Articles by Ewan Kennedy

Mazda is in serious competition for number two spot in the Australian sales race. While Toyota is in first place by a huge margin, Mazda, Hyundai and Holden are at it hammer and tongs for the second spot on the podium. What better way to increase sales than to upgrade its BT-50, Mazda's entrant in one of the hottest

Inattention created by texting is deadly but I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the dangerous practice of 'eat-driving' in Australia.I don't know if you have ever driven in the United States, but it's common practice for drivers to have their breakfast during the trip to work in the morning; a hot cup of coffee precariously balanced on the centre console, with the passenger seat acting as a table for a plate of cereal, perhaps even a bacon and egg roll just picked up from a drive-through takeaway.We seem to be moving in the wrong directionOur cousins from the other side of the Pacific even chuckle over occasional driving mishaps; heavy braking can cause a huge mess as the ingredients of breakfast mix with one another in a horrible slime on the driver's lap or the carpet on the other side of the car. I've never heard them chuckle over the huge mess created to human bodies during fatal crashes when things really do go wrong, though...Australians generally aren't nearly as bad as Americans, but we seem to be moving in the wrong direction. Especially in Sydney and Melbourne where ever-heavier traffic means drivers are having to get up earlier just to get to work on time. And drivers seem to feel that eating, drinking, reading the morning paper, making some phone calls, or scribbling a few notes in the diary is quite acceptable when behind the wheel.Research shows that failure to pay attention...causes about 40 per cent of all major crashes in the USAEat driving is certainly less dangerous than texting behind the wheel, but is still dangerous.Okay, so most try to set up their meals while their cars are stopped in traffic. But we all know the temptation to finish what you are doing after you are able to move off again, and that few seconds of inattention can result in a crash.Research shows that failure to pay attention - eating, phoning, texting, applying makeup, and much more – causes about 40 per cent of all major crashes in the USA. I see no reason why this figure shouldn't apply in Australia. Perhaps the Americans have fewer crashes than Australians because they have so much practice at eat driving – so the Aussies may be killing more people per capita than the Yanks.The only thing you should be doing whilst driving a car is just thatFailure to pay attention is approximately eight times more dangerous than travelling at excessive speed, but I'm not sure the last time I heard of anyone being pulled over and fined for this dangerous practice.I've said it before and make no apologies for saying it again. The only thing you should be doing whilst driving a car is just that – driving a car. If you don't have two hands on the steering wheel, two eyes on the road and 100 per cent of your mind on the task at hand you're putting your life at serious risk.

Modern cars are designed with occupant safety as a priority.

"Racing improves the breed," is one of the oldest sayings in automotive engineering. As far back as the 1890s cars were being raced to show them off to the public, and to improve their design, speed a

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Mazda2 sedan with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the second and third generation Skoda Octavia sedan and wagon as a used buy.

Kia has finally decided to bring its little Picanto to Australia.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2008-2014 Fiat 500 review with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Hyundai Tucson is back in Australia, albeit in a totally new format to the older model sold here till 2010. It replaces the Hyundai ix35 which did reasonably well in the sales race and the Australian importer is confident Tucson will do at least as well. Sleek styling, a suspension system with considerable Australian