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| Boylan Traffic Solutions News |
December 2010
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Boylan news - in this issue:
* SpeedCheck's new remote access capability
* 1959 v 2009 - the ultimate crash test
* Errant learner drivers on notice
* This month in motorsport - how our drivers have fared
Happy motoring!
Peter Boylan, Allan Moffat OBE, Neil Crompton and Matthew Brabham
BOYLAN TEAM SAFETY
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SpeedCheck's new remote access capability
Added flexibility ... SpeedCheck's remote access capability and in-built camera enables OH&S officers to keep a check on work-site speedsters (number plate has been obscured for privacy reasons).
Boylan's SpeedCheck speed advisory sign now has remote access capability, with a GPRS modem ensuring data can be easily programmed and downloaded from a PC via the internet.
Boylan National Operations Manager Wayne Duckworth said the addition of remote access to the exisiting bluetooth functionality offered increased flexibility to users.
SpeedCheck has also has been upgraded to offer an in-built camera that visually records the number plates of vehicles exceeding safe driving limits on work sites.
Wayne said the new capability was an Australian first and a breakthrough for OH&S officers who struggle with the problem of keeping driving speeds within safe levels.
"It's an efficient tool that enables you to monitor workplace safety from your desktop," he said.
SpeedCheck records and flashes the speed a driver is travelling at, then switches to ``Slow Down'' if the driver has exceeded the speed limit.
Programmable smart technology recognises varying time zone speeds, including school holidays, and logs traffic data for research purposes.
For more details, call 1800 300 200.
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1959 vs 2009 - the ultimate crash test
Big on size .... a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air was pitched against a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in a head-on crash test
The deceptively flimsy bumpers and side panels of modern vehicles leave many of us thinking: "I wish they would make cars the way they did in the good old days."
Well, there's a very good reason why they don't - and this video illustrates the point beautifully.
While the vehicles of the 1950s and 1960s were big on size, they didn't offer the passenger protection that modern car owners can expect.
One insurance company in the US recently put the theory to the ultimate test. They squared a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air against a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in a head-on collision crash test. According to safety engineers at the scene, the driver of the 2009 car would have sustained a slight knee injury. The driver of the 1959 car would have been killed instantly.
Watch the crash video
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BTS motorsport roundup Clockwise from top left: BTS managing director Peter Boylan; 2010 V8 Supercars Development Series competitor James Moffat; and Clubman division star Daniel Holihan.
BTS managing director Peter Boylan had a great first race outing last month after more than a year on the sidelines.Last February, Peter suffered a badly fractured elbow and wrist when he slipped on ice while working in the US.Although the injury healed quickly, it put paid to any motorsport competition for many months.Peter's first outing post-surgery was the Tasman Revival historic car meet at Eastern Creek, where he competed in the Sc Sports Cars Group in a 1973 Porsche Carrera."I'd never driven the car before because it's a recent purchase, so it was a real test of the unknown," he said.Out of a field of 37 cars, Peter qualified 5th and came 7th in the first race; 8th in the second and 4th in the third."It was an exciting day and I was very pleased with the result," he said."I plan to compete in the whole series next year and looking forward to getting to know the car better," he said.James Moffat finished the 2010 V8 Supercars Development Series with a hard-fought third place at the recent Sydney Telstra 500 at Sydney Olympic Park.The BTS-sponsored driver took his third podium in succession to finish a difficult season on a high note, which also secured him third in the series.The weekend started well for James, with the #99 Norton 360 Ford Rising Stars Falcon showing plenty of speed on Friday. Things took a turn for the worse on Saturday when a red flag and a backmarker ruined both his qualifying laps and forced him to start from 13th on the grid.Despite the setback, James produced a sterling drive to finish race one in third place, narrowly missing out on second on the final lap.Sunday proved to be a little more difficult, but a smart drive from James secured third and third for the round."It's nice to finish the year on a high note, especially after a difficult middle part of the season," James said." I want to say a huge thank you to Boylan Traffic Solutions and my other sponsors for supporting me throughout the year. It wouldn't have been possible without their help."BTS-sponsored driver Daniel Holihan is celebrating after finishing a creditable 7th in the Clubman division of this year's national CIK Stars of Karting Series.
Daniel, who will make the step up to the Pro Light (KF1) category in the 2011 series, was also named overall third in the North Shore Kart Club Championship's Clubman Light division.
Daniel has spent the past two weeks testing tyres in preparation for his first Pro Light race in late February.
"Next year will definitely be a big challenge but it's something that I am really looking forward to," Daniel said.
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Errant learner drivers on notice
Every day around Australia, learner drivers put public safety at risk by getting behind the wheel without a supervisor.
In Queensland alone, more than 13,000 learner drivers a year - or about 250 a week - are getting caught doing the wrong thing.
It's a problem that is concerning Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan, who has admitted that "much tougher" penalties are needed for learners driving solo.
At present, offenders face a $160 fine and one demerit point.
A Brisbane driving instructor, who did not want to be named, told the Brisbane Times recently that learners were notching up some of their 100 logbook hours without a supervisor and then getting their parents to sign off.
"I know one girl who was driving [solo] for I don't know how long. She had her own car, she didn't even put P-plates on and she didn't ever get caught," he said.
"I think people take the risk these days. But if they have an accident and they're unlicensed and uninsured, they don't know what the consequences are."
Another teenage girl, who had logged 70 hours of supervised experience, was told by her parents she could complete the rest of her logbook unaccompanied.
Richard Sparks, from Redlands Driving School, said he also knew of people driving solo and fudging their logbooks.
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New approach to educating drivers
 The simulator offers driving scenarios for Australian conditions.A driving simulator that puts learner drivers in realistic Australian on-road situations has been launched by DriverSafety.com.au.
The simulator uses the same technology employed by NASA and sets a new standard in how drivers are trained and educated, according to Russell White, managing director of DriverSafety.com.au
"Technology at this level has been available only at university level for research - now it's available for anyone who wants to be a better trained driver," he said.
The portable units feature a driving cockpit, an immersive environment, real-time vehicle telemetry and a series of driving scenarios especially designed for Australian conditions.
"The real revolution in this technology is the ability to dynamically assess drivers as they go through each course unit," said Mr White.
"Not only does the simulator monitor speed, but it also assesses a driver's performance and decision-making processes in real world scenarios," he said.
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