Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Apps that disable phone calls and read out texts, tweets and emails when you are driving are coming to Australia. However, road safety expert Professor Simon Washington says they may be just as dangerous as using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. "I have not seen a product in Australia yet that has come out to successfully monitor phone use while driving, but some are coming fairly soon," the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q) researcher says. "They generally work on a similar principle of blocking phone calls by using the GPS to detect movement. However, that would prevent you using the phone when you are a passenger. "There are more innovative products that read emails and text messages, but I'm not sure it's any safer as you are still diverting attention from the driving task. "Evidence doesn't bear that out that it would be a risk-reducing device." Prof Washington says the US federal government has banned all use of mobile phones by employees while using fleet vehicles and some US companies have followed suit. As far back as 2002, Shell instituted a ban on hand-held phone use and extended that to include hands-free devices in 2005, resulting in a 57 per cent reduction in crashes. Phone apps allow companies and government administrators to monitor whether their employees are using phones while driving and impose fines. However, Prof Washington does not believe any Australian government or company is considering a similar ban or monitoring policy. He says "hands-free is just as dangerous as hand-held" but thinks banning all phone use while driving would be too difficult to enforce. "The police say it's too difficult to detect now and that they only pick up a very small percentage of offenders," he says. "Drivers are generally aware if there is a law enforcement officer around." He says the answer to dangerous distracted driving behaviour such as texting while driving is not legislation or technology, but education. "Young drivers are the particular offenders because the proportion using these devices is really large so we need to capture that market at the learn-to-drive stage,' he says. "If we can develop behaviour in that age group they won't do it when they are older." PHONE-DRIVING APPS SafeCell: Uses the phone's GPS to detect movement at speeds above 16km/h and disables phone calls, texts, and web access. (Not yet available in Australia) PhoneGuard: Similar app, but also can be monitored by an administrator who can set the speed threshold at which phones freeze; set times of the day when phones are disabled such as school hours; set exceptions for users who request them; and receive notices about text, phone, and web usage on all devices on the network. (Not yet available in Australia) DriveSafe.ly: Reads texts, Twitter updates and emails aloud. It cannot be used to reply while driving, but can send an automatic pre-recorded response such as "I'm currently driving and cannot answer your call", similar to automated email replies. (In Australia it only works with emails, not yet with SMS.)  

Gold Coast City Council has confirmed that funding is not guaranteed past June 30 for Safe Motorcycle Advanced Rider Training courses which last year won the inaugural Australian Road Safety Awards. Gold Coast police traffic branch officer in charge Snr Sgt Bradyn Murphy said it would be disappointing if the course was closed down as it had contributed to reducing the region's motorcycle rider toll from 25 in 2007 when it began to four this year. "It's been so successful over the years," he said. "If it's a matter of money for council, I'm sure people wouldn't mind paying at least $100 when you consider what other courses cost. What price do you put on your life? It's like an insurance policy." The $45 courses are subsidised 50 per cent by council but are open to all riders, including those from interstate, who use the region's roads, not just ratepayers. Council traffic management and operations manager Tyrone Gerada confirmed that the course was not guaranteed funding after June 30. "There's no certainty that it will and no certainty that it won't," he said. Council has sent letters to riders who have signed up for the course after June 30, offering them a refund if the courses do not go ahead. Gerada confirmed that although funding was assessed on an annual basis, this is the first time such letters had been sent. In November Gold Coast City Council was presented with the Australian Road Safety Founder's Award for Outstanding Achievement (Overall Award) and the Local Government Award. The judging panel included University of NSW Road Safety chair Professor Raphael Grzebieta, international road safety expert Robert Klein and National Transport Commission senior manager Jeff Potter. Rather than just teaching riding skills, the SMART courses - which have been held fortnightly from March to September - focus on road craft and the mental approach to riding.  

That's why the Queensland caravan company has introduced the industry's first 25-year warranty.Director Elaine Foster says the warranty smashes the industry standard of five years and follows their introduction of new chassis, wall and floor manufacturing processes at their Sunshine Coast factory."We want to show how confident we are in the strength of our product," she says. Free Spirit has developed a tougher and lighter chassis and floor as well as new walls which feature an aluminium frame within the fibreglass moulding."For 50 years caravan manufacturers have used a corrugated aluminium sandwich with polystyrene inside for the walls," Foster explains. "The problem is that moisture and ants can get inside."We inlay the aluminium frame within the fibreglass so that will never happen with our walls. The wall is compressed so there is no room for anything to get in there."Other advantages are the light weight, strength and the insulation is superior. "You can hit this with a hammer now and you won't dent it."Another improvement is in the floors. "We don't have a wooden floor. We use a honeycomb composite that gives very good insulation and strength," says Foster.It's also half the weight of a wooden floor and waterproof. Free Spirit has added three new models to their custom-built range that goes from 4.8m-6.7m. The new models are the 5.2m off-road Nomad II, and the 5.5m Aussie Adventurer and Outback Legend.Foster says they had to add about $10,000 to the cost of the caravans for the new chassis, floors and walls. "We had nine people signed up and asked them if they wanted the old design and eight out of the nine decided on the new design," she says."The other couple went for the cheaper old design but they now wish they'd gone with the aluminium. It costs more, but it's different to anything else on the market. "It should last a long time and won't rust. I think the longevity should make up for the extra price."Foster says they now have a waiting list of a year and had to move to bigger premises at Caloundra to accommodate the doubling of their workforce to 14."Now it looks as though we might need to employ even more to meet the growth," she says. "We don't build in the hundreds like Jayco, but we are constantly taking orders."Free Spirit is riding a wave of popularity in caravanning. Last year, Australians accounted for $5.4 billion of the $7 billion spent by tourists on caravanning and camping, and made up 91 per cent of all camping nights.Caravanning Queensland boss Ron Chapman says a new caravan is built every nine minutes in Australia. There are about 430,000 caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers registered across the nation with 112,000 in Queensland. 

It will be vital from next year for vehicles to attain top ratings in the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Several cars awarded five stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash testing also scored strong pedestrian safety scores which may guarantee them maximum star ratings in Australia under the new system. From next year to get a five-star rating a car must also have to have a reasonable pedestrian score. In the latest round of Euro NCAP testing, the BMW 3 Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208 received maximum scores as well as high pedestrian protection results. The BMW 3 Series in particular achieved 78 per cent in pedestrian protection, even though it does not have an "active bonnet" that pops up on impact. The Peugeot 208 scored 61 per cent for pedestrian protection, only just clearing the Euro NCAP five-star threshold of 60 per cent. The Mazda CX-5 scored 64 per cent and the Hyundai i30 67 per cent. Under 2013 ANCAP rules, these scores would be enough to preserve an overall five-star rating if they also achieved a five-star score for occupant protection. The Mazda CX-5 and BMW 3 Series scored high pedestrian protection scores in the Euro NCAP ratings because they feature autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems which override the driver to stop the car, or reduce speed, if a collision is imminent. Euro NCAP spokesman Michiel van Ratingen says that if all cars were fitted with these braking systems, many crashes could be mitigated or avoided. BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott says AEB is part of their active protection package. "It's not standard in Europe but standard on every BMW in Australia," he says.  "It's basically something that ensures that if there is an accident with airbags, it brings the car to an immediate halt so there is no secondary collision. "However, it can be overridden by the driver if they chose to brake harder or accelerate away. "It's part of other post-accident technology such as blowing the top off the battery to prevent a fire and unlocking the doors." In Mazda, it's called Smart City Brake Support and is not available on CX-5 in Australia, says spokesman Steven Maciver. "It was a feature we looked at but its inclusion would have increased CX-5 pricing by a significant amount," he said. "Our research told us that Australian consumers were already impressed with the high level of standard safety equipment on CX-5 and that they're not quite ready to pay for additional safety features such Smart City Brake Support. It's for these reasons that we decided not offer it as this time." ANCAP requirements for a five-star rating this year were increased to include two safety assistance technologies (SAT) such as lane-changing warning, blind spot warning, brake assistance, daytime running lights, tyre pressure monitors or adaptive cruise control. Next year brake assist will also be mandatory and a third SAT required. From 2014, vehicles will have to fit a fourth SAT and a second row seat belt reminder, meet minimum roof strength requirements and have better protection from whiplash.  

It's BMW's best-kept secret. The K 1300 S is powerful, safe, fun, comfortable, practical and, in HP (high performance) trim, it's also sexy.It's a sportsbike that you can take to a track, ride to work, carry a pillion and even take on tour with the addition of optional tank bag and sporty, expandable panniers. The HP will also draw admirers at your favourite biker cafe.VALUEPrices start at $26,390 which is less than the Italian exotics, but more than the Japanese sports tourers. Yet it comes with heated grips, on-board computer and ABS as standard. You can also get a "dynamic" package of extras including electronic suspension adjustment, quick-shift gears, tyre pressure monitor and traction control for $27,890 which represents good value for the amount of safe and performance technology included.Or you can go the whole hog and buy one of the limited-edition HP models for $32,390, which includes the "dynamic" extras plus special paintwork, tinted windshield, Akropovic muffler, paddock stand, rear-set and pillion footpegs, and a host of sexy carbonfibre bits and pieces. It also has a limited edition numbered plaque which should boost resale value.TECHNOLOGYThis bike fairly bristles with technology. At its core is the high-revving but grunty 1300cc transverse four-cylinder engine with power that nudges the notorious Suzuki Hayabusa. Drive is through a no-maintenance shaft and there is a slipper clutch to prevent rear wheel lock-up under heavy downshifting. The best of the optional technology is the quick shifter and the electronic suspension adjustment that adjusts the preload for pillions and luggage and the shockers for sport or comfort riding.SAFETYIt seems ridiculous to talk about safety in a sportsbike with this much power. However, you are not flying without a safety net. This bike features adjustable traction control, ABS "linked" brakes, a slipper clutch and the dependable anti-dive "duolever" front suspension. Add in the electronic supension adjustment that quickly corrects for riding style and load and you have a bike that will safely handle most tasks from the track to touring.DESIGNBMW has dispensed with some of the odd design cues that polarise opinion such as mismatched headlights and slab fairings. This bike looks young and smart. It's also highly practical with the most comfortable seat on a sports tourer I have experienced and a relaxed riding position, even with the rear-set footpegs. The windscreen provides plenty of protection, but the fairings will dig into the knees of tall riders.RIDINGI rode the HP for several days in the recent BMW TS Safari which meandered from Bathurst to the Sunshine Coast. The combination of quick shifter and slipper clutch made short work of the complex twisties of the Oxley Highway, while the 140Nm of torque made light work of roll-on overtaking maneuvres in sixth gear on the open roads. And the combination of the quick shifter and Akropovic muffler provides a joyous soundtrack like an F1 car whipping through the gears. BMW's duolever feels unusual on a sports-oriented bike, but it works well to isolate the shocks from the scandalous condition of some of NSW's country tracks that pass for main roads. After plenty of hard charging with loaded panniers, the bike returned 5.7 litres per 100km, but most riders will get closer to the claimed 4.7 figure. Tourers may want to add handlebar risers, but the riding position is a good compromise between sport and touring.VERDICTIt will do almost anything on road from commuting to touring and even handle a track day. Get at least the optional quick shift and ESA package.BMW K 1300 SPrices: $26,390, $27,890 (dynamic package), $32,390 (HP)Warranty: 2yrs/unlimited km/roadside assistResale:  58 per centService: 10,000km/12 monthsEngine: 1.3-litre 4-cyl, 129kW/140NmTransmission: 6-speed, shaft driveBody: 2182mm (L); 905mm (w); 1221m (h), 820/790mm (seat) Dry weight: 228kgTyres: 120/70 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17Thirst: 4.7/100km (98 RON), 19-litre tank 

Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers of a speed trap might be illegal, but a US court has now ruled it is also free speech.Florida Judge Alan Dickey has agreed with a plaintiff who sued police for issuing him a ticket for flashing his lights to warn drivers of a speed trap, saying that the laws didn't apply to people who use their headlights to communicate.He also broadened his ruling to say that using headlights to communicate is free speech protected by the US Constitution. In Australia, flashing your headlights within 200m of an oncoming vehicle is considered dangerous as it dazzles the approaching driver and attracts a low-level fine. In Queensland the penalty is $40 and one demerit point.University of Queensland tort specialist Kit Barker says Australian drivers would have no "free speech'' defence against a fine."The only constitutional right to free speech in Australia is an implied freedom to communicate on governmental and political matters,'' he says."We do not have the same constitutional protections for speech as in the US and there is no equivalent to the 1st Amendment."Since flashing your lights at others would not be counted as political or governmental speech even if it was considered speech, it is most unlikely that it would fall within the ambit of our (implied) constitutional protection."Barker says there is also no defence in arguing that flashing your lights aids police in the execution of their duties by preventing other drivers from speeding."Factually, this is unlikely to be provable. Who, in all honesty, flashes lights to assist people to slow down rather than avoid detection?'' he says.However, Barker says the basis for charging drivers with flashing their lights would be thought of as "culturally ludicrous'' in the UK where a quick flash of the lights is used for several reasons."I assume the argument is framed in terms of traffic safety, but there can surely be no universal rule if this is so,'' he says."Would it also be against the law to flash your lights to warn oncoming traffic of an accident?"If not, then why is it a traffic safety offence to warn oncoming traffic to slow down?''Our laws ban the use of high beam within 200m of another vehicle or in a situation that could "dazzle'' another road user. However, RACQ road safety spokesman Steve Spalding says police do have the discretion to apply the rules depending on the circumstances."We would expect a motorist, and the police, to use their discretion in situations where the intent was to alert other road users to a potential safety hazard such as a crash or similar type of incident,'' he says.Truck safety campaigner Rod Hannifey, who has set up TruckRight.com.au to educate truckies and other road users, advises motorists who have been passed by a truck to flash their lights when it is safe for the truck to pull back into the left.OUR VIEWCarsguide says surely a quick flash of the headlights will not dazzle other motorists but alert them to a danger, hazard or even if the other motorist has forgotten to turn on their headlights. That's more than freedom of speech; it's basic communication.We also believe that flashing your lights to warn other drivers of a speed trap has the beneficial result of slowing traffic at a crucial spot that police have deemed dangerous enough to warrant a speed trap.That is, of course, unless the speed trap is located at the bottom of a hill, in which case, flashing your lights serves to prevent a transfer of wealth from the private to public sector. However, barging up behind someone and holding high beam on is not freedom of speech, but road rage - pure and simple - and just not on. 

The lift comes as manufacturers offer sweeteners such as hefty discounts or free on-road costs in the end-of-financial-year sales war.

There is probably no more menacing sight than a Harley Street Glide rumbling up the road. With its big "bat-wing" fairing, it looks imposing, if ugly. It's not only ugly, but ridiculously heavy, offering little wind protection and producing the most annoying buffeting we've experienced. VALUE The closest rival to this is the Victory Cross Country hard bagger at $30,495 which is just $500 less but a lot more attractive. The Victory also has larger cargo capacity and a slightly bigger and more powerful engine. The metric cruisers aren't in the game here and Triumph don't make a hard bagger Thunderbird, although they do make a 2.3-litre Rocket III Touring at $25,990, but it doesn't have the stereo and some of the creature features such as cruise control. Despite Harley-Davidson Australia discounting prices over the past couple of years with the favourable exchange rate, the big American still has one of the most enviable resale values in the automobile industry. While most bikes have resale values of around 50 per cent after three years, Harleys are in the 60-70 per cent range. TECHNOLOGY Although Harley never talks power, torque is up 6 per cent to an impressive 132Nm over the Twin Cam 96 engine it replaces. The Twin Cam 103 comes with an oil cooler and now features automatic compression release valves that reduce the "thump" when starting the bike placing less strain on the engine, battery and your spine. All Touring models now have icnredibly strong and secure anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a security system with proximity-based, hands-free key fob. Make sure you always carry a spare battery for the fob. American hi-fi specialists Harmon/Kardon provide the 40-watt, sound system with FM/AM radio and CD player. There is also an aux-in plug for an MP3 player, but there is nowhere to secure the player, so you need to run a lead to your coat pocket. DESIGN It's not quite as ugly as the Road Glide, but it's not far behind. At least the Road Glide doesn't support the weight on the front forks, but on the frame, which makes it lighter to steer and less prone to high-speed weaving. With looks only a mother could love, it comes with new paint schemes, a slammed rear suspension and there are new tubeless chrome aluminium profile laced wheel options. RIDING The compression release valves may soften start-up, but the rubber-mounted twin then shudders into life, rattling the mirrors, handlebars, seat and your fillings. It's an experience you either love or loathe, but it does make it difficult to tell if that's an ambulance approaching from behind. Harley's Touring range is one of the best-handling big bikes in the business with its stiff frame and good (for a cruiser) corner clearance angles. It has to be fully loaded with pillion and luggage and cranked way over before it starts grinding the floorboards. Rider position is comfortable with wide pull-back handlebars, 45.7cm floorboards and a deep-dish seat, however the rear shock sends harsh hits straight into your spine. The addition of an optional sissy bar also makes pillions quite comfortable. Leave the standard pipes on for a macho rumble rather than an annoying bark that will only create enemies of your neighbours. VERDICT Definitely a distinctive shape, but we'd prefer a Road King. Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide Price: $31,990 Resale: 69% Warranty: 2 years Service: 1600/8000km Engine: 1690cc Twin Cam V-twin, 132Nm Transmission: 6-speed, belt drive Body: 2413mm (length), 663mm (seat) Weight: 356kg Fuel: 5.6L/100km, 22.7L tank Tyres: 130/70 B18; 180/65 B16  

Marketing and communications manager for Asia-Pacific, Marcel Fabris, says they are researching to "ascertain volume and viability in the market". If it was sold here it would cost between $60,000-$70,000 he says. "We are working forwards with it and it is almost certified for use there," says Fabris who is based in China. "We've been doing all the backend engineering side of things. It's just a matter of deciding if the Australian public want that type of product at this stage."  The 1.3-litre, four-cylinder Cygnet is a far cry from some of the V12 sports cars the famous English manufacturer builds, such as the Zagato which starts production later this year and will cost as much as $900,000. The Cygnet was launched two years ago in the UK and Europe and last year in Hong Kong and Japan where Fabris says it is "very successful".  "We are now evaluating the potential for other markets," he says. "There is a real reason and purpose for this car in those countries where there is a lot of traffic congestion, limited parking, plenty of wealth and people like to drive a nice car. "There is also the element of looking after the environment and a lot of people in that end of the market are environmentally conscious.  "In Australia there are wealthy people who are environmentally conscious but you don't have the challenges with congestion and parking. "In Australia there are parking bays drawn on the ground and in these other countries there are no parking spaces drawn and they try to jam in as many as they can. "There is no real necessity for the car here. In those other countries it's a decision of the brain, but in Australia it would be a purely emotional purchase." More suitable and likely for Australia would be the much-rumoured Aston Martin Lagonda. While Fabris would not comment on the concept SUV going into production, it is believed the company is seriously considering it.  "It would be more appropriate in Australia, USA, the Middle East and China where they like big cars and have plenty of room and fuel is not ridiculously expensive," he says. "When the concept was first shown there was only the Range Rover Evoque, but now we've got Bentley (EXP 9F), Maserati (Kubang) and Lamborghini (Urus) with SUV projects, so that's a testament to the fact that we are not the only ones that think there is a market for a luxury SUV." Fabris says the vehicle would cost "around $400,000-plus" in Australia. Price would not exclude it from Australia as one mystery buyer recently forked out about $2.5 million for the only One-77 two-door coupe coming to Australia. Fabris says that despite "the worst global economic conditions for some time", the company had still been able to sell all 77 of the world's most expensive production car. Aston Martin last year sold about 4200 cars worldwide and 101 in Australia, back from a global peak of 7500 in 2007 and 160 here. "We have seen sales pulled back, but our business is very flexible," Fabris says. "At the current number we are still profitable and running a sound business, but obviously not as many as we'd like. "However, we are still able to tip money into product development." It is believed that Aston Martin will not only begin making the Zagato later this year and soon after that the SUV Lagonda, but will also update its DBS and DB9 this year. Aston Martin vehicles are imported individually into Australia by each of the dealers in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and on the Gold Coast.  

It seems you won't go to jail or be sued if a text you send to a driver leads to a crash.The issue surfaced recently in the US where a New Jersey court heard the case of David and Linda Kubert who were seriously injured when truck driver Kyle Best hit their motorcycle.Best pleaded guilty to using a hand-held phone while driving, careless driving, and failure to maintain a lane. He was fined $775 and sentenced to community service.The Kuberts' legal counsel, Stephen Weinstein, insisted that some blame for the accident be placed on the shoulders of Shannon Colonna, who sent the text message, arguing that Colonna was "electronically present'' at the time of the collision.However, Judge David Rand has shown some sanity in his ruling, saying the driver alone carries the burden of responsibility, not the text-message sender."We expect more of our drivers. We expect more of the people who are given the right and the privilege to operate vehicles on our highways," he says. There is no word yet from the legal counsel about an appeal.Meanwhile, University of Queensland tort specialist Kit Barker says it couldn't happen in Australia. He says the basic principle in Australian negligence law is "no liability without legal fault''."Fault requires at the very least that the physical injury suffered by another be reasonably foreseeable by the defendant,'' he says. "This is judged without the benefit of hindsight, at the time of the allegedly negligent act."Given that a person sending a text has no way of knowing where the recipient is, or what he or she is doing when a text is received, it would be very difficult to see how the accident would be a foreseeable consequence."Even if the sender knew the receiver was driving, a reasonable sender would assume that the addressee would not attempt to open the message whilst driving, given that this is tantamount to careless driving.'' Barker admits that US law sometimes produces results that "would seem very odd in other jurisdictions''."But I would be very surprised if civil liability were to attach to the sender of the text even there,'' he says. "In my view, the chances of there being any civil liability for the sender on the facts ... are virtually zero,'' he says. "I cannot speak to criminal liability, but the normal assumption is that the threshold of criminal responsibility is higher, not lower, than that in civil cases.''Whether it is legal or not, if you know someone is driving at the time, it's probably best not to send them a text message. Distracted driving such as using a handheld mobile for conversations or texting is estimated to account for nearly one in 10 road fatalities.