Should left turns be illegal?

If you sit down and think about it, the notion of making a left turn across oncoming traffic at a stoplight is pretty absurd. All that stands between you and certain oblivion is the hope that other drivers headed your direction are obeying the speed limit and paying enough attention to notice when the light turns red.

Traffic engineers have known for years that hanging a left increases the likelihood of an accident and wastes fuel. The minds at UPS have even gone so far as to design their delivery routes with fewer left turns, and transportation departments all over the country have adopted so-called “superstreets” that force drivers to make a right and then a U-turn in order to go left or straight.

Sound absurd? Think again. According to Smithsonian Magazine, researchers at North Carolina State University have found that the superstreet design is more efficient and safer than allowing drivers to turn across traffic. After examining data from 13 superstreet intersections and comparing them to their traditional counterparts, researchers found that, on average, the superstreets delivered a 20-percent decrease in travel time and caused 46 percent fewer reported traffic collisions. More importantly, the superstreet design caused 63-percent fewer accidents that resulted in personal injury.

There’s some food for thought the next time you’re hanging a left.

Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit Concept

The Dutch arm of Suzuki is previewing a concept version of the Grand Vitara dubbed “Bandit” at the AutoRai Car Show in Amsterdam . Hand built by Progress Europe, the “Polar Bear” Bandit features a wider body (+300 mm or 11,8 inches) and a hefty bodykit along with a revamped interior that includes white leather seats and DVD player

New Opel Astra GSI Concept Cars Third Millennium for 2011

The new Opel Astra GSi will be unveiled in October at the Paris Auto Show and will go on sale later this year or early in 2011. The 2011 Opel Astra GSi will feature various new design elements, including a re-styled front bumper, new wheel arches, a small rear diffuser and double exhaust pipes.

2011 New Opel Astra GSI Concept Cars Third Millennium

Opel fans al already asking when will the new Astra GSI will make its debut. Today we have the answer for them: the new 2011 Opel Astra GSI will make its debut this autumn at the Paris Motor Show, according to the latest reports from Auto Motor und Sport.

The new Opel Astra GSi 5-door layout back to talk about himself, with eloquent spy photos. The famous symbol will return to sport compact Russelsheim later this year. In fact, the Astra GSi will officially introduce yourself to October at the Paris Motor Show and will be sharing the catwalk in Paris with the new Sports Cars Tourer estate.

The new vehicle will carry, as expected, a 2.0-liter Turbo engine which will deliver around 190 hp… we do hope that this will get at least 200 hp in order to take on the Vw Golf GTI. Regarding the OPC version this will carry over 240 hp. The new Astra GSI will also come with a new body kit which will include wider wheel arches, a new front and rear bumper, new side sills, dual exhaust pipes and a dual-tone interior with Recaro sport buckets. Most sources say the 2011 Opel Astra GSi will only be available in the 5 door body style. The 3 door will be sold only as a OPC / GTC.

The new Opel Astra GSi be the top version of the variant 5-door, while the symbol OPC will be given only to the three-door GTC. The 2011 New Opel Astra GSi third millennium will be equipped with the 2.0 Turbo petrol engine, whose maximum should be around 190-200 horses. The Astra OPC boasts a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor with 177kW. The GSI should feature about 140kW or so.

The sports chassis will be recognizable to the wider wheel arches and front bumper changed. At the rear, as well as the letters GSi, Opel Astra in this version will be distinguished for the double exhaust. Even in the cockpit there are specific characterizations, such as two-tone sport seats.

The Astra GSi price will be announced at a later date.