It is all over the news – you have probably heard of the “one free swerve” controversy by now. The issue stems from the a decision made by the Virginia Supreme Court to allow police officers to stop drivers who are thought to be under the influence of alcohol, but only after they see the motorist do something potentially unsafe – like swerving. This is where the “one free swerve” label comes into the picture.

Quite understandably, the motion has stirred up a lot of controversy and people are reacting left and right. One high profile person, in particular, has expressed his dissatisfaction over the ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts has been quoted as writing:

The decision below commands that police officers following a driver reported to be drunk do nothing until they see the driver actually do something unsafe on the road — by which time it may be too late.

Reuters reports further that:

Roberts noted that close to 13,000 people die in alcohol-related car crashes a year, which equals to one death every 40 minutes.

Roberts said a majority of the courts have said it doesn’t violate the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure to pull over drunk drivers based on anonymous tips from programs like the “Drunk Busters Hotline.”

So my question to all responsible motorists out there is this: what do you think about the ruling? Should we be understanding and give “one free swerve” to drunk drivers? I would say not. Chief Justice Roberts is right – it is better to err on the safe side!

Written by Marcel on November 2, 2009 | 3 Comments

Safety is paramount when you are behind the wheel. Driving has become such a part of our lives that sometimes, we take our safety for granted. Take those who take pride in being able to multi-task while driving. Mind you, these people are normally reasonable and logical people. I know some people who would not drive if they had taken even just a glass of wine in the past hour. But it is a different story altogether when it comes to texting while driving. But have you ever thought about just how dangerous texting while driving can be?

According to Car and Driver, texting or reading e-mail is extremely distracting. The study that they conducted has been described as “loosely structured,” but the results are nonetheless alarming. They asked for two volunteers who drove in a drunken state and then drove while texting.

So what did they find out? The Ottawa Citizen reports:

While over the limit, the drivers managed to stop about four feet into the simulated car they were supposed to be following, whereas texting slowed reaction times to the point that drivers had travelled upwards of 70 feet ahead of where a normal driver would have stopped.

Followers of texting and Twittering culture might wish to notice that a new abbreviation has been added to the growing list of time-saving acronyms. In e-speak, this message indicates that the sender is currently having an accident: HRHH%^&UB%6UB6U65 TTTTTT.

It is scary, isn’t it? One thing I know – I will not stand for texting and driving anymore!

Written by Marcel on August 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I am willing to bet that most of you would answer WINTER. After all, it is during winter that we experience ice and snow on the roads. It is during this season that sometimes, the weather just takes a turn for the worse with only a moment’s notice.

While all that makes sense, the answer is NOT winter! In a new study conducted by researchers the University of Michigan Transportation Safety Institute in Ann Arbor, it was revealed that the most dangerous season for driving is actually FALL! How is this possible?

The study discovered that the danger of dying in a car crash is 16% greater in October than in March. Last year, October was the month which had the highest death rate per distance driven. While the numbers support the findings, the rationale is not really clear, is it?

Well, according to Michael Sivak, “Everything else being equal, inclement weather — snow and ice — should increase the risk of driving. However, because inclement weather also leads to general reductions in speed, the net effect is not clear… this pattern is likely the consequence of joint contributions of several factors.”

I suppose that as with other things in life, this is not easily explained. I tend to accept Sivak’s explanation that people are more careful in driving during the winter months. I know that I am. After all, I have always thought that it the most dangerous time to be driving. And during fall, I don’t really think that I am in much danger.

In any case, this should be an eye-opener for all motorists – months and times of the year do not dictate our safety on the road. Our driving habits do. Drive safe!

Written by Marcel on July 25, 2009 | 1 Comment

Drinking (alcoholic beverages at least) and driving are never a good mix. Everyone knows that. But has it ever occurred to you that eating and drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving can be just as fatal?

Think about it, how often have you passed by a fast food’s drive through and eaten your meal while driving? The chances are that you have done this so many times you can’t even count! And why not? With the fast paced life that most of us live these days, there are instances wherein we can only grab a quick bite while on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, this is not such a good idea. They recently conducted a study which showed that about 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are due to motorists being distracted. So what’s new? Well this is what’s new – the drivers are distracted by their burgers and drinks! Instead of focusing their attention on the road, drivers involved in accidents are probably eating, the study says.

And if you think that drinking coffee makes you a better driver, you might want to think again. The study actually ranked the worst food and drink items that you can eat/drink while behind the wheel. Yep, coffee is one of them. Researchers say that the distraction stems from the potential spill each time you hit a bump or turn a curve. Same goes for that cheeseburger – the pickle might fall, forcing you to reach for it….

Bottom line? You might want to think twice before getting a Big Mac meal to go.

Written by Marcel on July 20, 2009 | 1 Comment

Late last week, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that city employees are not allowed to send text messages while driving vehicles. The Boston Globe spread the news Thursday last week:

Starting Monday, city employees will be banned from sending text messages while driving in city-owned vehicles, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced this afternoon outside the Government Center T station, which in May was the site of a train collision apparently caused by a driver occupied by his cell phone.

“We don’t want to say you should not do it when we’re not doing it ourselves,” Menino said.

Menino said he has asked the city’s Office of Labor Relations to work with unions to draft the specifics of the policy, including punishments for offenders.

I don’t know about you, but I think that offenders should be suspended. After all, no one should really be exempt from this law. Lives can be lost because of inattentiveness while driving and even if you’re driving a government vehicle, nothing changes. To be honest, I don’t really understand why this ban on texting while in a city-owned vehicle had to be highlighted. It should have been a given in the first place, don’t you think?

In any case, at least things are made clear now. I am not sure if similar measures have been enforced in other cities, but as I said above, it should be a given. Private vehicle or not, motorists should not be allowed to text while driving.

Written by Marcel on June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Talk about irony. Tom Riall has been banned from driving for six months after being caught by police officers for driving at over 102 mph at a 100 mph zone. Now, you might be wondering what the big deal is. There are a lot of people who have been apprehended for the same violation. You might even personally know a person or two who has been in this situation.

Tom Riall, however, is not just any person. He is, in fact, a senior executive at Britain’s biggest speed camera firm. Now, you see why it is such a big deal! The Times Online has this story:

Tom Riall, 49, was apprehended by police officers when they recorded him driving at 102.92mph on the A14 near Newmarket, in Suffolk.
Mr Riall is head of Serco’s home affairs division, which has installed and managed speed cameras at more than 4,000 sites around Britain since 1992.

He was fined and banned from driving at Sudbury magistrates court today after his third speeding offence in two years. “I accept the decision of the court. I recognise that speeding is not acceptable and regret what I did,” he said outside court. “My speed was excessive and I’ve made a full apology.”

Apology notwithstanding, the executive has been banned from driving on the roads for the next six months. I think that it is such a simple “punishment” for an act that goes beyond breaking the law. Then again, he is only human.

The moral of the story? Walk the talk!

Written by Marcel on May 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard the bad rap biofuels has gotten with the increased pollution and macro-economic impact it has on society but you’ve gotta’ give credit for these engineers who have managed to come up with alternatives to our increasingly oil dependent economies in so short a time. The problem wasn’t with the fuel itself for it fulfilled all pre-set criteria for a fuel that burned with less emissions than oil-based fuel products. As it turns out, it takes more energy to produce a liter of biofuel that off-sets the gains of the said alternative. The foray of engineers into the hybrid arena was merely to fill in the gap till fully electric systems became more feasible.
Fuel cell technology today, has resulted in some of the coolest cars around. From electric compacts that run on hydrogen or compressed natural gas that has similar abilities as bio fuels used in conjunction with better fuel cell technologies and reactors they all make for a better transition from an oil-based economy to a hydrogen or LNG-based one. The benefits of these alternative fueled cars is so much that research has been pushed to the extent of breakthroughs being put into prototypes as soon as they are discovered making for some really cool cars. With some manufacturers fielding test fleets to iron out the kinks in the system, they should have a working infrastructure by 2010 when most manufacturers schedule the release of their versions of the electric vehicles to take up the slack where bio-fueled vehicles left off.

Written by Marcel on February 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Oil prices have succumbed to an all time low and it makes you wonder, would turning to electric cars an biofuel alternatives still be feasible? Remember, these shifts need the consideration of cash as far as buying vehicles that are catered towards them or the transformation of traditional engines to make use of them.

But this was yesterday’s news when oil prices went over $120 a barrel. Today they have gone way below and add to the fact that people are trying to save a decent buck, sticking it out with the traditional cars is the best option to take for now. With that in mind, are we seeing the demise of these eco-friendly inventions? Better yet, are we foregoing the eco-friendly issues for now in exchange for survival?

People who are left without jobs are certainly forced to take this route. Never mind if they are not considered eco-friendly folks. The main point right now is survival. Based on weighing which is more important, people now have no choice but to drive these gas guzzling vehicles just to get through this economic crisis and we really cannot blame them.

So as we can see, this whole economic mess is serving as a chain reaction. Never before have we been into this kind of predicament so today, it is all about trying to find the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately it is aimed at hurting the environment. But that is a recourse just for now as far as oil and cars are concerned.

Written by Marcel on December 8, 2008 | 1 Comment

If you haven’t heard yet, transportation authorities based in the Philippines have implemented a speed limit in key roads of the metropolis to put a stop on the spate of accidents that have been occurring lately. This is perhaps to cover up the boo-boo made by one Metro Manila Development Authority Chief who months back said that “There is no Speed Limit”, paving the way for more reckless drivers and accidents at that. So while that is covered, now we hear the bus companies complaining that they may cause traffic. So what?

Given a choice, would you choose traffic or accidents? It is no secret that the same bus operators are also responsible for the accidents and it is they too who have been ignoring speed limits. You would think they were driving smaller vehicles that could ride above 100 KPH! If they slow down, the matter that they re concerned about is the number of trips that they can finish in a day which will surely be diminished. But if they were as careful and law abiding in the first place, would this speed limit be lowered at 40 KPH?

The last request was to make it at 60 KPH. But seeing the bulk of these buses, that is fast for a large vehicle. And to think that Manila is packed with lots of pedestrians and private cars, they can still do a lot of harm.

So as far as the speed limit goes, it is a good move. Safety comes first and the bottom-line is that regardless of the speed you are driving, you will get to your point of destination anyway right?

Written by Marcel on November 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here is a good tip for people who have to worry about the level of their gas these days. Apparently, it is now rare that we see people filling up their cars to the hilt, considering that the current oil price and economic crisis have become totally outrageous. Normally, people can manage the by the gallon fuel for their car but today, the price per gallon is no longer comfortable as before.

At times, you may even forget to fill up your car with gas and while many wait until they use up all the fuel of their car to the max, when your car flashes that gas pump light, chances are you will be panicking and looking for the nearest gas station to fill ‘er up.

While you gauge may be on the borderline E of your driver panel, don’t worry about it. There are occasions wherein gas stations may not be within sight. Usually, when you car fuel gauge is on the E line, you still have around 4 kilometers to spare. But rather than risk it, it would be best to try and do some adjustments just in case the next gas station is still far:

1. Avoid stepping longer on the accelerator and go with the flow.
2. Turn of air-conditioning for the meantime.
3. Try to drive at a conservative space. No sense in wasting gas if you are running low.

Just don’t panic when you see that blinking light on your dashboard. It is merely telling you that you forgot to put gas in your car!

Written by Marcel on September 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment