Brit driver hits 160mph on French motorway... so fast it broke the radar gun

French transport police clocked a UK registered Audi R8 travelling at 160mph on the A28 motorway in Normandy on Monday.

The performance car was travelling so fast it subsequently broke the radar gun, meaning that police can't confirm whether or not the vehicle was actually travelling faster than the stated 160mph.

Astonished traffic officers said it took them four miles to catch up with the speeding driver who is only described as a businessman from London in a company car.

The vehicle was impounded on orders from the prosecutor at Evreux and the driver's license was confiscated.

He was immediately banned from driving on all French roads. He has also been summoned to appear in court where he faces a fine of up to £1,300.

A traffic police spokesman said: "This is the fastest speed we have ever recorded on the entire Normandy motorway network that we patrol.

"In fact we couldn't get the exact speed because the radar stopped working."

It is not known whether the driver was attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans race but a further seven UK drivers were stopped for travelling at speeds in excess of 120mph during the same period.

Local police have previously complained about the slew of British drivers that descend on the country during the famous race.

Calais police said in an average summer month, eight out of ten motorists pulled over for speeding on the A26 motorway between Calais and Paris are British.

A motorway police spokesman said "Some British drivers are often oblivious to the speed limits, and treat the road like they are out for a day's motor racing."

"They seem to think that because they are in a foreign country, the rules do not apply to them."  Be warned!

Britain's most lucrative speed camera has earned £1.6 million in eight years

A speed camera on New Road in Worcester has clocked up an astonishing £1.6 million in fines since it was installed in 2004.

The device caught 22,942 drivers between 2004 and 2012 – 2,867 every year or around eight every day.

Bizarrely, the road is one of the safest in Worcestershire with just one person suffering serious injuries since 2004.

Despite this, all of the speeding motorists who broke the 30 mph limit accepted the conditional offer a fixed £60 penalty, giving the Government a cash injection of £1,376,520.

Another 3,049 drivers have completed the £85 speed awareness course after being caught by the flashing Gatso – leading to further cash boost of £259,165.

Defending the camera, Helen Roberts, a business analyst for the Safer Roads Partnership, which is in charge of the cameras, said: "Between 1994 and 2004, 11 people have been killed or seriously injured, nine on New Road.

"Since installation of the camera this has decreased to one collision of the same category and 15 people have been involved in collisions and sustained slight injuries.

"The severity has decreased, because the speeds of vehicles have decreased, showing that the camera is saving lives."

But many locals have reacted angrily to the news that the camera had raked so much money in, all of which ends up in a central Government pot.

One driver, Stewart Williams, 28, from Worcester, said: "The cameras are purely about greed.

"Speed humps are the best way to slow down drivers and prevent crashes.

"So if road safety was really at the heart of the issue then you would see more speed humps.

"But they don't generate money so instead you see cameras all over the place acting as a way to generate easy money for the Government."

Another motorist, Sue Bishop, 45, added: "No pedestrians try to cross three lanes of busy traffic on New Road.

"It's not about safety, it is about raking in millions of pounds.

"People slow down for the cameras and then speed up as soon as they're out of range.

"They're totally pointless. The sooner they get rid of them and think of a proper way to solve road safety issues the better."

Worcestershire is host to a hefty 55 mobile and static speed devices but Britain's most profitable speed camera was revealed as a temporary device on the southbound A1 between junctions four and five.

The camera snapped an average of 789 drivers a month and figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act revealed it earns around £568,000 a year

Driving pretty in Italy

 

It's the land of beautiful shoes, good food, and the Fiat 500. If you're there this summer, make sure you know your linguini from your Lamborghini by following my driving advice.

 

Driving from London to Rome takes an exhausting 20 hours – preparing yourself and your car is essential. Check all of your lights are working, and that your tyres have enough tread, aren't damaged, and have the right pressure. You don't want to peer through a sticky mess of squashed flies either, so make sure your washer fluid is full, and give the windscreen and headlamps a wash when you stop for fuel. Get a good night's sleep before you go, stop for breaks at least every two hours, and if you're tired have a nap before carrying on.

 

Watch the Chianti. The drink drive limit is lower than the UK, 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. There is a zero tolerance limit for professional drivers and those with less than three years experience. If you're going to drive, don't drink.

 

Be safe and be seen. In Italy you must carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle in your car. Cyclists must wear a reflective jacket when riding on roads outside of towns. Daytime running lights are mandatory, and as a visitor you must use dipped headlights in poor daytime visibility, and in all tunnels at all times. They must also be used when on motorways, dual carriageways, and on all out of town roads. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

 

Whether it's down to Palermo or up to Pompeii, speed limits are lower in the wet – keep an eye on the road signs to ensure you're doing the right speed.  Remember, the limit is a legal maximum, not a target. On unfamiliar roads, driving on the opposite side of the road, you probably won't feel as confident so keep your speed down, and your wits about you.

 

Always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5), and insurance certificate. If you don't have a photo licence, carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, you'll need a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive. If your car isn't registered in Italy you must have European-style plates or a GB sticker.

 

All grades of unleaded petrol (benzina), diesel (gasolio) and LPG are available as well as lead substitute additive. Leaded petrol no longer exists. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they may not work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps open out-of-hours and at lunch-time, away from the Autostrada. Lunch time is a very civilized noon till 3pm.

Improved pedestrian safety design will help high risk children on the roads, say

Today's report by AXA puts pedestrian safety under the spotlight, the IAM is asking the UK government and car makers to make pedestrian-friendly car fronts a top priority.  The government should be taking the lead in lobbying the European Commission and car manufacturers to make radical changes so that vulnerable road users can get the same five star protection as those sitting in the vehicle.

The number of deaths and serious injuries to car occupants fell by 524 in 2011 but amongst vulnerable road users they increased:

•           Pedestrians - 48 more killed, 254 more seriously injured

•           Cyclists - four fewer killed, 425 more seriously injured

Since 2006, car occupants' deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 35% but for pedestrians the fall is just 16 per cent, while cyclist deaths and serious injuries have increased by 31 per cent.

Car occupants benefit increasingly from the high standards of crash protection brought about by the Euro NCAP crash testing programme, ensuring more four and five-star cars than ever are on the market. Improvements to the front of cars that would benefit pedestrians and cyclists in a collision have simply not kept pace.

Research by IAM shows that the average Euro NCAP rating for car occupants in super minis in the last three years is eighty-two per cent while for pedestrians it is much lower, at 53 per cent. There needs to be a new focus on bringing pedestrian safety up to the level now enjoyed by car occupants.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "While the people in the car are much safer, in the case of a crash with a child pedestrian or cyclist, the front of the car is not as forgiving. Much more can and should be done through car design to minimise the damage caused by hard metal on soft tissue."

Bungling Bradford Council installs French car park ticket machine

Motorists in West Yorkshire were left scratching their heads when a ticket machine at the Ian Clough car park, in Baildon, refused to accept their coins.

Subsequently, many car owners returned to their vehicles to find a parking fine slapped on their windscreens.

Bradford Council eventually visited the offending machine and slapped 'out of order' stickers across its façade to ensure no further motorists suffered the same, penalised fate while the problem was investigated.

One eagle-eyed motorist soon discovered the ticket machine was actually French and configured only to accept EURO's.

Two ward councillors Debbie Davies and Roger L'Amie were among those who had tried to use the machine at the car park.

"The pound coin simply would not fit in the slot,' Ms Davies said "There wasn't anything blocking it, it didn't go in and then fell out, the machine just couldn't take the pound."

Engineers have been sent in and the machine has now been calibrated to accept pound coins.

Councillor Davies added: "After some 12 weeks of standing there doing nothing - the 'out of order' signs have been removed and for the first time it's operational

Repeat parking offender's car taken

 

 

A persistent parking offender has had their car seized and impounded after racking up £18,000 in unpaid parking fines.

Portsmouth City Council took the action after the driver of the Peugeot 306 incurred 220 parking tickets and failed to pay the fines.
Despite repeated efforts from the council and contracted bailiffs to contact the owner, the car was finally clamped and seized from Somerset Road in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Councillor Jason Fazackarley, the local authority's cabinet member for traffic and transportation, said: "This is an extreme case which is why we have taken the necessary action to seize the vehicle after a blatant disregard by the owner.
"In addition to seizing the vehicle we will pursue legal action to recover the outstanding debt owned."

The car was impounded after the council used its parking enforcement powers, which means a car can be seized if the owner fails to pay after just three penalty notices and makes no effort to get in touch.

Vehicles removed by the council can be destroyed if the owner does not make contact and pay outstanding fines along with the removal and storage fees.

Driving needn’t be a Spain in the neck

 

Driving abroad isn't easy. New roads, unfamiliar landmarks, strange place names, different signs and road markings, plus you'll be driving on the other side of the road.  Check out my driving tips to take the pain out of Spain.

 

By law, foreign tourists only need one warning triangle but I recommend carrying two. In an accident or breakdown the police may impose a fine if only one is produced, because carrying two is the law for Spaniards. If you do break down, place your warning triangles in front of and behind the car. Motorbikes don't need them at all.

 

While it isn't mandatory to carry a reflective jacket in the vehicle, and as a foreign motorist you can't be fined for it, if you break down on a motorway or main road you and your passengers must wear a reflective jacket. You must also carry a spare tyre, or a tyre repair kit and the equipment to change the tyre. If you wear glasses, you should keep a spare pair in the car.

 

As with most of Europe, the drink drive limit is lower in Spain. Bear this in mind and if you're going to drive, just don't drink. New drivers are effectively forbidden to drink and drive, with a very low limit of just 10mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

 

Parking in many towns is controlled by blue zones (zonas azul) where a disc must be displayed, and never park on main roads with continuous white lines along the edge.

 

Always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5), and insurance certificate. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph, carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

 

Only fully hands-free phone systems are allowed – the use of earpieces or headphones while driving is banned. If you do use any of this equipment you face a fine of €200.

 

As with all long journeys, bear in mind the following points to keep your car happy and healthy all holiday. Check the water, oil, brake and steering fluid before you go, and keep an eye on them throughout your trip. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and properly inflated. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, and schedule petrol stops into your trip. It's better to be over-prepared – if you get stuck in traffic will you have enough to last you? If you are unfortunate enough to get stuck in traffic, don't sit with the engine off and the aircon running. You risk flattening the battery.

 

And please make sure the driver gets plenty of rest. No siesta in the Fiesta, as they may or may not say in Spain

The new Rolls-Royce Wraith

Unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March, the Wraith is one of the most highly anticipated models from iconic British luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce.

Essentially a two-door coupe version of the Ghost saloon, the Wraith is the fastest and most powerful model in the marque's firmament, being powered by an enormous 6.6-litre V12 that develops a Porsche Carrera GT beating 624bhp and a crushing 799NM of torque.

Channelled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the power is enough to get this luxury leviathan to 60mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds.

The Wraith will cost £235,000 when it arrives in UK showrooms later this year

Honda build 130mph mower for Top Gear

You're probably wondering what this monstrous sounding piece of kit is? Well, Honda is currently working on a speedy project for the Top Gear team, in a bid to build the world's fastest lawnmower.

The BTCC Honda Team Dynamics experts, who oversee the carmaker's touring car efforts, have designed and assembled this high-speed grass cutter with the aim of producing a riding lawnmower with a 110bhp engine, that can reach 60mph in an astonishing four seconds and cut grass at speeds of up to 130mph.

What's the purpose? Well, if the team succeed, it will put them far ahead of the current record for the world's fastest lawnmower, which currently stands at 95.529mph.

The machine started off as a basic Honda HF2620 mower. But now it has sports wheels and tyres from a racing quad, a rear-axle from a go-kart, a steering rack from a Morris Minor and a 1000cc engine from a Honda VTR1000F sport bike.

The entire build is set to be featured in a forthcoming issue of Top Gear magazine and scheduled for completion by the end of June

Government to press ahead with 80mph speed limit

The Government is to start trials of the proposed 80mph national speed limit, road safety minister Stephen Hammond has confirmed.

Three sites have already been chosen to test out the raised limit, and if successful it could be introduced nationwide.

The announcement comes nearly two years after the Government first tabled the proposed changes back in 2011, but speaking to Auto Express magazine, Mr Hammond stated that the plans were very much ready to go.

"It is not dead. We are thinking about it. We are thinking about how we could trial it rather than go to a consultation," he said.

"It would be important to have a good evidence-based trial."

Mr Hammond went on to confirm that the speed trials could take place during 2014.

"You probably will not see it happen before the summer of next year. It might need a whole year to put the whole regulatory format in place," he explained.

"My message, though, is that it [80mph] has not been lost. Our philosophy is that we should have the right speed on the right road."

He continued: "Drivers will have noticed that we have made some significant changes to guidelines to local authorities about lower speeds in rural areas.

"We have also made it easier to introduce 20mph limits and zones."

This is despite the proposed 80mph limit falling down the Department for Transport's list of priorities under transport secretary Patrick McLoughin, who has been less supportive towards the plans.

Road safety charity Brake also opposes the raise, arguing that it would lead to increased road fatalities.

However, supporters of the raised limit are quick to point out that the current limit is antiquated, being introduced in 1964, when 70mph was beyond the reach of many cars on the road.

AA president Edmund King said: "Our view is that 80mph in a modern car, in good weather, driven at a safe distance from the car in front is a safe speed"

Do you think an 80mph national speed limit is a good or bad idea?

Hilarious eBay ad sends price of clapped-out Mercedes soaring

A couple from East Grinstead, West Sussex have taken the Web by storm after posting an extremely candid advert for their rusty and unloved Mercedes e320 CDI on popular auction site eBay.

Rather than brushing over the imperfections and drawing on flowery language to help sell the ageing saloon, Murdo Guy and Camilla Banks decided to be brutally honest, much to the enjoyment of eBay users up and down the country.

"If you are looking for an immaculate, well maintained example of a Mercedes e320 CDI...you have come to the wrong place," went the opening gambit from the cheeky couple.

"If however, you are low on self-esteem, with a strapped budget, but shooting for the stars, welcome to my auction," continued the item description.

The battered Merc's long history is then covered in great detail, with the vehicle's description including: "Standard Mercedes rust on arches etc. As expected from a vehicle of this fine vintage. Also a couple of dinks from a scrape with Bambi and the missus's foot."

Mr Guy's girlfriend Camilla Banks was also called in to pose with the vehicle, adopting some interesting stances that saw her lying on the bonnet and even curled up in the boot to portray the Mercedes' load-lugging abilities in the best light.

In one particularly honest piece of sales patter, Mr Guy revealed: "Since owning the vehicle, it has been thrashed, raced, rallied, killed three deer, and the interior has been smashed up in a domestic, not to mention the time my wife booted the wing because I suggested she eat a salad or two (please refer to photo of foot next to dent for reference)."

Despite the 160,000-mile machine looking like a mechanical disaster waiting to happen, it didn't stop tongue-in-cheek bidders sending the price tag soaring. It was up to £150,000 shortly before bidding was closed.

However, despite the humorous nature of the advert the couple requested that only people who were serious about buying should bid - and refunds are not available

Government Announces Increased Fines For Road Hogs

Anti-social middle-lane drivers face a £100 fine

Drivers who hog the middle lane or tailgate other cars face on-the-spot fines of £100 and three points on their licence under plans unveiled today.

Police are also expected to get powers to issue instant fixed penalty notices for not giving way at a junction or using the wrong lane at a roundabout.

Details of crackdown on anti-social motoring are due to be released by the Government in a statement to Parliament this morning.

Transport minister Stephen Hammond told the Daily Telegraph: "Careless drivers are a menace and their negligence puts innocent people's lives at risk.

"That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court.

"We are also increasing penalties for a range of driving offences to a level which reflects their seriousness and which will ensure that they are consistent with other similar penalty offences."

Until now such activity has generally gone unpunished because of the bureaucracy involved in prosecuting a case.

A motorist has to be stopped by a police officer, a summons issued and evidence presented in court.

Other changes being brought forward by the Government include increasing the fine for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seat belt from £60 to £100.

The fixed penalty for driving without insurance is expected to double from £100 to £200.

AA president Edmund King said: "An increase in the standard motoring fixed penalty fine will help deter those who commit motoring offences including mobile phone use.

"We are also pleased to see that at long last new powers and fines will be given to the police to tackle the top three pet hates of drivers - tailgaters, mobile phone abusers and middle-lane hogs."

25 Years of Observing

Last Sunday Chairman Linda Davies announced three members of the Observer team who have been helping associates pass their Advance Motoring test for 25 years.  Linda was proud to present certificates to John Mills (presented with his award at the AGM), David Hill and Roger Vickery (all pictured)

Many thanks and congratulations to the three gentleman for their service and hard work to the Mid-Kent Group and their 25 years of Observing. 

Linda Davies presenting an award John Mills at the groups last AGM. 

David Hill collecting his award on the last group Sunday run. 

Roger Vickery proudly shows off his award for 25 years of Observing 

Another successful Associate passes the Advanced Driving Test

 

Congratulations to Bob Gorton, already an advanced biker, seen here receiving his advanced driving certificate from IAM Examiner Terry Friday

 

 

Jill Taylor receives her F1rst class pass certificate

Congratulations to Jill Taylor for being the only lady in the Mid Kent Group so far to achieve a F1rst class pass - pictured here receiving her certificate from Chairman and proud mum Linda Davies

 

 

 

 

Jill shown below with Training Officer Daren Bubb who worked tirelessly to bring her up to the high standard required to gain a F1rst pass - well done to both