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Parents in the United States are setting a poor example behind the wheel for their teenaged children by talking and texting on cell phones and speeding.
Nearly 60% of 500 parents with teenage children questioned in an online survey admitted that they chatted on their cells while driving. Forty-two percent said they were guilty of speeding and 17% sent a text or email.
Another 40% listened to loud music while driving.
"Teens get safe driving examples and advice from many sources - television ads, driving instructors, friends and family members, but no one more than Mom or Dad," Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, said in a statement.
"And if they grow up watching their Mom or Dad speed, talk on their cell phone, text and email, or pay more attention to what's on the radio than their driving, they are going to think it's okay to do the same thing.
Despite bans on driving-while-texting, or DWT, in 14 states and high-profile accidents that resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of people, a quarter of Americans who use cell phone admitted to driving while texting, according to a recent report.
Fathers bigger culprits
Last year 25 people were killed in a train crash in California and nearly 50 people were injured in a trolley crash in Boston earlier this year. Drivers in both accidents were found to be texting just before the crashes.
Fathers were the worst culprits for setting a bad example behind the wheel in the poll commissioned by insurance group Liberty Mutual, with 75% admitting to at least two dangerous driving behaviors, compared to 63 percent of%.
Men were also less likely than women to discuss safe driving with their children.
"Safe driving goes beyond learning a skill set, it's a two-way street and requires daily precautions and parental enforcement with clear rewards and consequences," said Stephen Wallace, the chairman of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) a national education, prevention and activism group.
"While Moms are more likely to continue to treat safe teen driving as a priority after their teens pass their driving tests, Dads tend to let driving enforcement slip," he added.
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Traffic cop locked in boot
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A Malawian motorist was arrested after he allegedly grabbed a traffic policeman and locked him in the boot of his car, Eastern Cape police said on Monday.
Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said the officer was doing point duty in Mthatha on Sunday evening when an angry motorist stopped.
"He just grabbed the officer and threw him in the boot. Then he locked it.
"This is not normal. The suspect hijacked a traffic policeman in uniform," said Fatyela.
Witnesses alerted police and the motorist was later stopped and arrested.
He was due to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court soon on a charge of kidnapping and assault, said Fatyel.
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Manhart Racing BMW M3 E92 V10
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Manhart Racing has unveiled the new BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG.
As the lengthy name implies, Manhart has shoehorned the M5/M6's 5.0-liter V10 engine into a M3 coupe. The company didn't stop there as they removed the speed limiter and added a seven-speed SMG gearbox, a DME steering system, and a titanium exhaust with four 84mm (3.3") tailpipes. Thanks to all these modifications, the 405 kW M3 V10 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds before topping out at 334 km/h.
In terms of styling, Manhart outfitted the car with new front and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, a Bilstein coilover suspension, and 20-inch BBS 'Challenge R' wheels. Inside, the company added carbon fiber trim, alcantara and leather upholstery, and a new steering wheel "with illuminated rocker switches, ¼ mile and side acceleration displays."
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Upgraded Abarth Grande Punto SuperSport
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The new Abarth Grande Punto SuperSport (SS) has been launched by Fiat.
Abarth is Fiat's performance division and the Grande Punto SS comes with a 1.4 liter gasoline/petrol engine dialed up to a robustly impressive 132 kW and an even more impressive 270 Nm of torque at a substantially early 3,000 rpm. The SS does the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 215 km/h.
To properly manage that additional power and provide for the sporty ride, the SS gets a stiffened suspension with new springs which also let the car sit 20 mm lower. 18-inch wheels are also part of the set, coming with 215/40 R18 tires. The brake system gets perforated discs all around and performance pads at the front.
Notable here is the telematics system developed with partner Magneti Marelli - the Abarth Blue&Me MAP satellite navigation system - which takes data from the car including engine speed, vehicle speed and the gear engaged to be monitored from the nav system. It also offers a function called Track, which can provide the driver with a position and lap time on race tracks that are in the system's memory.
The Abarth Grande Punto SS comes in the traditional color of Airfield Grey while inside are the "Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" leather seats.
The updated Abarth Grande Punto SS went on sale last weekend (September 12/13).
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2010 Volvo C30 R-Design Facelift
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Volvo has announced plans to introduce the facelifted 2010 C30 R-Design at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Debuting alongside the updated C30 and C70 convertible, the R-Design is described as "the nearest thing to a dedicated sports car" that Volvo makes. To ensure this statement carries weight, the car features a number of sporty touches both cosmetic and mechanical.
In terms of styling, the R-Design is outfitted with unique 'silk metal' accents, an exclusive monotone body kit, a roof-mounted spoiler, 17-inch five-spoke 'Cratus' aluminum wheels (18-inchers are optional), and chrome-plated exhaust tips.
Inside, the C30 boasts two-tone seats, a leather and aluminum gear knob, and a sports steering wheel. Other goodies include aluminum pedals, floor mats with contrasting piping, blue instrument gauges, and plenty of R-Design logos.
On the performance side, Volvo stiffened the springs 30%, lowered the ride height 10mm, added sportier mono-tube dampers, and beefed up the roll stabilizers. To improve the steering, the company added stiffer bushings and lowered the ratio to give drivers a 10% faster response.
According to Stefan Sällqvist, manager of Vehicle Dynamics, "The driver should feel confident that the car will behave exactly as expected. That is an important part of our safety focus when we develop new chassis. This feeling of security also means the driver can fully enjoy the sporty driving characteristics."
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VW Golf R Uncovered
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Volkswagen is unveiling the second new R model in its current lineup at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Golf R shares its basic underpinnings with the recently-unveiled Scirocco R. It also adds VW's 4Motion AWD to its architecture.
Replacing the heavy naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 found in the Golf V R32 is a 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine. Power is 195kW and torque is around the 350Nm mark. The 0 - 100km/h time should be covered in about 6.5 seconds for the 6-speed manual and 6.4 seconds for the DSG model. These figures compare very well with the Audi S3 and the TT S with which the Golf R shares its engine.
If you thought it would be a basic upgrade on the GTI you'd be wrong. The car features a host of changes including new front grille with LED daytime running lights, a different set of wheels, R side sills, R badging at the rear and those twin tailpipes almost come together in the middle. The interior is much sportier as well with two-tone sports seats, aluminum pedals and R badging in places like the flat-bottomed steering wheel.
The good news for US fans is that the Golf R is headed for North America according to reports, although nothing has been confirmed for its 3-door Scirocco relative.
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Sportec RS425 based on Audi S4 Avant
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Quick mamas are in for quite a neat treat. Tuning firm Sportec has taken the stock Audi S4 Avant and made it something a bit more interesting. By remapping the engine control unit and installing sport air filters, more power and torque have been extracted for the car they call the Sportec RS425.
Where the ordinary cargo pusher makes 245kW, Sportec has gifted it with 313kW which just about matches the previous-generation RS 6. And where your neighbourhood mama gets 440Nm out of her S4 Avant, the RS425 option will give out a compelling 520Nm. The 0 - 100km/h time has been slashed from 5.6 seconds to 5.2 seconds, making the proverbial supermarket run something of a breeze. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, same as in the factory car. All that performance comes from the supercharged 3.0-litre V6.
Other upgrades include a carbon fibre front spoiler, a special sports silencer, four tailpipes (two on either side), a carbon fibre rear diffuser, a lower suspension system and 9 x 20 inch large lightweight metal rims wrapped in 245/30 tyres.
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Mercedes SLS AMG
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The traditional coupe roaster has a long bonnet, a very low profile, short overhangs and a small boot. Only two people can sit in it. The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG fits this definition and then some. Already confirmed as a Frankfurt debutant the SLS you see here stars in its own video show where its makers showcase some of its abilities on a track and on the road.
A main attraction is the sound emanating from the shiny twin trapezoidal tailpipes, urged on by the naturally aspirated 6.3-litre AMG V8. You can hear a lot of the sound if you put up the volume as it accelerates into the straight or when cornering. The eardrums will forever be thankful. Forgive some of the background music; this is a promotional video after all not a hooligan road test.
Trapped inside the 8 cylinders is 420kW that is accessed by the driver through the 7-speed double clutch gearbox and the round 3-stage ESP knob which changes the suspension's characteristics from everyday comfort to sharp and sporty.
The SLS will start selling before the end of the year and compete with the likes of McLaren MP4-12C, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
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