Image: Flickr user Alan Cleaver

Today, the fastest speed you can legally travel on a highway in the United Kingdom is 70 miles per our. Like our own 55 mile per hour speed limit (or our current 70 mph speed limits), the number is considered by most drivers to be a suggestion, not an absolute. Reflecting this, Britain’s Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, has announced his intention to raise the UK’s maximum speed limit to 80 miles per hour, beginning in 2013.

Applying common sense isn’t something you necessarily expect from a government official, but Hammond is clear about his reasons. “I want to make sure that our motorway speed limit reflects the reality of modern vehicles and driving conditions, not those of 50 years ago,” Hammond was on record as saying.

The secretary also cited the economic benefits that shortening journeys could create, which is more logic that we’d buy into. Still, don’t expect common sense to take hold in the United States, not with the “speed kills” mentality of government officials. I’d be willing to bet that Britain’s roads are in better shape than our own crumbling infrastructure, and I’ll bet that Brits are less likely to be texting, reading, eating, applying makeup or shaving behind the wheel than their American counterparts.

Source: Carscoop

States are getting smarter when it comes to vanity plates, and the days when you could sneak a tag like A55 MAN past the DMV are long gone. Ditto with FOR PLAY, which really can have a relatively innocent meaning on a Jeep or sports car (though probably not on a Harley). Still, you’d be amazed at the tags people request, assuming that no one at the state motor vehicle office is paying attention.

The Sun Sentinel, a south Florida newspaper, recently ran a photo essay on banned plates, complete with a mock-up of some of the more, um, interesting requests, Since Florida’s DMV shoots down some 1,800 requests per year, the list is hardly comprehensive. Still, why would you want a plate that reads WE SWING? Do you think that’s going to help with your jihad to spread herpes and genital warts to the entire state of Florida?

Then there’s GANGMBR, which may as well read TRFFC STOP or SHOOT ME. ORGAZM is another odd choice, and if it was a guy driving I’d be inclined to avoid his slip stream. A55 KIKR and ASL BOSS are guaranteed to get you a solid beat-down, sooner or later, but we could all benefit from a good beating now and then. DAM YNKE is a particularly bad choice north of Daytona Beach, since a lot of natives around here aren’t convinced the Civil War is really over.

If you’re inclined to pop for a personalized license plate, we wish you the best of luck in getting one with any amount of innuendo approved. Even if the state says yes, all it takes is another driver to be offended, and then you can kiss that plate goodbye. Just remember that there aren’t any laws on offensive bumper stickers (yet), so let your adhesive-freak-flag-fly, EZ LAY.

Source: Autoevolution

TruTouch's current fingertip BAC detector.

Imagine having to scan your fingerprint before you can start your car, to determine if your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is within legal limits. Automotive suppliers Takata and TruTouch have just received a $2.25 million grant from the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) to further development of a system that would do just that. In the not-too-distant future, the technology could be voluntarily implemented on new cars, or mandated for use by those previously convicted of drunk driving.

The technology behind the system exists today, but it’s neither portable nor robust enough for use in a vehicle. Current systems are shoebox sized, and can operate only within a narrow window of temperature and humidity. Although the infrared scanners used are more accurate than a traditional Breathalyzer test, the current systems take several seconds to collect and analyze data, which is perceived as too long for a vehicle ignition interface.

The NHTSA backs the efforts of the ACTS, and it views the technology as a way of reducing the number of Americans killed in drunk driving related accidents each year. In 2009, nearly 11,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which made up 32 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Assuming the engineering obstacles can be overcome, the systems could hit the market in 8 to 10 years. Whether that’s a good thing or an invasion of your privacy is entirely up to you.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Image: Leo-setä

Good news, squeegee operators: the squeegee man, once the symbols of a collapsed economy and moral decay in New York City, is back. It’s time to break out those filthy jeans and your best lice-covered hoodie and hit the streets, because the good old days (and by that I mean bad old days) are here again. Talking Points Memo reports that the once endangered species is back with a vengeance, here to spread grime on your windshield and key your car if you don’t tip generously enough.

Forget about avoiding them, since squeegee men know to work the areas of the city where traffic bottlenecks, like Times Square and approaches to the Lincoln Tunnel. Forget about avoiding eye contact, since a good squeegee man will feel free to knock on your window (or kick in your door, should you be bold enough to piss them off). Your choices are pretty simple – you can either pay them, or suffer the consequences. Unlike a ticket for toll avoidance, the wrath of the homeless squeegee man is instantaneous.

Back in the days when Rudy Giuliani and Ray Kelly cleaned up New York, squeegee men were hunted to the point of extinction. Now, thanks to record poverty and unemployment (coupled with shrinking police budgets), the time is right for the return of the squeegee men.

In fact, I’m guessing the return of Times Square to it’s once pristine condition, complete with porno theaters, peep show and fake ID joints, isn’t far behind. It’s about time the city got rid of that family riff-raff that’s been spending money and perpetually watching performances of The Lion King on Broadway.

Source: Talking Points Memo

When it comes to diets, I’m an omnivore leaning towards the meatitarian side. I’ve tried tofu, which is essentially congealed soy milk, and to me it’s always tasted like sweat socks cooked in dishwater. That’s when it tastes like anything at all, which it usually doesn’t; imagine my surprise, then, when a vegetarian and PETA member in Tennessee purchased a license plate that read “I Love Tofu.”

Actually, the plate read ILVTOFU, which could be interpreted in several ways, only one of which is innocent and relates to wholesome but tasteless vegetarian food products. The other way, which is embraced by DMVs in Colorado, Florida, Virginia (and now Tennessee) is “I Love To Engage In Sexual Intercourse, Perhaps With Anyone And Everyone Reading This License Plate,” or in simpler terms, “I LV TO F U.” The plate was subsequently called back by the Tennessee DMV, prompting a press release from PETA on the benefits of eating tofu and the evils of eating meat. And the absurdity of a DMV reading too much into a license plate.

Personally, I wonder why no one has addressed the evils of eating tofu, which is more likely to cause gagging and vomiting than knocking boots with the member of the opposite sex in the car behind you. Perhaps I’ll ring up the other PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals) and see if we can put together a press conference. Over a big plate of bacon, of course.

Source: Autoblog

Nick Heidfeld leads Heikki Kovalainen in Malaysia. Image: Morio

Nick Heidfeld has settled his contract dispute with Lotus Renault out of court, and there’s no chance the German driver will be back in the seat of a Lotus Renault this season. Heidfeld was abruptly terminated by Lotus Renault following the Hungarian Grand Prix (where his car caught fire at pit exit, thanks to a broken exhaust), which breached the contract given to Heidfeld at the start of the 2011 season. Heidfeld was substituting for Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica, who was critically injured in a rally car accident before the start of the 2011 F1 season.

Heidfeld is now free to pursue other interests (and other F1 rides), and ensures fans that he’ll be back in the drivers seat before long. Heidfeld was running 8th in drivers championship points at the conclusion of the Hungarian Grand Prix, but had no realistic chance at winning the title this year. His best 2011 finish came in Malaysia, where he finished third behind Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button.

Heidfeld’s season went downhill from there, and his next best finish was a seventh place in the Turkish Grand Prix. He also had DNFs in Canada, Germany and Hungary, but managed to maintain a points lead over teammate Vitaly Petrov through the Belgian Grand Prix. Test driver Bruno Senna will run the second Lotus Renault car for the remainder of the 2011 F1 calendar.

Source: Autoweek

Will Power on a calmer day. Image: Manningmbd

IndyCar’s return to Loudon, New Hampshire was far more memorable for crashes and bad officiating than it was for the actual race itself. By the time a passing shower caused officials to throw a yellow flag in the closing laps, it looked certain that the race would end under yellow. That may be the safe way to do things, but it isn’t the exciting way to end a race, so IndyCar decided to throw a green flag despite a wet track and steady rain.

Chaos endued, since IndyCars are all but undriveable on slick tires and wet pavement which is why the series doesn’t run oval races in the rain. The lead cars had just approached the flagstand when Danica Patrick, running mid-pack, got sideways. The ensuing accident took out most of the field, including Penske driver Will Power, who’s running second overall in championship points.

Power, who had advised his team of track conditions, was furious after the crash, flipping the now-famous double-bird seen in the video below. IndyCar officials have fined Power $30,000, or $15k per single digit salute, for his family-unfriendly actions. Power can either pay the cash, or volunteer his time making appearances on behalf of IndyCar. He can, of course, appeal, but that’s not likely to net him any lower fines.

While Power’s actions may have been a little over the top, given the same set of circumstances I can’t say I’d be any more controlled. The irony here is that series chief steward Brian Barnhart is worried about maintaining a “family friendly” atmosphere, but isn’t concerned risking drivers’ lives for an exciting finish. No wonder that the series has trouble attracting and maintaining a fan base.

Source: Autoweek

Nick Heidfeld in Malaysia, 2011. Image: Morio

If you need soap-opera drama, look no rather than Formula One’s Team Lotus-Renault. First it was the signing of Bruno Senna, the nephew of Formula One great Ayrton Senna, at the beginning of the season. Senna had raced for perennial back marker HRT in 2010, managing no better than a 14th place finish during the season. Senna was brought on, to much fanfare, to be a test and development driver for the team; in other words, he was being groomed to take the driver’s seat at some point in Lotus Renault’s future.

Then came Lotus-Renault driver Robert Kubica’s horrific crash in a rally event during the off-season. Even the most optimistic of projections had Kubica missing the bulk of the 2011 season, while the worst-case scenario said that Kubica’s racing days were over. Clearly a backup driver was needed, and the list of experienced, talented and unemployed Formula One drivers is indeed a short one.

Enter Nick Heidfeld, a driver with ten years worth of F1 experience and numerous podium finishes, but no race wins. In February, Lotus Renault hired Heidfeld to take Kubica’s seat for the 2011 season, driving with teammate Vitaly Petrov. Heidfeld did well in the early part of the season, scoring a podium finish in Malaysia. Since Turkey, he’s managed to place no higher than 8th, and he’s racked up three DNFs in the last five races. When he finishes, he’s consistently doing better than Petrov, but that’s apparently not good enough for Lotus Renault.

Whether due to politics or strategy, Heidfeld has been benched by the team for at least the next two races, replaced by Bruno Senna. Heidfeld has sued the team, alleging breach of contract, but no resolution is expected prior to the conclusion of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The best case has Heidfeld out for two races, returning to a team he just filed suit against. The worst case has Heidfeld’s season, and possibly his F1 career, ending with a DNF in the 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix.

For a driver of Heidfeld’s talent, that’s one hell of a way to hang up your Nomex.

Source: Autoweek

Actually, your insurance company does...

At first glance, the new telematics system developed by State Farm Insurance and Hughes Telematics, called In-Drive, looks like a good thing, especially to parents. It offers the same emergency crash response, roadside assistance and stolen vehicle location service as competitors like OnStar, but for a lot less money. You can even get vehicle diagnostic alerts and service reminders, and parents can use it to track where a car is driven, or at what speed. If owners can get data on locations and speeds, doesn’t that mean that your insurance company can, too?

Indeed it does, and here’s where In-Drive takes a turn to the dark side. Opt to participate in a voluntary program, and State Farm will monitor your driving habits, just like Progressive Insurance does with its “Snapshot” program. The In-Drive system will record data on your mileage, cornering, acceleration, speed and time of day you’re behind the wheel, reporting it to State Farm. Initial program members will save approximately 10 percent on their insurance premiums, but the discount will range from 3 to 20 percent once enough data is gathered on your habits. Your reviewed for renewal every six months, which has a very ominous ring to it.

Does this mean that State Farm can and will cancel you policy if it feels you’re not a “safe” driver? I couldn’t find a clear answer to that question on State Farm’s website, so I suspect the answer is “yes.” That’s exactly why I’d never participate in such a program; I enjoy driving, which means using all of a vehicles available acceleration, braking and corning ability. To State Farm, I’m an uninsurable menace to society, despite the fact that I’ve driven for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles without a ticket, accident or insurance claim. If you ask me, I’m safer than 90 percent of the drivers on the road, because I pay attention when I’m driving. I don’t text, eat, shave, apply makeup or read the newspaper behind the wheel, but slow drivers who do would probably be seen as safe by In-Drive.

State Farm has other Drive Safe and Save programs linked to OnStar. For now, In-Drive is only available in Illinois, but On-Star linked programs are available for drivers in California, Colorado, Ohio and Texas. If you’re interested in being a laboratory rat, you can find details on the State Farm website. For the rest of us, it’s time to be afraid: these programs are voluntary now, but how much longer will it be until they’re mandatory for all drivers?

Source: Autoblog

The 2012 Sonic is built in America, but the 2012 Camaro isn't. Image: © GM Corp.

It used to be so simple: Ford, GM and Chrysler built cars in the United States, as did American Motors. Then Volkswagen set up shop in the United States, followed in no particular order by Mitsubishi, Subaru, Isuzu, Honda, Toyota and Mazda, to name but a few. VW pulled out of the U.S. market, but now they’re back with a new plant in Chattanooga, TN. Hyundai and sister company Kia are running plants in Alabama and Georgia near capacity, trying to build enough cars to meet demand in the United States. Determining what cars are made here versus built out of the country can be a daunting task, so Consumer Reports compiled a list of manufacturers and their U.S. built models.

The Consumer Reports list also advises how many made-in-the-U.S.A. cars get a recommendation from them, but we’re not going down that particular path. Instead, here’s a list of the ten automakers with the highest number of U.S. built vehicles. Some come as no surprise, but others were a bit of a shock, even to me.

1. Chevrolet, with 12 models built in the U.S.
2. Ford, with 12 models built in the U.S.
3. Toyota, with 9 models built in the U.S.
4. GMC, with 8 models built in the U.S.
5. Honda, with 8 models built in the U.S.
6. Nissan, with 7 models built in the U.S.
7. Jeep, with 5 models built in the U.S.
8. Dodge, with 4 models built in the U.S.
9. Cadillac, with 4 models built in the U.S.
10. Mercedes-Benz, with 4 models built in the U.S.

If you’re looking for Buick, they’ve only got 3 models built here. Chrysler has only 1 and Ram isn’t much better with 2. Lincoln also has 2, as does Mazda. Next time you’re out shopping for a new car, take a look at the Monroney label in the window: your car may be better travelled than you think it is.

Source: Consumer Reports