World Glaucoma Week – ER24 urges road users to have Eyes Tested

This week is World Glaucoma Week and ER24 is urging people to have their eyes tested.

Glaucoma is one of the world’;s leading causes of blindness.

It is not curable, but blindness is preventable if glaucoma is diagnosed and treated early enough.

While ther

e are usually no warning signs, regular eye tests will help detect the onset of the disease.

Explaining what glaucoma is, Dr James Beatty, who practises in Goodwood and Somerset West and operates at the Cape Eye Hospital and the Somerset Eye Centre, said, “Glaucoma is characterised by loss of vision due to damage of the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries sight images to the brain and any damage to the nerve results in damage to sight.

“Usually, but not always, the damage occurs because pressure within the eye increases and presses on the nerve, which damages it.”

Types of glaucoma:

• Chronic (primary open angle) glaucoma – This is the most common form of glaucoma. It usually affects both eyes and develops slowly. Loss of sight is gradual. There is no pain or redness of the eye or dramatic change in vision.
• Acute (angle closure) glaucoma – There is a sudden increase in the pressure within one eye. The eye becomes red and painful. Often there is mistiness of vision and episodes of seeing haloes around lights.
• Congenital (buphthalmos) glaucoma – A condition where glaucoma is present from birth. An increase in the pressure within the eye causes it to enlarge.
• Secondary glaucoma – Other diseases of the eye cause a rise in the pressure within the eye. This group of conditions is called secondary glaucoma.

“Many people develop glaucoma as they get older. It seems to be part of the natural ageing process. However, some groups of people are known to be at more risk,” said Dr Beatty.

Groups include relatives of someone diagnosed with glaucoma, particularly siblings, as well as people with severe short-sightedness.

“Patients with glaucoma rarely lose their sight completely. Providing you receive the correct treatment, use the drops or medication as prescribed, and attend your follow-up appointments and checks, the risk of sight loss should be minimised.

“Drops, tablets and sometimes operations can stabilise the glaucoma, and, with regular check-ups, you will be able to manage the condition. Any sight you have lost you will not regain, however, there is help and information available for people who have lost their sight through glaucoma,” said Dr Beatty.

Chitra Bodasing

ER24 spokesperson

There are several pages on the Arrive Alive website where we discuss the importance of Eyesight and Driver fitness. View Also:

Eyesight and Road Safety

• Eye Protection and Road Safety


• Driving and Clear Vision


• Eye Diseases   


• Importance of Vision 

World Glaucoma Week – ER24 urges road users to have Eyes Tested

The Rhino Orphanage campaign joins horns with Race the Rhino MTB for World Rhino Day 2014

In less than a week, like-minded people and organisations across the globe will raise their voices against rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn by hosting events, shows and a variety of other creative initiatives for World Rhino Day on 22 September. First Car Rental’s ‘Post Your Selfie & Win’ charity campaign in aid of The Rhino Orphanage based in Limpopo will be driving rhino awareness by taking part in one of these events, Race the Rhino.

Race the Rhino is a mountain bike competition that challenges mountain bikers to ride for rhino conservation, with event proceeds going to non-profit organisations such as Poached Rhino and the Renosterveld Trust. This year the race will be held at the Van Gaalens MTB Park, Hartbeespoort Dam, Gauteng, on 20 September, the Saturday preceding World Rhino Day. There will be 3 MTB routes – a 55km, 35km and 8km – to cater to all levels of fitness.

Race organisers will be driving 2 of The Rhino Orphanage campaign’s Nissan Jukes, which have been vehicle-wrapped to look like a mom rhino with a baby rhino, from Johannesburg to the race venue at the Van Gaalens MTB Park.

At the race, competitors and their supporters can get involved in raising awareness of The Rhino Orphanage by taking selfies with the Nissan Jukes and posting to their social media ne2rks, making sure to tag with #Rhinos1st, to enter the competition and lucky draw associated with the campaign.

Melissa Storey, Executive Head of Strategy, Development and Marketing at First Car Rental comments, “First Car Rental’s Rhino Orphanage ‘Post Your Selfie & Win’ campaign has gained huge traction across South Africa since its launch in February this year. The Rhino Orphanage Jukes have been featured at the country’s leading events, with hundreds of people posting selfies helping to raise awareness of the world’s first rhino orphanage and the plight of these little offspring.”

“It’s entirely fitting that The Rhino Orphanage campaign will be celebrating World Rhino Day with Race the Rhino MTB Race, an initiative that is also dedicated to inspiring people to take action to save the endangered rhino species.”

Now in its third year, Race the Rhino is an offshoot of Ride the Rhino, a MTB race that takes riders on a 3-day adventure through the Cape Floristic Kingdom in the Western Cape, particularly the Renosterveld, one of the most threatened vegetation types in the world.

Says Heidi Eloff, organiser of Ride the Rhino and Race the Rhino, “Our events firstly encourage all anti-Rhino poaching initiatives. We are closely involved with Poached Rhino and other like-minded organisations that continuously fight against the merciless killing of this majestic animal.

“Secondly, the races aim to rescue one of South Africa’s and the world’s most endangered habitats – the Renosterveld. With only 4% of the region left, the Ride the Rhino mountain bike challenge peddles through as many areas of the Renosterveld as possible to show off its beauty and encourage collective action post-race to save one of the country’s most beautiful treasures.”

Also view:

Mountain Bike Events / Planning and the Safety of Bikers

Mountain Bike Safety and Riding on the Trail

Endurance Sports, Driver Fatigue and Road Safety

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The Rhino Orphanage campaign joins horns with Race the Rhino MTB for World Rhino Day 2014

Dynamic world début of the new Mercedes-AMG GT in Affalterbach

As exciting as crossing the finish line in a car race – that was how Mercedes-AMG presented its new GT V8 sports car this evening, the second vehicle to be entirely developed under its own direction. None other than current Formula 1 points leader Nico Rosberg piloted the breath-taking newcomer from the sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz onto the stage. The emotions ran high for around 400 international guests from the worlds of politics, business and the media, including AMG’;s founders Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, as the Mercedes-AMG GT made its début in its birthplace. Previously, Bernd Schneider, 5-time DTM champion and with 43 victories the most successful DTM driver of all time, presented a parade of the most famous vehicles from AMG’;s history.

Mercedes-AMG created an authentic motor sports atmosphere at its head office in Affalterbach for the first appearance of the new GT under the eyes of the world. A temporary pit lane with stands for spectators and a victory fireworks show set the perfect scene for the début of an ambitious new challenger.

With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand enters a new segment for the company that is teeming with top-class competitors.
Its front mid-engine concept with transaxle and the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. The basis for AMG’;s hallmark driving performance is provided by the AMG 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine, which is also a new development and is built in 2 output specifications: as a GT with 340 kW (462 hp) and as a GT S with 375 kW (510 hp).

“The Mercedes-AMG GT shows sports car enthusiasts around the world what AMG is capable of”, said Prof Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, and stressed Mercedes-AMG’;s importance within Daimler’;s engineering ne2rk.

“With its technological substance, the Mercedes-AMG GT fulfils our high standards with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. It has been ‘handcrafted by racers’;, and shows that we make our customers’; dreams come true”, said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The GT combines driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and a level of efficiency that sets new standards in the segment.

Dynamic world début of the new Mercedes-AMG GT in Affalterbach

World premiere of the all-new Volvo XC90

Months of speculation ended today after Volvo Cars unveiled its all-new Volvo XC90, delivering on its promise to introduce a visually striking, premium quality 6-seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency with a superlative interior finish.

3 years in the making and part of a USD 11bn investment programme, the all-new Volvo XC90 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo’;s history, capturing its future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilising its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology.

“This is one of the most important days in our history. We are not just launching a car, but re-launching our brand. This day marks a new era for our company. The all-new Volvo XC90 paves the way for a portfolio of exciting new cars to come in the following years,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Car Group.

Volvo’;s new face

Symbolising this historic day in Volvo’;s 87 year history, the all-new Volvo XC90 will be the first of its cars to carry the company’;s new – more prominent iron mark – which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille.  Together with the T-shaped “Thor’;s Hammer” DRL lights, the iron mark introduces an entirely new, distinctive and confident face for Volvo’;s forthcoming generation of cars.

The all-new Volvo XC90′s large bonnet with its new topography, the beltline and the sharpened shoulders connecting with the tattoo-like new rear lights are important design signatures that will be mirrored across the range.

To add more visual muscle from the sides, the all-new Volvo XC90 comes with a range of wheel sizes up to 22 inches.

“The overall impression, both exterior and interior, has a strong connection to the key elements of the Swedish lifestyle: the generous space, the celebration of light and the focus on wellbeing,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Car Group.

First SUV without compromises

The all-new Volvo XC90 is firm evidence of the company’;s ‘Volvo-by-Volvo strategy’;. Its outstanding combination of luxury, space, versatility, efficiency and safety will bring the SUV segment into a new dimension, just as the original Volvo XC90 achieved in 2002. “Volvo-by-Volvo means that the Swedish company is fully independent – all R&D is done entirely for Volvo, by Volvo – with no external financial support.

“SPA has enabled us to create the world’;s first SUV without compromises,” says Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President, Research and Development of Volvo Car Group. “You get the in-command feel, generous interior space and flexible capability combined with the agility and smooth comfort of a much smaller and lower car. The adrenaline rush that is key to true driving pleasure is delivered by powertrains that offer an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation. And since the all-new Volvo XC90 carries the Volvo badge, world-class safety is standard.”

Unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency

The all-new Volvo XC90 offers a range of 2-litre, 4-cylinder Drive-E powertrains, all of which provide an outstanding combination of performance and fuel-efficiency.

The top of the range XC90 T8 Twin Engine, which combines a 2-litre, 4-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, offers an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation: around 295kW with carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of around 60 g/km (NEDC driving cycle).

Most comprehensive standard safety package

The all-new Volvo XC90 offers the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. It includes 2 world first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

In a run-off road scenario (if driver is distracted the vehicle gradually veers off the road), the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent spine injuries, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing in the terrain.

The all-new Volvo XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher.

City Safety becomes the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars’; auto brake functions, which are standard equipment in the all-new Volvo XC90. It now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

“The new technologies will take us a significant step closer to our vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020,” says Dr Mertens. “Our starting point on safety is the same today as it was when the company was created almost 90 years ago: real-life situations. We study data. We crunch numbers. We innovate. The result is one of the safest cars ever made.”

3 focus areas will help Volvo Cars to reach Vision 2020: safety, connectivity and autonomous drive.

“With the all-new Volvo XC90, we take the first step towards self-driving cars. A new function that automatically follows the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic will provide a radically simplified, semi-autonomous driving experience,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management of Volvo Car Group.

Luxurious interior

The all-new Volvo XC90′s interior is the most luxurious to date. The most striking feature is a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. This system is virtually button free and represents an entirely new way for drivers to control their car and access a range of Internet-based products and services. It also helps create an interior that is modern, spacious and uncluttered.

“The new interior design is pure and uncluttered, while still radiating the sophisticated confidence and formality that luxury SUV customers expect. The simplicity is perfectly in tune with our Scandinavian design heritage. It opens up generous surfaces and gives us the opportunity to create a modern, luxurious interior architecture,” says Mr Ingenlath.

The all-new Volvo XC90 interior combines materials such as soft leather and wood with handcrafted details, including a gear lever made of crystal glass from Orrefors, the famous Swedish glassmaker, and diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control. Craftsmanship has been in sharp focus during the whole development work.

The genuine 6 seater features new, innovatively designed seats that also free up interior space for passengers both in the second and third seat rows. The third row offers class-leading comfort for 2 passengers up to 170 cm tall.

One of the top audio systems in the world

The all-new Volvo XC90 features one of the top audio systems available in the automotive world after Volvo Cars audio experts joined forces with their counterparts at the renowned British audio equipment company Bowers & Wilkins.

The top-of-the-line system in the all-new Volvo XC90 features a 1,400 Watt Class D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers. It also includes one of the first air-ventilated subwoofers in a car. Integrated into the car body, it turns the whole interior space into a giant subwoofer.

The latest sound processing software has been used to manage the timing of the sound and co-ordination of the speakers. This brings the emotional experience of a world-class live performance into the car.

2 main accessory themes

The all-new Volvo XC90 is available with a range of accessories that makes it possible for the owner to create a truly personalised car. There are 2 major exterior styling themes:

The Urban Luxury package combines a colour co-ordinated body kit with polished stainless steel details, such as front deco frames, front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates. The 21-inch exclusive polished wheels complete the elegant look.

The Rugged Luxury kit enhances the ruggedness of the XC90 SUV with tech matte black exterior trim, stainless steel skid plates, running boards with illumination and integrated exhaust pipes. This version is supplemented by unique 22-inch wheels.

South Africa

• The all new Volvo XC90 AWD D5 First Edition is priced at R1 050 000. See accompanying release.


• International press drive will be around March next year.


• Local launch expected second half of 2015 – possibly around August.


• All-New Volvo XC90 Range: Full range details and pricing will be available closer to the local launch, but we expect the pricing to start just under R800 000.


• South Africa will get the Twin-engine T8.

* Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Car Group’;s international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification

World premiere of the all-new Volvo XC90

Safety Swede: 2016 Volvo XC90 to Debut with Two “World First” Safety Technologies

Soon after a lot more than a decade of undertaking essentially absolutely nothing with its XC90 SUV, Volvo has all of a sudden kicked factors into higher gear. The automaker is aggressively previewing the all-new 2016 XC90, first displaying off the crossover’s infotainment tech, letting us ride along in a prototype, revealing the interior, and even detailing the super-awesome-sounding plug-in-hybrid powertrain option. Now Volvo is returning to type and highlighting some of the upcoming SUV’s new security functions, 2 of which the organization says are “world firsts.”

It is hardly surprising that Volvo, which has built its reputation on safety, would pull such tricks out of its sleeve for the new XC90. The model is the automaker’s de facto flagship, and the new a single will carry the normal for the brand’s subsequent-generation vehicles to stick to. The initial world-first security feature debuting on the XC90 is Safe Positioning, which is aimed at minimizing injuries in crashes exactly where the car leaves the road. When the technique detects that the XC90 is operating off the road, it cinches tight the seatbelts, locking occupants snugly into the seats. This is crucial because the seats have power-absorbing material amongst their outer layers and the frame created to cushion occupants’ spines in the occasion of an intense vertical impact, such as a hard landing at the bottom of a ditch.

Subsequent up is an automatic braking function that can stop the automobile ahead of it turns in front of oncoming targeted traffic. This is a typical sort of crash, where the driver of a car turning left, for instance, misjudges the velocity of—or basically does not see—an oncoming vehicle and makes a turn in front of it. Our home state of Michigan is so paranoid over the prospect of such accidents that it developed several of its roads without left-turn lanes, deciding on alternatively to route traffic by means of a so-named “Michigan Left,” which is exactly where automobiles wanting to turn left instead turn proper or go straight at an intersection, then a lot more or less pull a U-turn utilizing designated lanes on the left to keep away from crossing 2 directions of targeted traffic. Volvo’s mistrust of left-turners elevates the automatic-braking game from a straightforward detection of largely stationary objects in front of a automobile (as executed by the automaker’s own City Security function) to a much more complex decision-making procedure that can contemplate more rapidly-moving targets not straight in front of a car.

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We’re relatively specific that Volvo has even far more safety advances in retailer for the XC90, but we may possibly require to wait till the model makes its full debut next month to uncover out.

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Safety Swede: 2016 Volvo XC90 to Debut with Two “World First” Safety Technologies

Infographic – Environmentally Friendly Car Guide: A contribution towards World Environment Day

Every 5th of June is a day used by the United Nations to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourages political action. During the past week it has been revealed that China plans to take more than 5 million ageing vehicles off its roads this year in a bid to improve air quality, with 330 000 cars set to be decommissioned in Beijing alone.

According to Beijing’;s environmental watchdog, vehicle emissions in Beijing were responsible for about 31% of the hazardous airborne particles known as PM 2.5, with 22.4% originating from coal burning.
Beijing plans to limit the total number of cars on the road to 5.6 million this year, with the number allowed to rise to 6 million by 2017, the local government has said. [Info via News24]

But how environmentally friendly are our vehicles? How much do we know about vehicle emissions? We received an interesting infographic which we would like to share:

Also view:

CO2 emissions and Car Insurance

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

Infographic – Environmentally Friendly Car Guide: A contribution towards World Environment Day