A car for a modern person has long become more than just a mountain of stamped iron, which carries it and passengers from point A to B. Nowadays, a car is a cult object that often has a special relationship with the owner.
Not surprisingly, curiosities developed in the automotive industry over time. If you thought you knew all the interesting facts about cars, then most likely you were wrong.
Whether it's the longest traffic jam or interesting world records, car fans can learn about the number one vehicles in this article.
10. The fastest and most expensive car in the world
The fastest car overcame the sound barrier at a speed of 1227.985 km / h. The most expensive car was sold for 60 million euros. The most spacious car in the world was introduced in 2010 - then 16 women fit in it. And this only applies to seats for the driver and front passenger.
9. The popularity of electric cars in Norway
There is no doubt that today the environment needs our protection. In Norway, public concern for nature is shown by the popularization of electric vehicles. Not only can drivers of such cars park anywhere for free, but they also do not have to pay money for the ferry. In addition, they are allowed to use lanes designed exclusively for buses.
8. Some interesting statistics
Everyone who was born in the zodiac sign Leo is the best driver. And, on the contrary, everyone who was born under the zodiac sign Taurus are the worst drivers.
According to statistics, women are the best drivers because they provoke fewer accidents with their driving.
Interestingly, most cars were stolen in the New Year.
About 10 percent of car accidents are caused by the inappropriate use of a smartphone while driving.
The world's longest super-dense traffic jam was recorded in 1980 on a 176-kilometer stretch between Lyon and Paris.
Surveys show that 4 out of 5 drivers sing on the road.
7. The first traffic lights were very explosive
Today, every driver knows what a classic traffic light looks like. However, they were not always safe. The very first traffic light in the world was installed in London in 1868. The problem was that this unit had a high degree of explosion hazard.. Police officers had to operate this gas lamp manually. In 1869, the duty officer received severe burns while working with such a traffic light.
6. The Miracle of Japanese Architecture
If you have the opportunity to go to Japan, you should take a look at the building Gate Tower Building. It is located in the Fukushima area of Osaka. What is strange about this building is its architecture. A highway passes through the building (from the 5th to the 7th floor). The highway is built like a bridge and does not touch the building. The bridge piers are also located next to the office tower. This area is well soundproofed, so the noise of passing cars does not distract office workers from their work.
5. Henry Ford has changed the automotive industry
Henry Ford revolutionized the car market with his idea of making cars affordable for everyone. Henry Ford is one of the names inextricably linked to the automotive industry. He revolutionized automotive engineering and changed the lives of many people.
However, he did not just do this to create an affordable car. Ford was also convinced that work alone does not make a person happy. That is why he was the first of the big businessmen to allow his employees to rest two days a week.
4. The first driver’s license and the first violation of the speed limit
August 1, 1888 car inventor Karl Benz received his first driver's license. The "Grand Duke's District Office" in Mannheim, therefore, authorized him to "conduct a test drive with a patented car." The inventor did not need to take an exam, but probably thanks to this “driver’s license” we can drive a car today.
Incredibly, the first-ever registered high-speed offender was fined 13 km / h. The thing is that in 1896 the speed limit for cars within the settlements of Great Britain was no more than 3 km / h.
However, the novice motorist Walter Arnold, who recently bought the first self-propelled vehicle in his life, did not recognize any restrictions for himself. Once he decided to understand what maximum speed his toy could develop. Accelerating to 13 km / h, he was fined by the servants of order.
The most interesting thing in this story is that, as at the present time, then the policeman also had to catch up with the offender. But he only did it on an ordinary bicycle. Very fast pedaling, the servant of the law also had to develop a speed of 13 km / h. By the way, the first fine for speeding was 1 shilling 26 pence.
3. Car parking on the moon
During NASA's legendary missions, a total of three cars traveled around the moon. Electric Lunar Roving Vehicles supported astronauts as a means of transportation and transportation of goods. Since they could not be returned to Earth, they are now parked on the moon forever. In some cases, they can even be detected through a telescope.
2. Queen of Britain - truck driver
Queen Elizabeth II passionately loves to drive a car. She has been an avid motorist for over 70 years. In fact, she never passed the official driving test, although the queen does not need it, the “Royal Prerogative” gives her royal sovereignty without car license plates.
By the way the Queen during the Second World War was a truck driver in the ranks of the British Army.
1. USA - the record holder for the number and duration of traffic jams
It's no secret that we are all unhappy with endless traffic jams in the large cities of our vast homeland. This is especially felt in Moscow, where you can spend several hours in traffic. However, not many people know that Russia is not yet the champion in the length of these traffic jams.
It has now been established that US citizens spend the most time in such auto-winders. So, according to the study, every United States motorist spends about 38 hours of his time in traffic on average.
Hard to believe, but the longest traffic jam in history lasted 12 days! In 2010, drivers were stuck on a 100 km path between Beijing and Tibet due to a car accident.
In general, according to scientists, more than 90% of modern personal cars stand most of the time, rather than moving. So, the car that we purchase for movement, the vast majority of its life is stationary, waiting for us in the garage, in the parking lot or just in the yard of our house.
Of course, these are average indicators. There are motorists who operate their car to the maximum, but there are a minority of such people.
Therefore, when once again it comes to mind to lower the fabulous sum for a brand new car, think about whether you need to do this. Could it be that most of the time a new toy will be covered in dust somewhere, and not drive.