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America's auto insurers will push for new driver monitoring systems, such as in-car video cameras, as a way to cut costs and crashes. Who needs driverless cars when all drivers could soon get an electronic nanny? More »
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The U.S. government proposed a new mandate today requiring backup cameras on all new vehicles by 2014. It's the latest front in Ray LaHood's war to protect us from ourselves. You know what else works? Paying attention. [AP] More »
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"They are trained to be careful," transportation secretary Ray LaHood told a caller on NPR when asked if it was OK for cops to use cell phones while driving. They're not, but what could cops be texting each other? More »
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The Highway Loss Data Institute says texting bans in four states did not reduce crashes, and in three states crashes actually increased. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood erupted on his own blog labeling the report "misleading." More »
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The top auto safety expert for the nation's insurance companies says U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood is getting "irrational" about the dangers of distracted driving. His explanation: Texting and talking may just replace other bad driving habits, like reading newspapers. More »
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America's top auto safety official says cellphones should come with cigarette-style warning labels about distracted driving, and warned automakers were making the "epidemic" worse with their dashboard gadgetry. Next stop: government mandated thumb socks?. More »
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For just $30 extra, New York state residents can opt for a new Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), complete with RFID chip. But why would you want to shill out that extra coin on top of the $50 you already have to pay for a normal license? The selling point is that the radio frequency identification chip in the EDL allows a humble state ID to act as a passport of sorts. It can be scanned by authorities to identify US citizens entering the state from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean...though we're not sure exactly how you're supposed to get into those countries in the first place without an actual passport. What about privacy and security concerns? Oh, don't worry; the government has measures in place. More »
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The nanny state has added one more criteria to their driver licensing tests: Eco-friendly driving skills. The Telegraph reports that the new testing is being implemented to comply with EU regulations, with government officials stating that motorists practicing the eco-friendly driving techniques could see savings of up to a month's worth of fuel over the course of a year. Basically, it's the same thing our automakers are promoting with the help of Ah-nold, except ours isn't mandated or federally funded. Heck, we don't even have driver's ed! While motorists won't fail the test due to poor environmental scores, we figure it's only a matter of time before remote CO2 monitoring stations are around every bend, checking pollution output and photographing the plates of any gross offenders. You've been warned. [Telegraph.co.uk, Image: Getty Images] More »
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