Put your foot down in...

Put your foot down in this new MINI. The stylish shoe is the result of a joint venture between the firm and Japanese sports shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger. The trainer arrives in MINI showrooms in November and is available in three colours, including British Racing Green and Chocolate Brown.

FASHIONABLE sunglasses are putting drivers’ lives at risk. According to research by the Eye Care Trust, choosing the right frames and lenses is vital for safe motoring. Specs with chunky arms cut peripheral vision, while pink

or blue glass can distort colour, making signs difficult to read. Its advice is to choose a thin-rimmed pair with a grey or brown tint.

HALF OF all cars which fail the MoT do so for easily rectified problems, such as bald tyres, worn wiper blades or blown bulbs, according to a new study. Mail order spares seller Car Parts Direct, which carried out the survey, says motorists could improve their car’s chances of passing by performing a few minor checks. Research also found motors belonging to women were 12 per cent more likely to fail the test.

ROAD SIGNS written in Polish are to be erected by a council, after figures showed 14 per cent of its fatal crashes were caused by East Europeans. North Yorkshire says the group is as likely to be involved in an accident as other high-risk categories, such as motorcyclists or 17-24-year-olds. Some of the accidents involved Poles driving on the wrong side of the road.