Consumerist
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scary products
Steering Wheel Desk Lets You Keep Your Eyes Off That Pesky Road
One problem with driving is it gets in the way of your texting, and for all but the most dexterous, entirely rules out getting some work done on your laptop. More » -
texting while driving
3 Cellphone Apps To Block Texting While Driving
We've been talking about the dangers of texting while driving for a while, and if you've been paying attention, you know it's no joke: texting is 23 times more distracting than talking on a phone. In spite of this, most people do it anyway. If you just can't help yourself, here are three apps that will limit your ability to text while driving. More » -
distracted driving
Federal Employees Banned From Texting While Driving
An executive order issued this week bans federal employees from texting while driving when using government vehicles or phones, or while on government business. Given the safety risks of texting while driving, we think this was a good move, and hope that it extends to the general population. Take our poll and tell us what you think, inside. More » -
investigations
Hidden Cameras Catch LA Valets Breaking All Kinds Of Laws
An excellent piece of investigative journalism by NBC Los Angeles catches valets all over the city putting up fake no parking signs, jamming meters, and using customers' cars to shuttle valets around. More » -
public opinion
Survey Shows Public Support For Ban on Text Messaging While Driving
Following the news yesterday of calls to ban text messaging while driving, Nationwide Insurance just released a survey showing broad public support for such a ban — 8 in 10 Americans. On the down side, nearly half of drivers (49%) say a law restricting use of cell phones would not change their behavior, claiming that they don't currently use cell phones while driving. Funny, because, according to Nationwide's survey in 2008, "80 percent of drivers admit to talking on their cell phone while driving." Either 30% of respondents suddently stopped using cell phones while driving, or people are in serious denial. More » -
it's raining money, hallelujah
Man 'Makes It Rain' On L.A. Freeway, Causes Traffic Jam
Who says you've got to be an enfant terrible pro athlete to make it rain? A plain old 56-year-old man Los Angeles authorities describe as "disturbed" took it upon himself to send dollar bills a-soaring on L.A.'s westbound 210 Sunday as he drove down the freeway. More » -
cell phones
Reminder: Distracted Driving Is Bad And Dangerous
We had a robust debate on Monday on the use of cell phones and wireless devices while driving. Since then, Consumer Reports Cars has taken a look at the actual statistics for accidents caused by driver distraction, and also the cell-while-driving laws actually on the books in the United States in different localities. Spoiler alert: Texting while driving isn't a good idea. More » -
Please Stop Texting While Driving Two recent incidents with conductors of public transit vehicles getting into accidents while texting have magnified the consequences of using cell phones while operating a vehicle. Surprisingly, there are few complaints about other drivers sexting while driving. [Consumer Reports Cars]
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public transit
Public Transit Ridership Highest In 52 Years
See, here's some good news to the wallet-gouging gas prices of 2008: ridership of public transportation was up to 10.7 billion trips last year, "the highest level of ridership in 52 years" according to the American Public Transportation Association. It was the fifth consecutive year that ridership increased, but it may come to an end in 2009 because of skyrocketing unemployment.
"U.S. public transit 2008 ridership highest in 52 years" [Reuters]
(Photo: Kriston Lewis) -
gross
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Uses Liposuctioned Fat As Fuel For Car
And here's number 16 on our grossest stories of 2008 list: an LA plastic surgeon is in trouble for powering his car with "lipodiesel" from his patients' fat. Ewwww. -
verizon wireless
Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance Apologizes For Sucking
Earlier this month we shared Jason's tale of incompetent Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance—how the operator "helping" him acted like she'd been huffing paint on her break, and eventually just abandoned him with a "Sorry, I can't help," left on his voicemail. Verizon saw Jason's story and contacted him about it. Below is the follow up he sent us yesterday. More » -
verizon wireless
Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance CSR Running On Empty, Just Like Your Vehicle
Jason's fuel gauge was stuck, and he unexpectedly ran out of gas in the middle of Wyoming, 23 miles from the nearest town. When he tried calling for help, the operator asked, "Would you like to be connected to Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance?" Sadly, Jason said yes. He writes,
More »Here are the morals of this story:
1. Never EVER travel without extra fuel.
2. If someone ever says to you, "Can I connect you to Verizon Wireless Roadside Assistance?" They are making a direct threat on your life.
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gas prices
Sign Of The Times: $100 "Pay At The Pump" Limit
Reader Paul sends in this photo of a sign he saw at a gas station in Texas. First people were upset that gas stations were putting "outrageously high" holds of $100 on their cards when they paid at the pump. Now $100 is just the most you can buy at the pump without going inside and having them swipe your card. Sad. More » -
leasing
5 Car Lease Myths
Mark Solheim over on Kiplinger thinks leasing cars has a bad rap, and that more people should be doing it. "If you know what you're looking for and negotiate smart—and get over the five myths below—leasing can be a good deal." More » -
fast food
Grandmother Arrested At McDonald's For Refusing To Pull Car Forward
75-year-old Jean Merola was arrested by Clearwater, Florida police after refusing to pull her car forward at a McDonald's drive-thru, despite being ordered to do so by a police officer. She had ordered decaf coffee and "salt-free" french fries and was waiting for them. More » -
complaints
Peter Pan Driver Idles Bus For Thirty Minutes To Punish Passengers Who Complained About Swerving
A Peter Pan bus driver took revenge on passengers who complained about his unsafe driving by refusing to let anyone off the bus while making an unexpected thirty minute stop in Framingham, MA. One angry passenger who noticed the driver's erratic swerving, Brian Moore, blogged about his experience as a surprise hostage on the trip from New York to Boston. More » -
auto
America's 20 Most Discounted Cars
BusinessWeek has thoughtfully rounded up the 20 most discounted cars for your bargain-hunting enjoyment. From total failures to the recently redesigned, here are 20 cars you shouldn't pay too much for—and probably won't have to. What the hell is a Chrysler Aspen, anyway? A Mitsubishi Raider? More »
driving
New York, 7:25 AM
Wed Nov 11
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