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Friday, March 30, 2012
In-car breathalyser kits for French motorists
It is fair to say that the French are quite partial to a tipple of Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon on the odd occasion, just as we British enjoy a drink every now and then. The trouble is that a considerable number of road accidents in this part of the world involve drivers who've consumed more than the recommended amount of alcohol.
The French government considers this such a serious issue that it has decided to make it obligatory for the nation's drivers to carry breathalyser kits in their vehicles. Just to ensure that everybody falls into line, President Sarkozy has deemed it appropriate for the police to carry out regular roadside checks.
Any drivers found not to have purchased the alcohol testing equipment will be fined 11 euros (the equivalent to £9). However, the thought of a stern telling off by the authorities will perhaps be a greater deterrent.
For those of us used to the UK's motoring laws this may seem rather a harsh and overt act of governance. The wisdom of the idea has been already been questioned by various motoring authorities.
Some experts point out that French motorists aren't legally obliged to use the equipment. Others are of the belief that drunk motorists may well see fit to ask their sober passengers to take the test.
The reputably straight-laced French President may argue that it is a necessary means of keeping the people in check. It will be interesting to see whether the next national accident report provides evidence in support of such claims.
The French government considers this such a serious issue that it has decided to make it obligatory for the nation's drivers to carry breathalyser kits in their vehicles. Just to ensure that everybody falls into line, President Sarkozy has deemed it appropriate for the police to carry out regular roadside checks.
Any drivers found not to have purchased the alcohol testing equipment will be fined 11 euros (the equivalent to £9). However, the thought of a stern telling off by the authorities will perhaps be a greater deterrent.
For those of us used to the UK's motoring laws this may seem rather a harsh and overt act of governance. The wisdom of the idea has been already been questioned by various motoring authorities.
Some experts point out that French motorists aren't legally obliged to use the equipment. Others are of the belief that drunk motorists may well see fit to ask their sober passengers to take the test.
The reputably straight-laced French President may argue that it is a necessary means of keeping the people in check. It will be interesting to see whether the next national accident report provides evidence in support of such claims.
Photo © dicktay2000 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: breathalyser kits, drivers, drunk, French, motoring law, police, road accidents, roadside checks, tipple, vehicle
Monday, March 26, 2012
Car spa
It’s finally spring! It feels as if it’s been months since we’ve had weather this warm – well I guess it has been.
To celebrate I’m going to be wearing more skirts and sandals, and I’m giving my car a spring clean so that it’s lovely and shiny.
Walking out onto the driveway a few days ago I was shocked at how dusty and muddy my vehicle looked in the bright sunshine, so it’s time it had a wash.
I won’t be spending money going to a car wash either. No, it’s the bucket and sponge for my car.
The way I see it, it carries me around a lot so the least I could do is spend some quality time with it which doesn’t involve driving anywhere. I’m giving it a spa-day of sorts.
Come to think of it, a spa day sounds like a lovely idea! I hope my little car doesn’t mind driving me there…at least it will be able to show off its nice clean exterior by then.
To celebrate I’m going to be wearing more skirts and sandals, and I’m giving my car a spring clean so that it’s lovely and shiny. Walking out onto the driveway a few days ago I was shocked at how dusty and muddy my vehicle looked in the bright sunshine, so it’s time it had a wash.
I won’t be spending money going to a car wash either. No, it’s the bucket and sponge for my car.
The way I see it, it carries me around a lot so the least I could do is spend some quality time with it which doesn’t involve driving anywhere. I’m giving it a spa-day of sorts.
Come to think of it, a spa day sounds like a lovely idea! I hope my little car doesn’t mind driving me there…at least it will be able to show off its nice clean exterior by then.
Photo © *PaysImaginaire* via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: bucket, car, driveway, driving, dusty, muddy, shiny, sponge, spring, spring clean, sunshine, vehicle, warm, wash, weather
Friday, March 23, 2012
Car shoes to drive you wild
Having recently read that driving in flip flops is not very safe and knowing for a fact that suede wedge platform boots do not make the ideal motoring attire for a lady, I thought it might be time to buy some proper driving shoes.
Oh, but, horror of horrors...driving shoes are ugly!
Having googled “specialist car shoes”, I found that they tend to be flat, leather, with grippy soles and, generally, pretty hideous. They remind me of the shoes my ancient music teacher used to wear under her flared ankle-length denim skirts. Yeuch!
Then, miracle of miracles, I came upon this site where they have taken the idea of ‘car shoes’ quite literally.
My personal favourite is the red model (which you might actually be able to drive in). Designed by Ronaldo Fraga in 2007, the shiny little red numbers are so cute, but, sadly, not available on the high street (more’s the pity).
However, having dismissed the idea of paying pounds and pounds for the ugliest shoes on earth, I am going to take the advice I found on the web about the best shoes for driving and see if I’ve got something in my wardrobe already.
Apparently, shoes for driving should have soles which are neither too thick or too thin, be lightweight and enable easy foot and ankle movement, and they shouldn’t be too wide. In fact any plain, flat shoe will do.
Hmmmmm....let’s see, do I own a pair of plain, flat shoes?
Oh, but, horror of horrors...driving shoes are ugly!
Having googled “specialist car shoes”, I found that they tend to be flat, leather, with grippy soles and, generally, pretty hideous. They remind me of the shoes my ancient music teacher used to wear under her flared ankle-length denim skirts. Yeuch!
Then, miracle of miracles, I came upon this site where they have taken the idea of ‘car shoes’ quite literally.
My personal favourite is the red model (which you might actually be able to drive in). Designed by Ronaldo Fraga in 2007, the shiny little red numbers are so cute, but, sadly, not available on the high street (more’s the pity).
However, having dismissed the idea of paying pounds and pounds for the ugliest shoes on earth, I am going to take the advice I found on the web about the best shoes for driving and see if I’ve got something in my wardrobe already.
Apparently, shoes for driving should have soles which are neither too thick or too thin, be lightweight and enable easy foot and ankle movement, and they shouldn’t be too wide. In fact any plain, flat shoe will do.
Hmmmmm....let’s see, do I own a pair of plain, flat shoes?
Labels: car shoes, driving shoes, motoring
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Getting exercise while you drive
Did you know that Honda has created a concept car which has no steering wheel?
Well, before you get excited thinking that you could do your nails, apply make-up or eat your breakfast behind the non-existent wheel, this car will still need someone to drive it manually.
The difference is that this car, the EV-STER, has handlebars.
In order to move the car in different directions the motorist will push or pull the two levers available instead of turning a wheel.
And this isn't meant to make driving easier either!
Despite a spokesperson for Honda stating "It's fun, it is very tactile and it is very accurate", the concept steering system is also described as being like a ‘mini cross-trainer'. Furthermore the spokesperson added that "The car keeps the driver alert, because it is very sensitive to movement. Your whole body is kept moving".
It sounds exhausting, but we suppose that it would stop people who use their cars all the time getting unfit…
Still, this car won't appear on the market for another three years at least, so until then we'll have to keep putting time aside for exercise.
Photo © TheChargingPoint.com via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Well, before you get excited thinking that you could do your nails, apply make-up or eat your breakfast behind the non-existent wheel, this car will still need someone to drive it manually.The difference is that this car, the EV-STER, has handlebars.
In order to move the car in different directions the motorist will push or pull the two levers available instead of turning a wheel.
And this isn't meant to make driving easier either!
Despite a spokesperson for Honda stating "It's fun, it is very tactile and it is very accurate", the concept steering system is also described as being like a ‘mini cross-trainer'. Furthermore the spokesperson added that "The car keeps the driver alert, because it is very sensitive to movement. Your whole body is kept moving".
It sounds exhausting, but we suppose that it would stop people who use their cars all the time getting unfit…
Still, this car won't appear on the market for another three years at least, so until then we'll have to keep putting time aside for exercise.
Photo © TheChargingPoint.com via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Friday, March 16, 2012
Does the Queen have to pay for car insurance?
Does the Queen have to pay for car insurance like rest of us women? I don’t know – does she know even? Does she have someone who sorts all these things out for her?
I can’t exactly imagine her sitting down at her computer and going through the various car insurance comparison websites – she is, after all, no ordinary woman driver.
One thing we can be sure of is that the Queen has had plenty of vehicles in her lifetime – expensive ones.
Now, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, we’re going to be allowed to see them. It should be pretty interesting, that’s if you can find the time to head to the Sussex Downs for summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
They’ll be plenty to see: limousines, working cars, personal cars, family cars, planes, horse-drawn vehicles, and even toy cars, presumably once the property of young William and Harry.
But does the Queen have to pay for car insurance? Does the Queen get to vote in a general election? Does the Queen have a passport? Does the Queen get a pension? Does she sign autographs? Does she cook her own meals?
I know the answers to none of these questions, but I’m going to work incredibly hard to get an MBE, if only so have the opportunity to ask. But even then, I still might not know.
I can’t exactly imagine her sitting down at her computer and going through the various car insurance comparison websites – she is, after all, no ordinary woman driver.
One thing we can be sure of is that the Queen has had plenty of vehicles in her lifetime – expensive ones.
Now, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, we’re going to be allowed to see them. It should be pretty interesting, that’s if you can find the time to head to the Sussex Downs for summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
They’ll be plenty to see: limousines, working cars, personal cars, family cars, planes, horse-drawn vehicles, and even toy cars, presumably once the property of young William and Harry.
But does the Queen have to pay for car insurance? Does the Queen get to vote in a general election? Does the Queen have a passport? Does the Queen get a pension? Does she sign autographs? Does she cook her own meals?
I know the answers to none of these questions, but I’m going to work incredibly hard to get an MBE, if only so have the opportunity to ask. But even then, I still might not know.
Photo © king_david_uk via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: autographs, car insurance, comparison websites, cook her own meals, does the queen get to vote in a general election, passport, pension, woman driver, women
Monday, March 12, 2012
A useful SpareOne
If we told you that a new mobile phone would be appearing on the UK market this month and that all it did was make and receive calls – you might not be very impressed.
But wait! Don’t be so quick to judge!
This phone, called SpareOne, runs on a single AA battery and stays charged for about 15 years.
It has been designed by XPAL Power to be a back-up mobile phone kept in the glove compartment of a car in case of emergencies.
Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having no battery left on your mobile. No problem, if you have the SpareOne!
“It’s essentially designed to make and receive the most important calls, no matter what,” stated an XPAL Power spokesperson.
It sounds to us like this is yet another piece of very useful emergency kit to have in your car. A quick ‘will you be buying one?’ around the office makes a lot of heads nod.
We wouldn’t be surprised if breakdown companies start listing these handy mobiles as something that every motorists should have somewhere in their vehicle, just in case.
If you’re interested, the phone will be on sale in Britain on the 15th of March and will cost £60.
But wait! Don’t be so quick to judge! This phone, called SpareOne, runs on a single AA battery and stays charged for about 15 years.
It has been designed by XPAL Power to be a back-up mobile phone kept in the glove compartment of a car in case of emergencies.
Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having no battery left on your mobile. No problem, if you have the SpareOne!
“It’s essentially designed to make and receive the most important calls, no matter what,” stated an XPAL Power spokesperson.
It sounds to us like this is yet another piece of very useful emergency kit to have in your car. A quick ‘will you be buying one?’ around the office makes a lot of heads nod.
We wouldn’t be surprised if breakdown companies start listing these handy mobiles as something that every motorists should have somewhere in their vehicle, just in case.
If you’re interested, the phone will be on sale in Britain on the 15th of March and will cost £60.
Photo © akbarici via photobucket
Labels: AA battery, breakdown, calls, car, charged, emergencies, emergency kit, glove compartment, mobile phone, SpareOne, UK, vehicle, XPAL Power
Friday, March 9, 2012
A boot up the rear
If you were in a car park about to head off to do some shopping or had just returned with bags of sale items and you saw someone kick the back bumper of their car, you might think they were angry about something.
In many cases this assumption might be correct, but not if the car they’re kicking is a Ford Kuga.
Ford has designed this vehicle with a hands-free boot opening system, which operates by kicking a button on the underside of the rear bumper.
This way, motorist with their hands laden with bags of shopping can open the boot without having to set everything down on the tarmac first.
We really like the sound of this clever little feature. It’s great for when you go food shopping and clothes shopping. Furthermore, if you have any pets that go in the boot in a cage when you’re going from A to B, this kick-open boot may once again come in handy.
We’re not sure we could afford this car, but perhaps other manufacturers will start using the same tech on their vehicle boots soon. We’ve got our fingers crossed!
In many cases this assumption might be correct, but not if the car they’re kicking is a Ford Kuga. Ford has designed this vehicle with a hands-free boot opening system, which operates by kicking a button on the underside of the rear bumper.
This way, motorist with their hands laden with bags of shopping can open the boot without having to set everything down on the tarmac first.
We really like the sound of this clever little feature. It’s great for when you go food shopping and clothes shopping. Furthermore, if you have any pets that go in the boot in a cage when you’re going from A to B, this kick-open boot may once again come in handy.
We’re not sure we could afford this car, but perhaps other manufacturers will start using the same tech on their vehicle boots soon. We’ve got our fingers crossed!
Photo © StuBez via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: back bumper, bags, boot, button, car, car park, designed, Ford Kuga, kick, manufacturers, motorist, opening, rear bumper, shopping, tarmac, vehicle
Monday, March 5, 2012
From A to B on autopilot
Have you ever driven somewhere you didn’t mean to drive to, like your office, or reached your destination without any memory of making the journey?
Well, worryingly, according to new research which was undertaken by a car insurance company, a lot of motorists have done these things and it means that many of us aren’t paying attention to the road.
Reportedly, drivers making a long journey ‘turn off’ mentally after just 11 minutes behind the wheel, completing the rest of the trip on autopilot without really taking note of the highway around them.
A spokesperson for the insurer stated, "Advances in technology have revolutionised the way we keep our brains stimulated. We all love playing with our gadgets but as this study shows this can become problematic when we get behind the wheel.
"Even on a short journey it is important for all motorists to focus on the road ahead and not let technology withdrawal systems get the better of them whilst driving."
Some of the motorists surveyed for this research also admitted to switching to autopilot while in control of a vehicle because they were tired or thinking about work.
Our advice is, if you’re tired or have a lot on your mind, why not use public transport or get a lift off someone? It will reduce your risk of suffering a car accident, and it’s nice to have a little break from driving once in a while.
Well, worryingly, according to new research which was undertaken by a car insurance company, a lot of motorists have done these things and it means that many of us aren’t paying attention to the road.
Reportedly, drivers making a long journey ‘turn off’ mentally after just 11 minutes behind the wheel, completing the rest of the trip on autopilot without really taking note of the highway around them.
A spokesperson for the insurer stated, "Advances in technology have revolutionised the way we keep our brains stimulated. We all love playing with our gadgets but as this study shows this can become problematic when we get behind the wheel.
"Even on a short journey it is important for all motorists to focus on the road ahead and not let technology withdrawal systems get the better of them whilst driving."
Some of the motorists surveyed for this research also admitted to switching to autopilot while in control of a vehicle because they were tired or thinking about work.
Our advice is, if you’re tired or have a lot on your mind, why not use public transport or get a lift off someone? It will reduce your risk of suffering a car accident, and it’s nice to have a little break from driving once in a while.
Photo © miguelphotobooth via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: autopilot, car accident, car insurance, destination, drive, driven, driving, highway, insurer, journey, motorist, public transport, road, trip, vehicle, wheel
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tiny pothole gardens
We never thought we’d say this – but we’re starting to really like potholes, sort of.
Don’t worry, we haven’t gone completely insane!
Thanks to keen cyclist, 35-year-old Steve Wheen, a lot of Londoners have a new found appreciation for the holes which are usually nothing more than the bane of motorists’ lives.
It’s all because Mr Wheen, who is a gardener as well as a cyclist, has been filling potholes around the city with flowers, greenery, and sometimes tiny garden furniture too.
These mini gardens have been brightening up many a driver, rider, and pedestrian’s journey, and have succeeded in making us see a pothole and smile. A miracle!
Of course, it’s unlikely that this pothole gardener will be able to decorate the estimated three million gaps in the UK’s roads, and it would be nice if councils just filled them in so that drivers didn’t have to worry about ruining their vehicle’s suspension, but while the potholes remain it’s nice, from an aesthetic point of view.
However, although they’re bringing a bit of colour to London’s streets, are they safe? They could distract drivers.
Don’t worry, we haven’t gone completely insane!Thanks to keen cyclist, 35-year-old Steve Wheen, a lot of Londoners have a new found appreciation for the holes which are usually nothing more than the bane of motorists’ lives.
It’s all because Mr Wheen, who is a gardener as well as a cyclist, has been filling potholes around the city with flowers, greenery, and sometimes tiny garden furniture too.
These mini gardens have been brightening up many a driver, rider, and pedestrian’s journey, and have succeeded in making us see a pothole and smile. A miracle!
Of course, it’s unlikely that this pothole gardener will be able to decorate the estimated three million gaps in the UK’s roads, and it would be nice if councils just filled them in so that drivers didn’t have to worry about ruining their vehicle’s suspension, but while the potholes remain it’s nice, from an aesthetic point of view.
However, although they’re bringing a bit of colour to London’s streets, are they safe? They could distract drivers.
Photo © AnnieGreenSprings via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cyclist, driver, fill, flowers, gardener, gardens, greenery, London, motorists, pedestrian, potholes, rider, road, Steve Wheen, street, suspension, vehicle