2006
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Caltex RoadStar starts today
The second edition of the five-day Caltex RoadStar safe driving campaign starts in Dubai today (Sunday). This is the 17th edition since starting in October 1998. Drivers are given cash rewards for safe driving, with the aim of encouraging adherence to traffic rules.
Driving schools want longer Friday
Dubai's driving schools want to be able to train learners for longer on Fridays, after the Roads and Traffic Authority earlier this week announced a weekday ban during peak hours for drivers, according to 7Days. Driving schools can teach from 7am to 11am Fridays.
1,200 red light camera plan
Dubai traffic authorities will install around 1,200 new cameras at intersections to catch red light offenders, Gulf News reported. The RTA has also identified road black spots which will monitored by 200 fixed and 70 mobile radars. The move comes after Dubai's Ruler Sheikh Mohammad ordered officials to find solutions to the city's growing traffic menace.
Ford Expedition Sharjah debut
The new Ford Expedition will be uncovered at the 8th International Automobile Show in Sharjah, say organisers. The full-size SUV is powered by Ford's 5.4-litre Triton V8 engine, rated at 335bhp and 400 foot-pounds of torque, and providing a towing capacity of 9,200 pounds. A six-speed automatic transmission has manual shift capability. The Expedition EL model comes with an additional 14.8 inches of overall length.
Dubai drivers face police blitz
Dubai motorists will have licences cancelled on the spot for offences such as running red lights and causing traffic accidents, under a new hard line government policy to try and cut road fatalities, Gulf News reported. Police patrols will be increased and there will be more mobile radars used to catch reckless drivers.
New models at Saudi motor show
Car makers will be rolling out several new models at this year's Saudi International Motor Show, Arab News reported. General Motors has the largest stand, putting on display the new Chevrolet Caprice, Lumina, Epica and Captiva. Three models from Malaysian-brand proton will be on display, which will be available for sale in the kingdom from next month.
Range Rover cash offer
UAE car dealerships Premier Motors and Al Tayer Motors are promoting the Land Rover Range Rover at a special cash price of Dhs279,000. The deal comes with one year free insurance, five-year or 100,000km free service, and a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free roadside assistance. Conditions apply.
Team GFH for Bahrain
Gulf Finance House and the Khaleeji Commercial Bank have agreed a $200,000 joint sponsorship deal for Bahraini motor racing driver Hamad Al Fardan. GFH and KHCB have also formed Team GFH which will be the new team Al Fardan will represent in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand from November until next April.
Mazda3 hits Amman
The new 2007 Mazda3 is now available, both as a four door sedan and a five door hatchback, at the Al Khayyat Showroom on Martyr's Memorial Street in Amman. The Mazda3 features redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as alloy wheels.
RAK stunt drivers caught
Six young motorists in Ras Al Khaimah have had their vehicles impounded and been forced to pay fines after being caught performing stunts on the emirate's roads during the Eid holiday, reported Gulf News. There were more than 500 accidents in Ras Al Khaimah from October 19-28, with two people left seriously injured.
Dubai seat belt neglect
Many car users in Dubai do not use seat belts in the backs of vehicles despite the high frequency of fatal road accidents in the city, reported Gulf News. A survey by the Dubai based daily found that while 85% of respondents did use seat belts, this was seldom in the back of a vehicle where no significant danger was perceived. 156 people were killed on Dubai's roads in H1.
Sharjah parking problems
Residents in Sharjah have voiced their concerns about the declining availability of parking spaces as more construction projects get underway, reported Gulf News. Areas previously used as parking lots have now either been taken over by construction firms or converted into expensive private car parks. Car owners, who are now forced to park in prohibited areas and risk receiving fines, want the Sharjah Municipality to look at the issue.
M-B GL450 tops SUV ranking
The Mercedes-Benz GL450 has been named sport utility vehicle of the year by Motor Trend magazine, AP reports. The SUV, which is powered by a 335 bhp V8 engine mated to a seven-speed transmission, was described as having "astonishing technology" by the magazine's editor-in-chief. Selected from a field of 22 vehicles, the GL450 has the most comfortable third-row seating of any SUV tested, the magazine said.
VW keeps eye on sales
Volkswagen says it has no plans to set up an industrial facility in the region, preferring to concentrate on improving vehicle sales, Gulf News reported. The German automaker sold 8,000 cars in the region in 2005, and would be happy with a double-digit sales increase per year, a senior official told the daily. The Touareg SUV accounts for 50% of sales in the Middle East.
Iran pushes Samand sales
Iran Khodro wants to increase exports to 250,000 cars by 2010, from 6,000 in the past year, according to Middle East Online. But problems with quality and lack of government support are holding back growth plans, director Alireza Mirzai said. The company is focusing on its flagship Samand, the successor to the notorious Paykan, which is no longer produced.
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