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Friday, June 29, 2012
Sports widow drives off into the sunset
The Euros are almost over, we’re more or less a week into Wimbledon and the Olympics are exactly four weeks away today. Sport and the great British Summer – they go hand in hand really don’t they.
Well, they go hand in hand with my partner, that’s for sure, he’s been glued to the football for what seems ages now and he hasn’t even noticed that I’ve been using his car to transport grass clippings and hedge cuttings to the tip.
Normally, he likes to keep his car sparkling and all the rubbish and dump runs have been made using my lovely little car.
But since he’s been engrossed in the football and the tennis, not to mention the Athletics trials last weekend, and some golf from somewhere or other recently, I’ve been nipping off to the tip in his sleek black business-mobile, which he normally wouldn’t go near the dump in.
Still, it’s been warm this week and his car has got air conditioning, so it’s more or less essential that I use it...don’t you think? And, as I’m a named driver on his car insurance, I might as well make use of it, so I’m well and truly justified.
Roll on the Olympics – he probably won’t move from the telly for the whole two weeks and two days that it’s on for and I’ll be able to drive his car wherever I want.
Well, they go hand in hand with my partner, that’s for sure, he’s been glued to the football for what seems ages now and he hasn’t even noticed that I’ve been using his car to transport grass clippings and hedge cuttings to the tip.Normally, he likes to keep his car sparkling and all the rubbish and dump runs have been made using my lovely little car.
But since he’s been engrossed in the football and the tennis, not to mention the Athletics trials last weekend, and some golf from somewhere or other recently, I’ve been nipping off to the tip in his sleek black business-mobile, which he normally wouldn’t go near the dump in.
Still, it’s been warm this week and his car has got air conditioning, so it’s more or less essential that I use it...don’t you think? And, as I’m a named driver on his car insurance, I might as well make use of it, so I’m well and truly justified.
Roll on the Olympics – he probably won’t move from the telly for the whole two weeks and two days that it’s on for and I’ll be able to drive his car wherever I want.
Image © djsmiley2k via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, named driver, Olympics, Wimbledon
Monday, June 25, 2012
Police left reeling by blonde bombshell
Women drivers are, in statistical terms, safer drivers than their male counterparts. Not only are we less prone to serious accidents, we’re also far more likely to keep within the speed limit.
It seems we may also be the most creative when it comes to looking for excuses as well. Well, this is certainly the case if a recent Canadian example is anything to go by.
Last weekend police in the Canadian city of Edmonton pulled over a woman driver who’d been travelling at an incredibly dangerous 114 km/hr in a 50km zone.
Out she stepped of her Lexus incandescent with feelings of persecution. Her reason for feeling so persecuted? Because the police officers had targeted her for being blonde – well, obviously!
“You couldn’t make this up, people would never believe it,” said one of the officers.
“If the officer was targeting blondes, and he had the ability to determine blonde, brunette and redhead at 114 km/h, he deserves a commendation – a hairdressing commendation.”
And for her trouble, the woman has now been fined and had her vehicle impounded for a week.
Perhaps she’s learned her lesson. Then again, perhaps she’s just gone brunette.
It seems we may also be the most creative when it comes to looking for excuses as well. Well, this is certainly the case if a recent Canadian example is anything to go by.Last weekend police in the Canadian city of Edmonton pulled over a woman driver who’d been travelling at an incredibly dangerous 114 km/hr in a 50km zone.
Out she stepped of her Lexus incandescent with feelings of persecution. Her reason for feeling so persecuted? Because the police officers had targeted her for being blonde – well, obviously!
“You couldn’t make this up, people would never believe it,” said one of the officers.
“If the officer was targeting blondes, and he had the ability to determine blonde, brunette and redhead at 114 km/h, he deserves a commendation – a hairdressing commendation.”
And for her trouble, the woman has now been fined and had her vehicle impounded for a week.
Perhaps she’s learned her lesson. Then again, perhaps she’s just gone brunette.
Photo © gagilas via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, Lexus, police, speed limit, vehicle, woman drivers
Friday, June 22, 2012
Birds v Your car
Do you have a car which is constantly being pelted with bird poo?
Well, if the answer is yes, the likelihood is, according to recent research by Halfords, that you have a red or blue car.
After noting down the number of cars, out of 1,140, in Brighton, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol, which were ‘dirtied’ by birds, the company found that red cars seem to be birds’ greatest enemy.
After the red cars, the blues suffered the most. After that it was black vehicles, then white, and silver, with green cars being targeted the least.
Although it might seem like this study was a bit of a laugh, a spokesperson for the company stated, “This research does have a serious side because the problem annoys drivers, causes damaged paintwork and affects the value of vehicles. To protect your bodywork from damage, droppings should be carefully cleaned off as soon [as possible].”
But my car isn’t any of these colours, I hear you say.
Well, I guess you just have to see which of these colours it’s closest to, to assess the risk. Pink car? That’s probably on a par with red. Yellow? That’s sort of close to white. And so on.
The best thing to do is either buy a cover for your car, or try not to park under any trees!
Well, if the answer is yes, the likelihood is, according to recent research by Halfords, that you have a red or blue car.After noting down the number of cars, out of 1,140, in Brighton, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol, which were ‘dirtied’ by birds, the company found that red cars seem to be birds’ greatest enemy.
After the red cars, the blues suffered the most. After that it was black vehicles, then white, and silver, with green cars being targeted the least.
Although it might seem like this study was a bit of a laugh, a spokesperson for the company stated, “This research does have a serious side because the problem annoys drivers, causes damaged paintwork and affects the value of vehicles. To protect your bodywork from damage, droppings should be carefully cleaned off as soon [as possible].”
But my car isn’t any of these colours, I hear you say.
Well, I guess you just have to see which of these colours it’s closest to, to assess the risk. Pink car? That’s probably on a par with red. Yellow? That’s sort of close to white. And so on.
The best thing to do is either buy a cover for your car, or try not to park under any trees!
Photo © Burp Hammie via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: bird poo, car, colour, damaged paintwork, droppings, Halfords
Monday, June 18, 2012
Cheap Lamborghini
If you’re one of those girls who feels it’s important for a boyfriend to have a good car and a potential suitor says that he has a Lamborghini – make sure to ask for more details.
You see, Lamborghini is launching three mobile phones and a tablet this year.
The Lamborghini TL688 Spyder, TL820 Spyder 2 (3G model), TL700, and the L2800 (tablet) are all thoroughly expensive, garish, and nowhere near as nice as the car manufacturer’s vehicles – in my opinion.
Yes, all of these gadgets are technology-laden and shiny, but add a bit of red to the two golden Spyder phones and you get a set of mobiles Robert Downey Jr’s self-obsessed Iron Man would be proud of.
No respectful gentleman should own one of these monstrosities…a Lamborghini car on the other hand.
You see, Lamborghini is launching three mobile phones and a tablet this year.
The Lamborghini TL688 Spyder, TL820 Spyder 2 (3G model), TL700, and the L2800 (tablet) are all thoroughly expensive, garish, and nowhere near as nice as the car manufacturer’s vehicles – in my opinion.Yes, all of these gadgets are technology-laden and shiny, but add a bit of red to the two golden Spyder phones and you get a set of mobiles Robert Downey Jr’s self-obsessed Iron Man would be proud of.
No respectful gentleman should own one of these monstrosities…a Lamborghini car on the other hand.
Photo © Iotprocars via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car manufacturer, good car, Iron Man, Lamborghini, mobile phones, Sbyder, tablet, vehicle
Friday, June 15, 2012
The Mobility Roadshow
There’s always talk about the latest sleek and technologically advanced vehicle to grace our roads but not every car can look like an F1 vehicle, and some for a very good reasons.
Some cars are specially adapted so that less able drivers can find a vehicle that suits them, and others are wheel-chair accessible.
On the 21st to the 23rd of June at The East of England Showground, the Mobility Roadshow is taking place and will be showcasing the most recent developments in the world of adapted vehicles.
Some of the cars that visitors will see include a vehicle which allows the driver to drive while sat in their wheel-chair, and another which has space for a wheel-chair in the front passenger side of the vehicle as oppose to the rear.
People can book to test drive some of the cars, and tickets for the show are now available.
If any of you end up going to the Mobility Roadshow – tell us how it went!
Some cars are specially adapted so that less able drivers can find a vehicle that suits them, and others are wheel-chair accessible. On the 21st to the 23rd of June at The East of England Showground, the Mobility Roadshow is taking place and will be showcasing the most recent developments in the world of adapted vehicles.
Some of the cars that visitors will see include a vehicle which allows the driver to drive while sat in their wheel-chair, and another which has space for a wheel-chair in the front passenger side of the vehicle as oppose to the rear.
People can book to test drive some of the cars, and tickets for the show are now available.
If any of you end up going to the Mobility Roadshow – tell us how it went!
Photo © steve p2008 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: adapted, car, drivers, F1, Mobility Roadshow, passenger, road, The East of England Showground, vehicle, wheel-chair accessible
Friday, June 8, 2012
Women to race into the future
Formula One racing would be so much more interesting if it wasn't such a man's world. Who knows, I might even sit down and watch it, follow it even, if it didn't just feel like such a petrol-fuelled, macho domain.
After all, why should it be? To think that it always will be is to accept the notion that men are somehow better drivers than women when all the car insurance data tells us that, if anything, women are actually the more competent motorists.
Good news then to here that team Williams’ development driver Susie Wolff believes it is only a matter of time before women drivers are lining up beside men on the F1 grid.
"I believe it will happen sooner rather than later,” she said. “Definitely within the next decade. There is prejudice in motorsport, but I think that is slowly changing and more females are coming through."
In fact, many will be surprised to learn that women have actually raced against men in the past, with one woman driver in the 1970s, Lella Lombardi, actually competing in 12 races.
It's the word “prejudice” that poses the most stumbling blocks, not only the prejudices of men and the F1 community but also the self-prejudices and self-doubts of women who believe that somehow the world of motor sport is not one they can prosper in. Fortunately, there are inspirational trailblazers like Wolff to show us that this is demonstrably not the case.
After all, why should it be? To think that it always will be is to accept the notion that men are somehow better drivers than women when all the car insurance data tells us that, if anything, women are actually the more competent motorists.Good news then to here that team Williams’ development driver Susie Wolff believes it is only a matter of time before women drivers are lining up beside men on the F1 grid.
"I believe it will happen sooner rather than later,” she said. “Definitely within the next decade. There is prejudice in motorsport, but I think that is slowly changing and more females are coming through."
In fact, many will be surprised to learn that women have actually raced against men in the past, with one woman driver in the 1970s, Lella Lombardi, actually competing in 12 races.
It's the word “prejudice” that poses the most stumbling blocks, not only the prejudices of men and the F1 community but also the self-prejudices and self-doubts of women who believe that somehow the world of motor sport is not one they can prosper in. Fortunately, there are inspirational trailblazers like Wolff to show us that this is demonstrably not the case.
Photo © RandstadCanada via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance data, motorists, women drivers
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Women drivers unfairly stigmatised in survey
Who would have thought that women drivers would give rise to such feelings of anger and disapproval?
A recent survey entitled Emotional Response to Driving looked to discover which drivers are the most hated on Britain’s roads.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, van drivers came in top of the list, but, astonishingly, women drivers who drive 4x4s such as the Range Rover or Volvo XC90 were only a few percentage points behind.
Maybe it’s less about the woman drivers themselves than it is about the vehicles. There can be all kinds of reasons, from envy to misogynistic responses that lead to motorists feeling ill-will to women in 4x4s.
Another explanation could be a perception, often misguided, that 4x4s are less fuel efficient than other comparable vehicles.
Actually, many women who drive 4x4s have very good reasons to do so. From having more than one child to cart round to school and drama clubs, to needing to transport baby buggies, bicycles and yoga mats.
Furthermore, many actually need 4x4s in order to take their dogs up to the park in order to give it nice walk in open space.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, van drivers came in top of the list, but, astonishingly, women drivers who drive 4x4s such as the Range Rover or Volvo XC90 were only a few percentage points behind.
Maybe it’s less about the woman drivers themselves than it is about the vehicles. There can be all kinds of reasons, from envy to misogynistic responses that lead to motorists feeling ill-will to women in 4x4s.
Another explanation could be a perception, often misguided, that 4x4s are less fuel efficient than other comparable vehicles.
Actually, many women who drive 4x4s have very good reasons to do so. From having more than one child to cart round to school and drama clubs, to needing to transport baby buggies, bicycles and yoga mats.
Furthermore, many actually need 4x4s in order to take their dogs up to the park in order to give it nice walk in open space.
Photo © MCS@flickr via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Range Rover, Volvo XC90, women drivers
Friday, June 1, 2012
Motorised kissing
When I got married it was on a budget, so the one
thing I made a point of driving home to then husband-to-be was the fact that we
didn’t need a fancy car involved. “The car is the least important part of the
wedding,” I told him. “It’s all about the dress, the kiss, the church and the
honeymoon.”
As it was, he managed to arrange couple of vintage
Rovers through a contact of his dad’s, for free, so I didn’t mind.
But what to make of two newlyweds in China who
recently made the cars the main event?
On their way to their reception, as their two cars
drew alongside each other, they leaned out of their respective windows and
shared a passionate wedding day kiss.
"We wanted to do something different for our wedding day
kiss picture," said the couple.
I would have been terrified. Not only is leaning out
of a car window ill-advised at the best of times, but this couple actually did
it on a motorway. All that the groom would have needed to do was lean that
little bit further and it might have been window kiss to widow kiss in just a
few swift seconds.
I’ve a feeling that these kinds of shenanigans, no
matter how romantic wouldn’t be allowed to take place in the UK anyway, what
with health and safety and all that.
And I can just hear the driver delivering the
injunction, “Sorry love, my car insurance doesn’t cover acts of extreme
romantic abandon.”
Photo © Tobyotter via Flickr, under Creative
Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, kiss, Rovers, UK, wedding