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Kate Ritchie involved in multi-vehicle car crash

Kate Ritchie has been involved in a multi-vehicle car crash in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The radio host was reportedly behind the wheel of her BMW when the incident unfolded in Randwick, with eye-witnesses claiming Ritchie's care collided with a parked Mitsubishi Pajero, forcefully pushing it off the road and into a parked Kia. The owner of the Kia, who wished to remain anonymous, identified Ritchie as the driver of the BMW and confirmed that Ritchie shared her details with him following the collision. After the exchange, Kate, 46, expressed her need to leave promptly to pick up her nine-year-old daughter, Mae. He added that Kate said her personal assistant would follow up on the matter, and that Ritchie did not appear under the influence of alcohol, although no roadside sobriety test was administered by police. All three vehicles involved suffered substantial damage and were later towed away from the suburban street. Daily Mail Australia reached out to NSW Police who provided the following statement. "About 5.10pm on Wednesday (6 November 2024) emergency services were called to Dudley Street, Randwick, following reports of a crash," the statement read. "Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Inquiries revealed a BMW SUV crashed into a parked car." "The 46-year-old female driver of the SUV and the owner of the parked car exchanged details. No injuries were reported. No police action was required." Image credits: Instagram - ABC

Legal

Woman fined after paid car park gets set up around her parked vehicle

Josephine Williams had been leaving her car in a gravel clearing at Westgate in Auckland, alongside other commuters to catch the bus into the city for months. The New Zealand woman was left with a "nasty surprise" when she returned from work on Monday to find a NZ $85 ($77) fine sitting on her windshield. "To my unfortunate surprise - and many others - I was greeted by an $85 parking ticket for a breach and a flyer from Wilson Parking saying paid parking had started that day," Williams told Stuff. "But what breach exactly was made? How was I supposed to know paid parking started that day when there was nothing at all displayed anywhere in the car park?" Williams claimed that the Wilson Parking car park had been set up around her already parked car, even providing dash cam footage that showed her pulling into the gravel clearing at 7.45am, with no paid parking signs or Wilson branding in sight. By 6pm, a large red and white Wilson sign had been put up at the entrance, with "12 hours for $4" written on it. "Wilson deliberately put their sign up sometime after 9am and then took it upon themselves to fine every single car that was already parked there from the morning," Williams said. "$85 is a lot of money - it would have been two weeks' worth of grocery shopping for me," she added. "I'm lucky that I know the law and my rights, but some other people might not. What about students or the elderly or people who don't know English well?" She estimated that there was usually around 50 and 100 cars in the gravel clearing. Wilson argued that the carpark was always there and they had just added more signage, but have since waived Williams' fine after she lodged a request to have it reviewed by Parking Enforcement Services. Wilson Parking also said that they had started to set up the car park and installed a "clear signage" on April 22. "It was not set up around parked cars on 29 April as suggested," a Wilson spokesperson said. "Several payments were made by customers via the Parkmate app from 22 April proving that signage on the site was clear and effective," they said. They added that on April 29 more signs were added to all entry points of the car park. "In acknowledgment of the increased signage added on the 29th at the entry we've made the decision to refund all payments made until 30 April and waive any breach notices issued up to this date." They also denied issuing any breach notices before the signs were put up. "Payment options were available and signed from 22 April - but no infringement notices were issued prior to the 29th." Images: Stuff

Legal

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords. The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for The Guardian, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed. Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries. These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales. UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.” Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure. Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.” Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.” "Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said. For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Mother’s car stolen with baby still inside

A woman who suffered injuries while trying to stop an allegedly stolen car with a baby in the backseat said her “blood ran cold” when she realised what was happening. Phone Halson said she and her sister were out for a day at the zoo in Yeppoon, Queensland on April 19, 2023, when the incident occurred. Speaking to Today, Halson said, "As soon as we got out of the car we heard tyres screeching and a woman screaming, so me and my sister ran over. I had my son in my arms,” "At first we saw the baby's capsule laying on the ground and we were thinking, 'Oh my God, this baby has been hit’." She said she and her sister then saw a woman screaming, "They took my baby”. "We are trying to console this mother still in the loading bay where you get your groceries, and the car did, like, a turnaround," she continued. "It has come flying through the exit-way. Me and another woman were still standing there. We were trying to call out, 'Stop, stop, there is a baby, stop', and she wasn't stopping.” Halson said she turned to protect her son, who was still in her arms when she was struck by the car. She revealed she suffered fractured ribs and internal bleeding and went through a two-week recovery period. The allegedly stolen car then returned, and Halson said the mother was “absolutely hysterical”. "It was madness. There were people trying to jump in front of the cars. Some succeeded in getting the baby," she said. "But, yes, some people were just screaming in horror. Other people were crying. There were some chasing after the car. It was absolute madness.” She said it was one of the most terrifying experiences of her life, although added that when the mum was reunited with her baby, it was “beautiful”. "You could see the relief on her face as soon as the woman put that baby in her arms," Halson said. "She just pretty much melted holding that baby.” Fortunately, the baby was left unharmed as the car drove away. Authorities said that around 4 pm that same day, they discovered an allegedly stolen grey Nissan Patrol at Bungundarra, north of Rockhampton, and arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man. The 24-year-old Cobraball woman has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, abduction of a child, and driving without a licence. The 36-year-old Mount Morgan man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle. They have both been denied bail and are due to appear in court on April 20. Image credit: Queensland Police

Legal

Five things to keep in your car's glove box

Whether it’s a long drive to visit family or a quick trip to the local shopping centre, your car should always be equipped with a few essential items. Does your car have all of these items? While many of today’s new cars feature the latest gadgets and technologies for comfort and safety, many don’t come with other useful everyday items which are vital in case of emergency or an unforseen event. For example, a flashlight would come in handy if you need to change a tyre in the evening or an in-car phone charger for when your battery has gone flat. By storing these types of essential items in your glove box, you’ll always be prepared for when life takes an unexpected turn. 1. Important documents wallet One item that should always be stored away in the glove box is a plastic folder or wallet with your vehicle documents, such as owner’s manual, emergency contact numbers and proof of insurance. A spare pen and paper will also come in handy. The owner’s manual should always be left in the car so you never lose it and should be the first point of reference for when experiencing car trouble. 2. Plastic bags and tissues You would be surprised at the number of times you’ll need a plastic bag or some tissues. There could be a spill, a car mess or a passenger may not be feeling well. All good reasons for keeping a few plastic bags handy. The same can be said for tissues or wet wipes, which will be useful if your hands get greasy from having to change a tyre or lift up the hood of the car to check the oil and water levels. 3. First aid kit Always a good inclusion no matter where you go. A basic first aid kit can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Along with the basic contents, such as bandages, antiseptic cream or solution, and a pair of tweezers, make sure you include any items specific to you. If your first aid kit won’t fit in the glove box, pop it under the front passenger seat so it’s easily accessible, if needed. 4. Torch For long trips, it’s a good idea to have a torch stowed away. You never know when you might need to change a tyre or inspect your vehicle for unusual sounds that might occur whilst driving at night. A small LED flashlight would do the trick – and remember to keep a spare pack of batteries in the glove box too. 5. Mobile phone charger Back in the days before we all had mobile phones, we actually remembered phone numbers! However, nowadays, many of us have these important digits stored away in our phones. This makes having a spare phone charger very important, especially when you need to contact someone and your phone has run out of battery. There are phone car charges which you can plug into the power outlet in your car to then charge the battery on your mobile phone. Image: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Tributes pour in for soldiers killed in army vehicle rollover

Tributes have flooded in for a man who died after an army vehicle rolled over near Townsville, with friends and family remembering him for his “heart of gold”. Brendon Payne has been identified as one of the two Australian Defence Force personnel who perished following the Monday afternoon crash. His 40-year-old colleague is yet to be identified, and the pair were members of the Brisbane-based 7th Combat Brigade. Emergency services responded to reports of the single vehicle crash on Dotswood Road, west of Townsville, with forensic investigators also attending the scene. Despite the efforts of both paramedics and Defence rescue and medical teams, both soldiers died at the scene. Police and the Department of Defence are investigating the incident. Mr Payne’s friends and family shared their heartbreak and tributes to the 29-year-old on social media. “Words cannot express the heartache my family and my brother and his family losing his 1st born,” Mr Payne’s aunt wrote. “Our beautiful aimee brendons wife and best friend know that we love you so very much and thankyou for coming into our lives but mostly for making our brendon the happiest man ever.” A friend said: “My brother I can’t even speak it’s like [a] dagger gone into my heart you are honestly one of my best friends my brother in arms you are and always will be my brother.” Another said Mr Payne would “stay with us all forever”. “His beautiful smile and gorgeous soul. We’re heartbroken,” she wrote. A third described Mr Payne as having a “heart of gold”. <img style="width: 500px; height:374.51171875px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843598/e50f501b206613a117551c6c51725e59.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/19462bfd73984876b5de5281815115e4" /> Image: Facebook Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk expressed her sympathies to the families of the two men on Tuesday. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and entire defence force community mourning the loss of two of their own in an army vehicle rollover in North Queensland yesterday,” she wrote on Twitter. Army Chief Lieutenant General Rick Burr said: “This is a tragic accident and our deepest sympathies go to the families and loved ones of our soldiers.” Defence Minister Peter Dutton shared the tragedy in Parliament on Monday, and Shadow Defence Minister Brendon O’Connor shared his deepest sympathy on behalf of Labor. “This is tragic news and we extend our condolences to their family, friends, and colleagues for this devastating loss,” he said. Image: Facebook

News

Diana’s car up for sale after decades in hiding

The Princess of Wales’ old car, given as an engagement gift from Prince Charles, will soon be sold after being kept in hiding for 20 years. The anonymous owner says she bought the vehicle because she is a “big fan” of Diana, and kept the 1981 Ford Escort Ghia Saloon as a second car, only driving it around her local town for years. The woman also says she refused to tell locals and neighbours who the vehicle originally belonged to. A car given to Princess Diana as an engagement present from Prince Charles will soon be sold at auction after its origins were kept secret for 20 years. Prince Charles gifted the car to his future bride in May 1981, and Diana drove it around until August 1982. It is expected to fetch between $54,000 - $73,000 when it goes under the hammer at the Reeman Dansie's Royalty, Antiques and Fine Art Sale in Essex on June 29. The car still holds its original registration WEV 297W, 83,000 miles (133,575 kilometres) on the clock and has meticulously retained its original paintwork and upholstery. A silver frog mascot given as a gift to the Princess of Wales by her sister, Lady Sarah Spencer still sits on the hood of the car, but is sadly just a replica. It was reportedly meant to represent the fairy tale of the girl who kisses a frog that later turns into a prince. Diana chose to keep the original frog when she sold the car. The woman who currently owns the car bought it for $10,000 in 1995 by an antiques dealer as a birthday present for his daughter, before it was passed on to the Diana-crazed fan. "Of course I knew when I bought it that it once belonged to Princess Diana, that is why I wanted it," the woman said to The Sun. "I was a big fan of hers. "I have driven it around as a second car ever since. A lot of people ask me why I had it and I used to tell them that it was my first car I passed my test in and that I was attached to it. "I felt that its history and provenance were so unique and I didn't want many people knowing."

Money & Banking

Urgent recall issued for Nissan and Mazda vehicles

Over 15,000 Mazda and Nissan cars have been issued with a recall notice over a pair of dangerous defects. A total of 14,460 Nissan Pathfinders and 2668 Mazda CX-30 Astinas are impacted by the recall. Both notices apply to cars sold nationwide. The Nissan recall applies to 2014-2015 R52 Pathfinders sold between September 2015 and January 2017. According to the ACCC, the stop lamp relay on the car may get stuck in the "on" position, which means it could be illuminated when the brakes aren't being applied. It could also result in the loss of engine power or prevent the driver from shifting the vehicle out of park. “This increases the risk of an accident and injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users,” the ACCC said. Nissan will be contacting affected customers individually, to which they will be advised to reach out to their local dealership to organise an inspection and repair at no cost. The Mazda recall affects the 2020 model of the Mazda CX-30 (DM) Astina. According to the ACCC, the boot’s power liftgate may lower unexpectedly when the car is parked on an uphill slope in certain temperatures. “If the boot’s power liftgate partially lowers while a person is accessing the rear storage area of the vehicle, the liftgate may contact them, increasing the risk of injury,” the ACCC said. Mazda will also be contacting customers individually to organise a repair at no charge.

Legal

Man’s $114 fine for “ridiculous” reason causes fury

A man has copped a $114 fine for breaking a “ridiculous” parking rule that he had no idea about, and has warned others to be aware of the risks. The man claims he received a ticket from the NSW Police Force for "not locking doors secure windows", while parking on Military Road in North Bondi. "Don't accidentally leave your car window down in Bondi," he wrote on Facebook. Not pulling up your windows is against the law. NSW Road Rules states that a vehicle must be secured, if the driver is more than three metres from the closest part of the vehicle and no one is in the vehicle. Though, the legislation notes a window is secure "even if it is open by up to 2 centimetres". A driver can receive a maximum of 20 penalty points for leaving a window down. "I had no idea that was an offence," one person wrote in the comments of the man’s post. "This so Sydney," another person added. A third person said: "This is so stupid. Don't pay it and go to court." "It’s such a ridiculous fine. Revenue raising at it’s finest," someone else wrote.

Legal

These easy tips will save you hundreds on petrol

Fuel costs can put a major dent in the family budget, but fortunately there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your consumption. The recent spell of low fuel prices has been welcome relief for many of us who depend on the car for transport, but sooner or later they will start heading north again. It makes a lot of sense, therefore, to do whatever you can to improve fuel efficiency. This can not only save you money, it will also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few pointers on what you can do to reduce your consumption. Can LPG or diesel save you money? This is often a hotly contested debate and the many variables involved can make it difficult to compare, but there is a strong argument that both diesel and LPG can be more budget friendly. LPG certainly uses more fuel to drive the same distance as petrol due to the lower energy content of LPG, but the cost of LPG compared to petrol more than offsets this disadvantage. The downside of LPG is that a car fitted with LPG is more expensive to buy and the cost of converting a car from petrol to LPG is no longer subsidised by the government. This means that the cost benefit of the fuel will take some time to make up for the upfront cost of purchase, but if you are doing a reasonable distance every year then it could well be worth the switch. Diesel too can offer potential savings. It has gone a long way to shedding its image as a smelly and noisy way to get around, thanks to improvements in engine technology over recent years. Diesel engines are getting quieter and cleaner and are now available even in many smaller cars, so it is not surprising that they are taking an increasing share of the new car market. Fuel efficiency is one of the key reasons for this, with diesel having a significant advantage in economy if all other factors are equal. In days gone by the cost per litre of diesel was prohibitive compared to petrol, but this balance has now well and truly swung the other way. The cost of a diesel car will still be greater than its petrol equivalent, but as with LPG, the more driving you do the quicker you will claw back the extra upfront cost. How reliable are the fuel efficiency labels? If you have been shopping for a new car you will be aware of the mandatory labels that now appear on the windscreen. These supposedly provide an indication of the fuel consumption for both urban and “extra urban” (country) driving. The manufacturers are responsible for testing their own cars and this is done according to conditions set by Australian Design Rules. What many people don’t realise, however, is that they are not done on the road, but rather are done on a dynamometer with artificially created air flow to simulate actual driving conditions. The controlled guidelines for the test mean that they are indeed a good way to compare different vehicles relative to each other, but their usefulness stops there. Because the test conditions are so artificial, they bear little resemblance to actual realistic driving conditions and consequently the results are generally a lot more favourable than what you will experience in reality. In short – you can use them to compare efficiency between different cars, but don’t use them to plan your weekly fuel budget! 9 ways to drive for better fuel efficiency When it comes to the actual driving of your car from week to week, there are many ways to make a big difference to your fuel consumption. Here are our top tips: 1. Lazy gear selection in a manual car can chew through the juice. Avoid sitting in a low gear once revs are sufficient to change up and also avoid sitting in a high gear when the engine is straining to maintain revs. 2. When driving an automatic stay alert when using the accelerator and ease off slightly when you can hear the engine getting ready to change up. 3. Erratic braking and acceleration guzzles fuel, so drive smoothly with gradual acceleration and avoid rushing to the speed limit if you can see that the traffic ahead will likely require you to brake. The extension of this rule is, of course, to avoid driving in heavy stop-start traffic where possible. 4. Don’t hesitate to switch off the engine if you are stationary for any length of time – leaving a car idling uses up more fuel than you may think. 5. Speed matters. If you are driving a 110 kph your car will use a lot more than it would travelling at 90 kph. 6. Items such as roof racks and spoilers can add significantly to air resistance and this extra load will cost you at the bowser, so remove unnecessary accessories if not being used. 7. Tyre inflation is essential to optimum operation, so keep the pressure checked regularly 9. You can expect to use up 10 per cent extra fuel when operating your air conditioner at speeds of over 80 kph. 9. Regular maintenance to keep your car well-tuned is also essential to ensure the engine is running to its optimum performance and using fuel efficiently. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/money/how-to-spend-less-on-petrol.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Retirement Life

Mazda recall: Urgent safety recall issued for Mazda 3 cars

Mazda 3’s built between 2015 and 2017 have been recalled over faulty windscreen wipers that may stop working in heavy rain. The recall was issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Thursday for the popular vehicle. It affects models sold brand new between July 20, 2015 and July 11, 2017. “On the affected vehicles, the front windscreen wipers may become inoperative due to a defective relay contained within the front body control module,” read the recall notice. “Drivers may experience reduced or poor visibility while driving due to inoperative front windscreen wipers, possibly causing an accident.” Mazda Australia will be getting in touch with customers who purchased the faulty vehicle. “Customers will be advised to present their vehicle to their preferred Mazda dealer for the replacement of the front body control module at no charge,” said the recall. Owners of affected vehicles should get in contact with Mazda customer support immediately on 1800 034 411 or visit <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.mazda.com.au/recalls" target="_blank">www.mazda.com.au/recalls</a> to check the vehicle identification number.

Travel Trouble

Woman’s bizarre excuse for going over the speed limit

A Melbourne woman has left police officers stumped after she gave a very obscure reason for going 137km/h in a 80km/h zone. The female driver of a Jeep Cherokee was pulled over on Sydney Rd in Campbellfield on Monday afternoon for speeding. The woman, 38, claimed to have no idea why she was pulled over, insisting to the officers she was only going 75km/h. After a close inspection of the vehicle, a very unusual detail was revealed about the car. “Okay this is a first for us. Car checked at 137 on Sydney Road in 80 zone. Driver swore she was doing 75,” the Moreland Police wrote on their Facebook page. “A closer inspection of the car shows the driver had changed the car settings from metric to imperial.” Her claim was accepted by police who converted her recorded speed on the dash board of 85 miles per hour to the real speed of 137 km/h. The woman believed her husband must have changed the speedometer from metric to imperial without her knowledge. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Feyewatchmoreland%2Fposts%2F1291214907697926&width=500" width="500" height="727" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> “Either way it was incredibly fast and dangerous,” the post read. Social media users were not too convinced by the 38-year-old’s excuse, quickly pointing out 137km/h feels much too fast and different to be confused with 80km/h. “137 felt like 75! Hard to believe if you are a driver! Cops obviously didn’t,” wrote one user. “If you can’t tell your speeding by flying past almost every other car then you shouldn’t have a licence,” another said. The car has since been impounded and the driver was charged $896.10 for towing costs. The woman is also expected to be charged with speed-related felonies.

Legal

Aussie passenger slapped with $200 fine for breaking little-known law

On the weekend, an Aussie Uber passenger received a $200 fine for breaching a little-known law. The Western Australia man was pulled up by a passing traffic patrol officer who noticed the passenger was holding an alcoholic beverage while sitting in the ride sharing service. The officer saw the man drinking in the vehicle before trying to quickly hide his drink underneath the seat when he realised that he had been caught out. According to WA law, it is illegal to drink in public, which includes inside motor vehicles and public transport. The term ‘drink’ means having an open container inside all public vehicles. The passenger’s attempts to hide his alcoholic drink failed, and he was given the $200 fine for his actions. In NSW and Victoria, having an alcoholic drink open in a taxi can result in a fine of up to $1100. In South Australia, offenders can receive a maximum fine of $1250 and in Queensland, the fine is as high as $2523. In Northern Territory, drinking alcohol in public can result in a hefty $4620 fine. Did you know about this rule? Let us know in the comments below.

Legal

Sneaky tax grab threatens to destroy retirement dream of thousands of Australian seniors

A new “greedy” tax on luxury vehicles, including motorhomes, is threatening to destroy the retirement dream of many Aussie grey nomads. In Queensland, the government’s two-per-cent levy could bump up the price of campervans by nearly $10,000. The Queensland government's tax will apply to vehicles that are worth more than $100,000 and weigh less than 4.5 tonnes – a category that most campervans fit into. Companies have spoken out against the tax as they believe it will deter many potential customers and force many retirees to walk away from their dream of affording a holiday vehicle. Pensioner Alan Dawes purchased his motorhome five years ago but said he wouldn’t have been able to make the same purchase in the 2018 market. “If I was buying this vehicle now, it would affect me by about $9,000. Which makes it out of reach for a lot of people,” Mr Dawes told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/06/25/18/47/two-percent-tax-on-luxury-cars-being-extended-to-motorhomes?ocid=Social-9NewsB" target="_blank">Nine News</a>. Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington accused the government of a greedy tax grab on grey nomads. "They've paid their taxes and now, when they're in the prime of their life when they want to get out and enjoy this beautiful state, they're going to be slugged even more," she said. Some retailers are concerned they could lose out if they are forced to cover the tax on campervans they have already sold. "If I don't pass it on, which I can't ... it will cost myself and my partner $96,000," John Burke from Explorer Motorhomes explained. Caravanning groups are worried the tax could have a greater impact on tourism in country Queensland. "80% of tourism out there at this time of year is in caravans and motorhomes," the CEO of Caravanning Queensland, Ron Chapman, said. “If people can't buy them and keep going around Queensland, then we're in strife." The government said caravans and trailers will be exempt from the tax. "But if it is one of those luxurious vehicles then it might attract some duties," said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. What are your thoughts on this luxury vehicle tax? Let us know in the comments below.

Retirement Income

Driving around Australia: What vehicle makes most sense?

Whether you’re exploring the east coast, west coast or going straight through the middle, the best way to see Australia is on the open road, be it by campervan, 4WD or even the family car. That said, some vehicles are better suited to some destinations than others, and if you’re planning a road trip around Australia it’s important to consider this. So what vehicle is the best option for you? So you don’t waste time (and money) at car rental lots, we’ve decided to run through the main vehicular options for a trip in Australia. Station wagons Ah the humble station wagon. While a road trip around Australia in a station wagon certainly won’t be a glamorous affair, it can be an easy, flexible option that can be ideal for some trips, especially if there’s only a couple of you in the car. Advantages <ul> <li>Cheap – Most station wagons will cost peanuts to rent, and fuel up.</li> <li>Easy – Station wagons are as easy to drive on the open road as they are in the, so if you want to stop in the big smoke you don’t have to worry about traffic.</li> <li>Flexible – If you plan to mix it up on your trip between camping, staying in hotels and</li> </ul> Disadvantages <ul> <li>Uncomfortable – Long drives can be brutal in the wrong station wagon, and even the most cleverly fitted mattress in the back can lead to a rough night. </li> <li>Not great off-road – If you’re bush bashing, a station wagon might not be appropriate.</li> </ul> Campervan If you’re going to be on the road for a while a campervan is a natural option. You’ll be more comfortable, but the trade-off comes with higher expenses and if you’re not staying in it every night you might not be getting value for money. Advantages <ul> <li>More comfortable – By its very nature a campervan is going to provide a more comfortable trip, especially if you’re planning to sleep in the vehicle every night.</li> <li>Home comforts – Campervans also provide an opportunity to drive with home comforts like a fridge, kitchen sink and gas stove which can be invaluable on the road.</li> <li>More people – Gives you the opportunity to travel comfortably with more people.</li> </ul> Disadvantages <ul> <li>Harder to drive – Campervans can be a little unwieldly, especially for first-timers.</li> <li>Expensive – Rental and fuel costs are comparatively higher.</li> </ul> 4WD If you’re looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush on your Australian road trip you’d be crazy to not rent a 4WD and these can be a great option for experienced drivers. Advantages <ul> <li>Allows you to go off the beaten track – In the right hands a 4WD should be able to handle any terrain you put in front of it, giving you the opportunity to get off the beaten track.</li> <li>Comfortable – Many 4WD rentals are much more comfortable than smaller cars.</li> </ul> Disadvantages <ul> <li>Expensive – 4WDs are generally expensive to rent and refuel.</li> <li>Difficult to drive – In the wrong hands, 4WDs can be quite difficult to drive.</li> </ul> Have you ever been on a road trip around Australia? What vehicle did you drive?

Domestic Travel

Which of these two vehicles has to give way?

Which of these two vehicles has to giveaway? If you answered the blue car, you are correct. As the driver of the blue car is turning left using a slip lane, they must give way to any vehicle approaching from the right or turning right at the intersection into the road the blue car is entering.

Insurance

Car almost flips onto roof as another vehicle merges into its lane

Merging into another lane in peak hour traffic can sometimes be a difficult task, and one video taking on a busy road in Sydney has shown us exactly how not to do it. The footage, which was captured on a busy Sydney road and posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/" target="_blank">Dash Cam Owners Australia</a> is as perplexing as it is worrying, and both drivers involved in the incident were quick to point the finger of blame at the other party. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDashCamOwnersAustralia%2Fvideos%2F1731624303563869%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Hundreds of commenters have had their say on the incident. “Whether indicator on or not, you can not merge until it is 100 per cent clear to do, so merging driver must ensure it is safe to merge. Even a 10 year old kid knows that,” one man wrote. Amazingly, the woman in the vehicle involved came across the video and commented on the post. “This is going to help so much with the insurance process,' she wrote. “I was the one the lady hit and she even has the nerve to blame me like it was my fault! She said ‘I indicated and you had enough space for me to merge in front of you.’ She didn't even stop or come back just continued driving like nothing happened.” Road rules in New South Wales state that merging motorists must give way to vehicles in the lane they are tyring to move into. “Before changing lane, signal in plenty of time and check for other vehicles by looking in your mirrors and your blind spot,” the rule book states. What are your thoughts? Who do you think is in the wrong? Image credit: Facebook / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/" target="_blank">Dash Cam Owners Australia</a>

Insurance

Woman stunned by abusive "typed" note left on her parked car

Coming back from the shops to find an abusive note left on your parked car is something that’s happed to all of us (or at least someone we know) at least once. But even then, we bet you’ve never seen an abusive note like this one. When Auckland woman Jo Clarke spotted the note below on her vehicle after a spot of shopping she couldn’t believe her eyes, not so much due to the letter’s content, but the fact that the writer had gone to the trouble of printing it out. “A nice little note was left for me at Shore City car park. I was even within my white lines! Must have been an ex boy/girl scout,” she told <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Herald</a>. “Thanks for parking so close. Next time leave a f***ing can opener so I can get out. A**holes like you should take the bus,” <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Herald reports</a> the note read. Clarke <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">told NZ Herald</a> she was in the white lines, and saw the humour in the incident. “It was a narrow space that I reversed three times to leave space on either side and was within the white lines. “I thought it was advertising at first. The card was popped inside my driver’s window facing inward. “I was just more surprised someone had typed cards on hand waiting for someone to cross them. “No one has ever called me an a**hole before so I thought that was quite empowering and funny. “I do have a nice new work car so they might have been a bit annoyed about that, too.” What are your thoughts? Do you think leaving a not on a stranger’s car is ever justified?

News

New warning for anyone parking their car on the street

Motorists are being dobbed in by their neighbours as part of a new app, designed to tip off local councils whenever cars spend too long in metered parking. The app, called Snap Send Solve, has been embraced with many residents taking the opportunity to report parking infringements, public hazards and other nuisances. People living in the inner west of Sydney are among the nation’s biggest dobbers, with Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield topping the list of complaints reported to the app. Once a complaint is filed, the local council is sent in to investigate. Snap Send Solve founder Daniel Gorog said the organisation had sent reports to more than 90 per cent of councils in Australia over the past 12 months, with the most common related to parking, rubbish, graffiti and problem trees. “This year we’ve sent about 96,000 reports to authorities,” Mr Gorog told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>. “The biggest ones are about parking, it’s massive, we’ve received 14,000 reports about bad or illegal parking so far this year. People report anything from pot holes and overgrown grass to cracked paths and roads, damaged roads and graffiti.” Snap Send Solve reportedly has access to more than 600 Australian and New Zealand authorities. “It’s popular because it allows you to take a picture on your phone and register a complaint in seconds,” Mr Gorog said. “Users don’t need to find out who is responsible for the area so you can send a report to council or the right authority in under a minute. “Thousands of reports are registered with us a month because they can report a problem as they see it and don’t need to know who is responsible.” What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a good idea?

Legal

'Ghost' car appears out of nowhere to cause crash

Staying safe on the roads these days is hard enough with negligent P-platers, road raging commuters, and motorists who seem glued to their iPhones. So, spare a thought for the driver of the white vehicle in this video, who had to content with a ghoulish phenomenon which has caused the strangest crash of 2017. In the footage below, the white car approaches an intersection, before being struck by what appears to be a “ghost” car which seems to appear out of nowhere. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PTyagIK5h7g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> People commenting on the video have been perplexed, with Elfie De Souza writing, “Seriously I kept repeating the video, it seems the car appears out of nowhere.” Jacky Tong Liang with similarly confused, adding, “This is really weird. Played it a few times and still cannot figure out where the car comes from.” What are your thoughts? Do you think it’s just a matter of perspective? Or something more sinister? Hero image credit: YouTube / geogie hagaid <a href="https://oversixty.disconline.com.au/car/new_quote.jsp?hSty=EXOS&cgpCde=00272&hCenCde=10737&LinkId=12071&utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_medium=in-article-banner-car-1&utm_content=car-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/EditorialAddon/201706_CarInsurance_EditorialAddon_468x60_1.gif" alt="Over60 Car Insurance - Get a quote!"/></a>

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Car almost flips onto roof as another vehicle merges into its lane

Woman stunned by abusive "typed" note left on her parked car

New warning for anyone parking their car on the street

'Ghost' car appears out of nowhere to cause crash

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