The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2018 - Issue 57 | Page 73

MACHINERY 73
• JUN/JUL 2018
ONE IN SIX DRIVERS HAS
FALLEN ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
One in six drivers has fallen asleep at the wheel, according to a new SmartWitness survey. A further
42% of motorists have admitted driving while they felt drowsy and were in danger of nodding off.
ALMOST half of those surveyed (47%) said
they had been a danger to themselves or oth-
er road users because of tired driving at some
point since passing their test. The problem is
worse among men than women.
Just 10% of women have fallen asleep
while driving compared to almost a quarter
of men (24%). The clear majority of drivers
(89%) say they drive when they know they
are tired because they must for work or for
their home life.
Only 48% of drivers always stop and
take a break when they are tired - heeding
Government warnings.
The most popular way to combat tired-
ness behind the wheel while still driving
is to open the car window (used by 48%
of drivers), followed by having a coffee
(37%), chewing gum (24%), turning up the
radio (16%) turning the car heater to cold
(12%).
The results are from a new survey of
1,000 motorists from SmartWitness, the UK’s
leading vehicle CCTV firm, which found
that 17% of drivers had fallen asleep at the
wheel. It found that 47% of respondents
were not getting the recommended 7-8
hours’ sleep a night.
And 85% of those polled said they experi-
enced at least one bad night’s sleep a week
on average. On at least half those days
when they slept badly (52%), they were
also driving a vehicle.
Business drivers are susceptible to these
dangers due to hectic schedules and in-
creasingly long working hours.
It is estimated that driver fatigue is a con-
tributory factor in as many as one in five
driver deaths every year.
‘ Only 48% of drivers
always stop and
take a break ’
Furthermore, tiredness-related collisions
are three times more likely to be fatal or
result in serious injury because of the high
impact speed and lack of avoiding action.
SUZUKI LAUNCHES NEW FLAGSHIP ATV
SUZUKI has announced the
launch of three new ATV models
– the all-new KingQuad 750XP,
500XP and 500X.
The new ATVs are Suzuki
KingQuads through and through
and are the result of 30 years of
engineering expertise, refinement
through customer and dealer
feedback, and an unequalled rep-
utation for quality that Suzuki has
earned building each one.
With a solid, edgy and dynamic
design, the new models boast
a variety of features that will
make Suzuki ATVs even more
hard-working and user-friendly.
The front suspension, steering
system, power steering system,
rear stabiliser, and the chassis
frame are all new, which combine
to deliver excellent straight-line
stability as well as sure-footed
handling when cornering and
improved manoeuvrability
Improvements to the chassis
also result in a superior tow-
ing capacity to the outgoing
models – an increase of 33% to
600kg. This means that Suzuki
KingQuads can help farmers and
land workers improve operation-
al efficiency by enabling them to
move heavier loads.
Refinements and changes have
been made to the engine unit
to continue Suzuki’s reputation
for high levels of performance
and reliability during all types of
riding.
The engine’s performance
characteristics have been updat-
ed to deliver a smooth and strong
acceleration from standstill to
help achieve the increased tow-
ing capacity.
Suzuki has also introduced a
range of features such as new
additional storage compart-
ments and a handlebar-mounted
headlight, which directly con-
tribute to enhanced usability and
practica lity. In addition, the new
multi-function instrument panel
is easier to view and includes
a service reminder icon. Then,
once the ATV is with an Author-
ised Suzuki Dealer for its service,
the work itself has been made
easier through the re-design of
some body parts that make some
components such as the fuel
filter, easier to access.
With its tried and tested prod-
ucts, Suzuki has carved out an en-
viable reputation for being the ‘go
to’ brand for the supply of ATVs
into farming and agriculture, as
well as achieving several notable
fleet sales deals into the adven-
ture and trekking market.
All Suzuki ATVs come with free
EASI rider training and a free
Suzuki workwear kit consisting
of overalls and a bodywarmer, to
keep you warm and dry out in the
field.
: atv.suzuki.co.uk