Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Red light cameras don't appear to be going away, so it should come as no surprise that neither are the controversies around them. We're told again and again that they're about safety, not revenue collection, yet year after year, the studies and headlines compete to support and tear down those arguments. An investigative report by Florida's WTSP Channel 10 News gets the maelstrom whirling again, having found that various state municipalities have shorted yellow light times to below those recommended by the US Department of Transportation.

The retiming of yellow lights was precipitated by a change the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made to its guidelines for yellow-light durations. Until 2011, the regulations "mandated yellow light calculations factor in either the posted speed limit or 85th percentile of drivers' actual speed - whichever was greater." That year, though, the phrase "whichever was greater" was cut, and certain cities began resetting the yellow lights to illuminate for the shorter interval - either trying to ensure more safety or more revenue. The FDOT says the new language was only meant to establish a minimum time for yellow lights, not to dictate their exact duration.

Various US government studies and reports recommend not using a road's speed limit when determining the length of the yellow light because it increases violations and crashes, but instead using the traffic's 85th percentile speed or the speed limit plus ten miles per hour.

More than one study has found that people want red light cameras, studies have also shown that while major accidents have been reduced at intersections with cameras, smaller fender-bender accidents have increased, and that's not an isolated finding. And with so much money in play - the Channel 10 news report says Florida collect about $100 million in red light camera fines last year and could get to $130 million this year - it's no wonder cities shorten yellow light times below the minimum guidelines, manipulate accident data, robo-sign tickets with the names of dead police officers, and redesign their license plates to make them easier for the cameras to read.

Check out the news segment in the video below and head over to the WTSP site for all of the numbers and specifics, and if you're in Florida, you'll need to pay even more attention to the lights in front and the traffic behind.

Continue reading Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets

Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of transportationfloridaflorida dotred light cameratraffic camerastraffic lightsvideowtspyellow lightWed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569316/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/20569316/article-detail.xml 20569316 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times.jpg <![CDATA[This "patty-eating bus driver" cost Florida's Broward county $100,000]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/this-patty-eating-bus-driver-cost-floridas-broward-county-10/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/this-patty-eating-bus-driver-cost-floridas-broward-county-10/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/this-patty-eating-bus-driver-cost-floridas-broward-county-10/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In-bus footage of Broward County bus driver eating and driving - video screencap

Most bus drivers and municipal bus trips are utterly innocuous - you don't remember either of them because nothing happens to make them worth doing so. That wasn't the case with Ursula Wilson's ride with "patty-eating bus driver" Herton Reid in Florida's Broward County.

Not only was Reid eating a Jamaican beef patty - eating while driving a bus is against the rules - he was said to be actively trying to prevent a car in another lane from getting in front of him. When Reid had to slam on the brakes, Wilson, who was standing near the front of the bus, couldn't hold on to the handle, so she fell to the floor, banging her head on the fare box. Reid then proved his disregard for passengers was no fluke when he kept on driving and lunching.

Eventually medical help was called, but it apparently wasn't able to keep Wilson from spending $200,000 for treatment like having discs in her spine fused together. As it turns out, Reid has a troubled history with the city bus service - for instance, he broke five rules of conduct while on a supervised re-training drive with city instructors because of previous instances of bad driving, and he still wasn't fired. Since the injury, he has retired, but before going, he left Broward County - and its taxpayers - with a $100,000 bill to settle Wilson's lawsuit.

The whole story is recapped in detail in the video below (warning: Autoplay).

Continue reading This "patty-eating bus driver" cost Florida's Broward county $100,000

This "patty-eating bus driver" cost Florida's Broward county $100,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browardbroward countybusbusingbussingfloridaherton reidlawsuitursula wilsonvideoWed, 27 Feb 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20480295/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/27/this-patty-eating-bus-driver-cost-floridas-broward-county-10/20480295/article-detail.xml 20480295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/pattybusdriver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/pattybusdriver.jpg <![CDATA[Woman finds live owl trapped inside grille of her Ford]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/12/woman-finds-live-owl-trapped-inside-grille-of-her-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/12/woman-finds-live-owl-trapped-inside-grille-of-her-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/12/woman-finds-live-owl-trapped-inside-grille-of-her-ford/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Great Horned Owl stuck inside vehicle grille - video screencap

Ah, Florida... how we love you so. After all, it almost always seems that the most unlikely, impossible and otherwise head-scratchingest stories filter up north from the Sunshine State. Take, for instance, the video you'll see below. It's not terribly uncommon for a car to come into contact with an owl; what's interesting about this story is that the owl managed to survive.

That's right, this great horned owl survived blunt-force trauma with the leading end of a fullsize, body-on-frame Expedition, and worse, it was apparently stuck inside the Ford for days. Check out the feather-brained video news report down below to see how the hooter hit head-on and came out the other side apparently no worse for the wear.

Continue reading Woman finds live owl trapped inside grille of her Ford

Woman finds live owl trapped inside grille of her Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bird strikefloridagreat horned owlowlowl hit by carowl strikevideoTue, 12 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20458605/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/12/woman-finds-live-owl-trapped-inside-grille-of-her-ford/20458605/article-detail.xml 20458605 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/owl-strike-florida_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/owl-strike-florida.jpg <![CDATA[Florida bill would create program for special vanity driver's licenses]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/florida-bill-would-create-program-for-special-vanity-drivers-li/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/florida-bill-would-create-program-for-special-vanity-drivers-li/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/florida-bill-would-create-program-for-special-vanity-drivers-li/#commentsFiled under: ,



Specialty, or "vanity," license plates are nothing new, and pending the governor's signature a Florida bill is about to usher in the age of vanity driver's licenses. Among a deep wade through the arcana of 2012 state bill CS/CS/HB 1223 - Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, one finds the removal of prohibitions on honking your horns on the highway and flashing your high beams, and this: "The department may issue to any applicant qualified pursuant to s. 322.14, F.S., a specialty driver license or identification card upon payment of the $25 fee."

Florida offers a magnificent number of specialty license plates, but its specialty driver's license program would get off to a start with, "at a minimum... state and independent universities domiciled in Florida, all Florida professional sports teams designated in s. 320.08058(9)(a), F.S., and all branches of the United States military." From there it's only a matter of time before there's a hospice service or a manatee helping you rent a car or get into a bar every time you whip out your ID.

The bill passed unanimously in both houses of the Florida legislature. In an odd note, the bill declares that the vanity ID provision will be repealed on August 31, 2016, so get in while the window's open. The bill also redefines what a "swamp buggy" is and adds an additional exemption for dead motorists who have received red light camera citations... because, you know, it's Florida.

Florida bill would create program for special vanity driver's licenses originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivers licensefloridaidlicensespecialty drivers licensevanity drivers licenseThu, 03 Jan 2013 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414562/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/03/florida-bill-would-create-program-for-special-vanity-drivers-li/20414562/article-detail.xml 20414562 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/floridavanitylicense_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/floridavanitylicense.jpg <![CDATA[Why a Florida field is important to your car's paint]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/17/why-a-florida-field-is-important-to-your-cars-paint/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/17/why-a-florida-field-is-important-to-your-cars-paint/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/17/why-a-florida-field-is-important-to-your-cars-paint/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Florida Paint Farm

If you've ever wondered how automakers know their paints will stand up to the test of time, a field in Florida may have your answer. Manufacturers routinely turn to Q-Lab, a facility situated on a 20-acre open field just outside of Homestead, Florida for durability testing. There, the company's engineers apply automotive paint to twelve-inch by 4-inch metal panels and leave them to bake in the unforgiving sun. The facility's location next to Everglades National Park is ideal for testing paint fade and durability due to the high humidity, heat and sunlight.

Owner Mike Crewdson says the samples may spend as long as seven to 10 years baking in the elements before they ever get sprayed on a production vehicle. Technicians receive a staggering amount of data on weather and paint conditions every day-up to 40,000 readings. Various manufacturers participate in these evaluations, but General Motors says it has been testing paint like this since the 1920s. Check out the local news broadcast embedded below for a closer look at the process.

Continue reading Why a Florida field is important to your car's paint

Why a Florida field is important to your car's paint originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive paintcar paintcar paint durabilitydurabilityfloridaflorida paint farmpaintpaint farmpaintingq-labsun damagevideoSat, 17 Nov 2012 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378665/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/17/why-a-florida-field-is-important-to-your-cars-paint/20378665/article-detail.xml 20378665 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/florida-paint-farm-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/florida-paint-farm-628.jpg <![CDATA[Florida to redesign license plates because traffic cameras have hard time reading them?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/florida-to-redesign-license-plates-because-traffic-cameras-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/florida-to-redesign-license-plates-because-traffic-cameras-have/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/florida-to-redesign-license-plates-because-traffic-cameras-have/#commentsFiled under:



A lot of companies are making (or at least trying to make) money these days selling devices that improve drivers' odds of beating traffic cameras. As it turns out, though, having a Florida license plate on the back of your car could be the best defense against paying traffic fines like red light camera tickets and toll violations. According to new reports, some Florida plates are proving hard for traffic law enforcement cameras to read. With as many specialty license plates as the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles offers, it's even more surprising that the state's standard white plate with raised green letters and numbers is actually the culprit.

As the story goes, there's something about the coloring of the license plates and the similarity of some of the characters thereon - or probably a combination of the two - that have made about 2.8 million automated traffic violations go unpaid since the offenders' plates were difficult to capture in the automated photographs.

The remedy for the situation is apparently a redesigned license plate that does away with the raised lettering and prominent display of oranges. The plates in question are to be replaced by a flat plate with white background and black, block lettering for optimal contrast. Some of the proposed plate designs are pictured above. According to the Associated Press report on ABC Action News, there are about 18 million vehicles registered in the state with most of them licensed with the standard plate.

It sounds like the State of Florida could make a decision on a new plate design soon, but rollout will likely not occur for another couple years. The switch to new license plates could cost the state an estimated $31 million, but this cost would theoretically be offset by the additional revenues brought in from increases in traffic and toll violation citations.

Florida to redesign license plates because traffic cameras have hard time reading them? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camerafloridaflorida license plategatsolicense platered light cameraroad safetysafety cameraspeed cameratraffic cameratraffic safetyFri, 12 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20348251/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/12/florida-to-redesign-license-plates-because-traffic-cameras-have/20348251/article-detail.xml 20348251 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/new-fla-license-plates-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/new-fla-license-plates-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mini sued over CVT failures. Again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/mini-sued-over-cvt-failures-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/mini-sued-over-cvt-failures-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/mini-sued-over-cvt-failures-again/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2006 Mini Cooper S - blue - with onlooker

A group of Florida plaintiffs have come together to file a class action lawsuit against Mini. Their issue is with the reliability of the Continuously Variable Transmissions in first-generation Cooper hatchbacks from 2002-2006 and in Cooper Convertible models from 2006-2008. A cursory web search on the matter returns plenty of results from Mini owners complaining of the same issue, sudden failure of the CVT, and having mixed fortunes at Mini dealers when trying to get the situation resolved.

The Florida suit comes a year after a class action suit was filed against Mini in California for the same reason. As with the Florida case, the California legal action Brad Aarons v. BMW of North America, LLC sees "restitution, damages and other relief" for plaintiffs who were "required to spend approximately $6,000 to $9,000 (one-third to one-half of the original purchase price) to repair or replace their CVTs, or sell their vehicle without repair for a substantial loss...." Parent company BMW has not yet commented on the matter.

Mini sued over CVT failures. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class actioncoopercooper convertiblecooper cvtcvtfloridalawsuitlegalminimini coopermini cooper convertiblemini cvtmini lawsuitFri, 13 Jul 2012 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20277398/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/13/mini-sued-over-cvt-failures-again/20277398/article-detail.xml 20277398 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2006-mini-cooper-s---blue_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2006-mini-cooper-s---blue.jpg <![CDATA[America's cell phone laws, state by state]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/americas-cell-phone-laws-state-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/americas-cell-phone-laws-state-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/americas-cell-phone-laws-state-by-state/#commentsFiled under:


Memorial Day weekend is one of the premiere road trip holidays. According to the American Automobile Association, more than 30 million people will hit the road this weekend, averaging 642 miles each. That means, for many, crossing state lines. And nowadays, that's more confusing than ever. Speed limits may vary, but at least those are posted. Cell phone laws, however, are much more confusing.

For example, if you were driving from Michigan to Florida, you could legally text while driving in Ohio and Florida, where there are no laws banning it. But in between, it's illegal, as 38 states have laws against texting while driving.

There are 10 states where you couldn't hold my phone to my ear, as these states ban drivers from using hand held devices and require hands-free cell phone use.

Younger drivers, those with learners permits or under 18, may face stricter enforcement in some states, though it's unclear exactly how a cop can figure out someone's age at 70 miles per hour.

Of course, some cities have their own laws, as well, banning everything from texting while driving to dancing with girls. Make sure you know those laws as well. Or, just stay home, no one really wants to go to Bomont anyway. To see exactly what your state's laws are regarding cell phone use while driving, check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety listing or scroll through the maps in our gallery above.

America's cell phone laws, state by state originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American Automobile AssociationCell PhoneFloridaInsurance Institute for Highway SafetyLocalMemorial DayMichiganOhioSci/TechU.S.Fri, 25 May 2012 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20244777/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/25/americas-cell-phone-laws-state-by-state/20244777/article-detail.xml 20244777 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/distracted-drivers-state-laws-002-1337892959_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/distracted-drivers-state-laws-002-1337892959.jpg <![CDATA["NO TAG" license plate creates parking ticket confusion in Florida]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/no-tag-license-plate-creates-parking-ticket-confusion-in-flori/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/no-tag-license-plate-creates-parking-ticket-confusion-in-flori/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/no-tag-license-plate-creates-parking-ticket-confusion-in-flori/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Vanity plates can be cool, fun to decrypt, annoying or expensive, depending on your perspective. They can be a creative way to show your willingness to pay higher taxes, but take care in making your choice.

One Florida resident's choice of "NOTAG" on her vanity plate has earned her $8,000 in parking tickets. Apparently, "NO TAG" is what gets written on a citation when an illegally parked car has no plate.

Soon after installing her plate, Carol Schroeder received notice of 135 overdue parking tickets worth almost $8,000. The tickets were written for several different makes and models, and some written before her car was even manufactured.

Ha ha, funny little mistake. Right? Not to the city of Jacksonville, which says the owner of the car owes the money and the city's collection agency agrees. Surely someone will come their senses and make the situation right.

A few years ago, a man in Huntsville, Ala. received a notice that he owed $19,000 in overdue parking fees for a city he'd only been to once. His vanity tag, "XXXXXXX" is the exact thing Birmingham, Ala. cops write on citations for cars without plates. One Birmingham official he contacted said not to worry about it because they were broke and couldn't afford to arrest him anyway. That's comforting. We guess.

"NO TAG" license plate creates parking ticket confusion in Florida originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carol Schroederconfusing+license+platesconfusinglicenseplatesfloridaflorida+vanity+platefloridavanityplateJacksonvilleno tagno+tag+floridano+tag+license+platenotagfloridanotaglicenseplateparking ticketsspeciality+license+platespecialitylicenseplatevanity platesThu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20241623/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/no-tag-license-plate-creates-parking-ticket-confusion-in-flori/20241623/article-detail.xml 20241623 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/flaplateopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/flaplateopt.jpg <![CDATA[Florida judge rules flashing lights for speed trap warning is covered under free speech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/florida-judge-rules-flashing-lights-for-speed-trap-warning-is-co/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/florida-judge-rules-flashing-lights-for-speed-trap-warning-is-co/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/florida-judge-rules-flashing-lights-for-speed-trap-warning-is-co/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi S7 headlights

Count this one as a big victory for motorists. A Florida man has won his First Amendment case against the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, who wrongfully ticketed him for flashing his lights to warn other drivers of a speed trap. According to the Orlando Sentinel, a Circuit Court judge not only said that the deputy who ticketed Ryan Kintner had misapplied a state law banning aftermarket flashing emergency lights, but also ruled that flashing your lights to communicate with other drivers qualifies as constitutionally protected speech.

But this victory for Kintner is just a stepping stone towards a larger case. According to the report, his attorney has filed a class action lawsuit that charges the Florida Highway Patrol with willfully violating a 2005 court order prohibiting the police from ticketing motorists for flashing their brights. The report says that case has a hearing scheduled for next month, so this is certainly not the last we'll hear on the issue.

Florida judge rules flashing lights for speed trap warning is covered under free speech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first amendmentflashing lightsfloridaflorida policeflorida speed trap lawsuitfree speechlaw enforcementspeed trapWed, 23 May 2012 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243762/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/florida-judge-rules-flashing-lights-for-speed-trap-warning-is-co/20243762/article-detail.xml 20243762 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-s7-headlights_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-s7-headlights.jpg <![CDATA[Judge dismisses most Toyota economic-loss claims from New York, Florida]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/judge-dismisses-most-toyota-economic-loss-claims-from-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/judge-dismisses-most-toyota-economic-loss-claims-from-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/judge-dismisses-most-toyota-economic-loss-claims-from-new-york/#commentsFiled under: ,



Even though Toyota's unintended acceleration debacle is as ancient as Jurassic fleas for most of us, the California Distric Court of Judge James Selna is still chainsawing through a massive docket of claims. Judge Selna had been considering whether plaintiffs in California, New York and Florida could sue Toyota for economic loss related to the claims of unintended accleraton - the plaintiffs wanted Toyota to reimburse them for the alleged decline in value of their cars.

According to a report in Bloomberg, Selna issued a final ruling that the New York and Florida plaintiffs can't sue for economic loss if they didn't experience unintended acceleration, or if they didn't experience "a measurable loss" when selling their cars. California plaintiffs, on the other hand, can sue even if there was no unintended acceleration event or perceived depreciation.

The ruling could remove millions of owners from of plaintiffs and make an economic-loss class action lawsuit more difficult, but plaintiffs attorneys have said they'll try to get the cases tried in New York and Florida courts. However, the ruling doesn't affect other plaintiffs suing over the same issue in other states. This doesn't affect the unintended accleration cases, though; three litmus-test trials are scheduled for next year.

Judge dismisses most Toyota economic-loss claims from New York, Florida originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiafloridaJames Selnanew yorktoyotatoyota unintended acceleratonunintended accelerationMon, 07 May 2012 16:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232369/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/judge-dismisses-most-toyota-economic-loss-claims-from-new-york/20232369/article-detail.xml 20232369 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarulingecoloss_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarulingecoloss.jpg <![CDATA[Monster truck driver pays for crushing teen's first car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/monster-truck-driver-pays-for-crushing-teens-first-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/monster-truck-driver-pays-for-crushing-teens-first-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/monster-truck-driver-pays-for-crushing-teens-first-car/#commentsFiled under: ,



Stay with us on this, because the scene above is one big misunderstanding. It's a little hard to make out in the YouTube video below, but Norman Nowling is backing his Ford Econoline monster van over the top of a Toyota Corolla Camry When he finished his brutal work, the Corolla Camry wouldn't be going anywhere that didn't involve the words "flatbed" and "chains." So imagine the shock when the Toyota's 16-year-old owner returned to it in the wee hours, noticeably flatter than we she left it.

The incident happened at the Redneck Yacht Club, a mudding and swamp trails park in Punta Gorda, Florida. The teen attended a concert at the park during "Swamp Cabbage Weekend" and apparently left her car parked near "the mud hole," a park location that obviously attracts monster trucks. She went mudding elsewhere in the park, didn't return to her car right after the concert, and at some point the assembled group of monster truckers decided they were going to run over it.

Nowling's taken the heat because it's him on the video, but he's not the bad guy everyone's made him out to be. See, Nowling was the last guy to the mud hole party, and before he got there at least two other trucks had tried to run over the Corolla and failed. Folks cheered Norman on to do the honors, but before he did he repeatedly asked security if it was all right, and according to his police statement, security told him it was fine, that the Toyota was abandoned. Also, according to Nowling, the fire department and the police were there as he was doing it. And as you can see in the video, Norman didn't act alone: Another truck holds the Corolla Camry in place while Nowling prepares to back over it.

Nowling was eventually arrested for felony Criminal Mischief and released on bond. Then he held a press conference to tell his side of what happened, and during the conference handed the teen's stepfather a check for $6,500 to replace her car. Why? "I have a daughter, and it is the right thing to do," he said. "I need to go to sleep every night with a clear conscience." He's apparently been banned from the RYC, but he's hoping the other truck owners involved will also come forward.

Follow the jump for video of the incident, as well as a press conference held by the crusher and an interview with the teenage crushee.

Continue reading Monster truck driver pays for crushing teen's first car

Monster truck driver pays for crushing teen's first car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>floridamonster trucknorman nowlingredneck yacht clubyoutubeWed, 29 Feb 2012 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20182410/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/29/monster-truck-driver-pays-for-crushing-teens-first-car/20182410/article-detail.xml 20182410 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/screen-shot-2012-02-29-at-3.38-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/screen-shot-2012-02-29-at-3.38-opt.jpg <![CDATA[10 motorists dead after fog, smoke envelope Florida highway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/10-motorists-dead-after-fog-smoke-envelope-florida-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/10-motorists-dead-after-fog-smoke-envelope-florida-highway/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/10-motorists-dead-after-fog-smoke-envelope-florida-highway/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Drivers on a stretch of Interstate 75 in Florida found themselves in the midst of a scene from a nightmare early Sunday morning. Fog and smoke from a nearby brush fire combined to significantly reduce visibility, which resulted in a massive pile up just south of Gainesville involving 12 cars and six or seven semi trucks. The collisions began at 3:45AM EST and police have confirmed at least 10 deaths associated with the incident and ensuing vehicle fires. All six lanes of the highway are closed now as investigators work to discern exactly what caused the tragedy.

According to reports, the smoke and fog were still heavy when rescuers arrived, forcing emergency personnel to listen for screams and cries in the darkness. The wreckage was spread over a mile across both sides of the interstate. Around 18 people were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment, though their conditions are unknown at this time.

Authorities had closed the highway earlier in the day due to poor visibility, but later opened the road again when the smoke appeared to have cleared. Follow the jump for a Reuters news report on the incident.

Continue reading 10 motorists dead after fog, smoke envelope Florida highway

10 motorists dead after fog, smoke envelope Florida highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcrashfirefloridaflorida i-75 crashi-75interstate pile uppile upvehicle fireMon, 30 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20159988/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/30/10-motorists-dead-after-fog-smoke-envelope-florida-highway/20159988/article-detail.xml 20159988 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/deadlyinterstatecrash.17ca58a38d7c4877a114e061a8716b3d-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/deadlyinterstatecrash.17ca58a38d7c4877a114e061a8716b3d-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Racing quietly shows off Mustang Boss 302SX]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-racing-quietly-shows-off-mustang-boss-302sx/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-racing-quietly-shows-off-mustang-boss-302sx/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/ford-racing-quietly-shows-off-mustang-boss-302sx/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302SX

We can't get enough of the Boss Mustang 302, and it appears Ford Racing can't, either. Mustang Daily reports that Ford unleashed the newest member of the Boss family at the PRI show in Florida; the Boss 302SX. The Boss 302 concept is called the ultimate track car, and its stats tell the story.

The SX package delivers the updated looks of the 2013 model, and adds a bit more kick under the hood. The overhauled 5.0-liter V8 will reportedly crank out over 500 horsepower due to changes that include the same intake manifold as the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet.

Mechanical upgrades also include an improved oil cooler, fuel system, adjustable coilover suspension and Ford Racing mufflers. Team Ford also made changes at all four corners with lightweight 18x9.5-inch wheels mated to racing slicks. And of course, Brembo brakes have been added all around and the interior features an FIA-spec six-point roll cage to protect whoever sits in the single Recaro seat behind the wheel.

Keep in mind that the Boss 302SX is just a concept for now, but all we can see is a serious track star that is begging for production.

Ford Racing quietly shows off Mustang Boss 302SX originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford mustang boss 302sx302sxbossboss 302floridafordford racingmustangpri showThu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123148/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/08/ford-racing-quietly-shows-off-mustang-boss-302sx/20123148/article-detail.xml 20123148 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2013-ford-mustang-boss-302sx-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2013-ford-mustang-boss-302sx-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Harley-Davidson test track for sale in Florida everglades]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/harley-davidson-test-track-for-sale-in-florida-everglades/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/harley-davidson-test-track-for-sale-in-florida-everglades/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/harley-davidson-test-track-for-sale-in-florida-everglades/#commentsFiled under: ,

Harley-Davidson Test Track

If you've got a penchant for mosquitos, alligators and sweltering heat, Harley-Davidson may have a deal for you. The motorcycle manufacturer's former test track is up for sale just outside of Naples, Florida. The track was originally used by Ford to test its vehicles, and features a two-mile runway with loops on either end that can be used as a four-mile circuit, as well as a separate track that covers 1.5 miles. All told, there are 6.2 miles of road on the 500-acre site along with skid pads and various other test stretches.

According to Visor Down, the property also contains a number of garages and administrative buildings. All this could be yours for the princely sum of $7.5 million, though you may have to wrestle the 'gators for track time. You can check out the full property on Google Maps by clicking here.

Harley-Davidson test track for sale in Florida everglades originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evergladesfloridaharley-davidsonharley-davidson test tracknaplesnaples floridatest trackThu, 08 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20034605/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/08/harley-davidson-test-track-for-sale-in-florida-everglades/20034605/article-detail.xml 20034605 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/harley-davidson-test-track-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/harley-davidson-test-track-630.jpg <![CDATA[Florida sued for ticketing motorists who warn others of speed traps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/florida-sued-for-ticketing-motorists-that-warn-others-of-speed-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/florida-sued-for-ticketing-motorists-that-warn-others-of-speed-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/florida-sued-for-ticketing-motorists-that-warn-others-of-speed-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Florida Speed Trap screen capture

Florida is facing a class-action lawsuit from drivers who have been ticketed for attempting to warn other motorists of hidden speed traps. According to WTSP 10 News, Eric Campbell was recently cited for just that, despite the fact that there is no law against using one's headlights to communicate with other drivers. The officer who ticketed Campbell used Florida State Statute 316.2397, even though the courts ruled that the police were wrongfully applying the law to crack down on vehicle-to-vehicle communication in 2005. Now Campbell wants his $100 ticket refunded and $15,000 in damages.

Since 2005, over 10,429 drivers have been cited for flashing their high beams, and if Campbell wins his case, Florida could be facing over $1 million in ticket refunds. But that's nothing compared to the $156.4 million the state could have to pay out if each driver is awarded $15,000 each. Hit the jump to take a look at news report on the lawsuit.

Continue reading Florida sued for ticketing motorists who warn others of speed traps

Florida sued for ticketing motorists who warn others of speed traps originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric campbellflashing lightsfloridaflorida policeflorida speed trap lawsuitlaw enforcementlawsuitpolicespeed trapvideoMon, 29 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20029110/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/29/florida-sued-for-ticketing-motorists-that-warn-others-of-speed-t/20029110/article-detail.xml 20029110 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/florida-speed-trap-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/florida-speed-trap-630.jpg <![CDATA[Coral Gables to issue tickets to pickup owners who park in their own driveways overnight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/coral-gables-to-issue-tickets-to-pickup-owners-who-park-in-their/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/coral-gables-to-issue-tickets-to-pickup-owners-who-park-in-their/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/coral-gables-to-issue-tickets-to-pickup-owners-who-park-in-their/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 ford f-150
Truck ownership in Coral Gables, Florida just got a bit more expensive. According to the Miami Herald, the city is ready to start enforcing a rule that's been on the books since the '60s. Truck owners are not allowed to park their pickups on city streets between 7pm and 7am. The rule doesn't stop at the street, however, because truck owners also aren't allowed to park their vehicles in their own driveways.

The town is currently handing out warning notices to offending truck owners. Beginning August 9th, parking enforcement will start handing out real fines. The first offense will cost you $100, but after that the fine can climb to $500. We would poll you and ask if you think this is outrageous, but we're pretty sure we're mostly in agreement on this one.

Coral Gables to issue tickets to pickup owners who park in their own driveways overnight originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coral gablescoral gables parking enforcementcoral gables truck parkingfloridaparking finespickup truckstrucktruck parkingWed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19968074/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/15/coral-gables-to-issue-tickets-to-pickup-owners-who-park-in-their/19968074/article-detail.xml 19968074 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/03-2011-ford-f-150-supercrew-review-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/03-2011-ford-f-150-supercrew-review-opt.jpg <![CDATA[The stupid plate tricks of Florida motorists]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/the-stupid-plate-tricks-of-florida-motorists/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/the-stupid-plate-tricks-of-florida-motorists/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/the-stupid-plate-tricks-of-florida-motorists/#commentsFiled under: , ,

florida toll evader
Floridians' Creative Toll Evasion 101 - Click above for image gallery

Most motorists hate paying tolls, but drivers in Florida apparently really hate coughing up their hard-earned dollars. Some have decided they're done paying altogether, and will go to novel ways to thwart toll booth cameras. We say "novel" as a kind way of saying "moronic."

Friends leaning out of open hatchbacks, motorcyclists kicking their feet back to obscure their own license plates are just two of the tricks used by these apparently sovereign citizens to avoid getting caught for not paying road tolls. The St. Petersburg Times compiled a few of the Florida Department of Transportation's finest toll evaders. Check them out in the gallery below.

The stupid plate tricks of Florida motorists originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caught on cameradotfloridaflorida department of transportationflorida dottoll boothtoll evaderstoll evasiontoll roadtollsturnpikeFri, 03 Jun 2011 13:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19957476/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/03/the-stupid-plate-tricks-of-florida-motorists/19957476/article-detail.xml 19957476 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/florida-dot-6-1307105208_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/florida-dot-6-1307105208.jpg <![CDATA[Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/29/innovative-hangar-home-conceals-garage-mahal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/29/innovative-hangar-home-conceals-garage-mahal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/29/innovative-hangar-home-conceals-garage-mahal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hangar House
Hangar Home - Click above to view video after the jump

When gearheads aren't trawling Craigslist for the next old-lady-owned Chevrolet Chevelle tucked away in a barn, they're dreaming of cool places to put their toys.

Usually, dream garages never become reality. It's rare to find someone with enough ambition and/or cash to make it happen, but credit one Florida couple for creating something remarkable: the Hangar Home.

Their house's rear facade doubles as a garage door that conceals a cavernous work and storage area, complete with a set of cushy-looking armchairs for when the weekend project is over. We can't imagine how long this place took to complete, but all the time and effort really paid off. Click past the jump for two videos of the Hangar Home in action.

Continue reading Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal

Innovative Hangar Home conceals garage mahal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 May 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>floridagaragehangarhangar homehomehouseSun, 29 May 2011 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19952748/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/29/innovative-hangar-home-conceals-garage-mahal/19952748/article-detail.xml 19952748 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/hangar-house-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/hangar-house-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Motorists file class action suit against Florida toll road for... taking hostages?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/23/report-motorists-file-class-action-suit-against-florida-toll-ro/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/23/report-motorists-file-class-action-suit-against-florida-toll-ro/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/23/report-motorists-file-class-action-suit-against-florida-toll-ro/#commentsFiled under: ,

toll booth

Florida motorists are officially fed up with the actions of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Faneuil Inc. The latter is a private firm hired by the FDOT to manage its tollbooth operations. A class-action lawsuit filed against both parties alleges that toll booth operators have been holding cash-paying motorists hostage.

Paying with cash causes an increase in operating costs for Faneuil because workers are needed to handle the money and provide change. In an apparent attempt to dissuade drivers from paying with cash, tollbooth operators are required to fill out Bill Detection Report. The driver's license plate number, vehicle make and model and driver's license information are all written down. The barrier isn't lifted until this information is provided, and many motorists feel this policy is out of control. For its part, Faneeil would prefer that drivers switch to the automated SunPass system, which would help reduce operating costs.

The lawsuit alleges that civil rights are being violated and claims this is a form of false imprisonment. Neither the FDOT or Faneuil have commented on the lawsuit.

[Source: TheNewspaper.com | Image: Getty]

Report: Motorists file class action suit against Florida toll road for... taking hostages? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class actionfaneuilfaneuil incfdotfloridaflorida department of transportationlawsuittolltoll boothtoll roadtollboothWed, 23 Feb 2011 13:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19854480/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/23/report-motorists-file-class-action-suit-against-florida-toll-ro/19854480/article-detail.xml 19854480 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/toll-booth_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/toll-booth.jpg -1 2