It seems some traffic officials in Edinburgh are psychic and ticket motorists before they have even committed an offence. More on this in our bizarre motoring stories update.
It seems some traffic officials in Edinburgh are psychic and can actually ticket motorists before they have even committed an offence. More on this in our bizarre motoring stories update.
‘Let’s hide in the police station’
Two suspected thieves got a huge shock when they drove into a police station car park after stealing a vehicle nearby.
A police helicopter was chasing the two, who had stolen a R120 00 Alfa Romeo, through Crosby and Waterloo towards Liverpool. The police were surprised when the car took an abrupt turn into the police station in Merseyside. The thieves abandoned the car, but were arrested minutes later.
"We can only assume the driver did not know the Crosby or Waterloo area. They must have got a shock when they realised they had turned into the police car park," said a local police inspector.
Psychic parking fine
A driver in Edinburgh was furious when she got a ticket for parking on yellow lines – two days before the lines had been painted.
Jacqueline Smith refused to pay the about R500 fine. But workmen painted the lines in the meantime and the council said she had to pay the fine. The council argued that lines had been drawn on the pavement to indicate that yellow lines would be painted.
The ticket was later withdrawn after another motorist made the same complaint.
Fun for the car too
A Dutch artist has come up with a novel way for visitors to Antwerp to view the city. All they have to do is drive their cars on to John Koermerling’s drive-in ferris wheel.
The wheel takes drivers and passengers to a maximum height of 35 metres. It takes up to four cars at a time and the ride lasts for 10 minutes.
The artist said visitors had been flocking to experience the drive-in ferris wheel. "Whenever you drive to a tourist centre there are always problems finding somewhere to park. With the wheel, you get to see the city while your car is parked," he said.
At peace behind the wheel
Thai officials are using Buddhist teaching billboards to promote safe driving.
The billboards remind motorists to remember Buddhist teachings while behind the wheel. One board says: "Have the wisdom to prepare your journey before leaving home", while another reads: “Have mercy and lend a helping hand to motorists with car trouble."
"So far, we’ve received a positive reaction. Many people have called in to say the campaign is useful," said a transport official.
An education minister said: "A high state of consciousness and concentration, and the fifth precept – abstention from alcohol and other intoxicants – should be practised by all drivers.”
