James Innes-Smith

Brooklands, built in 1907 as the world’s first purpose-built banked racetrack, hosted Britain’s first Grand Prix in 1926. James Innes-Smith recalls his grandfather Stuart, a doctor and fearless amateur racer who drove a Riley there in minimal protective equipment. The piece contrasts the extreme dangers of early racing with the advanced safety of modern Formula One, while arguing that corporate sponsorship has diminished the sport’s former sense of adventure. Brooklands Museum is marking the centenary with an exhibition and a display of more than 100 Grand Prix and Formula One cars.

Cars with raised access, generous headroom, adjustable seats and strong lumbar support are generally best for drivers with back pain. The Ford Capri EV is the overall recommendation after a comfortable four-hour journey, while the BMW iX xDrive60 is rated best for getting in and out and the Audi Q7 best for roominess. The article advises maintaining the spine’s natural curve, keeping the knees slightly bent, positioning the steering wheel at shoulder level and using automatics to reduce repetitive strain. Luxury models offer the most sophisticated seating, but affordable choices such as the Citroën C5 Aircross, Citroën C3 Aircross, Kia Sportage and Jaecoo 7 also perform well.

James Innes-Smith argues that cyclists who record and report alleged driving offences are contributing to a hostile and increasingly self-policed road environment. He criticizes authorities for relying on citizen footage and fines while reducing visible police presence, citing sharp increases in public video submissions and enforcement outcomes. Although supporters say citizen reporting improves road safety, the article stresses risks of harassment, retaliation and vigilantism, and calls for stronger regulation, registration and insurance requirements for cyclists and scooter users, alongside tougher enforcement of their traffic violations.

Mandatory EU driver-assistance systems are portrayed as an intrusive form of “nanny tech” that diminishes driver autonomy and the pleasure of driving. The commentary criticizes lane-keeping assistance, drowsiness monitoring, collision warnings and facial-monitoring systems for overriding driver judgment, generating distractions and raising privacy concerns. Parking assistance and traffic-sign recognition are acknowledged as useful, while fully automated vehicles are noted as having the potential to reduce accidents. The central argument is that safety gains should not come at the cost of freedom and control behind the wheel.

James Innes-Smith argues that Britain’s large number of roundabouts creates confusion, congestion and danger rather than improving traffic flow or safety. He criticizes complex junctions including Hyde Park Corner, the Hammersmith Flyover and Swindon’s Magic Roundabout, while citing collision data identifying several London gyratories as among the UK’s most dangerous. The article also objects to the visual and environmental damage caused by large rural roundabouts, including new junctions near Sizewell C, and argues that many could be removed in favor of conventional four-way intersections.

Modern car design has become increasingly dominated by visually similar mid-size SUVs, which the column attributes to consumer demand, regulatory requirements for electric powertrains, and manufacturers’ preference for low-risk products with broad appeal. The trend has reduced distinctive models and encouraged brand loyalty over meaningful choice. Historical examples such as the Mini, Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier illustrate a period of greater design individuality, while Jaguar’s bold electric saloon is identified as a rare contemporary exception. The result, the column argues, is a less varied and less characterful automotive market, particularly in the UK.

Autonomous vehicles could reduce the large number of crashes caused by human error, according to the argument presented. Evidence cited includes Waymo’s analysis showing substantially fewer injury-causing crashes than comparable human drivers and a case in which Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system helped take a heart-attack patient to hospital. The piece argues that fatigue, illness, age, distraction and poor judgment make private driving inherently risky, while autonomous taxis could eventually reduce congestion and make personal car ownership unnecessary, despite the author’s acknowledgement that driving freedom will be missed.

James Innes-Smith argues that Britain’s roads have become overloaded with signs, markings, cameras and other street furniture despite the availability of navigation and parking apps. He cites the more than doubling of road signs in England between 1993 and 2013 and contrasts London’s cluttered streets with Paris, where signage is more restrained. The column praises Exhibition Road’s shared-space redesign for reducing accidents and improving the streetscape, while criticizing the Department for Transport’s pause on new schemes. It calls for a nationwide removal of redundant parking signs, box junctions, lane markings, traffic lights and stop signs, alongside greater reliance on driver judgment and real-time digital information.

American muscle cars are presented as extravagant but deeply rewarding midlife purchases, offering distinctive styling, immense V8 power and a strong sense of freedom. UK owners acknowledge the drawbacks—including poor fuel economy, large dimensions, rust risks, imported parts and maintenance costs—but argue that careful servicing, regular driving and relatively affordable classic-car insurance make ownership manageable. Enthusiasts describe the cars as sources of identity, community and emotional pleasure, with growing interest among women as well as men. Buyers are advised to research provenance, avoid corrosion and prioritize well-maintained cars with original engines where authenticity matters.

James Innes-Smith recounts fines and uncomfortable encounters with police while driving in the United States, highlighting rules that vary by state. The article explains penalties for failing to pull over when traffic backs up, driving under the influence or with an open alcohol container, rolling through stop signs, mishandling emergency vehicles and making prohibited turns on red. It also lists unusual local restrictions, including bans on unnecessary honking, transporting gorillas in certain parts of a vehicle, splashing pedestrians and driving while naked, advising visitors to research state laws carefully.

James Innes-Smith argues that modern reboots of 1970s and earlier automotive icons often borrow famous names while discarding the distinctive proportions, eccentric details and accessible character that made the originals appealing. He criticizes BMW's larger Mini, Volkswagen's late-1990s Beetle and Ford's electric Capri, while viewing Renault's electric 4 as faster and partly faithful but still too bulky and lacking the original's dashboard-mounted gear lever. He concludes that manufacturers should take greater design risks if they want revived classics to live up to their reputations.

James Innes-Smith argues that men’s reluctance to give up freedom, partying and expansive relationship choices may contribute to declining birth rates and delayed family formation. Drawing on his own decision to marry and have a child later in life, he criticizes the emotional immaturity, economic excuses and unrealistic expectations that can prevent men from committing. He also notes that male fertility declines with age, concluding that men, as well as women, need to confront the personal and wider social consequences of postponing parenthood.