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Monday, February 27, 2012
Impatient Porsche driver’s costly mistake
If you were the proud owner of a Porsche you’d probably take really great care of it, since it’s such an expensive vehicle.
Moreover, hopefully, owning such a fancy car wouldn’t go straight to your head and make you forget you’re a normal human being just like everyone else and have no special right of way on the roads.
Well, one motorist in San Francisco did forget how to be a considerate driver, and it led to him suffering a great deal of embarrassment and most likely cost him a lot of money in vehicle repairs too.
Travelling along in his Porsche, the road user came across some waiting traffic, and, deciding that he didn’t have to wait with everyone else, overtook the queue.
He found himself stuck in wet cement.
Yes, by jumping the line, which was probably for temporary traffic lights or a diversion, he drove his expensive car into a road maintenance site.
Workers immediately got to work trying to free the car before the cement set, while the motorist sat in the car with a red face and hoping that the cement wouldn’t leak into the car’s interior.
Eventually the vehicle was freed, however it’s likely that the impatient driver will have to spend quite a lot of money replacing most of the car’s undercarriage.
He’ll be more careful in the future – hopefully.
Moreover, hopefully, owning such a fancy car wouldn’t go straight to your head and make you forget you’re a normal human being just like everyone else and have no special right of way on the roads.Well, one motorist in San Francisco did forget how to be a considerate driver, and it led to him suffering a great deal of embarrassment and most likely cost him a lot of money in vehicle repairs too.
Travelling along in his Porsche, the road user came across some waiting traffic, and, deciding that he didn’t have to wait with everyone else, overtook the queue.
He found himself stuck in wet cement.
Yes, by jumping the line, which was probably for temporary traffic lights or a diversion, he drove his expensive car into a road maintenance site.
Workers immediately got to work trying to free the car before the cement set, while the motorist sat in the car with a red face and hoping that the cement wouldn’t leak into the car’s interior.
Eventually the vehicle was freed, however it’s likely that the impatient driver will have to spend quite a lot of money replacing most of the car’s undercarriage.
He’ll be more careful in the future – hopefully.
Photo © Manik. Via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, considerate, driver, expensive, money, motorist, Porsche, repairs, right or way, road, San Francisco, traffic, undercarriage, vehicle, wet cement
Friday, February 24, 2012
Big car and small spaces
It’s irritating enough going from shop to shop and feeling penalised when trousers that are labelled as being the same size fit in one shop but are too small for you in another.
Well, now there’s a similar problem being suffered by motorists parking in spaces provided by councils.
Fines are being issued to drivers who have parked their car in a bay that is too narrow or too short to fit their vehicle in correctly.
Now, this is all for the good of the road network, since cars overlapping onto the road could cause an accident, but there are two problems.
One – cars are reportedly 16% wider than they were four decades ago.
And two – different councils have different views of what being too big for a parking space entails.
Some councils feel that if the entire car is not within the markings, then it is too big, others feel that as long as the vehicle’s wheels are within the lines, all is well.
Until they all decide on one all-encompassing set of rules, motorists will remain confused and keep getting fines they thought they were safe from.
Very annoying. Now please excuse me – I need to drive into town to exchange these tiny trousers. Grrrr.
Well, now there’s a similar problem being suffered by motorists parking in spaces provided by councils. Fines are being issued to drivers who have parked their car in a bay that is too narrow or too short to fit their vehicle in correctly.
Now, this is all for the good of the road network, since cars overlapping onto the road could cause an accident, but there are two problems.
One – cars are reportedly 16% wider than they were four decades ago.
And two – different councils have different views of what being too big for a parking space entails.
Some councils feel that if the entire car is not within the markings, then it is too big, others feel that as long as the vehicle’s wheels are within the lines, all is well.
Until they all decide on one all-encompassing set of rules, motorists will remain confused and keep getting fines they thought they were safe from.
Very annoying. Now please excuse me – I need to drive into town to exchange these tiny trousers. Grrrr.
Photo © paulswansen via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, bay, car, council, drive, driver, fine, motorists, narrow, parked, parking, road network, safe, short, size, spaces, vehicle
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Find your way home with Homer
When driving on the roads, a sat nav is, some would say, a vital part of modern in-car equipment, making sure we reach the destination without consulting a map or asking directions. The only problem is the typical default voice...which is normally mechanical, plain and has about as much personality as a plank of wood.
Fortunately, personalising your sat nav is now an option and with a wide variety of voices to choose from, it was only a matter of time before one voice reigned supreme.
Homer Simpson, star of The Simpsons, has been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the most downloaded sat nav voice, beating off competition from Darth Vader, Ali G and Brian Blessed.
The voice, provided by Simpsons actor Dan Castellaneta, has been downloaded thousands of times, with the US accounting for more than 40% of the sales.
Developed by Locutio Voice Technologies in partnership with the Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (FCP), the voice has outsold competitors by nearly three to one.
Locutio Voice Technologies chief executive Chris Hilton said the success of Homer Simpson has encouraged them to bring more Simpsons characters to satellite navigation systems.
“Homer was the breakthrough GPS voice that firmly established the category. It has been a real pleasure working with the Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and FCP to bring the original voice of Homer to GPS devices for fans of The Simpsons to enjoy on their journeys.”
As Mr Burns would say: Excellent...
Photo © Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Fortunately, personalising your sat nav is now an option and with a wide variety of voices to choose from, it was only a matter of time before one voice reigned supreme.Homer Simpson, star of The Simpsons, has been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the most downloaded sat nav voice, beating off competition from Darth Vader, Ali G and Brian Blessed.
The voice, provided by Simpsons actor Dan Castellaneta, has been downloaded thousands of times, with the US accounting for more than 40% of the sales.
Developed by Locutio Voice Technologies in partnership with the Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (FCP), the voice has outsold competitors by nearly three to one.
Locutio Voice Technologies chief executive Chris Hilton said the success of Homer Simpson has encouraged them to bring more Simpsons characters to satellite navigation systems.
“Homer was the breakthrough GPS voice that firmly established the category. It has been a real pleasure working with the Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and FCP to bring the original voice of Homer to GPS devices for fans of The Simpsons to enjoy on their journeys.”
As Mr Burns would say: Excellent...
Photo © Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Dan Castellaneta, GPS, Homer Simpson, sat nav, The Simpsons
Friday, February 17, 2012
Car roof calamity
If your boyfriend, partner or spouse managed to lose a large amount of money which could result in you losing your job, you’d be angry, right?
Well one poor husband in County Durham knew what the repercussions would be when he made a simple mistake outside of the post office in Willington.
His wife was working for a credit company, collecting money – a job the couple both needed her to keep – when the disaster occurred.
Helping his wife one morning by collecting £1,700 for the finance company, he put the bag which contained the money on top of his car.
You might be able to predict what happened next.
He promptly forgot all about it and when he next looked – it was gone.
In order to protect his wife from losing her job because of him, he fabricated a story which involved him being mugged in the street and described his attacker to the police.
Unfortunately it became clear quite quickly after a check of the CCTV that no attacker existed.
The man was given a community order with supervision and 175 hours unpaid work for wasting police time.
We just hope that his wife managed to keep her job and that she appreciated that he’d tried to salvage the situation – albeit in the wrong way.
Ah, car roofs, one of those mystical places where almost anything can be forgotten…
Well one poor husband in County Durham knew what the repercussions would be when he made a simple mistake outside of the post office in Willington.
His wife was working for a credit company, collecting money – a job the couple both needed her to keep – when the disaster occurred.
Helping his wife one morning by collecting £1,700 for the finance company, he put the bag which contained the money on top of his car.
You might be able to predict what happened next.
He promptly forgot all about it and when he next looked – it was gone.
In order to protect his wife from losing her job because of him, he fabricated a story which involved him being mugged in the street and described his attacker to the police.
Unfortunately it became clear quite quickly after a check of the CCTV that no attacker existed.
The man was given a community order with supervision and 175 hours unpaid work for wasting police time.
We just hope that his wife managed to keep her job and that she appreciated that he’d tried to salvage the situation – albeit in the wrong way.
Ah, car roofs, one of those mystical places where almost anything can be forgotten…
Photo © I See Modern Britain via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, car roof, CCTV, County Durham, credit company, husband, mistake, money, mugged, police, wife, Willington
Monday, February 13, 2012
The UK’s youngest ever female instructor
Driving lessons can be hard when you’ve got exams to worry about, but one 21-year-old woman driver from Chichester in West Sussex has achieved something very impressive recently.
Not only did she start her lessons at the earliest opportunity, but she’s also sat three difficult exams to become the youngest ever female instructor in the UK!
Impressive huh?
The new instructor states, “I really enjoyed driving as soon as I started learning.
“I really liked the freedom to choose your hours and you can take time off when you need it. It’s quite good money as well and I like seeing the achievement of someone from starting right the way through to the end when they can drive off, confidently. Seeing people go from start to finish makes me quite proud.”
She is currently teaching 14 students, but she doesn’t plan on stopping improving her own driving skills. Apparently she’s thinking about undertaking an advanced driving course.
Well, we applaud her. Some of us at the CoverGirl office were still taking lessons at 21! We can’t imagine having taught anyone ourselves at that age. Congratulations!
Not only did she start her lessons at the earliest opportunity, but she’s also sat three difficult exams to become the youngest ever female instructor in the UK!
Impressive huh?
The new instructor states, “I really enjoyed driving as soon as I started learning.
“I really liked the freedom to choose your hours and you can take time off when you need it. It’s quite good money as well and I like seeing the achievement of someone from starting right the way through to the end when they can drive off, confidently. Seeing people go from start to finish makes me quite proud.”
She is currently teaching 14 students, but she doesn’t plan on stopping improving her own driving skills. Apparently she’s thinking about undertaking an advanced driving course.
Well, we applaud her. Some of us at the CoverGirl office were still taking lessons at 21! We can’t imagine having taught anyone ourselves at that age. Congratulations!
Photo © timtak via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: advanced driving course, Chichester, driving lessons, exam, instructor, West Sussex, woman driver
Friday, February 10, 2012
New TV show focuses on female lorry drivers
Good news for those women who’ve always wanted to be a trucker because a group of determined women are aiming to make it big in the previously male-dominated profession of lorry driving.
Orion TV, a small television company based in Northumberland, has put together a show focusing on the lives of those two percent of women who work as lorryists.
The snappily titled ‘Mothertruckers’ follows the lives of three females as they drive their 44 tonne lorries whilst keeping femininity and family values intact.
Lucy Stubbs, one of the drivers featured, hoped that this documentary will show the profession in a whole new light.
“We’re hoping with us being on the telly it will encourage more women into the industry because there are only two percent of us out of the half a million truckers out there.
“We also wanted to highlight the issues for women truck drivers like the lack of facilities and the fact that some men can be funny about it.”
Mothertruckers airs on Channel 4, Thursdays at 10pm and will hopefully show that women are still better drivers, whatever the vehicle.
Orion TV, a small television company based in Northumberland, has put together a show focusing on the lives of those two percent of women who work as lorryists.The snappily titled ‘Mothertruckers’ follows the lives of three females as they drive their 44 tonne lorries whilst keeping femininity and family values intact.
Lucy Stubbs, one of the drivers featured, hoped that this documentary will show the profession in a whole new light.
“We’re hoping with us being on the telly it will encourage more women into the industry because there are only two percent of us out of the half a million truckers out there.
“We also wanted to highlight the issues for women truck drivers like the lack of facilities and the fact that some men can be funny about it.”
Mothertruckers airs on Channel 4, Thursdays at 10pm and will hopefully show that women are still better drivers, whatever the vehicle.
Photo © anemoneprojectors via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: drivers, lorry driver, traffic, vehicle, women
Monday, February 6, 2012
Women park better than men
Some male drivers may still believe the myth that they are in some way superior to their female counterparts, but a new study has revealed that women are better at parking their vehicles.
This revelation was made by the Car Park Operator NEP. After a thorough study it concluded that although women take a relatively long time to park, they have comparatively less trouble aligning their vehicles in a space.
Men are apparently more interested in showing their prowess by parking in tight spots when accompanied by female drivers, than in showing consideration for their fellow motorists by leaving space between car doors.
A celebrity driving instructor said, “I was quite surprised by the result, because in my experience men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons.
“However, it's possible that women retain the information better. The report shows the need to give our partners more respect when it comes to parking.”
These findings add weight to the claim that women are more thoughtful and therefore more deserving of cheap car insurance than the opposite sex.
Unfortunately this is unlikely to have an impact on the upcoming insurance updates, set to bring the amount that men and women pay for cover into balance.
This revelation was made by the Car Park Operator NEP. After a thorough study it concluded that although women take a relatively long time to park, they have comparatively less trouble aligning their vehicles in a space.Men are apparently more interested in showing their prowess by parking in tight spots when accompanied by female drivers, than in showing consideration for their fellow motorists by leaving space between car doors.
A celebrity driving instructor said, “I was quite surprised by the result, because in my experience men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons.
“However, it's possible that women retain the information better. The report shows the need to give our partners more respect when it comes to parking.”
These findings add weight to the claim that women are more thoughtful and therefore more deserving of cheap car insurance than the opposite sex.
Unfortunately this is unlikely to have an impact on the upcoming insurance updates, set to bring the amount that men and women pay for cover into balance.
Photo © thienzieyung via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car door, Car Park Operator NEP, cheap car insurance, cover, drivers, driving instructor, female, learner, lessons, male, motorists, parking, vehicle
Friday, February 3, 2012
Elderly driver re-test debate
Every so often a sad and alarming story emerges about an elderly motorist having put themselves in motoring danger.
Last year an old man drove his vehicle into a tree after confusing the brake and accelerator pedals, and last week an elderly female driver made a wrong turn on to railway tracks after waiting at a level crossing.
The experienced female motorist and her young passenger were left in shock by this unexpected turn of events. However, they should count themselves very lucky to have escaped without serious injury.
A witness to the incident said, “They were very lucky they were not hurt – the route is very busy at the time of the morning.
“When I saw it I just couldn't believe there was a car on the tracks. I think the lady was taken away in a taxi – I don't think she'll be getting behind the wheel ever again.”
While it would be a shame for this woman's motoring days to come an abrupt end, one can't but feel that it might be best for her own safety. This case raises questions about the place of potentially dangerous elderly drivers on the UK's roads.
With regards to this topic the ex Formula One racer Stirling Moss said, “I do think older drivers should be re-evaluated because first of all a lot of the road signs are changing and the road ethics are changing and the way the roads are formed.
“I think it would be a good idea to have a new evaluation when we reach 70 and then 75, 80.”
It would be very interesting to hear what you readers think about this issue! Please send us your comments.
Last year an old man drove his vehicle into a tree after confusing the brake and accelerator pedals, and last week an elderly female driver made a wrong turn on to railway tracks after waiting at a level crossing.
The experienced female motorist and her young passenger were left in shock by this unexpected turn of events. However, they should count themselves very lucky to have escaped without serious injury.
A witness to the incident said, “They were very lucky they were not hurt – the route is very busy at the time of the morning.
“When I saw it I just couldn't believe there was a car on the tracks. I think the lady was taken away in a taxi – I don't think she'll be getting behind the wheel ever again.”
While it would be a shame for this woman's motoring days to come an abrupt end, one can't but feel that it might be best for her own safety. This case raises questions about the place of potentially dangerous elderly drivers on the UK's roads.
With regards to this topic the ex Formula One racer Stirling Moss said, “I do think older drivers should be re-evaluated because first of all a lot of the road signs are changing and the road ethics are changing and the way the roads are formed.
“I think it would be a good idea to have a new evaluation when we reach 70 and then 75, 80.”
It would be very interesting to hear what you readers think about this issue! Please send us your comments.
Photo © Ben Sutherland via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accelerator, brake, danger, driver, elderly, level crossing, motoring, motorist, passenger, railway tracks, road, safety, vehicle