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The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Moment multiple cars & 30-tonne HGV collide in terrifying high-speed motorway pile-up… but is everything as it seems?
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. Advertisement 7 Channel 4 recreates motorway chaos for Pile Up - The World's Biggest Crash Test Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Heart-stopping moment cars and a 30-tonne lorry collide in a high-speed pile-up Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Eight vehicles, including a caravan and lorry, crash in a controlled experiment Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Remote-controlled cars simulate real-life motorway pile-up in groundbreaking study Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Four unaware drivers face a simulated crash to test reactions and safety systems Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Over 90 cameras capture every detail of the staged high-speed motorway collision Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Experiment highlights crash dynamics, vehicle safety flaws and driver behaviour Credit: Peter Sandground Indeed, the high-speed crash was all part of a carefully planned experiment conducted as part of a 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. Advertisement Read more Motors News 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. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Latest 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. Heart-stopping moment out-of-control driver speeds at woman on pavement missing her by inches before ploughing into shop 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. Advertisement 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. Statistics on road safety Multi-vehicle crashes: Account for nearly 20% of all fatal road accidents in the UK (2020 data) Frequency of accidents: Someone is killed or injured on British roads every 16 minutes Injury and death rates: In 2022, almost 75,000 car occupants were injured, and nearly 800 died Speeding: 45% of UK drivers exceed motorway speed limits; speeding is a factor in 24% of fatal crashes Seatbelt use: 24% of drivers killed weren't wearing seatbelts 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Moment multiple cars & 30-tonne HGV collide in terrifying high-speed motorway pile-up… but is everything as it seems?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Channel 4 recreates motorway chaos for Pile Up - The World's Biggest Crash Test Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Heart-stopping moment cars and a 30-tonne lorry collide in a high-speed pile-up Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Eight vehicles, including a caravan and lorry, crash in a controlled experiment Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Remote-controlled cars simulate real-life motorway pile-up in groundbreaking study Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Four unaware drivers face a simulated crash to test reactions and safety systems Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Over 90 cameras capture every detail of the staged high-speed motorway collision Credit: Peter Sandground 7 Experiment highlights crash dynamics, vehicle safety flaws and driver behaviour Credit: Peter Sandground 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. Heart-stopping moment out-of-control driver speeds at woman on pavement missing her by inches before ploughing into shop 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. Statistics on road safety Multi-vehicle crashes: Account for nearly 20% of all fatal road accidents in the UK (2020 data) Account for nearly 20% of all fatal road accidents in the UK (2020 data) Frequency of accidents: Someone is killed or injured on British roads every 16 minutes Someone is killed or injured on British roads every 16 minutes Injury and death rates: In 2022, almost 75,000 car occupants were injured, and nearly 800 died In 2022, almost 75,000 car occupants were injured, and nearly 800 died Speeding: 45% of UK drivers exceed motorway speed limits; speeding is a factor in 24% of fatal crashes 45% of UK drivers exceed motorway speed limits; speeding is a factor in 24% of fatal crashes Seatbelt use: 24% of drivers killed weren't wearing seatbelts 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.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Watch The First Ever Multi-Car Pileup Crash Test
If, like me, you're morbidly curious and you like to watch crash test videos in your free time then buckle up because last week PBS published a comprehensive documentary that recreates and investigates a multi-car pileup. Don't worry if you're on the squeamish side, the test is conducted without putting any living beings in danger. Instead of having humans behind the wheel, test engineers rigged up each test vehicle with remote controls that a group of test subjects operated safely from remote simulators. This crash test was meant to simulate a multi-car pileup on a freeway, which in the real world poses a significant challenge for accident investigators to recreate without firsthand knowledge of how the accident actually took place. This experiment offers unique insight into what actually happens in the event of a devastating crash scenario, how real drivers react to a sudden road hazard, and how vehicle safety systems perform in such a complex crash. PBS filmed the test which was staged on a two-mile long stretch of road on a decommissioned Royal Air Force base in Campbeltown, Scotland that was modified to mimic a freeway with a slow lane, middle lane, fast lane, and a shoulder. The film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long and provides a thorough deep dive into the methodology of the test as well as the investigation that follows, so it's perfect for diehard crash test aficionados and normies alike. Read more: These Movies And TV Shows Have The Best Car Casting As the first crash test of its kind, this high-speed pileup scenario required countless hours of preparation to ensure that no lives were harmed, no secrets were revealed, and that the accident occurred as it needed to. All eight passenger vehicles and one semi-truck used in the experiment had to be rigged up to operate as full-scale remote-controlled cars so test participants could best simulate a real-world crash, but only some of the vehicles were driven by unknowing volunteers. Half of the vehicles were piloted by test engineers who knew what to expect from the experiment, but the other half were unaware of the plan to simulate a multi-car pileup. The four unsuspecting drivers were representative of different demographics: one very new female driver who remotely drove a 2002 Porsche Boxster, one mid-twenties male driver who describes himself as a "boy racer" who operated a 2009 Volkswagen GTI, one older woman who operated a 2012 Toyota Prius, and an older man who operated a 2012 Ford F-150. The other vehicles operated by engineers were a 2005 Audi A8, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML, and a 2012 Vauxhall Vivaro cargo van. Each vehicle was selected to represent different vehicle classes, sizes, and engine layouts to provide a real-world representation of a diverse group of random cars. Several Smart ForTwos were converted into simulators for the participants to operate their respective remote-controlled cars from, and a psychologist observed the volunteers as they practiced driving the remote-controlled cars and observed that their bodies were reacting to the situation as though they were actually behind the wheel of the moving vehicle. Dummies were placed into the remote-controlled cars, some wearing their seatbelts and others intentionally left unbuckled, and the stage was set for the test. The accident staged in this test is meant to recreate an icy British motorway with a patch of black ice, as is sometimes the case in real-world high-speed pileups. To simulate a low-traction, icy surface on the airport runway, engineers found that gravel provided a loss of friction that was most similar to an icy roadway, and the test commenced. The team initiated the pileup by driving a remote-controlled semi-truck across the simulated lanes of oncoming traffic, directly in the path of the remote-controlled passenger cars right as the roadway suddenly became slippery. The unsuspecting drivers did their best to avoid the crash but could only do so much given the challenging road conditions. The results are both alarming and fascinating, but I don't mean to spoil the ending, so give it a watch for yourself. On a totally related note, always wear your seatbelt and remain vigilant when you're behind the wheel of a car, as those are your best defenses against a potentially deadly accident like this one. H/T to reader Steven Lance for sending this our way! Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Full list of 10 cheapest cars to insure in 2025
Car insurance can be costly and often depends on the make and model of the vehicle Many new drivers - or even those still learning - forget to consider car insurance when they're thinking about getting a new car. However, car insurance can be costly, with a number of different factors being taken into account. Insurance premiums can vary widely, as factors such as age, driving history, and safety features, are taken into consideration when it comes to insuring different makes and models. According to MoneySuperMarket, in the UK, cars are categorised into one of 50 insurance groups. Group 1 is the lowest risk and cheapest to insure and Group 50 - the fastest and flashiest cars - the highest risk and most expensive to cover. However, factors like age play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. This means that the cheapest cars to insure for new drivers differs from what is generally cheaper for everyone. Among the many factors taken into account when calculating premiums are the model of car, the driver's details and claims history. Also considered are the car make and model, car modifications, and annual mileage. The driver's occupation and age are also factored into the decision. MoneySuperMarket has created a list of the cheapest cars to insure, in order to give drivers an idea of the types of cars that are generally less expensive. Cheapest cars to insure for 2025 Mini Cooper (184) - average annual premium £279 Porsche Boxster S - average annual premium £282 Mini Cooper (122) - average annual premium £294 Porsche Boxster - average annual premium £295 Ford KA - average annual premium £299 Jaguar X-Type SE DCI - average annual premium £309 Audi TT Quattro (225) Coupe - average annual premium £310 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200K (163) Convertible - average annual premium £312 Mazda MX-5 Cabriolet - average annual premium £314 Ford Fiesta - average annual premium £318
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
One Direction star's net worth uncovered as Liam leaves huge fortune to ex
One Direction became the biggest band in the world and racked up impressive bank balances due to their success – but just how much are they actually worth? One Direction achieved astronomical success, which saw their bank balances also rocket. Since finding fame in 2010, the group have sold over 70 million records across the globe, with the band being worth an estimated £749 million. Despite having soaring success as a group, the band have gone on to achieve success as solo artists following the departure of Zayn Malik in 2015 and his remaining bandmates going on an indefinite hiatus the following year. It's not just music that the band have cashed in on as they've also signed for dozens of brand deals, as well as endless merchandising and releasing their own movie and perfumes. Earlier this week, it emerged that following Liam Payne's tragic death last year, he had left a sum of £28million behind to his son, Bear Payne, eight, and his ex-girlfriend, Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl Tweedy. Despite having no will, Liam's estate totalled £24,279,728 after various deductions. Here, we take a look at the band's net worths and how the lads including Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik have made their hefty fortunes. Liam Payne In an emotional interview from 2022, Liam suggested all of his money was going to his son Bear. The Strip That Down singer said: "My life now is his, my money is his. I have actually got several companies that are up and running that I know he can run one day if he wants to or [he can sell them]." Liam also helped pay for a £4million home for Cheryl and Bear in the Buckinghamshire village of Chalfont St Peter. When he split with Cheryl, Liam then splashed out on a home nearby. The star didn't have a will when he fell to his death from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Wednesday, it was revealed his ex and mother of his child, Cheryl Tweedy, was granted the power of administration of the late Liam 's estate. He left behind £24.3million. According to court documents filed on May 1, music lawyer Richard Bray was also named as an administrator. He left behind £28.6million, which after expenses and debts were paid, went down to £24.3million. While a lot of his wealth came from One Direction, he also made a name for himself as a solo singer, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019. After leaving the group, Liam made sure to invest in property despite struggling with addictions. Louis Tomlinson One Direction once earned £45million in one year alone, according to The Sunday Times' list of richest musicians aged 30 and under. Four years after the lads met, the members had an individual net worth of £15 million. And now, years after they went on hiatus, Louis is said to have a net worth of £54million. The singer, who also has solo work, previously bought himself an £80,000 Porsche Boxster, a £90,000 Range Rover and a £2.5million property in north London. He released debut studio album, Walls, in 2020 and his second studio album, Faith in the Future, in 2022 - which debuted at No. 1 in the UK Not only does he earn money from music, touring and merchandising, he also has three companies: 78 Production, LT Publishing and LT Media. Last year, LT Publishing had assets totalling a staggering £229,908. Meanwhile, 78 Productions had assets of £3.57million. Niall Horan Niall Horan was last with Liam weeks before his death when the latter attended his concert in Buenos Aires. Reflecting on their time together, he said at the time, 'We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.' The singer reportedly has a net worth of £52 million, which he earned through 1D, solo work and touring. He completed his The Show Live On Tour recently, with millions of fans supporting him. The 31-year-old released three solo albums and even followed his passion by finding a golf management company called Modest Golf with Mark McDonnell, which had a profit of £125,000 between 2022 and 2023. He even has a stake in the Irish athleisure brand Gym+Coffee In 2023, he was one of the coaches of The Voice, with him returning the following season much to the delight of fans. Niall also has a touring firm called BAI which profited £2.08million between 2023 and 2024. Zayn Malik Zayn has an estimated net worth of £56.2million, which is unsurprising as he enjoyed a successful solo career after leaving One Direction in 2015. His debut solo single, Pillow Talk, reached No. 1 in several countries, with the debut album Mind of Mine receiving positive reviews. He went on to release three more solo albums. Zayn tried his hand at many businesses, including releasing a shoe line with Giuseppe Zanotti. He collaborated with may fashion houses for several campaigns and even became the creative director for a men's and women's capsule collection called Zayn x Venus for Versace. In 2018, he designed a backpack for The Kooples. Not only does he earn money from fashion, but his account also fills up thanks to his touring and merchandise. The star, who shares a child with Gigi Hadid, is the co-owner and Chief Creative Officer of Mixoloshe, a non-alcoholic cocktail brand. Harry Styles Harry Styles has the biggest net worth of them all, coming out on top at £150 million. The 31-year-old's solo albums were wildly successful, with Fine Line debuting atop the US Billboard 200 with the biggest ever first-week sales by an English male artist. His widely acclaimed third album, Harry's House (2022), broke many records and saw him bag the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As It Was, the lead single, became the number-one song of 2022 globally. The singer also received six Brit Awards, three Grammy Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, three AMAs and four MTV VMAs. Not only is a fan-favourite singer but he also ventured into acting. The star had roles in Dunkirk, Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman. He even became the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue. His Love On Tour tour, which ended in the summer of 2023, became the fifth-highest-grossing tour of all time earning £463million. Meanwhile, Harry owns Erskine and a publishing firm called HSA. In one year, Erskine made a proft of £31million between 2021 and 2022, bringing the total cash at bank and in hand to £74,738million. He is also co-founder and owner of Pleasing - a unisex nail care, beauty, and lifestyle brand - which had a £1.2million profit between 2021 and 2022. HSA Publishing also had £14.14 million in the bank
