WeeklySA_AdminFESTIVE SEASON: Drivers are more likely to make a mistake as the year draws to a close and even encounter more drivers that purposefully drive with little thought for other road users
By Motoring Reporter
As drivers near the end of another busy and difficult year, patience and tempers are shorter while driving and decisions may not be as well though-out as they should be. This results in needless mistakes, frustration and additional challenges for other weary drivers as well as yourself.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, urges drivers to avoid letting mental fatigue affect their driving in the lead-up to Festive Season closures. “The consequences of letting impatience and frustration blur decision-making will only add further difficulty to the end of your year.
“It may also result in starting your break with additional stressors if you are in a collision or affected by aggressive driving – provided there are not more serious injuries or even death. If you are feeling mentally fatigued, make a concerted effort to avoid falling victim to this to make it safely through the last few weeks of the working year,” says Herbert.
Stay calm
Drivers are more likely to make a mistake as the year draws to a close. “Conversely, you are also likely to encounter even more drivers that purposefully drive with little thought for other road users. Irrespective of the cause, it is essential to not let this affect your own decisions on the road.
“Every time a driver cuts you off, breaks a law, or simply makes a mistake, take a breath before reacting. Rather, focus on avoiding their actions without endangering yourself or other drivers. Additionally, select music or podcasts before leaving to set you in the right frame of mind throughout a trip,” says Herbert.
Don’t risk it
There may be instances where you are tempted to abandon defensive driving to save some time or avoid other hold-ups. “No matter how short your patience is, defensive driving is the key to avoiding collisions.
“Defensive driving is also what will help you remain calm by directing your attention to the obstacles other drivers create with their risky actions. It will also ensure you avoid becoming the driver that causes another to become frustrated or aggressive.”
The Festive Season is also a time with more social gatherings and consumption of alcohol. “Do not let the anticipation of the coming holiday period lower your inhibitions enough to drink and drive. Before leaving for an event, organise a safe way to get home and avoid the temptation that may arise after a few drinks,” says Herbert.
Take a break
Do not let your mental fatigue mar your holiday travels. “Avoid booking your end-of-year holiday directly after you finish work for the year. Take some time to relax and start your holiday travels refreshed.”
If you are not fortunate to enjoy an end-of-year break, consider options that will not mix mental fatigue and driving. “Use ride-share or public transport, keep your driving to a minimum, start or end trips earlier or later to avoid congestion, set virtual meetings, carpool or choose from many other options. What will work best, depends on your unique work situation,” says Herbert.
Do not let the pandemonium that occurs on the road as end of year closures approach, affect you. Make a commitment before you get in your vehicle to rise above whatever challenge is encountered.
Motoring: Briefs
CAR SALES UP
Reflecting on the new vehicle sales statistics, naamsa said that a second consecutive increase in the monthly new vehicle sales could signal the start of the long-awaited upward trend in the new vehicle market. Aggregate domestic new vehicle sales in November 2024, at 48,585 units, reflected an increase of 3,658 units, or a gain of 8,1%, from the 44,927 vehicles sold in November 2023. Export sales decreased by 12,210 units, or 28,6%, to 30,431 units in November 2024 compared to the 42,641 vehicles exported in November 2023. Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 48,585 vehicles, an estimated 39,450 units, or 81,2%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 14,6% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 2,4% to government sales, and 1,8% to industry corporate fleets.
KIA VS PUMA
The battle for Britain’s best-selling car is mighty close as we enter the final months of the year, as the Kia Sportage finishes top in October’s monthly leaderboard, once again closing the sales gap to the leading Ford Puma.
According to data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the overall new car market shrank by 6% year-on-year in October, while new electric car sales were up 25% compared to the same month last year.
After winning the 2023 sales race, the Ford Puma small SUV has recorded yet another year of strong sales performance and continues to hold on to first in the annual leaderboard. But can it hold on to the top spot until the end? The increasingly popular Kia Sportage SUV has followed up several months of very consistent sales form with a table-topping performances in September and October’s registration charts, closing in on the Puma’s lead with around 300 sales separating them.
RENAULT REVOLUTION
The next-generation of Renault vehicles that will arrive starting in 2028 are set to eschew SUV design in favour of new body styles featuring “breakthrough concepts”, with new design language hinted at by the recent Embleme concept, according to the firm’s design chief. The French firm recently confirmed that it would launch a “new generation” of EV from 2028 onwards. They will sit on a new platform hinted at by the Embleme concept shown at the Paris motor short, and which are claimed to offer radical advanced in efficiency and sustainability. But he also confirmed that the new Renault 5, 4 and Twingo models would retain their own distinctive designs in future. When it comes to the design of future models, Renault design boss Gilles Vidal said that “the big question is how to do you reinvent the next step in terms of concepts [and] silhouettes? What do they stand for? What are they for?”
VROOM VROOM
Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have revealed their DrivAerNet++ software – which is set to revolutionise the process of designing the cars of tomorrow. The dataset, which features over 8,000 unique car designs based on the most popular car types, such as saloons, estates and coupes, began back in 2014 – with 3D models provided by BMW and Audi. For these designs, researchers were able to simulate how the car cuts through airflow to gain crucial aerodynamic information. Mohamed Elrefaie, a mechanical engineering graduate student at MIT, explains: “This dataset lays the foundation for the next generation of AI applications in engineering, promoting efficient design processes, cutting R&D costs, and driving advancements toward a more sustainable automotive future.”
CHINESE SAFETY
Three of the latest electric cars from new Chinese brands have been awarded five-star safety ratings, as the first cars roll into Australian showrooms. The Leapmotor C10, Zeekr X and XPeng G6 have earned top marks from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in Europe to the latest and most stringent criteria. All three electric SUVs have arrived in Australia, or are due imminently, with different backing – Leapmotor is part-owned by Jeep and Ram parent company Stellantis, Zeekr sits alongside Volvo and Polestar in the Geely group, and XPeng is an independent firm.
The C10 was awarded category scores of 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for vulnerable road user (pedestrian and cyclist) protection, and 77 per cent for safety assist technology.
