Daily Motor News – Monday 23 February 2026

This week’s news highlights enduring road safety concerns, global economic uncertainty, and progress in automotive innovation and skills development.

New RAC data reveals more than 2,500 motorists have been caught drink-driving three or more times since 2012, underscoring the scale of repeat offending on UK roads. Meanwhile, a Go.Compare survey shows most drivers are unaware that common habits could invalidate insurance cover.

In the legal space, delays in updating court rules in Scotland risk undercompensating injured people, according to APIL. Road safety remains a pan-European priority, with the European Commission reiterating its 2030 targets.

On the automotive front, Renault Group is taking full ownership of electric van venture Flexis, and NIO has completed its 100 millionth battery swap. Used car dealers are increasingly embracing Chinese brands, while robotaxi trials in London meet resistance from black cab drivers.

In skills, Thatcham Research hosted the 2026 apprentice finals, recognising young talent driving the industry forward.

As global trade tensions, digital threats and safety issues persist, collaboration and innovation remain essential to shaping a safer, smarter mobility future.

More than 2,500 motorists caught drink-driving three or more times in the last 11 years

More than 2,500 drivers have been caught drink‑driving on at least three separate occasions in the last 11 years, new RAC analysis of DVLA data shows – highlighting the scale of repeat offending on UK roads. Read more

Nine in 10 Brits don’t realise this common habit could void their car insurance

According to new research from Go.Compare Car Insurance, most motorists surveyed are unaware that many everyday driving habits could land them in trouble with the law and invalidate their insurance. Read more

SHARP Focus: How TRL is Advancing Helmet Safety for Motorcyclists and Beyond

Motorcycle helmets save lives. That’s not a slogan; it’s a fact backed by decades of research looking at real-world evidence. At TRL, improving road user safety is at the heart of everything we do, which is why we are proud to run the SHARP motorcycle helmet safety scheme on behalf of the UK Department for Transport (DfT). Read more

Frustrating delays in Scotland are damaging to injured people

Severely injured people in Scotland remain at risk of being undercompensated due to a seven-year delay in bringing in new court rules, lawyers warn. The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) says it is frustrated that the Scottish Government has not yet introduced rules to allow courts to impose orders so compensation can be paid in structured payments throughout an injured person’s life, rather than in one large lump sum. Read more

European Commission remains committed to halving road deaths by 2030

The European Commission published its report to track progress towards the EU’s goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. While progress has been made in reducing road fatalities, it reveals that the current pace is insufficient. Read more

Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights 2025 Year in Review

US: After several years of steady growth, the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market experienced significant volatility in 2025. Automotive manufacturers scaled back investments—including Ford with its F-150 Lightning end of production announcement—and the U.S. and Canada rescinded tax credits designed to boost consumer demand for BEVs. Read more

Flexis enters new phase as Renault Group takes full ownership

Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group today signed a binding agreement, subject to antitrust approvals, enabling Renault Group to acquire full ownership of Flexis SAS, the joint venture established by the three companies in 2024 to create a groundbreaking new generation of electric vans. Read more

EIT Urban Mobility and the European Commission advance cooperation on sustainable and autonomous urban mobility

Marc Rozendal, Chief Executive of EIT Urban Mobility, travelled to Brussels this week alongside Bernadette Bergsma, Director of Communications and EU Affairs, for a series of high-level meetings with senior decision makers at the European Commission. Read more

Almost half of used car dealers represent Chinese new entrants

Almost half of used dealers (45%) have added cars from Chinese new entrants to their stock, according to February’s Startline Used Car Tracker which questioned 301 consumers and 62 dealers. Read more

NIO Achieves 100 Million Battery Swaps

NIO completed its 100 millionth battery swap. The milestone swap was delivered to a NIO user driving an ET5 Touring from Haining, Zhejiang Province in China. Read more

The uncertainties facing businesses and consumers after Trump’s tariff changes

US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff changes have heightened uncertainty for businesses and consumers, industry experts and economists say. The changes followed a Supreme Court ruling on Friday that Trump could not use a 1977 law – the International Emergency Economic Powers Act – to levy taxes on imports from nearly every country in the world. Read more

Robotaxis are coming to London. The city’s famed black cab drivers are skeptical

The Ford Mustang Mach-E cruises down a London road choked with traffic, using its onboard AI system to avoid jaywalkers and cyclists, and navigate roadwork as it drives to its destination. Read more

Thatcham Research celebrates 2026 apprentice skills competition winners

Thatcham Research welcomed 20 of the UK’s most talented automotive apprentices to its state‑of‑the‑art Automotive Academy, the host venue for the 2026 finals of the Steer Automotive Group’s Apprentice Skills Competition. Read more

Financial Ombudsman Service warns people to be on high alert for online investment and employment scams

We are urging people to remain vigilant for scams, as fraudsters increasingly target those looking to improve their financial situation through online opportunities. Read more

Garry Bloom has started a new role as Chief Operating Officer at MPL Claims Management Ltd.

The Finance & Leasing Association has announced the appointment of Jeremy Barton as its new General Counsel, marking an important step in strengthening its legal, regulatory and governance capability at a time of significant change for the consumer, motor and asset finance sector. Read more