Latest news with #Motors


The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘Use alternative route' alert for Irish road users as busy stretch to close for TWELVE-day period
A MAJOR alert has been issued for Irish motorists as a popular road is set to close down for nearly two weeks. And the details of local diversions are revealed so drivers can plan their journeys. 2 The busy stretch will temporarily close for 12 days for road works Credit: Social media The closure will start from Monday, June 30, to Friday, July 11, from 9:30am until 5pm. During the closure, traffic management with local diversions will be implemented. All-Stop READ MORE ON MOTORS Drivers are asked to divert via R315 to Lahardaun - Crossmolina to Ballina and R318 to Foxford and Castlebar. They revealed that the local The council also issued an alert that road works are currently taking place on R320/N5 Junctions until further notice. Temporary traffic management will be in operation. Most read in Motors Drivers may expect some delays, and they are asked to allow extra time for their journey and use alternative routes. Meanwhile, Irish motorists are being warned they could Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Hundreds of holidaymakers will be hitting the road with their caravans this summer. And the All caravans need to undergo safety checks to test whether they are roadworthy before heading out on long journeys. Your local mechanics or testing centres can carry out the checks and identify issues with tyres, brakes and other components that could lead to issues on the road. Drivers are also urged to ensure that all windows and mirrors are clean, properly adjusted and in good condition to have a good view of the rear. They warned that only drivers who have a category B or BE licence can tow the trailer, which means that a B driving licence can drive a car, van or 4 X4 with a small trailer that is no greater than 750kg. All unbraked light trailers must not exceed 750kg in weight and the maximum authorised mass is the weight of the trailer including its load. For example, the maximum permissible weight of the trailer is 750kg and the unladen weight of the trailer is 110kg - the maximum load weight which can be carried would be 640kg. HEFTY FINE If you were caught not complying with laden weight provisions, you could receive a court summons if stopped by a Gardaí and if convicted, you could face a fine of up to €2,500. If also detected using a vehicle and trailer combination whose axles or weight exceed those specified by the vehicle or trailer manufacturer, you can face a penalty point and a €200 fine if paid within 28 days. However, it will rise up to €300 if paid within the subsequent 28 days or three penalty points and a fine not exceeding €2,500 if convicted in 2 The road will be closed from June 30 to July 11


The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Drivers are only just realising little-known 99p household item can stop car thieves from accessing their vehicle
MOTORISTS are being urged to use a little-known household item costing less than ONE POUND to stop car thieves stealing their vehicle. It comes as the Office of National Statistics reports there were 133,708 recorded motor 1 Car theft is on the rise in the UK This is a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2019-20. While the numbers are lower compared to the early 2000s, the recent increase tracks with the overall increase of crime figures in the UK. But to prevent thieves stealing a car, all drivers need is an inexpensive roll of tinfoil. This can be purchased for as little as 99p at a local supermarket. Driver Lucy Lewis started the tin foil trend after she took to TikTok to share her straightforward hack for preventing thieves from gaining access to her car. "I can't be the only one that goes to sleep with the [car] key wrapped in tinfoil," Lucy said at the start of the video, showing how her key was indeed wrapped in foil. She went on to explain: "I've got a stop start button, whatever, and I've seen loads of videos on Facebook of people's cars getting stolen because they've got that kind of car with the button. "If I wake up and my car is stolen, and I didn't wrap my key in tinfoil, there's gonna be trouble." Most read in Motors Lucy then urged other people to say if they do a similar thing. She added: "Please tell me I'm not the only one, because I feel like a psycho and I have to wrap my key – it's like I have to put it to bed and wrap it in tinfoil and it just feels a bit pathetic." Watch as thieves use high-tech trick to swipe Mercedes in under 20 secs - as devices used in 40% of thefts to be BANNED Should you wrap your car key in tin foil? Some security experts have claimed wrapping or covering your Key hacking is when thieves attack built-in systems that can unlock a car when the key is nearby, without having to press a button on the fob or put a key in the lock. To help prevent They are metal-lined key wallets or special bags designed to keep your keys safe. However, just using tin foil or a metal bin with a lid will also work to prevent the electronic signals from passing through to your car. According to RAC, while tin foil can help prevent the electronic signals from your car key from pass through the metal, it's not the ideal solution seeing as it's usually difficult to recycle. Instead, they recommend using a reusable metal tin or a car signal blocker. How to protect your car from thieves Wheel clamps are another great option that can prevent your car from being driven away. Again, they are highly visible as they are often sold in bright colours, and may deter opportunistic thieves looking for a quick and easy target. Traditional security measures are also considered when calculating insurance premiums. Rich Morley at Lancaster Insurance explains that, no matter what car you drive, classic or modern, traditional-style security measures can provide extra peace of mind and security for your vehicle, helping to deter thieves in the process. He added: 'When considering a risk profile, we will establish with customers any security measures they have in place to prevent potential theft."


The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major delays alert after multi-vehicle collision on M50 as Irish Rail service SUSPENDED until ‘further notice'
THERE are multiple delays facing road users this morning as a number of incidents are causing disruption. And 3 The M50 faced major delays this morning Credit: Alamy 3 And Irish Rail passengers are facing disruptions this morning Credit: Getty Images - Getty The first incident is a multi- Lane three has been affected. Traffic bosses are warning "delays may occur" due to this multi-vehicle collision. Transport Infrastructure Ireland said: "Some delays to your journey may occur. Read more in Motors "When approaching the collision location, drive with caution, reduce your speed and please obey instructions from emergency services." And on the But the incidents has now been cleared, but drivers may still see some delays. Traffic bosses also posted a congestion report on Most read in Motors Posting on "Delays on routes approaching Dublin: N2 (S) Finglas, N3 (E) Blanchardstown. N4 (E) J3 - J2, N7 (E) J4 - J1a. I'm an Irish driving instructor and here is how you can pass your test the first time "Currently there are no delays on routes around Cork." CLEAN UP But the rest of the M50 motorway is clearer than usual this morning following the clear up of two earlier incidents. Hours ago, a pedestrian on the M50 between Junction 16 Cherrywood and Junction 15 Carrickmines (Northbound) has affected the hard shoulder. And in a separate location, debris on the road caused delays to traffic. This occurred on the M50 between Junction 12 Firhouse and Junction 13 Dundrum (Southbound). RAIL DELAYS And The issue arose following "a signalling damage" due to an ESB fault. And replacement bus transfers will operate "until further notice." Posting on social media to alert passengers this morning rail bosses said: "Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh: Replacement bus transfers will operate until further notice. Due to a signalling issue on this route." As a result of this the bus transfers are in place from Limerick to Ballybrophy. Rail bosses have said that three bus routes have been placed for commuters following this disruption. They added: "Bus transfers will operate: 9am Ballybrophy to Limerick via Nenagh. 5.10pm Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh. 7:05pm Ballybrophy to Limerick via Nenagh. "Repairs are taking place following signalling damage due to an 3 Traffic bosses are warning 'delays may occur' due to a multi-vehicle collision on M50 Credit: TIITraffic


The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Chilling moment thieves steal car with wireless device in seconds as new doc reveals how Brit motors end up in Lithuania
CHILLING footage shows the moment thieves stole a car in just seconds using a wireless device. Investigative reporter Matt Shea went undercover for Channel 4 Dispatches to shed light on organised criminal gangs specialising in car thefts. Advertisement 5 Investigative reporter Matt Shea exposed criminal gangs specialising in car thefts Credit: Channel 4 Dispatches 5 One of the thieves is pictured holding an amplifier outside the property during the staged theft Credit: Channel 4 Dispatches 5 The thieves explained in detail how the device worked Credit: Channel 4 Dispatches In the show, which will air in full tonight, Shea met whistleblowers and A sneak peek at the much-anticipated programme shows Footage shows the pair revealing to Shea exactly how they can steal a car in just 20 seconds. Thief 'T' and an accomplice demonstrated how they use an amplifier, which looks similar to a radio or walkie-talkie. Advertisement Read More in Motors It picks up the signal from the "key" inside a home and uses it to unlock a car parked outside. The device works by scrambling the signal from a remote key fob, and was used in nearly 60 percent of car thefts in the UK last year. After just a few seconds of holding the amplifier outside the window, the car door unlocked, allowing T to simply open the door and start up the engine. Once the engine had started, the accomplice could take the amplifier, jump in the car and they drove off, with the entire theft taking less than 20 seconds. Advertisement Most read in Motors Asked if they feel anything for the people they steal from they respond: 'These cars are insured, that's like, that a first world problem, you know, there's bigger s*** going on out there,. "Like your f***ng Range Rover's gone, boo-hoo, go and buy another one, man.' "The Teslas aren't easy, I don't think anyone's figured that out yet, because they are proper high tech' the thieves claim. Moment cops snare 'Rolex Ripper' gang after brazen watch thieves try to rob pair…only to find they're undercover police However, they brazenly boasted that others makes and models are easy to steal. Advertisement The men claimed they have taken up to 20 vehicles a month for as much as £5,000 per car, depending on its value. They told Shea that up to 90 per cent of cars are broken down for their parts. Last year approximately 355 vehicles were stolen every day in England and Wales. The shocking finds equate to a stolen car every four minutes, and more than 70 per cent the amount stolen a decade ago. Advertisement Freedom of Information requests to police forces in England and Wales also reveal that – for the 18 forces who responded - only 3.4 per cent of reports of a car being stolen between 2020 and 2024 led to someone being charged or summonsed. In the documentary, criminals revealed how highly organised gangs stole cars, dismantling them at so called 'chop shops' before shipping them out of the country to Eastern Europe. The programme reveals how a blue Audi A4, fitted with a hidden tracker, was stolen from a woman's driveway in north London on March 15. The car's GPS signal showed the Audi moving east towards the borough of Enfield and then switching off. Advertisement Five weeks later, the tracker suddenly reappeared in Kaunas, Lithuania, and was tracked to a business in the outskirts of the city called Baltic Car Trade. Dispatches filmed the police raid on the property, but instead of finding a blue Audi A4, all they found that was left of the vehicle was a bunch of wires. The car, like many stolen off British streets, was long gone having been torn apart. 5 One Audi A4 tracker was found in Lithuania with the car long gone Credit: Channel 4 Dispatches Advertisement 5 Stolen vehicle parts Credit: Channel 4 Dispatches


The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Peugeot E-Expert Sport is a spacious, speedy modern van that's fun to drive… and it even fits in at Le Mans
THE 24 Hours of Le Mans car park. Every supercar you can think of. Plus moi, in a Advertisement 2 Not as fast as a Le Mans hypercar, obviously. But it's no slouch either Credit: DANIEL PULLEN 2025 2 Peugeot's E-Expert Sport gets bold styling and 9X8-inspired touches – but no power boost Credit: DANIEL PULLEN 2025 At least I had a top view sat on the roof. Peugeot hasn't added any performance to the new E-Expert Sport. It's the standard 136hp with a 219-mile battery. But it does get a special body kit, Y-spoke 18in alloys, and Kryptonite Green detailing inspired by Peugeot's 9X8 race car. This is the 'Crew Van' version with tons of space for you and five mates to cross the Channel with all your camping gear. Advertisement READ MORE ROAD TESTS Just one pit stop required to get from Dover to the track, sucking up 80 per cent charge in just 45 minutes. Not bad. What's it like to drive? Not as fast as a Just bang it in sports mode and pretend you're heading down the Mulsanne Straight at top speed – rather than a French autoroute. Advertisement Most read in Motors More importantly, on a road trip, it has all the creature comforts you'd expect from a modern van including a 10in touchscreen that talks to your phone, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and even a heated leather steering wheel. Which you definitely don't get in a Fernando Alonso drives to victory at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2018 There's more of Superman's least favourite colour in here, as well as Sport logos in the 'eco-leather' seats which are colourfast, scratchproof and tear-resistant, not to mention 'moisture regulating and acid and alkali resistant'. Given how terrifying it must be driving through the night at Le Mans, it sounds like the sort of stuff they should make racesuits out of. Advertisement It didn't have a place in the race, but the new E-Expert Sport looked every bit as cool as the race-winning Ferrari, and costs a lot less at £41,295 (ex VAT).