Ford Moves Aggressively For Mainstream Navigation SystemWritten by Jenny McLane
Ford now looks at latest trend for auto manufacturers of putting navigation system on mainstream cars even as an option.Among six Ford 2006 Ford Motor vehicles to offer navigation systems are 2006 Lincoln Zephyr and Mercury Mountaineer while other four nameplates are said to be Ford Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac SUVs, Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle sport wagon. The idea of popularizing car navigation system on mass produced Ford cars is an attractive feature for most car enthusiasts. Common only in luxury segment such as Lincoln Navigator, on which option costs around $3,000 on 4x4 Ultimate editions, car navigation system will soon be more affordable as foreseen by Ford. This is an aggressive step by Ford to be competitive and sway family sedan market into its turf. Mainstream vehicles will soon find car navigation system on its option list as hand held global positioning phones and concept of beaming satellite map data into vehicles are also being considered by auto makers.
| | Tips in Preventing Motorcycle InjuriesWritten by Kay Zetkin
Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a very critical issue especially during peak of motorcycle season. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are very much concerned about this issue since there are almost always a lot of motorcycle accidents happening at least one every few days. Most injuries noted from people brought in Level One Trauma Units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries, open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents. The increasing accidents are linked to increased number of motorcycles on road. Records show that since 1997, motorcycles sales increased to more than 90%. Last 2001, motorcycles represented only 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in United States and accounted for 0.34 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America's roadways. As recently reported by US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycle accidents. What’s alarming is this is highest level of fatality report since 1990. While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, some result to fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constant reminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves. According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at University of Texas and orthopaedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, most motorcycle injuries involve extremities and spinal cord. Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus, she said that most important tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing is wearing of proper clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride a motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout ride.
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