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: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-clap-clap-clap-wisconsin-woman-calls-911-turns-hers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-clap-clap-clap-wisconsin-woman-calls-911-turns-hers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-clap-clap-clap-wisconsin-woman-calls-911-turns-hers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

Here at Autoblog, we definitely don't condone drunk driving. But we have to admit it is a bit of a tricky thing. How are you supposed to tell if you're drunk if your judgment is already impaired? Well, one woman clearly could tell that at least someone on the road was drunk, and she gave herself up.

That's right. 49-year-old Granton, Wisconsin resident Mary Strey dialed #911 to report a drunk driver on the road. As it turned out, that drunk driver was her. She was even kind enough to pull over and waited for the police to arrive. All of which is a good thing, because according to The Associated Press, Strey had a blood-alcohol limit that was twice the legal limit. Good thing 9-1-1 is an easy number to remember. Follow the jump to listen to the priceless emergency dispatch recording.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Continue reading VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving

VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-1-1911driving under the influencedriving while impairedDrivingUnderTheInfluenceDrivingWhileImpaireddrunk drivingDrunkDrivingduidwiemergency servicesEmergencyServicesgrantonmary StreyMaryStreyThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Police auctioning off motorized La-Z-Boy used in DWI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/police-auctioning-off-motorized-la-z-boy-used-in-dwi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you've ever had the urge to cruise your neighborhood in a self-propelled La-Z-Boy, your opportunity has arrived. Minnesota resident Dennis Anderson (no relation to the Gravedigger monster truck franchise - we think) has forfeited his notorious motorized, and over-the-top modified, recliner chair involved in his DWI incident and crash recently is going on the eBay auction block later this week.

To recap, this masterpiece of motorized furniture isn't your average run-of-the-mill family room napper. This particular innovative and highly customized chair is fitted with a nitrous-boosted lawnmower engine good for a top speed in the neighborhood of 20 mph (it is fitted with a parachute... apparently in case you happen to drive off a cliff). Dual headlights help guide you home from the late nights at the bar, while an integrated stereo sound system will make you everyone's envy at the stop lights (maybe from the curb, as we don't think it is technically street legal).

While Mr. Anderson got off with two years of probation for his antics, his prized possession is sadly being liquidated - sans reserve price - thanks to a Minnesota law allowing police to auction vehicles seized in drunk-driving cases. So, what do you think it will go for?

[Source: Engadget]

REPORT: Police auctioning off motorized La-Z-Boy used in DWI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionchairDennis AndersonDennisAndersonDrunk drivingDrunkDrivingDUIDWIeBayfor saleForSaleLa-z-boylazy boyLazyBoyloungeMinnesotareclinerTue, 27 Oct 2009 17:41:00 EST<![CDATA[NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/nhtsa-drunk-driving-is-down-but-16-3-of-nighttime-drivers-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/nhtsa-drunk-driving-is-down-but-16-3-of-nighttime-drivers-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/nhtsa-drunk-driving-is-down-but-16-3-of-nighttime-drivers-are/#commentsFiled under: ,



Recently, the U.K. began to consider a law that would address drivers under the influence of drugs, and was looking at using a device that would act like a breathalyzer for narcotics instead of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration might want to make the same recommendation after finding that while just 2.2% of drivers have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, a startling 16.3% of drivers were on some sort of narcotic.

Marijuana came in first among drug positives at 8.6%, with cocaine and over-the-counter meds following at 3.9% each. NHTSA plans further studies to find out how drugs affect driving impairment, since some narcotics aren't flushed from the body for weeks. If the research shows the effects are as bad as drunk driving, we can probably expect 'drugalyzers' to make an appearance at checkpoints soon.

You can read the full results of the study in the press release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA | Photo credit: Web420.com]

Continue reading NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs

NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cocainedrugsdrunk drivingDrunkDrivinggovernmentlegalmarijuananhtsasafetyThu, 16 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[10-year-old crashes van while driving drunk parents home]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/10-year-old-crashes-van-while-driving-drunk-parents-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/10-year-old-crashes-van-while-driving-drunk-parents-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/10-year-old-crashes-van-while-driving-drunk-parents-home/#commentsFiled under:

Reality shows and the Internet have not created a more ridiculous world, they have only promoted the outrageous things that are already going on. You're a dad in Tennessee who's had 15 brewskies and an unknown quantity of other liquor, your female company is under the influence of something and has a pocket full of pills, and you need to get home. Thankfully there are three kids in the group, and the 10-year-old is probably straight up enough to drive the van. But who knew the kid would think 90 mph was an appropriate cruising speed and then flip the van over? A few police later - after the woman has tried "to swallow as many pills as she could" - the adults got a much more relaxed ride to the pokey and the kids got passport into state care. It's a good thing the proud papa was wearing his lucky beer T-shirt, or things really could have gone wrong. Thanks for the tip, OM617!

[Source: Fox News]

10-year-old crashes van while driving drunk parents home originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestsdrugsdrunk drivingDrunkDrivingduihumorThu, 09 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Drowsy driving is equal to drunk driving]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/drowsy-driving-is-equal-to-drunk-driving/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/drowsy-driving-is-equal-to-drunk-driving/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/drowsy-driving-is-equal-to-drunk-driving/#commentsFiled under: ,

Around Memorial Day, the chances are good that either you or somebody that you are sharing the road with today has been out and about, spending the day with family or just enjoying their time off. There have surely been many hours spent behind the wheel for drivers across the country. Hopefully, drunk driving is kept to a minimum. But, there is another possible problem-driver on the road: the drowsy driver. It's likely that most of us have had that feeling behind the wheel, where we struggle to keep our eyes open. A new study from the National Road Safety Foundation, which is a non-profit group that produces driver aids, suggests that those drowsy drivers are equally as dangerous as drunk drivers. According to its research, a third of drivers polled admit to falling asleep behind the wheel in the last year alone. Suggestions for combating drowsiness behind the wheel include the obvious: pulling over, drinking a coffee or two and waiting about half an hour for the caffeine to hit your bloodstream. Consider this a friendly reminder to be safe out there.

[Source: National Road Safety Foundation]

Continue reading Drowsy driving is equal to drunk driving

Drowsy driving is equal to drunk driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drowsydrowsy drivingdrowsy-driverdrowsy-drivingdrowsydrivingdrunkdrunk driverdrunk drivingdrunk-driverdrunk-drivingDrunkDriverDrunkDrivingThu, 29 May 2008 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan shows off concept with integrated anti-DUI tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/nissan-develops-concept-with-integrated-anti-dui-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/nissan-develops-concept-with-integrated-anti-dui-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/03/nissan-develops-concept-with-integrated-anti-dui-tech/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click image for photo gallery

You might remember reading about Nissan piloting an in-car breathalyzer system as well as adding a drunk driving message to its cars' nav welcome screens. It turns out, the company is looking at a more comprehensive approach to anti-drunk driving technology integration. The effort has born fruit in the form of a Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M) sedan that is outfitted with several anti-DUI countermeasures. It's just a concept right now, but the approach taken is very interesting.

The Fuga's shifter contains a sensor which measures the amount of alcohol in the driver's hand perspiration. If it is beyond the preset limit, it will immobilize the car and not allow it to be driven. It reinforces the message with a verbal warning from the navigation system. Additional odor sensors in the front seats check for alcohol odor in the air. If any is detected, warnings are issued via the nav system.

Follow the jump for the other features.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan Anti-DUI Technology Concept

Continue reading Nissan shows off concept with integrated anti-DUI tech

Nissan shows off concept with integrated anti-DUI tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcohol sensorsAlcoholSensorsanti drunk drivinganti duianti-duiAntiDrunkDrivingAntiDuidrunk drivingDrunkDrivingduidwiFri, 03 Aug 2007 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[11-year-old charged with DUI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/08/11-year-old-charged-with-dui/#commentsFiled under:

Last week in Orange Beach, Ala., a police officer spotted a speeding Monte Carlo, threw on the blue lights and started an 8-mile, 100-mph chase that ended with the Monte upside down.

With his gun drawn, the officer says he approached the car to find an 11-year-old girl behind the wheel. Sorry, an allegedly drunk, slightly injured 11-year-old girl behind the wheel.

Orange Beach assistant police chief Greg Duck wouldn't say what the girl's blood alcohol level was, but did say it was higher than the legal limit for adults, .08 grams per milliliter, and much higher than what state law allows for anyone under 21, which is .02 gpm.

We're baffled. First, that an 11-year-old can see above the steering wheel, much less reportedly pilot a Monte Carlo at 100 mph. Second that she is accused of being drunk while doing it. And third, that Alabama has a blood alcohol limit for minors.

Wow. Just wow.

[Source: Press-Register]

11-year-old charged with DUI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedrunk drivingDrunkDrivingspeedingSun, 08 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[JDM Nissan Navi tells drivers to behave]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/01/jdm-nissan-navi-tells-drivers-to-behave/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/01/jdm-nissan-navi-tells-drivers-to-behave/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/01/jdm-nissan-navi-tells-drivers-to-behave/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's very a very HAL 9000 move, having your vehicle admonish you to not drive after drinking, but that's just what the latest version of Nissan's Carwings navigation system for the Japanese market will do. Between the hours of 5:30 PM and 5:00 AM, the navigation system displays "Do not drive after drinking!" for five seconds after startup. During the day, the navi nanny merely gives the stern suggestion of "Let's continue safe driving today." We're almost expecting that firm "Hmm" at the end, like we used to get from our parochial school principal, but alas, there's even less personality in the Nissan than there was in our old pal Frank. Nissan's making an ongoing commitment to reducing drunk driving and increasing road safety, and this system is part of that effort. Anything that can be done to increase safety and reduce intoxication behind the wheel is a good thing, but we'd rather see a blunter message, something like "I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that."

[Source: Winding Road]

JDM Nissan Navi tells drivers to behave originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jul 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drunk drivingDrunkDrivingjdmnavnissansafetywarningSun, 01 Jul 2007 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[UK considers lowering its drink-drive limit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/uk-considers-lowering-its-drink-drive-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/uk-considers-lowering-its-drink-drive-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/uk-considers-lowering-its-drink-drive-limit/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to recent statistics in the UK, there has been an increase in alcohol-related automotive fatalities, causing British legislators to rethink the legally accepted level of alcohol found in the bloodstream. Currently, drivers are cited for drunk drink driving if they have 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of their blood. The government in Britain is considering lowering that number to 50 mg per 100 ml (about a half a pint of the finest lager, dependent on weight), bringing it closer to that of other countries in the EU.

Although several organizations are behind the proposed change, the bigger question is whether or not the current limits are enforced. In the UK, only motorists that have given police cause to pull them over are subjected to DUI testing - that means that no random checks are instituted, nor are DUI check points employed.

If and when this legislation passes, officials expect the UK's rate of drunk drink driving arrests to increase, while alcohol-related fatalities decrease.

[Source: 4Car]

UK considers lowering its drink-drive limit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholarrestarrestsbritaindrink drivingDrinkDrivingdrunk drivingDrunkDrivingukMon, 18 Jun 2007 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Diet driving: Low-calorie diet produces false positives for alcohol]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/diet-driving-low-calorie-diet-produces-false-positives-for-alco/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/diet-driving-low-calorie-diet-produces-false-positives-for-alco/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/diet-driving-low-calorie-diet-produces-false-positives-for-alco/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Swedish researchers have discovered that a low-calorie diet can register a false positive on certain in-car ignition interlock devices that disable a vehicle if alcohol is detected on one's breath. The anomaly was discovered when a non-drinking airplane pilot reported the incident. Turns out the man was on a very restrictive diet that had him losing weight rapidly, which is what may have caused the false reading. As reported in the latest issue of the International Journal of Obesity, motorists on very low-calorie diets may release certain ketones that could be converted into a secondary alcohol known as isopropanol.

Police officials point out that false positives are eliminated in the field as breathalyzer tests are used in conjunction with secondary tests that focus on the type of alcohol and other factors. No citation for drunk driving would be issued in those situations. However, if you have one of these interlock devices on your car, your low-cal diet could spell the demise of your travel plans.

[Source: drive.com.au]

Diet driving: Low-calorie diet produces false positives for alcohol originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breathalyzerdrunk driverdrunk drivingDrunkDriverDrunkDrivinghigh-tech nanniesHigh-techNanniesignition interlock devicesIgnitionInterlockDevicesInternational Journal of ObesityInternationalJournalOfObesityKarolinska University HospitalKarolinskaUniversityHospitalWayne JonesWayneJonesTue, 20 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking urinal cake's anti-DWI message: "Hey there, big guy. Having a few drinks?"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/talking-urinal-cakes-anti-dwi-message-hey-there-big-guy-hav/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/talking-urinal-cakes-anti-dwi-message-hey-there-big-guy-hav/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/talking-urinal-cakes-anti-dwi-message-hey-there-big-guy-hav/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Of course, just like any sane person would be, we at Autoblog are totally against drunk driving. There have been a few technological nannies cropping up of late lately to help combat the problem, including breathalyzers mounted in vehicles that are wired to the ignition circuit. Thise devices won't allow your car to start until you've passed the test. We won't weigh in on whether these are a good idea or not at this time (personal rights or the rights of others?), but we will show you a new talking urinal cake that's designed to remind men to call a cab or get a designated driver if they have had too much to drink.

The urinal cakes are made in New York, and have reportedly been used by advertisers already. We're not sure how we would react if given an advertisement while we were... ahem, relieving ourselves, but a friendly reminder to drive safely may not be the worst advice in the world, huh?

[Source: Yahoo News]

Talking urinal cake's anti-DWI message: "Hey there, big guy. Having a few drinks?" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breathalyzerdrunk drivingDrunkDrivingduidwiurinalurinal cakeUrinalCakeThu, 15 Feb 2007 11:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Cops black flag Little Al! Unser Jr. arrested for DUI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/26/cops-black-flag-little-al-unser-jr-arrested-for-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/26/cops-black-flag-little-al-unser-jr-arrested-for-dui/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/26/cops-black-flag-little-al-unser-jr-arrested-for-dui/#commentsFiled under: ,

Uh-oh. Little Al is in trouble again. AP is reporting that Al Unser Jr. is under arrest and facing DUI charges after leaving the scene of an accident on the Las Vegas Beltway. He was ID'd as the driver of a car that sideswiped another car around 11 Thursday morning. Unser's car didn't have much damage but the other car hit the center median. Neither driver reported any injuries.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Honea said Unser failed sobriety tests before they took him in. Among the charges Little Al faces are driving under the influence, misdemeanor hit and run, failure to render aid in an accident and failure to report an accident. Junior has had previous problems with alcohol and even went through treatment after the 2002 incident where he allegedly hit his girlfriend in the face.

Thanks for the tip, mavkato!

[Source: AP via Sports Illustrated]

Cops black flag Little Al! Unser Jr. arrested for DUI originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Al Unser, Jr.AlUnser,Jr.drunk drivingDrunkDrivingduiKevin HoneaKevinHoneaLas VegasLasVegasLittle AlLittleAlFri, 26 Jan 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota's sweat-sensing steering wheel will thwart drunk drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/toyotas-sweat-sensing-steering-wheel-will-thwart-drunk-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/toyotas-sweat-sensing-steering-wheel-will-thwart-drunk-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/toyotas-sweat-sensing-steering-wheel-will-thwart-drunk-drivers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A few months ago we told you of Nissan's plans to test an ignition interlock that would stop intoxicated would-be drivers from starting their cars. Several recent high-profile, alcohol-related accidents and fatalities in Japan have brought drunk driving to the forefront of lawmakers' minds, and Nissan appeared to be one of the first Japanese automakers to address the issue. Not one to let rival Nissan get the jump on them, Toyota Motor Corp. is said to be working on its own drunk driving inhibitor system. And it sounds pretty sci-fi to us. Actually, it sounds pretty Big Brother with huge potential safety concerns.

The Toyota system would involve sensors in the steering wheel that could detect alcohol through the sweat of the driver's hands. The system would stop drunk drivers from operating their vehicles by automatically shutting things down if it detects intoxication. And in case the steering wheel sensors don't detect the elevated blood alcohol content (say, if the driver was wearing gloves), sensors could also detect irregular steering inputs (please define "irregular" for driving enthusiasts), or cameras could even monitor the driver's pupils for signs of lack of focus (maybe they wear their sunglasses at night). If anything seems out of order, the vehicle would slowly come to a halt, hopefully not in the middle of freeway traffic. Better to get the drunk driver off the road, but anytime the car takes over the driving, we wonder whether the problem might actually be compounded.

[Source: Detroit News]

Toyota's sweat-sensing steering wheel will thwart drunk drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drunk drivingDrunkDrivingignition interlockIgnitionInterlockWed, 03 Jan 2007 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Drunk German motorist offers police aid, promptly arrested]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/29/drunk-german-motorist-offers-police-aid-promptly-arrested/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/29/drunk-german-motorist-offers-police-aid-promptly-arrested/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/29/drunk-german-motorist-offers-police-aid-promptly-arrested/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imagine you're motoring along and you see a fellow motorist stuck by the side of the road. You think about just driving on, but something about the scene grabs you and you decide to pull over to lend some assistance. You jump out and rush over to see if you can help, and you promptly find yourself under arrest. This isn't a story of the law run amok, though.

You see, this particular Good Samaritan was drunk. So drunk in fact that he didn't recognize that the "stranded motorist" he had offered to aid was in fact a car being inspected by police officers for a minor violation. This was the scene in the northwest German town of Bremen. Police arrested the 37-year-old man and banned him from driving. "Obviously his optical assessment of the situation as he drove past was that this was a vehicle breakdown," the police said in a statement.

With the New Year's weekend about to kick off, we felt like we had to share this warning about the types of people you might be sharing the roadways with. Granted this happened in Germany, but we know there will be more than a few of these types on our roads as well. If you think you might be one of them, use a DD. This PSA brought to you by ABADD (AutoBloggers Against Drunk Driving). Have a Happy and Safe New Year.

[Source: Reuters]

Drunk German motorist offers police aid, promptly arrested originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drunk driverdrunk drivingDrunkDriverDrunkDrivingFri, 29 Dec 2006 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Driver uses snake to evade police]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/15/driver-uses-snake-to-evade-police/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/15/driver-uses-snake-to-evade-police/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/15/driver-uses-snake-to-evade-police/#commentsFiled under:

Maybe blaming a dead guy for your speeding isn't so strange after all. Especially when you see what other drivers are doing in Australia to get out of tickets. One Aussie driver recently pulled a snake on his arresting officers. Apparently drunk, he was pulled over for swerving and was found to have a blood alcohol level that easily exceeded the legal limit. Things then took a turn for the bizarre as he ran into the street, picked up a live snake, and brandished it at the police. No, we're not making any of this up.

A police rep told reporters,"The driver allegedly armed himself with a live snake, pointed the head of the reptile at them and threatened them." They told the driver to drop the snake, but he ran away, snake in hand. This all took place Saturday in the outback Northern Territory, just outside the city of Darwin. The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court to answer for the drunk driving charge. We can only imagine what else they might add. Assault with a deadly venom? And how he will choose to answer to the charges. Perhaps he was really just trying to save the snake from certain harm in the roadway.

[Source: Reuters]

Driver uses snake to evade police originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaDarwindrunk drivingDrunkDrivingNorthern TerritoryNorthernTerritoryWed, 15 Nov 2006 10:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Eriksson pleads guilty to drunk driving, but that's it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/20/eriksson-pleads-guilty-to-drunk-driving-but-thats-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/20/eriksson-pleads-guilty-to-drunk-driving-but-thats-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/20/eriksson-pleads-guilty-to-drunk-driving-but-thats-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After turning down a plea deal that would have resulted in his serving just 28 months in jail, Bo Stefan Eriksson pleaded no contest in L.A. Superior Court today. The charge he was addressing however, was not grand theft, embezzlement or the firearms possession charges he still faces, but rather the drunk driving charge that was part of the list of offenses he was cited for after his Malibu crash of a Ferrari Enzo. "We want to fight the battle where the battle is. It makes no sense to chase windmills and waste the jury's time and the court's time," said attorney James Parkman.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patricia M. Schnegg will sentence Eriksson for the drunk driving offense at the conclusion of his trial, which begins next week. Bo Stefan Eriksson, in case you've been under a rock, is the man who allegedly split an Enzo in half while taking it for an early morning top speed run down PCH in February. Because of Eriksson's (nine!) criminal convictions in Sweden for forgery, counterfeiting, narcotics and firearms offenses, he cannot legally possess a gun, which is why he also faces a weapons charge for a handgun that police found at his Bel-Air house.

[Source: L.A. Times]

Eriksson pleads guilty to drunk driving, but that's it originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drunk drivingDrunkDrivingEnzo crashEnzoCrashMalibuFri, 20 Oct 2006 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Saab ready to field test the AlcoKey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saab-ready-to-field-test-the-alcokey/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saab-ready-to-field-test-the-alcokey/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saab-ready-to-field-test-the-alcokey/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We reported a long while back about Saab's plan to sharply reduce the number of drunk driving cases involving its own vehicles in Sweden and abroad. Called the AlcoKey, this small cell phone size device is basically a breathalyzer with a radio transmitter that tells your Saab whether or not you're fit to be behind the wheel. If you fail the breath test, the car won't start -- simple as that. Not only does it analyze the alcohol content in your breath, it also measures the temperature of your breath to thwart those trying to game the device by using a balloon or an air pump to pass air through it.

Saab will be field-testing the AlcoKey in Sweden with the help of various car fleet and taxi operators over the next six months in 100 vehicles. This is the last step before Saab might offer the AlcoKey as an option with the 9-5 or 9-3 sedans for 3,000 SEK ($408USD, we think).

The last two years of development have been spent shrinking the device to an acceptable size and increasing its battery life, which Saab says now stands at 12 months if the device were to be used five times a day. If you need to use the AlcoKey five times a day, then perhaps you have bigger problems than not being able to start your car.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Saab ready to field test the AlcoKey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcokeydrunk drivingDrunkDrivingimmobilizersaabswedishThu, 12 Oct 2006 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan developing drink-and-drive proof vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/nissan-developing-drink-and-drive-proof-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/nissan-developing-drink-and-drive-proof-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/nissan-developing-drink-and-drive-proof-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



According to recent reports, Nissan is developing an ignition interlock that would deter intoxicated individuals from starting their cars and possibly causing great bodily harm to themselves or innocent bystanders should they drive drunk. Several recent high-profile, alcohol-related accidents and fatalities in Japan have brought this issue to the forefront, and Nissan appears to be one of the first Japanese automakers to address the issue.

In a meeting earlier this month, Nissan decided to follow a policy of incorporating anti-drunken driving mechanisms in future vehicles. Two such devices under consideration are a tube-like breathalyzer ignition interlock and a PIN keypad with a multi-digit code that might be tricky for an intoxicated individual to remember.

Devices such as these are readily available in the U.S. and Europe already and are often mandated for repeat DUI/DWI offenders. Anybody remember the 40-Year-Old Virgin's ride home from the bar? Although not a laughing matter, the scene points out the potential for bypassing such mechanisms so they shouldn't be considered foolproof by any means.

Although recent changes to Japanese law have seen fatal alcohol-related accidents decline substantially over the past 5 years, Nissan has had a running association with MADD as sponsor of their Strides for Change walkathon and seems determined to help reduce these types of tragedies. This year Nissan and MADD raised $2 million for the cause.

The number of fatalities from alcohol-related accidents has gone down significantly since the 1980's but with more than 16,000 such deaths in 2004, "drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime," according to MADD.

[Sources: Drive, MADD]

Nissan developing drink-and-drive proof vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breathalyzerdrunk drivingDrunkDrivingengadgetinterlockMADDFri, 15 Sep 2006 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Vehicles get safer, but crash fatalities climb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/vehicles-get-safer-but-crash-fatalities-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/vehicles-get-safer-but-crash-fatalities-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/vehicles-get-safer-but-crash-fatalities-climb/#commentsFiled under: ,

While new vehicles continue to sprout ever-increasing numbers of safety features, traffic fatalities still hit a 15-year high in 2005, notching 43,200 fatalities according to a recent release by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). This represents an increase of 1.2 percent over 2004, while miles traveled only increased by 0.03% to a jaw-dropping 2.964 trillion. The projected death rate is still only 1.46 per 100 million miles traveled, which is only a slight increase from the record low of 1.44 in 2004 (which suggests that most means that motorists should spend less time worrying about automotive safety and put more effort into improving their health).

Deaths in passenger cars fell by approximately 2 percent, while SUVs and light trucks saw a 4 percent increase in body count. The motorcycle death toll jumped by 7.7 percent last year and has now doubled in less than a decade. Tellingly, two-wheelers now account for nearly 10 percent of all traffic deaths. 

Seatbelts are now used by over 80 percent of drivers, but fully 55 percent of those who died in a car crash were not using one.

Related: Distracted driving may account for most accidents

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

Vehicles get safer, but crash fatalities climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcrashcrash testCrashTestDOTdrunk drivingIIHSNHTSArolloverseat belt useSide ImpactSideImpactSUV safetytraffic deathstraffic fatalitiesFri, 28 Apr 2006 09:04:00 EST