UNIQUE FORD SUIT HELPS TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE THE DANGEROUS EFFECTS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Ford Drink Driving Suit

UNIQUE FORD SUIT HELPS TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE THE DANGEROUS EFFECTS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

• Ford’s “Drug Driving Suit” is designed to show drivers the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin
• Research shows that drivers are up to 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash after taking illegal drugs*; the suit simulates effects that can include slowed reaction, distorted vision, and hand tremors
• The Drug Driving Suit is part of Ford’s award-winning Driving Skills for Life training; young drivers can wear the suit, and also receive driving tuition on a closed course
• Ford Driving Skills for Life has provided free training to more than half a million people globally over the past 11 years

Ford Motor Company has created a unique suit to show young people the dangers of driving under the influence of illegal drugs.

Ford Drink Driving Suit

Ford developed the suit together with scientists from the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany to simulate some of the effects of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy). These include slower reaction time, distorted vision, hand tremors and poor coordination.

The new Drug Driving Suit has been incorporated into Ford Driving Skills for Life, the award-winning young driver programme that has provided training to more than 500,000 people around the world through hands-on and online tuition since its inception 11 years ago. Young drivers will have the opportunity to experience the suit, and also receive hands-on training covering skills including hazard recognition, vehicle handling and distraction awareness.

“Driving after taking illegal drugs can have potentially fatal consequences for the driver, their passengers, and other road users,” said Ford Driving Skills for Life Manager Jim Graham. “We have already seen how the Drink Driving Suit has a dramatic effect on those who wear it behind the wheel, and are confident that the Drug Driving Suit will have a similar impact.”

According to a European study, drivers who get behind the wheel after taking drugs are up to 30 times more likely to be involved in a severe crash.* Despite the risks, one in 10 people say they have accepted lifts from people they believe have taken illegal drugs.**

Like the Drink Driving Suit that Ford last year incorporated into the DSFL programme, the new Drug Driving Suit simulates the effects of reduced mobility, vision and coordination with padding and ankle weights, goggles and headphones. The team also introduced new features that simulate effects that are specific to illegal drug use.

“We know that some drugs can cause trembling hands, so we incorporated into the suit a device that creates just such a tremor,” said Gundolf Meyer-Hentschel, CEO of the Meyer-Hentschel Institute. “Drug users sometimes see flashing lights in their peripheral field, an effect recreated by our goggles, while imaginary sounds are generated by the headphones. Additionally, the goggles distort perception, and produce colourful visual sensations – a side effect of LSD use.”

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction estimates that in Europe last year 8.8 million 15-24 year-olds used cannabis and 2.3 million people in that age group took cocaine ***. In the U.K., an average of 400 people are arrested every month on drug driving charges, and illegal drug use may be a factor in as many as 200 deaths every year ****. According to the French Delegation for Road Safety, drugs were a factor in 23 per cent of fatal road accidents there last year and the number of drivers who failed drugs tests rose by 44 per cent *****.

In 2008, Ford extended the DSFL programme to Asia Pacific countries including China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 2013 the first Driving Skills for Life training sessions were held in the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates, and the programme was formally launched in Europe. Since then, DSFL has in Europe provided more than 9,000 18-24 year-old drivers with free hands-on training focusing on the leading factors in young driver accidents, including hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed/space management and distractions.

The company has teamed with leading safety organisations including the Belgian National Road Safety Association, Association Prévention Routière in France, Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat in Germany, the ACI in Italy, Road Safety Russia in Russia, Dirección General de Tràfico in Spain, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and AA Driving School in the U.K. The programme, which also is running in Romania, will this year be extended to a total of 11 countries across Europe following further launches in Denmark, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Last year, as well as introducing the Drink Driving Suit, Ford also introduced training to specifically highlight the dangers of social media activity at the wheel, such as taking selfies.

Further details about the Ford DSFL program, including training dates and venues, plus how to enrol in the Ford DSFL Online training academy will be available online.

RANGE ROVER DRIVES OVER PAPER BRIDGE

RANGE ROVER MARKS 45 YEARS OF ENGINEERING INNOVATION WITH JAW DROPPING DRIVE ACROSS PAPER BRIDGE

• Land Rover celebrates 45 years of Range Rover with creative collaboration
• Luxury SUV completes world-first drive across one-off paper bridge
• Partnership with world-renowned British artist Steve Messam and specialist British paper manufacturer James Cropper PLC to build unique installation
• Intelligent 4WD all-terrain technology and lightweight aluminium construction of flagship model makes unique drive possible
• One-off art project kicks off Range Rover 45^th Anniversary celebrations at Guangzhou Motor Show
• Link to embed code: https://youtu.be/Q1NE7jsoIjs

Land Rover has driven its flagship Range Rover luxury SUV across a bridge made of paper. The freestanding structure in Suzhou, China, spanned five metres without glue or bolts to hold it in place.

Land Rover commissioned the unique bridge to mark the 45^th anniversary of its Range Rover family and to highlight 45 years of Range Rover innovation ahead of the Guangzhou Motor Show in China.
The hand-built paper bridge took three days to construct in the ancient water city of Suzhou, which is famous for its bridges and nicknamed ‘Venice of the East’. The unique crossing was made of high quality paper supplied by specialist British manufacturer James Cropper PLC.

The jaw dropping drive is the latest in a long line of industry firsts for Land Rover’s flagship SUV. Range Rover was the world’s first ever luxury SUV when it debuted in 1970 and was the first vehicle to drive across the Darien Gap in Central America two years later. In 1989 it was first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes and introduced both Electronic Traction Control and electronic air suspension to the sector in 1992.

The latest fourth-generation model was the first all-aluminium SUV when it debuted in 2012. Its innovative lightweight aluminium body provides a total vehicle saving of up to 420kg compared to using traditional steel.

Land Rover Experience Chief Instructor Chris Zhou was entrusted with negotiating the paper bridge, using a variety of all-terrain technologies to preserve the delicate fabric of the unique structure. Range Rover is available with a series of innovative features that combine to provide unrivalled all-terrain capability including Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control.

 Terrain Response 2 features an auto mode which, when selected, optimises a range of vehicle settings to enhance all-terrain capability without any input from the driver.

All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) allows drivers to concentrate purely on steering the vehicle when negotiating difficult or slippery terrain by maintaining a set speed ranging from 1mph to 19mph without any pedal inputs. The intelligent technology enhances all-terrain capability and can be activated on the move or from a standstill, to help when pulling away on tricky surfaces, and even works in reverse gear.

The industry-first technology can assist drivers when pulling away on slippery wet grass – a demanding surface for even experienced off-road drivers – by ensuring minimal wheelspin, and even help to drive the vehicle out of deep sand.

Nick Rogers, Director Group Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “China is an important market for Range Rover, so we have picked the perfect place to celebrate 45 years of our luxury SUV family. Range Rover’s advanced lightweight body and peerless all-terrain capability were crucial factors in making this unique drive possible.”

 Artist and paper bridge designer, Steve Messam, said: “Paper structures capable of supporting people have been built before but nothing on this scale has ever been attempted. It’s pushing engineering boundaries, just like the Range Rover, and the ease and composure with which the vehicle negotiated the arch was genuinely breathtaking.”

Range Rover is the ultimate luxury SUV and combines sophisticated exterior design with class-leading all-terrain capability and exquisite interior refinement.

Click here to see Land Rover’s film of the unique bridge crossing and further details of this bespoke building project: https://youtu.be/Q1NE7jsoIjs

Deluxe Cook V-Blade Mandoline Slicer Professional

A lot of mandoline slicers cost well over $100, so when I saw this beauty, I knew it would be perfect for me. I could have one that worked as well as the others, it just was not stainless steel like the one I had, but gave away as a gift. :)

Nonetheless, if you want to prep your foods for presentation and make them more innovative, this would be the tool.

I love the veggie or cheese holder thing that keeps my fingers far away from the slicer, ensuring I do not get hurt. I have a cheese grater that is a premium one, but have nicked my fingers a few times and it really hurts! I do not have to worry with this at all. I like that.

You can use this slicer for so much. I love using it for carrot slices -- I slice them thin enough, so I can use my veggie cutter and shape them into flowers and so on (the kids love them) and to make perfect scallop potatoes. You can even slice potatoes for mashed potatoes, so they cook quicker, if in a hurry.

The plastic for this product is a hard, well made plastic, so it is durable and very easy to clean. I know it is dishwasher safe, but I like to soak in warm soapy water, ensuring all the inner places are clean. ;) Overall, a fun and durable slicer that is a must have in the kitchen. It makes prepping for cost effective and saves time.

 Purchase here.

I received this product at a special promotional price in exchange for my evaluation and honest, unbiased review.