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Woman fined after paid car park gets set up around her parked vehicle

Josephine Williams had been leaving her car in a gravel clearing at Westgate in Auckland, alongside other commuters to catch the bus into the city for months. The New Zealand woman was left with a "nasty surprise" when she returned from work on Monday to find a NZ $85 ($77) fine sitting on her windshield. "To my unfortunate surprise - and many others - I was greeted by an $85 parking ticket for a breach and a flyer from Wilson Parking saying paid parking had started that day," Williams told Stuff. "But what breach exactly was made? How was I supposed to know paid parking started that day when there was nothing at all displayed anywhere in the car park?" Williams claimed that the Wilson Parking car park had been set up around her already parked car, even providing dash cam footage that showed her pulling into the gravel clearing at 7.45am, with no paid parking signs or Wilson branding in sight. By 6pm, a large red and white Wilson sign had been put up at the entrance, with "12 hours for $4" written on it. "Wilson deliberately put their sign up sometime after 9am and then took it upon themselves to fine every single car that was already parked there from the morning," Williams said. "$85 is a lot of money - it would have been two weeks' worth of grocery shopping for me," she added. "I'm lucky that I know the law and my rights, but some other people might not. What about students or the elderly or people who don't know English well?" She estimated that there was usually around 50 and 100 cars in the gravel clearing. Wilson argued that the carpark was always there and they had just added more signage, but have since waived Williams' fine after she lodged a request to have it reviewed by Parking Enforcement Services. Wilson Parking also said that they had started to set up the car park and installed a "clear signage" on April 22. "It was not set up around parked cars on 29 April as suggested," a Wilson spokesperson said. "Several payments were made by customers via the Parkmate app from 22 April proving that signage on the site was clear and effective," they said. They added that on April 29 more signs were added to all entry points of the car park. "In acknowledgment of the increased signage added on the 29th at the entry we've made the decision to refund all payments made until 30 April and waive any breach notices issued up to this date." They also denied issuing any breach notices before the signs were put up. "Payment options were available and signed from 22 April - but no infringement notices were issued prior to the 29th." Images: Stuff

Legal

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords. The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for The Guardian, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed. Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries. These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales. UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.” Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure. Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.” Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.” "Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said. For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Five things to keep in your car's glove box

Whether it’s a long drive to visit family or a quick trip to the local shopping centre, your car should always be equipped with a few essential items. Does your car have all of these items? While many of today’s new cars feature the latest gadgets and technologies for comfort and safety, many don’t come with other useful everyday items which are vital in case of emergency or an unforseen event. For example, a flashlight would come in handy if you need to change a tyre in the evening or an in-car phone charger for when your battery has gone flat. By storing these types of essential items in your glove box, you’ll always be prepared for when life takes an unexpected turn. 1. Important documents wallet One item that should always be stored away in the glove box is a plastic folder or wallet with your vehicle documents, such as owner’s manual, emergency contact numbers and proof of insurance. A spare pen and paper will also come in handy. The owner’s manual should always be left in the car so you never lose it and should be the first point of reference for when experiencing car trouble. 2. Plastic bags and tissues You would be surprised at the number of times you’ll need a plastic bag or some tissues. There could be a spill, a car mess or a passenger may not be feeling well. All good reasons for keeping a few plastic bags handy. The same can be said for tissues or wet wipes, which will be useful if your hands get greasy from having to change a tyre or lift up the hood of the car to check the oil and water levels. 3. First aid kit Always a good inclusion no matter where you go. A basic first aid kit can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Along with the basic contents, such as bandages, antiseptic cream or solution, and a pair of tweezers, make sure you include any items specific to you. If your first aid kit won’t fit in the glove box, pop it under the front passenger seat so it’s easily accessible, if needed. 4. Torch For long trips, it’s a good idea to have a torch stowed away. You never know when you might need to change a tyre or inspect your vehicle for unusual sounds that might occur whilst driving at night. A small LED flashlight would do the trick – and remember to keep a spare pack of batteries in the glove box too. 5. Mobile phone charger Back in the days before we all had mobile phones, we actually remembered phone numbers! However, nowadays, many of us have these important digits stored away in our phones. This makes having a spare phone charger very important, especially when you need to contact someone and your phone has run out of battery. There are phone car charges which you can plug into the power outlet in your car to then charge the battery on your mobile phone. Image: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Hospitalised driver cops fine after dodging flying couch

A driver has been handed a hefty fine after he reportedly swerved his car because a couch fell from a truck travelling in front of him. Jake Singer was driving with his girlfriend from Boca Raton, in the US state of Florida, on February 20 when a couch from a truck fell in front of him, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Mr Singer swerved and flipped his car to avoid the couch. He and his girlfriend were both hospitalised as a result of the accident. Mr Singer told the Sun-Sentinel. People "could not believe" he and his partner were okay. However Mr Singer is not happy after he copped a fine over the crash. He told reporters a police officer arrived at the hospital to give him the ticket. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840155/driver.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/eda143eb9d7a4df3970552ec552ad352" /> Image: Twitter “TIL (today I learned) that if you swerve to avoid a flying couch on I-95N in FL [Florida], make sure not to change lanes or you’ll get a citation for improper lane change from FL Hwy Patrol [Florida Highway Patrol],” he tweeted. “Even if your car crashes into the median and flips over, totalled. (We’re both fine, somehow).” According to the paper, a police officer gave Mr Singer a US$166 (A$213) ticket for “failing to drive in a single lane”. Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Yanko Reyes said the ticket had to be issued. “Remember, in Florida it is recommended to have at least a two-vehicle length between your vehicle and the vehicles in front of you because that way you have enough time to react in case something like this happens, in case somebody brakes, in case debris falls on the roadway, you’re able to avoid any and all difficulties,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. The explanation didn’t sit well with Mr Singer, who took to Twitter to write: “I hereby challenge Lt Reyes to drive two car lengths behind a flying couch at 80mph (128k/h) and avoid it without leaving your lane. “Hope you have enough time to look at the totality of the circumstances.”

Legal

Which of these two vehicles has to give way?

Which of these two vehicles has to giveaway? If you answered the blue car, you are correct. As the driver of the blue car is turning left using a slip lane, they must give way to any vehicle approaching from the right or turning right at the intersection into the road the blue car is entering.

Insurance

Car almost flips onto roof as another vehicle merges into its lane

Merging into another lane in peak hour traffic can sometimes be a difficult task, and one video taking on a busy road in Sydney has shown us exactly how not to do it. The footage, which was captured on a busy Sydney road and posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/" target="_blank">Dash Cam Owners Australia</a> is as perplexing as it is worrying, and both drivers involved in the incident were quick to point the finger of blame at the other party. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDashCamOwnersAustralia%2Fvideos%2F1731624303563869%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Hundreds of commenters have had their say on the incident. “Whether indicator on or not, you can not merge until it is 100 per cent clear to do, so merging driver must ensure it is safe to merge. Even a 10 year old kid knows that,” one man wrote. Amazingly, the woman in the vehicle involved came across the video and commented on the post. “This is going to help so much with the insurance process,' she wrote. “I was the one the lady hit and she even has the nerve to blame me like it was my fault! She said ‘I indicated and you had enough space for me to merge in front of you.’ She didn't even stop or come back just continued driving like nothing happened.” Road rules in New South Wales state that merging motorists must give way to vehicles in the lane they are tyring to move into. “Before changing lane, signal in plenty of time and check for other vehicles by looking in your mirrors and your blind spot,” the rule book states. What are your thoughts? Who do you think is in the wrong? Image credit: Facebook / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/" target="_blank">Dash Cam Owners Australia</a>

Insurance

Woman stunned by abusive "typed" note left on her parked car

Coming back from the shops to find an abusive note left on your parked car is something that’s happed to all of us (or at least someone we know) at least once. But even then, we bet you’ve never seen an abusive note like this one. When Auckland woman Jo Clarke spotted the note below on her vehicle after a spot of shopping she couldn’t believe her eyes, not so much due to the letter’s content, but the fact that the writer had gone to the trouble of printing it out. “A nice little note was left for me at Shore City car park. I was even within my white lines! Must have been an ex boy/girl scout,” she told <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Herald</a>. “Thanks for parking so close. Next time leave a f***ing can opener so I can get out. A**holes like you should take the bus,” <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Herald reports</a> the note read. Clarke <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/" target="_blank">told NZ Herald</a> she was in the white lines, and saw the humour in the incident. “It was a narrow space that I reversed three times to leave space on either side and was within the white lines. “I thought it was advertising at first. The card was popped inside my driver’s window facing inward. “I was just more surprised someone had typed cards on hand waiting for someone to cross them. “No one has ever called me an a**hole before so I thought that was quite empowering and funny. “I do have a nice new work car so they might have been a bit annoyed about that, too.” What are your thoughts? Do you think leaving a not on a stranger’s car is ever justified?

News

8 common driving habits that are damaging your car

It’s fair to say they don’t make cars like they used to, but sometimes we don’t do ourselves any favours as drivers. From the moment we first sit behind the wheel we start picking up bad habits, many of which are actually damaging your car. We’ve put together a list of eight common driving habits that are damaging your vehicle. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. Have you picked up any of these common driving habits?

Retirement Income

Cat has priceless reaction to ride in all-terrain vehicle

We all have different reactions to trying something new or going on an exciting adventure, but we think this curious kitty’s hilarious facial expressions take the cake. Lysanne Adams of Quebec, Canada, recorded her red coat-clad cat’s reaction to her first-ever ride in an all-terrain vehicle, and what she caught on camera is utterly priceless. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nMMGxjSmLE8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Somy the cat simply can’t believe her eyes as she and her owner hurtle through the snow, delivering one expression in particular that we can’t get enough of. <img width="399" height="622" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36043/image_.jpg" alt="Image_ (235)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> That’s the face of a kitty whose mind has just been blown.

Family & Pets

4 ways to extend the life of your car

Cars are a massive convenience for everyone, but, let’s face it, they can be a complete drain on the ol’ bank account. So, it stands to reason that the longer you can go without having to buy a new (or, at the very least, newer) car, the more money you’ll save for those wonderful things in life, like holidays, dining out and pursuing your hobbies. Not sure your car can make it? You’ll be surprised how effective these four life-lengthening tips are. <ol> <li>Keep it clean – it goes without saying that a clean car (both inside and outside) is much more pleasant for yourself and your passengers. But, giving it a regular wash is also essential for preventing rust and protecting your car against the elements.</li> <li>Keep it light – the heavier your car is, the more power (and petrol) it requires – it’s as simple as that. Clearing out the junk in your car will not only get you better fuel economy, but you’ll notice how much easier it is to drive.</li> <li>Keep it slow – at least, keep it slow when you start the car. Just like you, your car needs a little time to get ready. If it’s been resting for more than a few hours and you immediately put your foot down, the friction within the engine will make it wear out faster. Try letting it warm up for a minute before you take off. Your car will thank you for it.</li> <li>Keep it maintained – it’s all well and good if your car looks spic and span, but it’s what’s under the hood that counts. Make sure you regularly check your tyres, fluid levels, and schedule your car to be serviced every six months (or 10,000km if sooner).</li> </ol> Tell us in the comments below, how old is your car? How do you keep it running like new? Related links: <a href="/finance/money-banking/2017/02/why-everyone-should-start-actively-investing/">Why everyone should start actively investing</a> <a href="/finance/money-banking/2017/02/yahoo-issues-warning-about-email-account-breach/">Yahoo issues warning about email account breach</a> <a href="/finance/money-banking/2017/02/ways-to-cut-your-grocery-spend-in-half/">8 ways to cut your grocery spend in half</a>

Money & Banking

Huge security flaw discovered in millions of vehicles

Owners of cars constructed by a popular automobile manufacturer have been warned of a huge security flaw present in millions of vehicles built between 1995 and 2015. A paper published by researchers at the University of Birmingham found a low-tech way hackers could gain access to cars made by VW group brands Volkswagen and Audi. The researchers used an audio frequency technique to ‘eavesdrop’ on the remote keyless access keys of the car, and in turn mimic the signal with ‘cheap technical devices’. It’s believed over 100 million vehicles worldwide could be vulnerable to an attack. The papers stated, “It is conceivable that all VW Group (except for some Audi) cars manufactured in the past and partially today rely on a 'constant-key' scheme and are thus vulnerable to the attacks.” Do you own a Volkswagen or an Audi? Do you think enough security measures are taken these days to protect our vehicles from these sort of threats? Let us know in the comments. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/08/beautiful-birthday-gift-brings-grandma-to-tears/">Beautiful birthday gift brings grandma to tears</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/car-salesman-rescues-elderly-woman-after-she-mistakenly-calls-him/">Car salesman rescues elderly woman after she mistakenly calls him</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/baby-fights-for-control-of-car-radio/">Adorable baby fights for control of his mum’s car radio</a>

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Woman fined after paid car park gets set up around her parked vehicle

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

Five things to keep in your car's glove box

Hospitalised driver cops fine after dodging flying couch

Which of these two vehicles has to give way?

Car almost flips onto roof as another vehicle merges into its lane

Woman stunned by abusive "typed" note left on her parked car

8 common driving habits that are damaging your car

Cat has priceless reaction to ride in all-terrain vehicle

4 ways to extend the life of your car

Huge security flaw discovered in millions of vehicles