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$42.8 million to fix country roads

Article PhotoCouncil-owned country roads are to undergo a makeover, with 77 projects on the agenda under the government’s $42.8 million Fixing Country Roads program, according to an announcement from Transport for New South Wales.

The Fixing Country Roads program was announced in 2014 as an initiative which will identify local projects and provide funding to improve connectivity throughout the state, thereby boosting freight productivity.

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ANCAP announces latest five star safety ratings

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has announced its latest safety ratings for three vehicles available on the Australian market.

In a January 28 media statement, ANCAP revealed that the current model Honda Jazz had achieved the rating based on a number of physical crash tests conducted by the authority and sister program, Malaysian-based South East Asian New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP).

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Defensive Driving Basics

On an average day in New South Wales there are dozens of car accidents, many of which can be easily avoided by being a more proactive driver and by employing some hazard avoidance techniques.

Effective techniques that may improve your hazard perception include keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, scanning your surroundings, and being more proactive in regard to other road users and pedestrians.

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NSW roads review for 2014

Article PhotoRoad safety has definitely been a point of contention in recent years so it is positive to report the substantial improvement over the last 12 months in particular.

The road toll statistics were recently released by Transport NSW and highlight a strong decrease in the number of deaths across the state. However, although authorities are buoyed by the figures, there are still several areas that can be targeted in the new year.

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Automatic or Manual. Which is safer?

Auto or Manual?You might feel that stepping into your car and heading out into the traffic is taking your life in your hands. The media constantly reminds us of ‘road rage’, while others drive dangerously due to drugs or alcohol – or just plain stupidity, it seems. So what about whether you drive an automatic or a manual?

While studies show that young drivers are at the most risk of accidents, not much has been mentioned about the kind of transmission their car has, or if it plays a part in accidents.

For those who don’t want a 4WD with a bull-bar to help ensure their safety in an accident, let’s think about the ordinary family sedan….. manual or automatic transmission. Is one really safer than the other?

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2014 car sales to top 1.1 million

Article PhotoThere is no doubt that the Australian automotive industry had a rough 2014. From difficult market conditions to lower consumer confidence, some insiders had written off the year even before its halfway mark.

However, according to statistics released on January 6 by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), more than 1.1 million new vehicles were sold in 2014 – just the third time that this has occurred in Australia.

In fact, 1,113,224 new vehicles were bought by both consumers, businesses and governments, making 2014 one of the more positive years in recent times.

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Paying extra for parking spaces

Article PhotoAcross Sydney and other parts of NSW, parking can be difficult and expensive.

While some local councils and the state government are working hard to increase the number of parking spaces, a new study has found that parking meters might be the overarching problem.

According to new parking app provider CellOPark, Australians are spending around $15 million extra as a result of ‘parking fine paranoia’. Essentially, motorists are deliberately overfeeding parking meters by an average of $2 each time to avoid fines.

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ANCAP awards first 2015 five star safety ratings

Article PhotoAs 2015 approaches, dozens of manufacturers are eagerly waiting for the start of the new year to release their next generation of models.

While some of 2015’s vehicles might not be on sale yet, they are under the microscope of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The crash-test authority has carried out trials on more than 500 vehicle models over the past 20 years to gauge how safe they are for the Australian public.

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Australia’s Best Cars for 2014 announced

Article PhotoAs we enter the business end of 2014, many people might be starting to think about 2015 and perhaps a new car.

For those considering a new car, the recently announced winners of Australia’s Best Cars awards might help with the decision.

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ANCAP to introduce new crash test regime

Article PhotoNew and emerging car technology is both exciting and scary at the same time. As we depend more on vehicles to protect us in the event of an accident, we also release further control and become more removed from the driving experience.

Although driverless vehicles are some way off, safety technology is a growing presence in nearly all new vehicles and something that most of us take for granted.

However, there is one organisation that doesn’t take safety technology lightly – the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Over 20 years, the crash test authority has investigated the quality of safety technology in more than 400 vehicles – awarding the five-star safety ratings to the top performers.

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