Short Cuts

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday December 6, 2008

with GLEN HUMPHRIES

Sticky situation

Here's why it can be dangerous to pick up hitchhikers - especially good-looking ones.

Anadel Carrizales was driving along a highway in Mexico when he was flagged down by a blonde wearing a black miniskirt.

Thinking she must have broken down he stopped and that was when the woman walked up and told him an accomplice was pointing a gun at him.

She then tied him up with packing tape, super-glued his hands to the steering wheel of his truck and demanded money.

Carrizales didn't have any cash, but the woman took his credit cards and fled.

With his motor still running and his hands still glued to the wheel, Carrizales managed to drive a few kilometres down the road until he found a police officer to help him.

Stressed out

Female drivers are not that keen on driving on unfamiliar roads, according to NRMA research.

Of the 1000 households surveyed, 44 per cent of women said they felt stressed behind the wheel if they were lost or didn't know where they were going. Just 23 per cent of men felt the same.

"When we asked men and women about the causes of stress while driving, responses for both sexes ranged from other drivers on the road to poor road conditions, heavy traffic, unfamiliar roads, bad weather and kids in the back seat," said NRMA Insurance spokesperson Grant Taylor.

"However, driving on unfamiliar roads affected significantly more women than men.

"And when it came to driving in bad weather, one in three women said they felt stressed compared to just one in seven men."

But there are things that stress out men - such as traffic jams.

"Interestingly, men's patience was more likely to fray when fighting heavy traffic, with more men admitting it made their stress levels spike," Taylor said.

Instructors flunk

An amazing 65 per cent of 396 Malaysian driving instructors failed a surprise test on road theory.

During a seminar the driving instructors were asked to take the same test learners must pass in order to obtain a licence.

Only 35 per cent of the instructors passed, said director of the state road department Mohamad Yasir Mastakim.

"We will have refresher courses for them to improve their scores," he said.

The test comprises 50 multiple-choice questions, with 42 correct answers being the passing requirement, he said.

Mohamad Yasir said the instructors who flunked the test will not be penalised, but will be treated to a "refresher" course on the theory of driving.

He said the department will conduct surprise on-the-road driving tests soon.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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