First Saudi woman driver to race car in kingdom

DIRIYAH, Saudi Arabia—Sliding behind the wheel of a sleek electric SUV, Reema Juffali is set to blaze a trail in male-dominated motor sports as the first Saudi woman to race in the kingdom.

Such adrenaline rushes were unimaginable for women in the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom until June last year, when it overturned the world's only ban on female motorists as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's wide-ranging liberalization drive.

Juffali, a 27-year-old who made her motoring debut just months after the decades-old ban ended, will compete Friday and Saturday in the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, an all-electric race in Diriyah, close to the capital Riyadh.

"The ban was lifted last year and I never expected to race professionally," said Juffali, sitting in her black-and-green Jaguar I-Pace, an electric sports utility vehicle.

"The fact that I am doing it... is amazing," Juffali, clad in a racing suit, told AFP in an interview close to the racing circuit in Diriyah.

Juffali, who hails from the western city of Jeddah and was educated in the United States, will participate as what organizers call a "VIP" guest driver, becoming the first Saudi woman to race on home soil.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's sports authority chief, has touted it as a "watershed" moment for the kingdom.

"Reema will have thousands cheering her on, as a professional racing driver," the prince told AFP.

Juffali, who made one of her first appearances in competitive racing at the F4 British Championship at Brands Hatch in April, has only about a year of professional racing experience under her belt.

But she has had a passion for fast cars since her teenage years and grew up watching Formula One.

She passed her driving test after she moved to the United States to study some years ago, and is now one of only a handful of Saudi woman to have obtained a "racing licence" in her home country, a mandatory requirement to race professionally.

Even outside the Kingdom, only a few Saudi women have raced professionally.

"For a lot of women who haven't had the opportunity to learn how to drive, to get behind the wheel is definitely something scary," explained Juffali.

"For a lot of women in Saudi it's something so far away."

Juffali said her dream is to one day race at Le Mans—a 24 hour competition in France that is one of the world's most prestigious and gruelling competitions.

In Riyadh she will be racing against the season's veterans but will not score any points.

THRILL OF SPEED

Prince Mohammed has sought to shake off his country's ultra-conservative image by allowing greater freedoms for women, including easing so-called "guardianship" rules that give men arbitrary authority over female relatives.

But alongside reforms he has also overseen a sweeping crackdown on dissent.

Around a dozen women activists who long campaigned for the right to drive are on trial after being arrested last year, sparking widespread condemnation.

Some allege they were tortured and sexually harassed by interrogators; Saudi authorities deny the allegations.

The driving reform has been transformative for many Saudi women, freeing them from dependence on private chauffeurs or male relatives.

Newly mobile Saudi women are now embracing what was previously deemed a male entitlement—fast cars.

Many are defying the perception that only dainty cars in bright colors are popular with women drivers.

Auto showrooms tapping women clients have rolled out a line-up of cherry red Mini Coopers, but sales professionals say many exhibit an appetite for muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro or the Mustang convertible.

Some women are taking up drifting—oversteering the car to slip and skid or even spin, and other high-speed daredevilry—which is illegal in public but tolerated in the controlled environment of some theme parks.

Clad in skinny jeans and Harley-Davidson T-shirts, some women are also training to ride motorbikes at a Riyadh driving school, a scene that is still a stunning anomaly in the conservative petro-state.

"Many (people) are surprised by all the changes happening in Saudi," said Juffali.

"Seeing me in a car, racing... For a lot of people it's a surprise, but I am happy to surprise people."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Saudi women gear up for new freedom as driving ban ends

RIYADH - Women in Saudi Arabia took to the roads at midnight on Sunday, ushering in the end of the world's last ban on female drivers, long seen as an emblem of women's repression in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom.

"It feels weird, I am so happy ... I'm just too proud to be doing this right now," said 23-year-old Majdooleen al-Ateeq as she cruised across Riyadh for the first time in her black Lexus.

The lifting of the ban, ordered last September by King Salman, is part of sweeping reforms pushed by his powerful young son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a bid to transform the economy of the world's top oil exporter and open up its cloistered society.

Women drove up and down a main road in the eastern city of Khobar and cheered as police looked on.

"We are ready, and it will totally change our life," said Samira al-Ghamdi, a 47-year-old psychologist from Jeddah, one of the first women to be issued a license.

The lifting of the ban, which for years drew international condemnation and comparisons to the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, has been welcomed by Western allies as proof of a new progressive trend in Saudi Arabia.

But it has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, including against some of the very activists who previously campaigned against the ban. They now sit in jail as their peers take to the road legally for the first time.

Women with foreign drivers' licenses only began converting them earlier this month, so the number of new drivers remains low. Others are training at new state-run schools, with 3 million women expected to drive by 2020.

Some still face resistance from conservative relatives, and many accustomed to private drivers say they are reluctant to take on the country's busy highways.

"I definitely won't like to drive," said Fayza al-Shammary, a 22-year-old saleswoman. "I like to be a princess with someone opening the car door for me and driving me anywhere."

ECONOMIC BOON

Concerns that women drivers will face abuse in a country where strict segregation rules usually prevent women from interacting with unrelated men prompted a new anti-harassment law last month.

The Interior Ministry plans to hire women traffic police for the first time, but it is unclear when they will be deployed. The public security directorate reported no unusual incidents one hour after the ban ended.

Riyadh resident Amr al-Ardi said the women in his family would wait to see how the system works before they start driving.

The decision to lift the ban in the tightly controlled kingdom - where once-forbidden cinemas and concerts have also returned - is expected to boost the economy, with industries from car sales to insurance set to reap returns.

The change should save families billions of dollars on chauffeurs while encouraging more women into the workforce and raising productivity, if only modestly at first.

Auto companies have produced theatrical ads marking the ban's end, while private parking garages designated "ladies" areas with pink signage.

Many Saudis celebrated on social media, but some reactions were derisive or expressed concern about social impacts.

One Twitter user said he would not allow his wife to take the wheel: "If she wants to drive she can go to her father and God willing she will drive lorries. Decisions like this depend on personal freedom #She_Won't_Drive."

Much of the kingdom's overwhelmingly young population supports Prince Mohammed's reforms, but many Saudis fear their speed could provoke a backlash from religious conservatives once seen as dominant.

ACTIVISTS ARRESTED

Activists and diplomats have speculated that the arrests of more than a dozen women's rights advocates over the past month were aimed at appeasing conservative elements or at sending a message to activists not to push demands too far.

The crown prince's modernization efforts have won praise at home and abroad, but he has also provoked unease with an anti-corruption purge last year, when scores of royals and top businessmen were detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. Most were freed after reaching settlements with the government.

Billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, an early advocate of women driving who was detained at the Ritz for three months, tweeted a video of his daughter driving.

"Saudi Arabia has just entered the 21st century," he said to his granddaughters in the back seat in the video. "Thanks to King Salman for this achievement."

Even with the end of the driving ban, Saudi Arabia remains one of the most restrictive countries for women, who need permission from legally mandated male guardians for important decisions such as foreign travel and marriage.

Amnesty International said lifting the ban was "a small step in the right direction," but called for an end to other practices that discriminate against women.

Activists have already begun campaigning to end the guardianship system, which has been chipped away at slowly over the years. Prince Mohammed declared in an interview earlier this year that he believes men and women are equal.

But veteran Saudi activist Hala Aldosari says women remain second-class citizens and criticized the crown prince's "piecemeal approach" as serving the interests of the elite at the expense of women from more restrictive families.

"Worst of all will be if these small-scale reforms, and the silencing of feminists, slow the momentum for pushing the Saudi regime into making more meaningful change," she wrote in a U.S. newspaper. (Reporting by Sarah Dadouch and Stephne Kalin Additional reporting by Marwa Rashad and Reuters TV Editing by Ros Russell and Leslie Adler)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Saudi to lift driving ban on women June 24

RIYADH- Saudi women will be allowed to start driving in the kingdom from June 24, the General Department of Traffic Director General Mohammed al-Bassami said on Tuesday. 

"All the requirements for women in the kingdom to start driving have been established," Bassami was quoted as saying in a statement released by the government.

In September 2017, a royal decree announced the end of a decades-long ban on women driving -- the only one of its kind in the world.

Women 18 years of age and older will be allowed to apply for a driver's license, Bassami said.

Driving schools for women have been set up across five cities in the conservative kingdom, and teachers will include Saudi women who obtained their licenses abroad.

Women with foreign driving licenses will be able to apply for a local one through a separate process, which will also assess their driving skills. 

"It is no secret that many women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hold driving licenses from abroad," the statement added. 

Saudi women have previously petitioned the government for the lifting of the ban, and even taken to the wheel in protest. 

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, is seen as the force behind the lifting of the ban, part of a series of reforms being pushed by the powerful royal in the conservative kingdom.

His Vision 2030 reform plan for a post-oil era seeks to elevate women to nearly one-third of the workforce, up from about 22 percent now.

The decision to allow women to drive could give them the much-needed mobility to join the workforce.

Saudi women now no longer need male permission to start business. 

But Saudi activists say social change will only be cosmetic without dismantling the kingdom's rigid guardianship system, which requires women to seek permission from a male relative to study, travel and other activities.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Volvo to supply Uber with self-driving cars

Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars said Monday it has signed an agreement to supply "tens of thousands" of self-driving cars to Uber, as the ride-sharing company battles a number of different controversies.

Volvo -- which is owned by China's Geely and has yet to build a self-driving system -- said in a statement that it would supply Uber with "autonomous driving compatible base vehicles between 2019 and 2021."

Uber would then add its own software system to enable the cars to drive pilot-less.

When contacted by AFP, a Volvo spokesman did not specify the exact number of cars, but a source familiar with the matter said it could be around 24,000.

Neither Volvo nor Uber released financial details, but based on list prices for the cars the deal could be worth more than $1 billion (around 850 million euros).

"This opens a whole new segment for us. We are open to deliver to more taxi companies," Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Swedish financial newspaper Dagens Industri.

The deal builds on a non-exclusive agreement signed back in 2016 by Uber and Volvo, which is expected to release its first self-driving car in 2021.

The statement said that "Volvo Cars' engineers have worked closely together with engineers from Uber to develop the XC90 premium SUVs that are to be supplied to Uber."

The base vehicles "incorporate all necessary safety, redundancy and core autonomous driving technologies that are required for Uber to add its own self-driving technology," the statement said.

Uber's head of auto alliances, Jeff Miller, said the deal "puts us on a path towards mass produced self-driving vehicles at scale."

Uber was thrown into disarray earlier this year when Transport for London (TfL) refused to renew its licence to operate in the British capital due to concerns about public safety for passengers and the process of driver registration.

The American ride-hailing app also halted its pilot programme for self-driving cars pending an investigation into a crash of an Uber autonomous vehicle in Arizona in March.

Advocates of self-driving cars say that they can cut down on deadly traffic accidents by eliminating human error.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Best And Cheapest Car Insurance In Virginia

$25,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 per accident
$20,000 property damage

The province of Virginia enables drivers to pay a $500 Uninsured Engine Vehicle exp

Virginia requires that car insurance policies include:

Substantial Damage and Property Harm Obligation: this covers the driver in the event that they are in charge of making damage or harm someone else or property. Under protected/uninsured Scope: Under safeguarded pays on the off chance that you are engaged with a mishap and the other driver doesn't have enough scope to pay for harms. Uninsured spreads on the off chance that you are in a mischance and the driver has no scope.

Virginia State Law: How It Affects You

There are a few laws that are imperative to recollect when looking for auto insurance in Virginia. Auto insurance rates depend on driving records, and if these laws are broken they can influence your accident coverage rate.

In Virginia a DUI is viewed as a BAC (blood liquor focus) of 0.08%. A BAC more than 0.15% expands the punishment for DUI. Virginia has a few wireless/messaging laws that deny drivers from utilizing a phone while driving. Adolescent's can drive with an allow at 15 years and a half year. The province of Virginia utilizes a Graduated Driver Permitting framework for high schooler drivers. Visit a neighborhood DMV (Bureau of Engine Vehicles) office to get more data about authorizing your adolescent driver.

The territory of Virginia needs to enable drivers to get solid, and reasonable auto insurance. A speedy hunt on the territory of Virginia's DMV site will interface you with significant data on looking for auto insurance. A speedy web inquiry will associate you to the accident coverage organizations in the express that you can get cites from. The territory of Virginia has additionally settled the State Partnership Commission which gives aides, assets, and data on vehicle insurance agencies. This is a decent site to visit when getting ready to search for car insurance in Virginia.

Since you are outfitted with the data you require about auto insurance, in Virginia, at that point picked no less than three organizations to get auto cites from, and start shopping. With a little data and some time you can get the best auto insurance rate in Virginia, and be headed to safe driving.
ense in the event that they need to drive without insurance, and at their own hazard. This charge must be restored when the auto enlistment lapses. Drivers that don't convey accident auto insurance, or pay the state expense can have their driver's permit suspended, be required to round out a SR-22, or budgetary duty protection endorsement, and pay a restoration charge.
(By John Tahan)

source: theinsuranceinfo.ga

Waze app to roll out Filipino voice command

Navigation app Waze is set to roll out voice commands in the Filipino language.

With this, drivers will no longer need to touch their phones to update destinations, a feature that may prove useful with the upcoming enforcement of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.

e"There's a new regulation with the anti-distracted driving law, on hands-free use... In response to that, we are launching a complete suite in Filipino, a Filipino navigation voice that includes the street names and also allow drivers to do hands-free voice command in Filipino," Waze Asia Pacific Region lead Mona Weng said.

Weng said the app's Filipino-speaking mode will be released next month, a few days after the new road safety law takes effect on July 6.

The law prohibits the use of mobile phones and other communication gadgets while behind the wheel.

For now, Weng said Waze is focused on helping improve Metro Manila traffic, but added that the company wants to expand to Cebu and other congested metropolitan areas. - ANC Headlines, 24 June 2017

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Hyundai, Kia to recall 240,000 vehicles in South Korea

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors on Friday said they would recall 240,000 vehicles from South Korea after the transport ministry issued its first compulsory recall order over safety defects first flagged by a whistleblower.

The ministry also asked the prosecutor to investigate whether or not the automakers allegedly covered up the five flaws, which affect 12 models, including the Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Genesis.

This is the first time ever that the ministry ordered a compulsory recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles, and comes after the automakers had rejected an earlier order for a voluntary recall, saying the defects did not compromise driving safety.

On Friday, Hyundai and Kia said they "accept the administrative order," adding: "There have been no reported injuries or accidents from the cited issues."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

New California driving laws make holding cell phones illegal

Using your cellular phone while driving is now illegal in the state of California.

Starting January 1st, 2017, it is now illegal for drivers to hold their cellphones or other electronic devices while driving in the state of California.

Regardless if you’re using your phone as a GPS or talking with the speaker to avoid putting it up to your ear can warrant a ticket.

The California Highway Patrol explains where a driver can safely place electronic devices in the car if you have to use it while driving.

“It can be mounted on the dashboard as long as it’s not blocking your view, at the same time, on the windshield. Like where your GPS would go, there’s a small part in lower right-hand corner or lower left-hand of our windshield but the main thing is that it shouldn’t obstruct your view and at the same time you’re going to be holding it with your hands,” said Officer Art Montiel.

Drivers may only use one finger to tap or swipe the screen.

The CHP said they have been keeping their eye out for drivers already violating the law.

“A lot of times when they’re texting and driving it’s very similar to when they’re under the influence. They can’t stay in the lane. They’re swerving in the lane. So that’s when we approach because they are focused on their phone and not on their surroundings…especially with a motorcycle officer those are actually easier for them to look at the driver without them knowing they are there,” he added.

Another new law directs the CHP to create motorcycle lane splitting “educational safety guidelines”. However, it makes it clear that lane splitting by motorcyclists between freeway lanes is still legal.

“Going back to common sense, don’t split lanes at 40, 50 miles per hour. Only do it when traffic is stopped or going really slow and I wouldn’t go any faster than 10 miles per hour or the speed of the other vehicles that are traveling,” Montiel said.

According to the CHP, fines depend on the counties you live in but the base fine is 20 dollars and 50 dollars for subsequent violations.

Read more on Balitang America.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pinoy inventor to start production of brake device

Melchor R. Heñosa, who was awarded Outstanding Invention (Tuklas) for 2016, will be putting into production his invention, a device that seals leaking brake fluid.

Heñosa, a jeepney driver from Silang, Cavite, will receive a P726,000 financial assistance from the Department of Science and Technology-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) to develop and commercialize his “Leak Sealing Valve (LSV).”

Heñosa invented the LSV in an effort to increase the safety of public utility vehicles, particularly jeepneys. In normal driving, a leaking brake tube would affect distribution of the brake fluid on all four wheels.

To prevent this, the LSV is attached to the fluid pipes of each wheel assembly and locks off if it detects leakage. However, the unaffected wheels would remain operational.

The inventor said the concept for the LSV contraption began about 15 years ago when he observed brake fluid leaking from his vehicle.

In a statement, Heñosa said that he was aiming for road safety, especially for PUV passengers.

Under a memorandum of agreement, Heñosa’s grant would allow him to procure raw materials to make molds for up to 40 sets (160 individual units) of the LSV.

Heñosa also plans to upscale the LSV; he would be testing it for vehicles other than jeepneys, thus widening his target market.

Earlier, Heñosa won the Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention during the DOST’s 2016 National Invention Contest and Exhibit.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Toyota recalls 396,000 vehicles in N. America

Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 396,000 vehicles in North America for a third time due to a suspension issue that could result in loss of control when driving.

The recall involves the Toyota RAV4 sport-utility vehicle from the 2006-2011 model years and the Lexus HS 250h sedan from the 2010 model year.

The latest action is the third time these vehicles have been the subject of a suspension-related recall, following ones in 2012 and 2013.

Toyota said rust can form on the suspension arm threads if the nuts for adjusting rear-wheel alignment were not tightened correctly. Continued rust damage could lead to the suspension arm separating from the vehicle and a loss of control.

==Kyodo

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Upgrading your car when you have a growing family

Remember when you were young and single, when you had money to spare and could have almost anything you wanted? Those were great days, but are usually just a memory when you have a family. Often, the first thing to go is your sporty car because the fact is that you need to upgrade your car when you have a growing family.

Why upgrade?

There are several reasons why you may need to upgrade your car when your family gets bigger. The first is down to space. A sporty two-seater car does not have the room in the back for the safety seats that all children need when being driven in the car, and it does not it have sufficient trunk space.

A family car is also fitted with plenty of safety features. These can include features that help you to avoid accidents, such as proximity sensors, advanced braking systems, electronic stability controls, and lane-keeping support. Some cars also feature alerts, such as a collision warning system and drowsiness alert. Then there are the features that come into play once an accident has happened. These include airbags, which are often located not just in the front now, but also at the side and at knee height.

The first step to acquiring a decent family car is to consider your family’s needs. For example, how big is it likely to get? How much trunk space is required? How economic are the models on your shortlist in terms of mileage? What features come as standard? Once you have whittled down your choices in this way, you need to find out where you can buy such a car.

You could opt to buy from a private seller, but it may be more financially attractive to check out local dealers who may offer a better deal by taking your old car in part exchange. A dealer may also be able to offer you an attractive payment plan, allowing you to spread the cost of the car out over a few years. If not, however, you may want to consider other ways of spreading the cost, such as taking out a car loan with a company such as Auto Loan Solutions. If you buy a brand new car, or even one that is only six months old, it is likely that you will need to make a down payment to secure it. You will also need to find the money to pay for the insurance.

With an official dealer, you may also be able to negotiate the inclusion of extras in your deal. This may be something minor such as free car mats, but it could also be a favorable upgrade in terms of features. Some car manufacturers are also designing child seats to fit exactly into their models, so it is worth checking these out.

When you have a family, your priorities change. Protect your family when driving by investing in a car that works to keep them safe and yet still has all the features that you as an adult require.

source: 20smoney.com

VIRAL: Undercover racer drives instructors crazy

Hardcore drifter Leona Chin drove instructors of a driving school crazy in a prank organized by maxman.tv for YouTube.

Chin, who has been racing and drifting for almost a decade, dressed up as a nerd trying to learn how to drive.

As the course went on, the instructors couldn't stop the seasoned racer from pulling off scary stunts.

As of posting, the video already has more than 2 million views since it was posted on Tuesday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Budget-friendly tips for car maintenance

MANILA, Philippines - If you own or drive a vehicle, its operating and maintenance expenses can cost you a tidy sum. That’s because we spend a good part of our day on the road, and in traffic-choked cities like Metro Manila, this could mean more driving hours, which translate to higher fuel costs.

While there’s not much you can do about the cost of fuel, there are some ways that you can lower your car operating and maintenance costs.

There are three areas you can focus on: your choice of vehicle, maintenance, and your driving behavior. Taken together, your driving decisions will have a real impact on your motoring related costs.

Here are some practical ways to help you manage your car-related expenses:

Choice of vehicle:

Before getting a vehicle, consider what you are getting this for.

If this will be for personal use, consider your lifestyle so that you can pick the car that is most appropriate for your needs. For instance, if you will largely be using your car for city driving, you have no need for a very powerful engine. If you have a small family, you don’t really need a large truck that could fit many. Familiarize yourself with the different models, paying particular focus on fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

A second hand car?

Buying one can save you a big sum, but if you don’t know what you’re getting, a second hand car with issues may also mean higher maintenance costs. Before getting a second hand car, consult with a mechanic so that you have a good idea of the car’s real state.

Look beyond upfront costs when deciding on a vehicle and consider fuel efficiency.

One of the most basic decisions is the engine type. For this, you will have three choices: gasoline, diesel, or hybrid vehicles (which are not yet commercially available in the Philippines). When making your decision, compare diesel and gasoline prices. Also compare associated maintenance costs – some diesel engines may require more maintenance than gasoline-fed engines, for instance. Also look at the new technologies or gadgets that may have been used to bring down fuel consumption or make it more efficient.

Don’t forego insurance.

Considering the high incidence of road-related incidents, having a comprehensive insurance coverage will definitely help a long way in the event your vehicle is involved in any incident.

Maintenance:

Do preventive maintenance checks.

Regular tune-ups, change oil checks, and check-ups will definitely have an impact on your costs. A dirty engine increases fuel consumption. Start by changing worn out spark plugs and reduce consumption by up to 5%. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy by up to 10%. Also look at the oils and additives being used on your car as these can affect fuel efficiency by 1-2%.

Check your tires regularly.

If your tires are under inflated by just 1psi, fuel efficiency can be reduced by up to 3%. Check tires once a week or whenever you fill up. Also make sure your fuel cap is properly screwed on after every fill up. This prevents fuel, and effectively your money, from evaporating.

Don’t carry unnecessary baggage in your car.

Accessories such as roof racks and bicycle racks may look good, but they create a drag and reduce your fuel economy by as much as 5%. For every extra 100 lbs (45kg) you carry in your car, your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%.

Driving habits:

Plan your trips.

Make it a habit to know which routes to take and plan your day accordingly. Try to combine small trips so that you would spend less time on the road and consume less fuel. For instance, you can schedule a trip to the mall and a friend’s house if they happen to be in the same vicinity.

Keep windows closed.

Driving with your window open is not only unsafe, but it also slows you down. Because this creates a drag on the vehicle, you end up using more fuel in the process.

Drive smoothly and avoid high speeds.

Don’t drive aggressively. Again, this is unsafe and it also consumes more fuel. Try not to brake or accelerate too hard and keep your steering as even as possible. Remember that the faster you go, the more wind resistance you encounter. This forces your car to consume more fuel just to maintain speed. Industry experts estimate that going faster by 12 kmph can affect fuel economy by up to 23%.

Use higher gears.

Driving slowly in a higher gear burns less fuel. It’s best to change up a gear whenever you can. Avoid over-revving, which also brings up your fuel consumption. Change geasr only when you pull away or when you are accelerating.

Avoid excess idling.

Turn off your engine when you have to wait for more than 10 minutes. Idling wastes fuel and is also very environment unfriendly.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Want to Pay Twice as Much for Your Car Insurance? Have a Kid

It's no great secret that across the nation, insurance premiums are on the rise. Over the past five years, the cost of insuring a home against fire and other casualty has crept up about 10 percent a year -- every year. Health insurance increases, while they've been muted of late, still rose 4 percent this year.




But if you think those hikes are steep, get a load of this next one.

Congratulations! You're a Father! (Now Open Your Wallet)

Kids are expensive. If you're a parent, you know this already. If you're a parent of a kid who hasn't turned 16 just yet, you're on track to get another lesson in how expensive they can be. Because once your offspring passes the driver's test and receive a license to drive from the state, he's going to need to be insured -- and that will cost you an extra $2,000 a year, on average.

(By the way, if your kid is getting her driver's license, your wallet won't take quite as big a hit, girls being 25 percent less expensive to insure than boys on average. But it'll still be some serious coin.)



According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving is a risky activity for teens. The are more prone to get into accidents -- about four times as likely as older, more experienced drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And traffic accidents are the leading causes of death for Americans ages 16 to 19.

Between lives lost and property destroyed, this all makes insurance companies very wary of insuring teen drivers. And when they do agree to insure a teen, they make you pay through the nose.

According to a recent report posted on Bankrate.com's (RATE) InsuranceQuotes.com, across both genders, all age categories, and all 50 states, parents pay an average 84 percent more for their car insurance after adding a teen to their policy.

Stay Between the (State) Lines

Think that's bad? It might get worse.

Unless you're fortunate enough to live in a state like North Carolina or Hawaii, where legislators have passed laws that ban setting insurance rates based on factors such as age or gender, your rates may rise by more than the average 84 percent.

How much more? Take a look at the top 10 states hiking rates on teenage drivers by 100 percent and higher:

New Hampshire: 100.56 percent
Louisiana: 100.58 percent
Arizona: 103.65 percent
Washington: 104.66 percent
Maine: 105.23 percent
Idaho: 106.74 percent
Alabama: 110.61 percent
Wyoming: 112.11 percent
Utah: 114.62 percent
Arkansas: 116.34 percent

That's right. Put a teenage driver on your policy in any one of these states, and you can expect to see your insurance cost for the whole family more than double.

The news is even worse for parents in Louisiana. Although its teen drivers bring "only" the ninth highest rate hikes with them when they join a policy, Louisiana car insurance in general is already the most expensive in the land -- averaging $2,699 annually for a single male driver, according to Insure.com. Add a kid to that policy, and you'll be shelling out upwards of $5,400 a year.

What's to Be Done?

Is there any way to beat the system, and avoid these hikes? Not entirely, no.

Sure, you could move to Hawaii, where insurance rates rise least. Then again, Hawaii also has the honor of hosting the nation's most expensive housing market -- so you'll end up seriously out of pocket, one way or the other. On the other hand, North Carolinian insurance rates don't rise so much when you put a teen on your policy. That market might be worth a look, if you're willing to move to save money.

Patience Is a Virtue... That Pays

One solution suggests itself from InsuranceQuotes.com's offhand observation that certain teens cost more to insure than others.

In particular, if you put a kid on your policy as soon as he hits 16, well, new 16-year-old drivers tend to double an insurance bill no matter where they live, averaging 99 percent rate hikes.

But premiums tend to rise less when teens wait a bit before trying to drive. 17-year-olds joining their parents' policies average a 90 percent increase. 18-year-olds cost 82 percent more. By the time Junior is age 19 and ready for college, the rate hike is "only" 65 percent.

Meanwhile, the standard caveats still apply: No one's forcing you to accept "average" rate hikes, so now that you know the "average" scenario, shop around to see if someone will offer you a better deal. Ask if taking (and passing) a safe driver course might reduce your teen's rate. And of course, since we're talking student-age kids here, make sure to inquire about discounts for good students. Whether or not it makes sense, insurance companies -- like grandparents -- often favor kids who bring home A's.

source: dailyfinance.com

Traveling Abroad Requires a Check of Laws and Insurance

Driving abroad requires of a UK driver to be educated as to the local laws. It also requires that the driver make sure their insurance is adequate. What is covered while driving within the UK may not be so when driving within another country. Insurance coverage would be of vast concern and should be reviewed before taking a trip abroad. If one finds they are not covered by their current coverage it can be as simple as taking out extra coverage or a supplemental policy to assure they have car insurance.

It is also important to look into the laws covering driving in another country. If not prepared, a driving violation or accident could be not only time consuming from one’s business trip or vacation but it could be costly as well. To help those driving in foreign countries to be more prepared, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has launched a campaign to inform how to be safer when driving abroad. By staying informed of local driving laws one can remain safer on the roads. The FCO reported that there have been a high number of traffic incidents involving British tourists in popular vacation spots such as Australia, Thailand, and Spain.

UK ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent commented “Accidents do occur and not all tragedies are avoidable, but the outcome could be very different with many lives being saved and critical injuries reduced if people adopted the same safety precautions abroad that they would naturally take at home.

“I have visited hospitals here and heard from doctors how many deaths could have been avoided by following the law and taking the appropriate precautions, such as safety helmets.

“You should check that your travel insurance specifically covers you for driving a scooter or any other vehicle abroad.”

The FCO has a new online tool to properly inform drivers so they are better prepared and can be safe on the roads. The online tool can be found at www.fcowidget.com.

source: comparethebox.com

Saudi prince makes economic case for women drivers

DUBAI - Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince AlWaleed bin Talal, a nephew of King Abdullah, has thrown his support behind allowing Saudi women to drive, saying it makes economic sense.

Women are barred from driving in the Arab kingdom - leaving them reliant on mostly foreign drivers.

"(The question of) women driving will result in dispensing with at least 500,000 foreign drivers, and that has an economic and social impact for the country," the prince said on his Twitter account on Sunday.

He did not spell out the economic benefits, but Saudi officials have said they are worried about the amount of money being sent out of the country by foreign workers.

Many Saudi families would also have more disposable income if they no longer had to pay for drivers.

Saudi Arabia, home to about nine million foreign workers, began a crackdown on illegal immigrants this year to boost the proportion of Saudi citizens in private sector jobs from the current 10 percent.

In the same Twitter message, the prince said he supported that campaign.

Saudi Arabia is a conservative monarchy, backed by religious scholars. It follows an austere Salafist form of Sunni Islam and allows clerics wide powers in society where they dominate the judicial system and run their own police squad to enforce religious morals.

After pro-democracy protests swept through the region in 2011, dozens of Saudi women responded to the "Women 2 Drive" campaign, posting pictures and videos of their driving on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Some of the women were detained briefly and two faced charges, including that of "challenging the monarch".

One of them was let go after signing a pledge not to drive again, while the other was sentenced to 10 lashes. Reuters could not confirm if the lashing sentence was inflicted, but a Saudi princess tweeted that it had been revoked.

While there is no written legislation banning women from driving, Saudi law requires citizens to use locally issued licenses while in the country. Such licenses are not issued to women, making it effectively illegal for them to drive.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Higher Auto Insurance Rates for Safe Drivers?

A stellar safety record doesn’t always translate into lower car insurance rates. A recent survey by the Consumer Federation of America compared rates from five large insurers, using hypothetical customers of the same age and gender, and with the same driving experience and zip code, seeking identical coverage.


One customer was a single receptionist with a high school education who was a renter. She’d had no accidents but was without insurance for 45 days (for insurers, a big gap in a driver’s history). The other, a married executive with a master’s degree who owned her home, had continuous coverage, but had caused an accident within the past three years. In each of 12 cities studied, three of the five companies quoted the accident-free driver a higher rate (one-third higher, on average) or wouldn’t offer a quote.

Even if you think you have a good rate, shopping around periodically is smart. Start with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Click on the States and Jurisdiction Map, which connects you with your state insurance office’s site. Most states offer quotes for hypothetical buyers. The NAIC also lists customer complaint information for each company.

source: kiplinger.com

GM cars to use Apple voice assistant Siri

LOS ANGELES, California - General Motors said Tuesday it will integrate Apple's voice-activated software Siri in some of its cars next year to allow iPhone users to perform hands-free tasks.

GM announced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show it will use the Siri intelligent assistant in the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic LTZ and RS.

"Through the cars' standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel," GM said in a statement.

"To further minimize distraction, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with an eyes-free mode that enables users to interact with their iPhone using nothing more than their voice while keeping the device's screen from lighting up."

Drivers will be able to use the system to make hands-free calls, play songs in the iTunes library, or switch music sources from radio to iPod mode. They may also listen to, compose and send messages to people in their contact list.

Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars, said, "Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers, and Siri complements MyLink's existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience."

Apple announced earlier this year it was working with car makers to build Siri artificial intelligence technology into voice control systems in automobiles.

source: abs-cbnnews.com