Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Hey y'all, crash your clunkers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/video-hey-yall-crash-your-clunkers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/video-hey-yall-crash-your-clunkers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/video-hey-yall-crash-your-clunkers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Crashing Remote Controlled Clunkers: click image above to watch the video

Q: What are a redneck's last words? A: "Hey y'all, watch this!" Only in this fine piece of reporting by CNN, the only (self-described) rednecks behaving badly are the ones having that third helping of funnel cake mixed with that seventh Bud Lite. No sir, in this here video, all the clunkers getting crashed are done-in by remote control.

Now, at first blush you might be a smidge disappointed that no amateur Wisconsin Evil Knievel types are hurling themselves off the cliff of a quarry towards both certain hospital time and everlasting glory. But, as the crashed cars pile up, it becomes pretty dang clear that Bob Moravitz - the brains behind the event - knows what the people want. Just like in Roman times, the people want carnage - and lots of it. Enjoy the video, after the jump.

[Sources: CNN; KARE-TV/USA Today via 0-60]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hey y'all, crash your clunkers

VIDEO: Hey y'all, crash your clunkers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car crashcar crashesCarCrashCarCrashesCrash for ClunkersCrashForClunkersTue, 18 Aug 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/study-majority-of-highway-fatalities-caused-by-deficient-road-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/study-majority-of-highway-fatalities-caused-by-deficient-road-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/study-majority-of-highway-fatalities-caused-by-deficient-road-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,



What would you think to be the leading contributor to fatalities in car crashes here in the States? Failure to use seat belts? Speeding? Drunk driving? Think again. According to a new study commissioned by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), the leading cause of highway fatalities is deficient road conditions. In fact, the study asserts, with a roadway-related crash occurring every minute on American streets, inadequate roadway infrastructure is responsible for the majority of highway fatalities in the United States and over a third of injuries incurred in non-fatal crashes as well.

Given the state of many roadways, you might think that the situation - like America's road network - is beyond repair. However, the study, entitled "On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways," assesses the financial cost alone of crashes caused by these substandard roadways - as a whopping $217 billion annually, including medical bills, loss of productivity and property damage. That's more than three-and-a-half times the $59 billion which local, state and federal governments in the United States invest in improving America's roadways. PIRE's solution? Improving road conditions, of course, including better signage and markings, widening shoulders and removing obstacles from roadsides. Follow the jump to read more on PIRE's findings and suggested solutions for what it deems is one of the largest killers in America.

[Source: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation | Image: STR/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions

STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto accidentauto accidentsAutoAccidentAutoAccidentscar accidentcar accidentscar crashcar crashesCarAccidentCarAccidentsCarCrashCarCrashescause of deathCauseOfDeathdeathdeficient roadwayDeficientRoadwayfatalitiesfatalityhighwayhighway maintenancehighway markingsHighwayMaintenanceHighwayMarkingsPacific Institute for Research and EvaluationPacificInstituteForResearchAndEvaluationpireroad constructionroad maintenanceroad networkroad safetyRoadConstructionRoadMaintenanceRoadNetworkRoadSafetyroadwaysafetysignagetraffic safetyTrafficSafetyThu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA["Hello dad, I totaled your Ferrari - what time is dinner?"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/hello-dad-i-totaled-your-ferrari-what-time-is-dinner/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/hello-dad-i-totaled-your-ferrari-what-time-is-dinner/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/hello-dad-i-totaled-your-ferrari-what-time-is-dinner/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Somewhere, a father in Melbourne weeps. There were 16 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradales imported to Australia and New Zealand. There are now 15. A proud dad gave his son the keys to his so-rare-it's-almost-extinct Ferrari, and his son got a little too frisky with the audacious redhead. She didn't appreciate his advances, he lost control of the situation, and that little redhead introduced him to a pole... at a high rate of speed by the looks of it.

And as if that didn't beat all, the kid had to call home. While news crews watched. And filmed. Only to have newspapers and blogs spread the story around the world. No word on what his father said, but it probably rhymed with "Why I oughta @#%$*&%!"

Police say the driver was speeding, which means he must not have seen these commercials. But now, at least, he has a theme song, so sing along: "To you other kids all across the land, take it from me, parents just don't understand..." Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

"Hello dad, I totaled your Ferrari - what time is dinner?" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacar accidentcar accidentscar crashcar crashesCarAccidentCarAccidentsCarCrashCarCrashesferrariferrari 360ferrari 360 challenge stradaleFerrari360Ferrari360ChallengeStradaleMon, 05 May 2008 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Elastic steel makes your car safer by stretching it out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/21/elastic-steel-makes-your-car-safer-by-stretching-it-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/21/elastic-steel-makes-your-car-safer-by-stretching-it-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/21/elastic-steel-makes-your-car-safer-by-stretching-it-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Max Planck Institute for Iron Research and the German Steel Institute have developed a variety of steel that strengthens as it elongates. In the event of a car crash, the steel is ductile enough to absorb impact energy, but remains strong enough to protect occupants.

Called Twinning Induced Plasticity steel, the secret is that the steel passes the deformation energy down its length and to other parts, which also deform. The benefit is that with more area available to share the impact load, there is less that can reach the car's occupants. The institute mentions using the steel in bumpers and side doors, the most vulnerable areas in a crash.

Improved passenger safety is always good. Yet with more structures to inclined to deform, such a development would also seem to need new inspection techniques after a crash to make sure everything is still safe. Also, while the fracture point of the pictured steel is listed as 1,250-percent of elongation, it would need to be established how much elongation-before-fracture was still safe.

Thanks for the tip, Ben!

[Source: Physorg]

Elastic steel makes your car safer by stretching it out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car crashesCarCrasheselongating steelElongatingSteelintelligent steelIntelligentSteelmax planck instituteMaxPlanckInstitutestretching steelStretchingSteeltwipFri, 21 Sep 2007 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: What to do after a car crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/psa-what-to-do-after-a-car-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/psa-what-to-do-after-a-car-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/psa-what-to-do-after-a-car-crash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Few people think about car crashes before they happen, and immediately after one occurs isn't the time to start. Therefore, putting a few minutes into post-crash preparation makes sense before finding yourself staring into a deflated airbag with a dazed look. Doug Flint from The Car Connection has some great tips - he refers to them as "rules" and has good reasons to do so - and we'd recommend giving his list a thorough read.

From our collective crash experience, encompassing everything from parking-lot fender-benders to leaving the road at 105 mph, we can indeed assure everyone that it's tough to keep your wits about you after unintended physics intervenes with driving. Make some plans now for who you'll call for a tow and how you'll pay, and don't leave the scene until things are sorted out with the authorities, medical personnel, and someone who can give a level-headed assessment of your car's drivability. A good roadside assistance plan that covers all the drivers in your family is a great idea (going through your insurance company will probably yield a discount).

Include every driver in your family in on this planning; even if you've got nerves of steel and aren't rattled by bent sheetmetal... odds are good that there's a less experienced crasher in your household.

[Source: The Car Connection]

 

PSA: What to do after a car crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentscar crashcar crashescrashcrashesinsurancesafetytowingTue, 13 Jun 2006 17:06:00 EST