Skip to main content

That sinking feeling

Road users in one Chinese city had something of a fright when a giant inflatable, painted to look like the moon, blew away during high winds. The massive balloon rolled across busy multi-lane roads and junctions before it could be halted. Cyclists and motorcyclists dodged out of the way while many vehicle occupants looked on in surprise as the ‘moon’ rolled right over the top of them. The inflatable had been set up as part of a Chinese festival. Meanwhile in Scotland’s second city Glasgow, drivers and pedes
February 9, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Road users in one Chinese city had something of a fright when a giant inflatable, painted to look like the moon, blew away during high winds. The massive balloon rolled across busy multi-lane roads and junctions before it could be halted. Cyclists and motorcyclists dodged out of the way while many vehicle occupants looked on in surprise as the ‘moon’ rolled right over the top of them. The inflatable had been set up as part of a Chinese festival. Meanwhile in Scotland’s second city Glasgow, drivers and pedestrians alike watched in surprise as a giant rubber duck blew along a busy street. The rubber duck had been part of a display outside a car dealer’s showroom before breaking free in high winds and making its bid for freedom. The rubber duck was quickly recaptured however.

Related Content

  • Road safety challenge for Europe
    December 3, 2012
    Europe’s road safety drive is highlighting key issues - Mike Woof reports In Europe there is a growing understanding that alcohol use amongst drivers still has to be tackled effectively. Accident data reveals that safety standards are improving across most European countries, with steady reductions in numbers of serious injuries and fatalities. But there remains a problem with alcohol use amongst many drivers and it is amongst this group that accident levels have not fallen. In Spain in particular, there ha
  • Berco bounces back
    December 16, 2021
    The global Italian undercarriage manufacturer is forging ahead with a major lean manufacturing transformation that is already seeing results. David Arminas reports from the company’s 500,000m² plant in Copparo.
  • Chinese manufacturers plan to compete globally
    June 18, 2015
    Chinese construction equipment firms have been building their operations in local markets – but are now looking to develop globally - Mike Woof writes In recent years Chinese construction equipment manufacturers have been able to capitalise on local demand in the home market. The rapid rate of expansion of transport infrastructure, fuelled by government spending, led to a massive need for construction machines. The country’s manufacturers have grown rapidly in size, investing enormously in factory capacity
  • Flat-pack gran keeps young drivers safe
    July 31, 2013
    Catching sight of grandma’s beady eye can make many a young driver pay attention to the speed limit or take a little extra care approaching a roundabout. But what if granny was always there, sitting in the passenger seat, keeping watch over those three point turns and reverse parking manoeuvres? Graphic design student Mollie Courtenay from Kingston University in Surrey, southern England, has come up with a novel way to harness grandparent power and encourage young drivers to be more safety conscious.