Traffic law
Taxi-sharing could decrease pollution, traffic, fares (and more)
A whopping 70 percent of New York City taxi rides are shareable, according to a recent study reported by Salon. (True shareability means when New York cab riders are willing to share a car with one other rider, and manage at most an extra 150 seconds of travel time.) The benefits are startling: taxi travel time […]
Marijuana linked to higher car fatality rates
The number of fatal car crashes involving marijuana use tripled between 2000 and 2010, according to a recently released Columbia University study. As MSN reports, researchers ran toxicological investigations on almost 24,000 vehicle fatalities, finding that use of the drug “played at least some role” in twelve percent of fatalities. This study, along with a […]
Study: Cars more dangerous than natural disasters
Floods, tornadoes and earthquakes are not as dangerous as simply being a pedestrian in America, according to a report by the National Complete Streets Coalition, a nonprofit safety advocacy group. More than 47,000 pedestrians died in vehicle collisions in America over 2003 to 2012, a number which tallies to 16 times the amount of Americans […]
Is there a zoning remedy for car-dependent towns?
Towns are largely car-dependent because we design them that way, claims blogger Andrew Price with Smart Towns, a blog devoted to American town growth, in a recent post. Price analyzes the zoning system in Conway, Arkansas, as an example of Euclidean zoning and its role in creating car-dependent towns. What exactly is Euclidean zoning? Also […]
Why we’re less likely to die in car wrecks today
Fewer people are dying in car crashes, Vox recently reported, and some of the reasons behind this positive trend are surprising. First, the facts: Since the 1970s, fatalities from traffic accidents have decreased 40 percent. Deaths have been on a steady decline after peaking in 1969 at 55,043. By 2012, the figure stood at 33,561, […]
Imaginative street art draws controversy in Hawai’i
Certain playful denizens have been adding paint lines to existing crosswalks in the Hawaii Kai and Kapolei areas of Hawaii to spell out the welcoming phrase, “Aloha.” First discovered this past Christmas, the alterations are considered by tourists and citizens to be, by and large, thoughtful touches — but for authorities, the painted lines amount […]
Is your state one of the 11 most dangerous to drive in?
Eleven states dangerously lack basic safety regulations, according to a recently released report on highway safety. As the Washington Post notes, a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety revealed that 11 states earned a red rating, indicating “poor protections.” On the other hand, ten states (plus D.C.) received a green rating, and the […]
Self-driving cars: Are Americans ready to give the keys to a computer?
Does the idea of a self-driving car inspire more dread or relief with you? Some drivers are afraid of relinquishing control of the vehicle to a computer. Those in favor of autonomous vehicles say that the benefits – in terms of accidents, fuel, congestion, and dollars – are immense. Under a pilot program, Volvo and the Swedish government […]
Should you bother buying a personal breathalyzer?
Nearly all U.S. states have a standard .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in place for drivers. Driving drunk can have life-changing consequence, from injury and death to arrest and skyrocketing insurance premiums. For some drivers, a personal breath analyzer (often known by the brand name, Breathalyzer) may help increase safety on the road. As most […]
Ericsson proposes sweeping program to reduce traffic congestion in Miami
Swedish multinational Ericsson plans to use its data and communications experience to help curb traffic congestion in Miami, Florida. The telecom giant announced a proposal during its annual event, NEST 2013, held this year in Miami Beach. ICT to address traffic woes Through its “Intelligent Transport Initiative,” Ericsson plans to use its advanced network of information […]