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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Your car isn't ready for Europe's deadly heatwaves, warns expert
An motoring expert has warned that Brits need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of both their vehicle and passengers in heatwave conditions As millions of holidaymakers head to Europe for the summer, many fail to consider the risks extreme heat poses on both vehicles and passengers. While heatwaves across the UK and EU are causing vehicles to overheat and a surge of heat-related incidents that are leaving drivers scrambling. Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Tollwayr and European road travel expert, warns that traditional road trip preparation is insufficient during heatwave conditions. According to Mattijs: "We're seeing temperatures that would have been considered exceptional just a decade ago becoming the new summer norm across Europe." "Drivers who've completed the same routes in previous years are finding themselves in genuinely dangerous situations because the rules have fundamentally changed," he explains. When temperatures exceed 35C, even well-maintained cars face increased risk of overheating, as well tire blowouts and electrical system failures. Air conditioning systems can also fail at these times when they are most needed. Extreme heat also affects road surfaces, making asphalt soft and unstable, which increases stopping distances and reduces tyre grip. Some motorways have even experienced dangerous surface cracking and rutting. Car passengers and drivers are also not immune to the dangers of extreme heat. Heat exhaustion and dehydration impair driver judgment and reaction times, with studies showing cognitive performance declining at temperatures above 27C inside vehicles, well before drivers recognise the symptoms. To ensure you and your vehicle are heatwave ready, ensure to test your cooling system and tire pressure before long journeys. You should reduce your tire pressure by 2-3 PSI below manufacturer recommendations to prevent dangerous blowouts caused by dramatically increased tire temperatures on hot road surfaces. That said, tire pressures should remain within safe operating limits. In addition to a standard emergency kit, you should also pack electrolyte replacement drinks, cooling towels, a battery-powered fan, emergency shade materials, and additional water reserves (minimum 4 litres per person). To avoid getting stuck in traffic under the sun, avoid driving during peak heat hours (11am to 4pm) and try to stick to coastal and higher-altitude routes which provide 5-10°C temperature relief compared to inland valley routes. "Heatwaves are no longer exceptional weather events—they're becoming the standard European summer experience. Drivers who approach summer road trips with the same preparation they used five years ago are genuinely putting themselves and their families at risk," says Mattijs. 'Successful heatwave road trips require the same level of preparation as winter mountain driving—different hazards, but equally serious consequences for the unprepared. "The difference is that heat-related vehicle failures often occur in remote areas with limited mobile coverage, making self-sufficiency absolutely critical," he concludes.
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Euronews
These are the most expensive toll routes in Europe for motorists
A new study names France as the continent's toll fee capital, with French routes claiming the top spot and five of the 10 most expensive tolls in Europe. Italy and Denmark follow closely, with toll fees of €68.30 and €54.00, respectively. A study by the European tollway seller, Tollwayr, analysed toll fees across European countries, examining costs for various motorways, tunnels and bridges to identify the most expensive routes for car drivers. France leads the list with the Eurotunnel crossing between France and the UK charging €72.00, making it the most expensive toll in Europe. The country also appears in the top five positions with its major motorway routes, including the Paris-Marseille route at €68.90. "What's particularly notable is that France doesn't just have one or two expensive routes – it consistently charges premium prices across its major highways and tunnels," said Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Tollwayr. "The country's extensive toll network reflects significant infrastructure investment, but also places a considerable financial burden on both local drivers and tourists." Italy ranks high on the list, with the Milan-Bari route costing drivers €68.30, making it the third most expensive toll in Europe. Denmark and Sweden both feature in the top ten, with the Øresundsbron bridge connecting the two countries, charging €54.00 from either side, making it the most expensive bridge toll in Europe. Croatia, while not in the top ten, has the most expensive tolls in Eastern Europe, charging €32.80. On the other hand, the United Kingdom's Warburton Bridge charges just €0.14, making it the least expensive toll in Europe, while Bosnia and Herzegovina's Svilaj-Odžak section costs only €0.61 for cars. Leaders of some of the world's biggest economic powers have arrived in the Canadian Rockies for a Group of Seven summit, overshadowed by an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and US President Donald Trump's unresolved trade war. Israel's strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unaware, is the latest sign of a more volatile world. Trump in recent days vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a US official said, in an indication of how far Israel was prepared to go. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed efforts to de-escalate the crisis with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders and said he expected 'intense discussions' would continue at the summit. As summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement, or communique, at the end of the meeting. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday that the bloc was committed to strengthening Ukraine, as the G7 leaders gathered to meet in Kananaskis, Canada for crucial talks. "To achieve peace through strength, we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war," Von der Leyen said during a news conference ahead of meetings. She added that the summit will be "defined by geo-economics and geopolitics at the same time." "We need a frank discussion among the G7 partners, restoring a sense of stability and predictability among ourselves. That is the first priority," Von der Leyen said. Trump is the summit wild card. Looming over the meeting are his inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland on Sunday for a symbolic stop on his way to Canada. Macron warned that Greenland is 'not to be sold' nor 'to be taken." With other leaders wanting to talk to Trump in an effort to talk him out of imposing tariffs, the summit risks being a series of bilateral conversations rather than a show of unity. Leaders who are not part of the G7 but have been invited to the summit by Carney include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the UAE. Avoiding tariffs will continue to be top of mind. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the US president. Starmer met with Carney in Ottawa before the summit for talks focused on security and trade, in the first visit to Canada by a British prime minister for eight years.
