Fuel price getting people out of cars

High prices at the petrol pump are forcing nearly a third of New Zealanders to drive their cars less, according to a new study.

The Research New Zealand study about the impacts of rising fuel costs, found that 32% of respondents say they are already thinking twice about taking the car, with 54% saying they will use their cars even less if the $2 a litre mark is passed. Females surveyed altered their driving habits more than males. While 35% of females said they were driving less, only 29% of males said they were.

People with a lower household income who were surveyed were more likely to change their driving habits, while those with incomes of $70,000 or more were least likely to say they were driving less (70%).

Director Emanuel Kalafatelis says the results are a significant given a cross section of New Zealanders were interviewed.

Read More

Motorcyclist crashes into four cars

A motorcyclist suffered fractures earlier today when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into four cars.

The incident happened near Kennedy Grove.

The police said initial indications showed that the 39-year-old motorcyclist from Sta Lucija lost control of his bike and crashed into a VW Polo coming from the opposite direction. He then hit a BMW, a Toyota Celica and a Skoda.

The man has been treated for broken bones and been kept at Mater Dei Hospital for observation. .



Read More

Vandals Slash Tires Of 22 Cars In Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Teenage vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage Friday by slashing the tires of 22 cars at an apartment complex in Vancouver.

Police responded to the Springfield Meadows apartment complex on Friday to find the slashed tires.

The majority of the vehicles were parked inside the apartment complex, while a few had been parked on nearby streets.

Police described one of the four vandals as Hispanic, short and either 15 or 16 years old. .


Read More

Police nab men they say broke into cars near Hitchcock Lake

WOLCOTT -- Police arrested two Bristol men who they say broke into seven cars near Hitchcock Lake Wednesday morning.Now police are investigating whether the same men are also responsible for other recent car break-ins in the same neighborhood last week.Jesse Gagnon, 21, and Kevin Gagnon, 24, both of 87 Union St., Bristol, were arrested minutes after a woman on Maple Avenue saw one of them sitting inside her car, police spokesman Capt. Domenic Angiolillo said. The woman saw the man get out of the car and run away on foot. .


Read More

Request for cars raises questions

EWING -- Weeks after facing public criticism for buying two 42-inch flat-screen computer monitors while the township struggles financially, Ewing's construction office is again under fire for its spending -- this time for trying to buy four new cars to supplement its fleet of nine cars.

Construction Official Bill Erney wants to buy the cars -- hybrid SUV's at $26,500 each -- with money from his office's $580,000 cash reserve.

The request, scheduled to be discussed by the township council this week, has some residents wondering why Erney's department is enjoying a cash flow while the rest of the township government is pinching pennies and residents are facing an 18-cent hike in the local tax rate.

"We shouldn't have that kind of money sitting in some account," said resident Kate Tuttle.


Read More

Cars confiscated after street race

THE cars of two street racers were confiscated after they were caught travelling more than 100km/h over the speed limit in Sydney's south-east.

Police observed a Honda CRX coupe and a Mazda RX7 speeding along General Holmes Drive in Mascot about 10.25pm (AEDT) yesterday.

Officers alleged the men entered the airport tunnel section of the road and then engaged in a street race.

They reached speeds of up to 170km/h in the 70km/h zone before police stopped the vehicles.

The men, aged 22 and 28, were issued with court notices for the offences of street racing, dangerous driving and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h.

Their licences were suspended on the spot and their vehicles were confiscated.

Both are due to appear in Waverley Local Court on March 18.

Read More

People keeping cars longer because of shaky economy

DETROIT — People are keeping their cars and trucks longer as quality improves and the uncertain economy makes new purchases less appealing, according to a study released this week by automotive consulting firm R.L. Polk & Co.Polk said the median age of cars on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007. That ties the previous year's record high. In 2007, 41.3 percent of all cars were 11 years or older, compared with 40.9 percent the year before.The median age for trucks and sport utility vehicles rose 4 percent to 7.1 years. Dave Goebel, a consultant for Polk's aftermarket team, said those numbers are starting to reflect a surge in truck and SUV purchases in the mid- to late 1990s.Goebel said he expects the average age of trucks and SUVs will rise and eventually be on par with cars once the segment stops its tremendous growth and settles into a more stable pattern.Purchases of new cars fell 3 percent in the U.S.


Read More