Shopping is often hampered by congested car parks, frayed tempers and countless examples of poor driver behaviour.
Recently released data from the Royal Automobile Association (RAA) revealed how prevalent car park accidents are becoming in Australia. Of all motor insurance claims that the RAA dealt with in 2013, 13 per cent were the result of car park damage.
When purchasing a new car, choosing a safe vehicle for you and your family is very important. On NSW roads, 180 people have lost their lives this year. This is a 5 per cent increase on the number of fatalities at this stage last year.
To assist in the process, Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has been crash testing vehicles since 1993. In that time, more than 400 vehicles have been tested with a select few achieving the coveted five star safety rating.
ANCAP made its latest announcement on July 14, adding two vehicles to its prestigious list, while another model fell just short of the mark.
Changes to the way heavy vehicles are loaded will benefit the trucking industry throughout Australia, according to the National Transport Commission (NTC).
National regulations around the matter have recently undergone a significant reform. Adherence to safe loading laws are essential to promote road safety principles for heavy vehicles, but the previous rules were out of date and created unnecessary difficulties for those in the transport industry.
Buses have been involved in a spate of recent incidents that have sparked a multi-agency crackdown on safety within the industry. Conducted by the Joint Heavy Vehicle Taskforce involving NSW Police and Roads and Maritime Service (RMS), Operation Hanly 2 is in full swing around the state inspecting fleets.
As children are one of the most vulnerable parties during car accidents, it is imperative kids are buckled into their seats properly at all times. However, in recent times, more parents and caregivers are being caught with their children unrestrained or in an inappropriate car seat. Enter “We’re Counting on You”.
A number of NSW authorities have collaborated on the largest child car seat campaign in the state’s history – called “We’re Counting on You”. Launched last month, the initiative is designed to provide information and options for parents to make sure their children are looked after while in the car.
Road toll statistics are continuing to improve, with the latest release from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) showing a total of 102 road deaths occurring during May 2014.
The number of new motor vehicle sales in New South Wales fell slightly during May, according to the latest release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
In total, May saw a trend estimate of 91,764 new vehicles sold throughout Australia. This figure has decreased slightly compared to April 2014. However, the seasonally adjusted estimate (92,410 vehicles) rose by 0.3 per cent when compared to the same month.
Driving for long distances can be an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to get from Point A to Point B, the experience of driving at your own pace can be a rewarding one.
However, driving for longer periods of time can also expose you to new hazards and risks such as driver fatigue. It’s important for everyone on the road to be practising safe motoring habits, and this is particularly true for those who have a long journey ahead of them.
With the winter months now here, there’s even more reason to drive safely at all times. Rainfall, snow and ice can add an extra element to the experience that drivers need to account for. According to the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety, in the year ended December 2012, wet surface conditions were a factor in 8,404 crashes. Of these, 51 were fatal, 3,162 resulted in an injury and 5,191 had no casualties.
Meanwhile, snow or ice on the roads was a factor in 80 crashes during that year, 28 of which resulted in injury and 52 with no casualties.
Every time you get behind the wheel of a car is a different experience. Whether it’s the route you’re travelling, the people you have with you, the conditions outside the car or the type of vehicle you’re driving, you need to be alert and aware at all times to ensure that every journey is a safe one.
For example, if you should ever need to drive with a trailer, there are some important safety precautions to keep in mind. A trailer is an added element to the driving experience that requires some extra knowledge and skill to tow safely.
All types of trailers (including caravans) can affect the handling of your car. You need to take into account the potential effects on fuel consumption, acceleration, braking ability, control and manoeuvrability.
Australia has become more environmentally conscious over the past few years, especially as we have gained the tools and technology to understand how we are impacting the earth. In particular, one issue that has come under the spotlight is the matter of vehicle emissions.
While cars, motorcycles and trucks help transport goods and people where they need to go, they can also contribute significantly to environmental damage through the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
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