Hey World! I’m taking an early summer vacation from GirlsFirstCar.com.
I’ll be posting more sporadically while I work on my next book over the next few months.
Thanks for checking in and happy driving!
heart,
Erika
Is Bad Driving Entertainment?
I know the whole reality thing is cheap for cable channels and all-enthralling for viewers. But the Travel Channel’s latest offering, America’s Worst Driver, is totally over the top.
The show, which debuts March 21, highlights speeders, distracted drivers and aggro drivers with contestants and kin giggling all the way. Whoever improves the most wins a trip to Florida.
Um…WTF?
Click here for a clip from the show.
Why is this entertainment?
Do you think this show makes bad driving seem less serious?
Let me know what you think!
Celeb Sixteens: Kiril Kulish
Broadway star Kiril Kulish turns 16 today!
Happy Birthday, Kiril!
Rock it out In The Driver’s Seat!
Celeb Sixteens: Allie Grant
Actress Allie Grant, who plays the kick-ass Isabelle Hodes on Weeds, turns 16 today! (Loving her!)
Happy Birthday, Allie!
Rock it out In The Driver’s Seat!
South Carolina One Step Closer To Texting-While-Driving Ban
South Carolina lawmakers stopped a bill that would have banned talking on the phone while driving. However, this week, a state Senate panel advanced a texting-while-driving ban. The bill next be reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee for approval. Lawmakers are still sorting out how much to charge those who break the law–the initial $25 fee was deemed too low by the committee.
Celeb Sixteens: Dominic Janes
Actor Dominic Janes, who played Alex Taggart on ER turns 16 today!
Congrats, Dominic!
Rock It Out In The Driver’s Seat!
Celeb Sixteens: Makenzie Vega
Actress Makenzie Vega, who plays Grace Florrick on ABC’s The Good Wife turns 16 today!
Congrats, Makenzie!
Rock it out In The Driver’s Seat!
Study Says Driver Cell Phone Bans Lower Accidents in Urban Areas
Last week, a study was released stating cell phone bans for drivers didn’t lower accident rates. (Get the scoop here.) Now, a new study from the University of Illinois finds that cell phone usage-bans do lower personal injury accidents and have more of an impact on busy, urban streets than in rural areas.
The study reports that in all 62 counties studied in the state of New York, lower personal injury accident rates were reported after banning cell phone use while driving–a great improvement for safer roads, since nearly 80 percent of accidents in the US are due to distracted driving.
In the no-brainer part of the study, researchers found that:
” The personal injury accident rate decrease was more substantive in counties such as Bronx, New York and Queens, where there was a high density of licensed drivers rather than in sparsely populated areas of upstate New York.
The study’s head researcher, Sheldon H. Jacobson, a computer science professor and the director of the simulation and optimization laboratory at Illinois University, said:
“What that suggests is, if you have a congestion of cars and you’re distracted, you’re more likely to hit someone,” Jacobson said. “If you have a lower congestion of cars, you’re still distracted, but you’re less likely to hit anyone because there are less people to hit. It’s simple probability.”
No Hybrid? No Problem! Ten Ways To Eco-fy Your Ride
I created this image with the help of my publisher (thanks, Hallie!) for the Teens Turning Green Summit this past weekend in San Rafael, CA. Due to last minute printing snafus, I didn’t get the cards in time to give out to attendees, but I thought I’d share it here. (It reads kinda small, so click on the image to blow it up to a full-screen view.)
Thoughts?
Toyota’s Prized Prius To Join Recall List?
Toyota’s history-making hybrid, the Prius, may be added to the growing list of cars recalled due to faulty brakes. Toyota’s spokespeeps have said that the company may add around 270,000 2010 Priuses (Pri-ui?) to its recall list, after owners have reported slow-to-activate brakes in their cars. Brake-hampered Priuses sold overseas in the past few weeks have already been fixed by altering the car’s computer software.
Toyota has already recalled close to 10 million cars so far this year, due to sticky break pedals that have been blamed for a handful of accidents. The company is also looking at whether there are brake issues with its hybrid Lexus.
Next Wednesday, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing on “Toyota Gas Pedals: Is the Public At Risk?” The hearing will focus on the federal government’s response to the recall of millions of Toyota vehicles due to reports of faulty gas pedals.
