2007
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Registration centres for Dubai
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is to set up four new vehicle registration centres, with the aim of reducing processing time to no more than ten minutes, reported Gulf News. The centres will be located in Bur Dubai and Deira. Mattar Al Tayer, the Executive Director and Chairman of the RTA Board, stressed that global standards need to be enforced when issuing licences to new motorists.
Dubai, 1,600 Eid accidents
Dubai Police recorded around 1,600 road traffic accidents over the Eid Al Adha holiday, with five people killed, reported Gulf News. The police blamed speeding, tail-gating and lane violations as the main reasons for the incidents. Statistics show that 283 people had died on the city's roads up until December 14 last year.
Volvo leasing programme
Qatar Volvo dealer Domasco has introduced a leasing scheme aimed at expatriates, The Peninsula reported. 2007 model Volvos are available for lease with comprehensive insurance, service and maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance. Leases come with buy-back or lease-to-own options.
Seatbelt offences targetted
Abu Dhabi will increase fines for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts in a bid to cut road deaths, Gulf News reported. A draft law is being reviewed by a Ministry of Justice committee. A survey carried out during a four-month 'buckle up' campaign found that 57.4% of drivers in Abu Dhabi city wore seatbelts, while only 28% wore them in rural areas, and 38% while driving on open highways.
Toyota drink-driving detector
Japan's Toyota Motor is developing a system that automatically shuts down the car after sensors detect the driver has been drinking alcohol, AP reported, citing the local Asahi Shimbun daily. The automaker hopes to fit cars with the system by the end of 2009. Similar technologies, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, are in use in the US and elsewhere.
Auto aftermarket on a roll
Organisers of Automobile Aftermarket Middle East are confident deals at this year's show will beat the $100m in business transacted last year. Around 300 vendors from 25 countries have registered for the event, which runs from 12-14 March in Dubai.
VW Golf GTI car of the year
The Volkswagen Golf GTI was last week named car of the year for 2007 by Automobile Magazine, Reuters reported. The 2007 GTI - with a 200 bhp, four cylinder engine that gets 48kms to the gallon - was picked because it combined performance and affordability, said Editor-in-chief Gavin Conway. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was named by the magazine as its design of the year.
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