Early critics were amazed to find DOT chief Ray LaHood campaigning, fiercely, against drivers' use of distracting electronic devices such as cell phones. He took it as a compliment. "Am I on a rampage?" LaHood said in the early years of his term. "Yes, I am, and why shouldn't I be?" Politicians and bureaucrats don't talk that way, but LaHood did. He cited a rising national death toll as drivers increasingly talked & texted their way down our streets and highways. Who can say how many lives (many of them young) were saved as LaHood used the DOT's bully pulpit in his campaign against … [Read more...]
Multimedia cars on parade at CES
January 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
This year's CES confirmed that automakers are indeed quickening the pace toward making their vehicles hubs of electronic information and entertainment. "Connected vehicle" systems and safe-driving technologies co-existed and co-mingled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Toyota and Hyundai unveiled new wireless communications and data systems for their vehicles, while GM's popular OnStar service announced it was expanding into other carmakers' vehicles. Ford rolled out its first electric car, with "wireless connected vehicle services" designed by partner Airbiquity. “The … [Read more...]
Massachusetts texting ban goes live
October 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Massachusetts’ ban on text messaging is now in full effect. Police are writing tickets, but the lucky might get a warning -- for a while. The new law prohibits all drivers from texting while behind the wheel and bans use of all cell phones by drivers who are 16 and 17 years old. The young drivers are barred from using a variety of devices (TVs, video, PCs) under the heading “mobile electronic devices.” The fines for adults are $100 (first offense), then $250 and $500. Fines for drivers under 18 are $100 plus 60-day license suspension and youth traffic school (first offense), then $250 with … [Read more...]
Bus driver steers with elbow, reads Kindle
September 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
This king of distracted driving was busted by a passenger during rush hour in Portland. The driver was put on leave while TriMet transit investigates. … [Read more...]
Drivers: We’re texting, talking less
June 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
U.S. drivers have cut back on talking and texting, thanks in part to distracted-driving laws, legislation and awareness, according to a new survey. Nationwide Insurance reports that about 40 percent of drivers who admit to texting while behind the wheel say they do it less frequently than they did a year ago. Of the 47 percent of drivers who say they engage in phone conversations while on the road, 30 percent reported that they do it less than last year. While the time spent on these distracted driving behaviors apparently is down, the percentage of people who admit to texting and talking … [Read more...]
Recent Comments