CAR HACKED !!!!!

If this doesn't give you a very bad case of the Heebie Jeebies, then nothing will!

Readers may recall that I wrote of a couple experiences I have had with my cars where the engine simply stopped running while on the highway, without any apparent cause. It happened in a Chrysler, and again in my Volvo. In both cars the engine would simply quit, but after waiting about a minute or two, the engine would again fire up and off I would go.

Mechanics were totally flabbergasted. They had no idea what the problem was. I suggested what turned out to be the cure for the Chrysler, a change of the motherboard in the car's computer system. In the case of the Volvo, the factory suggested a change of the main fuses.

Neither of these problems were due to a third person, sitting in the comfort of their home, hacking into my car's running system and taking control, but alarmingly, it has been demonstrated that in the case of new high tech vehicles, which are in effect computers-on-wheels, hackers can do some real damage. When someone with mal intent takes over this computer it will crash. When they take over a car and it does a crash the implications are shocking to even think about.

This places into question so many new developments. It appears that hackers can find their way into the operating system through the entertainment option. When that happens they have demonstrated the ability to take away all control from the driver, including control of the wheel, brakes, accelerator, clutch, musical sound and volume, to mention a few.

If your car is an automatic and you experience a problem where  the accelerator gets stuck and you can't slow down, you should move the gear selector into neutral. The engine will rev and scream, but you will maintain control with your steering and brakes. Once you have stopped you can then turn the engine off. Do not turn the engine off before as you will lose all control!

It is unnerving to think that a person, perhaps sitting at his computer in another country, has the potential power to take over your car while you are underway and to tamper with it in any way his perverted mind may choose. It seems to me that manufacturers have an obligation to design  out the possibility of security hacks even before they build the car. It is a shame that the human mind can be so sick that progress can be halted because of the deadly potential, but that is the reality.

Consider what that can mean for the new generation of cars that drive themselves, and for travel by air!

Brave New World Indeed!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

The Capital of the Road Rage World

This past week, starting July 12th, in the U.K. a West Sussex man became so enraged by the driving of a 79 year old man who ran up his backside, that he laid into him stabbing him multiple times to death.

What causes us to undergo such a drastic change when we get behind the steering wheel of our vehicle? In our other activities we can be perfectly normal individuals, but we turn into potential killers once we get into our cars, either through irresponsible driving habits, or when someone does something to irritate us.

Firstly, I think it is a natural reaction to be annoyed and impatient by the actions of others on the road. What makes us think we are the perfect ones?  Personally, I have my good days and my bad days on the road. Sometimes things happen that make me feel like smashing the other driver's brains to a pulp, but the feeling passes quickly. More to the point, I think I would never actually act on such an impulse.

Probably the worst countries for road rage are the United States, Russia, and the U.K. In certain States of America, a country where everybody and his brother insists on the right to own a gun, shootings take place between drivers leading to bystanders becoming collateral damage. What makes so many drivers on British roads actually get out of their cars and act up?

In my opinion it's all a part of the British DNA. The English make things their business. If they see that their neighbour is doing something on their own property they will inquire whether the neighbour has the relevant permission. Long ago, while driving in the U.K. I was hugging the middle lane along a stretch of quiet road when another motorist came up behind me, and he stayed there flashing his lights, insisting that I move over.

Should you take any action that does not conform, someone will inevitably have a word with you. I suppose it's no surprise that this will include driving, and statistics as reported by The Dail Mail are not out of the ordinary. Apparently nine out of ten say they have been victims at least once. Presumably this encourages the practise, leading to the U.K. earning the title of Road Rage Capital of the World.

Twenty percent of those interviewed said they had experienced road rage more than ten times; and 70% of those said they were the instigators. Most of those said they felt just fine about unloading on their victims who they felt deserved it.

I tried to find out what country was least affected by road rage. I'm still not sure, but when I first came to Spain the thing I noticed was that drivers on Spain's roads are generally passive about some very shitty things that people do here. In the U.K. there is general respect for road courtesy, which seems incredible, but here in Spain we have never heard of the concept. I found myself wondering what would it take to cause an act of road rage. In all my years of driving here I can only think of one time when one driver went after another.

Drivers in this country are perfectly capable of doing horricly stupid things. Many have killed themselves through being so stupid, but the public remain amazingly calm in the face of bizarre behavior. Frankly, I have no idea what would drive a Spanaird to react badly, and I never want to know.

I can only tell you how I remain cool behind the wheel. First I use a silent mantra everytime I get in the car. "I will not let anyone spoil my day!" Secondly, I drive with constant anticipation as to what the other driver will do. It is amazing how well I read others actions and take defensive steps to avoid the crash.

My approach works very well for me, and driving is a reasonably pleasent experience, although I no longer actually like it. I am waiting for the day when I win the lottery. Then I will hire four female drivers and I will just sit back and enjoy life.

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael

TAKE CARE TO REST ADEQUATELY ON LONG JOURNEYS. ONCE YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES BEHIND THE WHEEL DON'T EXPECT TO EVER OPEN THEM AGAIN.   

The greatest concentration of motoring offenses are committed.......

It came to me quite by accident, because I was not doing some kind of research. I was simply sitting and having a coffee while waiting for my friend who had business at the offices of Trafico. This is a place where all drivers must visit at least once. Consequently it is a place where there is always a concentration of vehicles and riders/drivers.

You might think that in such an environment people might be on their best behaviour. You would be wrong.

At Trafico in Valencia there are a number of surrounding oficinas de medicos where you take your physical exam and renew your driving license without actually going into Trafico. That simply adds to the choas. If you have business that takes you into Trafico, the feeling is that of going into a building with no idea of when, or even if you will ever come back out.

In front of the building there is a Taxi rank for six taxis. Why? Trafico is where you come because you have your own vehicle. The reserved taxi parking is therefore usually full of driving school cars. When I got there two policemen had parked their scooters in the taxi rank which gave car drivers a real problem. When the policemen left they rode the wrong way before riding up on the sidewalk so as to take a shortcut across to the street they wanted. But they were the police, so who was going to complain.

People double park while staying close to their cars, but that adds to the confusion. There was one disabled person reserved car bay. A woman drove into the bay and immediately put her disabled decal on her dashboard. That joined a parking ticket that you would get from the machine. Hers appeared to be about ten years old, judging by its crumpled state. It certainly was not freshly printed.

Motorcycles are parked along the sidewalk. This is apparently because there is no actual parking bays for motos. However, you have to park them along the side next to the road, rather than along the side of the buildings. This is because of the need to avoid them becoming hazards to the blind.

There is a constant fight to get a parking space anywhere within reasonable walking distance of trafico. People put themselves through such a hassle when there is also a Metro stop directly in front of the building. You have to wonder why people don't simply leave their cars at home and take the Metro. (I was wondering why my friend and I didn't do so.) Well, perhaps it might be because that particular stop is the one at which there was a horrific metro crash in which 43 people died, and another 44 were injured.

In the midst of such continuing behaviour there is usually only one traffic warden who is only concerned that you should correctly pay and display. 

So it goes. Who am I to complain, and to whom would I complain?

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

They are waiting for us!

Motoring holidays are now in full swing. The phenomenon happens every year all across the world. We pack the family in the car and we get away from the familar sights. In doing so we raise the risk level that we will survive our fun. It takes a highly motivated driver to keep his or her eyes on the road, not allowing ourselves to be distracted by anything. The discipline required is so high as to be beyond the capability of most ordinary humans. Therefore, it is really no surprise that so many highway deaths occur in this manner.

For those who do survive the ultimate sanction of driving on holiday, there are other penalties especially when driving throughout Europe. Because the police have to make a living too, a foreign-plated car is fair game. If we confront them with this fact of life they will, no doubt be prepared to swear on a stack on bibles that it is not correct to say that they pounce on every error of the foreign driver, but the truth is that drivers, as a class, are soft targets.

Hire cars and foreign-plated ones are a magnet. Thieves are waiting for you, as are the police. One illegally takes your possessions and the other has the cover of the law. One way or the other you will give up your valuables. In this, not much has changed over the years. The highwayman still awaits.

Now, to ensure that drivers pay the fines against them, Europe has made it possible that whereever you live, when you pick up a fine in one country and return home, the fine follows you and is enforced by the police in your own country. No longer can you simply ignore that parking fine, or the fine for speeding.

It seems that there is only one sensible thing to do. When planning your trip, perhaps you should add another line to your budget called: "Fines."  A generous figure should go here, but then try your very best to avoid spending any part of it.

Happy and safe motoring!

Copyright (c) 2015  Eugene Carmichael  

REMEMBER TO REST FREQUENTLY. SHOULD YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED YOU WILL LIKELY NEVER OPEN THEM AGAIN!!!!!!