7 Interesting Facts About Cars and Driving

If you are a car owner, you probably know some random facts about that model. But what about some random car facts? Here are some of the most interesting ones we have found that you can dazzle your friends and family with.

The Worlds First Speeding Ticket

On the 28th January 1896, a motorist was discovered tearing through Kent at 8mph. Walter Arnold was issued a ticket for this hair-raising speed. This might not sound like much but this was four times the legal speed limit for a horseless carriage in the UK at the time.

Cars That Go Upside Down

If you have watched movies with car chases, you sometimes gave to suspend some disbelief, especially if a car suddenly starts driving around the top of a tunnel. However, it is possible for a Formula car to achieve this. If an F1 car hits 120mph, there is enough force for the car to go up a tunnel wall and drive on the ceiling.

Traffic Jams

Being stuck in a traffic jam is rubbish at the best of times, but the average Brit spends around 115 hours stuck in traffic every year. This can add up and cost over £800 to the average driver. However, the worst traffic jams in the world are the stuff of nightmares. In China, a 62miles traffic jam trapped people for three days. 

Car Production

If you want to scrap your car and get cash for junk cars, you won’t have to worry about waiting on buying a new one. Over 60 million cars are made each year around the world. China is one of the biggest producers of cars, being responsible for around 1 in 4 cars. Japan and Germany are two other big builders of cars.

High Mileage

If you are ever concerned about the mileage you are doing, spare a thought for Irvin Gordons 1966 Volvo P1800S. This little car has been travelling with Gordon since the 1960s and is about to hit 3 million miles! And he has no plans of stopping. He plans on driving and caring for the car as long as he can. We doubt he will get to 4 million miles but we wouldn’t put it past him to try.

Superman was Right

In the 1978 Superman Movie, Christopher Reeves tells Margot Kidders Lois Lane that flying is the safest way to travel. And it is true. The odds of dying in a plane crash are 1 in 11 million. In comparison, your chances of dying in a car accident are around 1 in 5,000. This makes driving sound like a dangerous sport.

Fines

In certain parts of the world, such as Sweden, a fine for speeding isn’t a fixed amount. Instead, it is dependant on your income amount. This means that no matter how much you earn, you fine can pack a punch. One Swede was caught speeding at 180mph and was fined $1,000,000 for driving his Mercedes over the speed limit. His car was also impounded as a punishment.