Highway built around a house

Last night on the news they showed a clip of a man in the city of Wenling, located in China’s eastern province of Zheijang, where a highway has been built around a residential building. The man that refuses to relocate, Luo Baogen is unsatisfied with the relocation compensation offered by the government. So him and his wife have decided to remain in the half-demolished building.

According to China Daily, the road, which leads to the Wenling Railway Station, hasn’t been put into use yet. Even though all of the other residents have moved out, the government has not demolished the other rooms for sake of the remaining couple’s safety. 

A portion of the five-story building was demolished to make room for the freeway

A recent change in Chinese law prohibits the demolition of a home without the express written consent of the homeowner.


Apart from seeing people picking their noses or applying make-up, what strange things have you come across on the highway?


Source: www.twistedsifter.com

Appalling taxi driver behaviour

Taxis are one of the major sources of transport in South Africa, but the appalling behaviour of taxi drivers leaves many other road users aggravated to a point where violence comes into play.

I use taxis daily and I've had my fare share of crazy and unbearable taxi ride experiences. From being dropped off at the wrong spot to being squashed in the back seat and being driven like I was in  F1 racing car.

An article that was published in 2009 has made its way back on to twitterville raising questions of safety and repercussions of reckless driving in the taxi industry. What seriously disturbs me about this article is not that the driver had five outstanding warrants against him already, but that he was only given a fine for overloading 100+ people in a car made only for 26 people. I shudder to think how 105 children were seated in that vehicle, but also how could 8 adults consent to such unsafe travelling conditions. 

With 36 lives lost daily on our roads – 3 being killed in taxi related incidents I think a lot more reinforcement needs to be done to keep commuters safe when using public transport.

Clearly issuing fines is not working as there are many other taxi drivers still driving recklessly, overloading with passengers and just causing chaos on the roads, they just haven't been caught and taken to task!


To report bad driving call 0861 400 800

Serious consequences for reckless driving

The biggest speeding fine ever given is $1,000,000 (R8,849,730.48) to a guy in Switzerland who was doing 180mph. There, the penalties are based on the speed and the driver's salary.

In South Africa, a conviction for reckless driving can be a fine of R24000 or imprisonment of up to six years, or both can be imposed. Also your driving licence may be endorsed, cancelled, or suspended. Although speeding doesn't necessarily amount to reckless driving, it may be punishable if related to other factors, like a motorist who drives at a speed of 130km/h in a narrow, busy street used by many pedestrians in town, would be guilty of reckless driving.

Motorists have been convicted of reckless driving because they: 

• Cut in too soon after overtaking.

• Drove round a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.

• Overtook on the crest of a hill.

• Drove at speed too close to a group of children.

• Followed another vehicle too closely.
  

Joburgers are warned, especially in this festive season as the Gauteng Provincial Traffic Department's High-Speed Unit now has new, state-of-the-art vehicles to combat reckless driving on Gauteng's roads. The department has taken delivery of 12 Golf 6 GTIs, saying it will be monitoring the roads alongside the Gauteng Traffic Police.

If you see a car being recklessly driven, note the vehicle's registration number and report the incident to the police. The more evidence there is, the more likely the police are to act against the driver.



Source:www.legalcity.net/eNCA

Early invention and use of windshiled wipers

I just found out that a very crucial part of a car was invented by a women, and that in a time when the motoring industry primarily targeted the male driver and focused on speed, revs, engine size, rims and exhaust pipes. Women were viewed as too timid and fragile to participate in strenuous activity or operate complex machinery. 

While she was in a trolley car  in New York City in the winter of 1903 , Mary Anderson observed that the motorman drove with his front window open due to difficulty of keeping the windshiled clear of falling sleet. After that visit when she went back to Alabama, she hired a designer to make  a hand operated device that would keep the windshield clear, and had a local company produce a working model.

In 1903 she was granted a 17-year patent for a windshield wipe. The device consisited of a lever with a rubber blade and could be operated from inside a vehicle to cause the spring-loaded arm to move back and forth across the windshield. Similar devices had been made earlier but Anderson's was the first to be effective, since before that, people smeared a mixture of onions and carrots on windshields to repel water.

The roads become wet, slick and slipper during rain, but the idea that you cannot see in front of you is reason to be concerned. As your visibility begins to be affected, your windshield wipers have to be engaged and turned up to higher speed.

Windshiled wipers are important and are the easiest to overlook when it comes to car safety. It is said that chances of getting involved in a accident automatically increase when it rains. So by overlooking what you can control, you are putting your life in danger. 

The first step in increasing safety is to regularly clean the windshield and the wipers. Although overtime and under certain conditions those windshield wipers will become less effective you can always return your windshield wipers to an earlier state of efficiency. Invest in a cleaning solvent that contains ingredients specifically designed to remove grease and silicone that has accumulated on the windshield.


Windshield wipers are the definitive security features of a vehicle and it is very important that every vehicle has these.

Think tank; Ways to save on petrol costs

Unless you're a millionaire who doesn't have much use for their money, it's very unlikely that you're not feeling the pinch in your budget during these trying times. With continuous hikes in the petrol price your budget can go sideways. 

So here's how to be smart and keep your bills down.

Adopt fuel efficient driving techniques to save money.

     Keep your tyres pumped

     Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption by as much as 3%.
Service regularly
As blocked air filters can increase fuel consumption significantly.
Loose excess weight
Take off roof-racks if they're not needed or tools if you're not using them and reduce fuel consumption by up to 5 per cent.
Maintain tyre pressure
Keep your tyre pressure towards the top of the manufacturer's recommended range.
Take it slower
You can save a litre of petrol every 100km by reducing your speed from 120 to 100km/h.
Drive only when necessary
If possible rather walk, this will provide you with exercise and save you money.

Chinese firm drops SA taxi plans

Chinese firm drops SA taxi plans

Car negotiation tips

Negotiating the best deals when buying a car.

Things to consider before buying a car.

Once you've got your license there's usually one thing you can't wait to do. BUY A CAR! 

It is such an overwhelming experience with so many considerations, unless you've got lots of money stashed somewhere but even then there are things you need to think about before driving away in your new wheels painting the town red. So here are a couple of things you should consider before buying a car.

New car or used car

Buying a new car generally requires less maintenance than a used car for the first few years and you can spec a new car just the way you want it with various options and luxury features. Also the warranty is untouched, meaning you are relieved from having to pay for expensive repair costs. On the other hand, getting a new car is much more expensive and it immediately gets worth less than what you paid for it as depreciation kicks in instantly.
When buying a used car though, it's quite obvious that it will be a lot friendly to your pockets. No taxes will be payable for the purchase. You might even benefit from the balance of the motor plan and warranty which will be transferred with the car. The unfortunate thing is that you will be liable for a lot of  additional repair and maintenance costs if the car is out of warranty and its service plan has expired and you can't be selective on certain features like colour or model year.

Where to buy a car?

There are two options you can consider; dealership or private seller. Buying a car from a reputable well know dealership will provide you with many advantages, here  the dealer has an obligation to guarantee that there is no money owing on the car and in certain conditions the dealer is obliged by law to provide a warranty, they also offer finance or insurance for your car. Whereas buying a car privately means  you have to rely on your own judgment and knowledge and costs such as arranging for a vehicle inspection are charged on your pocket.

Financing your car

This is where things get a bit tricky, unless as mentioned earlier, you have a bag full of money and can buy your car with one payment and no hassles. But if you don't have that much money, there are other available options such as balloon repayments, where you pay reduced monthly installments for the term of the loan, with a large final payment that clears the debt. A loan, where the total amount you pay to the lender will depend on the amount you borrow, and interest rates are charged by the length of time that you borrow the money. These interest charges are usually added to your loan account each month. Or leasing, where there is no obligation to buy the car, the ownership stays with the lender and the car is returned at the end of the lease term. The payments are based on the difference between the cars' sale price and what the car is estimated to be worth at the end of the lease.  


Last but not least, before settling with a dealership or a private seller, consider all options available to you and don't forget to shop around for the best deals that suit your needs.

For affordable deals on new or used cars visit www.cars.co.za

DEADLY BAD DRIVING HABITS

Many South African drivers know all the basic road rules, but are not following them.

Statistics from Arrive Alive show that nearly 3,500 people in South Africa die on the roads everyday, and thousands others are left injured mostly because they don't follow simple rules such as fastening their seatbelt or they are driving drunk, talking on their phones, or they just have anger management issues. Here are four widely known road rules that drivers tend to take for granted, and can prove to have deadly consequences if not followed.

• Buckle up no excuses.
  

Before deciding that wearing a seat belt will make you look uncool, think first of how uncool it will be when you crash your car and you fly out of your windscreen breaking all your bones, or even worse, how sad it will be when you don't return home to your loved ones. 

The job of a seatbelt is to hold the passenger in place, to prevent the passenger from flying forward if a car stops abruptly in the case of a collision. Whats even more important is that, the law also requires you to wear a seatbelt, so by not wearing one you are breaking the law and putting your life and other passengers in danger.

• Using your cell phone.

These days with smart phones all over the place it's hard to separate yourself from your phone as everything is easily accessible. But the use of a cellphone has proven not only to be distractive but also very deadly.  

Distractions behind the wheel, many of which are related to cell phone use are responsible for accidents. 

Driving is quite a complex task that requires concentration to the max, any lapse in concentrating on the road increases risks of being involved in a crash. Rather get a hands-free device for those emergency situations where you need to make a call. Because a quick look at your phone to send a text or make a call could mean the end of your life.

• Drinking and driving. 

It's always that one drink that turns into one too many that gets you into trouble. "It was only just a few drinks though, I'm not drunk!" a statement many involved in drinking and driving make when caught by police. Drinking alcohol whether it be one glass, six bottles or a shot affects your driving skills and increases the likelihood of you engaging in risk-taking behavior. One doesn't  have to be drunk to be affected by alcohol, you might feel normal, but no one drives as well after drinking alcohol. So if you want to get sloshed get a sober friend to drive you home, even better, arrange before getting drunk that a cab collect you at the exact spot where you will be.

• Road rage/anger management
  

People can be very aggressive on the roads, while others are just going through a bad day some are just generally mean individuals and will stop at nothing to get their way. It so easy to be peeved off by people with that kind of attitude but while retaliation may seem like a good idea at  the time, it can have fatal consequences as retaliation can also  be perceived as aggression which often leads to incidents of road rage. You want to avoid doing or saying things that may be interpreted as a threat or challenge.

Break away from these bad driving habits to reduce your chances of being involved in a regrettable situation.  

Before you dance the night away

The weekend is upon us and I'm sure that come sunshine or rain many of you are going out to party. So before you dance the night away, here are a few things you should do before leaving your car outside your favourite party scene.

It is important that you park where there is light as it will make it easier for you to see, especially if someone attempts to steal your car.

If possible, take all your valuables with you or put them where they won’t visibly attract thieves. Be sure not to leave your house keys, identification such as credit cards, drivers license or ID in the car, the last thing you want to worry about if your car gets broken into is that the thief may make its way to your house.

Park between two cars as this will prevent your car from being rolled away possibly to a location where they will try and start it or even chop shop it. Using the emergency break by engaging it when you are street parking will help to keep your car safe.

Also, lock your steering wheel so that it won’t move, even if the thief is able to get the ignition started. Make sure that your car windows are closed, then lock your doors and set your car alarm.

It doesn't matter what car you own, what’s important is to realise the impact of car theft and that it could happen to anyone. By using visual theft devices like central locking systems, car tracking devices, car alarms and continuing with safety measures such as keeping your doors locked at all times, you will keep a thief away from your car and keep down your insurance costs.

#eTolls rejected by public

The #eTolling debacle was discussed at a public meeting last night in Sunninghill where the public clearly rejected the system saying that government is using scare tactics to get them to agree to eTolls. One motorist said that should the eTolling go ahead, he would have to retrench 3 out of the 7 people he's employed. 

Even though National Treasury representative Marissa Moore maintained that the system is meant to lessen congestion on the freeways, with more than 3 000 written comments submitted by the public to The Department of Transport (DOT) none of them seem to see what the benefit of eTolls will be except rip them off. A SANRAL representative also said that the benefit of eTolling system is that it will be fitted with CCTV cameras so that it becomes easy to respond to incidents. But government hardly delivers on its promises, they'll say they will do one thing but turn around and do the total opposite.

Another issue that was raised was why government held the meeting in the leafy suburb of Sunninghill and not where the majority of people who will be affected by this system reside.

The public concluded that since violence is the only language that government understands, things will come to halt should eTolls become effective as they will do anything they can to stop the system from being implemented.

You can have your say by Emailing mphahleT@dot.gov.za regarding the #eTollScandal, this option is open till 26 Nov 2012 as eTolls could come into effect four days before Christmas.

Must have items for your car

I always make sure that when I leave the house, all the essential things that I am going to need for the day are packed in my bag. It's things like my phone, wallet, lip balm, tissues, phone charger and some snacks at times. 

With a car too, there are those items that should always be packed in your boot because cars break down and to avoid being stranded on the side of the road, here is a list of items that you need to make sure are always in your car. 

Water, Food and Clothing –  A few bottles of water which will store safely for less than 6 months should be kept in your car for any type of roadside emergency. With food though, it doesn't mean keeping a feast in your boot, but keep light snacks that are high in calories such as fitness bars, or crackers and dried fruits as they can last for longer periods. Remember how in July this year motorists trying to drive from Cape Town to Johannesburg were stuck on the N1 in the cold weather. So packing warm and waterproof clothing can make a big difference should you be in a situation like that.

You also need a first aid kit which you can get at any convenience or specialty store. A sizable flashlight with extra batteries should you be stuck on the road at night. other important things you should never be without are a tow rope and jumper cables.

It is better to better to be prepared because keeping an emergency supply kit in your car can really save the day! 

For a detailed list of other items you must have in you car click here.

Cars.co.za launches new and improved mobile site

A new and improved mobile site has just been launched by cars.co.za. The design, layout, navigation and browsing is much faster and simpler yet still keeping the site interesting since you can now get the latest on motoring news as opposed to previously when you'd only be able to do so on the main Cars.co.za website.
 
I personally like that multiple car images are supported and there are no pop ups to annoy or distract you. What's even better is that you can now browse monthly new car specials, book a test drive and enquire on new cars with just a simple slide and a click from the small screen inside your pocket, you don't have to be in front of a computer anymore. 

What are your thoughts on the mobile site? To view the new mobile site, go to www.cars.co.za on you mobile phone. Your feedback would be highly appreciated.

The importance of getting your car insured

So this lady that works at our office told me that yesterday afternoon, her son's bakkie got burnt to the ground while he was driving home from town. Strange thing though, he only noticed that the car was on fire when he was stopped by someone who was driving behind him.

Luckily no one got hurt, but he lost so much in a matter of minutes and the fire fighters getting to the scene an hour later didn't help one bit. 

When people buy cars, they usually think of car insurance as a pain more than a benefit, the pain being the higher premiums they must pay. But to help you avoid being in a predicament should you be involved in an accident of some sort, here are some reasons why it is important that you get car insurance. 

If you plan to buy a car, car insurance should be part of that equation too. Because insuring your valuables, especially your car, helps protect you from personal liability should you be in an accident. Also it not only protects you but others that may be traveling with you in your car. Your mind is put at ease knowing that should anything happen you will be covered. You're protected from a range of things like theft, natural disasters, damages your car might incur and also lawsuits associated with accidents you might be involved in, especially traffic collisions. 

A car insurance will definitely benefit you in the long run. So rather than regretting and realising a little too late that you need insurance, better make sure it is a detail that is included i your purchasing a car.

Don't let your car tyre out

You can't function with worn out shoes, so why should your car drive around with worn out tyres. Here is a bit of advice on how to effectively maintain your car tyres.


Checking whether your tyres are in a proper condition has a lot to do with your safety too. By helping with steering, braking and accelerating knowing that your tread is in good quality helps keep you in control of your car especially in bad rainy weather.

At least every month or more often when it is cold outside check your tyre pressure with a tyre pressure gauge. Having underinflated tyres causes tyres to wear out faster, increases fuel consumption, creates excessive heat and makes your car harder to handle. So fill up under-inflated tyres to their recommended psi rating.

You must become familiar with what your tread looks like and that will make it easier for you to identify when the tread is worn down. To prevent uneven tyre wear, get the driving angles of your car measured and have your tyres mounted and balanced at a professional repair shop. Also rotate your tyres after every 5-10 thousand kilometers, this will ensure that that they wear out evenly and make them last longer.

But if they are really worn out, rather than throw them away, possibly harming the environment, do something recyclable and cool with them like nail them to the garage wall at the same height as your car bumper to prevent scrapes, make garden swings - tied to a sturdy bough with rope or even a tire table. What is important is that you regularly check and maintain your tyres for safe and smooth driving. 

Tips on selling your car

Word of mouth usually works wonders when you want to get information across. Like a virus, your visibility spreads throughout a network of people who refer you to each other. But other than telling your friends to tell their friends that you are selling your car, here is some some basic useful information on things you can do to sell your car.

Maintenance and Cleanliness 
The same way first impressions count when you are going for an interview, is the same way that your car's first impressions to a possible buyer should be, the impression shouldn't last to the second base of the sale but should make the buyer make an offer. 

Things like like a cracked windscreen, a tear in the upholstery, a damaged dashboard, or dents and scratches in the paintwork are things that are very likely to put them off from even recommending you to someone else.

When you bought your car, it was neat and clean, so take your car to be thoroughly cleaned inside and outside. Even though the car might be used, the buyer still has to feel that they are purchasing something 'new' and worth their money.

But don't think that if your car looks great on the outside, the buyer will overlook any mechanical problems your car might have, so before putting the car on the market, get it checked out by a professional mechanic . You need to try and get your car as factory standard as possible, in that way it will sell for a higher price. 

Once your car is fixed you are now  ready to put your car on the market.  

Paperwork 

It is very important for you to have the correct and necessary documentation when putting your car up for sale. You must be able to provide basic documents like an invoice, a copy of the buyers ID book as well as proof of residential address, an up to date service history book, the original registration certificate and a transfer form (Yellow) obtainable from your local licensing office which must be signed by yourself. Do not accept faxed copies of deposit slips.

Platforms to sell your carte
There is a wide range of platforms where you can advertise to sell your car. You can do it old school buy putting an add in the newspaper, putting a for sale sign in the window with your number or simply just post an add in the Internet. Do a lot of research to ascertain a fair price for your car and  look at a number of websites to get a good indication of the selling price for cars that are similar to yours. Also, mention all the features of your car in the advert and include all the extras and include in the ad a good quality photograph of you car.

Handling responses
You have to be ready to take calls because buyers will call at anytime, and you must be available to answer questions about your vehicle. You don't have to give out unnecessary information over the phone, but you must make sure the vehicle is available for viewing and test drives.


For more details on buying and selling a car in South Africa you can go to www.autoadvice.co.za 

#e-toll

So it looks like the e-tolling system is being pushed really hard to be approved. Because yesterday, The National Roads Agency showcased the process of how the system is going to operate. Their staff at the National e-toll Central Operations Centre in Midrand demonstrated the toll transaction process cycle from roadside collection to the transaction clearing house and the violations process centre for outstanding fees. 

According to the article in The Citizen Online by Avashnee Moodley,  the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) announced that provinces throughout the country will also have to implement the e-tag system at all toll plazas. However,  department of Transport spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso said that this did not mean the e-toll system has been approved, for Gauteng will be rolled out to the rest of the country.

While I am happy that I am not directly affected by this whole e-toll business, I think my happiness will be short lived as minibus taxis and buses will have to pay e-tolls until regulations regarding exemptions are finalised. Meaning it's very likely that as they do when petrol prices go up, bus and taxi officials will increase their fares.  

Driving in the rain

In this rainy weather, people will be driving like crazy on the roads and let me not even start on how jammed traffic is going to be. I personally do not like being anywhere  but indoors when it's raining. Lightning freaks me out and I kind of don't like the sound of thunder. 

So for those of you who will be driving, here are some general safety tips from www.arrivealive.co.za to consider.

• Use the two- second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you.
• If you find that an oncoming vehicle is overtaking from the opposite direction and will not be likely to do it safely, slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if necessary.
• Beware of oil patches. Don't panic. Do not jam on your brakes, just steer through. In most cases, the patches will be small.
• Always change to a lower gear before you take a bend, especially a sharp bend. Your speed should be at its slowest as you enter the bend and both your hands should be on the steering wheel. This slow in/fast out technique gives you most control when driving around a bend.
• Increase your space cushion by doubling your normal following distance from two seconds to four seconds.
• Turn on your headlights.
  Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
• Use your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. Wait a short time after the rain begins before using your windshield wipers because the blades may smear.
• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery. 
  

And for those like me who will be using public transport, hold on to your seat, put on your headphones and hope that the driver gets you home safely. 

Range Rover Evoque Coupé; A car fit enough for my personality

As voted for by South African women, WOW (Women On Wheels) announced the overall Women's Car of the Year for 2012 as the Range Rover Evoque. This sleek and sophisticated innovation is the kind of car I would buy because besides it being a striking silhouette with added practicality and convenience it would totally make me look fabulous!

Here is why out of the two body styles, my personal favorite is the Range Rover Evoque Coupé Dynamic TD4 Automatic. 


Car features include:

• 8 inch high resolution dual view touch-screen
• Rear seat entertainment
• It's fuel efficient
• Audio Connectivity System
• 5 inch Colour TFT Driver Information Centre
• Bluetooth® Telephone Connectivity
• 11 speaker including sub-woofer 380 Watt Meridian TM Sound System with radio and single slot CD player, MP3 disc and file compatibility
• Rain Sensing Windscreen Wipers
• Rear Parking Aid
• Heated Rear Screen
• Bonnet Louvres in gloss black
• Waist finisher in gloss black
• Rear Spoiler
• Parking Aid – Rear Camera including Hitching Guidance
• Proximity sensing and touch detection for overhead map lights
• Front header courtesy (with delay theatre dimming) and map lights
• Exterior mirror caps in Santorini Black
• Aeroflip on rear spoiler in Santorini Black
• Front grille in gloss black

These are just a few features that made me instantly fall in love with this car.
For affordable deals on this  Range Rover Evoque Coupé Dynamic TD4 Automatic go to www.cars.co.za

AFTERNOON TRAFFIC DIARY

It is almost home time. Yesterday afternoon, the Golden Highway was a freak zone filled with children celebrating Guy Fawkes. On top of all that mess, our bus driver was driving like a maniac. My only wish is that I survive this afternoons traffic, what would be even better though, is if  I had powers to blow it all out of the way.

Delving into the world of cars

Nelly on cars, a subject matter I think will give my friends a really good laugh.

Mainly cause they don't know me as a car enthusiast. In all our conversations, cars have never been a topic intensely discussed like fashion, music and art. The fact that I don't even own a car makes it worse. The cherry on top though, would be that I have never even driven one. 

So you're probably wondering then why my blog is called Nelly on Cars.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Nelly; I like to think of myself as the epitome of awesomeness. Yesterday was my first day at work as a journalist in the motoring industry. I will be reporting on all things car related and heading up the events section on www.cars.co.za

I may not be a petrol head or an adrenalin junkie, but cars are one of the things that I love and appreciate. Coupled with my writing skills, and inquisitive persona, I will thrive on this challenge. Here's to me harnessing my passion for cars and showing a side of me no one knew I had. 


Be sure to check out www.cars.co.za  for all your latest  car news and information.