K Source/fit System 99199 Door Mirror Glass on 2040-parts.com

Drink-and-drive deaths down in 2007

By Tom Richards Motor Industry 08 August 2008 12:08 The latest figures from the Department for Transport show the number of people killed in drink-driving accidents in the UK fell in 2007. According to the data the number of fatal accidents dropped by 16 percent from 2006 to 2007 (from 490 to 410), while the number of deaths in these accidents fell 18 percent (down to 460 in 2007 from 650 in 2006). But while the number of deaths is going down, hospitals are still being kept busy as drink-drive casualties rose from 11,840 in 2006 to 12,260 in 2007, a jump of four percent.

Dassault Systèmes and Riversimple partner for eCar Design Contest

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with Riversimple and the 40 Fires foundation, launched their eCar Design Contest recently, designed to encourage cooperation and the development of ideas on an open source platform. The companies had been in talks for some time regarding a joint project and this competition – a completely holistic, closed-loop approach to the building, sale and use of a car – is the result of their successful collaboration. Christopher Reitz, head designer at Riversimple, says, "The open source platform is a fantastic tool.

Ford promote accessible & affordable technology in new campaign

Ford’s Active Park Assist parks a Focus on the roof of a skyscraper We do sometimes moan that cars are becoming so clever that it won’t be long before the driver’s just the blobby thing behind the wheel to keep an eye open as clever technology does its stuff. That said, modern technology is certainly doing wonders for tasks that many find irksome and difficult behind the wheel, and Ford are cleverly tapping in to their new technology to demonstrate just how helpful their new cars now are for the stressed driver with the Ford Primary Brand campaign. Ford‘s new Primary Brand campaign is focusing on technology like the new(ish) Active Park Assist that uses sensors to measure parking spaces as you drive by (not too quickly – you have to give it a chance) and then, at the push of a button – with the driver just following instructions for brake, gears and accelerator – neatly parks your new Ford for you.