.Transport Minister Sadiq Khan laid out the 10-f ...

Read the full story

Councils urged over potholes danger

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:15:31 GMT

A report has called on local authorities to urgently repair dangerous weather-damaged roads, after a survey revealed that half of all motorists have had an accident or a near miss while swerving to ...

Read the full story

Judge slams law over fatal accident

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:19:42 GMT

The judge in the case of a lorry driver accused of killing a pedestrian has criticised the prosecution law concerned as the victim had been dodging traffic.Judge Henry Blacksell QC said 64-y ...

Read the full story

Drivers admit in-car mobile use

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:25:27 GMT

Many Britons are still using mobile phones while driving, despite tougher legislation introduced three years ago to stop the dangerous practice, a new survey has shown.A YouGov survey for ca ...

Read the full story

Honda launches hybrid green car

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:33:47 GMT

Young drivers are the target market for a sporty new hybrid car being launched by Honda.The latest addition to the green car market is the CR-Z which is going on sale in Japan and will be av ...

Read the full story

Drive for bikers' safety unveiled

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:33:47 GMT

The Government has launched a new safety campaign which it hopes will make drivers "reconsider the way they look at bikers" and see the person behind the helmet.Under the £3.5 million drive, ...

Read the full story

Consumers warned over EU scams

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:04:40 GMT

UK consumers are being warned that "scamsters" across the European Union are on the increase.The UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC) said that complaints about misleading practices, such as ...

Read the full story

Drivers handed low-carbon incentive

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:38:41 GMT

The Government has announced a new incentive to encourage drivers to purchase ultra-low carbon cars.From the beginning of next year, the Government is to make a grant available which will gi ...

Read the full story

Councils may face salt supply rules

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:38:41 GMT

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said local councils could be asked to store a particular quantity of salt in the future to avoid travel disruptions during cold conditions.He said the UK ...

Read the full story

Congestion 'will rise nearly 40%'

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:38:41 GMT

A report has claimed that traffic congestion will increase by nearly 40% by 2025 unless more money is spent on our roads.The Road Users' Alliance (RUA) said congestion will rise by 37% if th ...

Read the full story

Toyota chief apologises to drivers

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:38:41 GMT

Toyota's chief executive Akio Toyoda has apologised to the US Congress and to American drivers of Toyota cars for safety problems that resulted in deaths and worldwide recalls of millions of the co ...

Read the full story

Starbucks heads to UK motorways

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:42:07 GMT

Drivers will be able to stop off for a Starbucks coffee after the chain announced it will open its first branches at motorway service stations.A tie-up deal with Welcome Break will see about ...

Read the full story

Hamann guilty of drink driving

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:42:07 GMT

Former Liverpool footballer Dietmar Hamann has been found guilty of drink driving. The soccer star was banned from the roads after being stopped at junction six of the M56 on July 12 last ye ...

Read the full story

Saab rescued as new deal struck

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:42:07 GMT

Swedish car company Saab has been saved from liquidation and its management are back in full control.Saab and Dutch firm Spyker will exist as "sister companies" under new parent Spyker Cars ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme enters final phase

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:35:34 GMT

The Government has announced that the car scrappage scheme has entered its final phase.Ministers said the £400 million government fund will run out by the end of March and the initiative, wh ...

Read the full story

Toyota recall may not solve problem

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:34:56 GMT

Troubled car maker Toyota has said that the global recall of its cars may "not totally" solve the problem of unexpected acceleration.The president of Toyota's US operations James Lentz made ...

Read the full story

Active travel proposals announced

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:36:53 GMT

Plans to get more people jumping on their bike or putting on their trainers instead of reaching for the car keys have been laid out by the Government.The Government wants to encourage active ...

Read the full story

Speeders duped by bird box camera

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:27:25 GMT

Speeding motorists have mistaken a yellow bird box for a speed camera on a road in the North East.Retired police officer Bill Angus put the box up on a pole outside his property on the Sunde ...

Read the full story

Fresh snow warning for UK motorists

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:27:25 GMT

Motorists across the country have been warned to check travel conditions over the coming days as the UK continues to freeze in the coldest winter for more than 30 years.More snow is expected ...

Read the full story

Death prompts road safety warning

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:27:25 GMT

The death of a woman killed when her driver boyfriend lost control racing at more than 100mph has prompted a warning against dangerous driving from a prosecution lawyer.The Chief Crown Prose ...

Read the full story

Drink drive charge for Everton star

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:40:34 GMT

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has been charged with drink driving following his team's 3-1 win over Manchester United at the weekend.The 27-year-old South African was arrested in the ear ...

Read the full story

Reform plans for Japan's car recall

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Japan's car recall system could be set for reform, it has been reported.The claims that the transport ministry may make changes to the system came as Toyota was accused of issuing delayed re ...

Read the full story

Car insurance claims order revealed

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:43:10 GMT

Two-fifths of car insurance claims are accounted for by cars three to six years old, even though these make up only 24% of vehicles on the road, Virgin Money Car Insurance has revealed.Drive ...

Read the full story

Citroen ready to unveil DS3 Racing

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:43:10 GMT

French carmaker Citroen will unveil a limited edition version of its DS3 premium hatch on its stand at the Geneva Motor Show in March.Sales of the DS3 Racing will begin in the second half of ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned of icy conditions

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:41:09 GMT

Motorists have been asked to be careful on icy roads after melting snow re-froze overnight and could pose dangerous driving conditions.Forecasters believe this winter could be the coldest Br ...

Read the full story

Drivers seek help over key problems

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:41:09 GMT

Green Flag technicians were called out to help more that 20,000 drivers with problems related to car keys last year, the company has said.The most common reason for the these call-outs was k ...

Read the full story

UK carmaker loses MG logo battle

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:49:09 GMT

A British company has lost its legal battle to use the famous MG trademark after a judge ruled it belonged to a Chinese manufacturer.Sports and Racing Europe, based in Tenbury Wells, Worcest ...

Read the full story

Yamaha Superbike team raring to go

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:49:09 GMT

Yamaha's new all-British team is hoping to convert promising test runs into great results at the World Superbike championships.Officially launching their campaign ahead of the opening race l ...

Read the full story

Riders to be given visibility vests

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:49:09 GMT

More English counties are set to implement a scheme to make riders safer by improving their visibility.This means that police could pull over bikers for not wearing high-visibility clothing ...

Read the full story

Toyota chief to attend US hearing

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:28:22 GMT

The president of embattled car maker Toyota's has said that he will testify a US Government hearing next week on the massive worldwide recalls of the firm's vehicles.Akio Toyoda agreed to co ...

Read the full story

Escaped zebra shocks city motorists

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:09:12 GMT

Motorists in Atlanta must have been shocked to see a zebra gallop past them followed by a string of police cars.Lima, who belongs to a circus, managed to break away from her trainers at an a ...

Read the full story

Corolla complaints to be probed

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:16:26 GMT

The US government and car giant Toyota are set to investigate steering complaints about the popular Corolla model.Toyota was looking into fewer than 100 complaints over power steering in Cor ...

Read the full story

Forecasters warn of further snow

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:16:26 GMT

Parts of Wales and central England are bracing for "another blast of winter", with freezing conditions and snowfall forecast for Thursday.Snow is likely in south-east Wales, the Midlands and ...

Read the full story

Jaguar to show off new XKR Coupe

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:27:17 GMT

Luxury carmaker Jaguar has announced it plans to unveil its latest range of XK cars at the Geneva Motor Show next month.Two new performance and styling packs have been produced as optional e ...

Read the full story

Corolla recall under consideration

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:40:18 GMT

Toyota bosses are discussing another recall after the manufacturer received complaints about issues with the power steering in its top-selling Corolla.The problems are another blow for Toyot ...

Read the full story

Brake override system for Toyota

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:53:38 GMT

Toyota's president has said that a brake override system will be fitted in all future models worldwide to serve as a safety precaution.Massive recalls of the company's vehicles have been ann ...

Read the full story

Work to tackle M-way congestion

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:53:38 GMT

Work is to be carried out to reduce congestion on the M60 and M62 to the north and east of Manchester as part of a £2bn contract.The managed motorways scheme will see the hard shoulder betwe ...

Read the full story

Toyota says sorry, begins fault fix

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:53:38 GMT

Toyota has apologised to members of the public for mass recalls and has begun rectifying the braking faults on two of its hybrid models.The leading Asian car manufacturer gave full-page adve ...

Read the full story

Tracker helps recover stolen cars

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:04:14 GMT

The police have agreed a five-year deal extension with Tracker which will see forces across the country continue to use its stolen vehicle recovery system.The vehicle tracking services firm' ...

Read the full story

Powell committed to rejoining team

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:55 GMT

Rugby star Andy Powell has apologised and vowed to work for his place in the Wales squad after he was suspended for alleged drink driving, his agent has said.The back row forward was arreste ...

Read the full story

Finance checks on used cars urged

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:55 GMT

Used car buyers are being warned to check whether there is any outstanding debt on a vehicle following a rise in "conversion fraud", it has emerged.The Finance and Leasing Association said n ...

Read the full story

Motorists overturn £700 clamp fines

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:55 GMT

Three drivers have won refunds from a car clamping company in a legal ruling they have called a "victory for the common man".Claire Jowett, 32, Susan Ashman, 50, and John Wharton, 65, took G ...

Read the full story

Toyota boss to speak about recall

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:55 GMT

Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda is set to speak about the company's massive global recall on Wednesday, following criticism for not being seen during the crisis.The car giant ...

Read the full story

Golf buggy arrest for rugby star

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:41:48 GMT

Welsh rugby star Andy Powell has been involved in a police investigation after he was arrested for driving a golf buggy hours after Wales defeated Scotland in a RBS 6 Nations game.Powell was ...

Read the full story

Tailgating 'most hated road habit'

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:41:48 GMT

A new survey has shown that motorists find tailgating the most irritating habit on roads.According to the poll of 1,000 adults by automotive repair company Kwik-Fit, women were more annoyed ...

Read the full story

Duke of York 'hit officer with car'

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:28:40 GMT

Police are investigating a car accident in which the Duke of York allegedly hit a police officer as he drove into Buckingham Palace.The uniformed Metropolitan Police officer reportedly injur ...

Read the full story

Weather makes driving hazardous

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:13 GMT

Snowfall and wintry showers have made driving conditions hazardous for families travelling during the half-term getaway.Motorists were told to take extra care in the freezing conditions that ...

Read the full story

Call to drive slow on canal bridges

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:13 GMT

British Waterways has urged motorists to slow down and take extra care when they cross historic humpback bridges over canals, after revealing the repair work costs it £2.5 million every year.

Read the full story

Hi-tech hover drone leads to arrest

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:13 GMT

Merseyside Police has become the first force in the country to make an arrest using a remote controlled, thermal-imaging hover drone.An officer, using the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) - a f ...

Read the full story

Toyota declines Prius energy award

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:11:12 GMT

Japanese car maker Toyota has decided not to accept a "green" award for its hybrid Prius following a huge recall of the vehicle over brake problems.It said it would not be appropriate to col ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned of travel misery

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:44:22 GMT

Motorists have been warned of potential travel problems with parts of Britain expected to be hit by more snow and ice.Up to 10cm of snow was recorded in Kent and East Sussex on Wednesday nig ...

Read the full story

Mother handed bill for stolen car

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:35:29 GMT

A police force has defended a £150 charge imposed on a mother to retrieve her vehicle after it was stolen with her young daughter inside.Sarah McDonald-Lee's three-year-old daughter was foun ...

Read the full story

437,000 Honda cars in airbag recall

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:35:29 GMT

Japan's number two car maker Honda Motors Co has added 437,000 vehicles to its 15-month old global recall over faulty airbags.The recall includes 378,000 cars in the US, around 41,000 cars i ...

Read the full story

Fiat supplies cars to cycling teams

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:56:07 GMT

The governing body for Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams will be supplied with the Fiat Bravo, the new Punto Evo and Fiat's 500 city car over the next three years.The body, British Cycl ...

Read the full story

Porsche to unveil 911 at Geneva

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:56:07 GMT

Porsche will reveal the latest addition to its 911 range at the Geneva Motor Show, it has been announced.People at the March event will be able to get an early look at the 911 Turbo S - whic ...

Read the full story

'Amfibus' testing grinds to a halt

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:54:25 GMT

Trials for a bus that can travel on roads and water have been abandoned due to a technical fault.Stagecoach's 'amfibus' was undergoing a two-day test on the River Clyde between Renfrew and Y ...

Read the full story

Vauxhall announces more job cuts

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:59:26 GMT

A further 154 administrative jobs are to be lost at one of Vauxhall's manufacturing plants in Luton, it has been announced.The sales and admin jobs will be lost at the Bedfordshire factory, ...

Read the full story

Third lane opens on Dublin's M50

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:59:26 GMT

Commuters trying to get through Dublin's rush hour traffic may find their journeys easier now the M50 has opened a third lane.Motorists will have faster journeys in both directions between j ...

Read the full story

Toyota brakes recall reaches UK

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:59:26 GMT

Toyota's latest safety issues have now reached the UK with the car giant recalling 8,500 Prius models over faulty braking systems.Across the globe, the carmaker is recalling 437,000 Prius an ...

Read the full story

Gazza arrested in drink-drive probe

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:08:27 GMT

Ex-England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Paul Gascoigne has been arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a vehicle.The 42-year-old was arrested after police were called to repor ...

Read the full story

Toyota yet to decide on Prius fate

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:57 GMT

Toyota has said it is set to announce plans for dealing with the braking problems in its Prius hybrid model - as reports in Japan say the car manufacturer is to recall the vehicle.Toyota Mot ...

Read the full story

Forecasters warn of fresh snowfall

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:57 GMT

Forecasters have warned of a fresh bout of wintry weather, with more snowfall expected across the country this week.While eastern parts of Britain are likely to suffer the worst of the snow ...

Read the full story

Drivers see fall in motoring costs

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:25:10 GMT

Bus and rail fares have increased while the cost of keeping a car on the road continues to fall, the Government said.Between 1997 and 2009, the "real" costs for drivers, including purchasing ...

Read the full story

Lollipop staff: 'abuse must stop'

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:16:17 GMT

A council has asked drivers to stop being abusive to school lollipop men and women.An increasing number of workers who turn out to help children across the road are subjected to passing shou ...

Read the full story

Toyota 'considering Prius recall'

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:15:18 GMT

Crisis-hit Japanese car maker Toyota may recall nearly 270,000 of its Prius vehicles in the US and Japan following braking system complaints, it has been reported.The US Government has begun ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme will hurt charity

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:15:18 GMT

The extension of the Government's car scrappage scheme will hurt a fundraising organisation which urges drivers to donate their unwanted cars to charity.While many people will welcome news t ...

Read the full story

Government extends scrappage scheme

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:54:50 GMT

Considering the positive impact of the Government's car scrappage scheme on UK car sales, the plan has been extended for a further month.Business secretary Lord Mandelson announced that the ...

Read the full story

Surge in new car sales for January

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:54:50 GMT

New car sales rose by almost 30% in January compared with the same month last year, figures have shown.The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said there were 145,500 new cars ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned over frozen roads

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:48:47 GMT

With snow and ice covering the roads as sub-zero temperatures return, motorists in certain parts of the country are once again facing treacherous driving conditions.A fresh bout of winter we ...

Read the full story

Toyota plans safety recall in UK

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:48:47 GMT

Toyota is planning to write to the owners of more than 180,000 cars in the UK that might have been affected by accelerator pedal problems, it has emerged.The carmaker said 180,865 vehicles i ...

Read the full story

Complaints grow over Prius brake

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:48:47 GMT

Complaints over the braking system in Toyota's flagship hybrid car Prius have risen to 180, dealing a fresh blow to the car maker already hit by global recalls of millions of vehicles.Concer ...

Read the full story

New cold snap to bring more snow

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:57:59 GMT

Snow is expected in various parts of Scotland as the cold weather returns.The snow due in the south west of the country will move north throughout the night, although it will become more sca ...

Read the full story

Court date set for Pete Doherty

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:57:59 GMT

Musician Pete Doherty is due in court over a collision in which a man was seriously injured, it has emerged.Chris Corder, 42, was knocked down in Hadleigh, Suffolk, on September 27 last year ...

Read the full story

Toyota faces Prius brake problems

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:09:52 GMT

Japanese car manufacturer Toyota is experiencing a fresh blow as more than 100 complaints have been lodged in the US and Japan about brake problems with its Prius hybrid.Recently, the car gi ...

Read the full story

DfT: Lower motorway lorry speeds

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:09:52 GMT

Government proposals to force lorries to travel 10mph slower and ban them from the outside lane on UK motorways have been published.The Department of Transport (DfT) wants to lower the speed ...

Read the full story

Snowfall returns to Scottish roads

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:02:41 GMT

Wintry weather has returned to Scotland - leaving many roads covered with snow.Early-morning commuters were faced with problems on the roads after waking to find a blanket of snow had covere ...

Read the full story

Views sought on Forth Road Bridge

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:02:41 GMT

The Scottish Government is seeking the views of motorists over plans to make the Forth Road Bridge car-free.A new £2.3bn bridge connecting Edinburgh with Fife is planned, leaving the Forth R ...

Read the full story

Toyota to fix accelerator problem

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:44:47 GMT

Toyota has announced that it has found a solution to the accelerator problem that forced the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide.Parts to fix the problem will be shipped to US dealers i ...

Read the full story

Peugeot Citroën recalling its cars

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:44:47 GMT

Car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën is recalling around 97,000 of its models in Europe, in what the French firm described as a "precautionary move".It follows a similar move by Toyota, whic ...

Read the full story

Council tax hike for road repairs

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:44:47 GMT

Residents in North Yorkshire are facing a hike of nearly 3% in their council tax to help pay for road repairs and grit following the freezing weather.North Yorkshire County Council said it w ...

Read the full story

Motoring fine for Darren Fletcher

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:38:04 GMT

Manchester United star Darren Fletcher has been fined more than £1,500 for a motoring offence.The player's father was caught speeding in Fletcher's Range Rover on the M6 in Cumbria in Novemb ...

Read the full story

Car log books cloned by thieves

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:38:04 GMT

Fraudsters have used stolen blank registration documents to clone the log books of thousands of cars, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).The DVLA and police are wor ...

Read the full story

Peugeot recalls cars over pedals

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:10:36 GMT

Carmaker Peugeot Citroen is poised to recall two models over fears about the safety of their accelerator pedals, it has emerged.The company is looking at withdrawing the Peugeot 107 and Citr ...

Read the full story

Hull named worst city for car theft

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:10:36 GMT

An analysis of car-theft rates in the UK has named Hull the riskiest place to leave vehicles - for the second year in a row .The East Yorkshire city was followed by Nottingham, Bradford, Man ...

Read the full story

Heavy snow hits parts of Scotland

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:58:13 GMT

Pupils were forced to stay at home from school and there were collisions on the roads as a result of heavy snow in parts of Scotland.Temperatures plunged on Thursday night and roads were clo ...

Read the full story

Drink driver jailed for 10 years

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:58:13 GMT

A drink driver who killed two pedestrians has been jailed for 10 years.Stefan Stanko, 24, had been drinking whisky and cherry brandy on the day his car ploughed into a group of friends, in a ...

Read the full story

Cole gets driving ban for speeding

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:58:13 GMT

Football ace Ashley Cole will not be able to drive for four months and was handed a £1,000 fine after being caught speeding at more than 100mph in a 50mph zone.The Chelsea and England left b ...

Read the full story

Law permits unfair clamping appeal

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:12:49 GMT

The Home Office has announced a change in law allowing motorists a chance to appeal against being unfairly clamped and get their money back.Drivers claiming to have been targeted unfairly wi ...

Read the full story

Minister treated after collision

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:12:49 GMT

A Welsh Assembly cabinet minister and his official driver escaped with minor injuries after the car they were in was involved in a collision.Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant and the d ...

Read the full story

Pedal fault leads to Toyota recall

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:51:23 GMT

Toyota has announced the recall of cars in the US, Europe and China over faulty accelerator pedals.The company suspended sales in the US of the best-selling Camry along with seven other mode ...

Read the full story

Severn crossing tolls to take cards

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:51:23 GMT

Drivers using the Severn bridges can pay with plastic from April after a long-running campaign by a Labour MP to get cards accepted.The Department of Transport is making the necessary change ...

Read the full story

Court case for driver who blew nose

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:15:04 GMT

A driver who refused to pay a fixed-penalty notice after being fined by police for blowing his nose at the wheel faces a court trial over the matter.Michael Mancini said he "made sure it was ...

Read the full story

Driveway gang targeted luxury cars

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:15:04 GMT

A car thief who was extradited from his native Poland to face trial over a string of luxury car thefts across the UK has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.Marcin Mikolajczak, 29, former ...

Read the full story

Drivers 'unprotected' on motorways

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:33:31 GMT

Half of England's motorways do not protect drivers who run off the road, according to a safety report. Almost all 4,350 miles of motorways and major A roads in England were inspected by the ...

Read the full story

US car sales suspension may spread

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:02 GMT

Toyota's decision to suspend US sales of eight of its most popular models - including the Camry, America's best-selling car - to fix faulty accelerator pedals could spread to Europe.The sale ...

Read the full story

Dutch firm Spyker buys Saab from GM

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:02 GMT

Spyker Cars NV, a small Dutch car maker, has purchased Saab from General Motors (GM) in a bid to generate profit from the plunging brand.GM signed a deal on Tuesday to sell Saab to Spyker fo ...

Read the full story

Germans scoop car magazine awards

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:27:17 GMT

German manufacturers have scooped the top accolades at the 2010 BusinessCar Awards.BusinessCar Magazine's readers voted the Volkswagen Golf the Business Car of the Year. BMW received the Man ...

Read the full story

Presenter Castle's stolen car back

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:27:17 GMT

Television presenter Andrew Castle's stolen luxury car has been returned by the police.The GMTV host's £40,000 Jaguar XF was taken from his street in Balham, south London in the early hours ...

Read the full story

'Safe' colours pay off when selling

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:59:16 GMT

Look after your car and your car will look after you is the advice from an online retailer - and also make sure you have good taste in colour if you want your vehicle to retain some of its value, i ...

Read the full story

HPI offers additional data to users

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:59:16 GMT

Customers who request a car history check from HPI will also now receive additional information on the vehicle's performance data.HPI can now provide a range of information including perform ...

Read the full story

David Smith quits Jaguar Land Rover

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:59:16 GMT

Jaguar Land Rover has announced that chief executive David Smith has quit the company.Mr Smith's exit comes after the car maker and union bosses failed to come to a consensus over workers' p ...

Read the full story

79% back drink-drive limit cut

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:35:21 GMT

Around 79% of people want the drink-drive limit to be brought down, a study commissioned by the Scottish Government has found.Four out of five people would like to see the limit reduced to 5 ...

Read the full story

Schumacher 'confident' of F1 return

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:35:21 GMT

Michael Schumacher has said he is eyeing an end to British domination at Formula One when he returns to the grid this year.He will join forces with compatriot Nico Rosberg under the banner o ...

Read the full story

Crackdown on overrunning roadworks

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:08:14 GMT

Kent has become the first local authority outside London to introduce a scheme which gives councils the authorisation to crackdown on delayed roadworks.The Government has published guideline ...

Read the full story

'Men changing attitude to driving'

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:08:14 GMT

A new poll has shown that 13% of men in Britain do not have a driving licence, and 33% of these believe they do not need to drive.Among those who do not drive, a third said the high cost of ...

Read the full story

Report calls for speed limited cars

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:08:14 GMT

The Government's sustainable development watchdog has called for all public sector vehicles in Northern Ireland to be fitted with a speed control system which ensures drivers do not break the limit ...

Read the full story

Call for speed controlled vehicles

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:20 GMT

The introduction of speed controlled vehicles could help improve safety and cut pollution, the Sustainable Development Commission has said.A report has called for an intelligent speed system ...

Read the full story

Man attempts to nail varnish car

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:20 GMT

A British man is attempting to make it into the record books by hand painting an entire car with nail varnish. David Sheath, 28, will cover a Fiat 500 in pink polish for his Guinness World R ...

Read the full story

Toyota car recall over stuck pedal

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:01:49 GMT

A recall from Toyota over fears of sticking accelerator pedals is affecting more than two million cars in the US.The news comes just months after another problem of the pedal becoming trappe ...

Read the full story

Worst areas for speeding revealed

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:17:09 GMT

Scotland, Swindon and Sheffield have some of the worst speeding motorists, a survey has revealed.More than 54% of male drivers aged 17-21 in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, have a ...

Read the full story

Car manufacture 'slumped' in 2009

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:17:09 GMT

UK car production has borne the brunt of the economic downturn over the past 12 months, with production of commercial vehicles such as vans and lorries slashed by half in 2009, according to industr ...

Read the full story

OAP drives through garage wall

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:18:15 GMT

Police said that they have rescued an elderly woman who ended up in a river after crashing through the rear wall of a garage wall.The woman, believed to be in her 70s, is said to have hit th ...

Read the full story

Device speeds up pothole repairs

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:18:15 GMT

State of the art "jet-power technology" is to be used to repair potholes in Liverpool.Road workers will use a Jetpatcher which cleans, fills and covers the pothole in one operation.Li ...

Read the full story

GM to slash 8,300 jobs in Europe

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:31:20 GMT

Carmaker General Motors has said it is cutting 8,300 jobs across Europe.Germany will suffer 4,000 job losses, while Opel's factory in Antwerp, Belgium, will be shut down in a move is expecte ...

Read the full story

Schumacher swaps racing number

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:31:20 GMT

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has switched his racing number from four to three, saying he did not want to race with an even number. The 41-year-old racing star swapped racing ...

Read the full story

Parked driver gets speeding tickets

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:23:01 GMT

A driver was sent two speeding tickets after parking his car in front of a camera outside his home, it has been revealed.Jeff Buck was sent the tickets by Nottinghamshire Police after office ...

Read the full story

Motorists prefer 4x4s after snow

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:23:01 GMT

The number of drivers intending to buy off-road 4x4 vehicles has increased after the big freeze led to travel disruption across Britain.According to website Compucars, nearly a fifth of moto ...

Read the full story

Darren Day admits drink driving

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:32:51 GMT

Entertainer Darren Day has admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.The 41-year-old had 58mg of alcohol on his breath when he was arrested over the accident in Edinburgh's West En ...

Read the full story

Drivers warned of fresh snowfall

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:56:15 GMT

Motorists in Wales, the West Midlands and parts of southern England have been told to monitor road conditions after reports of fresh snow flurries moving across the country.Meteogroup, the w ...

Read the full story

20mph limit call hailed by charity

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:56:15 GMT

A charity has welcomed a call for a 20mph speed limit in built-up areas made bypublic health experts.The UK Faculty of Public Health made the recommendation in a 12-point public health manif ...

Read the full story

Average speed cameras for the A13

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:23:59 GMT

Drivers in east London will be the first to face average speed-check cameras on a major urban road, it has been announced. Eighty-four cameras will be installed on a 7.5 mile section of the ...

Read the full story

Fresh snow could bring disruption

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:23:59 GMT

Travel disruption may be in store this week as parts of the UK brace for fresh snow.Forecasters say higher parts of Wales could see up to 10 cm of snowfall, while central England may experie ...

Read the full story

Chip fat bus campaigner released

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:45:08 GMT

A British environmental campaigner travelling the world in a bus powered by chip fat has been released on bail in India after being arrested on national security grounds.Andy Pag, 35, from C ...

Read the full story

MCI calls for bike scrappage scheme

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:45:08 GMT

New figures show UK bike sales dropped 20% last year, prompting calls for a scrappage scheme similar to the one introduced for the car industry.According to the Motor Cycle Industry Associat ...

Read the full story

More points for phone use at wheel

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:36:17 GMT

Drivers caught talking on their mobiles phones could face stiffer fines and more penalty points.Under the existing laws, brought in three years ago, motorists face a £60 fine and three point ...

Read the full story

Scottish drivers 'most hot-headed'

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:36:17 GMT

A new survey has revealed that Scottish drivers are more likely to get angry at the wheel while motorists from Northern Ireland are the least susceptible to losing their cool.According to sa ...

Read the full story

More points for phone use at wheel

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:14:52 GMT

Drivers caught talking on their mobiles phones could face stiffer fines and more penalty points.Under the existing laws, brought in three years ago, motorists face a £60 fine and three point ...

Read the full story

Whittle denies dangerous driving

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:38:53 GMT

Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Ricky Whittle has denied a charge of dangerous driving.The actor, 30, was arrested in November after he had allegedly struck a photographer with his car. The ...

Read the full story

Peugeot 3008 named car of the year

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:29:05 GMT

"Crossover" utility vehicle, the Peugeot 3008, has earned the title of car of the year at an awards event in London.The 3008 was judged to perfectly combine the appearance and high driving p ...

Read the full story

Quotas set for scrappage scheme

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:46:49 GMT

A quota system is to be introduced in the run up to the end of the car scrappage scheme, the Government said as it announced that over 75% of the £400 million budget has been used.There is f ...

Read the full story

Safety fears sees Peppa Pig belt up

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:46:49 GMT

Peppa Pig will be wearing his seat beat in future episodes of the animated children's show.The move follows reports by Broadcast magazine that some parents were concerned young viewers might ...

Read the full story

Saltwater plants 'grow on roadside'

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:46:49 GMT

Motorists may see saltwater plants appear on motorway roadsides after large amounts of grit and salt were spread across the country during the recent cold snap , wildlife experts have suggested.

Read the full story

Car scrappage scheme nears 300,000

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:38:26 GMT

Between May and December the car scrappage scheme accounted for 284,479 registrations, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders have revealed.The scheme, launched in May 2 ...

Read the full story

Phone drivers to face more points

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:38:26 GMT

The penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving could be raised from three points, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said.The call comes after the number of people committing ...

Read the full story

Drivers warned of dangerous driving

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:02:49 GMT

Devon and Cornwall Police have asked motorists to use common sense, after an elderly woman was spotted driving on a busy road with a windscreen covered in snow.The pensioner - who was captur ...

Read the full story

MOT failure rates access for buyers

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:02:49 GMT

MOT failure rates of vehicles' makes and models can now be accessed by car and van buyers.Buyers can obtain Government agency data revealing the rates which appears to show a variation in th ...

Read the full story

Rail woe quadruples commute time

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:19:28 GMT

Railway chaos has left one London commuter exhausted after his usual 12-mile journey to work developed into a four-and-a-half hour travel nightmare.The man, who did not want to be named, che ...

Read the full story

Freeze road work 'to cost millions'

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:19:28 GMT

Road repairs needed due to the big freeze could leave taxpayers with a multimillion-pound bill.Councils said ice caused a higher than usual number of potholes with some estimating repair bil ...

Read the full story

Speeding Carr handed £300 fine

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:37:24 GMT

Comedian Jimmy Carr has been fined £300 after being convicted of speeding in Suffolk in 2008.Carr, 37, who did not attend the hearing at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court, was ordered to pa ...

Read the full story

Cold snap brings more road hazards

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:41:13 GMT

Motorists across southern England are facing more difficult driving conditions after waking up to a blanket of snow on what is traditionally the coldest day of the year.As transport secretar ...

Read the full story

Salt summit talks set to continue

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:41:13 GMT

Grit distribution bosses are due to hold another salt meeting amid warnings of more snow from forecasters. Drivers were faced with treacherous conditions on the roads as local authorities re ...

Read the full story

Internet dashboard a safety risk

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:01:53 GMT

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has warned that the internet dashboard could pose a significant threat to the lives of motorists at the wheel.Both Intel and Google are planning to ...

Read the full story

Ex-criminals 'given taxi licence'

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:01:53 GMT

As many as 209 people with previous convictions have been granted taxi driver licences over the past three years across the West Midlands, a study has shown.Latest investigations by the BBC ...

Read the full story

Peugeot Citroen sales fell in 2009

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:01:53 GMT

France's PSA Peugeot Citroen SA has reported a 2.2% decline in sales of cars and light trucks.Sales of assembled vehicles and kits dropped from 3.26 million in 2008 to 3.19 million last year ...

Read the full story

Snow sees motorists move to 4X4s

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:29:32 GMT

Motorists in the UK have been increasingly considering 4x4s during the freezing weather, according to a car trading website.Carcraft said it has seen a sharp rise in the sale of the vehicles ...

Read the full story

Snow not stopping motor auctions

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:29:32 GMT

Bargain hunters have braved the cold and risked a breakdown in a bid to grab their ideal motor as car auctions across the country continue despite the snow, ice and plunging temperatures.Bri ...

Read the full story

More gritting salt sent to councils

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:54:27 GMT

Councils around the country have been provided with tonnes of emergency gritting salt to help tackle the icy roads left by the big freeze.Although the worst of the glacial conditions seem to ...

Read the full story

Call to streamline VOSA activities

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:54:27 GMT

The Government's vehicle inspection agency has ended up with checkpoints in the wrong locations because of recent changes in road networks, according to a report.Some of the inspection sites ...

Read the full story

£65 fine at closed airport car park

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:54:27 GMT

A plane passenger is furious after being hit with £65 excess charges at a airport car park, despite the facility being closed due to bad weather.Richard Busby, 59, had left his car at Luton ...

Read the full story

Councils prioritising grit routes

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:12:58 GMT

Some highways authorities are being forced to prioritise which roads need gritting as salt stocks dwindle during the UK's worst winter in 30 years.A thinner layer of grit is being spread out ...

Read the full story

Cold snap causes more travel chaos

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:41:58 GMT

Fresh ice warnings have been issued after temperatures dropped to as low as minus 21.6C in the Scottish Highlands - a little warmer than the South Pole.Altnaharra in Wester Ross, Scotland, h ...

Read the full story

Formula One tycoon bids for Saab

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:41:58 GMT

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has joined forces with private investment company Genii Capital to buy loss-making car manufacturer Saab.American owner General Motors (GM) had been trying ...

Read the full story

Driver hit with £182k speeding fine

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:41:58 GMT

A millionaire who persistently exceeded the speed limits in Switzerland has been hit with a staggering £182,000 fine.Judges took the offender's personal wealth of more than £16 million into ...

Read the full story

Prices of used Saab models down

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:12:21 GMT

Uncertainty over the future of troubled firm Saab has pulled down the prices of its used cars, providing a "great" opportunity for bargain hunters, experts have said.According to the Used Ca ...

Read the full story

New car sales up 38.9% in December

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:16:36 GMT

New car sales in December 2009 were 38.9% up from the same period a year ago and the highest since 2005, a report has revealed.This figures helped boost car sales in 2009, which saw just a ...

Read the full story

Anxious councils reserve salt stock

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:16:36 GMT

Drivers battling the cold weather can expect to see a thinner layer of grit on the roads as local councils try to reserve stocks of rock salt.As local authorities await the delivery of salt ...

Read the full story

MPs hit out at Highways Agency

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:59:25 GMT

The organisation responsible for the maintenance of England's motorways and major A roads has been criticised for "lacking basic facts" about taxpayer's value for money.A Commons Select Comm ...

Read the full story

Ulster 'must halve traffic by 2025'

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:59:25 GMT

Northern Ireland must halve its volume of emissions from road traffic by 2025 if it is to meet its climate change targets, according to official predictions.The Department for Regional Devel ...

Read the full story

Gritter flips over on icy road

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:59:25 GMT

Icy roads are continuing to wreak havoc after a gritter overturned on snow-covered ice in Mid Wales - leaving the driver shaken and bruised.According to the Ceredigion County Council, the sn ...

Read the full story

'Grit aid' for worst hit councils

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:34:01 GMT

Fears that some councils may run out of grit and leave freezing roads in treacherous condition have been allayed by the Local Government Association (LGA).Some councils are getting close to ...

Read the full story

Military acts as breakdown service

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:34:01 GMT

The military took on the role of a breakdown service to help up to 1,000 vehicles that had become stranded on a snow-blocked motorway in Hampshire.The Armed Forces were joined by police and ...

Read the full story

Salt mine struggles to meet demand

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:34:01 GMT

Staff at a salt mine have pledged to work around the clock to help the UK through what it called "the worst continuous spell of severe weather in 20 years".Cheshire's Winsford salt mine is c ...

Read the full story

Council defends parking revenue

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:38:37 GMT

North Tyneside council has defended itself after it was reported the local authority boosted its parking revenue by 94% last year.The figures came to light after The Daily Telegraph obtained ...

Read the full story

South West in heavy snowfall chaos

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:38:37 GMT

The South West saw a series of accidents as heavy snowfall - up to 6in (15cm) - disrupted transport in the region.Minor roads remained inaccessible as the local authorities focused on cleari ...

Read the full story

Mobility scooterists get road tips

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:49:00 GMT

Road safety training is being offered to mobility scooter drivers in Great Yarmouth after a spate of accidents.Currently riders do not need to sit a test or be insured to legally drive a mob ...

Read the full story

Hard shoulder running begins on M6

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:49:00 GMT

A hard shoulder running scheme on a busy stretch of the M6 in the West Midlands has opened one month earlier than planned.The scheme, which cost £150 million to deliver, follows a successful ...

Read the full story

Snow to cause more traffic chaos

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:49:00 GMT

More transport chaos is expected this week as forecasters warn that if current weather conditions persist Britain could see one of the coldest winters in 100 years.Parts of the country could ...

Read the full story

Cole guilty of speeding at 104mph

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:49:00 GMT

Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole has been found guilty of driving at more than 100mph in his black Lamborghini Gallardo despite claiming he was being chased by paparazzi in a 50mph zone.< ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned after fatal crash

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:04:50 GMT

Motorists have been urged to take extra care after three people were killed in a crash on a snowy stretch of motorway in West Yorkshire.Bilal Bholat, 24, Imran Bodi, 27, and Alnoor Rajani, 3 ...

Read the full story

Christmas shopper stranded by snow

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:04:50 GMT

Heavy snowfall has left a shopper who set out to buy a turkey for Christmas dinner still stranded 11 miles away from home.Cafe owner Kay Ure, 54, has been cut off from her husband John and ...

Read the full story

Italian theme for motor festival

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:04:50 GMT

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is to have an Italian flavour this year.One of the major motoring festivals of the calendar, Goodwood's chosen theme for 2010 is Viva Veloce - the passion for ...

Read the full story

Do not drink and drive the next day

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:44:26 GMT

Drivers have been warned to take it easy on New Year's Day and not set off on their journeys too early in the morning to avoid havoc on Britain's roads.Bargain hunters heading for the sales ...

Read the full story

Parking ban plan to cut obesity

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:44:26 GMT

Parents should not be allowed to park their cars outside schools because it is stopping children getting vital exercise, according to health bosses.In an effort to slow the trend for child o ...

Read the full story

Tories seek drug-driving detectors

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:53:01 GMT

The Tories are urging the Scottish Government to introduce devices which allow police officers to identify drug-drivers.Conservative justice spokesman Bill Aitken highlighted the policy in A ...

Read the full story

Scotland hit by colder weather

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:53:01 GMT

The cold weather has further disrupted Scotland as icy conditions continue despite milder weather on Tuesday night.The country is experiencing chilly weather as a result of freezing winds fr ...

Read the full story

Reliant Regal makes 300-mile trip

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:39:44 GMT

A publican in Northern Ireland has used the festive period to unveil his new delivery van - a yellow three-wheel Reliant Regal.Mark "Del Boy" Drumm, 28, who runs Magee's Spirit Store in Enni ...

Read the full story

Vehicle crackdown plan falls short

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:39:44 GMT

An operation to seize uninsured vehicles in London failed to meet expectations, forcing the Metropolitan Police suffer a shortfall of £1.3 million in fines and fees.Operation Reclaim - which ...

Read the full story

More travel disruptions predicted

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:41:50 GMT

Britons heading to work after the Christmas holiday are set to face more travel chaos as forecasters predict heavy snowfall across the country.On Tuesday, some parts of Britain will see heav ...

Read the full story

Hertz car rental owner buys BCA

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:41:50 GMT

The owner of global car rental chain Hertz has bought British Car Auctions (BCA) in a deal that is said to value the second-hand vehicle trader at £390 million.Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ...

Read the full story

Travel misery on Christmas Eve

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:18:14 GMT

Travellers have been urged to plan more time for their journeys as freezing conditions continued causing travel chaos across the country.The Met office has warned of severe weather condition ...

Read the full story

Winter drivers issued tyre warning

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:18:14 GMT

Motorists travelling home for Christmas have been warned by a leading tyre dealer of the dangers of "kerbing" tyres during the treacherous weather conditions.Protyre has warned that sliding ...

Read the full story

Schumacher all ready to race on

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:18:14 GMT

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is "ready for some serious stuff" again as he prepares to put the young guns of racing in their place and chase an eighth world title next year.After th ...

Read the full story

VW gears up to retain Dakar crown

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:01:37 GMT

German car giant Volkwagen is spending the festive period readying itself for an assault on the Dakar rally early next year.While the recession has forced several car makers out of motorspor ...

Read the full story

Dangerous driving charge for actor

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:01:37 GMT

Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Ricky Whittle has been charged with dangerous driving.The 29-year-old Hollyoaks actor was arrested at the end of November after allegedly hitting a photograph ...

Read the full story

Millions to face travel misery

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:54:51 GMT

More than 12 million people across Britain are preparing to travel in the next two days as authorities continue to come under fire for failing to act "sooner and more thoroughly" to prevent travel ...

Read the full story

Tougher dangerous driving sentences

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:54:51 GMT

A proposal by the Government to more than double maximum jail terms for dangerous drivers has been welcomed by the parents of a toddler horrifically injured followed a high speed collision.T ...

Read the full story

Cars warming up on drive stolen

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:54:51 GMT

Three more drivers have had their cars stolen while they were left to warm up on the owners' drives, according to police.The cars' owners had left the engines running and were all inside the ...

Read the full story

Millions to face travel misery

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:13:01 GMT

Read the full story

Tougher dangerous driving sentences

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:13:01 GMT

A proposal by the Government to more than double maximum jail terms for dangerous drivers has been welcomed by the parents of a toddler horrifically injured followed a high speed collision.T ...

Read the full story

Disney scraps Wild Hogs sequel plan

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:02:51 GMT

Plans to make a sequel to the biker comedy Wild Hogs have been dropped by Disney, despite the first film bringing in over £150 million at the global box office.Original actors John Travolta, ...

Read the full story

Crash barrier to include bike tests

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:02:51 GMT

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) has said that a Europe-wide standard for bike friendly roadside barriers may be introduced next year.Currently, crash barriers i ...

Read the full story

Ford Focus named most popular car

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:18:45 GMT

A poll by Auto Trader magazine has named the Ford Focus the most popular car of the decade, with Ford claiming three of the five places on the list.The car beat off competition from the Ford ...

Read the full story

Motorists plagued by more snow

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:18:45 GMT

Commuters face further misery as snow and ice continues to plague roads and disrupt rail and air services.Temperatures dipped considerably overnight, hardening the snow into dangerous surfac ...

Read the full story

Road sign mistakes 'cost hundreds'

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:18:45 GMT

Spelling mistakes on street signs have cost Scottish councils hundreds of pounds, it has been revealed.Glasgow City Council was one of those to have paid out to correct mistakes made by empl ...

Read the full story

Electric cars boost for North East

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:14:46 GMT

The North East will see the installation of over 600 charging points for electric vehicles, it has been announced.In an attempt to encourage electric vehicles, regional development agency On ...

Read the full story

Drivers told to take car in winter

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:14:46 GMT

A motoring charity has advised drivers to take special care during the winter months as snow and ice continue to affect many parts of the country.Skidding on ice is the main concern during f ...

Read the full story

GM plans to wind down Saab business

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:33:38 GMT

General Motors (GM) has announced that it will wind down its Swedish car business Saab, after talks to sell it to Dutch firm Spyker Cars collapsed.Saab is one of Europe's best known brands - ...

Read the full story

Scottish motorists warned of snow

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:33:38 GMT

Forecasters have warned of a "particularly cold" day as motorists awoke to snow covering much of Scotland following widespread blizzards.Dozens of accidents were caused due to icy roads and ...

Read the full story

Surge in November car production

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:37:49 GMT

Indicating further economic recovery, motor industry witnessed a 15.7% year-on-year increase in car production during November, the latest statistics show.Last month 112,948 cars were manufa ...

Read the full story

Alert as snowfall disrupts traffic

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:21:14 GMT

Commuters have been warned to expect transport disruptions across Britain following snowfall in many areas.Precipitation in London and the South East affected trains and flights, while motor ...

Read the full story

Winter drink-driver numbers rise

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:21:14 GMT

Police in Northern Ireland say the number of offenders caught during the first two weeks their winter anti-drink driving campaign has risen by 15%.Overall, 230 drivers and motorcyclists were ...

Read the full story

Exceptional year for RM Auctions

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:20:09 GMT

RM Auctions has generated more than £117 million ($190 million) from the sales of 1,450 cars at various events in four different countries during 2009.It has been a solid performance year fo ...

Read the full story

Government encourages 20mph zones

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:20:09 GMT

The Government is encouraging councils to introduce more 20mph speed-limit areas, by altering current requirements for traffic calming measures.At present, 20mph zones can only be introduced ...

Read the full story

Aston Martin Cygnet images revealed

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:12:41 GMT

Car manufacturer Aston Martin has released the first official pictures of its new luxury commuter concept model, which boasts a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating.Aimed to reach customers in t ...

Read the full story

Website offers rental car parking

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:28 GMT

A website is offering motorists the chance to pre-book parking spaces let by organisations or individuals.Firms or people who have spare parking area in garages or driveways they wish to ren ...

Read the full story

Postcode lottery in driving crimes

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:28 GMT

Police in some areas of the country are more likely to be tough on people committing motoring offences than officers in other areas, research has found.Auto Express magazine collected statis ...

Read the full story

Breakdown fears as snow predicted

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:20:32 GMT

Motorists face the threat of breakdown as forecasters predict that some parts of Britain are facing snowfall this week.According to MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Associati ...

Read the full story

Police seize cars of drink-drivers

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:20:32 GMT

Scottish forces are likely to tow away the cars of more than 12 drink-drive offenders during a crackdown this Christmas period, it has been revealed.The first week of the month-long campaig ...

Read the full story

Petrol prices 'push up inflation'

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:18:36 GMT

Official figures have revealed that the rise in petrol prices pushed inflation up for the second consecutive month in November.The average cost of a litre of petrol rose by 2.9p to 108.3p la ...

Read the full story

Driving-test fraudsters jailed

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:18:36 GMT

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has welcomed the jail term given to two fraudsters who were paid by learners to take their driving tests.Ali Abdullah, 32, and Muktar Nuren, 22, carried o ...

Read the full story

Button faces Hamilton 'challenge'

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:18:36 GMT

Formula One champion Jenson Button has said that his rivalry with new McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton is set to be "fierce".However, he admitted that he faces "a hell of a challenge" when h ...

Read the full story

VAT raise 'will hit motorists'

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:46:13 GMT

Spiralling motoring costs after the 17.5% VAT rate is reintroduced on January 1 may force drivers to cut back on their mileage, according to Auto Trader.It warns that the extra 2.5% across t ...

Read the full story

Christmas travel weather warning

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:46:13 GMT

Weather forecasters have warned people planning to travel over the Christmas period to monitor the weather, as the country could be set for snow.Paul Knightley, of MeteoGroup UK, the weather ...

Read the full story

Slough tops car accident survey

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:29:22 GMT

Research has shown a self-termed safety town in Berkshire is actually the riskiest place in the UK for motor accidents, with an accident rate 41.3% above the national average.Slough has prom ...

Read the full story

Two supermarkets cut pump prices 3p

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:29:22 GMT

Motorists are to have some relief at the pumps, as a supermarket price war gets underway.In the run up to Christmas, two supermarket giants have announced they will cut prices by up to 3p a ...

Read the full story

Toyota unveils new 'plug-in' Prius

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:29:22 GMT

The latest Toyota Prius has been unveiled boasting 'plug-in' technology that will extend the distance drivers can travel on a single electric charge.The new model boasts a more powerful lith ...

Read the full story

UK braced for more wintry weather

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:19:26 GMT

Forecasters have warned that Britain could be hit with more wintry weather later in the week.Road gritters have already been put on alert to deal with the cold weather conditions.Acco ...

Read the full story

Bournemouth bus lane proves costly

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:19:26 GMT

A Dorset motorist who continually disregarded council advice by driving along a temporary bus lane has accrued fines of more than £2,000 after being caught in the act on 35 separate occasions.< ...

Read the full story

Maths equation helps drivers park

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:36:19 GMT

A new mathematical equation has been concocted to help motorists pull off the perfect parking manoeuvre .The formula was born out of a collaboration between maths professor Simon Blackburn, ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned over cold snap

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:36:19 GMT

Motorists are being warned of dangerous driving conditions with a major cold snap heading for the country this weekend.Forecasters say Britain is likely to experience widespread frosts and i ...

Read the full story

Scrappage car sales 'top 250,000'

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:36:19 GMT

The Government has been urged to continue supporting the motor industry after new figures showed its scrappage scheme has resulted in sales of more than a quarter of a million cars across the coun ...

Read the full story

20mph zones cut road casualties

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:48:04 GMT

Road injuries in London have come down by more than 40% thanks to the introduction of 20mph zones, according to a report.Between 1986 and 2006, the overall levels of deaths and serious inju ...

Read the full story

Chinese firm stakes MG logos claim

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:53:10 GMT

Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) is claiming the rights to the MG trademarks and logos, saying that it bought them in 2005.The Chinese firm is seeking a High Court order stopping a compa ...

Read the full story

'Fewer motorists worry about theft'

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:53:10 GMT

A new poll has revealed that fewer motorists are concerned about vehicle theft this year, with just 76% worrying about car crime.The figure is a decrease on last year, when 80% of motorists ...

Read the full story

Policy to restrict driving hours

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:53:10 GMT

A car insurance company has come up with a scheme that would restrict the driving hours of young motorists.Under the new policy, motorists aged between 17 and 25 are not allowed to drive bet ...

Read the full story

Tickets rush for Silverstone GP

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:11:35 GMT

Silverstone has earned nearly £1.2 million in British Grand Prix ticket sales just 24 hours after sealing a long-term contract to host the race.Around 6,500 tickets have been sold for next s ...

Read the full story

Road safety plan for Afghan troops

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:11:35 GMT

Police have announced road safety training for soldiers returning from Afghanistan to help them adapt to the "theatre of life".During the run-up to Christmas, Northern Constabulary officers ...

Read the full story

Increase in sales of German cars

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:12:52 GMT

Demand for German cars rose in November, particularly in developing markets, as the global recession eased.Global group sales for BMW, the world's biggest name in luxury cars, increased by 1 ...

Read the full story

M42 hard shoulder scheme launched

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:12:52 GMT

A motorway hard shoulder at junction 5 on the M42 near Solihull in the West Midlands has been opened to motorists to use during busy hours.The £3 million initiative from the Highways Agency ...

Read the full story

Town launches car-tax crackdown

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:12:52 GMT

A County Durham town has begun a clampdown on car-tax dodgers with the help of police, the DVLA and wardens from neighbouring areas.The campaign in Stanley is being carried out in the run-up ...

Read the full story

Tesla test drive at UN climate meet

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:28:21 GMT

Tesla is offering test drives in its eco-friendly car to 15,000 delegates of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen.The electric sports car manufacturer has ...

Read the full story

Design award for Kia's MPV Venga

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:28:21 GMT

Kia Motors' all-new compact MPV Venga has been selected for one of the most prestigious international design awards to be presented in March 2010.The B-segment people carrier will receive th ...

Read the full story

Hamilton backs road safety scheme

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:28:21 GMT

A new road safety scheme which will offer children a rare chance behind the wheel is being backed by former Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.The British sports star is supporting the Road ...

Read the full story

Roadwork reduction scheme unveiled

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:46:32 GMT

A new permit scheme designed to minimise the disruption caused to the capital's motorists by roadworks has been unveiled by Transport for London.From next month, organisations wanting to dig ...

Read the full story

Drink-drivers 'may lose vehicles'

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:46:32 GMT

Police in Scotland have warned drink drivers that their cars may be seized as part of a crackdown during the festive season.They issued the warning to repeat offenders as the annual road saf ...

Read the full story

Second-hand car demand plummets

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:14:53 GMT

Car market figures have revealed a fall in demand for second-hand cars, with potential buyers planning to spend less on a used car than earlier in the year.Only 8% of adults are planning to ...

Read the full story

Expert to look at drink-drive limit

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:14:53 GMT

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has approached legal expert Sir Peter North for advice on lowering the legal alcohol limit permitted for driving and the possible tightening of drug-driving laws.

Read the full story

Police launch drink-drive campaign

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:25:49 GMT

Welsh police have launched their annual Christmas anti-drink-drive campaign with a video about 18-year-old Stacey Williams, who was paralysed in an accident this February.She and her father ...

Read the full story

Thames toll bridge sold for £1m

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:25:49 GMT

A Grade II-listed toll bridge over the River Thames in Oxfordshire has fetched £1,080,000 at auction.The Swinford Toll Bridge, near Eynsham, is exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and ...

Read the full story

Road-tax evasion falling says DVLA

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:25:49 GMT

Overall road tax evasion is falling - 0.5% this year compared with 0.7% last - although it is increasing among motorcyclists, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).It r ...

Read the full story

Safer open level crossings urged

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:25:49 GMT

Stricter penalties for drivers mis-using open level crossings are urged by the Office for Rail Regulation (ORR) after a triple fatality in Halkirk in the Highlands.Chief executive Bill Emery ...

Read the full story

Europe gets 40 Nissan GT-R SpecVs

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:25:49 GMT

Europe is to get just 40 of Nissan's long-awaited SpecV version of its GT-R supercar, and the company will stop taking orders on January 22 next year.The limited edition destined for Europe ...

Read the full story

TV lie detector expert sentenced

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

A 65-year-old Surrey man who conducts lie detector tests on TV shows has been handed a suspended prison sentence after lying to police about a speeding ticket.On August 31 this year, Bruce B ...

Read the full story

Drivers urged to replace worn tyres

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

Penny-pinching drivers may be risking road safety in trying to squeeze the last mile out of old and worn tyres, a study warns.According to Protyre, around 3.5 million wheels currently in use ...

Read the full story

Lauren and Luke 'most crash-prone'

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

Motorists named Lauren and Luke are among the most accident-prone drivers in the UK, according to a survey.Drivers called Luke are 21% more likely to be involved in a crash than the average ...

Read the full story

Peugeot `set for Mitsubishi bid`

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

Reports suggesting that PSA Peugeot Citroen is in final tie-up talks with Mitsubishi Motors have helped push up the Japanese manufacturer's shares by nearly 18%.According to the Nikkei busin ...

Read the full story

'Cycling more unsafe than driving'

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

A Surrey University report has suggested that more cyclists in England are likely to get injured on roads than people in cars.There were at least 68 injuries to cyclists and pedestrians for ...

Read the full story

Tax-free toll bridge goes on sale

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:45 GMT

A privately-owned toll bridge which was granted tax-free status through an Act of Parliament more than two centuries ago is going under the hammer.The Swinford Toll Bridge was built across t ...

Read the full story

Bentley Mulsanne launches next year

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:11:11 GMT

Bentley has announced it will begin production of its new luxury car, the Mulsanne, at its headquarters in Cheshire next spring.A new body production facility for the Mulsanne is being compl ...

Read the full story

Police pay for refuelling blunder

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:56:11 GMT

Police authorities in Suffolk have been left counting the cost of damage caused to police vehicles by officers using the wrong type of fuel.Bosses blamed "human error" for the mistakes, afte ...

Read the full story

Police stop super lorry test drive

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:56:11 GMT

Traffic officials stopped a 74-year-old transport company chief when he drove his 82-foot super lorry on public roads for the first time, defying regulations.Dick Denby, chairman of Denby Tr ...

Read the full story

GM to cut 354 jobs at Luton plant

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:52:11 GMT

General Motors has announced that it will cut about 354 jobs at its Vauxhall plant in Luton.The car maker, which is restructuring its European operations including Opel, said that it will sp ...

Read the full story

British drivers are 'law-abiding'

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:52:11 GMT

British and Irish motorists are among the least likely in Europe to break the law, a survey has found.The survey of 8,000 drivers in Ireland, Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Fra ...

Read the full story

Anti-drink drive campaign unveiled

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:52:11 GMT

A Christmas anti-drink drive campaign, testing drivers for being under the influence of either alcohol or illegal drugs while behind the wheel, has been launched.Adam Briggs, deputy chief co ...

Read the full story

D1ANA plate could fetch £100,000

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:57 GMT

The car number plate D1ANA is expected to fetch up to £100,000 at auction as it stirs up interest among fans of the late Princess of Wales.The rare registration plate is one of nearly 60 veh ...

Read the full story

Second hard shoulder scheme opens

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:57 GMT

Transport Minister Chris Mole has launched a second scheme allowing motorists to drive along hard shoulders during busy hours, after the success of the initial jambuster programme.The latest ...

Read the full story

Motorists defer vehicle maintenance

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:38:10 GMT

Almost half of recession-hit motorists are trying to reduce their car-related expenditure by deferring routine vehicle repair, servicing and maintenance jobs, a survey has found.According to ...

Read the full story

Drivers rescued as floods hit Devon

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:38:10 GMT

Firefighters have been called in to help clear roads and rescue stranded motorists after heavy rains caused flash floods in parts of Devon.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue assisted police ...

Read the full story

Couples 'reluctant to share cars'

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:38:10 GMT

Britons tend to be "guarded" about sharing cars with couples more likely to give their partner keys to their home than to their vehicle, a poll has revealed.Just 36% of the couples surveyed ...

Read the full story

Warning over rise in business rates

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:37:34 GMT

The RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association (RMI Petrol) is planning a parliamentary fight against the proposed rises in business rates that it says could force hundreds of rural petrol statio ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned over texting risk

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:37:34 GMT

Motorists have been urged not to text while at the wheel after a teenager was sentenced for dangerous driving in a collision.Cambridge Crown Court jailed Isaak Playford of Mill End Road, Che ...

Read the full story

Pedals recalled over crash fears

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Car maker Toyota says it will replace four million accelerator pedals in the US after a horrific accident prompted fears they could cause crashes.Among those pedals to be recalled are those ...

Read the full story

No job cuts at Vauxhall car plant

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Vauxhall is planning to step up production at its Ellesmere Port car factory, easing fears about job losses, although it may axe around 300 posts at its Luton van plant.The move means the Me ...

Read the full story

Motorists drive over unsafe bridge

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Despite the Allerdale Borough Council issuing warnings over a damaged bridge in Workington, motorists were spotted risking their lives by removing safety barriers to drive across it.The driv ...

Read the full story

Astra and Mazda3 get NCAP honours

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:55:27 GMT

Euro NCAP has awarded top honours to Vauxhall Astra and Mazda3 models for performing consistently in its safety tests.The popular hatchbacks both received five-stars under NCAP's new system, ...

Read the full story

Richard Hammond's insurance battle

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:55:27 GMT

Top Gear host Richard Hammond says he is finding it hard to get insurance for a skiing holiday.Insurers are not willing to give the TV presenter a cover for the festive trip as his past life ...

Read the full story

New EU rules to promote green tyres

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:30:09 GMT

European MPs in Strasbourg have given the go-ahead for new rules which, when enforced in three years time, will help motorists select the quietest and most efficient tyres for their cars.Man ...

Read the full story

Drink-drive re-offending rates rise

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:30:09 GMT

The Liberal Democrats have called for more action to help curb the rising number of people repeating drink and drug-driving offences.Compared with 2000, when 16% of people convicted for driv ...

Read the full story

GM to cut 9,000 jobs in Europe

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:07:15 GMT

Around 9,000 staff at General Motors will lose their jobs across Europe, with its German workforce making up around 60% of the cuts, the carmaker has announced.The US company's head of Inter ...

Read the full story

Toyota recalls four million cars

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:07:15 GMT

Four million Toyota cars - including two of its top-selling models in the US - are being recalled following fears the accelerator pedals may catch on floor mats, sending the car speeding off and po ...

Read the full story

Ford's UK models to cost 2.7% more

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:07:15 GMT

Car manufacturer Ford has announced an increase of 2.7% in its UK prices due to continued weakness of the pound.Most of the car giant's UK range of models will be affected by the hike, which ...

Read the full story

Kia's parents get brand-new car

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:08 GMT

A Dorset couple, who named their newly-born baby girl after the car Kia Carens, have been gifted a brand-new seven-seat 2.0 CRDi Carens by the car company.Sam Smyth and Tony Richardson had e ...

Read the full story

Children 'copy driving behaviour'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:08 GMT

Parents have been warned that failing to follow safety rules while driving could influence their children's motoring behaviour in future.The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said childr ...

Read the full story

Cycling bosses call for speed limit

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:08 GMT

Speed limits cut to 20mph on residential streets would encourage more people to switch to pedal power, cycling bosses have urged MSPs.Holyrood's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change ...

Read the full story

Drivers being fined are 'cash cows'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:06:33 GMT

Campaigners say motorists are being used as 'cash cows' by town halls - despite research showing money raised through parking fines decreased 16% in 2008.The total revenue for 2008/9 was £32 ...

Read the full story

Briatore appeals against F1 ban

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:06:33 GMT

Flavio Briatore who has appealed against his lifetime ban from motor racing will learn of his fate on January 5.The former Renault team boss was banned by FIA in September for ordering Nelso ...

Read the full story

Poll reveals UK motoring fears

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:19:53 GMT

Young men and motorists who use mobile phones while driving are the most feared people on the road.Almost three-quarters of drivers thought mobile users were the most likely group of people ...

Read the full story

Donington still wants British GP

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:19:53 GMT

The dream of next year's British Grand Prix taking place at Donington Park is still going strong, says the circuit's leasing company.Despite Silverstone chiefs claiming they are close to agr ...

Read the full story

Many youngsters 'drive when drunk'

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:19:53 GMT

A new survey revealed that 18% of motorists aged 17-25 admitted to driving after drinking, while 7% said they had driven on illegal drugs. The poll by road safety charity Brake and companies ...

Read the full story

1,000mph car to be built in Bristol

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:09:51 GMT

A hybrid rocket designed to achieve over 1,000mph and break the world land speed record is to be built in Bristol.The Bloodhound SSC will be fitted with a jet engine from the Eurofighter Typ ...

Read the full story

'Few' understand green technology

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:09:51 GMT

A new survey has suggested that many people are ignorant about green cars despite considering environment-friendly technology as a key factor when buying one.Yahoo! UK's poll of 5,800 people ...

Read the full story

Car production dip lowest in 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:54:54 GMT

The green shoots of recovery for the car industry continue to slowly sprout, with the decline in car production falling by its smallest margin so far this year.Figures analysed by the Societ ...

Read the full story

Car share drive aims to cut traffic

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:54:54 GMT

The first cross-border car-sharing scheme for Northern Ireland and the Republic aims to reduce pollution and traffic congestion, say ministers.A new website allows commuters living in Donega ...

Read the full story

Luxury car maker moves plant to UK

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:39:56 GMT

Luxury sport vehicle-maker Spyker Cars is to relocate its assembly plant from Holland to Coventry, in a move warmly welcomed by business secretary Lord Mandelson.The firm, which makes around ...

Read the full story

Air flow can power cars and planes

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:39:56 GMT

US researchers are working on devices that can convert the energy of flowing air to electricity for planes and cars.The materials used for the inch-long gadgets are known as piezoelectrics w ...

Read the full story

£30m grant for car charging points

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:03 GMT

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has called on cities and businesses to bid for a £30 million grant to install more electric car charging points.The Plugged-in Places initiative will see the ...

Read the full story

Call to extend car scrappage scheme

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:03 GMT

The CBI has called on the Government to again extend the car scrappage scheme to boost the economy and employment in the car industry.Richard Lambert, the organisation's director general, sa ...

Read the full story

Schumacher "could make F1 return"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:03 GMT

F1 legend Michael Schumacher could be set to take World Champion Jenson Button's seat at Brawn GP - now Mercedes GP - and create a 'dream team' with fellow German Nico Rosberg.The seven-time ...

Read the full story

Heavy rains cause transport misery

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:03 GMT

Several days of continuous rainfall have badly affected the country's transport services, with north west England and Scotland hit particularly hard.Trains between Carlisle and Maryport, Car ...

Read the full story

Diesel hits £5 per gallon once more

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:03 GMT

Motorists could be headed for their own breakdown with the news that diesel has shot back up to £5 a gallon on forecourts.Diesel has jumped from an average 106.24p a litre in mid-October to ...

Read the full story

Baby girl named after Kia Carens

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:17 GMT

A baby girl born on the back seat of a seven-seat Kia Carens has been named after the car.Parents Tony Richardson, 24, and Samantha Smyth, 23, had earlier thought of calling her Tilley but t ...

Read the full story

PC game targets child road deaths

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:17 GMT

An initiative to protect children from injury or death on British roads has been launched by the road safety minister, using an online game.The Code of Everand uses a virtual world to promot ...

Read the full story

Women uncomfortable going to garage

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:57:17 GMT

Many female motorists are not comfortable taking their car for service, and some would prefer women-only garages, a survey has shown.More than half of the 4,000 women polled said that they f ...

Read the full story

Used car values see annual rise

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:43:07 GMT

The average value of used cars saw an 8.8% year-on-year rise in October, defying the downward trend that is usual in the last three months of the year.During the month, all types of car aged ...

Read the full story

New law to tackle cowboy clampers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:43:07 GMT

The Government plans to introduce a new law to regulate wheel clamping on private land.Under the proposed legislation, announced in the Queen's Speech, it will be mandatory for all wheel cla ...

Read the full story

Nissan van wins international prize

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:47:06 GMT

The International Van of the Year award has been won by Nissan, with their small van model, the NV200.The jury of 23 experts gave top votes to the design, which is on sale now. The fact that ...

Read the full story

Ex-F1 star crosses Channel Tunnel

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:47:06 GMT

A multi-talented former motorsports star has become the first man to drive the full length of the Channel Tunnel.John Surtees, who won races on both four and two wheels in his career, drove ...

Read the full story

Britons to face more gales and rain

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:47:06 GMT

Gale force winds and torrential downpours are set to wreak havoc in parts of Britain, forecasters have predicted.The Met Office has warned that Wales, the north west of England and Northern ...

Read the full story

End of Raikkonen's McLaren dream

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:12 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen's F1 racing career may be over after the breakdown of talks regarding a possible return to McLaren.Says his manager, Steve Robertson: "The options were McLaren or not at all. ...

Read the full story

BMW signs up as 2012 Games sponsor

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:12 GMT

Car giant BMW has become the 24th sponsor of the London 2012 Games.The BMW Group UK will provide a fleet of 4,000 cars including its Mini model, BMW bicycles and motorcycles to be used by at ...

Read the full story

GM facing probe over Vauxhall jobs

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:23:33 GMT

Union chiefs are to press a top executive of car giant General Motors for assurances about jobs at Vauxhall factories in the UK.Leaders of Unite will hold talks with Nick Reilly, the US firm ...

Read the full story

Petrol prices to soar over holidays

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:58:56 GMT

Petrol prices are set to dent the Christmas cheer of motorists who face paying in excess of 110p a litre in the run up to the holiday period.The price represents a rise of 26% on prices reco ...

Read the full story

Brad Pitt wants a new motorcycle

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:49:56 GMT

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is shopping for a new motorcycle after trashing his favourite bike in an accident, it has been revealed.The star was attending the launch of his new film Inglorious ...

Read the full story

Yamaha announces new 'green' bikes

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:08:59 GMT

Yamaha has introduced models of two environmentally friendly commuter bikes, promising high-quality acceleration and pleasurable cruising performance. Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the H ...

Read the full story

Mercedes-Button talks continue

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Talks over a new deal between rebranded Mercedes Grand Prix and Formula One champion Jenson Button for the 2010 season are continuing amid speculation that the buy-out might lead to an all-German d ...

Read the full story

'Crunch not hitting driving habits'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:55:14 GMT

Only a fifth of motorists have reduced the time they spend behind the wheels during the recession, a new poll has found.A study by tyre company Bridgestone found that 4% of drivers have sold ...

Read the full story

Cost of driving a car 'rising'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:55:14 GMT

New figures indicate that the annual cost of running a car has shot up by 11% since 2007, following a rise in insurance premiums and motoring taxes. According to data from Sainsbury's Financ ...

Read the full story

Warning over designated drivers

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:55:14 GMT

Designated drivers are essential for many over Christmas, but motorists should check their insurance and credentials before handing over keys, a leading charity says.The Institute of Advance ...

Read the full story

Road congestion increases by 11%

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:13:16 GMT

There has been a 11% rise in the congestion on major roads in October compared with the same period a year ago, figures showed.But statistics from Trafficmaster also noted that although traf ...

Read the full story

Week to see more wind and rain

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:13:16 GMT

Forecasters have predicted more heavy rain and high winds - some up to 60mph in exposed areas - but mild temperatures early this week.Following the gloomy prediction for Monday, northern and ...

Read the full story

Motorists warned of Friday 13th

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:02:44 GMT

Experts have warned motorists to be careful on the roads after a new accident study revealed this Friday the 13th has the potential to be particularly unlucky for people behind the wheel.Dat ...

Read the full story

Silverstone's new driving scheme

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:21:51 GMT

Silverstone has joined forces with Renaultsport in a bid to provide essential driver training for teenagers as young as 13 - who fancy getting behind the wheels of a car.Under the initiative ...

Read the full story

Britain braced for weekend storms

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:21:51 GMT

Drivers have been advised to stay indoors over the weekend as forecasters predict that Britain will be buffeted by winds of up to 70 mph.Saturday shopping trips may fall victim to the severe ...

Read the full story

Barton cleared of traffic offence

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:52:38 GMT

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton, summoned to court for ignoring an official notice when his car was caught speeding by camera, has been cleared of the charge.The 27-year-old football ...

Read the full story

Garage complaints from drivers fall

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:52:38 GMT

Automobile regulator Motor Codes has offered help for motorists dealing with car repairs through its dispute resolution advice and assistance to tie in with National Complaints Day.Servicing ...

Read the full story

Green transport drive launched

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:57:10 GMT

Six schools in Gloucestershire have been awarded more than £35,000 to build safer, more environmentally friendly routes to class.Gloucestershire Council says the money will be used to fund a ...

Read the full story

Motorbike minimum age may rise

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:48:37 GMT

An increase in the minimum age for motorcyclists wanting to ride the most powerful motorbikes is being considered by ministers.The Government has launched a consultation, with Junior transpo ...

Read the full story

Drivers warned over car theft risk

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:48:37 GMT

Motorists are being urged to take extra security precautions to deal with the increased risk of vehicle theft during winter.Vehicle tracking services firm Tracker says its figures show a 20% ...

Read the full story

Mr Loophole loses driving ban case

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:10:03 GMT

Celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, also known as Mr Loophole, has lost a case for footballer Jermain Defoe, who was handed a fine and a ban for speeding.Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC dismissed the ...

Read the full story

Electric car switch 'uneconomical'

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:10:03 GMT

A mass switch to electric cars may not help the environment as much as hoped or shift motorists away from dependence on oil, a leading transport group claims.The Environmental Transport Asso ...

Read the full story

F1 car up for auction - on ebay

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:19:40 GMT

Michael Schumacher's 1994 F1 Championship-winning car has been put up for sale on ebay, with bids already breaking the £2.25 million barrier.The legendary driver won the first of his seven W ...

Read the full story

BSM directors in £10m buy-out deal

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:26:29 GMT

Britain's largest driving school plans to double its instructor workforce after its managing directors completed a £10 million buy-out deal.This is the second time in less than a year that t ...

Read the full story

Citroen unveils greener C5 model

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:26:29 GMT

A new, greener engine has been unveiled by Citroen for its popular C5 models, with the French carmaker announcing a new engine, jointly produced with BMW, set for installation in the new model. ...

Read the full story

Loudspeaker to warn of silent cars

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Pedestrians and road users can be warned of approaching silent electric vehicles thanks to new advanced loudspeaker technology.The system, jointly developed by Lotus and audio specialist Har ...

Read the full story

Volkswagen to defend Dakar title

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Volkswagen has announced plans to field five Race Touaregs in a bid to defend its Dakar Rally title.The race, widely regarded as one of the world's most challenging, returns to South America ...

Read the full story

Top Gear rapped for 'suicide skit'

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Ofcom has criticised the BBC programme Top Gear for broadcasting a scene in which a man 'shoots' himself in the head before the watershed.Fifty people complained to the watchdog about the st ...

Read the full story

Commuting affects workers' romance

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:31:19 GMT

A new poll has revealed that commuting times are impacting on workers' love lives and leisure time.A survey by the Citrix Online company found that if travel-to-work times were reduced 31% o ...

Read the full story

Toyota Prius tops Japan seller poll

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:47:27 GMT

Japan's top selling car for October was Toyota's Prius hybrid, which has kept the first spot for the sixth consecutive month, an industry group has said.According to the Japan automobile dea ...

Read the full story

Emission-cutting green car unveiled

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:27 GMT

An electric car that may be part of the "green revolution" needed to rescue the beleaguered auto industry has been unveiled by designers.The T.27 uses so-called 'isteam' technology, which us ...

Read the full story

Police banned from using superfuels

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:27 GMT

Scotland Yard transport bosses have asked police forces not to use special superfuels because they offer "no discernible benefit" over standard forecourt products.Nigel Jakubowski, director ...

Read the full story

Bogus car crashes 'costing £350m'

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:27 GMT

Fradulent car crashes staged by criminal gangs are costing insurance companies £350 million every year, it has been claimed."Crash for cash" cons are becoming more common and sophisticated, ...

Read the full story

Learner drivers turning to family

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:27 GMT

Rising costs of professional lessons are sending many learners to the "driving school of mum and dad".According to price comparison site uSwitch.com, 12% of learners are tutored only by amat ...

Read the full story

Drink-drive law at risk in Ireland

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:49:14 GMT

The Irish police will not be able implement a national drink-driving crackdown for two years because their breathalysers are outdated and need to be replaced.Current equipment cannot be trus ...

Read the full story

Ford debuts inflatable seat belts

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:49:14 GMT

Ford plans to introduce inflatable rear seat belts in its cars to enhance safety for passengers in the back seat.The car manufacturer plans to have the technology implemented in its next-gen ...

Read the full story

Van stolen in 1974 finally located

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:51:10 GMT

A Volkswagen van that was stolen in the US in 1974 has been found 35 years later in a shipping container headed for the Netherlands.According to reports in Spokane-based newspaper Spokesman- ...

Read the full story

Couple side-swipe runaway elephant

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:51:10 GMT

US couple Bill and Deena Carpenter missed a head-on collision with an elephant by a whisker while returning home from church this week.Mr Carpenter, 68, said: "I didn't have time to hit the ...

Read the full story

Car dealership insolvencies double

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:51:10 GMT

Plunging car sales and thinning profits have seen the number of car dealership insolvencies in the UK double this year, says a new report.Figures for January-August 2009 show 24 franchised d ...

Read the full story

Toyota crashes out of Formula 1

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:09:32 GMT

Formula 1 has lost its third major manufacturer with the withdrawal of Toyota for "financial reasons".The world's largest carmaker has now joined Honda and BMW in quitting the sport, leaving ...

Read the full story

Porsche unveil lighter Boxster

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:09:32 GMT

Porsche has unveiled the Boxster Spyder, the lightest car it has ever produced.The new model, which will go on sale in February 2010, will be equipped with 320 brake horsepower (bhp), 10bhp ...

Read the full story

Peugeot unveils 'green' car-scooter

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:24:49 GMT

French car maker Peugeot has unveiled a "green" car-cum-scooter concept vehicle, which it claims, is emissions-free.The 2.5 metre long BB1, which was unveiled in London, is an electric vehic ...

Read the full story

£9m for electric city car project

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:24:49 GMT

The Government has announced a £9 million project to develop an affordable all-electric urban car that can be manufactured using a sustainable process.Surrey-based company Gordon Murray Desi ...

Read the full story

Scrappage still boosting car sales

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:24:49 GMT

The Government's "cash for bangers" car scrappage scheme has continued to stimulate new car sales.A total of 168,942 new cars were sold in October, a rise of 31.6% compared to the same month ...

Read the full story

Motoring body in car service call

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:14:48 GMT

A motoring industry regulatory body is urging drivers to have their cars serviced this autumn at a Code-subscribing garage.Motor Codes Ltd, which is backed by the Government, vehicle manufac ...

Read the full story

Alto wins fuel economy challenge

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:14:48 GMT

Suzuki's Alto outperformed diesel rivals to win a fuel economy challenge involving a marathon North-South crossing in Australia.Pitted against other conventional and alternative fuel cars in ...

Read the full story

BMW supports Smarter Driving course

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:14:48 GMT

German car manufacturer BMW is backing Energy Saving Trust's 'Smarter Driving' programme by providing cars for their course.For £25, organisations can enrol their employees on the programme ...

Read the full story

Vauxhall decision delights unions

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:50 GMT

The dramatic decision by General Motors to ditch plans to sell Vauxhall has been praised by union bosses as an "incredible turnaround".The announcement, which seemed completely unexpected, " ...

Read the full story

UK motorists 'love their cars'

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:50 GMT

A third of UK drivers say they are "very fond" of their cars, while nearly one in 10 say they love them even as much as their family, a new study reveals.In the survey by Carmony.co.uk, near ...

Read the full story

Two days a year spent in traffic

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:37 GMT

New figures have revealed that commuters are spending more than two days every year in static traffic on Britain's roads.More than one in seven of the UK's workforce who make the journey to ...

Read the full story

Ford posts first growth this year

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:46:39 GMT

Boosted by the American scrappage scheme and cost-cutting efforts, car giant Ford has posted its first earnings growth in more than a year.Pre-tax operating profits for the second largest ca ...

Read the full story

How green is that red hot machine?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:46:39 GMT

Thanks to a new scheme used car buyers can now discover just how green their soon-to-be-acquired pride and joy actually is.For those keen to boost their environmentally-friendly credentials, ...

Read the full story

'Car-boat' makes Irish Sea crossing

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:57 GMT

A DIY "car-boat" with four men on board pulled up on the Scottish coast after a successful seven-hour journey across the Irish Sea.The modified Renault Laguna is the brainchild of 38-year-ol ...

Read the full story

Protest against bike parking tax

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:57 GMT

Hundreds of bikers rode their motorcycles though central London to protest against Westminster City Council's "illegitimate" introduction of a parking tax.Organisers said that the latest dem ...

Read the full story

Service station wins food award

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:57 GMT

A motorway service station has bucked the forecourt stereotype of stale sandwiches and over-priced snacks by winning a highly-respected food award.Tebay Services, a family-run business in We ...

Read the full story

Flood travel warnings across the UK

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:57 GMT

Motorists have been advised to take care after heavy flooding badly disrupted roads and train services across the UK, leading several police authorities to alert travellers of the risks.Edin ...

Read the full story

Drivers brave rain at vintage rally

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:07:23 GMT

Motorists from 24 countries braved "awful" weather to take part in the 76th annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.More than 550 participants in pre-1905 vintage cars encountered strong w ...

Read the full story

Car dealer "confident" about sales

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:10:04 GMT

A car dealership has described itself as "very confident" about the year's final results, after the scrappage scheme and resilient used car sales raised performance.Lookers, from Manchester, ...

Read the full story

LGA warns rail over winter months

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:40:25 GMT

People hoping to travel across the country this winter could be left stranded at home, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA report showed that transport companies nee ...

Read the full story

VW and MIT develop in-car robot

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:03:54 GMT

Volkswagen drivers will soon be able to communicate with their vehicle through an intelligent in-car personal robot that can read facial expressions.Researchers at MIT and the Volkswagen Gro ...

Read the full story

Tracker scheme aids car recovery

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:03:54 GMT

A scheme aimed at fighting vehicle crime has successfully helped insurance provider esure recover more than £65,000 worth of stolen vehicles.Operation Semita aims to help recover the increas ...

Read the full story

Road closed outside X Factor house

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:11:56 GMT

A London council has said safety fears have led to a decision to shut off the road next to the X Factor house, where contestants of the ITV show are staying.Thousands of teenage fans have ga ...

Read the full story

Winter warning for motorcyclists

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:28:49 GMT

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) has warned motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads after figures showed 150,000 more bikes remain taxed and ready to use over the winter compared wit ...

Read the full story

Green Golf is poetry in motion

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:28:49 GMT

Car manufacturing giant Volkswagen has confirmed it is to release its greenest Golf yet.The new model - to be known as the Golf BlueMotion - uses the standard model's 1.6 litre TDI engine bu ...

Read the full story

Breakdown of car vandalism figures

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:31:29 GMT

London has been revealed as the car vandalism capital of the country, as criminals choose to target expensive cars such as BMWs and Porches, according to a survey.The highest number of claim ...

Read the full story

London set for "wave and pay" trial

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:31:29 GMT

Wave-and-pay parking machines will be trialled in the UK, it has been revealed.The machines, set for trial in London's Westminster borough, allow motorists to pay for their parking by swipin ...

Read the full story

Motorway all-set for 50th birthday

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:31:29 GMT

The M1 motorway has played host to many high-profile events over the years and now it's preparing for one of its own.The motorway is about to reach its 50th birthday after the first 60-mile ...

Read the full story

Ban law change for jailed drivers

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:02:34 GMT

The Government is planning an amendment to ensure that a driving ban for serious offences is separate from any time spent in jail by offenders.If the amendments to the Coroners and Justice B ...

Read the full story

Drop in car production shrinking

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:45:04 GMT

Car production fell in September, but the margin of decline was the smallest in a year thanks to the Government's car scrappage scheme, experts said.The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Tr ...

Read the full story

Arnie's wife breaks road laws again

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:45:04 GMT

Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver has been caught yet again breaking traffic law.A video posted by TMZ.com showed that the California states' first lady had parked her Cadillac Esca ...

Read the full story

Regeneration plan for M61 services

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:31:32 GMT

Forecourt operator Euro Garages has announced plans to redevelop the Bolton West services on the M61 in Lancashire.The motorway services area was voted the worst in Britain on the Motorway S ...

Read the full story

Highest mileage car sold at auction

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:25:09 GMT

A car that has covered the equivalent of a return trip to the moon and a further two times around the earth's equator has been sold at an auction.The Mondeo TDCI 115 LX Estate sold at a Brit ...

Read the full story

Colour "strongly affects car value"

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:25:09 GMT

The value of a car at resale is strongly affected by its colour, research by used car website carsite.co.uk has shown.A survey of more than 1,000 car buyers found that pink is the least desi ...

Read the full story

8% 0f motorists 'may drug-drive'

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:40:16 GMT

The proportion of motorists who drive after taking drugs could be as high as 8%, a poll has claimed.Of the motorists who have driven under the influence of drugs, 50% continue to do so and 2 ...

Read the full story

Larger car drivers 'road bullies'

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:40:16 GMT

Motorists behind the wheel of big-engined cars are road "bullies", while owners of smaller vehicles are the most courteous and considerate drivers, according to a survey.The poll for Fuelcar ...

Read the full story

Car scrappage boosts production

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:34:50 GMT

UK car production in October fell 16% to 119,616 compared with September last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).But compared with the 31.5% drop in Aug ...

Read the full story

Donington's British GP hopes fading

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:34:50 GMT

Plans to host the British Grand Prix at Donington Park from 2010 seem to be nearing breakdown after the latest fundraising attempt by circuit's operator failed.A bond issue issued by the Don ...

Read the full story

Checks mooted after Nano car fires

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:07:15 GMT

Mumbai-based Tata Motors has said it may carry out precautionary checks on its Nano model, following reports of incidents of the car catching fire.So far, three incidents have been reported ...

Read the full story

Defender tops favourite car list

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:07:15 GMT

Land Rover's Defender has been voted the favourite car by readers of a car magazine.Although classed by some as a "Chelsea tractor", the 4x4 found the most favour among What Car? voters. ...

Read the full story

UK and EU 'could supply green fuel'

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:04 GMT

Up to 80% of the greener road transport fuels required by the Government to meet European obligations could be delivered by the UK and the EU, a review has claimed.The fuels could be deliver ...

Read the full story

Button's Bugatti Veyron on market

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:04 GMT

Formula One world champion Jenson Button has put his black Bugatti Veyron on the market for nearly £900,000.The Bugatti has just 1,500 miles on the clock and is powered by an eight-litre 16 ...

Read the full story

'Crash for cash' fraudster jailed

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:04 GMT

A man who admitted his role in a £1.6 million "crash for cash" conspiracy in Greater Manchester has been jailed for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.M ...

Read the full story

Women's interest in cars on rise

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:04 GMT

The days of an interest in cars being predominantly a male attribute are long gone, according to research.Figures from car insurance company Diamond show as many as 44% of women chat about c ...

Read the full story

Poor children face more road danger

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:04 GMT

An MPs' report claims youngsters from poorer areas are still four times more likely to be hurt or killed on the roads than children from more affluent areas.The House of Commons Public Accou ...

Read the full story

Journey planning urged over holiday

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:11:12 GMT

With school half-term rapidly approaching, the Highways Agency is warning families to carefully plan their journeys before leaving. Motorways and major A roads are expected to be busier than ...

Read the full story

AM calls for 'pregnant parking'

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:11:12 GMT

Disabled car parking spaces should be made available to heavily pregnant women, Welsh Assembly member Darren Millar has proposed.He is using backbench legislation so expectant mothers can pa ...

Read the full story

Clock change brings claims upsurge

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:11:12 GMT

When the clocks change, so does the amount of car insurance claims, according to research.Claims statistics from car insurance firm Zurich Connect show there is an average 11% rise in motori ...

Read the full story

Phone users 'in their own world'

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:30:39 GMT

A study has found using your mobile phone when out and about makes you less aware of the world around you.The Western Washington University in America observed 317 people walking across a un ...

Read the full story

Free insurance from car supermarket

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:30:39 GMT

Customers are being offered free short-term insurance when they buy a vehicle from used-car supermarket The Car Shop.Thanks to the free seven day Driveaway insurance offer, car buyers can le ...

Read the full story

Ostrich killed on M56 motorway

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:49 GMT

One of two ostriches that went on the rampage after escaping from a farm in Cheshire died when it was run over by a truck on the M56.Police said that the driver, from Wrexham, North Wales, w ...

Read the full story

Used-van values rise in September

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:49 GMT

Limited supply of good retail quality vehicles has led to a further increase in used-van values during September, new figures show.According to British Car Auctions, the average value of a l ...

Read the full story

More 'spent on railways than roads'

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:52:49 GMT

Only a single pound is invested in the country's road network for every £10 spent on the railways, according to a study by the TaxPayers' Alliance and Drivers' Alliance.The research compared ...

Read the full story

Turn your banger into free bus travel

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:43:30 GMT

An Isle of Wight bus company has launched its own car scrappage incentive which it says will be more environmentally friendly than the Government scheme.Southern Vectis's "Really Green Car S ...

Read the full story

Utility firms face time-limit fines

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:43:30 GMT

Delays in London could be dramatically reduced after authorities were given the power to fine utility firms for failing to complete repairs on time.Ministers have given the go-ahead for the ...

Read the full story

Carr cleared for using phone at wheel

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:58:42 GMT

Comedian Jimmy Carr has been cleared of using a mobile phone while driving his Bentley in Harrow.Celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, known as 'Mr Loophole' by the UK press, argued the celebrity h ...

Read the full story

Electric vehicle charging scheme

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:58:42 GMT

A new scheme to allow the charging of electric vehicles on Tyneside has been launched by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.Over the next few months, 40 charging points will be installed as par ...

Read the full story

Chip fat powered bus reaches Asia

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:58:42 GMT

A London-based environmental campaigner aiming to drive around the world in a bus powered by chip fat has completed his travels across Europe and started on the Asian leg of his journey.Adve ...

Read the full story

Button clinches Formula One title

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:21:14 GMT

Jenson Button has become the second Briton to be crowned Formula One champion in consecutive seasons after finishing fifth at the Brazilian Grand Prix.His win follows the triumph of Lewis Ha ...

Read the full story

Champion Jenson failed driving test

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:21:14 GMT

Not everyone passes their driving test on the first attempt - even new Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.The Brawn GP star failed for driving too close to a parked car when he was 17- ...

Read the full story

Motorway maintenance costs spiral

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:57:03 GMT

A government spending watchdog has said that the cost of maintaining motorways and major trunk roads in England has risen well above the rate of inflation.However, some costs, including road ...

Read the full story

Chislehurst tops UK car crime list

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:29:39 GMT

New data revealed that the highest proportion of car crimes in the UK occurs in south-east London's Chislehurst.The car crime capital located in the London borough of Bromley recorded 3.82% ...

Read the full story

Motorists urged over autumn checks

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:29:39 GMT

Motorists should carry out autumn checks on their vehicles to help prevent breakdowns, a road safety charity has urged.Leaves can have a devastating effect on the electronics of many modern ...

Read the full story

Drivers use car to relieve stress

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:29:39 GMT

Getting behind the wheel while under stress is dangerous, but many drivers still run the risk, according to a survey.A total of 44% of 3,000 drivers polled said they took the car out to help ...

Read the full story

Wheelclamping soars 64% in a year

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:34:56 GMT

New figures have revealed that the number of motorists wheelclamped soared by 64% in the last 12 months.According to insurance company LV=, local councils collected £21 million in clamping f ...

Read the full story

City in congestion charge bid

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:44:57 GMT

County councillors in Cambridge are backing a Transport Innovation Fund bid for £500m, bringing the city a step closer to introducing a congestion charge.Cambridgeshire County Council is ask ...

Read the full story

Some new cars 'cheaper' than used

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:44:57 GMT

If customers choose to opt for the Government's extended scrappage scheme, they could find some new car models cheaper than used ones, a study has revealed.A 10-year-old car in reasonable co ...

Read the full story

Warning on Northern Ireland roads

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:44:57 GMT

A new report has recommended that nearly half of Northern Ireland's main road network be checked for skid resistance.Presented at the Regional Development Committee meeting at Stormont, the ...

Read the full story

Cat litter fuel scam shut down

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:52:25 GMT

Customs officers have discovered a diesel laundering plant which used cat litter to filter millions of litres of illegally labelled fuel in Northern Ireland.The raid on a farm in Co Tyrone l ...

Read the full story

Electric car-charger owner plugs in

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:52:25 GMT

The owner of Northern Ireland's first solar powered-car charger helped dispel a myth by plugging in on a cloudy day in Belfast.Says Joe Conway, commercial director of the Cross Group: "You d ...

Read the full story

Car factory CO2 'down 40%'

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:21:14 GMT

Carbon dioxide emissions at UK car plants have been cut in the last 10 years by more than 40%, a report has claimed.With water use per vehicle down 43.5% - 40% better than the average for Eu ...

Read the full story

Charge dropped for phantom bus driver

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:21:14 GMT

A Sheffield man is celebrating after initially being left reeling when he received a penalty notice for illegally parking a bus in London.Morgan Hartley, 52, has never driven in the capital ...

Read the full story

Boy racers are most annoying drivers

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:37:42 GMT

Motorists find boy racers and people who do not acknowledge acts of courtesy the most irritating drivers on the road, according to a new poll.Populus surveyed almost 15,000 drivers and found ...

Read the full story

Magna deal secures Vauxhall future

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:37:42 GMT

The future of Vauxhall's two UK plants has been secured after the car giant struck a deal with Canadian car parts firm Magna.Uncertainty over the future of around 5,500 workers at the factor ...

Read the full story

Car sensors may diagnose disease

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:56:55 GMT

Gas sensors normally used to make sure people buying new vehicles don't get too much of that 'new car smell' may soon help diagnose disease in humans, tests on blood and urine show.Researche ...

Read the full story

Road upgrade may disrupt travel

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:56:55 GMT

The transformation of Essex's A14 into a dual carriageway is set to cause disruption to motorists when it begins in late October.The scheme, paid for with contributions from the Government's ...

Read the full story

M6 closed after tanker overturns

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:03:20 GMT

A seven-mile stretch of the one of the country's busiest motorways in has been closed after a tanker carrying 30,000 litres of bitumen overturned shedding its load and diesel from its tank.B ...

Read the full story

Young drivers face 'peer pressure'

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:03:20 GMT

Nearly all young drivers strictly adhere to traffic rules when their parents are in the car, but around a third behave differently when out with friends, a new survey shows.Over a fifth of d ...

Read the full story

Plan for 1.7 million electric cars

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:41:17 GMT

Up to 1.7 million electric cars are needed by 2020 to help cut carbon-dioxide emissions from the UK's road network, a report from the Government's climate change committee says.The committee ...

Read the full story

Britons 'chat away with their cars'

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:41:17 GMT

Nearly half of Britons happily chat away to their cars while driving, a poll has found.In a survey of 1,200 drivers by motors.co.uk, 44% of drivers admitted to talk to their cars sometimes, ...

Read the full story

Efficient tyre plans to cut fuel costs

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:54:21 GMT

Fuel costs could be cut by 10% for drivers in Northern Ireland if plans to introduce more efficient tyres on cars and lorries go ahead, an MEP has said.The proposals will also help reduce ca ...

Read the full story

Confusion over road crossing times

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:54:21 GMT

People using pedestrian crossings are confused about how much time they have to cross the road, according to new research.Some pedestrians stop halfway across a road or feel rushed when the ...

Read the full story

Vauxhall workers in job loss fear

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:52:45 GMT

Employees at a Vauxhall factory in Cheshire are rolling out the latest Astra model while the future of their jobs remains uncertain.The 2,165 people employed at the Ellesmere Port Factory fe ...

Read the full story

Italian police car to go on display

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:52:45 GMT

Italian police have lent a car fitted with the latest gadgetry to go on display at an exhibition of emergency services in The Netherlands.Capable of hitting speeds of 202mph, the Lamborghini ...

Read the full story

checkedSalt spreaders get ready for winter

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:57:29 GMT

Drivers in the East Midlands can feel safer this winter after a new fleet of salt spreaders takes to the roads in preparation for the colder months.The 43 vehicles will be testing their equi ...

Read the full story

Police scheme 'may attract thieves'

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:57:29 GMT

A crime reduction scheme that gives motorists yellow tickets for leaving expensive items in their cars will be reviewed, a police force has said, despite a 20% reduction in theft from vehicles foll ...

Read the full story

checkedFines for keeping engine running

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:57:29 GMT

Nottingham residents may be fined up to £300 for littering, for smoking in non-designated areas - and even for keeping their car engines running. The city council is giving its Community Pro ...

Read the full story

N Ireland plagued with faulty cars

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:34:54 GMT

Random vehicle checks in Northern Ireland revealed that in the last year almost nine out of 10 vehicles were found to be not roadworthy.The Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) stopped drivers in Bal ...

Read the full story

Convertibles 'can damage hearing'

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:34:54 GMT

Researchers have warned that driving a convertible with the top down at speeds of 50, 60 and 70 miles per hour can cause serious hearing loss.A study found that motorists were exposed to bet ...

Read the full story

Car giant secures £500m in loans

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:41:22 GMT

Car-maker Jaguar Land Rover has finalised a £175 million loan from the State Bank of India as part of its drive to locate alternative sources of funding.The company, now owned Indian steel g ...

Read the full story

Surge in demand for vans recorded

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:16:46 GMT

Competition to secure good retail quality vans was "intense" in August because of a lack of stock hitting the market, according to a vehicle auctioning company.British Car Auctions (BCA) sai ...

Read the full story

Mayor wants measures to protect cyclists

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:16:46 GMT

Dublin's Lord Mayor wants overtaking restrictions put in place to protect cyclists in the city, she has said.Alongside the new city centre 30kmh speed limit, Emer Costello has asked the city ...

Read the full story

Peugeot's fuel advert 'misleading'

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:07:58 GMT

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has found that the Peugeot advert claiming drivers could achieve a world-record 126 miles per gallon is misleading.The Peugeot 308 HDi advert read: ...

Read the full story

Mobility scooter law change urged

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:07:58 GMT

A toddler hit by a pensioner's mobility scooter in Doncaster town centre has prompted her parents to call for a change in the law.The change was mooted because scooters are not classed as mo ...

Read the full story

Tories "would scrap speed cameras"

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:53:07 GMT

The Tories would scrap centralised funding for fixed speed cameras if they won the next election, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers has announced.Councils would have justify the us ...

Read the full story

Rise in new car sales indicates recovery

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:53:07 GMT

An annual 11.4% rise in the UK's new car sales last month indicates that the car industry is recovering from recession, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.The organis ...

Read the full story

Nissan creates 'crash-proof' robots

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:48:07 GMT

Japanese car maker Nissan has created robots patterned on the "anti-collision" behaviour displayed by fishes in a shoal.It is hoping that the technology can be used in developing advanced sy ...

Read the full story

Formula One teams oppose Korea race

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:48:07 GMT

Principal of the Formula One McLaren Mercedes team, Martin Whitmarsh, has suggested that the sport should be looking to regain a grip on America, not creating a Korean Grand Prix.Yeongnam ha ...

Read the full story

'Offensive' plates withdrawn from sale

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:04:49 GMT

A gay rights pressure group has praised the car licensing authority's decision to remove two car number plates on grounds of offence.Stonewall, which added the action "makes Britain a more e ...

Read the full story

Harman 'crashed while on the phone'

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:04:49 GMT

Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has allegedly hit a parked car while using her mobile phone at the wheel - and failed to exchange insurance and registration details.Witnesses told the Ma ...

Read the full story

Taxi drivers end conditions protest

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:04:49 GMT

Taxi drivers in Dublin have apologised for blocking off a central area of the city in a protest over poor regulation of working conditions, which they claim has pushed some drivers to suicide.< ...

Read the full story

Charity urges lower speed limits

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:24:52 GMT

A new survey has revealed that a reduction in speed limits may result in more children getting regular exercise by walking to school.Around 40% of parents would prefer their children walking ...

Read the full story

Silver 'is favourite car colour'

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:24:52 GMT

New research published has shown the most popular vehicle colour in the world is silver.Transport coatings manufacturer, PPG Industries, said the category also includes shades of charcoal an ...

Read the full story

Euro GPS 'five time more accurate'

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:23:24 GMT

Drivers can now benefit from a free European satellite navigation five times more accurate than current systems.The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is a precursor o ...

Read the full story

Mercedes begins fixed price repairs

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:23:24 GMT

Mercedes-Benz customers are now able to find out in advance the cost of replacement parts for their cars after the launch of the "Fixed Price Repairs" programme.The transparent pricing struc ...

Read the full story

Button plays down F1 title hopes

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Brawn GP driver Jensen Button has said he will concentrate on racing and avoid thinking about his chances of winning the Formula One driver's title in Japan this weekend.The British ace need ...

Read the full story

Talks continue on Vauxhall plants

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:55:07 GMT

Car manufacturer Vauxhall is under pressure from unions to protect its Ellesmere Port and Luton plants.A series of meetings have been run by Unite with the Canadian car parts company Magna a ...

Read the full story

Ex-judge admits drink-drive charge

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:37:14 GMT

A former Liverpool Crown Court judge has pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge at Chorley Magistrates' Court.Bruce Macmillan was stopped on the M6 motorway near Chorley in August for driv ...

Read the full story

Hospital parking charges phased out

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:37:14 GMT

Hospital car parking charges for in-patients are to be phased out over the next three years, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced.Mr Burnham told Labour's conference that he wanted to ...

Read the full story

Factory builds 15 millionth engine

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:53:58 GMT

Increased output has seen Ford's factory in Bridgend produce its 15 millionth engine, the company has revealed.Garages firm Blue Oval said the Government's vehicle scrappage scheme was linke ...

Read the full story

Honda to unveil new concept car

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:53:58 GMT

The carmaker Honda has announced plans to unveil its latest version of the hybrid CR-Z Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.The company claims that the coupe, which uses the firm's IMA ...

Read the full story

Mercedes-Benz ad ruled misleading

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:45:01 GMT

The advertising watchdog has ruled that Mercedes-Benz misled the public with a headline claim that its entire E-Class Saloon range had relatively low carbon dioxide emissions.The claim that ...

Read the full story

Price drop predicted for used cars

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:55:25 GMT

A fall in the price of used cars is expected in October after experts announced the market had peaked.Industry analysts Glass's say the annual seasonal lull will be exacerbated when a flood ...

Read the full story

Continental wins top industry award

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:55:25 GMT

Tyre-maker Continental has been awarded the highest industry accolade available by being named Manufacturer of the Year 2009 by the National Tyre Distributors Association at the Tyre and Fast Fit A ...

Read the full story

Striker Bendtner crashes his car

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT

Arsenal footballer Nicklas Bendtner has had a "very lucky escape" when he was involved in a car accident while driving along the A1 towards South Mimms. The 21-year-old Danish striker was on ...

Read the full story

Footballer banned for speeding

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT

Blackburn Rovers footballer Pascal Chimbonda has been given a six-month driving ban after being found guilty of speeding.The 30-year-old French international was caught speeding on the A19 n ...

Read the full story

Mandelson extends scrappage scheme

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:31:21 GMT

Bowing to calls from industry bodies, the Government has confirmed plans to extend the car scrappage scheme.The scheme, which was originally allocated £300 million to provide a £2,000 discou ...

Read the full story

Price error draws drivers to pump

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:48:10 GMT

Motorists flocked to a Tesco petrol station in Cambridgeshire after a faulty pump mistakenly dispensed fuel for 40p a litre for nearly a week. After the word was spread, traffic queues built ...

Read the full story

Avoid energy drinks, drivers urged

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:48:10 GMT

Tired motorists who use high-caffeine drinks to perk themselves up could be putting the lives of others at risk, research has warned.The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) says that drive ...

Read the full story

Call to extend car scrappage scheme

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:48:10 GMT

The automotive industry risks sliding into a "double dip" recession unless it gets further Government support by way of an extension to the car scrappage scheme, a business group has warned. ...

Read the full story

Honda introduce mobility device

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:19:22 GMT

Honda has unveiled a prototype single-wheeled "personal mobility" device which can run in any direction and maintain its own balance.The unicycle-like U3-X can go forward, backwards as well ...

Read the full story

Pair jailed over Gumtree robberies

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:19:22 GMT

Two men who placed fake car sale adverts on the Gumtree website and robbed their "customers" when they met in person, have been jailed.Richard McCrorie, 25, from West Molesey, Surrey, was ha ...

Read the full story

August car output falls by 31.5%

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:19:22 GMT

UK vehicle production fell by 31.5% in August compared to the same month last year, latest figures have shown.There were 56,737 cars built in UK factories, the Society of Motor Manufacturers ...

Read the full story

Official road accident data misleading

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:49:21 GMT

A Department of Transport (DfT) survey found that the actual number of accidents that occurred on Britain's roads dramatically exceeded the official figures for 2008.For the first time, the ...

Read the full story

Volkswagen wins best used car gong

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:49:21 GMT

The Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDIS has won What Car?'s Used Car of the Year title for 2009.Judges lauded the Passat's classy image, drivability and reliability at a tempting price of £7000 for a ...

Read the full story

Sheep crash repair bill defended

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:21:13 GMT

Aberdeenshire Council has defended its decision to send a £200 road repair bill to a motorcyclist who was badly injured when he collided with a stray sheep.Moray Ferguson was thrown from his ...

Read the full story

Rusty motorists 'causing accidents'

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:21:13 GMT

Motorists who have not been at the wheel for six months make four times as many grave safety errors due to lack of practice, a study has revealed."Rusty" drivers, who had been off the road f ...

Read the full story

1.7 million drivers without insurance

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:21:13 GMT

More than 1.7 million people are breaking the law by driving a car without insurance, according to research.An estimated 13% of all cars in London are uninsured, making it the worst offendin ...

Read the full story

Quick compensation plans revealed

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:39:44 GMT

The Government has unveiled a raft of measures to speed-up compensation payments for victims of road accidents.The move, welcomed by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), will see the s ...

Read the full story

Ford announces 'Figo' car for India

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:39:44 GMT

Increasing automobile sales on the Asian subcontinent have prompted a US carmaker to announce the manufacture of a compact car designed for the Indian market.Ford wants to improve its Asian ...

Read the full story

TV star rescues mother and baby

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:11:52 GMT

A mother and her eight-week-old baby daughter have been rescued from their crashed car by TV presenter Nick Knowles.Knowles, who presents the BBC's DIY SOS and Wildest Dreams, was driving to ...

Read the full story

Leicester varies parking charges

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:11:52 GMT

Leicester is to increase parking charges for 1,300 south and central on-street spaces by 10p from October 12.Targeting areas around De Montfort and Leicester universities and St Margaret's C ...

Read the full story

Audi's fuel economy claims upheld

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:43:17 GMT

Complaints that two Audi car adverts made unrealistic claims about fuel consumption have been rejected by the industry body, because the manufacturer used the words "up to".This indicated fi ...

Read the full story

Council plans Asbos for clampers

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:43:17 GMT

Car clampers will start to receive Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) after the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead claimed they were damaging the area's reputation as a tourist destination.< ...

Read the full story

Parking tax fight donations sought

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:43:17 GMT

An East Midlands chamber of commerce has revealed plans to fight a tax on workplace parking spaces.The announcement comes after Nottingham City Council unveiled proposals to introduce a £250 ...

Read the full story

Speed cut could save workers' lives

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:24:51 GMT

Motorists have been urged to curb their speed when passing through roadworks to ensure the safety of site workers.The Highways Agency says the presence of one roadworker for every mile of th ...

Read the full story

Refunds for illegally fined drivers

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:06:10 GMT

Thousands of drivers could get refunds on fines imposed for driving in Manchester bus lanes after the city council admitted the cameras it used were illegal.More than 18,000 tickets were iss ...

Read the full story

Warning over Manchester traffic

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:06:10 GMT

People in Manchester have been urged to allow more time to complete their travel plans on Wednesday due to the fact both of the city's football teams are in action at home.Manchester United ...

Read the full story

Renault committed to F1 racing

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:03:30 GMT

Renault will remain committed to Formula One after averting penalties over fixing last year's Singapore Grand Prix, FIA president Max Mosley has confirmed.The team's permanent disqualificati ...

Read the full story

Roman well discovered on motorway

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:03:30 GMT

The Highways Agency has unearthed a Roman well while carrying out roadworks to expand a 17-mile stretch of the A46 into a dual carriageway.The well, which is said to have belonged to the Rom ...

Read the full story

Owner of motorway tortoise sought

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:14:39 GMT

A tortoise that wandered on to a busy motorway in Surrey and survived against all odds is waiting to be reunited with its owners.Driver John Fromby picked the animal up from the M23 slip roa ...

Read the full story

Street racers get back on track

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:14:39 GMT

In a bid to steer young speeders away from the streets and on to the race track, a drag race scheme has been showcased at Northamptonshire's Santa Pod Raceway.Youngsters were given the chanc ...

Read the full story

Electric car charge points planned

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:51 GMT

Brighton & Hove City Council has unveiled plans to introduce electric car charging points on the city's streets.Four charging points, two each at a location, will be installed at Barthol ...

Read the full story

Industry vows to fight lorry theft

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:51 GMT

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) and an online truckers' group are joining forces to fight against vehicle theft.The FTA says it will support Truckersworld's Truck Theft Text Alert (T ...

Read the full story

Manure dumped on TV star's lawn

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:51 GMT

Horse manure has been dumped in the front garden of Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson in a protest by environmental campaigners over his views on global warming.Activists from Climate Rush ...

Read the full story

Speed limit cuts 'would save lives'

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:02:46 GMT

Reducing the speed limit on Scotland's roads could have a "dramatic impact" on the number of accidents, according to Labour MSP Des McNulty.He told MSPs many lives could be saved each year i ...

Read the full story

Opel sale may create GM competition

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:02:46 GMT

General Motors' deal to sell off its European brand Opel, which includes Vauxhall, could result in its own technology competing against another GM brand, Chevrolet, in Russia.GM announced th ...

Read the full story

Man follows sat-nav to cliff edge

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:13:58 GMT

A motorist who nearly drove his car over a cliff after blindly following his sat-nav has been ordered to pay a fine of almost £900 for driving without due care and attention.Robert Jones fol ...

Read the full story

Comedian Carr speeding trial begins

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:13:58 GMT

A court has heard that comedian Jimmy Carr was caught driving his Bentley GT more that 10 miles over the speed limit in April last year.It was heard at Sudbury Magistrates' Court that the 37 ...

Read the full story

F1 schools racers to meet Hamilton

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:42:04 GMT

Students who have designed and built model Grand Prix cars will get a chance to meet Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.The F1 in Schools World Championships title will be fought for ...

Read the full story

Council to decide Renault sanctions

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:42:04 GMT

Sanctions against Formula One racing team Renault over a suspicious crash by former driver Nelson Piquet Jnr in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix are to be decided by the World Motor Sport Council in P ...

Read the full story

Public services frustrate Britons

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:42:04 GMT

There is growing frustration with public services among Britons, especially for the state of the roads, new research shows.Almost half of Britons (46%) are dissatisfied with the conditions o ...

Read the full story

Parking space levy plan approved

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:58:41 GMT

Nottingham businesses with more than 10 parking spaces for employees will be taxed under new rules set to be introduced in 2012.Britain's first workplace parking charge is expected to raise ...

Read the full story

Compulsory insurance for all cars

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:58:41 GMT

All vehicles will have to be insured even if they are not driven and are kept on private land, according to measures announced by road-safety minister Paul Clark.The only exceptions will be ...

Read the full story

MOT fraud pair to pay police £1.5m

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:58:41 GMT

A couple must pay back more than £1.5 million after masterminding what is thought to be the country's biggest MOT scam, police have said.A judge ruled that the amount, which they must pay to ...

Read the full story

Emissions prompt clean-cars call

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:08:39 GMT

Drivers are being urged to switch to 'cleaner' cars after a survey revealed average emissions from new cars sold in the UK last year were 158 grammes of CO2 per kilometre (g/km).A breakdown ...

Read the full story

E-Up, it's an electric car

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:08:39 GMT

Volkswagen is set to preview a concept model called E-Up, which it intends to roll out as a mass-produced small electric car.The E-Up compact car is part of the German carmaker's line-up for ...

Read the full story

Rail firms blasted over parking fees

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:08:39 GMT

A leading transport union has accused rail operators of increasing parking charges at train stations to recoup revenue lost by January 2010's small reduction in ticket prices.The Transport S ...

Read the full story

Fewer crashes trouble repair firm

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:08:39 GMT

Vehicle car repair firm Just Car Clinics has suffered a drop in profits after lower road usage resulted in fewer crashes.The firm said the recession had seen motorists drive less, while fewe ...

Read the full story

Road sign scheme "unnecessary" - Lib Dems

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:26:05 GMT

A £10m road sign scheme by the Scottish government should be immediately halted until a "clear case" can be made for its installation, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson has claimed.Multi-varia ...

Read the full story

New home needed for classic car

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:26:05 GMT

A car dealership is seeking for someone to provide a new home for a 1958 Morris Minor after it was traded in under the scrappage scheme.The British Classic was taken to Gatwick Hyundai in ex ...

Read the full story

West Midlands 'most car dependent'

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:26:05 GMT

Car dependency is highest in the West Midlands, while north-west England has the best public transport, according to a Campaign for Better Transport report.A breakdown of the figures cites t ...

Read the full story

Police officers face driving charge

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:06:47 GMT

Two Grampian Police officers have been charged with dangerous driving, the Crown Office has confirmed.Chief Inspector Tim Forrester has been charged with neglect of duty as well as dangerous ...

Read the full story

'Foul play' over sale of ex-rental cars

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:06:47 GMT

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched an investigation into selected official car dealerships over allegations that customers were sold former rental vehicles without their knowledge.

Read the full story

Continental Tyres wins 'Best Buy'

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:06:47 GMT

Continental Tyres has been awarded the 'Best Buy' honour by a leading motoring magazine after its products were put through nine stringent tests.Motoring magazine Auto Express tested the mos ...

Read the full story

Car auction values continue to rise

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:06:47 GMT

The average prices of cars sold at auction increased for the tenth month in a row in August, as used car values continued to be higher than expected, the latest BCA Pulse Report has shown.Av ...

Read the full story

Public sector drivers 'are at risk'

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:03:42 GMT

The lives of public sector workers are potentially being put at risk due to bosses failing to ensure that basic safety checks are carried out on employees' vehicles which are used for work.T ...

Read the full story

Asda announces lower fuel prices

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:03:42 GMT

Supermarket giant Asda has announced a cut in its petrol and diesel prices, after the Government introduced a fuel duty hike earlier this month.Asda has slashed the price of petrol by 2p per ...

Read the full story

Mandelson satisfied with Magna deal

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:19:57 GMT

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has expressed satisfaction with Canadian firm Magna's "commitment" to Vauxhall's UK plants.Lord Mandelson's reassurances come amid fears that the Canadian c ...

Read the full story

Landslide-hit road remains closed

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:49 GMT

A stretch of A-83 that has been closed following a landslide will reopen only after experts judge it is safe for motorists, a road maintenance firm has said.Scotland TranServ is cleaning up ...

Read the full story

China firm seeks Volvo bid partner

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:49 GMT

Chinese carmaker Geely Group has confirmed that it is offering to bid for Ford Motor's Swedish unit Volvo Cars.Geely Automobile Holdings is likely to partner with another investor for the ac ...

Read the full story

Call for new crash alert scheme

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:49 GMT

The European Commission has urged the UK and Ireland to agree to implement a car accident technology that automatically alerts emergency services after a crash.Mobile phone operators in Euro ...

Read the full story

Major roundabout get new lights

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:49 GMT

As part of the North Middlesbrough Accessibility Scheme, new traffic signals can now been seen at the city's Newport Roundabout.This phase of the £15.4 million scheme will ensure better traf ...

Read the full story

New test to detect fuel stretching

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:49 GMT

Customs officers from both sides of the Irish border have developed a time-saving test to detect fuel that has been tampered with, authorities have said.Officers have been using the new scre ...

Read the full story

Electric cars support plan unveiled

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:33:12 GMT

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has unveiled an £11 million plan aimed at encouraging more motorists in the UK to use electric vehicles.The specially-designed scheme will help suppor ...

Read the full story

McLaren to unveil its new supercar

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:33:12 GMT

McLaren Automotive is set to unveil its latest supercar this week, officially naming it the MP4-12C.Company boss Ron Dennis told The Sunday Times that the much-awaited car - codenamed P11 - ...

Read the full story

No crashes after Samoan road switch

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:14:03 GMT

The prayers of Samoan drivers appear to have been answered - with a switch from the right to left side of the road going smoothly.No crashes were reported during the first day of the changeo ...

Read the full story

A14 road-widening plans on display

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:14:03 GMT

Northamptonshire road-widening plans will be displayed for the first time this week, transport minister Chris Mole has announced.On Friday and Saturday, Highways Agency exhibitions will show ...

Read the full story

Recession brings congestion drop

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:15:46 GMT

Congestion on the roads has decreased for the first time in at least two decades due to the recession, a report has shown.The AA and road traffic information company Trafficmaster found that ...

Read the full story

Subaru's Impreza gets diesel engine

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:15:46 GMT

Subaru's much-acclaimed 2.0 litre, 150 horsepower Boxer Diesel engine is making its debut in the Impreza.The engine, which has previously appeared in the Legacy, Outback and Forester models, ...

Read the full story

Tractor causes panic at horse event

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:15:46 GMT

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to parked cars by an out-of-control tractor at the horse trials where Zara Phillips was competing.The tractor was being used to re-build a fenc ...

Read the full story

Man survives 200ft cliff plunge

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:47:11 GMT

A man escaped alive after his car plunged over a 200ft cliff in North Devon, coastguards have said.Hartland and Westward Ho! Coastguard Rescue Teams reached Hartland Quay at around 5am to se ...

Read the full story

Samoan drivers set to switch sides

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:47:11 GMT

Motorists in the South Pacific nation of Samoa are getting ready to switch from one side of the road to the other.The official move from right-hand side to left-hand side driving is widely e ...

Read the full story

New car sales rise for second month

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:57:17 GMT

The Government's car scrappage scheme continues to boost the motor industry with the latest figures showing new car sales rose for a second successive month.The Society of Motor Manufacturer ...

Read the full story

Fire crews tackle child road safety

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:40 GMT

Firefighters will join police to deliver road safety lessons to children in Northern Irish schools, it has been revealed.For the first time the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service will ...

Read the full story

First cashew nut shell car assembled

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:40 GMT

Researchers from Northern Ireland have helped put together the world's first racing car made from cashew nut shells.The Formula 3 vehicle, which can touch speeds of 130mph, also uses potato ...

Read the full story

Mini models to be built in Britain

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:26:27 GMT

Two new models of the Mini are to be built at BMW's plant in Oxfordshire, boosting the British motor industry, it has been said. Two concept cars, one of which is a coupe, will be manufactur ...

Read the full story

Calls for French-style car checks

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:26:27 GMT

Checks on the identity of the buyer, seller and vehicle similar to those used in France should be brought in to help fight stolen "car cloning", according to the country's top car crime police chie ...

Read the full story

Madeley daughter gets driving ban

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:26:27 GMT

Chloe Madeley, the daughter of television presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, has pleaded guilty to drink-driving.The 22-year-old was arrested after a crash in Barnet, north London ...

Read the full story

Tunnel dust 'risks drivers' health'

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:48:34 GMT

Scientists have warned that bikers and drivers of less air-tight vehicles are at a higher risk of health hazards due to toxic pollution in road tunnels. A study carried out at the four-kilom ...

Read the full story

New fuel-cell B-Class from Mercedes

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:48:34 GMT

Mercedes-Benz's first fuel-cell vehicle will hit the roads early next year.The B-Class F-cell is a hydrogen-electric hybrid with an electric motor powered by a 35kw lithium-ion battery. The ...

Read the full story

Fewer people intend to buy cars

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:48:34 GMT

Fewer people in the UK are planning to buy a car in the next six months, with the number at its lowest level for at least six years, a study has revealed.According to a poll by Sainsbury's F ...

Read the full story

Better roads to boost Kent economy

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:48:34 GMT

Two schemes for upgrading roads in Kent, worth £122.5 million, have been approved as part of a plan to support economic regeneration in the region.A total of £87 million is needed to improve ...

Read the full story

Samoan drivers to switch to the left

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:03:15 GMT

Drivers are predicting traffic chaos on the the South Pacific island of Samoa, when the country switches its traffic flow from one side of the road to the other next week.Samoa will become t ...

Read the full story

Ecclestone fears Renault withdrawal

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:03:15 GMT

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone fears Renault may withdraw from the sport in response to an investigation into a crash by driver Nelson Piquet at last season's Singapore Grand Prix.The F ...

Read the full story

Supermarket freezes fuel prices

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:26:28 GMT

As motorists face a petrol duty price hike of 2p a litre, one supermarket has announced it will temporarily freeze the price of its fuel.Morrisons said that despite a Government fuel duty ri ...

Read the full story

A1 repairs to be completed early

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:42:56 GMT

Road repairs on a stretch of the A1 on Tyneside will be completed ahead of schedule, Highways Agency officials have said.It was expected that the work on Allerdene Bridge near Team valley in ...

Read the full story

Blind man complains after arrest

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:42:56 GMT

A blind man from west Wales will complain after spending three hours in a cell for taking action over cars parked on pavements.Daniel Duckfield, 55, was arrested after he decided to let down ...

Read the full story

Tata Motors reports quarterly loss

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:42:56 GMT

India-based Tata Motors has posted a £41.2 million (3.3 billion rupees) loss in the second quarter of the year, from April to June.A 52% drop in sales at its Jaguar Land Rover subsidiary as ...

Read the full story

Cyclists deterred by heavy traffic

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:42:56 GMT

Around half of motorists own bicycles but are often deterred by heavy traffic and inconsiderate drivers, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists.Figures from the IAM reveal that whi ...

Read the full story

Toyota to close California factory

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:23:01 GMT

Toyota has announced it will stop production at a California car plant next year, just months after partner General Motors said it was pulling out of the factory joint venture.The Japanese c ...

Read the full story

Motorist in horse crash horror

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:47 GMT

A elderly woman in New Zealand has been involved in a horrifying night time crash when a horse came sailing through the windscreen of her car.Catherine Lawrence had already narrowly missed t ...

Read the full story

Crackdown on 'cowboy' clampers

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:47 GMT

The Government has announced it plans to restrict "cowboy" wheelclamping companies.Firms enforcing parking restrictions on private land have alarmed some motoring groups, and transport minis ...

Read the full story

Few aware of head restraint level

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:47 GMT

A survey has revealed that two in three drivers are unaware of how to correctly position vehicle head restraints.Road safety charity Brake and Direct Line Car Insurance found that two-thirds ...

Read the full story

People are travelling less in UK

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:20:47 GMT

New figures have revealed that Britons are spending more time in their homes and less time on the road.The Department for Transport said people in Britain travelled less in their own country ...

Read the full story

Buyers prefer small cars as prices rise

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:47:43 GMT

About a third of prospective car buyers will be on the lookout for smaller vehicles, a new survey shows.Of the Britons surveyed by uSwitch.com, 36% said fuel-efficiency was of prime importan ...

Read the full story

Alfa Romeo 'worst depreciating car'

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:47:43 GMT

Alfa Romeo's 166 model holds just 14.4% of its original price after three years, making it the UK's worst depreciating car.Rover and MG cars like the 45/ZS and 75/ZT, did not fare much bette ...

Read the full story

Firm launches 'green fuel' scheme

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:47:43 GMT

A Nottinghamshire firm has introduced a new scheme under which it collects cooking oil from local restaurants and turns it into bio-diesel.Mansfield-based environmental company Untapped Reso ...

Read the full story

Motorists admit to speeding

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:47:43 GMT

Nearly 82% of motorists admitted to exceeding the speed limit sometimes or frequently, with 14% being caught last year, a survey revealed.The poll, which was conducted by YouGov and insuranc ...

Read the full story

BRDC to decide Silverstone investments

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:02:14 GMT

In an effort to continue the British Grand Prix in its original home - the Silverstone circuit - the board of the British Racing Drivers' Club has been granted powers to seek external investment.

Read the full story

Map shows Manchester invasion plans

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:48:56 GMT

A Cold War era map has revealed the planned routes through which Soviet armoured vehicles would have rolled into Manchester in the event of an invasion.The map, now on display at an exhibiti ...

Read the full story

Britons off on Europe 'sauna trip'

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:18:08 GMT

Two friends, who describe themselves as "local scoundrels" are setting off to Sweden in a 20-year-old Volvo dubbed "a sauna on wheels".Tom Sharrad, 23, and Chris Wilkinson, 24, are planning ...

Read the full story

Esther Rantzen passes advanced test

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:18:08 GMT

TV presenter and prospective parliamentary candidate Esther Rantzen has joined the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) after passing her advanced driving test. Esther took the 90 minute te ...

Read the full story

GM seeks Magna's assurance on Opel

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:49:08 GMT

General Motors has reportedly sought assurance from Canadian auto parts maker Magna that it will not use Opel's technology in Russia to compete against GM's Chevrolet if it takes over the firm. ...

Read the full story

MPs push for lorry removal powers

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:34:47 GMT

MPs have called for the body that safety-checks lorries to be granted the power to remove unsafe foreign trucks from Britain's roads.The Commons Transport Committee found nearly half of fore ...

Read the full story

Qualification set for lorry drivers

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:34:47 GMT

Lorry drivers old and new will be going back to school from September when the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) launches a new qualification.Drivers entering the industry from September 10 wil ...

Read the full story

Used BMWs enjoying strong demand

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:37:26 GMT

BMW has been named the UK's most popular second-hand car brand, according to a survey from used car website Autoquake.com.The German manufacturer's 318i model has attracted the most attentio ...

Read the full story

Government to support car industry

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:33:11 GMT

Chancellor Alistair Darling has voiced Government support for the auto industry as the future of the workers at Vauxhall's factories in Luton and Ellesmere Port hangs in the balance.Without ...

Read the full story

Men rescued after car-save bid

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:33:11 GMT

Two men who jumped into the sea to salvage their hired car off the coast of Somerset have been rescued by local lifeguards.The pair, believed to be from Taunton, went into the sea after real ...

Read the full story

BMW Sauber drivers shocked at exit

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:56:12 GMT

Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld have said they were shocked at BMW's decision to exit Formula One at the end of the 2009 season.Polish driver Kubica, who gave BMW Sauber its first win in Can ...

Read the full story

Mandelson appeal over Vauxhall jobs

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:56:12 GMT

As the board of motor giant General Motors meets to consider bids for its European arm Opel, Lord Mandelson has issued an appeal over the future of thousands of Vauxhall workers in Luton.The ...

Read the full story

Breakdown of car production figures

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:56:43 GMT

The declining rate of car production last month was slowed considerably by the Government's "cash for bangers" scheme, a leading motoring group has said.The Society of Motor Manufacturers an ...

Read the full story

Transport system reform required

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:56:43 GMT

A lack of cash and projects that are not worth the money spent on them are helping to create a UK transport crisis, according to a report by Reform.The independent body said too much focus i ...

Read the full story

Forces target child road deaths

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:07:23 GMT

Police forces in Scotland are set to launch a campaign to reduce the number of children hurt or killed on the nation's roads.Officers will take part in a co-ordinated day of action targeting ...

Read the full story

Row over police penalty powers

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:07:23 GMT

A warning by magistrates that police should not have the power to issue on-the-spot punishments for careless driving has been blasted by a senior officer.The Magistrates' Association said th ...

Read the full story

Porsche launches all-new 911 GT3

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:07:23 GMT

German sports car specialist Porsche has unveiled the next generation 911 GT3 RS model, which they claim will be its most sporting road car ever.The new model, due to hit the roads early in ...

Read the full story

Motorway breakdown on the up

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:11:20 GMT

Six drivers a day on average are forced to stop on motorways in the North East and Yorkshire because they have run out of fuel, figures revealed.The Highways Agency and Drivers Standards Age ...

Read the full story

German electric car plan launched

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:11:20 GMT

A campaign has been launched in Germany to get one million electric cars on the road by 2020, in a move to position the country as a market leader.Economic Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenber ...

Read the full story

York gets ready for car-free day

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:17:33 GMT

Motorists in York are being urged to switch to cheaper and alternative ways of getting around than by car.A car-free day will be organised next month by the City of York Council and local bu ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme boosts Pendragon

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:17:33 GMT

A major car dealership has reported an improvement in both the new and used car markets over the first half of the year.Pendragon, which includes the Stratstone and Evans Halshaw brands, sai ...

Read the full story

Electric Fords 'talk' to power grid

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:17:33 GMT

Ford has announced a new technology that will allow buyers of its electric cars to decide at what rate and for how long they want their vehicles charged.The system has been developed in part ...

Read the full story

FIA lifts ban on Renault and Alonso

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:12:35 GMT

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has overturned a one-race ban against Renault and Fernando Alonso allowing them to take part in the European Grand Prix on Sunday.The suspension was imp ...

Read the full story

Bike-friendly crash guards installed

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:12:35 GMT

Following demands by motorcyclists and industry experts, the first bike-friendly crash barriers have been installed on a road in County Durham.Biker-Safe barriers, used on many European road ...

Read the full story

GM agrees deal with Saab

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:12:35 GMT

Sweden's Koenigsegg and General Motors have agreed for the niche sports car maker to buy loss-making Saab Automobile after a preliminary deal was struck in June.GM said the closure of the de ...

Read the full story

Kia's Venga to debut in Europe

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:35:31 GMT

South Korea-based Kia Motors has unveiled details of its new car line-up that will be marketed exclusively in Europe.The Venga, which is due for its world debut in September at the Frankfurt ...

Read the full story

Free medals on Mini's 50th birthday

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:35:31 GMT

The Royal Mint is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Mini by handing out free medals, it has been announced.The Mint will hand out £750,000 worth of free medals to the first 100,000 p ...

Read the full story

Dorset drivers wreck speed cameras

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:07:11 GMT

Motorists in Dorset have started vandalising speed cameras after fines of as much as £200 were handed out to 151 drivers in the region over three days.Two fixed cameras were attacked a week ...

Read the full story

Drink-driving charge for Chloe Madeley

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:07:11 GMT

Richard and Judy's daughter Chloe Madeley has been charged with drink-driving after her car overturned in Meadway Close, Barnet, north London.The 22-year-old was arrested after police found ...

Read the full story

New Bentley "pinnacle" of motoring

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:07:11 GMT

Luxury car manufacturer Bentley has unveiled its new "luxury grand tourer" at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in California.Dubbed Mulsanne GT, the new model is a replacement for the Ar ...

Read the full story

US refusing to pay congestion fees

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:54:46 GMT

The US State Department has said more than £3 million in unpaid London congestion charge fees will not be paid off even though a new ambassador has been sworn in.Louis Susman is President Ba ...

Read the full story

Advert warning over drug driving

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:54:46 GMT

The Department for Transport is set to launch a £2.3 million advertising campaign warning about the dangers of driving after taking drugs.A young man with enlarged pupils - a telltale sign o ...

Read the full story

Girl cheats death as car plunges

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:54:46 GMT

An 11-year-old girl has had a "miracle" escape after jumping out of a car just before it rolled off a cliff in Wales.The girl, from the Kinmel Bay area near Rhyl, Denbighshire, leapt out jus ...

Read the full story

Honda launches car comparison tool

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:23:52 GMT

A new online car comparison tool has been launched by Japanese car maker Honda.The tool allows potential buyers to compare Honda cars against any other car on the market and calculate any sa ...

Read the full story

Car plant plans set for auction

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:23:52 GMT

An original set of architectural plans for the ill-fated DeLorean car plant, which produced the famous silver Gull-wing sports car used in the movie Back to the Future, are to be auctioned.T ...

Read the full story

Mr Loophole attacks city council

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:20:31 GMT

Celebrity lawyer `Mr Loophole`, who has represented sports stars such as Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, claims Manchester City Council has been misusing surveillance cameras to prosecute motorists ...

Read the full story

Police `snooping` on more drivers

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:20:31 GMT

More than 233 million vehicle number plates were recorded by police cameras in Sussex last year, with six million of those matching "vehicles of interest" ranging from those with no insurance to on ...

Read the full story

GM's Volt to overtake Toyota Prius

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:20:31 GMT

General Motors has said its Chevrolet Volt electric car could be four times more efficient than the popular Toyota Prius hybrid.The Prius is the most efficient car now sold in the United Sta ...

Read the full story

GM to sell cars through eBay site

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:28:33 GMT

A new link up between eBay and General Motors will allow dealers and customers to negotiate car deals over the internet, it has been announced.The agreement allows General Motors to explore ...

Read the full story

MG Rover collapse probe dropped

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:28:33 GMT

The possibility of a criminal investigation into the collapse of car maker MG Rover in 2005 appears to have been put to bed for good after the Serious Fraud Office dropped its inquiry into the matt ...

Read the full story

Most accidents happen close to home

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:28:33 GMT

Drivers are being warned to stay alert even amid familiar surroundings after research shows two-thirds of crashes occur within five miles of a motorist's home.The survey by insurance company ...

Read the full story

Heathrow to use driverless vehicle

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:48:49 GMT

Heathrow Airport will make use of a futuristic driverless vehicle to ferry passengers from the car park to the terminal building.The personal rapid transport (PRT) system, which is capable o ...

Read the full story

'Child bollards' to curb speeding

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:48:49 GMT

Bollards shaped and painted to resemble children are being used to try and control speeding outside a school in Leicester.The metal figures have been placed outside Avenue Primary School in ...

Read the full story

London drivers 'starting to listen'

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:52:30 GMT

London drivers are improving but nearly 5.5 million parking notices were still issued across the capital in 2008/2009.London Councils revealed that the figures, which were recorded between A ...

Read the full story

Employees making green car choices

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:52:30 GMT

Office workers are becoming more energy conscious and requesting "green" cars, a survey has revealed.Vehicle management company LeasePlan UK discovered that 88% of professionals picked out C ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme is a 'great deal'

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:52:30 GMT

The Government's car scrappage experiment has been hailed as a "great deal for manufacturers, dealers and customers" as the scheme reached its half-way point.More than 150,000 cars have been ...

Read the full story

Biker seeks fund for record attempt

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:58:09 GMT

A 60-year-old biker from Dulwich, south London is planning to attempt a world land speed record next year at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.Ron Holland, who aims to break the current official ...

Read the full story

Bidder plans future for Vauxhall

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:58:09 GMT

One of the two final bidders in the running to buy Vauxhall has said it is a "strong supporter" of the car maker and has no plans to close the two remaining UK plants or change the brand.The ...

Read the full story

Steam supercar set for record attempt

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:30:24 GMT

The team behind a steam supercar project, dubbed "the fastest kettle in the world", claim they are set to break the century-old world land speed record for steam powered vehicles.The Lymingt ...

Read the full story

Britain heads whiplash-fraud league

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:44:05 GMT

More Britons are faking whiplash injuries to claim compensation than anywhere else in Europe, according to a survey of GPs.And the cost is adding 20% to motor premiums as well as wasting val ...

Read the full story

Porsche launches new 911 Turbo

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:44:05 GMT

Top speed 194mph, 0-62 in 3.4 seconds, 500 horsepower, sackloads of torque, four-wheel drive, paddle shift, £100,000-plus - the new Porsche 911 Turbo. All that while redefining the supercar` ...

Read the full story

New driver-safety product unveiled

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:44:05 GMT

Dutch firm Mobileye NV has expanded its range of automobile after-market products with a driver-safety system that packs three accident-prevention and mitigation warnings into one.The Mobile ...

Read the full story

US announces electric car grants

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:43:29 GMT

Officials in US President Barack Obama's administration including Vice President Joe Biden have announced a number of grants for the development of electric vehicles and batteries worth $2.4 billio ...

Read the full story

DVLA defends Spanish car tax prize

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:43:29 GMT

The DVLA has defended putting up cars made in Spain as competition prizes after ministers were told to "get a grip" and support the British motor industry.Senior Labour whip John Spellar sai ...

Read the full story

Electric-vehicle maker in US deal

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:43:29 GMT

British electric-vehicle maker Modec will benefit from a $39 million (£23 million) US government grant awarded to a joint venture with Indiana truckmaker Navistar. The partnership, a motorin ...

Read the full story

5% rise in drink-driving deaths

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:43:29 GMT

A breakdown of Government figures shows a 5% increase in the number of people who died in drink-drive accidents last year.According to the Department for Transport (DfT), 2008 saw 430 people ...

Read the full story

Korean protesters prepared to die

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:39:31 GMT

Sacked South Korean workers have warned police they will fight to the death after riot commandos stormed the roof of the car factory paint shop, which they are currently occupying.Police wer ...

Read the full story

Speeding fine for footballer Defoe

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:39:31 GMT

England footballer Jermain Defoe has been fined for speeding after he was caught by a speed camera driving a Ferrari at 45mph in a 30mph zone.The Tottenham Hotspur striker also had four pena ...

Read the full story

Pensioner's plan for better roads

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:39:31 GMT

A pensioner in North Somerset is marking the potholes in his village with yellow spray paint to draw the council's attention.The man, from Wraxall, and other residents have painted the potho ...

Read the full story

Birmingham roads to get makeover

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:01:08 GMT

Birmingham City Council are in negotiations with an engineering firm for a 25-year contract worth £2.7 bn to repair and update the city's roads in the next 25 years.The council's preferred b ...

Read the full story

Beyonce to headline F1 music event

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:01:08 GMT

Top international stars including Beyonce Knowles and Black Eyed Peas are set to rock the new live music event associated with Formula One.The inaugural three-day F1 Rocks concert in Singapo ...

Read the full story

Ratings system for child car seats

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:35:33 GMT

A transport research company has launched an independent performance ratings scheme for child car seats to improve safety for children.Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) says its new five-s ...

Read the full story

East Sussex plans low-energy lamps

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:35:33 GMT

Nearly 1,000 street lights in East Sussex are to be replaced with new energy-efficient lamps in a move aimed at cutting carbon emissions as well as cost.East Sussex County Council said the l ...

Read the full story

Work to open hard shoulder begins

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:11:03 GMT

Work is under way on a £3 million scheme to cut congestion on the M42 by opening up the motorway's hard shoulder at peak times.The project will see the hard shoulder opened to motorists trav ...

Read the full story

Nissan unveils green Leaf in Japan

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:11:03 GMT

Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn has unveiled the Japanese company's new environmentally friendly zero-emissions car, known as the Leaf.The car was unveiled at Nissan's new headquarters i ...

Read the full story

Calcutta drivers hit by smog law

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:11:03 GMT

Residents of Calcutta can breathe a little easier after more than 60,000 ageing vehicles were banished from the streets of India`s largest city in a bid to ease the city`s chronic problems with air ...

Read the full story

checked dfExperienced drivers fail retest

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:11:03 GMT

Seasoned drivers could be making dangerous mistakes on the roads, it has been revealed.50% of long-term motorists invited by Kia Motors UK to retake a driving test failed to pass, and half o ...

Read the full story

Economic optimism boosts oil prices

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:11:03 GMT

Oil companies have increased prices to more than 70 US dollars a barrel in anticipation of increased demand driven by a global economic recovery.The cost of benchmark crude for September del ...

Read the full story

Fixed speed cameras switched off

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:52:06 GMT

Fixed-point speed cameras have been switched off in Swindon as part of controversial council plans for accident prevention.The five permanent cameras in the Wiltshire town, which are estimat ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme 'false economy'

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:52:06 GMT

Some consumers have failed to benefit from the Government's "cash for bangers" car-scrappage scheme because of rising vehicle prices, Which? Car magazine has said.The scheme means that owner ...

Read the full story

French crackdown on foreign drivers

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:52:06 GMT

A crackdown on foreign drivers in France is planned after road deaths rose to 408 in June, a third more than last year.Environment minister Jean-Louis Borloo fears that the number might be e ...

Read the full story

Shell reports 70% fall in profits

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:52:06 GMT

Royal Dutch Shell has announced that its profits fell 70% to £1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2009.The oil giant, which had recorded profits of £22 billion last year, has warned of more ...

Read the full story

Land speed record bid postponed

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:04:45 GMT

Technical problems have delayed a British bid to break the land speed record for steam-powered cars.A breakdown at Edwards Air Force base in California has forced British Steam Car driver Do ...

Read the full story

Drink-drive limit to be re-assessed

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:04:45 GMT

Thousands of roadside breath tests are being analysed by experts who are weighing up proposals to lower the drink-drive limit.Senior police officers are in favour of reducing the limit from ...

Read the full story

Enough for a motorway boot sale...

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:27:03 GMT

Everything including the kitchen sink has been found lost, left or dumped on English motorways, according to the Highways Agency.It reports that the haul for the year to June includes surfbo ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme helps dealership

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:35:16 GMT

The Government's car scrappage scheme has given international dealership Inchcape's UK business a boost in the first half of 2009.The scheme, which until next February is offering drivers a ...

Read the full story

Setback for European car sales

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:35:16 GMT

Car sales have taken another blow with the news that car company PSA Peugeot Citroen suffered an £824 million net loss in the first half of 2009.In the same period last year, the company mad ...

Read the full story

Garage complaints have fallen

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:35:16 GMT

The battle to raise customer service in the motor industry is being won by industry regulator Motor Codes and the garage sector.Findings from advice service Consumer Direct suggest that the ...

Read the full story

Car hire prices `were misleading`

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:46:58 GMT

The recession has been blamed for advertisements that misled contract car hire customers about the prices they would have to pay.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says that an offer ...

Read the full story

Race on for record attempt team

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:46:58 GMT

The team aiming to break the land speed record for a steam-powered machine are facing more than one race against time, as they have less than a week to make their bid.The timekeepers approve ...

Read the full story

Duo's incredible steam car journey

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:14:00 GMT

Two pals better keep their breakdown cover details handy as they attempt to drive a custom-built steam car all the way from John O'Groats to Lands End.The journey in aid of Hearing Dogs for ...

Read the full story

Massa starts recovery from crash

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:14:00 GMT

Brazilian F1 star Felipe Massa is awake in hospital as he makes his recovery from the serious injuries he suffered during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix last week.The outlook for th ...

Read the full story

Traffic scheme hailed a success

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:14:00 GMT

A controversial scheme that bans cars from one of the busiest streets in Dublin launched on Monday with minimal disruption caused.The banning of private cars from the bus corridor on College ...

Read the full story

Nissan unveils its new electric car

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:29:35 GMT

Under-floor batteries and an energy-braking system are key features of Nissan`s newly-unveiled zero-emission electric car.By focussing on reducing weight and increasing efficiency, the new c ...

Read the full story

Nissan secures petrol engine deal

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:29:35 GMT

Auto maker Nissan has announced that it has secured a deal to build a new petrol engine at its Sunderland plant.The Japanese firm, which is set to start assembling the 2.0 litre engine from ...

Read the full story

Hamilton back on top after win

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:54:03 GMT

World champion Lewis Hamilton has recovered his form and won the Hungarian Grand Prix.But Hamilton's first victory since October's Chinese Grand Prix was overshadowed by Felipe Massa's accid ...

Read the full story

Driveway safety to be examined

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:54:03 GMT

Safety bosses are to look into how many toddlers are killed or injured in accidents involving vehicles on driveways.The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) will interview p ...

Read the full story

Cars banned from bus corridor

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:54:03 GMT

British cities will be watching with interest as Dublin opens a city centre rush-hour bus corridor, which motorists are expecting to create traffic chaos.Commuters were told to plan ahead an ...

Read the full story

`Pasty wars` waged over forecourts

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:53:38 GMT

Bakery chain Greggs will be battling it out with the travellers` favourite Ginsters as the high-street firm takes its first move on to the petrol forecourt.Greggs has opened its first store ...

Read the full story

Car thieves 'eye top-end vehicles'

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:53:38 GMT

An insurance company has warned that top-end cars such as Porsches, BMWs and Jaguars are at increasing risk of being stolen because of their higher market value.The study for insurance firm ...

Read the full story

Gun maker's SUV for Autumn launch

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:38:45 GMT

A renowned gun manufacturer has part-produced a special edition Range Rover which will go on sale in September, it has been announced.Range Rover modifiers Overfinch have worked alongside gu ...

Read the full story

Decline in car production eases

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:38:45 GMT

The UK car industry could on the road to recovery after the decline in car production during June was the smallest so far this year.The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said there ...

Read the full story

Resignation a boost to merger plans

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:19:40 GMT

A proposed merger between Porsche and automotive giant Volkswagen AG has been made easier with the resignation of the struggling luxury carmaker`s chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking.The 56-y ...

Read the full story

Call to boost gas-fuelled vehicles

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:19:40 GMT

Gas-powered vehicles could provide huge economic and environmental benefits for Northern Ireland, but their wider use is being hampered by a lack of availability of fuel, it has been claimed.

Read the full story

Recession leading to safer roads

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:57:10 GMT

Recession-hit drivers keeping their cars in the garage led to a sharp drop in road deaths last year, data show.Last year's figure of 2,645 deaths is a 13.5% fall on the 3,059 people who died ...

Read the full story

Future of car firm to be decided

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:57:10 GMT

Speculation is intensifying over the ownership of beleaguered car giant Vauxhall.Business secretary Lord Mandelson will meet union officials, managers and local MPs at the firm's Ellesmere P ...

Read the full story

Bus drivers' hours to face probe

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:57:10 GMT

Rules about how many hours van and bus drivers can work are to be examined in a wide-ranging consultation by transport minister Paul Clark. The consultation will look at the domestic drivers ...

Read the full story

Drivers 'have personality change'

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:05:32 GMT

Some 40% of Britons experience a radical personality change when they get behind the wheel, new research has revealed.Nearly two thirds of drivers (61%) find they are more aggressive and tak ...

Read the full story

Breakdown `least likely` for Hondas

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:05:32 GMT

Vehicles built by Japanese manufacturers are the least likely to break down, according to new figures.A manufacturer reliability index by used car warranty firm Warranty Direct shows that Ho ...

Read the full story

Drink-drivers caught in crackdown

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:56:19 GMT

More than 30 drink or drug-drivers were caught during a two-week crackdown by Tayside Police.Amongst them was a 29-year-old motorist who was stopped in Dundee while allegedly five times over ...

Read the full story

Survey backs car-sharing scheme

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:56:19 GMT

Commuters could soon benefit from car-sharing schemes after the results of a survey supported plans for one of Britain's first out-of-city car clubs in Warwickshire.The poll of people in Lea ...

Read the full story

Rolls-Royce Ghost figures announced

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:56:19 GMT

Rolls-Royce's new Ghost model will go from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds, the luxury car firm has revealed.The new "baby Rolls", priced at £165,000 before taxes, will be fitted with a 6.6 litre V12 ...

Read the full story

Tory leader slammed by 'Greens'

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:50:23 GMT

Conservative Party leader David Cameron has been slammed by environmentalists after travelling by helicopter to meet university biofuel researchers. Mr Cameron met experts from the Universit ...

Read the full story

Car dealers tricked into £80m fraud

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:50:23 GMT

A specialist car dealership which unknowingly harboured the proceeds of an £80 million fraud has been raided by police. Investigators suspect a gang of corrupt consultants spent some of the ...

Read the full story

5,000 workers waiting on decision

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:27:31 GMT

The fate of 5,000 UK workers will be decided this week as the German government chooses which bidder they want to take over Vauxhall's European parent.It is believed a decision is imminent a ...

Read the full story

Minister calls for Jaguar response

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:27:31 GMT

The Government has urged the parent company of Jaguar Land Rover to speed up negotiations over a package of support for the beleaguered car maker.Business Secretary Lord Mandelson asked the ...

Read the full story

Car giant investment boosts jobs

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:27:31 GMT

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has announced a £200 million investment to build batteries for electric cars that will create hundreds of new jobs in the recession-hit motoring industry. Pr ...

Read the full story

Women prefer `manly` car mechanics

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:08:21 GMT

Motor mechanics top the league of `manliest` jobs and are the type most women fancy, according to a poll by UK motor product company Nulon.The report found that two-thirds said they preferre ...

Read the full story

Hairy Bikers warn about road safety

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:08:21 GMT

TV chefs the Hairy Bikers have backed a summer road safety campaign aimed at motorcyclists.Si King and Dave Myers have joined Grampian Police's safety push as summer weather is expected to b ...

Read the full story

MP call for motor industry support

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:41:03 GMT

MPs have accused ministers of failing to deliver promised support for the struggling motor industry.The Business and Enterprise Committee highlighted "shortcomings" in the automotive assista ...

Read the full story

Ford sells half a million Ka models

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:58:18 GMT

The iconic design of the Ford Ka has been given as a reason for it selling more than half a million models in the UK.Also attributed to its success was the car's low running costs and fun-to ...

Read the full story

Scrappage scheme boosts car orders

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:58:18 GMT

There have been in excess of 110,000 new vehicles ordered since the car scrappage scheme was introduced, the Government has said.Sales for June were 15% higher than predicted, junior busines ...

Read the full story

Celebration of Rally star's life

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:08:41 GMT

The life of Colin McRae, the former world rally champion who died in a helicopter crash two years ago, is to be celebrated in a new exhibition.The display will be held at Glasgow's Riverside ...

Read the full story

Carmaker Bentley in parts sale

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:08:41 GMT

Luxury carmaker Bentley Motors is to open its parts warehouse for a unique two day sale.Traders, owners and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to buy anything from a V8 engine block or re ...

Read the full story

Insurance fraud on the increase

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:08:41 GMT

Insurance fraud has increased to the tune of £1.9 billion a year, according to estimated figures published in a report.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) thinks around £5.2 million of ...

Read the full story

Government public transport plan

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:02:14 GMT

Lord Adonis has said he is determined to make public transport "a far more attractive choice".The Transport Secretary unveiled new green measures, including the promotion of cycling and the ...

Read the full story

Blitz on `hard-core` drink drivers

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:02:14 GMT

Crackdowns on drink-drivers in Cambridgeshire may need to step up a gear, says chief constable Julie Spence.She has issued a warning to a "solid core" of drivers who are still prepared to ta ...

Read the full story

James Bond car could fetch £120,000

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:31 GMT

A James Bond supercar from the blockbuster film For Your Eyes Only could fetch up to £120,000 when it goes under the hammer.The Lotus Esprit Turbo was designed for a new generation of Bond f ...

Read the full story

Drivers facing roadworks over break

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:31 GMT

More than 900 miles of roadworks are expected to hinder holidaymakers travelling on England's motorways next month, it has emerged.In the North West alone, more than 300 miles of motorway wi ...

Read the full story

Group calls for congestion charge

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:31 GMT

Congestion charges, traffic calming and speed restraints have been called for by a leading transport body in Wales.Sustainable Transport Cymru made the request as Deputy First Minister Ieuan ...

Read the full story

£45m for roadworks in North West

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:08:42 GMT

Manchester roads are to get a £45 million cash injection according to a Government announcement.Roads in Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside will benefit from the cash - with repairs an ...

Read the full story

Older people 'worst drink-drivers'

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:08:42 GMT

Some 32% of 45 to 64-year-olds have admitted driving while potentially over the limit, a report has revealed.The research shows drinking and driving is more of a problem for people in that a ...

Read the full story

Toyota `plans electric car for UK`

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:43:27 GMT

A petrol-electric hybrid version of the Toyota Auris hatchback is to be made in the UK from 2012, according to a Japanese industry newspaper report.The company currently makes petrol engines ...

Read the full story

Call to reduce road deaths by 40%

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:43:27 GMT

The Government has been accused of not being ambitious enough in its attempts to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads.The trade body for companies enga ...

Read the full story

Honda set to sell hybrid in Japan

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:43:27 GMT

Car manufacturer Honda plans to start selling its CR-Z sports hybrid model in Japan from February next year, the firms new CEO has announced.Takanobu Ito also said an expected start date for ...

Read the full story

Cars could run on chip fat roads

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:44:37 GMT

Old chip fat can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to the road building substance bitumen, a company has claimed.Leicester-based Aggregate Industries said that vegetable oil, which has ...

Read the full story

Motorists `ripped off by mechanics`

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:44:37 GMT

Drivers being ripped off by motor mechanics after a breakdown is a growing problem, according to Motor Codes, the automotive industry's self-regulatory body.It reports that the problem is ro ...

Read the full story

Motorists turn to dealer finance

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:58:29 GMT

More than half of drivers used motor finance from dealers to buy their new cars in the last year, it has been revealed.Figures in May showed that 52% of consumers bought their new cars on de ...

Read the full story

Labour calls for more green cars

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:58:29 GMT

A fleet of pollution-free vehicles could be developed by Scottish councils if Holyrood created a £15 million funding pot, Labour leader Iain Gray has said.Scotland's local authorities operat ...

Read the full story

Breakdown drivers prefer choice

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:58:29 GMT

After an accident or breakdown most drivers assume they have to get their vehicle repaired by the insurer's choice of company, a survey has shown.The survey found the majority of drivers did ...

Read the full story

Vicious circle hits fuel-tax take

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:08:50 GMT

The Government is pocketing less in fuel duty from recession-hit drivers despite increasing the tax they must pay, according to the AA.And it says: "What is the point of raising fuel duty if ...

Read the full story

Oil prices drop below $60 a barrel

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:08:50 GMT

The price of crude oil has slid below $60 a barrel as demand continues to waver in the economic downturn.The announcement is good news for motorists, who will see the benefit when filling up ...

Read the full story

Penalty call for litter-lout drivers

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:03:15 GMT

Drivers who litter roads must be penalised with points on their licence, Keep Britain Tidy has urged.Campaigners of the environmental group are demanding that motorists caught throwing litte ...

Read the full story

Fresh breakdown blights Formula One

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:03:15 GMT

A fresh breakdown in relations at the top is once again blighting the future of of Formula One as we know it.Threats by leading teams to form a breakaway series are still hanging in the air ...

Read the full story

Macpherson admires Jaguar body

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:03:15 GMT

Supermodel Elle Macpherson has lived up to her nickname as she showed off the body of the new Jaguar XJ.The glamorous Australian - dubbed The Body - wore high heels and a short dress at the ...

Read the full story

Widening work begins for M25

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:34:49 GMT

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan has hailed the official start of work to widen a section of Britain's busiest motorway.Mr Khan called the £580 million scheme for the M25 a "major step" in the ...

Read the full story

Job fears at speed camera centre

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:34:49 GMT

Transport for London (TfL) has announced it is to slash the budget of one of Britain's biggest speed and traffic camera units prompting fears of job cuts at the centre.The budget for the Lon ...

Read the full story

Britons attempt steam car record

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:31:07 GMT

A British team of engineers and enthusiasts are in the US preparing to break a 103-year-old land speed record in what they have dubbed the "fastest kettle in the world".The group behind the ...

Read the full story

Asda drops fuel prices below £1

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:31:07 GMT

Petrol prices at Asda have been cut to 99.9p per litre as the the supermarket chain admitted there was "little justification" to charge more than £1.The drop in price applies to diesel and p ...

Read the full story

James Bond supercar up for auction

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:25 GMT

James Bond`s supercar from the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000 when it is auctioned by Coys at Blenheim Palace on July 18.The metallic bronze L ...

Read the full story

Oil price down as US economy slumps

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:25 GMT

A fifth consecutive daily fall in the price of oil has pushed major US stock indexes down 2% as investors fear a softening in demand for energy and basic materials.The Dow Jones fell 161 poi ...

Read the full story

Council announces town lorry ban

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:25 GMT

North Somerset Council has announced it is considering banning lorries from driving along a section of the A368 near Banwell in a bid to cut traffic jams and improve road safety.The council ...

Read the full story

Call to reduce speed limit to 20mph

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Anywhere people work, live or play should have a standard speed limit of 20mph, according to a national charity.Pedestrians group Living Streets is encouraging people around the country to j ...

Read the full story

MG Rover report `due in 20 days'

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:53:04 GMT

The business secretary has revealed that the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into the demise of car giant MG Rover will take just 20 days.This will allow a long-awaited official report ...

Read the full story

Officers remove policeman scarecrow

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Villagers in Norfolk have been told off after creating a seven-foot scarecrow in the shape of a traffic policeman holding a speed radar gun.The effigy, created by locals for a fete in Branca ...

Read the full story

Sales slump hits German powerhouses

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:59:54 GMT

The drop in demand for new cars as a result of the global recession saw sales of Mercedes-Benz and BMW cars fall in June.The Munich-based carmaker said a total of 127,546 BMW cars were sold ...

Read the full story

Dealer fined for 'clocking' cars

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:59:54 GMT

A second-hand car dealer has been fined £1,500 for selling "clocked" vehicles after a motorist saw his old car advertised in a trade magazine with fewer miles on the clock than when he had sold it. ...

Read the full story

Police warning for drink-drivers

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:59:54 GMT

Police in Northern Ireland have issued a stern warning to the 1,946 motorists who were arrested for drink or drug-driving during the first half of the year.The startling statistics were rele ...

Read the full story

Fraud probe expected over MG Rover

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:16:49 GMT

The collapse of MG Rover is set to be probed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) after a four-year investigation into the demise of the Midlands carmaker.Business secretary Lord Mandelson is e ...

Read the full story

Driving survey slams White Van Man

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:16:49 GMT

White Van Man is the least popular person on the UK's roads, according to a poll by insurance comparison site Auto Trader Compare.Every one of the 1,500 motorists polled said they thought th ...

Read the full story

Nine cars `tally for average Brit`

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:16:49 GMT

Over their lifetime, the average Briton will own nine cars - buying six of them before they reach the age of 40, according to new research.However, this situation is likely to change as a re ...

Read the full story

Speed festival monument unveiled

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:43:14 GMT

Lord March is set to unveil his latest sculptural 'monument' for the Festival of Speed at his West Sussex home.The three-day festival at Goodwood House this weekend is likely to welcome a re ...

Read the full story

Floods prompt safe-driving tips

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:43:14 GMT

Driving through flash floods caused by torrential rain is not for the faint-hearted, according to experts.But there may be no alternative as storms forecast to follow the heatwave take their ...

Read the full story

Parking firm not deterred by strike

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:43:14 GMT

Northern Ireland motorists will not be able to escape the threat of a parking ticket, even if traffic attendants stage a strike, it has been revealed.Last April, 25 attendants were sacked by ...

Read the full story

Owen's Ferrari on sale for £150,000

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:16:06 GMT

Anyone with a spare £150,000 can pick up a Ferrari that belonged to England footballer Michael Owen, as the vehicle is currently on sale at a dealership in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.The two ...

Read the full story

Two-way traffic for London landmark

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:32:38 GMT

Westminster Council has revealed plans to re-introduce two-way traffic around Piccadilly Circus to ease congestion.The council will spend £10 million to free the famous landmark from traffic ...

Read the full story

Passenger drop-off charge launched

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:41:25 GMT

Luton Airport has introduced passenger drop-off charges in a move sure to cause controversy.Drivers dropping off passengers at the newly revamped zone in front of the terminal building will ...

Read the full story

Garages get new code of practice

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:41:25 GMT

A new code of practice to boost public confidence in garages and breakdown services has been backed by the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA).This is the body responsible for poli ...

Read the full story

Transport schemes `facing the axe`

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:52:01 GMT

Major road-building schemes including the widening of motorways may be axed because of a £29 billion budget shortfall, a national newspaper has claimed.The Guardian reports that, according t ...

Read the full story

Strike possible in traffic dispute

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:52:01 GMT

Unions say traffic attendants in Northern Ireland could strike to show support for 26 Belfast colleagues sacked in April.Around 180 members are being consulted over a possible strike ballot, ...

Read the full story

Baby Aston Martin on drawing board

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:20:41 GMT

British car firm Aston Martin is planning to borrow an idea from the world's largest automaker in order to create a new run-around model perfect for commuting.The Cygnet concept has grown ou ...

Read the full story

Dogs warning as temperatures soar

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:20:41 GMT

A charity is warning motorists not to leave their pets inside cars on sunny days after two dogs died in Scotland.The incident in Inverness has prompted the Scottish SPCA to advise that no do ...

Read the full story

City slickers boost supercar sales

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:28:47 GMT

A 2007 Bentley Continental convertible selling for £92,500 - £12,600 above guide price - has heralded increasing demand for used top-bracket sports cars, says British Car Auctions (BCA).And ...

Read the full story

Drivers now face £60 seatbelt fine

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:11:39 GMT

The on-the-spot penalty for not wearing a seatbelt has been doubled to £60.Campaigners have called for tougher fines after government figures show that some drivers and passengers continue t ...

Read the full story

Study to break down van phenomenon

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:40:28 GMT

The Government is backing a study into the White Van Man phenomenon, which has seen the amount of van traffic increasing by 40% in the last 10 years.Figures show there are currently more tha ...

Read the full story

Road signs up for sale to beat speeding

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:40:28 GMT

Leicestershire County Council is to test a new scheme which will enable communities to buy and erect mobile road signs in areas where drivers speed.The Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), ...

Read the full story

Italians worst drivers, say Brits

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:20:23 GMT

The worst drivers in Europe - according to a survey of British travellers - are the Italians, with the French only marginally better.The biggest challenge of motoring abroad for 30% of UK tr ...

Read the full story

Review after £16m MG Rover probe

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:53:03 GMT

The way corporate collapses are investigated is to be reviewed after it was revealed an inquiry into the breakdown of MG Rover cost nearly £16 million.Business minister Ian Lucas said a Gove ...

Read the full story

Drivers forgetting to hide car keys

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:04:19 GMT

Motorists are prioritising the safety of their laptops above their car keys despite huge numbers of cars being stolen from outside people's homes, according to research.Car manufacturer Vaux ...

Read the full story

Caravan training courses on offer

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:04:19 GMT

British motorists thinking of caravanning this summer are being urged to brush up on their driving and towing skills before taking to the roads. With the recession encouraging more and more ...

Read the full story

£220m regional road deal agreed

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:07:08 GMT

Road users in the East Midlands have been assured that they will see "bigger and better equipped" vehicles responding to accidents after the motorway and trunk road network was taken over by a new ...

Read the full story

Bid to cut level-crossing deaths

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:52:31 GMT

There were fewer deaths on level crossings in the UK last year than in most other European countries, according to Network Rail (NR).In a breakdown of incidents, NR compares Britain`s 15 dea ...

Read the full story

Half of roads deemed not 'safe'

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:52:31 GMT

More than half of A-roads and a quarter of motorways in Britain are not 'safe', according to the latest research.A survey by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) found that 58% of A-roads and 25 ...

Read the full story

Britons spilt on eco-car options

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:05:16 GMT

More than a third of motorists would buy a hybrid or electric model car, according to price comparison site moneysupermarket.com.The poll revealed that 33% of British motorists would choose ...

Read the full story

New speed plans condemned by CPRE

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:06:47 GMT

New speed limit plans could "deface the countryside", cost £300 million and distract motorists, according to the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).The CPRE added that up to one millio ...

Read the full story

Older drivers 'should be re-tested'

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:06:47 GMT

Formula One racing legend Sir Stirling Moss has said that he believes pensioners over 70 should be required to re-take driving tests every five years.In an interview with BBC Wales' Week In ...

Read the full story

Welsh plan to reduce M4 traffic

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:02:42 GMT

An agreement between the Assembly Government and the police should see fewer traffic jams on the M4 in Wales, it has been claimed.Police will be allowed to concentrate their efforts on emerg ...

Read the full story

Sun comes out on soft-top prices

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:02:42 GMT

The lure of open-air motoring is boosting the price of used convertibles, according to a breakdown of figures from British Car Auctions (BCA). And with an average age of four years and less ...

Read the full story

Fall in deaths on Scottish roads

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:14:34 GMT

The number of road deaths in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level in 60 years, recent data have shown.Last year was the third successive annual fall in fatalities on the country`s roads, ...

Read the full story

Schumacher revealed as the Stig

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:24:44 GMT

The true identity of Top Gear`s the Stig has been revealed as seven times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher.The former Formula One Driver was urged by the studio audience to remo ...

Read the full story

Button's hot form cools at Silverstone

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:24:44 GMT

Jenson Button's winning streak came to an end at the weekend after finishing sixth in the British Grand Prix.Having dominated the first seven races of the season with six wins, the 29-year-o ...

Read the full story

Passengers "condoning" drink-drivers

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:37:27 GMT

A survey has found adults still travel in cars with drivers who they suspect could be over the drink-drive limit.According to research by Direct Line Car Insurance, a third of adults got int ...

Read the full story

Police drivers reduce emissions

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:22:05 GMT

Police officers are being encouraged to drive more slowly to help the environment, it has been revealed.New training asks them to avoid "excessive revving", and also asks them to plan their ...

Read the full story

Risk no better for young drivers

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:22:05 GMT

Despite a dramatic fall in the risk to motorists of dying on UK roads, the chances of a young driver being killed are still the same as they were in the early 1980s, research has shown.The r ...

Read the full story

XJ reclaims greenest big car crown

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:16:18 GMT

A green motoring organisation has named Jaguar's XJ 2.7 Diesel Britain's greenest luxury car for the third year in a row.The award from the Environmental Transport Association's (ETA) 2009 C ...

Read the full story

Foreign diplomats dodge UK fines

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:16:18 GMT

More than £27 million is owed to the UK taxpayer in the form of London congestion charges, traffic penalties and parking fines left unpaid by diplomats in this country.In a breakdown of figu ...

Read the full story

Car swappers hit with extra costs

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:16:18 GMT

Insurance administration fees worth around £6 million will be paid by those taking part in the Government's car-scrappage scheme before the initiative is over, it has been suggested.Comparis ...

Read the full story

Call to ban smoking in UK cars

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:17:25 GMT

Campaigners have called for a ban on smoking in cars after concerns that children are being exposed to second-hand smoke from adults having cigarettes while behind the wheel.Deborah Arnott, ...

Read the full story

Join me in the slow lane: Hamilton

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:17:25 GMT

The Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has called for drivers to join him in the slow lane and help reduce the number of road deaths across the world.Speaking at the launch of a new r ...

Read the full story

Auto Trader selling Ronaldo's Porsche

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:17:25 GMT

Now that Cristiano Ronaldo has secured a move to Real Madrid he has put his Porsche 911 convertible up for sale on Auto Trader.The 177mph Carrera 2 Tiptronic S is thought to be the first of ...

Read the full story

New hydrogen-powered car unveiled

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:49:09 GMT

Residents of London are among the first to sneak a peek at a new hydrogen-powered car that is capable of travelling 240 miles without refuelling.The two-seater Riversimple Urban Car weighing ...

Read the full story

Ronaldo uncharged over car crash

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:49:09 GMT

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo will not be charged for totalling his brand-new Ferrari sports car in a crash near the city's airport, police have said.The captain of the Portuguese national ...

Read the full story

Car-speed GPS `autopilot` trialled

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:58:40 GMT

A GPS device that can automatically restrict a car to the speed limit may soon be trialled in Scotland.It is among a package of road safety measures enabling Scotland to set its own speed an ...

Read the full story

Sainsburys opens energy-saving store

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:58:40 GMT

A "revolutionary" new Sainsbury's store in Gloucester will capture energy from vehicles to power its checkouts.The "people-powered" Sainsburys opening on Wednesday has installed kinetic road ...

Read the full story

Classic E-Types up for auction

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:39:19 GMT

Sandown Park in Surrey is to be the venue for a sale of classic cars that will include at least eight Jaguar E-Types, it has been announced.The Jaguar Heritage, Classic & Collectors` car ...

Read the full story

Guidelines for work related driving

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:39:19 GMT

New guidelines for work driving are being launched to tackle the number of crashes involving company cars.According to research by Ireland's Health and Safety Authority (HSA), drivers using ...

Read the full story

Fight against huge rail-road depot

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:34:21 GMT

A 285-acre rail and road freight interchange planned for Kent would destroy a large area of countryside while not cutting motorway traffic, say opponents.They are fighting a proposed distrib ...

Read the full story

Peugeot break down Audi at Le Mans

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:34:21 GMT

This year`s Le Mans 24-hour race has been won by Peugeot, which broke Audi`s stranglehold in France to comfortably take first and second positions.The winning team comprised Marc Gene, Alexa ...

Read the full story

Olympic work uncovers 'mass grave'

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:09:02 GMT

Archaeologists have discovered a mass "war grave" containing the skulls of 45 people dating back to Roman times.The grave was found as work began on a £87m road to Weymouth, Dorset - the sai ...

Read the full story

Driver sentenced after near miss

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:09:18 GMT

A drunken woman who put lives at risk when she drove hundreds of yards along a railway line has been given a 10-month jail term, suspended for two years.Karen Angus, 40, of Gosforth in Newca ...

Read the full story

Peugeot calls for breakdown of rules

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:59:03 GMT

Peugeot has accused Audi of breaching technical regulations in the design of its R15 TDI, which will race in the Le Mans 24 Hour.The French manufacturer claims the front bodywork design of t ...

Read the full story