Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'safety'.
-
[extract] A new Lexus GS 350F Sport will now be a permanent safety car at the Sydney Motorsport Park. "There have been many changes here at Sydney Motorsport Park in the last year and we are pleased that Lexus has decided to maintain its long-standing relationship with us," said Glenn Matthews, CEO of Sydney Motorsport Park.
-
An accident involving a Mitsubishi rally car killed three spectators in Serbia on 26 Aug, Sunday. The car lost control and ramped into the crowd that was standing very close to the road at a high speed corner. The driver of the car is a Bosnian. The event was a local rally called the Hill Climb Tara 2012 race which took place on Mt. Tara, about 100 kilometers southwest of Belgrade. One man reportedly died shortly after the accident where as another man and a woman was treated but succumbed to injuries later on. A 17 year old boy was badly injured during the accident but he is said to be out of danger now. The organizers immediately banned all spectators from staying there in order to avoid further tragedies. Spectators standing next to the road during car rallies expose themselves to tremendous danger. However, this has been a problem for decades and similar accidents have happened in the past. People never seem to learn. Perhaps, the FIA should put its foot down and administer some rules and regulations for such races. Failure of compliance by the organizer should result in hefty fines. (Warning: The above video may be uncomfortable to some viewers)
-
Open letter urges PM, Minister to improve road safety for cyclists The death of a cyclist who was killed after a lorry hit him on Saturday has prompted calls for greater safety on roads. (AFP file photo) An avid cyclist has written an impassioned open letter to Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, repeating a growing call for a 1.5-metre lane to be set aside for road cyclists.
-
Australia recalls China vehicles due to presence of asbestos
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is monitoring a recall of approximately 23,000 Great Wall and Chery motor vehicles with engine and exhaust gaskets containing asbestos, a cancer-causing silicate minerals. Both manufacturers have been directed to stop selling the affected vehicles, and consumers are advised not to perform do-it-yourself maintenance that might disturb these gaskets. "All affected consumers will be contacted directly by Great Wall and Chery. In addition, they will provide training, warning stickers and safety advice to repairers. The ACCC will monitor the recall and Workplace Health and Safety Authorities will monitor the workplace safety issues," Said Ms Delia Richard, ACCC deputy chair. A Chery spokesman commented that the automaker made a mistake by building the cars with a batch of parts that were not intended for use in export cars. However, an Australian public affairs official indicated that the recall affects a large portion of the vehicles imported by the two manufacturers. I shall leave it to the readers to decide if it is an honest mistake. Models affected by the recall include the Chery J11 and J3 (below) as well as the Great Wall SA220, V240, X240, V200 and X200 (above). Australia was the testing ground for Chinese carmakers looking to enter larger markets and the recall has dealt a blow to those ambitions. The incident also raises concerns about the quality and safety of products made in China, which has struggled with repeated health scares that include excessive lead found in toys and melamine-tainted milk. -
Company develops radar that eliminates running of red lights
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Let -
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, non-profit, research and communications organization in the US that primarily conducts crash tests and accesses vehicle safety. Recently they have adopted a new crash test system where the 2012 Audi A4, 2012 Lexus ES, 2012 Lexus IS, and 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class were rated "poor". The new test is designed to simulate the effects of hitting a tree or pole at 64km/h, which only impacts a quarter of the car's front end near the A-pillar area. These collisions are dangerous, and mostly miss the crash structures built into the car's frame. "These are severe crashes, and our new test reflects that," said IIHS President Adrian Lund in a statement. "Most automakers design their vehicles to ace our moderate overlap frontal test and NHTSA's full-width frontal test, but the problem of small overlap crashes hasn't been addressed. We hope our new rating program will change that." Volvo, a brand known for safety was given a "good" rating for its S60, with the Acura TL and Infiniti G sedan coming close. While this might not affect us directly, automakers by large try to accommodate the various stringent test standards, because honestly, who would want to buy a car that is as fragile as a sponge cake? Here's a video that explains the new test standards:
-
Are you a new millionaire, a drug dealer, part of the mafia or someone who turned into an instant VIP thanks to a video you uploaded on youTube? Well it is time to get an armored car then if you value your life. Sure you will have bodyguards and all but they are good till you are outside the car, not in. Obviously this is for people whom are not residing in Singapore, because I mean, seriously.. how threatened do you feel here? Armoured cars are like vast, heavy tanks with wheels that can be driven with anyone who holds a class 3 license. They are certified to stop anything from poisoned gas to IEDs. The idea of armoured cars are simple. It's basically a normal car fitted with lots of Kevlar, titanium , thick glass, run flat tyres and stuff. Having said that do not make your own because there are established luxury automakers whom are more than capable. So lets start shall we? The Audi A8 L Security can hit 100km/h in 7s thanks to its 6.3-litre W12 engine that produces 500bhp and 624Nm of torque. The car can withstand shots from high-powered rifles and blasts from IEDs and hand grenades. The cabin can pump fresh air during the event of a chemical attack and a button has been installed to make it easier to knock out the heavily armored doors. Most armored cars are subtle but this $8 million Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB is unlike most armored cars. It can withstand blasts from grenades and bullets from AK-47s despite being covered in 120kg worth of gold. Want something a little British? How about the Jaguar XJ Sentinel, besides Land Rovers are mainly used by Mafia's anyway, we need class right? It can withstand a blast from up to 14kg of TNT in addition to offering protection from assault rifles and machine guns. Performance wise the 3.2tonne leaping cat is powered by a 385bhp 5.0-litre V8 that hits 100km/h in under 10 seconds. RENNtech decided to tune the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard to make it easier to escape from danger. The ECU was redone; a carbon fiber airbox was added and the intercooler pump was substantially strengthened. All told the S600 Guard now has 640bhp, up from 517bhp, and 1049Nm of torque. The Maybach 62 Guard is a massive luxury sedan has been beefed up by an additional 408kg worth of steel and Kevlar reinforcements. Despite the heft, the Maybach's twin-turbo V12 can still hit 100km/h in 5.7 seconds before maxing out to an electronically limited top speed of 249km/h. Picture Credit: CarBuzz
-
Mercedes-Benz introduces seatbelt airbag for rear passengers
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Calling it the Beltbag, Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to introduce inflatable rear seatbelt airbags on a luxury-class model, likely the next generation S Class sedan. The gas generator in the belt airbags would be triggered during severe frontal collisions only, which will then inflate the multi-layered belt strap with Velcro seams to nearly three times its normal width.The Beltbag is able to reduce the risk of injury to passengers in the rear in a head-on collision by lessening the strain placed on the ribcage. "Mercedes-Benz is pursuing its safety initiative in the rear of vehicles with the Beltbag," comments Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rodolfo Sch -
Ford is recalling 11,500 units of the 2013 model year Ford Escape fitted with the 1.6-litre Ecoboost engine because of a fire risk, Ford said in a statement. The recall is being undertaken to replace the engine compartment fuel line in the SUV. Apparently, the fuel line could split and leak fuel, potentially causing an underhood fire. Ford has received three reports of fires; two at the factory and one from a customer while driving. Fortunately, no injuries have occurred. Dealers will pick up the faulty Escapes and drop off a loaner car that customers can use until the repairs are ongoing. The company is hoping to ship parts and get all the SUVs repaired in the next two weeks. Ford recommends users to leave their cars in the garage because the fire happens only while the vehicles are on the move. Out of the 11500 units, only 4,800 have been sold to customers. The rest are on dealer lots and will be fixed before they are sold, commented Ford
-
Free DECALS for the following safety message at all SHELL outlets. A very good move by all the organisations involved. I got mine this morn and pasted on my car rear windsreen. I chose FORESIGHT (SIGNAL EARLY) cos many motorists always never signal. If TP UNCLE SPOT YR CAR - U can win FREE PETROL VOUCHERS summore. I find all the messages very meaningful and helpful.
-
13,172 units of the 2012 model year Audi Q5 crossovers that were built between 21 June 2011 to 9 December 2011 are being recalled in the US due to a defective sunroof glass panel, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "Some vehicles may be equipped with a front sunroof glass panel that is susceptible to breakage in extremely cold weather/temperature conditions," said NHTSA in its recall summary of the problem. "Should the sunroof's glass break while the vehicle is in use, the falling glass could cut and injure the driver or passengers. It could also distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash." Audi first learnt about the problem from its dealers after a small number of vehicles came in during the 2011/2012 winter season with a broken panoramic sunroof. The company performed an analysis which indicated that very cold temperatures could increase the tensile stress, between the front sunroof glass panel and the frame, causing the glass to shatter. I believe this is caused by the contraction of the glass frame caused by the cold weather. Volkswagen Group of America said it is not aware of any claim of accident or injury caused by this issue in documentation filed with federal safety regulators. Audi dealers will replace the front sunroof glass panel free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on August 7.
-
Ford is developing Biometric Driver Stress Detectors to enhance safety
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Driving can be a stressful thing for most people. For example, getting caught in a peak hour traffic jam. And at times, driving can be boring and distracting too. So, what can be done about this? It seems that Ford is working on a biometric driver stress detector that determines the driver -
GM has issued a recall for the 2011 and 2012 model year Chevrolet Cruze sedans due to a potential fire hazard that could occur underneath the hood. The recall covers 475,000 vehicles made in the U.S between September 2010 and May 2012. This is the car's fifth recall since it arrived in the showrooms nearly two years ago, raising questions about the sedan's reliability. The company said that fires can ignite when fluids, mainly from improper engine oil change procedures, spill onto a plastic shield below the engine. Cruzes with worn-out manual transmissions also can leak fluid onto the shield in rare cases. GM will notify owners to bring their vehicle to local dealers for a 30-minute free rectification. The repair work involves cutting the plastic shield to let the fluids drain to the pavement, GM said. Unfortunately, the risk is real as GM is aware of 30 fire incidents caused by the problem. The lucky thing is that no injuries have been reported, spokesman Alan Adler said. Flames engulfed and destroyed two cars among the cases reported to federal safety officials. In a separate recall, GM says 249 units of the Cruze have welds missing from a bracket that holds the fuel tanks. Federal safety officials say the tanks could come lose in a crash, possibly leaking and causing fires. Dealers will secure brackets with fasteners. "The most important thing for our customers to know is that we are proactively working to assure the Cruze is the safe and durable car they purchased,
-
It looks like General Motors is not the only car manufacturer that is affected by massive recall in the US recently. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that BMW is recalling some 2,642 units of the X5 and X6 SUVs fitted with diesel engines due to an engine bay fire risk. The affected vehicles are manufactured between 20 April 2012 and 29 May 2012. According to the official statement by BMW, due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid may leak. Leaking power steering fluid can spray onto hot exhaust parts, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. The issue was uncovered during testing at the BMW plant in Spartanburg and the luxury car maker is unaware of any incidents caused by the defect. The driver is still able to maintain steering control although the power steering assist is faulty. However, a higher degree of effort is required. A change in steering effort could increase the likelihood of an accident under certain emergency conditions. The recall is expected to begin in July, and BMW dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear on affected vehicles as necessary. The recall by GM (on the Cruze model) and BMW reminds me of a conversation that I had with a local Hyundai salesman recently. He mentioned that if a model is sold in the US, one can be assured that it is quite safe as the US government is very serious about vehicular safety. I think there is some truth in it.
-
[extract] For those who drive, they are aware of a car's blind spots, and if you ride a motorcycle, you would know that being or passing through that blind spot could be scary at times. A motorcyclist would not know if the other motorist is aware of his or her presence. The side mirrors on our car, including the rear view mirror, does not offer much view in terms of blind spot areas and we often have to check for any passing motorists before we make a turn or switch to another lane. A university professor in the United States has found a solution to this problem with an invention of a mirror that literally eliminates the blind spot in a driver
-
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drin...ar-3760506.html win liao this Tigerair... in the air already sommore Threaten to bring down a plane get warning. Paste some stickers get arrested. Peep at girl, get jail.
-
A healthy marine engineer by the name of Ronald smith has died as a result of inhaling noxious substance released by the explosion of the airbag in his Vauxhall Insignia. This incident is believed to be the first case of such occurrence. The 59 year-old Smith, who stays in South Shields, UK, was involved in a six-car accident on November 2010 while on his way home after work. He was not physically injured in the crash. After the accident, Smith told his wife, he might have inhaled some of the huge amount of white powder that billowed from the airbag in his car when it was punctured by a shard of glass. Shortly after the incident, the father of two began to suffer from coughing and shortage of breath. Less than two months after the accident, he was taken to hospital and placed on a ventilator under intensive care. Unfortunately, Smith died three weeks after being admitted to the hospital due to bronchial pneumonia. Airbags are inflated by a chemical reaction; involving sodium azide being heated to release nitrogen gas. Although sodium azide is very toxic, it is mixed with other substances to lessen its harmful effect. General Motors is reportedly investigating the accident. On a personal note, I
-
[extract] Volvo has always been in the forefront of safety engineering in the automotive industry. The company has invented or incorporated many vehicle safety features that we see in many cars today. Features such as laminated windscreen, 3-point safety belts, front and rear crumple zones and safety door locks were introduced in Volvo
-
Volkswagen has officially apologized for problems caused by its DSG gearboxes, in China. The German automaker acknowledges the issues related to the DQ200 7-speed dual dry clutch transmission and agreed to extend the warranty for these gearboxes to an unprecedented 10 years and 160,000km. Consumers have been reporting the problems faced with the DSG gearboxes since last year. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine's (AQSIQ) Defective Products Management Center sent a request to the automaker, urging them to come up with a solution since they worry that the faulty gearboxes might pose a hazard to the consumers. In response to the AQSIQ, VW implemented a software update to address the problem in Feb 2012, but refused to accept that the problem constituted a real safety risk. Local Volkswagen owners would be aware that Volkswagen Centre Singapore has also initiated a software update for the 7-speed DSG around the same period. In China, the 30 minute software update was installed on around 500,000 VW and Skoda vehicles but soon after having the update installed, the problems came back and to make things worse, new issues are also beginning to surface. A survey done by auto quality website 12365auto.com in early May found that VW's faulty DSG gearboxes remained the most complained about problem among automobile owners. Apparently, there is no permanent solution to the problem yet. From a personal experience, the software update with clutch adaptation has greatly reduced the juddering at low speed. But on the day I penned this article, I am beginning to feel it again. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
-
[extract] Lexus is conducting its first recall for the new Lexus GS sedan in the US, only a couple months after going on sale in the country. To Lexus
-
An Apple patent has been making rounds around the internet which shows a steering-wheel-mounted remote control. Recovering Apple patents is not uncommon and any gadget fan knows Apple likes experimentation. Interestingly this was among 21 patents that were granted to Apple this week. As you can see it looks like a typical Apple clickwheel that we are familiar with and looks similar in size to an iPod shuffle. With reference to the technical diagrams, the remote can be clamped to the steering wheel and operate any idevice using the car entertainment screen. There have been many who have looked at using in-car screens to mirror smartphone displays, and looks like Apple (being Apple) may be working on something similar as well. The Apple
-
Recently, a taxi driver passed away after he was involved in an accident with a Ferrari. In fact, other than the risk of getting into accidents, a taxi driver also faces other occupational risks such as robbery and aggressive customer. Not long ago, a taxi driver was thrown out of his cab after he got into a dispute with a passenger at Changi Airport. The above incidents prompted me to conduct some research over the internet and I hope to share these safety tips with all the taxi uncles and aunties out there on the road earning a living: 1.) Do not flash or display your money Do not wear any type of expensive watch, necklaces, or wrist bracelets. If you do, you are providing motivation for the person to rob you. If you must wear a necklace, make sure it is very thin so that it will break before it can strangle you. If your passenger offers you a large denomination note, advise him that you will take him to get it changed at a nearby store. Do not show him that you have money to change it. On this point, also never tell your customer that you had a good shift. 2.) Be alert and aware Keep yourself very alert and aware of what is going on around you at all times, whether you are parking or driving. This can be achieved by having sufficient rest, eat well, and getting enough exercise. The windows can be opened slightly to allow fresh air to come in, but not to the extent whereby someone can grab you from the outside. Use defensive driving tactics. 3.) Keep an eye on your passenger Keep some type of watch over your passengers while they are in your taxi. Maintain eye contact with them as they enter your vehicle. This is to send a signal to them that you can identify them in the event that they do harm to you. Do not let the passenger sit directly behind you if possible because it is your blind spot. Buy a convex rear view mirror that replaces or fits over the regular one. This will allow you 100% back seat visibility. It also sends a message to the customer that you can see them. 4) Know emergency procedures Each taxi company has in place a set of emergency procedure rules for use in different circumstances. These rules vary from company to company and you must make a sincere effort to learn them. They are not there for the company, but are for you and your personal safety. 5.) Always keep the doors locked This is very important especially if you are sitting in your cab waiting for the next customer. You do not want someone to come up beside you on foot without you noticing them and jerking open the door and attacking you. 6.) Do not be aggressive or argumentative This type of behavior may escalate a minor disagreement into a violent confrontation. Stay calm and controlled. 7.) Do not resist a robbery Just comply with the bad guy. If you resist, you may be injured or even worse, murdered. It is wiser to live to work another day. 8.) Be aware of passengers who give you "vague" instructions It is of utmost importance that you insist on your customer giving you a fixed destination as to where they are going, before you start driving away. Some customers may say, take me to "whatever" street or give an uncertain destination. If they are unsure and balk, read this as a sign that you should be very alert to what they are up to. If they tell you to "just start driving - we will tell you the way", this is a classic danger signal to you. Do not move and politely advise them that the "company's policy" requires you to get an exact address. Double check over the radio to confirm the address. This will send the passenger a signal that others know where you are going. 9.) Ensure that the radio is working The most important piece of equipment in your taxi is your radio, as it connects you to your dispatcher. The dispatcher is your lifeline. They are the ones who will get you help if you are in trouble. 10.) Carry a spare key It is a good idea to have a spare key for the taxi you drive and carry it in your pocket by itself. Should you be robbed, what will probably happen is that the robbers will rip out your radio mike so you cannot call for help, and may throw your keys away if they do not steal your taxi to make the getaway. They think that by doing this, they are depriving you of your mobility. Have a safe journey and happy
-
A Ferrari 599 GTO has been receiving a fair bit of media attention in Singapore lately, but for all the wrong reasons. A red GTO crashed into a taxi at a Bugis junction when it ran a red light, causing the taxi to hit a passing motorcycle. The accident claimed the lives of the GTO driver, the passenger in the taxi as well as the taxi driver. Readers may refer to the newspaper or social media for more coverage regarding the accident. Here, I would like to talk about what makes this 599 GTO so special. The Ferrari 599 GTO is the fastest road car manufactured by Ferrari. It is awarded
-
The world is full of strange news nowadays. A few weeks ago, we had a case whereby a woman in China killed a shop owner by squeezing his testicles due to a dispute over parking space for her scooter. Now, we have a man in the US who is suing BMW for causing an erection which lasted for two years. The plaintiff, by the name of Henry Wolf, is claiming that a four-hour ride in his BMW bike has caused him two years of continuous erection. He alleged that the Corbin-Pacific ridge-like seat is to be blamed. The after-market seat is usually fitted with the aim of making the motorcycle more comfortable. Dr Michael Lutz from the Michigan Institute of Urology told a US radio station that It
-
According to a report issued by the Campaign for Global Road Safety, someone is killed or seriously injured in a traffic accident every six seconds. In addition, some 3,500 people are killed in car crashes every day. This means traffic fatalities are a global epidemic on par with malaria and tuberculosis, according to the report. Every year, some 1.3 million road deaths happen globally, and they are the No. 1 global cause of deaths for young people aged between 10 to 24. Approximately 260,000 children die in car accidents annually, according to the World Health Organization. "The epidemic has reached crisis proportions," wrote Kevin Watkins, a Brooklings Institute researcher who authored the report. He commented that the problem is set to become worse in the years ahead. That is not hard to comprehend as countries such as China are experiencing rapid growth in vehicle sales. "There are no surprises or hidden magic bullets for tackling the road traffic injury crisis," Watkins wrote. "Vehicles need to be separated from vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists." Measures that could be taken to improve the situation include providing dedicated bicycle lanes and public education. In Singapore, we have the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) which holds road safety campaigns through the year.
