Fuel Tips

on Friday, 07 October 2011.

Fuel-Saving Tips:

Change gears efficiently:
Move up to the highest gear as soon as appropriate.  When you drive slowly in a higher gear, you'll burn less fuel;

Drive smoothly:

Don't drive aggressively and avoid hard acceleration.  You'll burn up to a third less fuel if you drive smoothly;

Avoid sudden braking:
Keep a good distance from the car in front of you and avoid braking too hard as this will use more fuel;

Make sure your tyres are properly inflated:
Check your tyres regularly and ensure that they are correctly inflated;

Avoid over revving your car:
Don't over-rev when you're pulling away or accelerating. Never 'redline' the rev counter;
Avoid carrying excess weight:
Empty your boot out now and again and clear your car of unecessary items;

Switch off your engine when it’s not in use:
Avoid excess idling, it burns fuel unnecessarily.  Turn the engine off until you need it again;
Use air-conditioning sparingly:
Air-conditioning puts extra strain on your engine and can increase your fuel consumption by 8%. Rather use your car's internal ventilation system where possible;
Keep your engine well tuned and serviced:
Service your car regularly - a poorly maintained engine with dirty dark plugs can increase your fuel consumption by up to 50%;
Avoid high speeds:
 High speeds = more wind resistance = greater fuel consumption. Keep it slow.

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Cars and the Environment

on Sunday, 16 October 2011.

Cars affecting the Environment

There are more than a billion different types of vehicles  being used in the world and it is expected that the figure would exceed 2 billion by 2020 of which more than half will be motorcars.

In the USA,  cars and trucks contribute about one third of the country’s smog-producing air pollution. The transportation sector is responsible for approximately 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

It has also been found that in the USA vehicles also contribute to water pollution through oil leakages onto the road surfaces which then wash off into storm drains, rivers and bays.
We should therefore realize how we would help to protect our environment by reducing the number of cars on the road.

 

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Traffic Fines - What to do?

on Thursday, 27 October 2011.

Traffic Fines what to do?

Traffic fines in South Africa are administered by the AARTO agency.  Drivers will be penalised with demerit points for various traffic offences. If motorists rack up more than 12 points in a 12 month period, they risk having their driver’s license suspended for a predetermined period.

Traffic Fines enforcement

After a traffic offence has been recorded the traffic officer is required to hand over the photographic evidence in digital format to the respective traffic department for processing.

Speeding fine

A letter is sent to the vehicle owner who has thirty two days in which to either pay the traffic fine or to dispute it due to irregularities or errors found on the traffic fine. The system allows a discount of 50% on the penalties if the fine is paid in full within this period. The driver or vehicle owner ticketed will have sixty four (64) days to provide AARTO representation if any fines are in dispute. The motorist will need to either download or fill out the AARTO 08 form online on the AARTO website. If someone else was driving the vehicle, you can choose to have the fine re-issued to the offending driver.

Summons served for outstanding Traffic Fines

The prosecuting authority will serve you with a summons to appear in court, should you not pay the fine, nor contest the fine.  You will need to plead your case in court. The prosecutor will need to submit all the evidence in the form of photographic evidence and testaments from the traffic officers involved. Should you fail to appear in court, the prosecutor will process a warrant order for your arrest for contempt of court, and not for failing to pay the traffic offense. If you are stopped in a traffic roadblock, you will be arrested and need to go to court as per the warrant issued.

What to do when you receive a traffic fine.

First check the the fine for any errors and irregularities with regard to time of issue, accuracy of details and photo image on the letter. Check the speed zones, direction of road and details of the offense. Many of the tickets can be paid online on the pay-fine or view-fine websites.

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