Why Do Freeways Come to a Stop?

It happens to most drivers at least a few times a year. You are sailing along on the highway or expressway or freeway when you are suddenly forced to come to a stop, or at least a crawl. You can't see why things are slowing around the bend. And when you get there, traffic is moving better. Check this out to learn why and what is the term for that occasion.

Click to Enlarge :O

So what do u think of the "shockwave" and the funnel effect? New terms huh? Please don't feel bad because you are not the only one who not know about this :)

Ways to Become A Safer Driver

Becoming a better driver may not be the highest thing on your priority list, but what if you knew that becoming a better driver would help to decrease yearly car insurance costs? Considering the recession, saving money on car insurance can really help people to be able to pay their bills.

It’s no surprise that people who get into fewer accidents and who avoid getting speeding tickets will get lower insurance rates than those don’t take those precautions. If you want to improve your driving skills in order to get a better car insurance rate, then you should implement some of the methods below:

1) Take a Drivers Education Course

By taking a driver’s education course one time in your life, you can save money on your car insurance rates and quickly improve driving skills. Taking the course is a relatively short term commitment, and is fairly inexpensive. It is sometimes free in local communities.

Surprisingly enough, there are even online driver’s education courses that you can take from the comfort of your own home. You can’t beat the convenience of an online driver’s education program, since most of us are on our computer every day!

2) Play Computer and Video Games

How many times have you been told that playing video games will help to improve a skill? Depending on which games you play, they can exercise your mind and maybe help lower car insurance rates. The most relevant games are the ones that teach driving skills, since they help you to become a better driver. These types of games will improve your hand-eye coordination and reaction times, which will help you to avoid obstacles on the road.

There is an interesting article on Street Directory discussing this phenomenon. The article illustrates that playing specific video games may improve your driving skill.

3) Use Specific Car Gadgets That Monitor Speed and Police Radar Guns

How many times have you been pulled over because you never saw the police officer, or were not presently aware how fast you were driving? According to Traffic Ticket Secrets, over 100,000 people per day receive a speeding ticket in this country, which equals over 36,500,000 tickets issued per year. It is frustrating to everyone on the receiving end of these speeding tickets, because many of them tickets can be prevented with simple gadgets that monitor speeds, and detect police officer radar guns.

When you use these tools to help you stay aware of your current speed and surroundings, the chances of getting tickets will decrease. Having these special tools will enable you to drive safer and to avoid costly speeding tickets (though, buyers should be aware: they are illegal in most states, and sometimes inaccurate).

4) No Pain No Gain

Becoming a better driver may not be exciting to you, but one thing is sure: being a safer driver can get you a lower rate on your car insurance. Without the proper skills to help you become a safer driver, you will continue to pay higher rates on your insurance, due to tickets and fender benders.

Sometimes you must do certain things that you don’t want to do, such as take a drivers education course in order to save money on your car insurance. And in this economy, saving money is definitely a good thing to focus on!

Source: Drive Steady

Car and Bike on the Road - Double Standards?

How true is this occurrence? I personally experienced this and agreed with the comic. Some other comments and discussions:

MR A
"Solution: the Idaho Stop law. (Bicycles treat Stop signs as Yield; red lights as Stop signs)"

MR B
"I've been commuting to work by bike in Washington DC for nearly 11 years. And I've been hit several times by cars... however, I haven't been hit in the last 5 years.

Why?

Because I follow the Idaho Stop law. Well, in rush hour I just wait for the light like a good citizen. But the point is, cars hate waiting for bicyclists. I was hit several times because of cars who couldn't bear to wait for me ( even though I'm on the right, hugging the right, doing what I should do ) so they pass dangerously close, or do something else stupid and I get injured, and they drive off.

At some point I realized that judiciously running lights got me far enough ahead that I didn't have this problem, and I haven't been hit since. It also has prevented right hooks!

I'm not going to pretend it's moral. I'm not going to high horse. I'm just giving my experience: I haven't been hit by a car in five years.

And yes, no matter what, whenever there's traffic I wait for the red light to change."

MR C
"At some point I realized that judiciously running lights got me far enough ahead that I didn't have this problem

This. The Idaho stop law is the way to go.

Here's the thing: Many, probably most, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians break "minor" traffic laws all the time. Many cars speed or fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Many bikes stop-and-go at red lights. Many pedestrians jaywalk or cross against the light.

These are rational and largely well intentioned people who are balancing (sometimes incorrectly) safety, efficiency and respect for the rules of the road. Whether safe, legal or appropriate, these are at least arguably rational decisions since many otherwise rational people seem do it, but the decisions about which laws to obey and which to "bend" are different for different modes of transport. These differences seem to be at the heart of much of the friction expressed in the OP and similar debates.

Motorists pick and choose which laws to obey all the time, typically for their own convenience (speeding, rolling "stops", etc.). The Idaho stop law approach is both convenient and safer for cyclists. But it's more convenient for motorists too: in most urban traffic cars do not have a higher average speed than bikes, but they accelerate and decelerate faster. It's this constant pass-then-get-passed cycle that seems to piss motorists off. The Idaho stop law puts enough distance between bikes and motor vehicles that this is less of a problem."

MR D
"The majority of car drivers are also cyclists, and thus understand how vulnerable a cyclist can feel. "Strict Liability", supported in law in the Netherlands, leads to driver's insurance being deemed to be responsible in a collision between a car and a cyclist. This makes car drivers very wary of bicycles. Finally, towns have been designed with limited access by cars and limited (decreasing over time) car parking. The resulting heavy traffic and very limited car parking makes car use unattractive in towns.

These factors together far outweigh the negative factors of wet and windy weather, strong headwinds due to the flat terrain, and frequent bicycle thefts. Nearly a third of all journeys made in the Netherlands are made by bicycle. Even the over 65 age group make nearly a quarter of their journeys by bicycle. Within some cities, over half of all journeys are made by bicycle."

Source: Reddit.com

100 Reasons Why Women are Bad Drivers

We all know that it took women a while to be accepted on the roads. In fact, in many male circles, grunting can still be heard when the words “women” and “driving” are brought up in the same sentence. Unfortunately, some women uphold the bad reputation by committing crazy acts while behind the wheel. They help contribute to the 100 reasons why women are horrible drivers. (I don't want to be a gender bias, but please look at the facts. Peace. Source of the article is at the bottom)
1. Putting on makeup in the rear-view mirror is their favorite pastime.
2. They’re too busy yelling at the back seat to drive carefully.
3. A Johns Hopkins study says women crash more than men.
4. While the wind-blown convertible look creates a nonexistent view, it offers great sex appeal.
5. Trying to ignore the hot guy in the next car also results in ignoring the light that just turned red.
6. They know their husbands will fix whatever they break.
7. Women know the “Ohhh! THAT’s drive and THAT’s reverse!” line will work every time.
8. They don’t realize how dangerous (and annoying) talking excessively while driving really is.
9. The gas and brakes are interchangeable.
10. The necessary Starbucks fix and texting-while-driving combo are so necessary.
11. That jagged fingernail seems to always need filing down when behind the wheel.
12. More and more tiny women are getting behind the wheels of monster SUVs.
13. Women freaked out by the mouse in the road will swerve into another car every time.
14. When driving past a mirror-glass building, they’re looking at how good they look in the car–and not the road.
15. They don’t like turning on their brights because it scares the deer.
16. Horrible driving starts early.
17. Women will stop dead in traffic to call the radio station and meet the guy looking for his next love.
18. Dishing out the honey-do list while driving requires their eyes to be fixed on the hubby’s.
19. They think yelling at other cars is better than improving their own skills.
20. Texting Cindy about the dress Amber is wearing this weekend is an immediate requirement.
21. When driving in the rain, they wildly dodge mud to avoid getting the tires dirty.
22. 80% of American women keep right on driving when they reach the age of 66, according to the NHTSA.
23. There’s no ticket they can’t get out of with the right outfit on.
24. Taking a quick traffic school class or two isn’t so bad.
25. Changing wiper blades when they’re dull is too much work.
26. They don’t like that getting gas is no longer a full service affair.
27. Speeding is a secret passion.
28. Women love to drive with their knees and elbows when putting cream in their coffee.
29. They think swerving the wheel left and right makes for great aerobics.
30. Pumping the gas and brake pedals interchangeably makes for great aerobics too.
31. Side and rearview mirrors are for makeup checks only.
32. They know the mechanic will lower their labor charges with the pouty face look.
33. Saying they can drive is better than actually being able to drive.
34. Women just hate using those ice scrapers.
35. The first thing they do after an emotional upset is jump in the car and speed off wildly.
36. They try cool stunts to show they can do it just like guys.
37. Switching radio stations requires their full attention.
38. Squeaky brakes are annoying, but not mechanic worthy.
39. They think it’s okay for Billy’s birthday balloons to block the back windshield.
40. The curb and street appear to be the same height when parking.
41. They love knowing that the auto insurance claim will take care of everything.
42. When someone moves toward their lane, they swerve toward them as an intimidator.
43. They hate guys to think they can’t drive, so they drive faster to prove them wrong.
44. The “Do Not Enter” sign is for everyone but them.
45. Changing for the club in the car is sometimes a necessity.
46. They don’t see the necessity in getting regular oil changes.
47. Keeping “Tyler’s Soccer Team Rocks ’10″ in big letters across the windshield while driving makes them such cool moms.
48. They are just horrible drivers.
49. Little things like changing headlights and turn signals aren’t that big a deal.
50. Sticking their head through the sunroof while driving is a great alternative to the hair dryer.
51. Writing “Screw You” in their ex’s lawns with their cars is the best revenge possible.
52. They think driving the wrong way over a tire spike strip will work if they just do it slowly.
53. Real women don’t slow down for cops.
54. They can’t stop reading juicy chapter just because their behind the wheel.
55. They believe that when something drops on the floor, it’s important to pick it up while en route.
56. Brushing their teeth shouldn’t stop just because their driving.
57. If someone in the car is smelly, the windows must go down, even in a blizzard.
58. They strive to be the next Danica Patrick, even if they lack her impressive skills.
59. They think a clutch is a storage space for their small purse.
60. They found out blowing a tire attracts the hot guy every time.
61. Nothing says “I hate you” like trying to hit someone with a moving vehicle.
62. They can’t hit the turn signals with a fresh manicure.
63. If they’re tired from dealing with the kids, they may need a quick stop-light nap.
64. Sometimes a missed turn requires shooting across 5 lanes to catch the next light.
65. It makes total sense to paint their toes while chugging along in rush hour.
66. A “Check Engine” light means nothing to them. Where in the heck is the engine anyway?
67. Parallel parking isn’t their cup of tea.
68. Women think speed bumps mean speeding up to make the car go bump.
69. If someone else on the road has their super unique car, it’s a must to gently rub it with their car to show who’s boss.
70. Singing their favorite song requires closing their eyes on the good parts.
71. Sometimes it’s pertinent that they change their shoes on the highway.
72. They think parking by a hydrant will make the fireman save their car first.
73. They don’t see a need to stop at a stop sign if no one’s there to stop for.
74. Figuring out all of the car’s gadgets while driving is exciting.
75. Combing Sarah’s hair on the way to school is a necessary multi-tasking effort.
76. After the final “Don’t make me come back there!” threat, they finally do it–while driving.
77. If their husbands think they’re bad drivers, they’re not going to let them down.
78. They’re mortal enemies with parking lots.
79. They think turning on cruise control means it’s time to take a quick snoozer.
80. Occasionally, they like to see if “E” really means empty.
81. Swooping their hair over their left eye is just too cute to move when driving.
82. They like to prop themselves up on telephone books to see over the dash.
83. If wearing earplugs to tune out the kids also tunes out traffic, so be it.
84. As guys put it, they don’t learn from their mistakes.
85. They want to watch the DVDs the kids are watching on the way to Disneyland.
86. Pulling out of parking spaces is too difficult.
87. Women think blind spots are spots where blind people stand.
88. Finding Mr. Right sometimes means cutting him off in traffic to get his attention.
89. There’s only room for one woman in the car so that aggravating GPS lady has to go.
90. They found out that bad driving makes them good and helpless to their future suitor.
91. Women love to decorate the dashboard with accessories.
92. There’s nothing wrong with telling the kid brother to stir the wheel while they apply their lipstick.
93. They don’t know how to judge the awning height at the ATM drive through (guys make this mistake too).
94. It’s not uncommon to tailgate the car in front to check out the cool new hairdo the driver has.
95. They read that women aren’t assertive enough behind the wheel, so now they lay on the horn constantly.
96. In order to be on time, they must go at least 20-30 mph over the speed limit.
97. They think the speed limit max is actually the minimum.
98. Hopping buildings isn’t just for criminals on foot anymore.
99. The blinding glare of the sun is such a great tanner that they don’t want to block it.
100. Their moms teach them how to drive.

Source: Car Insurance Comparison

World's Longest Truck in Australia

According to Mr. Wikipedia, on February 18, 2006, an Australian built Mack truck with 112 semi-trailers, 1,300 tonnes (2,865,980 pounds) and 1,474.3 meters (4,836 ft 11 in) long, pulled the load 100 meters (328 feet) to recapture the record for the longest road train (multiple loaded trailers) ever pulled with a single prime mover.

It was on the main road of Clifton, Queensland, that 70-year-old John Atkinson claimed a new record, pulled by a tri-drive.

Dear Malaysia, are you interested to break this record? Come on, Malaysia Boleh! Before that, please check other long trucks around the world.