Friday, June 22, 2012
Bird poo wars
Bird poo.
It’s the bane of many a motorist’s driving days and can cause damage to paintwork as well as looking unpleasant.Recent research conducted by Halfords, however, might help road users fight against it. According to the company, red cars are targeted more than any other colour vehicle, and green cars are targeted the least.
Although there’s no real scientific basis for the results, the firm ran the study in several different cities and numbers never lie.
After red cars it was the blue vehicles which were pelted with poop the most. Next came black vehicles, then white, and finally silver was in the running just before green.
With this knowledge, perhaps drivers who hate to do war with bird, ehem, leavings, will purchase green cars, or buy a green cover for their vehicle to keep it safe.
Alternatively, they could try to avoid parking under trees or lamp-posts, but that can be difficult sometimes.
Good luck to all!
Photo © wwwesb via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: bird poo, colour, driving, Halfords, motorist, paintwork, parking, road users
Monday, January 9, 2012
Colds can cause crashes
A recent study undertaken by a young driver car insurance company in partnership with Halfords, and backed by research from Cardiff University’s Common Cold Unit, has revealed that having a cold may be more dangerous than previously thought.
By using telematics technology to monitor driving behaviour in motorists suffering from the sniffles, it was found that driving skills reduced by more than 50%.
Reportedly, that’s the same as having four double whiskies!
As well as having reduced reaction times, and as a result having to brake sharply much more often, the drivers tested were less aware of the road around them and cornered poorly, making them 33% more likely to hit a kerb.
The co-founder of the insurance firm stated, “This small-scale trial provides a warning for motorists. A heavy cold can impair a driver's mood, concentration and judgement.”
Well, that’s a good reason to ask to be chauffeured everywhere when you’re feeling poorly, isn’t it!
Photo © William Brawley via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: brake, Cardiff University, cold, Common Cold Unit, driving, Halfords, kerb, reaction times, telematics technology, young driver car insurance