SHARE
COPY LINK

RALLY

Blind drivers get behind the wheel on F1 track

Scores of blind and partially-sighted people got behind the wheel Thursday and sped around a former Formula One racetrack in what organisers said was the first such rally in Spain.

Blind drivers get behind the wheel on F1 track
A blind man at the racetrack during the event in Jarama. Photo: Dani Pozo / AFP

“It was a terrific experience. We got up to 92 kilometres (57 miles) per hour,” said Jorge Macauda, 53, after taking a spin, accompanied by an instructor, on the Jarama racetrack near Madrid.

Macauda is totally blind having gradually lost his sight as an adult.

The rally was organised by ONCE, a big and influential Spanish charity for the blind, along with carmaker Seat and the Spanish Royal Automobile Club.

They said it was the first such activity for the blind held in Spain.Similar drives have been held elsewhere, including ones in the United States with cars developed by Google.

“We are not telling the blind that they are going to start driving again,” an ONCE spokesman said.

“What we are doing is trying to integrate them as much as possible in society, to help them feel independent.”

About 60 blind drivers did two laps each of the circuit in cars equipped with emergency automatic braking and speed-control systems, with professional copilots telling them when to steer.

“You really have to concentrate. The copilot talks you through it and tells you when there's a sharp bend,” Macauda, who works for ONCE, told AFP.

“I cried. I hadn't driven a car for 30 years.”

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

PROTEST

IN PICTURES: Police in Berlin halt anti-coronavirus protest

Police in Berlin have called off an 18,000-strong protest against coronavirus restrictions, saying protesters had not worn masks, as required by a court.

IN PICTURES: Police in Berlin halt anti-coronavirus protest
A protester (right) holds a sign saying 'mask off'. Photo: AFP

“Unfortunately, we have no other option,” Berlin police wrote on Twitter. “We've approached the leader of the demonstration and informed him that his assembly will be dissolved by the police. All the measures taken so far have not led to compliance with the conditions.”

By 3pm, many of the protesters had sat down at the junction of Friedrichstrasse and Torstrasse, with police slowly removing them by force.
 
Photo:  Bernd Von Jutrczenka / dpa
 
The crowd gathered in the morning at Brandenburg Gate on Saturday morning, with demonstrators shouting “Open the gate” and “We are the people,” chants taken from those of the pro-democracy movement in former East Germany.
 
The protest was called by Querdenken 711 (Lateral Thinking 711), a Stuttgart-based libertarian group founded by the software entrepreneur Michael Ballweg, which has some 16,000 followers on Facebook. But far-right groups and those against vaccination have also got involved. 
 
Robert F Kennedy Jr,  the nephew of assassinated US president John F Kennedy and a prominent anti-vaxxer was set to speak at the event. 
 
 
Protesters at the Brandenburg gate brandishing signs declaring German politicians 'guilty'. Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
 
A large procession began making its way down the Friedrichstrasse shopping street. Photo: Paul Zinken/dpa
 
 
Some protesters held signs asking people to question the need to anti-infection measures, calling for people to have a more open mind. Here protester hold signs saying “question your fear”. 
 
Photo: AFP
 

The demonstration brought together a disparate mix of the far-right, the far-left, opponents of vaccination, and in many areas had a celebratory party atmosphere, with drums, chanting and cheering. 

 
Counter-protesters came out around Humbolt University, chanting “You're marching alongside Nazis”. 
 

Others held signs saying “Stop the corona-deniers”. 
 
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP
 
“Even Patrick know that Nazis are shit,” reads this counter-protester's banner. 
 
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP
 
Most of those protesting against coronavirus curbs refused to wear masks or keep their distance. 
 
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP