Dodge//SRT is going all out for their 2020 Dodge Charger line-up with the introduction of eight different variants for the US market. With the new line-up, the American-built performance sedan manufacturer offers something for everyone looking for the right balance in a powerful sedan. (more…)
It’s a very serious offence to be driving while under the influence of alcohol (or ‘DUI’ as they refer to it in America). In some countries, it is not just alcohol but the offence includes drugs and even medicines that cause any effect which can make driving unsafe. Generally, motorists only give attention to alcohol and make it a point to consume amounts that do not exceed the limits, or are responsible enough to avoid driving home themselves if they have taken too much.
How medicines can affect driving
Many motorists give less thought to the times when they have taken medicines for an illness and while the effects vary from person to person, there is a risk that some may be affected seriously enough to make their driving dangerous for themselves and other road-users. It depends on how much medicine you are required to take. Factors such as gender, age, weight and dose all play a part in how the medicine affects you.
The effects can affect concentration and usually, the effect is strongest in the beginning of treatment and when the dose is increased. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the doctor to warn you or you should ask about the effects and declare that you will be driving or riding a motorcycle.
The effects of medicines
Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them. For others, the effects can last for several hours, and even till the next day. Sleepiness or drowsiness may be one of the effects but some people may also feel dizzy, weak, nauseous or even have their reaction time slowed down (which can be dangerous as they may not be able to avoid an accident in time).
For allergy sufferers, medications containing antihistamines can help relieve many different types of allergies. But these medicines may interfere with driving as antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.
While it is best to go home and rest (and remain on medical leave if allowed), you can also ask a doctor to help minimize the side effects by adjusting your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or change the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you.
It should be noted that even if you have not taken medicines but are sick, your condition can also put your driving at risk. Depending on the illness, you may be more tired than usual, less able to concentrate or even experience pain in certain parts of your body that could cause you to drive dangerously. If you find that you are extremely affected, you should pull over to the side and park safely, and notify someone who can come and help you get home.
Even sneezing can be dangerous!
One of the most dangerous aspects of driving while sick is sneezing, believe it or not. In fact, there are studies that have shown that sneezes cause over 2,000 accidents in the UK per week! When you sneeze, your eyes usually close, usually for about 600 milliseconds. In that span of time, if you are travelling at about 100 km/h, the car would have moved 17 metres forward – while your eyes were closed! That could result in ramming a vehicle ahead or worse, knocking down a pedestrian.
The same risk could probably occur when you cough, especially if it is a cough that is ‘strong’ and causes you to momentarily stop having control of other actions. You may also cough a number of times at one go, again affecting your ability to control the car.
Some of the new car models today have driver assistance systems which can detect when the car weaves out of its lane. This can indicate that the driver may be losing concentration and not guiding the car properly, perhaps due to being ill or being on medication. Such systems will alert the driver of the situation and also exert forces to turn the vehicle back into its lane. However, these systems are still not standard features like seatbelts so the majority of motorists would not be able to enjoy their safety benefits.
NOTE: This article has been presented in good faith for general information of the public, especially motorists. PISTON.MY accepts no responsibility for any loss or effect arising from following the advice and information given.
In conjunction with the 900,000th unit milestone, Honda Malaysia decided to celebrate its massive success here in the country by organising a special two-day ‘Road to 900,000th Unit Milestone Campaign’ carnival filled with fun activities for the whole family at the Bukit Jalil Stadium open car pack. (more…)
Subaru Tecnica International (STI) has introduced a limited-edition STI S209 and it’s the first-ever S-line STI product produced exclusively for the US market. As an S-line product, the STI S209 encompasses upgrades in power, handling, aerodynamics and driver engagement, and undergoes final assembly in Japan, where it receives engine modifications and bodywork alterations. These changes, in total, have required the variant to be specially homologated for the US market by STI; thus, the S209 is considered the first ‘STI-built’ Subaru sold in the U.S.
The S209 carries on a high-performance tradition that dates to STI-built models that were exclusive to the Japanese domestic market – the 2000 S201 through the 2018 S208. Only 209 units of the STI S209 will be built.
Tech from Nurburgring Challenge racing car
The S209 draws inspiration and tech transfer from STI’s most formidable track machine – the WRX STI Nurburgring Challenge racing car. Like the Nurburgring Challenge car, the S209 has expanded wide-body exterior treatment which extends the vehicle’s overall width compared to a standard WRX STI.
The bulging fenders accommodate wider front/rear tracks and 265/35 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A tyres wrapped around lightweight 19×9 forged BBS alloy wheels. The all-new tyres, developed exclusively for the S209 by Dunlop, are said to be a significant contributor to the car’s tenacious maximum lateral grip of over 1.0g.
Vents on the front fenders provide additional engine cooling, while vents on the rear fenders rectify air turbulence to reduce drag and increase downforce. Brembo brakes, with cross-drilled steel rotors and 6-piston monoblock front calipers and 2-piston monoblock rear calipers, provide stout stopping force, thanks in part to upgraded high-friction pads that deliver improved fade-resistance.
Underneath the S209’s broader body are specially developed Bilstein dampers, stiffened coil springs, a 20 mm rear stabilizer bar and pillow-type bushings for the front/rear lateral links. The S209 incorporates reinforcements to the front cross-member and rear sub-frames and, like the Nürburgring car, a flexible front-strut tower bar and flexible front/rear draw stiffeners. Other Nurburgring tech that has been passed to the S209 include front, rear and side under-spoilers; front bumper canards; and carbonfibre roof panel and rear wing.
More powerful EJ25 Boxer engine
A reworked version of the legendary EJ25 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine uses an STI turbocharger manufactured by HKS. This boosts output to 341 bhp at 64,00 rpm, thanks in part to a larger turbine and compressor as well as maximum boost pressure that has been increased to 18.9 psi (16.2 psi for WRX STI). There’s also a notable bump in midrange torque to 447 Nm at 3,600 rpm, delivering higher corner exit speeds when driving on track.
The S209 comes exclusively with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that routes power to a full-time Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with front/rear limited-slip differentials, a Driver Controlled Centre Differential, Active Torque Vectoring and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control. A recalibrated SI-Drive system offers three modes: ‘Intelligent’ for better fuel economy and smoother power control; ‘Sport’ for optimized power balance between response and control; and ‘Sport Sharp’ for achieving the best acceleration times. STI engineers recommend ‘Sport’ over ‘Sport Sharp’ for circuit driving, as the less aggressive throttle map allows for greater driver control.
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If you’re going to be out late tonight in Kuala Lumpur, you should be aware that there will be road closures and preparations for the KL Standard Chartered International Marathon 2019 which is to take place this Sunday, September 29, 2019.
At least 28 roads will be closed some time during the day, starting from 3:45 am on Saturday morning (September 28). The roads are: Jalan Raja, Jalan TAR, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Lebuhraya DUKE, Lebuhraya AKLEH, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Jalan Langgak Tunku, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tunku, Jalan Tun Ismail, Jalan Dato Onn, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Damansara, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Kinabalu, Bulatan Sultan Hishamudin, Jalan Cenderawasih, Jalan Kampung Pandan, and Jalan Pahang.
If you want to know the specific roads and times of closures, click here for a detailed list.
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