Road Laws

A SUPERCHARGED pre-war Alfa Romeo “classic sportscar” Torpedo is being put up for auction and could sell for more than £3.75m.

This could make it among the world’s most expensive cars, when aligned with pre-auction estimates.

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The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 is a sports car that dominated in racing during its time in the 1930s, establishing new standards for high-performance cars.

It captured multiple wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1000 Miglia, leading the Alfa Romeo to sell a street version of the vehicle.

The 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Torpédo will be up for grabs at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach Auctions from August 15 to 16.

This one features original open coachwork by famed Parisian coachbuilder Joseph Figoni, with desirable Monza cowl.

As a bare chassis, these vehicles were available on the road in both short and long-wheelbase models, with coachwork that could be commissioned by the customer.

It could be done through firms such as Touring, Zagato, and lesser known Carrosserie Figoni, that provided a high quality build, fine woodwork, luxurious interiors and elegant styling.

Figoni is said to have outfitted seven road-going 8C 2300s between 1932 and 1935 on a built-to-order basis.

The striking two-seater Torpedo that is displayed on the 1933 vehicle was ordered to Paris by Alfa Romeo’s first owner, Louis Jeantet.

It includes a rare Alfa Romeo Paris badge, a folding soft top with exposed bows, long fenders, a separate trunk, and dual-mounted spares.

French luxury car authors, Peter M. Larsen and Ben Erickson, described the car as having: “A body that would be plain from the hand of any other carrossier, but its austerity is alleviated by handsome and perfectly balanced proportions that achieve an understated yet exciting look…

“It is a classic sportscar style conceived at the cusp in time just before aerodynamic thinking changed car design forever.”

There are no side windows on the cars vody, or curtains, beltine or other ornamentation.

Nevertheless, the 8C 2300 boasts an all-aluminium 2.3L twin-cam straight eight that is supercharged to produce 138 horsepower.

It has been dubbed the “premier prewar Italian sports car”, with 140 BHP at 4,800 RPM.

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Last year, another iconic Le Mans racing car hit auctions, and was expected to sell for an eye-popping £7million.

It was a 1954 Jaguar D-Type, that clocked a blistering 172.97 miles per hour.

And earlier this year, another rare Alfa Romeo supercar was bought by a British man to impress his wife on their 1956 honeymoon.

He bought an Alfa Romeo 8C from 1932, for £3million at auction.

A TEENAGER has received a criminal conviction for not being insured for her car – before she had received it for her 18th birthday.

The waitress, from Poole in Dorset, was gifted a Fiat for her landmark birthday, but mistakenly did not insure it immediately.

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The teen explained in a letter to Ipswich magistrates court that she never drove the car as she had not received her licence at the time of the offence.

However, the DVLA charged her with keeping an uninsured vehicle and brought a criminal prosecution over the unpaid bill.

She pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place a few weeks before her 18th birthday.

“My family got the car for me as my 18th birthday present,” she wrote.

“I was still 17 at the time of the offence and had not actually been given the keys to the car and was not aware that it would be mine.”

She added that she and her dad have reading difficulties, and only realised the seriousness of what was happening when a friend read her the official letter.

She continued: “I have never used the car as I have still not passed my driving test.

“My dad is willing to pay the fine for me as he thinks this is his fault.

“He receives Universal Credit and PIP for his mental health, and I have just finished college and currently have a part-time job as a waitress on the minimum wage for an 18-year-old.

“I was a good student in school and college studying art and have never been in any trouble in my life.

“We just misunderstood the letter, I thought it said I had to SORN it or pay a fine if it doesn’t get sorted.

“I am very sorry.”

A magistrate slapped the teen with a 12-month conditional discharge instead of a fine.

But she chose not to send the case back to the DVLA for an extra public interest check.

The teen will now have a criminal conviction, and must also pay a £20 court fee.

It comes after news that one in six drivers admitted they have been behind the wheel without insurance.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 24 per cent of these did so only on a short journey, believing cover wasn’t necessary.

A fifth unknowingly committed the offence when their policy had expired, but 17 per cent did it as they wanted to save money.

And 15 percent drove uninsured because renewing their policy was a life admin task they kept putting off renewing.

Learner drivers are twice as likely to drive uninsured compared to those with a full driving license (37 per cent).

James Armstrong, a young driver expert at flexible car insurer Veygo, which commissioned the research, said: “Driving without insurance is a serious offence that can result in hefty fines, points on your licence, or even having your car seized.

“It’s worrying to see so many people are driving uninsured, especially as there are affordable options available for short-term cover.”

A FOUR-year-old girl was tragically killed after a careless driver, 23, ploughed into the pavement.

Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid.

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Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when Javonnie Tavener sped through a barrier in his Corsa.

He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street.

She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives

Mayar’s grieving father

Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash.

Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.

He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week.

The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date.

In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar’s grieving father said words failed to capture his grief.

He said: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar.

“She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives.

“Among all, she held a special place in my heart.

“Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss.

“However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time.”

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP’S serious collision investigation unit, said: “Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her.

“She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid.

“Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events.

“I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences.”

The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads.

It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park.

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A MAJOR motorway is closed after a lorry caught on fire, causing significant delays.

The M6 northbound is closed between J3A for Coleshill and J4 for the M42.

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It has led to around five miles of congestion, with drivers being warned of long delays.

Delays of around an hour can be expected.

Motorists have been advised to plan alternative routes.

A diversion via the M42 up to the J9 roundabout is in place.

The incident occurred at around 4pm today, with pictures from National Highways showing fire crews tackling the blaze.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport has warned that the delays could affect routes to the terminal.

In addition to the M6 closure, the M42 and A4535 are also affected by closures amid “multiple ongoing road incidents”.

LIFE’S biggest moments you’ll never forget include holding your newborn, seeing your child’s first steps – and getting the keys to your first home, according to new research.

The study, conducted across the UK, revealed the memories Brits treasure most – with events like driving solo, falling in love, and a child’s first day at school all ranking high.

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The poll of 2,000 adults also found people in the UK experience around five unforgettable moments each year.

Saying goodbye to a loved one and hearing a child say their first words also made the top 25.

Other standout moments include passing exams, learning to ride a bike, and being told “I love you” for the very first time.

“These simple yet powerful experiences often stay with us for life.

The research was commissioned by Samsung to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold7 – its slimmest foldable phone yet, built for capturing life’s biggest (and smallest) memories.

As part of the campaign, the tech giant released a touching poem, Life Unfolds Fast, written by Georgie Jones and narrated by Martin Kemp.

The accompanying film showcases real-life moments from people of all walks of life – and intimate snapshots from Martin’s own family history.

Martin Kemp said: “Some of my life’s greatest memories are those simple moments at home – playing with my kids in the garden, holding Harley and Roman as babies, and singing with my wife in the car.

“These are moments that truly define our lives.

“Sharing these personal glimpses allows people to see how small, intimate moments become the big memories we want to go back to over again.”

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The majority of adults (76 per cent) said unforgettable experiences shape who we are, while 85 per cent regularly look back at special memories on their phones.

Whether it’s to lift their mood, reflect on happy times, or share with loved ones, phones have become the modern memory box.

In fact, 60 per cent said their digital memories are just as precious as physical keepsakes like photo albums or letters.

But it’s not all picture-perfect. Nearly half of those surveyed admitted they worry about forgetting key life events.

For 46 per cent, the biggest concern is losing memories involving loved ones – such as family milestones or meaningful conversations.

That’s why so many turn to their phones, with 41 per cent using photos and videos to hold onto those treasured experiences.

However, 49 per cent confessed they feel anxious when their phone storage gets full, fearing they might miss capturing something important.

The average Brit replays special videos or looks at meaningful photos about four times a month.

And some are proper memory collectors – with one in eight claiming to have more than 10 hours of footage saved on their phone.

Looking ahead, the most anticipated future milestone is seeing someone close to them achieve something they’ve worked hard for – from graduating to landing a dream job.

Annika Bizon from Samsung said: “Our research shows that over 40 per cent of us take photos and videos for the sole purpose to not forget our best memories.

“It allows you to capture and revisit the memories you never want to forget, feeling their warmth and emotion time and time again.”

The campaign encourages people to reflect on their own milestones – big or small – and not to let life’s most precious moments pass unnoticed.

Because sometimes, it’s not just the big wins we remember most – but the quiet, everyday moments that unfold in between.

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A RETIRED judge has shared top tips on what to do if presented with a private parking ticket.

Thousands of motorists across Britain know the feeling of thinking they’ve been unfairly handed a parking fine.

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The unwelcome sight of a yellow sticker on your windscreen is always enough to ruin any motorist’s day.

But Stephen Gold, a retired judge, has revealed the three words that can help you beat a private parking ticket.

Speaking to the MailOnline, he said: “Getting a ticket after parking in a private car park does not mean you have committed any offence.

“It won’t lead to a criminal conviction, whether or not you pay it.

“You can challenge a ticket that has been wrongly issued, and the challenge could take you to the county court, where the park operator would have to sue you for non-payment to have any hope of getting you to pay up.”

THE THREE WORDS

The judge told the paper that a key defence against tickets is: “I knew nothing”.

This is a defence that counts on the you being able to prove that parking conditions were not properly indicated.

The operator would have to prove the conditions of parking were displayed on one or more notices that a reasonable motorist would have seen.

So if you only discovered the terms of parking upon returning – perhaps due to signs being inconspicuous or absent – the defence would hold.

It is always best to take photographs of the signs and their location within the car park if you want to use this defence.

The operator will likely try to rely on pictures of the signs within the car park – but these might not show exactly where they are.

APPEALS PROCESS

It comes as more and more car parks use number plate capturing cameras to send out tickets.

Sometimes this will result in a ticket being placed on your windscreen, but often these days a letter will be sent in the post.

If you wish to appeal a ticket, your first action should be to go to the car park operator.

An independent appeal would be the next step, and a final point would be going to a county court.

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DRIVERS have been warned to brace for summer holiday chaos as a UK seaside hotspot is hit with months of road closures.

The Cornwall town will see significant travel disruption over the next four months as part of a gas work upgrade.

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The £110,000 gas work upgrade will start in the Marlborough Crescent area of Falmouth later this month.

Utility company Wales & West said the upgrade work should be completed by mid November.

They said: “The gas emergency and pipeline service is starting the work on 24 July and, barring any engineering difficulties, it will finish by mid-November. 

“The works are essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations.”

Traffic management will be in place throughout after the company liaised with Cornwall Council to plan the work.

The road closures will include:

• A closure on Tregenver Road from the junction ‘Access to Garages and Rear of 16 to 25 Tregenver Road’ to the junction of Dracaena Avenue (July 24 – August 8)
• A closure on Penmere Hill between the junctions of Kings Avenue and Tregenver Road (July 24 – August 8)
• Rolling two/three-way lights starting on Penmere Road leading onto Theydon Road (August 4 – 29)
• Rolling road closure on Theydon Road, from the junction of Penmere Hill to the junction of Margaret Place and Marlborough Grove to the junction Marlborough Avenue (September 8 – November 14)

Further traffic management will also be required between September and November.

Wales & West Utilities Natalie Raphael is managing this work and said: “We have been working with the council to plan these essential works. We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.

“We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across Cornwall. Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.”

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales.

Another busy road near one of Britain’s best beaches is also still currently closed as it undergoes 14 weeks of works.

For those travelling to Bournemouth from Walkford, they will need to follow a diversion route while a dodgy pipe is replaced.

A finish date for the works has not been confirmed, but the 14 week closure should bring us to the end of August.

And if you’re hitting the roads for your summer holidays this year, drivers have been warned about making a deadly mistake over the holidays.

Motorists have been urged to take regular stops on their long journeys after analysis revealed a steep rise in fatigue-related crashes during the summer months.

National Highways issued the advice and warned that driver tiredness can lead to “dangerous mistakes”.

Drivers have been urged by the agency to plan breaks that go “beyond quick pit stops”.

They suggest activities such as exploring a nearby tourist attraction or beauty spot to ensure drivers are alert before they get back behind the wheel.

THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours.

The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK.

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Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption.

The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, until 5am Sunday morning.

There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday.

The Met Office has highlighted the risk of “fast flowing or deep floodwater” that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding.

During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours.

This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages.

The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off “hot and humid,” with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C.

However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day.

Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather.

With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert.

Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain.

This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents.

The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water.

The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding.

The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage.

James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: “The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement.

Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.”

In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services.

Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services.

The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers.

The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes.

Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather.

This follows Friday’s amber weather warning for thunderstorms, hail, and lightning strikes.

The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.

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THIS is the moment a huge pile-up takes place on a motorway, involving multiple cars, a caravan and a huge 30-tonne heavy goods vehicle.

But while the destruction and terror brought about by the incident are all very real, not all is as it seems.

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Indeed, the high-speed crash was all part of a carefully planned experiment conducted as part of a Channel 4 documentary titled Pile Up – The World’s Biggest Crash Test.

Carried out at a former RAF base in Scotland, the experiment involved recreating a high-speed motorway pile-up with eight vehicles and a 30-tonne lorry.

The cars involved were a Toyota Prius, Porsche Boxster, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford F-150, Audi A8, Dodge Grand Caravan, Mercedes ML and a Vauxhall Vivaro van.

The team used an almost 2-mile-long stretch of road, which was presumably an aircraft runway, and included white lines, a hard shoulder and motorway-grade varioguard barriers to make everything as realistic as possible.

Professor James Brighton and his team from Cranfield University’s Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre led the study, which thankfully utilised cars that were remote-controlled from ‘pods’ but driven at motorway speeds.

Four members of the public took part, each selected to represent a cross-section of road users.

To make the pile-up as realistic as possible and to capture genuine reactions, the four selected drivers had no knowledge of the true nature of the experiment.

They were revealed as 19-year-old Caitlyn, who represents inexperienced drivers aged 17 to 24; Luke, 26, a “boy racer,” reflecting young male drivers who account for 65% of serious injuries or deaths; 66-year-old Lynn, representing older drivers aged 60+; and Tito, 57, a surfer and international driver familiar with UK and US road differences.

All four believed they were taking part in an experiment to improve motorway safety and advance their driving skills and were unaware they would be involved in a high-speed multi-car pile-up.

As they drove along at speed, a lorry swerved into their lanes to simulate a pile-up.

Over 90 cameras, drones and black boxes were used to capture the moment of impact, recording crash dynamics, vehicle data and driver reactions.

The experiment provides valuable insights into crash dynamics, safety systems and human behaviour during multi-vehicle accidents, while also highlighting areas for improvement in vehicle design and accident analysis.

The aftermath of the crash replicated several intricate details, such as a car sliding under the lorry and also demonstrated crumple zones, which are effective at absorbing impacts and saving lives.

For example, despite a massive rear shunt from a van, the Prius’ electric battery remained intact.

Afterwards, Marcus Rowe, a crash investigator, was sent to the scene of the accident – having not witnessed the crash – to figure out what happened using crash forensics.

One concerning finding was that airbags might not always deploy and largely depend on where the vehicle is hit, showing that safety systems can struggle with multiple impacts.

One thing that can’t be determined is a driver’s reaction in the heat of the moment, as one panicked motorist accelerated into the lorry, despite having come to a stop safely.

Lastly, it found that the hard shoulder is a dangerous place to be, as any drivers or passengers in the cars on the mock-up hard shoulder would most likely have lost their lives.

Speaking on the experiment, David Twohig, an Automotive Engineering Consultant, said: “The beauty of a lab-based crash test is everything is controlled.

“Everything is repeatable, but unfortunately, the real world is not a laboratory, and there are many, many variables.

“It might be the weather conditions, it might be the friction of the road surface, it might be temperature, humidity, the state of the driver, the mood of the driver – so I think that’s the limitation of the lab, it’s almost too good.”

Pile Up – World’s Biggest Crash Test airs Sunday 15 June at 9pm on Channel 4.