Mechanics create life-size Little Tikes Cozy Coupe

It's the red and yellow car that most adults of a certain age will have fond memories of.

 

Whether it was furiously scooting across your next-door neighbour's crazy paving patio or speeding along the corridors of your local children's hospital, there's no denying the Cozy Coupe kick-started many a car obsession.

That obsession clearly hasn't abated for mechanic John Bitmead and his petrolhead friends who set about creating a fully functioning life-size Cozy Coupe for the road.

Mr Bitmead, his brother Geoff and close friend Nigel Douglas spent five months converting an old Daewoo Matiz to look just like the popular kid's toy but it wasn't easy.

Five months, £35,000 and a whole heap of elbow grease later and the road-going Cozy Coupe was ready for a test run.

 

"We were chatting one day about how more people have probably driven a Cozy Coupe than any other kind of car – and it snowballed from there," he added.

Although the drive train and basic underpinnings of the humble Matiz remain, Mr Bitmead and his small team of mechanics meticulously replicated the recognisable features of the Cozy Coupe, from the glassless windscreen to the oversized cup holders that sit inside the car.

"We took it on the motorway once, but I'm too scared to do it again in case we cause an accident," Mr Bitmead added.

They are always in peoples' front gardens. We thought it would be great if we could get an adult version of it."

Mr Douglas said he also wanted to tour around the country with the toy car to raise money for London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

Child steals grandmother's car after learning to drive from videogames

A 12-year-old boy from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, was stopped by border police while attempting to cross into the United States in his grandmother's stolen Nissan Altima.

 

Constable Derek Watson of the Niagara Regional Police, said that the grandmother had heard her car start before she witnessed it exit the driveway and speed off into the distance. "She looked for her keys and noticed them missing from her jacket pocket"

 

Police then issued a description of the car and driver to all agencies in the area and it wasn't long before staff at U.S Border Patrol spotted the tiny driver attempting to enter the United States via the Niagara's Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

The unnamed tearaway had driven around 12.5 miles towards the border without incident, tackling busy motorway sections and avoiding the authorities.

Police revealed that the boy had apparently learnt to drive thanks to driving games and simulators he played on his home consoles.

Learner driver 'supervised' by pet parrot

An unqualified motorist from Barnsley has been caught driving accompanied only by her pet parrot.

 

The female driver was stopped for speeding near junction 22 of the M62 when officers discovered she also did not hold a full driving licence.

Under current restrictions, learner drivers can only take to the wheel if they display red 'L' plates and are accompanied by a person over the age of 21 who has held their licence for over three years.

Learner drivers are also not allowed to drive on motorways.

"Since parrots are not allowed to supervise learner drivers, her vehicle has been seized," the West Yorkshire force later tweeted, along with the above picture.

The unidentified 55-year-old now faces charges of speeding and of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

Chief Inspector Mark Bownass said: "The rules of the road exist for a very good reason and it is important to remember that if this lady had been in a crash or incident, she would not have been covered by insurance as she was not licensed for the journey.

"Learner drivers should not be on the motorway at all and anyone who takes to other roads as a learner must be accompanied by a qualified driver, have a good understanding of the Highway Code and also make sure they are covered by the qualified drivers insurance policy"

Motorists charged £1.7m in parking fines on just one street

Nearly �1.7million has been raised from parking fines on a single road in East London, according to new official figures.

Motorists parking on Cranbrook Road in Ilford paid a collective �1,661,711 in parking fines in 2013, making it the highest earning street for the council in the country.

It was closely followed by the Clapham Park Road bus lane, which netted �998,797 in fines for Lambeth council.

Outside the Capital, the worst road for fines was Gloucester Road in Bristol, which netted �267,351.

Redbridge council, which administers parking enforcement on the Cranbrook Road, has been criticised for using motorists to bump up its income in the face of cuts to local government funding.

Local residents accuse traffic wardens of aggressively enforcing restrictions, including ticketing cars in pay and display bays the minute their paid parking allocation time expires.

Raj Kumar, who runs a travel agent on the 2.2-mile road, has warned that local businesses are being adversely affected by over-zealous traffic wardens, claiming his family had paid thousands in fines and that 70 per cent of his business had now disappeared.

Speaking to The Sun, the 65-year-old said: "They will completely finish us off. Businesses are closing up and down the road, people used to come and park and do their shopping.

"Now they go to big shops with their own car parks."

The astonishing figures come despite central government warnings in 2010 to local authorities using motorists as cash cows. A total of �1.4billion was raised for councils last year as a combination of both parking charges and fines.

An AA spokesman, speaking to The Sun, suggested that streets with such high revenue from parking fines should have better signs and that drivers should be better deterred from parking there in the first place

Motorists warned after bogus police officers pulled over driver and stole wallet

Drivers in Luton are being warned to check all credentials of undercover police officers before stepping out of the car after a 41-year-old driver was assaulted by bogus police officers last weekend.

 

According to official police reports, the driver of the silver Honda Civic was signalled to stop by two men in a dark coloured Mercedes-Benz that was displaying a flashing blue light.

The Civic driver pulled over on Whipperley Way, just off the M1, after the bogus undercover officers flagged him down. Two men asked the driver to step out of the vehicle before taking the victim's ignition key, assaulting him and stealing his wallet.

The victim managed to get home following the incident, where he arranged for his car to be recovered.

Investigating officer, Detective Cathy Layton said "Officers stopping motorists will always identify themselves with official identification cards and I would recommend that anyone who is stopped by officers in plain clothes asks to see an identification card.

"If you are still unsure you can contact the force control room on 101 and confirm that you are dealing with bona fide police officers."

She added: "I would also like to urge anyone who can help identify the two men involved in this incident from the descriptions given to come forward and assist this investigation."

Driver faces court after deliberately splashing school children

A 22-year-old man has been summonsed to appear before magistrates for allegedly driving through a puddle and deliberately splashing school children and their parents.

 

Luckily, PC Mark Hercules witnessed the event, which occurred near St George's Junior School in Colchester, Essex, and stopped the motorist for careless driving.

Now the man faces charges under the provision of driving without reasonable consideration, which is covered by the Road Traffic Act. The driver could face a £5,000 fine and be ordered to attend a driver awareness course.

PC Hercules said "His actions caused distress to the young children.

"In addition, I pointed out the hidden hazards that lie in large puddles and the fact he could have lost control of his vehicle and caused a danger to other road users."

Debbie Pugh, who was walking her two children to school when the incident occurred said "The driver could have avoided the puddle by going around it but he chose to speed through it and soak us all. I was fuming at the time.

"My boy was in tears afterwards. The children were so wet I thought they might have to wear their PE kits when they arrived at school."

The unnamed driver's first hearing is likely to be in March.

This is not the first time a driver has been sent to court for intentionally splashing a pedestrian.

Back in 2005, a motorist from Somerset soaked a workman by driving through a puddle.

He was fined £150 and given three points by the magistrates in Yeovil after admitting he had driven without due consideration.

Local council goes mad with 'no parking' signs

Transport officials at Cornwall Council have been accused of wasting taxpayers' money after installing 63 'no parking' signs on a single one-mile stretch of road.

Residents of the seaside town of Newquay were puzzled to find West Pentire Road – a narrow country lane already painted with double-yellow lines – dotted with the bright yellow warning signs at 84ft intervals.

While such overzealous parking enforcement could at least be understood in congested London, locals were left questioning why the signs were needed on a road where very few people attempt to park anyway.

"During the summer there can be a bit of trouble with people parking on the grass verges and that's what they're trying to stop," said one resident

"But nothing so bad as to warrant so many signs in one mile. They are lining the road, even opposite each other - it seems like a crazy and unnecessary expense."

Local councillor Lisa Shuttleworth admitted that she had been approached by residents who were shocked at the sheer number of signs that had been erected.

"There have been talks going on and the parish council is trying to see if they can change the amount of signs," she said.

However, Cornwall Council has defended the signs, saying that they were necessary to enforce seasonal parking restrictions.

The signs have also been criticised by The Campaign to Protect Rural England, which, since 1996, has been lobbying councils across Britain to remove pointless roadside clutter.

The group estimates that around two thirds of road signs in rural areas are unnecessary, and expressed its dismay at the newly erected signs on West Pentire Road

Give breakdowns the hard shoulder

 

It's a moment of dread. The engine's making strange noises, the stench of burning is in the air and a light you've never seen before is flashing on the dashboard. You're breaking down.

Nowhere is this more frightening than on a motorway, where traffic charges along, often well in excess of 70mph.

If you break down pull over on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as you can. Point your wheels in towards the kerb – if another vehicle hits your car from behind, it is better that your car is pushed into the crash barrier, than out into the traffic.

Turn on your hazard warning lights and get yourself (and your passengers) out of the vehicle by the left-hand doors. If you have them, put your reflective jackets on. You should never use a warning triangle on the hard shoulder.

While motorways are our safest roads, the hard shoulder is probably the most dangerous place to be. When out of the car get as far away from the road as possible, behind the crash barrier, and up the bank if there is one.

Driver location signs – small marker posts at the side of the carriageway, or large blue signs every 500m – give you precise information on where you're located. While they may not mean anything to you, take the details of the nearest one to give your breakdown provider, if you have a mobile. If you don't have your phone, follow the arrows on these posts – they point you to the nearest emergency phone. If this phone is broken, never try to cross the carriageway to the phone on the other side. Walk to the next one. There are numbers on all telephones that locate you precisely as well. Don't attempt even simple repairs yourself – your breakdown engineer will be trained in working as quickly and safely as possible.

If you feel threatened by someone, get back in your vehicle on the left-hand side, lock all of your doors, and call 999 from your mobile. Get out again as soon as you feel the danger has passed, and tell the police or your breakdown provider if you feel vulnerable, especially if you are alone at night.

While you can't always avoid a breakdown, making sure your car is properly prepared helps. Before you set off make sure all of your windows are clean, and that your lights are working. Check your tyre pressures, tread depth, and condition, particularly for cuts and bulges in the side wall – a blow-out on the motorway could be fatal. And make sure your windscreen wash is topped up. As well as being a legal requirement, it only takes a bit of spray to wipe out your vision completely.

Man claims BMW Park Assist function caused him to 'mount' parked car

 

Many modern vehicles are now fitted with autonomous functions that make life easier for the driver.

 

One such function is Park Assist, an electronic gizmo found on models ranging from the humble Ford Focus to the new Mercedes S-Class, that can actively seek out a parking space using built-in sensors and radar technology.

Once a space is found, the car will take over the controls while the driver simply has to squeeze the accelerator and dab the brakes to gently guide the car into a space.

Jonathon Libratore, 27, from Florida, claims that the Park Assist on his brand new BMW 5 series malfunctioned while he was trying to park up at his local Target department store.

Instead of guiding him and his young son - who was sat in the rear of the vehicle - into a suitable space, the system allegedly unexpectedly accelerated, shooting the vehicle across a grassy knoll and up onto the bonnet of a parked Nissan Sentra.

The speed was enough to leave the BMW up on just two wheels, as the offside front and rear wheels precariously balanced on the unfortunate Nissan.

But BMW North America has defended its parking system, stating that it does not control the speed of the car and requires inputs from the driver to ensure the parking manoeuvre is carried out smoothly.

"The system does not control the speed of the vehicle at any time," BMW North America spokesman David Buchko told ABC News.

"The driver controls the speed of the vehicle with the accelerator and the brake."

BMW's official website states: "BMW Park Assist makes parallel parking simple. Once activated, all you need to do is drive past an available space, at a speed below 20mph and vehicle sensors calculate the manoeuvre for you.

"Instructions are displayed on the Control Display and when you engage the required gear your BMW will steer your vehicle into the space whilst you control the accelerator and brake pedals."

Martin County deputies are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

 

Bosch reveals new app that takes the stress out of parking in tight spaces

German electronics and engineering manufacturer Bosch has unveiled new technology that aims to make parking in tight spaces a bit easier.

The cutting-edge tech was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week and sees ultrasonic sensors fitted to a vehicle so it can hunt out a parking space and automatically slot into it.

A total of 12 ultrasonic sensors are fitted to a vehicle, as well as state-of-the-art computer technology that taps into the steering and throttle inputs in order to autonomously take over driving controls.

When activated, the sensors hunt down a parking space and measure it up for suitability. When a spot is found, the driver can either sit back and relax or hop out of the vehicle, pull out his or her smartphone and activate a special app that remotely parks the car.

If the motorist takes his or her finger off the phone's screen, the car stops.

Bosch says the technology will be available next year as the German firm is already in talks with a number of automotive manufacturers to pre-install the system so it is ready for the customer at showroom level.

Fred Sejalon, engineering manager at Bosch, said: "This is good for everybody, especially for parking in a traffic situation or anybody who doesn't feel comfortable parallel or perpendicular parking, especially when the visibility is limited.

"There is a lot of hype about autonomous driving and that is a stepping stone in that direction

Resolutionary road

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain's top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on ways to improve your driving for the New Year:

· Night driving: You must be able to stop in the distance you see to be clear. Use your lights on full beam where it is dark and it won't dazzle anyone else, and keep windows and mirrors clean to maximise your view.

· Eyesight: The NHS suggests having an eye test every two years. It is your responsibility to ensure you're fit to drive.

· Weather: Heed weather warnings all year round. If the weather is really bad, consider whether you need to travel just then. If so, there are sometimes alternatives to driving to think about.

· Year-round maintenance: Clean your windows, lights, mirrors and number plates regularly. You should spend around 10 minutes every week checking your vehicle's fluid levels, tyre pressure, lights, tread depth and windscreen wipers.

· Eco-driving: A planned drive is an economical drive – having a good sense of your vehicle's power and gears will save fuel, and it is a safer way to drive as well.

· Anticipate: Consider what the traffic and other people around you may do, especially at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions.

· Refuel: Be sure to keep an eye on your tank, especially when embarking upon long journeys. Running out of fuel causes hundreds of motorway breakdowns every year.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said: "The New Year is a common time for people to reflect and evaluate their goals for the upcoming year. Why not begin by incorporating your driving behaviour into your list of resolutions for 2014?  Why not resolve to make it better this year?"

Weekend Test Passes Presentations

This weeks passes go to Shaun Loader and Steven Williams who recently passed their Advanced Motorist Test. Congratulations to the both of them.  Shaun has opted to become an observer with the Mid-Kent Group. He has started his training this week. Goodluck to Shaun for the coming months. 

Shaun Loader and Steven Williams.

All our observers go through re-training ever three years to continue the standard set not only by the IAM but also our own group.  Alan Rowe and Guy Pettit has recently passed their 3 year observer re-test. Congratulation to both of them. The pair took the observers course together. Although Alan pointed out that Guy is young enough to be Alan’s grandson, Guy confirmed that Alan is really a young ‘whipper snapper’ at heart.

Alan Rowe, Trevor Bridges and Gut Pettit receiving their observer pass certificates

Trevor Bridges took on the new National Observers course for his re-test, and passed.  Congratulations to Trevor. 

   

Police under fire for 'naming and shaming' drink-drivers on social media sites

 

Several UK police forces have come under fire for a controversial drink-driving campaign that named and shamed offenders on social media sites before they face a fair trial.

 

The scheme, adopted by Staffordshire, West Midlands, Devon and Sussex police forces, saw the names, ages and even addresses of drink-drive offenders published to both Facebook and Twitter.

Lawyers and politicians have blasted the scheme, stating that it undermines a defendant's right to fair trial and could encourage vigilante action from victims.

Staffordshire Police has attracted the most controversy so far as it has named more than 80 drivers over the festive period.

Nick Freeman, a celebrity lawyer who has gained the nickname 'Mr Loophole' for his ability to get famous people out of motoring convictions, told The Daily Mail: "Naming these people before there is a guilty verdict is at best misguided; at worst it is totally immoral."

He added: "I have represented hundreds of clients who have been acquitted for a whole variety of different reasons. This means they have been found not guilty. "They leave court without a stain on their character.

"If any person has been named and shamed and is ultimately acquitted they may have a substantial claim for damages against the police."

Labour councillor Mike Holder, who sits on the Staffordshire Police and Crime Panel, has also condemned the scheme, saying: "I think it would cause me concern if everybody that was charged was put on a public forum such as Twitter or Facebook.

"It attaches a stigma to an individual where perhaps there might be no reason for it, they might be totally innocent."

"The naming and shaming doesn't protect lives. I think if I was charged I would already by thinking about the consequences," he added.

Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, continues to back the campaign telling the Stoke Sentinel: "The proactive approach Staffordshire Police are taking is to raise the issue of drink driving and the tragedy it can cause by naming people after formal charge.

"If just one person is saved because more people are thinking hard before drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car, that's got to be a benefit – but only at charge."

Guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) states that drink drivers can be named in the media following being arrested and charged by the police

Floods

River Medway in Maidstone. (pic Twitter @ourmaidstone)

For some a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year was not possible this festive season. Storm conditions in many parts the country brought misery to many. Kent experienced some of the worst conditions of all over the Christmas period. Yalding, Tonbridge and Maidstone amongst others was hit hard. The River Medway bust it's banks in many areas along its route. The bridge at Teston completely submerged and Tonbridge and Maidstone flooded. Recent figures released by the AA and the Environment Agency suggests that 54% of drivers would risk driving through flood water. Not surprisingly its male drivers likely to risk it, but surprisingly it's not young drivers who would take the biggest risk. The over 55's would drive through the deepest flood water!  

Medway River claiming a leisure boat and later Bridges Restaurant.
(pic: Twitter @kmfmnews) 

What can you do when faced with flooded roads? Best and probably the only advice is turn around and find alternative route. It only takes 15cm of fast moving water to knock a person off their feet. 30cm of water can move a standard size car. The risks are simply not worth it. AA / Environment Agency say that 32% of flood related deaths are in a vehicle. If your caught in flood water, get out, get to a place of safety and if necessary call for help. 

Of course, in storm conditions it's not just flood water that poses a hazards on the roads. Surface water will become a problem, especially on faster moving sections of road, like dual carriageways and motorways. Keep your speeds down, double your breaking distance and keep both hands on the wheel! If you do hit standing water and start aqua planing, don't brake!, simply lift you foot of the throttle. Braking hard while aqua planing increases the risk of skidding. If any of the wheels lock up during aqua planing when the tyre makes contact with the road surface again the chance of one wheel locked and others not might send the vehicle into a swerve and thus into a skid. Anti-lock breaks might help, but they can do only so much. 

Teston bridge disappeared in the flood water
(pic: Twitter @SkyFlyVideo)

Also don't using cruise control. Some vehicles have been know to try and maintain speed when the vehicle is aqua planing, and tries to increase speed when the wheels are not in contact with the road surface. Other vehicles cruise control would drop out, but unless it's detailed in your owners manual, it really is not worth the risk leaving it on to find out. 

Good tyres is a must. Aqua planing happens when water can not disperse under the surface of the tyre. The groves in the tyre helps to disperse that water. Deeper the grove the more water can get in between the grip and thus less water under the part that should be in contact with the road. So therefore if your running at the legal limit or indeed below, you'll have greater chance of aqua planing. Correct inflation is also important to reduce the effects of aqua planing too.  Remember, the area the size of a CD or DVD is the only part that is in contact with the road surface. 

Debris on the road poses a threat to drivers too.  Keep an eye out for anything in the road. Look ahead to your limit point, the point you can see furthest ahead in the distance. If visibility is reduced, reduce your speed. Remember, you should be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. 

Sainsbury's car park in Tonbridge took the full force of the floods.
(pic: Twitter @TheDukeofSutton)

Clear view is also a good idea. Obvious, yes. But a number of drivers who set of in the mornings with misted windows, not just side windows, but windscreens is shocking. Figures have shown that most accidents happen within three miles from home. If your de-misting your windscreen during those first three miles, you'll be increasing the risk rather more. (we're not suggesting you start de-misting after the first three miles either!)  Clear your view before you set off is very important and not to be under estimated.  

Speaking of seeing clearly, it's worth switching your head lights on too. Don't rely on Day Light Running Lights either. Most DRL do not eliminate at the rear. Being seen from the front and back is important too. 

Carry some extra supplies too.  Some water both for vehicle and people in the car is worth a consideration. Maybe high energy drinks too. A little food, again something high in energy. A travel blanket or something extra to keep you warm just in case you do have to walk any distance either back home or to a phone to summon some help. Also give yourself extra time for your journey. Don't leave home at the last minute only to find your route is blocked or you run into bad traffic. Check online traffic reports before you leave (not while your driving) These can be found at The Highways Agency, The AA and the BBC. Flood advice and reports can be found at the Environment Agency website.

And if the weather is that bad, ask yourself, "Is my journey really worth the risks?"