Monday, January 30, 2012
Drivers best off breaking down in Donegal
The Irish are a friendly jovial bunch, right? Well yes, but it seems that these positive characteristics are more prevalent in some areas of the emerald isle than others.
According to the results of an AA survey, motorists in Donegal are particularly likely to pull over and offer a helping hand to the drivers of broken down vehicles. However, anybody who suffers the misfortune of an engine blow-out or tyre puncture while driving through Kildare might have quite a wait for roadside assistance.
Some 40% of people from this Eastern Irish town said that they would drive on by, rather than offer a helping hand.
The proportion of male Irish drivers willing to stop for a car-owning damsel in distress was also fairly low. This is thought to be down to the perception of men being a threat in such circumstances.
And there could be any number of reasons why Irish female drivers also have a reluctance to come to the aid of men in their time of motoring need.
Still, there you have it! Donegal’s the place to be if your car decides to give up.
Photo © dingbat2005 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: AA, Belfast Telegraph, Donegal, engine blow-out, Irish, Kildare, tyre puncture, vehicle maintenance
Friday, December 9, 2011
Getting onto the motorway
When I was taking my driving lessons I found ‘A’ roads frightening enough to tackle with my instructor next to me, so I can well imagine that there is some merit in the new scheme coming into effect next year.
Apparently, road safety minister Mike Penning has stated that soon learner drivers will be allowed to go onto motorways as long as they have a qualified instructor with them. The aim of this initiative is to familiarise learners with the 70mph (perhaps eventually 80mph) speed limit and the motorway layouts, so that their risk of suffering an accident on these roads once they pass their practical test is reduced.
The head of road safety at the AA stated, “This is good news. It will end the ludicrous situation where people can live near a network of motorways and pass their test without ever having been on one.”
I have to say I agree. The first time I went onto the motorway I had to take my dad with me for support and almost missed my exit because I suddenly forgot how to change lanes through fear of the high speed I was traveling at.
Exactly when this scheme will begin hasn’t been reported, but I have a feeling learner drivers will really appreciate the experience. I know I would have.
Photo © Firing up the quattro… via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: 70mph, AA, accident, driving lessons, learner drivers, motorway, road, road safety, speed
Friday, June 17, 2011
Belt up!
Some young drivers might be shocked to hear that as many as one in every 20 drivers in the UK does not wear a seatbelt behind the wheel.
The research, undertaken in an AA Streetwatch Survey using data collected in April and May of this year, also reported that one in every ten cars approaching junctions seemed to be travelling too fast and almost one quarter of vehicles observed had broken brake-lights. You might be concerned that these motorists are on the roads with you, but there’s apparently even more to be worried about.
Some drivers, despite the large amount of adverts and general warnings against it, were seen using hand-held mobile phones, and one third of motorists didn’t bother indicating at junctions or roundabouts.
Despite the very real risk of serious injury or death, and fines for people caught driving without belts on, the president of the AA stated, "In previous surveys that we've done, excuses came up - atrocious things like, 'Well, actually I might crease my shirt or my blouse; I'm only going down the road.’”
As the UK road safety minister said, "Those excuses just aren't good enough because even if you're pulling out of your driveway you can hit a van, hit another vehicle, and the consequences without wearing a seatbelt are actually quite dire.
"My message to [the drivers who don’t wear seatbelts] is simple - seatbelts save lives and not wearing one just isn't worth the risk"
Image by Criterion via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: AA, junctions, motorists, road safety, roundabouts, seatbelt, young driver