Latest news with #JamesWilliams
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies warned of 'deadly mistake' on roads as drivers cop $3.3 million in fines
Drivers in one Aussie state have copped a stern warning after racking up a whopping $3.3 million in fines in a span of just months. Alarming new data reveals that more than 8,500 Victorians were caught not wearing a seatbelt from July 1 to September 30, with the 'deadly mistake' costing each rule-breaking motorist $395 and three demerit points. Failing to buckle up is not only a costly lesson, but could cost someone their life, RACV Head of Policy James Williams reminded drivers on Tuesday. So far this year 118 drivers have died on roads across the state — a more than 8 per cent increase. 'Seatbelts save lives. Choosing not to wear one puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk,' Williams said. 'Crashes can happen anytime, anywhere – and the consequences of not being restrained can be fatal.' Concerningly, that is not the only lapse in judgement Victorians are making while behind the wheel, with additional 'eye-opening' data naming and shaming the Aussie cities and states where drivers are most likely to be busted reaching for their phone. Victoria and Western Australia rank among the worst states for phone use while driving, with motorists reaching for their mobiles once every six trips on average, car insurance company ROLLiN revealed after analysing over 18 million kilometres of driving data from its Safe 'n Save app. On the other hand, South Australian drivers are the most well-behaved. 'Drivers in Adelaide tend to use their phones less while driving, which may be for a range of reasons, including less congested or more predictable traffic, which could make it easier to stay focused and to keep their hands on the wheel and not on their phones,' Brendan Griffiths, ROLLiN's executive manager, told Yahoo News. Surprisingly, despite having the toughest penalty in the country for mobile phone use — a $1,209 fine and four demerit points — Queensland ranked joint second alongside those living in NSW and the ACT. The penalty in the Sunshine State far exceeds any other, with NSW drivers made to pay $410, while in Victoria it's $593 if you're caught using a mobile phone while driving. In SA, motorists face a $556 fine and three demerit points. In terms of cities, drivers in Cairns and the NSW Central Coast are the worst offenders for phone use. Queensland's Sunshine Coast takes the third spot, followed by Geelong and Melbourne. Wollongong residents are the least likely to use their mobiles. 📸 Drivers hit with $30 million in fines after new roadside cameras 🚘 Authorities quietly admit to flaws with phone and seatbelt cameras 🚙 Simple $410 mistake catching out Aussies Griffiths told Yahoo that while more than 50 per cent of the company's customers are achieving a safe driving score, there is still room for improvement. 'Unfortunately, the unsafe driver behaviour we consistently detect through our Safe 'n Save app is phone use, which ultimately results in distracted driving and the risk of an accident,' he said. 'People might think it's okay to use their phone on quiet roads or during longer drives without realising how risky it is or how far they're travelling while they are distracted.' Griffiths added that the new data 'isn't just numbers', it shows real driver behaviours that impact safety, including speed and breaking harshly. 'Seeing these patterns can be a real eye-opener and help to motivate drivers to improve their driving behaviours. By sharing these insights clearly, we're trying to help make the roads safer for all Australians.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Western Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
West Wales co-driver Dai Roberts killed and driver James Williams hurt
Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, was co-driver for James Williams of Newcastle Emlyn in the Jim Clark Rally when their car crashed near Duns in the Scottish Borders. James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. The pair were in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 as they battled for the lead of the British Rally Championship contest The tragedy is the second to hit the Roberts family. In 2012, Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 after a racing accident in Palermo, Italy. James Williams Rallying posted on Facebook yesterday: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news this afternoon. 'The motorsport community is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts – who lost his life in an incident at the Jim Clark Rally on Saturday 24 May 2025. James Williams, from Newcastle Emlyn is in hospital with serious injuries., (Image: James Williams Rallying) 'James has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time. 'We will provide updates as and when we have them. 'Please respect the privacy of the families and team at this time.' More than 500 tributes and messages on the page alone show the respect in which Dai Roberts was held throughout the rallying community. Dai Roberts (left) and James Williams were a formidable motorsport pairing. (Image: Motorsport UK) Said one sympathiser: 'The only comfort is Dai died doing what he loved.' Another commented: 'A wonderful rally man who will be greatly missed', while a third posted: 'He's now up there with his brother and the rest of the legends in rally motorsport." International motorsport platform Autosport described Dai Roberts as 'one of the British rallying fraternity's best co-drivers'. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders. The event is named after Formula One champion Jim Clark. In 2014, the event was stopped after the deaths of three people and was cancelled the following year. It has since been reinstated in the UK racing calendar. Superintendent Vincent Fisher of Police Scotland said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' Motorsport UK said: 'Motorsport UK sends its condolences to Dai's family and friends, the Jim Clark Rally, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and members of the motorsport community. 'Motorsport UK has initiated a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident and will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities.'
South Wales Argus
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
West Wales co-driver Dai Roberts killed and driver James Williams hurt
Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, was co-driver for James Williams of Newcastle Emlyn in the Jim Clark Rally when their car crashed near Duns in the Scottish Borders. James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. The pair were in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 as they battled for the lead of the British Rally Championship contest The tragedy is the second to hit the Roberts family. In 2012, Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 after a racing accident in Palermo, Italy. James Williams Rallying posted on Facebook yesterday: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news this afternoon. 'The motorsport community is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts – who lost his life in an incident at the Jim Clark Rally on Saturday 24 May 2025. James Williams, from Newcastle Emlyn is in hospital with serious injuries., (Image: James Williams Rallying) 'James has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time. 'We will provide updates as and when we have them. 'Please respect the privacy of the families and team at this time.' More than 500 tributes and messages on the page alone show the respect in which Dai Roberts was held throughout the rallying community. Dai Roberts (left) and James Williams were a formidable motorsport pairing. (Image: Motorsport UK) Said one sympathiser: 'The only comfort is Dai died doing what he loved.' Another commented: 'A wonderful rally man who will be greatly missed', while a third posted: 'He's now up there with his brother and the rest of the legends in rally motorsport." International motorsport platform Autosport described Dai Roberts as 'one of the British rallying fraternity's best co-drivers'. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders. The event is named after Formula One champion Jim Clark. In 2014, the event was stopped after the deaths of three people and was cancelled the following year. It has since been reinstated in the UK racing calendar. Superintendent Vincent Fisher of Police Scotland said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' Motorsport UK said: 'Motorsport UK sends its condolences to Dai's family and friends, the Jim Clark Rally, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and members of the motorsport community. 'Motorsport UK has initiated a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident and will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities.'
South Wales Guardian
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
West Wales co-driver Dai Roberts killed and driver James Williams hurt
Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, was co-driver for James Williams of Newcastle Emlyn in the Jim Clark Rally when their car crashed near Duns in the Scottish Borders. James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. The pair were in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 as they battled for the lead of the British Rally Championship contest The tragedy is the second to hit the Roberts family. In 2012, Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 after a racing accident in Palermo, Italy. James Williams Rallying posted on Facebook yesterday: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news this afternoon. 'The motorsport community is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts – who lost his life in an incident at the Jim Clark Rally on Saturday 24 May 2025. James Williams, from Newcastle Emlyn is in hospital with serious injuries., (Image: James Williams Rallying) 'James has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time. 'We will provide updates as and when we have them. 'Please respect the privacy of the families and team at this time.' More than 500 tributes and messages on the page alone show the respect in which Dai Roberts was held throughout the rallying community. Dai Roberts (left) and James Williams were a formidable motorsport pairing. (Image: Motorsport UK) Said one sympathiser: 'The only comfort is Dai died doing what he loved.' Another commented: 'A wonderful rally man who will be greatly missed', while a third posted: 'He's now up there with his brother and the rest of the legends in rally motorsport." International motorsport platform Autosport described Dai Roberts as 'one of the British rallying fraternity's best co-drivers'. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders. The event is named after Formula One champion Jim Clark. In 2014, the event was stopped after the deaths of three people and was cancelled the following year. It has since been reinstated in the UK racing calendar. Superintendent Vincent Fisher of Police Scotland said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' Motorsport UK said: 'Motorsport UK sends its condolences to Dai's family and friends, the Jim Clark Rally, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and members of the motorsport community. 'Motorsport UK has initiated a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident and will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities.'
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Two Motorsport UK drivers die in separate crashes just hours apart
Two drivers, Dai Roberts and Julian Grimwade, were killed in separate Motorsport UK races on the same day. Roberts, a 39-year-old co-driver, died in a crash at the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland, while the driver, James Williams, sustained serious injuries. Grimwade died during a Vintage Sports Car Club race at Donington Park. Motorsport UK has launched investigations into both incidents. The Jim Clark Rally was canceled following the crash, having previously been canceled in 2015 after three fatalities in 2014.
