open roads - roadar northeast · open roads page 1 . ... lamborghini aventador dubai mercedes benz...

May 2015 Issue

RoSPA Advanced Drivers And Riders Northeast Group

OPEN ROADS

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

6. Highway Code Rule 96 changes

10. Coolest Police Cars

11. Tax Disc Refunds/ Scam

12. Pot Hole Detector

15. BMW Recall 16. AGV's new visor

4. Hello 5. Contact Details, Times and Venue

7. Speed Limit changes for HGV’s

8. Highway Code is 80 years old

13. Self Driving Lorry

14. Bikewise

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

18. Flying Cars

20. Breaks during Driving

28. Wanted

22. Funny stuff 23. Driving Licence Update

26. Emergency services

24. First Aid Number Plate Box

25. Self-Driving Google Cars

29. Breaking News

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

The views in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of RoSPA Advanced Drivers And Riders Northeast Group and should not be interpreted as such.

Hello

My name is Daniel Todd. Welcome to the 2nd edition of our newsletter. The newsletter is only as good as the contributions from our members. If you have a story, idea or feedback please contact me on [email protected] or speak to me at the monthly meetings. You can also send in any photos of your cars or bikes, especially if you have a rare or unique ride/motor.

Ideas for contributions …

Do you have any good riding routes or driving routes you do as an individual

or a group you would like to share?

Bike maintenance

Car maintenance

Are there any products out there which are unique and worth a mention –

polishes, helmets, dash cams, etc

Car Feature/ Bike Feature – Show off your motor

Upcoming car shows or events

Please let me know what you think …

What do you do to prepare your vehicle for the coming months – spring / summer

mailto:[email protected]

May 2015 Issue


Meeting Dates Tuesday Feb 17th Tuesday March 17th Tuesday April 21st Tuesday May 19th Tuesday June 16th Tuesday July 21st Tuesday August 18th Tuesday September 15th Tuesday October 20th Tuesday November 17th

Meeting Place The Dun Cow Primrose Hill Bournmoor Chester-le-street DH4 6DT

From the A1 travelling North : Leave the A1 at exit 63 Chester-le-Street, and take the 5th exit on the roundabout onto the A183. Follow the road ahead for a mile to the junction right, onto the A1052. Observe the lane markings at the junction. Follow the A1052 half a mile and the Dun Cow is on the right.

From the A1 travelling South : Leave the A1 at exit 63 Chester-le-Street, and take the 2nd exit on the roundabout onto the A183. Follow the road ahead for a mile to the junction right, onto the A1052. Observe the lane markings at the junction. Follow the A1052 half a mile and the Dun Cow is on the right.

Current Committee

Ray Forsyth - Training Officer [email protected]

Doreen Elvin - Driver Training [email protected]

Dave Summers - Rider Training [email protected]

Lynne Wood Forsyth - [email protected]

Stephen Cowey - [email protected]

Lynne Wood Forsyth - [email protected]

John Ennis – [email protected]

Contact Details

[email protected]

Website: www.roadar-northeast.org.uk

@rospa-northeast

RoADAR Northeast

The venue is open for us from 7:30pm. Please bring your membership card.

OPEN ROADS

























http://www.roadar-northeast.org.uk/



https://twitter.com/RoSPA_northeast



https://www.facebook.com/RoADAR.northeast/info?tab=overview

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS RULE 96 Change (2 March 2015)

New rule 96 wording

You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or

medicine. For medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist and

do not drive if you are advised that you may be impaired.

You MUST NOT drive if you have illegal drugs or certain medicines in your blood above

specified limits. It is highly dangerous so never take illegal drugs if you intend to drive;

the effects are unpredictable, but can be even more severe than alcohol and result in

fatal or serious road crashes. Illegal drugs have been specified at very low levels so

even small amounts of use could be above the specified limits. The limits for certain

medicines have been specified at higher levels, above the levels generally found in the

blood of patients who have taken normal therapeutic doses. If you are found to have a

concentration of a drug above its specified limit in your blood because you have been

prescribed or legitimately supplied a particularly high dose of medicine, then you can

raise a statutory medical defense, provided your driving was not impaired by the

medicine you are taking.

Laws RTA 1988 sect 4 & Law RTA 1988 sect 5A

Previous wording

Rule 96 used to say:

You MUST NOT drive under the influence of drugs or medicine. Check the instructions

or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Using illegal drugs is highly dangerous. Never take

them if you intend to drive; the effects are unpredictable, but can be even more

severe than alcohol and may result in fatal or serious road crashes.

Law RTA 1988 sec

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/364lXf

http://goo.gl/364lXf







May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS Reminder – HGV speed limit changes in England and Wales

From 6 April 2015, the speed limit for HGVs travelling on single and dual carriageways

in England and Wales will be increased.

Following consultation and announcements made last year, the national speed limits

for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on a single carriageway will increase from 40mph

to 50mph. The speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on dual carriageways

will increase from 50mph to 60mph.

The limits in Scotland are staying the same. European speed limiter requirements also

remain unchanged and must be set at 56mph or lower.

The introduction of the new speed limits will better reflect the need for a modern

transport network.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/WwCR4c

http://goo.gl/WwCR4c







May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

Overview of road safety in Great Britain Driver licences were first introduced in Britain by the Motor Car Act, 1903, purely as a

means of identifying vehicles and their drivers. All motor vehicles had to be registered,

display registration marks and be licensed annually at a cost of 20 shillings (£1).

The fee for the first driving licence, which was obtained over the counter at Post Offices,

was 5 shillings (25p).

Failure to sign your driving licence with your ‘ordinary signature’ could lead to a fine of up

to £5.

In 1921 there were only 1 million drivers in Britain. By 1939 this figure had risen to 3

million. But it was only during the 1960s, when cars became more affordable, that

motoring really took off.

In 1973 the number of drivers had risen to about 20 million and a centralised computer-

based licensing system was brought in to cope with the huge increase in demand for both

driver and vehicle licences.

The Highway Code

Hundreds of thousands of copies of The Highway Code are sold each

year, ensuring that it never leaves the bestseller lists. It’s one of the

few books in print that can lay claim to saving thousands of lives.

When it was first launched in 1931 there were just 2.3 million motor

vehicles in Great Britain, yet over 7,000 people were killed in road

accidents each year. Today there are more than 27 million vehicles on our roads but,

thanks to greater public awareness, advances in technology and the introduction of British

summer time, only half the number of road deaths occur.

Some things have not changed over the years: the very first edition of The Highway Code

urged all road users to be careful and considerate towards others, putting safety first.

However, other aspects of the code have changed considerably. For example, in

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS 1931 mirrors were not even mentioned and drivers were advised to sound their horn when

overtaking.

Nowadays, advice on how to cross the road fills a whole chapter, but in the early days it

only merited a paragraph. More than a third of the original 24-page booklet described the

various hand signals the police and road users should use, compared to the single page

given to the subject in the current edition.

The first edition

The first edition was published in 1931, it:

• cost 1 old penny

• was the only one to carry advertisements, for the AA, The Autocar magazine, The

Motorcycle magazine, Castrol Motor Oil, BP, Motor Union Insurance and the RAC

• contained 18 pages of advice, compared to 135 pages in the 2007 edition

• included advice to drivers of horse drawn vehicles to ‘rotate the whip above the head;

then incline the whip to the right or left to show the direction in which the turn is to be

made.’

Since those early days, regular revisions of the Code have reflected changes in technology

and developments in traffic management and road safety.

If anyone is interested in having an online copy of the original Highway code please

let me know. Otherwise keep an eye out in the next edition as I will start from the

beginning . [email protected]

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/r3LIq1








http://goo.gl/r3LIq1








May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS The Coolest Police Cars in the World

Audi R8 Germany

Dodge Charger Pursuit United States

FPV Ford Falcon GT-R Spec Boss 400 Australia

Jaguar XF Sportbrake Great Britain

Lamborghini Aventador Dubai

Mercedes Benz SL 63 Dubai

Nissan GT-R Dubai

Bugatti Veyron- Dubai

My Favourite

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

Tax Disc Refunds

DVLA no longer accepts applications for a vehicle tax refund from

customers using a V14 form. They will be rejected and returned to the

customer.

Since 1 October 2014, you no longer need to make a separate

application on a V14 for a refund of vehicle tax. DVLA automatically issues a vehicle tax

refund when a notification is received from the registered keeper that the vehicle has

been sold or transferred vehicle has been scrapped at an Authorised Treatment Facility

vehicle has been exported vehicle has been removed from the road and the person on the

vehicle register has made a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) registered keeper has

changed the tax class on the vehicle to an exempt duty tax class

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/0f4sux

Driving Licence and Tax Disc Scam

DVLA warns the public of an email scam that asks drivers to verify their driving licence and

vehicle tax details via an online link.

The email, which wrongly claims to have been sent from DVLA, appears to be an attempt

to trick drivers into providing personal details. DVLA have not sent out an email asking

customers to update or verify their details.

We’re aware that some members of the public have received these emails and we strongly

advise anyone who receives one of these or any similar email, to ignore it and not to

follow the instructions given.

The government, led by Cabinet Office’s Government Digital Service (GDS), will continue to

investigate reports of organisations which may be actively misleading users about their

services or acting illegally, taking swift action when necessary. By using the online driving

licence or vehicle tax transactions on GOV.UK you can be sure that you are dealing directly

with DVLA.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/9d7HYs

http://goo.gl/0f4sux

http://goo.gl/9d7HYs









Early warning for potholes

An early warning pothole alert using smart scanning

technology is being developed by scientists at

Nottingham Trent University. The technology,

developed by a team led by Nottingham Trent

research fellow Dr Senthan Mathavan, scans roads

for ravelling - the loss of aggregates from the asphalt

which leads to potholes and cracks. Combined with 2D and 3D scanners on a pavement

monitoring vehicle, a computer vision algorithm can examine the road with accuracy at

traffic speed during day or night.

The system works by detecting different textures of the road to identify ravelling and

distinguishes it from shadows and blemishes such as tire marks, oil spills and recent

pothole repairs. “It’s imperative for authorities across the world to be able to monitor road

conditions efficiently and safely,” said Mathavan, a research fellow of the School of

Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. “For the first time, academic research has

addressed the issue of detecting ravelling in an automated way, which has led to the

development of this novel software which can be used across the industry.”

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/iZWYAj

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/iZWYAj





The First Self-Driving Lorry (approved for use across Nevada)

The first self-driving lorry has been licensed for

commercial use - becoming the largest autonomous

vehicle yet to hit the roads.

Germany's Daimler manufactured the vehicle and says

the approval in the US state of Nevada is the first step

towards transforming transport as we know it.

The vehicle can handle long-haul motorway driving, which is the main cause of driver

fatigue, but still needs a driver to take over in situations deemed too complicated for the

on-board computer.

Circumstances when a human might take the controls include moving in and out of

distribution centres and driving through busy city streets.

While the vehicle is driving itself, Daimler says the driver is free to perform back-office

tasks such as handling bookings and billing, or planning future itineraries.

Daimler executive Wolfgang Bernhard said: "This is not a testing licence This is a full

operating licence. We believe that these vehicles and systems are ready."

The company says the system must be "significantly safer than any human being" to be a

success.

It has already undergone 10,000 miles of testing.

The company said it chose the desert state because European governments had been slow

to approve regulations for similar vehicles.

Nevada is also one of the first US states to allow autonomous passenger cars.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/OR9xbm

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/OR9xbm







BIKEWISE

Sunday 19th July… Save the date for BikeWise 2015, the 21st show will be held at the new

Police HQ at Aykley Heads, Durham.

“A big Thank you to all of those members who helped out last year:

John Crammen, Andrew Morley, Steve Garbutt, Jack Wolf, Alex Renwick, Nigel Barlow,

Dave Lucas and if I have missed anyone sorry but a big thanks for the help.”

“Thanks to all the people who have offered to help this year too.”

If anyone is interested in helping out during the day please contact me

Thanks

Dave Summers

[email protected]

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/CLJPou

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/CLJPou

May 2015 Issue


BMW Bike Recall

Published: 12/03/15

BMW has issued a recall that affects 300,000 R and K series models built between 2003

and 2011 for a replacement rear wheel flange.

The global recall relates to around 300,000 bikes in total with approximately 23,000 bikes

in the UK part of the process that will see BMW replace the part free of charge.

The recall affects all models of R and K-series bikes including the R1200GS, R1200RT, K1200

and K1300 models in the time period of 2003 and 2011. A full list of models affected can be

found at the bottom of this page.

BMW is already in the process of contacting owners who will be notified as soon as

possible and offered appointments to get the work done. It seems over tightening the rear

wheel flange which mounts the rear brake disc to the swingarm can cause cracks and

potential failure.

BMW is aware of one failure to date as a result of these cracks forming from over

tightening beyond the recommended torque settings.

BMW’s statement reads: “As part of a technical campaign involving motorcycles of the R

and K Series produced between November 2003 and April 2011, BMW will replace the

wheel flange of the rear suspension as a precaution.

“BMW will inform all owners of the motorcycles affected. For customers the technical

campaign is free of charge. Based on ongoing quality analyses, it was found that in the case

of incorrectly carried-out maintenance work excessive torque may be applied to the brake

disk bolts or to the nuts when changing wheels, contrary to the values specified in the

BMW repair instructions or operating instructions.

OPEN ROADS

May 2015 Issue


BMW Bike Recall

“Cracks and damage can occur in the wheel flange as a result of excessive torques. BMW

has therefore decided to exchange the wheel flange with a more robust part as a

precaution.”

The models affected are:

R 1200 GS R1200R K1200R

R 1200 GS Adventure R1200ST K1200GT

HP2 Mega Moto R1200S K1300S

HP2 Enduro HP2 Sport K1300R

R1200RT K1200S K1300GT

R900RT K1200R Sport

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/qjy1ey

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/qjy1ey







May 2015 Issue


AGV's new visor goes dark at the press of a button

This new visor from AGV changes from clear to dark instantly, at the push of a button, as

you’ll see in our video of a prototype model that MCN is testing.

It uses LCD technology, bonding an ultra-thin LCD screen to the inner surface of the visor.

Push the button to turn the screen on and it tints to a similar level to a black racing visor.

Press the button again and it instantly returns to clear.

OPEN ROADS

The AG Visor will be launched in the UK in May and will fit AGV’s high-end helmets –

the Pista GP, Corsa and GT Veloce.

AGV expect it to be most popular among riders using their GT Veloce touring helmet as

they will get all the benefit of having a dropdown sun visor, without the downsides like

added weight.

The AG Visor will cost £149.99 here in the UK, though AGV say they will give a heavy

discount as an introductory offer.

The LCD screen is powered and controlled by a small unit mounted on the visor. It’s on

the inner surface on our prototype, but will be mounted to the outside on production

versions to allow the rider to switch tints on the move.

The battery lasts for a claimed 12 hours in dark mode, with a standby time measured in

hundreds of hours. It recharges via a micro USB port and if the battery ever runs flat,

the visor stays in clear mode.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/Q6u9jd

http://goo.gl/Q6u9jd









Forget self driving cars the future is flying cars

In October 2014, Slovakian company AeroMobil

unveiled a prototype vehicle that exhilarated Back To

The Future fans, as well as pretty much everyone else:

the long fantasized flying car. Dubbed AeroMobil 3.0,

the car/plane hybrid showed off its driving and flying

abilities in a video filmed at the 2014 Pioneers Festival in Vienna. With its wings tucked in,

the carbon fiber vehicle drives the streets seamlessly with other cars. Then, it makes its

way to a parking lot, unfolds its wings, and takes off from a grass runway. It soars leisurely

over the buildings of Vienna, before touching down in a green field.

An AeroMobil representative told Popular Science the price would be several hundreds of

thousands of dollars, which they argue is on par with a combination of a sport aircraft and

a supercar.

But the announcements didn’t stop there. Vaculik also highlighted the company’s next

revolutionary venture in this field: the self-flying car. AeroMobile says now that they have

shown that flying cars are possible, it’s time to make them drive—and soar—on their own.

Despite its unique look, AeroMobile 3.0, also named the Flying Roadster, isn't all that

different from your average sports car or private plane. It runs on regular gasoline and can

seat two people. When driving, it boasts a range of 545 miles and a top speed of 99 mph.

When airborne, it can reach a top speed of 124 mph, with a range of 435 miles.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/OBGR49

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/OBGR49






AeroMobil's flying car just crashed during a test flight

Update: May 12, 2015

The bad news is flying cars are crashing. The good news

Is their parachutes work.

What regular folk call a “crash-landing” is something

Slovakia-based AeroMobil would prefer to be termed as

an “unexpected situation”.

It occurred on Friday (08/05/15)during a test flight. The pilot was Stefan Klein, who also,

impressively, happens to be AeroMobil’s co-founder.

For video on flight clink on link: https://goo.gl/BNd37o

AeroMobil’s latest iteration is version 3.0, a real flying car which has been in development

since 1989. In flight, it can reach 198km/h and fly for 690km on a full tank. Yes, you can

land it and drive to the nearest petrol station for a refill.

On Friday, however, witnesses told Slovakia-based news site Nitra said they saw the vehicle

“in a tailspin.”

At 300m, Klein managed to get the parachute out, which softened his impact. He was

taken immediately to hospital and discharged without any sign of serious injury.

In AeroMobil’s words, the vehicle “encountered an unexpected situation and activated the

advanced ballistic parachute system in an altitude of approximately 300 meters (900 feet)”.

“The system has proved itself fully functional and landed the entire vehicle without any

injury to the pilot.”

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/lLPlpj May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS

https://goo.gl/BNd37o

http://goo.gl/lLPlpj

May 2015 Issue


Breaks during driving – What are your opinions

LIKE ALL PROFESSIONAL drivers, instructors are constantly on the road.

Although driver trainers are not mandatorily required to take a rest break, the National

Standards does recommend that instructors look after their wellbeing. In addition, not all

fleet trainers will necessarily be tachographed, so an examination of the current

requirements about driving hours and rest periods for professional drivers, such as lorry,

bus and coach drivers could provide you with some useful guidelines for yourself and your

learners.

The driving limits for professional drivers restrict the amount of time they can spend

driving, before taking a break, between any two daily rest periods (or a daily and a weekly

rest period), in a week and in a fortnight. Calculation of the driving period begins at the

moment when the driver sets the tachograph in motion and begins driving.

The maximum limits are as follows,

Maximum driving before a break — four and half hours

Maximum daily driving — normally nine hours

Extended driving on two days in week — only 10 hours

Maximum weekly driving — six daily driving shifts

Maximum fortnightly driving — 90 hours, (i.e in two consecutive weeks).

What are your opinions? Please email them in at [email protected]

OPEN ROADS








May 2015 Issue


Funny Stuff

A bungling car thief has been caught on camera knocking himself out after an attempt to

break into a Mercedes. The thief dubbed the "thick with a brick" could soon be named

Ireland's dumbest criminal after he knocked himself out cold when he tried to break in to

a car. He hurled a brick at the window which rebounded and knocked him flat

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/F2DwoH

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/F2DwoH

http://goo.gl/F2DwoH

May 2015 Issue


Funny Stuff

Strange Driving Licence Rules

7 of the strangest driving licence rules around the world. The UK has one of the best

road safety records in the world, with the stringency of our driving test being one of the

main reasons behind the figures. Things are different in other countries, though.

1. Mexico doesn’t have a driving test of any kind. If you want to drive there, all you have

to do is buy a licence, which costs a princely 626 pesos (the equivalent of £28).

2. it’s possible to fail the driving test in Japan if you don’t ensure that you bend low

enough to check for any cats that might be concealed under your car.

3. The practical test in Pakistan isn’t exactly difficult: all learners have to do is drive

through a short series of cones. The pass rate is around 80%.

4. Spain has one of Europe’s worst figures for deaths on their roads. This is despite having

an encyclopaedic Highway Code, with three times as many rules as we have in the UK.

After clearly not reading it, new drivers then share the car with other candidates, taking

turns driving for an examiner.

5. Chinese driving test examiners may ask candidates what they would need to if their car

happens to plunge into water. We imagine the phrase ‘swim for it’ is used.

6. New drivers in Brazil have to pass a psychological exam before they can qualify for a

licence. They also learn special driving techniques that could help them escape from

potentially life-threatening situations on the road.

7. Recent legislation introduced in Russia excludes transsexual and transgender citizens,

exhibitionists and voyeurs, fetishists, pathological gamblers and compulsive thieves from

holding for driving licences. Travelling by bus must be interesting over there.

OPEN ROADS

May 2015 Issue


Updates and advice to motorists on abolition of the counterpart

to the photocard driving licence.

From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid

and will no longer be issued by DVLA. The counterpart was introduced to display driving

licence details that could not be included on the photocard. These details include some

vehicle categories you are entitled to drive and any endorsement/penalty points.

Please note, this does not affect photocard licences issued by DVA in Northern Ireland.

Customers with existing paper counterparts

If you already hold a paper counterpart, after 8 June 2015 it will no longer have any legal

status. You should destroy your paper counterpart after this date but you still need to

keep your current photocard driving licence.

Customers with paper driving licences

Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain

valid and should not be destroyed.

If you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a

photocard only.

This means that from 8 June 2015 neither the photocard driving licence nor the paper

licence will provide an accurate account of any driving endorsements you may have.

Instead, this information will be held on DVLA’s driver record, and can be checked online,

by phone or post.

For more information click on link: https://goo.gl/PMBghS

OPEN ROADS

https://goo.gl/PMBghS





May 2015 Issue


First Aid Number Plate Box

Now this really is a neat bit of kit that is as ingenious as it is useful. Basically, it's a virtually

indestructible slim-line case that you screw on to your number plate holder on the back of

the bike, and onto which you then attach your registration plate. It adds virtually no

weight to your bike, and 99.9% of people will never know that it's not just a standard

number plate holder. But the result is that you get a secret storage compartment that

measures some 20cm x 20cm, and about 2cm in depth. It's lockable, and its clever closing

mechanism means that, once locked, it will never open by accident.

It's a great space for a First-Aid kit, and indeed that's how we supply it, complete with a

pack that's got everything you could ever need; from a warning triangle, bandages and

plasters to an emergency light stick. You know you should always carry a kit like this with

you, but you never do. So now, you'll never leave home without one, and you'll never

even have to think about it! But what some people do, is to put the First Aid kit under the

seat, and then use the case as a security box. Keep your phone in it, travel documents,

passport, cash, swiss army knife, tablet and whatever else it is that you're worried about

losing. Your stuff will be hidden away from prying eyes; nobody will ever know that

there's anything in there. We love it. It's so simple we can't work out why we never

thought of it before. Every motorbike should be equipped with one.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/9HLpTY

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/9HLpTY







May 2015 Issue


Self-Driving Google Cars Have Been in 11 crashes

The tech giant’s self-driving fleet has collectively

covered 1.7 million miles over the last six years. In that

time, the fleet was involved in 11 minor accidents.

Google says that its cars weren’t at fault in any of the

crashes that included seven of its cars being rear-ended. The company’s self-driving cars

have also been side-swiped a couple of times and one was even hit by a car rolling

through a stop sign. Google also noted that it saw more accidents per mile driven on city

streets than on freeways.

Google Self-Driving Car May Have Outside Airbag

The company that has been working on self-driving

cars has been awarded a patent for airbags

designed to protect outside pedestrians. In the

patent filing, Google outlined a system that uses

external airbags and bumpers that could deploy in the case of an accident or collision.

Suggested in the patent filing are mounted airbags on the outside of the cars, deploying

when the car senses a collision is imminent. The company hopes that it could prevent

injuries to pedestrians with bumpers constructed from “visco-elastic material.”

This isn’t the first time external airbags have been in development. Swedish automaker

Volvo has pedestrian-sensing airbags, but isn’t using the sort of technology Google is

patenting with unique bumpers. It’s unclear if Google is just protecting some intellectual

property or intends to incorporate the technology into its self-driving cars.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/1A1NlC

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/1A1NlC









May 2015 Issue


Jaguar patent lets you control windscreen wipers with your EYES

14th May 2015

The patent is called 'Windscreen clearing system for a vehicle'

It was filed by Jaguar Land Rover in March 2013 and awarded this week

It details a system in which every time the driver looks in their rear-view mirror the wipers

on the rear window are activated automatically

It is likely to use the firm's Driver Monitor System unveiled in January

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/fE5tU7

Jaguar Land Rover's new 'sensing' technology to beat drowsy driving 13th Jan 2015

Coventry car firm Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled its new state-of-the-art sensing

technology which can interpret human faces and eyes.

The Coventry-based manufacturer is working with Intel and Seeing Machines to create its

new cutting-edge Driver Monitor System which aims to reduce distracted and drowsy

driving.

It tracks the driver’s eyes and alerts the driver when they aren’t looking at the road even

if they are wearing sunglasses.

This latest technology was unveiled in Las Vegas last week in a Jaguar F-Type prototype

developed jointly with Intel at JLR’s new R&D facility in Portland, Oregon.

“If the driver’s gaze moves towards the infotainment screen or out of a side window, and

the car identifies this, then the system could alert the driver to hazards earlier.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/DoLcif

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/fE5tU7

http://goo.gl/DoLcif





May 2015 Issue


Emergency services drive to keep motorcyclists safer

Date 17 March 2015

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is teaming up with Northumbria Police's

Collision Investigation Unit and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to

keep motorcyclists safer on our roads.

As the better weather approaches, motorcyclists will be getting back on their bikes and

motorists will start to see more of them on the roads. This partnership is aimed at raising

awareness to both groups to watch out for each other and stay as safe as possible on the

roads.

Area Manager Alan Robson who is senior sponsor of the motorcycle section at Tyne and

Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “I am delighted the Service is taking part in this

initiative aimed at reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries we see on the

roads.

“The sessions on offer are completely free and will help motorcyclists to improve their

driving, knowledge and skills which will help them to stay safer on the roads this

summer.”

John Ennis, Chairman and Advanced Motorcycle Tutor of the local group of RoSPA

Advance Drivers and Riders (RoADAR) said: “I am pleased to collaborate with the

emergency services on road safety matters. Hopefully our combined efforts will help

reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/URC1Bp

OPEN ROADS

http://goo.gl/URC1Bp







May 2015 Issue


For Training Associates

WANTED

A N Other Rider A N Other Driver

Would you like to share your skills with others? Why not become an advanced tutor?

Interested? For further details email

Ray Forsyth [email protected]

The Northeast RoADAR group is primarily a training group, training associates to pass the

RoSPA Advanced driving/riding test. Indeed, we have a good success and many of our

associates pass with gold award. Its all great stuff!

Unfortunately to continue to do this requires the group to constantly recruit members to

train as tutors.

There are two main reasons for this.

Firstly, to replace tutors who can no longer continue to tutor or have to take time out

(this is usually for personal or work reasons).

Secondly, new associates seem to always join in number (several at a time) rather than

one at a time so its very easy for the group to find itself with a backlog of associates

requiring training.

Having more tutors would inevitably improve the training provided by the group and

release some of the pressure placed on our existing tutors. The current situation is more

acute for driving tutors than riding tutors so if you think you could help out and spare a

few hours to train associates in a car then please contact:

Ray Forsyth [email protected]

OPEN ROADS







May 2015 Issue


……………………………………..Breaking News…………………………………….

Chief Examiner Andy Nixon of RoSPA has now resigned. A replacement is being

sought.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toyota, Nissan, Honda to recall millions more cars over exploding

airbags 14 May 2015

Toyota and Nissan are recalling 6.5 million cars globally after a faulty airbag scare. Honda

expected to follow suit, raising the number of vehicles recalled over this issue worldwide

to 31 million.

The number of Toyota vehicles to be recalled in the UK is expected to be around 125,000.

Takata airbags are linked to six deaths in Honda vehicles, five in the US and one in

Malaysia.

One of these six, Carlos Solis, was waiting to turn left into a block of flats in Houston in

January when traffic struck the front of his 2002 Honda Accord, according to Autoblog.

“He should have walked away from the fender-bender. Instead, the 35-year-old married

man was killed when a defective airbag exploded and sent a large piece of metal shrapnel

into his neck, his estate's lawyers allege in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Harris County,

Texas,” Autoblog reports. “He bled to death while his younger brother and an 11-year-old

cousin tried to save him.”

Toyota and Nissan said that they were recalling the cars as a precaution and no injuries

had been reported.

Toyota is recalling around 5 million Corrolla, Vitz and other models. Nissan is recalling 1.56

million cars globally but has not specified which models.

OPEN ROADS

May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS ……………………………………..Breaking News…………………………………….

Many of the models were made between March 2003 and November 2007.

Takata faces multiple lawsuits in the US and Canada as well as a regulatory probe. A

Takata spokeswoman said a probe into the cause of the airbag defects was ongoing and

that the company continued to cooperate with the automakers.

For more information click on link: http://goo.gl/SrVdmB

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warning over unsafe motorcycle helmets

Trading Standards Officers are urging anyone who has

bought a Jiekai model JK 100 or JK 1000 helmet to

stop using it immediately and return it to their

supplier. The warning comes after a man was

sentenced for selling 'potentially lethal' Chinese

motorcycle helmets online. Shocking photos released

by Trading Standards show the damage incurred by the counterfeit lids after they failed

safety tests. Any biker in an accident wearing these helmets would have received an

impact 'six times more forceful' than permitted by law, Trading Standards officers

reported.

The helmets were supposed to undergo five impact test but were already destroyed after

the second, by which time they would be passing G-forces of 1,000 to the wearer (the

legal limit is 275 G).

The red and black lids were branded Jiekai JK1000 and were found to buckle when

http://goo.gl/SrVdmB





May 2015 Issue


OPEN ROADS ……………………………………..Breaking News…………………………………….

squeezed by hand. The chin straps could also be ripped off. The helmets all bore an

authentic-looking hologram safety sticker that could easily fool an untrained eye. The

dangerous helmets were discovered during a raid of a warehouse belonging to Moortaza

Walji from Peterborough. Walji was selling the lids through his own trading name Bargain

World UK Ltd as well as a number of other retailers.

At Peterborough Crown Court he pleaded guilty to 15 charges including the sale of unsafe

motorcycle helmets. He received a six-month suspended sentence and 180 hours'

community service. He must also pay costs of £13,000.

Trading Standards has contacted around 30 customers to make them aware.

For further details visit : http://goo.gl/MgqzLT

http://goo.gl/MgqzLT

open roads - roadar northeast · open roads page 1 . ... lamborghini aventador dubai mercedes benz...

Documents