Highway code

Be honest, when was the last time you picked up a copy of the highway code. Unless you have recently passed your driving test - you probably don't know the answer.

These days driving tests are preceded by a 'Theory Test', making sure drivers know the highway code inside out. When I took my first driving test questioning in this area involved three random questions asked at the end of the test. Despite getting these questions right, I was failed for almost clipping a pensioner on a pelican crossing. Please note, the fail was not for missing.

When I finally passed my test, the Theory Test had been introduced and I went along to sit a multiple choice exam. Last week a great deal of fuss was made over the standard of the GCSE Science Exam, you should have seen the theory test. From memory the questions level was:



The sign on the left denotes
a) barbers nearby
b) crash helmets must be worn
c) no entry

I could not believe that people failed, but was pleased I would not be encountering them on the road.

Whilst driving at the weekend I noticed the following signs, and was at a loss as to what they stood for:



If like me you have little or no idea what the sign means, then have a guess.

This is when they are used:

Symbols that may be used to indicate a diversion route

Different symbols are used when several location diversions are in place in one area.

So now you know, still not sure if it is an obvious signage system - perhaps it is just me.

Still I am at a higher level to those drivers who don't understand no entry signs and one way systems.

In car smoking

Whilst stopped at the lights this morning on my route to work I noticed that the car next to me had two people smoking sat inside, the driver and a passenger. Before I go any further - I am not anti smoking, but would not want to be trapped in a confined space with other smokers.

My thoughts did not stray to the state of their health, more the damage they would be doing to their car. Which just goes to show I am spending too much time thinking about cars and their values. Laws are being investigated concerning adults smoking with children in the car, which I am sure will get widespread support. Calls for a total ban on smoking in cars will no doubt be thrown out, as a car is viewed as a personal space and nothing to do with anyone else, so therefore this would no doubt be an attack on civil liberties.

Smokers do need to think of the devaluing effect smoking can have on your car (aside from their health). Smoke damage to cars can be both seen and smelt, which could greatly reduce your resale value. The smell may not be that noticeable to you if you are a smokers, but this is something which hits non smokers as soon as the car door is opened. If you smoke in your car you can reduce the value of your car by hundreds of pounds. You wouldn't try to sell your car with a chip in your windscreen, as you know it would devalue your vehicle. Drivers need to look at smoking in the same way, the long term damage can often be impossible to reverse.

Ikea Car

The net is awash with gossip that IKEA is set to launch a car on April 1st. Yes, most people are spotting the obvious April Fools day connection, but is this a red herring? What could IKEA have under the white sheet, if it is not a car? Is this a strangely shaped bed for a child's bedroom or a sofa for a trendy penthouse flat?

The fear is that the IKEA car will arrive like the car below, and will be far more difficult to out together than a bookcase named Billy.

What are you listening to?

A story in the Daily Telegraph today, talks about Digital Radios (DAB) being added to cars. The story does not offer any major commitment from car makers, more that they are 'thinking' of adding them. Many manufacturers offer them as optional extras, but it appears the uptake has been low. Is this because we are not sure what advantage a DAB radio would bring?

The sets would offer wider choice, although that choice is diminishing by the day with many station closing. The BBC offer a number of DAB services: 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC 7, Asian Network and 5 Live Sports Extra along with digital broadcasts of their FM stations. Commercial stations are less plentiful and appear to have sketchy coverage. One of the national stations, Birdsong offers I kid you not - bird song. Would this be the reason to get a set fitted?

So what do you listen to in the car? Would you welcome the extra stations that DAB could offer? Would Birsdsong improve your journey to work or are have you already moved away from radio and listening to your CD's or ipod.

A quick straw poll in the Carmony office reveals more CD listeners than radio.

Can you defend Traffic Wardens?

Traffic wardens are an easy target, hated by many motorists. They are the butt of many a joke and are often physically attacked by angry drivers. Traffic Wardens in South Yorkshire have even taken martial arts classes to protect themselves. I agree when traffic wardens behave like 'jobs worths' they are easy to deride and hard to defend, but what about the good they do?

If a sign clearly says 'No Parking', then I have to assume it is there for a reason. If a driver chooses to ignore this, believing they are above the law - then they deserve to be fined.

I live on a busy city centre road which needs to be clear at all times to allow traffic to move. Some motorist fail to recognise this and park up and obstruct other cars. The wardens can and do keep traffic moving.

The problems comes when a warden provides a ticket when your meter ran out 2 minutes previously or when your car is an inch outside a white line. Then I join everyone else and despise them.

Can I plug my car in?

Here is a clip from India, showing a car pulling into a petrol station and being connected to the mains for fuel. Imagine those electricity bills!

Car colours

What colour is the car you drive? Did you choose the colour for a reason or was it simply the colour of the car you found?

True, few car buyers’ start off with a colour (some do), but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in the essentials list for many. The reasons for choosing one colour over another are completely subjective; one person’s ultimate choice is another’s nightmare. Paris Hilton recently bought a Pink Bentley, which I am sure angered a number of those who drive this prestige model.

My first car was white, and after the effort I had to go through of constantly cleaning it, I swore never to drive a white car again. Since that time I have stuck to the safe colours of blue and black. One of the designers in the Carmony team has a yellow car (that’s creative types for you), and I am sure that he has little or no trouble finding it in the car park at Sainsbury’s.

Despite my objections white cars have made a comeback, and are more popular than ever. Carmakers are responsible for this uplift in interest and sales, as they have chosen to feature white cars in their advertising. These subliminal messages appear to be working and the white car comes back from its mid 80’s XR3i heights.