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South Africa has the highest rate of drink driving related road crashes in the world. Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO), shows that 58% of South Africa’s road deaths are alcohol related. This information forms part of the WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2015. Although South Africa’s overall rate of road deaths has fallen, from 33/100,000 of population in 2006 to the present 25.1/100,000 of population, the risks on travelling by road remain very high. The report also says that ove

Research in the UK reveals drivers most at risk of poor driving are male and aged 26-35. The study suggests men in their late 20s and early 30s are the biggest culprits with regard to bad driving. The research was compiled by technology firm ASUS and found that men aged 26-35 account for 28% of all driving bans in the UK, more than any other age group. The research also said that 93,952 licence holders were disqualified from driving in the last 12 months in the UK.

A new highway project is being planned that will help boost the economy of Mali. The landlocked country is one of the most impoverished nations in Africa and this new highway will provide a direct link from its capital Bamako to the port of San Pedro in Côte d'Ivoire. Much of the financing for the project is being provided through a loan worth US$ 187.61 million from the African Development Bank. The new highway link will also help develop the port of San Pedro, which is currently the second largest in Côte

The UK could build one of Europe’s longest road tunnels as it considers route options for a new major link connecting the cities of Manchester and Sheffield in England. An interim report looking at how best to connect the cities suggested that the road could be between 40km-50km, depending on the route. It “will include a tunnelled section, which could range from between 20-30km, making it one of the longest road tunnels ever built”.

Topcon Positioning is establishing a collaboration with DAQRI to develop wearable safety technology for use on construction sites. The two firms will work together to develop technology that will boost safety for site personnel through the use of augmented reality systems. DAQRI is a leader in enterprise augmented reality and developed the Smart Helmet, an industrial-grade unit that seamlessly connects personnel to work environments by providing information about the surroundings.

Pop stars are noted for taking the most outrageous limousines to their gigs. But what should a singing group do if their transport doesn’t show up, leaving them stranded in a strange city? That was the question facing New York’s hip-hop legend Public Enemy when recently in the United Kingdom they found themselves in a record store and their taxi to their gig nowhere to be found. Public Enemy had booked a normal taxi amid their concern that their large tour bus could not navigate the narrow city street

It’s often a messy business cleaning up a motorway after a truck has shed its load, and the strangest of loads have been accidentally spread down the blacktop in the UK, according to Highways England. The most recent incident was a slippery affair for maintenance crews – 24tonnes of lard that took a day to clean up, closing the motorway for 24 hours. From toilet roll and toxic waste to wine and washing up liquid for dishes, clean-up crews sometimes must tread lightly as they go about their business. They

The tunnelling portion of India’s Chenani-Nashri tunnel project has now been completed. This 9.2km tunnel is of major importance for India as it will improve the transport connection between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, reducing the distance by 30km. The tunnel is expected to open for traffic in May 2016 and will feature modern safety systems, setting a precedent for India. Advanced technology will be installed to handle ventilation, communications and traffic management, as well as safety systems such as

Construction of the Russian stretch of the highway connecting Europe with China should be complete by 2018. This section of the project is costing close to US$22.6 billion. The international transit corridor from Europe to Western China is of key economic significance. The first sections of the Russian portion of the route form part of the new high-speed federal highway M-11 from Moscow to St Petersburg. About 40% of the highway will run through the Volga federal district. The 8,400km long international tra

Construction of the 392km highway running across Honduras is currently underway. The Canal Seco project will link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the country. Discussions regarding the bypass around the city of San Pedro Sula as well as other municipalities in Valle de Sula are being held. The bypass will prevent traffic congestion. The bypass is costing an estimated US$120 million and a consortium has looked at six possible routes. Funding for the route has still to be sourced.

Contractor STRABAG is bullish and report strong economic performance for its latest financial results. The firm’s output volume after first nine months of 2015 hit nearly €10.3 billion, an increase of 6% over the same period for 2.14. Meanwhile there was strong growth in earnings with the firm’s EBITDA rising to €403.79 million, and EBIT to €115.81 million. The order backlog was down 11% to €13.8 billion however. For the whole of 2015, the outlook is healthy.