Articles by Matt Brogan

That’s the number of deaths on our roads each year. And every year those thousands of ownerless shoes make a silent plea to stop the carnage. The heart-wrenching display sends a tangible reminder of the devastating impact a split-second of reckless driving can have – not just on accident victims but also their friends and families. Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO Russell White said “The display is used to demonstrate the human cost of road trauma. It’s also a very sobering reminder that road fatalities aren’t just a number, they’re real people.” Entering its sixth year, Fatality Free Friday has gained sponsors from all levels – be that small workplaces, local councils or large businesses. Caltex, Suncorp and Monroe Shock Absorbers are marked to be 2012’s big name sponsors. Pledging is also a huge part of the event with drivers signing up online to agree to consciously think about safe road use in May. So far over 34000 people have signed the pledge. Event organisers hope to double that number by May 25 – the official date for Fatality Free Friday. As support grows for the cause, this year’s event will be held in Canberra for the first time, as well as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Further expansion is also in the pipeline. “We’ve had interest from places like Canada, as well as the US and the UK. They’ve asked us what they can do run a successful campaign. It’s about creating a global vision and managing growth the best way possible” said Russell White. Will you help keep our roads safe this May? Head on over to the Fatality Free Friday website and pledge your allegiance to safe driving. While 14000 pairs of empty shoes makes an impressive display, this is a number no one wants to see increase next year.  

Wouldn’t you love a quick-fix solution to those dull days? Press this button and untainted drama ensures. Mundane Monday could be filled with power sliding vehicles, police responses, gun battles and throw in a semi-nude woman riding a motorbike for good measure. TV channel TNT placed an ever-so-tempting big red button in a quiet street in Belgium - and waited. Curiosity soon prevailed and members of the public hesitantly stepped forward for a press. We won’t spoil the surprise but mayhem soon ensues on the sleepy street. The Carsguide team are in awe of this idea. Someone please make it mandatory daily occurrence. Quickly.

Burning rubber on a Chinese landmark isn’t the best way to promote a brand – one Ferrari employee did it anyway. Now Ferrari are up to their eyeballs in apologetic gestures after the dealership worker was filmed doing donuts on a section of a 600 year old Nanjing wall. The hoon-like PR stunt left parts of the Ming-Dynasty era landmark smeared with tyre marks. Worse still, Chinese officials claim structural damage has also occurred which will result in a hefty after-party cleanup bill for the luxury car company. While Ferrari can easily foot the bill – estimated to be over $600,000 – the brand may struggle to win back China’s respect.

Nissan's PlayStation GT Academy 2012 is back for its fourth round. Themed around the formidable Gran Turismo game, entrants play-off for the opportunity to win one of six places at the GT Academy ‘Race Camp’ at Silverstone (with real cars, a real track and plenty of real adrenalin). One driver will then emerge to become the 2012 GT Academy Champion. And this is where the real fun begins. The champ will be put through one of the most intensive driver development programs in the world in preparation for competing in the infamous Dubai International 24 Hour Race in a full race-spec Nissan 370Z GT4 beast of a machine. To take part all you need is a PlayStation 3 with internet access and registration to the PlayStation Network. Simply download the free GT Academy qualification challenge and you’re good to go. It’s time to get re-acquainted with that couch butt-mould. Sign up, sit down and get gaming for your chance to become the 2012 GT Academy winner.  

Ford’s Falcon EcoBoost obviously wants to be zoomed into the viral world. And what better way to do so than with two talking cane toads? Amphibian buddies, Ralphie and Les are the new face of Ford’s online-only video promoting the recent Falcon EcoBoost launch. Focusing on humour and clear messaging, Ford has stepped into the viral world in an attempt to further connect with their already fiercely loyal followers – a move that has surprised many. And surprise is what they’re aiming for. Yes, the Falcon EcoBoost is surprisingly quiet, the marketing avenue is surprising and – wait for it – the video has a comical surprise ending. Enjoy.  

It’s not every day that you stumble upon a beached Harley-Davidson, as recently discovered by a Canadian resident. The wayward Harley was recently washed up on the British Columbian coastline. With number plates still attached, the waterlogged machine was found to be registered in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture Japan’s magnitude nine earthquake and subsequent tsunami over a year ago is believed to be the culprit – and instigator of the Harley’s freakish aquatic adventure which spanned thousands of kilometres. The hunt is now on to locate the bike’s original owner.  

The world debut of the Mitsubishi Overlander (ASX to us) at New York motor show revealed the highly anticipated reshape of the front face.With a softer outline, the latest ASX highlights Mitsubishi’s steady move towards a simpler design. Rear bumper modifications also feature to match the modified front.While the signature front grille opening and recessed fog lamp housings remain, the new ASX now makes a bid for more style – and a bit more bling with accents such as chrome bezels for the foglamps and black sills to tough up the sides.A choice of front or four wheel drive aims to snare the wallets of younger families and those much-vaunted ‘people with active lifestyles’. Mitsubishi promises the ASX will have more space, better fuel economy and an improved driving feel.The ASX unveiled in New York features standard 18-in alloys, a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear stick and cruise control with driving wheel button-controlled additions. Features include remote keyless access, voice recognition mobile phone and iPod dock, rear LED tail lamps and external heated mirrors add to the array of ASX gadgets.Safety features include hill start assist, active stability control, traction control lock, anti-lock braking system along with an array of air bags featuring at the driver’s knee area, front seat side locations and curtain side air bags with roll-over sensors.First launched in 2010, the ASX has seen around 210,000 models sold worldwide with about 11,000 of those scooped up in Australia alone. Full details of Australian specification will be released closer to the launch.