A woman standing through a sunroof. PHOTO/COURTSEY
Hello Eva, it is considered very dangerous for passengers (children or adults) to stand through the sunroof of a moving vehicle. There is a growing trend of young children standing through the sunroof of a car while shouting and waving at other road users. While driving, children should be safely seated with their seatbelts safely tied.
This is because seatbelts reduce the likelihood or severity of injury during sudden stopping or impact due to collision. Injury happens when passengers are tossed out of moving vehicles or hit hard against vehicle interior panels, windscreens, dashboards or other passengers.
Due to dynamic or motion forces, passengers standing through a sunroof can be thrown out of the vehicle like projectiles or sustain serious neck and back injuries when the driver suddenly brakes while reacting to an emergency.
The passengers standing through a sunroof may not only endanger themselves but also pose a risk to other road users as well as distract them. In Uganda, we have a 2004 Traffic and Road Safety Act number 32 which requires all passengers in a moving vehicle, on a public highway, to be restrained to their seats using seatbelts.
This law also stipulates fines and a prison term of three or one month for offending drivers and passengers.
The sunroof of a car is designed to allow passengers to let in sunlight or fresh air. Specially converted official parade or security vehicles have accessible purpose-built roof hatch systems designed with special platforms, grab rails and edge padding all intended to secure the passenger who stands through them.
The drivers of these unique vehicles undergo specialised training on how to drive with their principals or technical personnel standing through the hatch.
These special vehicles and their users are exempt from the Uganda Traffic Act on the use of safety belts while performing their duties.
Other ordinary passenger vehicles are not designed to safely transport passengers who are not harnessed to their seats with seatbelts.
Why is my AC system dripping water?
My car’s air conditioning was working well until about two weeks ago when it started dripping water. What could be the problem? John B.
Hello John, it is normal for a car air conditioning system to drip condensation under the car, especially after prolonged use.
However, it is problematic if this condensation is dripping in your car. You may have a broken or blocked condensation drain pipe or a pipe clogged with debris or accumulated mould.
Unblocking or replacing the broken drain pipe can inspect and rectify this. A dirty or faulty air conditioning condenser can reduce airflow and lead to ice build-up. This leads to an internal leak.
Similarly, a dirty or clogged AC evaporator leads to the accumulation of moisture and leaks. An experienced AC technician's inspection will help you resolve the problem. It helps to inspect the AC system and drain pipes every six months to prevent clogging due to the build-up of debris or mould.
Can I park my car for six months after I fill the tank?
Paul, I am soon travelling out of the country for about three months. Should I fill my tank with fuel when I store it? Victoria
Hello Victoria, filling your car tank with fuel before long storage seems to be a good idea especially as it may be convenient when you return from a long trip and do not need to worry about fuel. However, this has some advantages and disadvantages. Filling your tank with fuel leaves little or no room for moisture accumulation and corrosion build-up. This helps to prevent harmful damage to vital fuel system components such as the fuel pump and injectors. Driving around with an almost empty fuel tank is notorious for damaging in-tank-fitted fuel pumps. Ample fuel helps to keep the fuel pump cool and working for a long time. Having a full tank of gas is good for planning, time-saving and peace of mind.
Fuel kept for more than six months might go off or degrade if it is exposed to moisture, oxidation and prolonged heat. This is an old phenomenon. Cleaner fuels designed with detergent additives may help to mitigate this problem, however, it is better to fill the tank to avoid moisture.
