Daily Motor News – Wednesday 29 January 2025 

Road safety for young drivers

The government has hosted a Westminster Hall debate on road safety for young drivers. It revealed that in 2023, a younger driver was involved in around a fifth of all killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties from collisions involving cars. Meanwhile, 48% of KSI casualties in younger car driver collisions occurred on rural roads, and between 2019 and 2023, 16% of younger car drivers involved in KSI collisions did not wear seatbelts. Full story

Minister rules out graduated driving licence for young drivers

The Government has again ruled out introducing a graduated driving licence for young drivers. Speaking in a debate in Parliament, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood told MPs she is “determined” to take action to cut the number of young drivers, aged between 17-24, killed or seriously injured. “Improving road safety is one of my department’s highest priorities,” she said. Full story

NPCC publishes 2025 calendar of operations

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has published its 2025 calendar of operations, starting with a four-week initiative focussing on the fatal four in April. The 2025 calendar starts with NPCC Fatal Four Operation, which runs between 1-28 April. This focuses on criminal use of the roads. Full story

New powers see city crack down on poor driving

Transport bosses in Bradford will use newly granted powers to crack down on poor driving in the city centre. Harder-line powers previously only held by the police were granted by the government to councils outside London in 2023 to help improve road safety. A report to be presented to decision-makers next week says up to 13 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be “appropriately targeted” at problem hotspots. Full story

Ten plead guilty to £320,000 ‘crash for cash’ fraud

An organised crime group that pocketed over £320,000 through a ‘crash for cash’ scheme have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Raju Patel and Kamlesh Vadukul, the ringleaders of the group, submitted claims on insurance and to a vehicle repair finance service, for road traffic collisions that were deliberately induced or had never taken place. Full story

Motorcycling safety conference: 130+ booked to attend

More than 130 road safety professionals will attend a conference focusing on rider safety to be held next month – but there are still places available if others wish to attend. The one-day conference, hosted by Road Safety GB, will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, located close to the NEC near Birmingham, on Thursday 13 February 2025. Full story

Know the HGV zones

National Highways has launched Wave 3 of its HGV safety campaign ‘Know the HGV Zones’. The campaign’s target audience is all road users, including car and van drivers, as well as heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers. The campaign aims to raise awareness and knowledge of areas of limited HGV vision. It also acts as a gentle reminder to HGV drivers to take extra care when initiating an overtake. Full story

New rules for better cross-border enforcement of traffic laws

The European Commission has welcomed the Parliament and Council’s final adoption of the Directive to strengthen cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules. Member States will report on issues concerning offences committed by third country drivers. An IT portal will give citizens easy access to information on the road safety rules in place in each Member State, but also appeal procedures as well as fines applied, enforcement schemes and available means for payment of the fines. Full story

Car Market Overview – February 2025

The latest monthly overview from cap hpi offers an update on the current new and used car markets in the UK. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 140,786 cars were registered in December 2024, reflecting a minimal decrease of 0.2%. This marks the end of a challenging year for the industry, as manufacturers diligently sought to boost demand for electric vehicles to meet newly established sales targets. Full story

New commercial vehicle registrations: vans +8.3%, trucks -6.3%, buses +9.2% in 2024

In 2024, new EU van sales increased by 8.3%, reaching 1,586,688 units, driven by positive results in all four key markets. Spain led with a remarkable 13.7% rise, followed by Germany at 8.4%, France at 1.1%, and Italy at 0.9%. Full story

More than a third of drivers admit to accidentally driving in a bus lane

Drivers are being unwittingly caught out by ‘confusing’ bus lanes with more than a third (36%) saying they have accidentally driven in one, a new RAC study has found. What’s more, four-in-10 (42%) of those who admit to having done it say they were caught on camera and asked to pay a fine. This is no doubt why an overwhelming majority (85%) want to see councils issue a warning letter the first time someone is caught driving in a bus lane, rather than an instant fine. Full story

AkzoNobel delivers organic sales growth and adjusted EBITDA expansion in Q4 and full-year 2024

AkzoNobel has published is fourth quarter and 2024 financial results. It revealed that revenues were up four per cent in the last three months of 2024 and flat across the year, with operating income down from £862m in 2023 to £768m last year due mainly to restructuring costs. Full story

Belron identifies key industry trends

Robert Sterke, Global Head of Sales Development at Belron International, has highlighted how autonomy, connectivity, and electrification are reshaping travel and redefining the entire vehicle ecosystem. He has also stressed that proper repair and ADAS recalibration is critical for safety as the sector moves toward Level 3 autonomy. Full story

Copart UK becomes a Silver Partner of The Carbon Literacy Project

Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling Copart UK has announced that it has become a Silver Partner under The Carbon Literacy Project’s Partner Scheme. By becoming a Silver Partner, Copart has demonstrated its commitment to tackling climate change through supporting the vital education and action delivered by The Carbon Literacy Project. Full story

New video highlights ADAS risks of reflective clothing

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute has produced a new video explaining how reflective clothing that makes pedestrians more visible to drivers can negatively impact crash prevention systems. Full story

VW CEO says talking to Chinese partners about their Europe expansion plans

Volkswagen’s CEO has spoken to the carmaker’s Chinese joint venture partners about their interest in investing in Europe but said he was not aware of any concrete decisions on their part. The spokesperson declined to comment on whether any discussions have taken place with joint venture partners on the topic of acquiring Volkswagen’s own plants. Full story

Volvo Cars takes full ownership of Novo Energy

Volvo Cars and Northvolt AB have signed a share purchase agreement relating to Northvolt’s shares in NOVO Energy AB, leading to Volvo Cars taking full ownership of NOVO Energy AB, subject to approval by relevant authorities. Full story

BVRLA operates ‘best practice’ ADR scheme

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has concluded that the BVRLA and European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS) provide an effective, and in some areas best practice, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. The conclusion comes as a result of an audit of the BVRLA in December 2024. Full story

Apprenticeship Central gears up for National Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeship Central is urging bodyshops to tackle the skills crisis in the industry by tapping into the apprenticeship talent pipeline. The industry recruitment specialists focuses on helping repairers fill the skills gaps in key roles, from Paint Technicians, Panel Technicians, MET Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Vehicle Damage Assessors, and Business Support Administrators. Full story

Mat MacDonald has been appointed the West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner.

Simon Wills will join National Highways as a Non-Executive Director.  

WTW has appointed Mark Mamone as Head of Technology Delivery and Strategy to its Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) business.

The government is investing £55m in car charging company Connect Kerb to support the installation of EV charging points for homes without a driveway.