Autoblog

V8 Supercar champ in Australia wants kids to learn to drive at age 12. How about you? [w/poll]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Australia

Albert Einstein has commonly been quoted as saying that stupidity (or insanity, depending on your source) is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Which begs the question, with over 100 years of traffic enforcement behind us, why are we still relying on the same methods of catch and punish to modify driver behavior? If it hasn't worked over the last century, chances are it won't work over the next. But Australian V8 Supercar champ Jamie Whincup has come up with a zany idea that just might cut down on his country's driving death toll - education.

In a move likely to draw some knee-jerk guffaws, Whincup is calling for driver's education to begin at 12 years-old. The tweens in question wouldn't actually be behind the wheel, but would begin to receive lessons on the components of a car, the effect of drugs and alcohol on your ability to operate a vehicle and the consequences of excess speed. We're not entirely sure the average pre-teen is going to be able to wrangle enough synapses away from Hanna Montana to make a difference, but we're all for improved driver education as a means of improving road safety.

Have a look at the story below, then chime in with your own opinion by taking our poll and leaving your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

[Source: Drive | Image: Matchbox]

V8 Supercar champ in Australia wants kids to learn to drive at age 12. How about you? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guessing cops allowed to give speeding tickets in Ohio

Zach Bowman — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Bad news, Buckeyes. The Ohio Supreme Court just ruled that a police officer needs nothing more than his or her informed guess on how fast a vehicle is traveling in order to issue a traffic citation. Yep. You can forget the radar gun, LIDAR or even the archaic pacing method. As of right now, officers can merely say that you're exceeding the posted speed limit and you'll be stuck with points on your license and a hefty fine to deal with. If that sounds more crooked than a Jersey car salesman, it gets better.

Turns out, officers have to go through very little training in order to properly gauge a vehicle's speed by eye. According to The Plain Dealer, visual assessment is only a portion of the five-hour course on traffic enforcement. Instructors bring recruits to various traffic situations and have them guess speeds. The instructor then checks the guesses against what the radar gun says and calculates the difference.

So let that be a fair warning to natives and passer-bys alike. Leave the cruise control on and don't bother trying to argue if you should happen to get cozy with one of Ohio's finest. It's their word against yours.

[Source: The Plain Dealer | Source Image: Noel Hendrickson, Getty]

Guessing cops allowed to give speeding tickets in Ohio originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaHood launches first federally funded distracted driving crackdown campaigns in CT and NY [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Videos

The NHTSA is combatting distracted driving - Click above to watch the video

Starting on April 8 in Syracuse, NY and April 10 in Hartford, CT, drivers who are caught using a cell phone behind the wheel can expect to get a little more familiar with the local justice system. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has given the official go-ahead on a pilot program aimed at curbing distracted driving, and police in those localities will be pulling over anyone they see texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device.

They've even come up with a catchy slogan for the crackdown: "Phone in one hand. Ticket in the other." Residents in the greater Syracuse and Hartford areas have likely been seeing a number of ads urging drivers to put down the phone since the first of April. You can check out one example after the jump. Law enforcement will be monitoring driver behavior over the course of the program to determine whether or not a nation-wide campaign will be worth the government's money.

Speaking of dollar bills, the federal government has put up $200,000 for both localaties, matched by $100,000 from each state. If the program goes national, you can bet we'll see quite a bit more cash flow out Washington. Check out the full press release and a video after the jump.

[Source: Distraction.gov]

Continue reading LaHood launches first federally funded distracted driving crackdown campaigns in CT and NY [w/video]

LaHood launches first federally funded distracted driving crackdown campaigns in CT and NY [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Carbon Motors still awaiting Fed loan approval, hoping to have first patrols on streets in 2013

Michael Harley — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Police/Emergency, Specialty

Carbon Motors E7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Carbon Motors Corp. plans to deliver its first police car in 2013 - assuming the company's request for a $310 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy is approved. As we mentioned nearly three years ago, Carbon is diving into the rarefied purpose-built vehicle segment with the goal of delivering thousands of its "E7" police cars to municipalities across the country, powered by a BMW twin-turbo inline-six diesel engine.

Unlike the police cars typically put out by the Detroit 3, built on a modified civilian platform and returned to civilian duty at the end of its life cycle, the E7 will use an aluminum space frame covered in composite panels. Patrol-related hardware and flashing lights are already integrated, and since the body panels will be paint-free, graphics will be applied with vinyl decals. Sold directly to law enforcement agencies (not through a dealer network), the vehicles would be returned back to Carbon Motors at the end of their service life for reconditioning or dismantled for parts.

The automaker reportedly has the buyers lined up. "We have over 13,000 reservations from 350-plus law enforcement agencies in 48 states," says CEO William Santana Li. While the company is funded by private investors, it needs the Obama administration's loan approval to get rolling. The decision is expected over the summer. With the money in hand, Carbon Motors has scheduled deliveries to follow 36 months later.

Gallery: Carbon Motors E7 police car

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Carbon Motors still awaiting Fed loan approval, hoping to have first patrols on streets in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: First images of Ford's new Taurus-based Police Interceptor revealed!

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:10:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Ford, Specialty

2012 Ford Police Interceptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Later today, Ford will officially unveil its new Police Interceptor at a private fleet sales event in Las Vegas, but the first images of the new vehicle were posted this morning on the company's website. As has been rumored for some time, Ford will be adapting the Taurus to take over for the aged Crown Victoria, which is finally being euthanized in September 2011.

At this point, we don't have any mechanical details on the new cop car. We wouldn't be surprised if Ford offers the Interceptor in two forms: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 version with front-wheel drive could serve for all those local applications like liaison officers, supervisors, etc. where extra performance is not needed. The true Interceptors for highway patrol applications will probably use the SHO powertrain with the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 and all-wheel drive.

This twin-turbo cop car would provide the first real performance challenge to the increasingly popular Dodge Charger while likely getting much better fuel economy (not to mention GM's upcoming V8-powered, RWD, Zeta-based cruiser), and we presume that the Blue Oval will field the new units with the obligatory upgrades, including a more robust suspension, cooling system, electrical system and, hopefully, brakes. We should have all the answers for you around lunch time.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

[Source: Ford]

BREAKING: First images of Ford's new Taurus-based Police Interceptor revealed! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Work, Ford, Specialty

Will the new Police Interceptor be a toughened Taurus SHO? - click above for high-res image gallery

Just a quick note: The Detroit News is reporting that the next Ford Police Interceptor will be based on the same platform as the Taurus. For you platform geeks out there, that's the Ford D3 chassis that underpins everything from the the Lincoln MKS to the Volvo XC90 to the Ford Flex (though the Flex and the Lincoln MKT ride on a lengthened version called D4). Yesterday, we explained that a new Police Interceptor is showing up tomorrow (Friday, March 12) in Las Vegas and that it probably won't be riding on the Panther platform. Regardless, the concept will be unveiled at the Vegas Motor Speedway.

There's still no official word from Ford on the matter, however. However, if the new Interceptor is in fact Taurus-based, that means no rear-wheel drive Falcon in the United States. Which is a definite bummer. Also, while there are all-wheel drive variants of the D3 platform - and we think it's safe to assume that if the new Police Interceptor is D3-based it will be AWD - it lacks frame rails. Has Ford figured out a way to make a unibody car tough enough for police work? We shall see. And if the new PI is a Taurus, will it be based on a modified 365-horsepower SHO? We'd wager yes. Let's just hope they fit some bigger brakes for cop duty, eh?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: The Detroit News]

DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011

Chris Paukert — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Work, Ford, Australia, Specialty

In a surprise move, Ford has announced that it will pursue the development of an all-new Police Interceptor model. The move comes on the heels of General Motors' announcement that it plans to challenge the Crown Victoria's law enforcement dominance with its own heavy-duty Chevrolet Caprice sedan.

Details are slim, but Ford says the forthcoming PI will arrive in 2011 and it will sport durability, safety, and performance parameters that are superior to that of the Jurassic Panther-platform Crown Vic. Given the relatively tight timeframe and durability targets, we have to assume that the replacement cop car could be based on the rear-drive Australian-market Ford Falcon shown above. The Blue Oval promises that the car will be engineered and built in America, so it could also be an Ecoboost version of the Ford Taurus (as seen in the SHO), but front-drive cars have had trouble meeting the durability and cost requirements of police duty in the past, making this something of an open question. In an official release posted after the jump, Ford says it will disclose full vehicle specs in the first quarter of 2010, which should give enough time for both law enforcement and police vehicle equipment manufacturers to prepare for the changeover.

Ford says it presently shifts about 45,000 of the 60,000 police cars sold in the States each year, so it makes sense that Dearborn would not be willing to cede this market to Chevy's Caprice and the already established Dodge Charger.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011

BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data

Michael Harley — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology

It seems as though there may just be a positive side to those unwelcome GPS-based vehicle tracking devices... especially if you are a teenager. Shaun Malone, a 17-year-old California resident, was cited by radar-yielding authorities for driving 62 mph in a 45 mph zone in 2007. Faced with a $194 fine (and some inflating insurance premiums), Shaun's parents fought back arguing their son's vehicle was equipped with a satellite-based tracking device that monitored Shaun's speed - and it showed he was doing 45 mph when he was stopped.

While they can be affected by poor reception or noise in the radio signal, GPS-based speedometers are generally considered the benchmark for measuring velocity. On the other hand, radar measurements are also considered very accurate, as long as the human at the other end of the device is correctly trained and is tracking the proper vehicle. At stake is the credibility of radar. As Doppler-based speed enforcement has become a primary source of revenue for law enforcement agencies nationwide, police don't want their technology challenged. With that in mind, the local Petaluma police have spent a reported $15,000 on the trial. The case is to be decided in the coming weeks.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

REPORT: Parents of teen with speeding ticket fighting citation with personal GPS data originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: D.C. police chief says drivers who use iPhone to find speed traps are "cowardly"

Michael Harley — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Government/Legal, Technology

D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier, frustrated that iPhone technology is one step ahead of the red-light and speed cameras in her jurisdiction, has announced that those who use their hand-held electronic devices are "cowardly" and "...are going to get caught" in one way or another.

The subscription-based software that has Lanier shaking her fists and blurting out names is called PhantomAlert. In a nutshell, its GPS-enhanced database of law enforcement "points of interest" mimics alarms similar to those common to radar detectors (remember, radar detectors are already illegal in Virginia and D.C.). Drivers are alerted to approaching speed traps and photo enforcing locations on in their iPhone, or portable GPS units, enabling them time to slow down.

Not surprising when you consider that the greater D.C. area is home to nearly 10 percent of all traffic cameras in the U.S., according to experts. Chief Lanier is frustrated that the innovative technology is "designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives." What Lanier seems to be forgetting is that attentive drivers using PhantomAlert will be slowing down at all 290 enforcement zones... saving countless lives in the process.

[Source: Washington Examiner, Photo by Michael Harley]

REPORT: D.C. police chief says drivers who use iPhone to find speed traps are "cowardly" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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National Motorists Association ranks states most hostile to drivers

Chris Paukert — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

For as long as there has been traffic enforcement, drivers from different states have gathered to compare notes on whose police and legal systems are the most oppressive and toughest to deal with. While most such conversations rarely progress beyond the anecdotal, the folks over at the National Motorists Association have actually gone to the trouble of ranking all 50 states using a set of seventeen criteria, just in time to adjust your travel plans ahead of this weekend's Memorial Day holiday.

The list was compiled by weighing such factors as 'Speed Traps Per Capita," the use of speed and red-light cameras, as well as legal factors like the presence of mayor's courts, the availability of trial-by-declaration, and so on.

We're not sure we agree with each of the criterion (e.g. singling out whether cellular phone use is legal), but it's a very interesting list all the same, and might give you some fuel for the inevitable water cooler discussion following your next moving violation.

Click on the jump to see the full list of factors and where your stomping grounds stack up among the least motorist-friendly states in the nation. Hot tip, Frank!

[Source: National Motorists Association, Source Photo by bradleygee | CC2.0]

Continue reading National Motorists Association ranks states most hostile to drivers

National Motorists Association ranks states most hostile to drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How do you get out of those pesky parking tickets? Why, blame your identical twin, of course!

Chris Shunk — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Anyone that has a sibling knows that as kids they're constantly blaming the other for just about everything that goes wrong. In Switzerland, twin brothers have the blame game down to a science, as they've successfully talked their way out of 29 parking tickets by refusing to pay the fine because "the other one did it." Since the twins are identical and they are co-owners of one car, Swiss officials have no concrete way to identify the offender. Without being able to identify anyone, officials feel there is no way they can hand out a ticket.

The fact that law enforcement cannot nail this dynamic duo for a simple parking infraction is maddening. And short of staking out the car, grabbing the suspect and finger printing them, these two parking bad boys will never have to pay a fine. Hat tip to Brady.

[Source: Ananova]

How do you get out of those pesky parking tickets? Why, blame your identical twin, of course! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carbon Motors releases first video of E7 cop car and in-car gadgets

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Police/Emergency

Law enforcement officers have more reasons to be excited with Carbon Motors' release of a few more images and a video of its purpose-built Police car. The E7, as it is currently known, looks to be much more capable than the thousands of Crown Vics, Impalas and Chargers currently roaming our streets due to its rather amazing list of specifications and gadgetry. Included are a diesel engine capable of accelerating to 65 in under 7-seconds, composite body panels attached to an aluminum structure, 360-degree built-in police-duty LED lights, suicide rear doors with hose-out passenger compartment and a separate front compartment with plenty of techno-goodies. Radar, LoJack, an automatic license plate recognition system, radiation and biological threat detectors and Carbon's exclusive On-board Rapid Command Architecture (ORCA) which features a large touch-screen display plus keyboard (see above), are all included. We think that this sucker should get the job done rather nicely. Click here for a short video of the E7 in action.

Gallery: Carbon Motors E7 police car

[Source Fox News Chicago via Jalopnik]

Carbon Motors releases first video of E7 cop car and in-car gadgets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kuwait orders 150 Dodge Charger police cars

Michael Harley — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Chrysler, Dodge, Police/Emergency, Middle East

Click above for high-res gallery of the Kuwaiti cop-issue Chargers

Choosing them for their portrayed image of "strength and power," officials in Kuwait have ordered 150 Dodge Chargers to be modified as police vehicles. As the Charger is the leading volume vehicle for Chrysler LLC in the Middle East, the choice doesn't come as much of a surprise. Delivery of the cop cars, however, isn't expected to take place for another couple months. In the meantime, the lot of them are heading to Canfield Equipment Service in Michigan where they'll be fitted for their new Kuwaiti roles in traffic, security, and emergency response. (Here's hoping none of our readers get a chance to check them out from the back seat once they're in service).

Gallery: Dodge Charger Kuwait Police

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Kuwait orders 150 Dodge Charger police cars

Kuwait orders 150 Dodge Charger police cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the San Mateo Garage: 2006 Crown Victoria Police Cruiser [w/DUMMY]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

There are few things more jarring than when you're doing 80 on the freeway and spot a well-concealed police cruiser. You immediately begin to sweat, get your story straight, perform a mental check-list of license and registration, then watch the rearview mirror like a hawk to see if he pulls out. If you get the ticket, your day is ruined. If the cop was looking down, eating a donut, or just wanted a more brazen offender, flowers smell sweeter and your step is a little lighter.

The San Mateo police know this all too well, but a tight budget and too few officers makes putting more cops on the street all but impossible. So drivers have been flying through the suburban streets of San Mateo without the worry of an expensive, time consuming ticket. To put a wrench in the plans of would-be traffic violators, the police have enlisted volunteers to drive actual cop cars and park them somewhere in their own neighborhood. To make the cars look more official, officer David Coy (alias: D-Coy) has been commissioned to sit behind the wheel, but this guy is as dumb as they come. D-Coy is a mannequin, and he sits behind the wheel to make the city's ruse more effective. So far, drivers are fooled, as most are obeying traffic laws under Coy's watch. We're questioning, however, why the police department would talk to the local news paper about its own deception. Officers say they want more volunteers, but what they'll likely get is area drivers that ignore their decoy. We just hope the guy we pass on I-75 every day is replaced with Dave real soon.

[Source: San Mateo Daily News (pic by Victor Maccharoli), via All Cars, All The Time]

In the San Mateo Garage: 2006 Crown Victoria Police Cruiser [w/DUMMY] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Subaru, Police/Emergency, UK

If you watched the first episode of Top Gear's season 11, you likely smirked at the lackluster Vauxhalls that the British bobbies have to drive in pursuit of "the baddies". But once in a while the constables in the UK gets something special in their motor-pools, like the Caparo T1, Lotus Exige, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. While few officers have actually had the chance to drive any of these epic exotics since they're used purely for demonstration purposes, the latest addition is here to stay: Prodrive has prepared a fleet of Subaru Impreza GB270s especially for the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Team at the Essex Police department.

Not only did Prodrive set up the vehicle for the team, commonly known as "The Intereptors", but the 21 officers that make up their ranks received a day of special instruction on how to get the most out of their new 270hp all-wheel-drive speed machines. As you can see in the press release after the jump, however, "The day was not about driving these cars fast, but understanding how and when to use their capability in a safe way." Way to make something exciting very boring, guv'na.

[Source: Prodrive]

Continue reading Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors

Prodrive sets up Essex police with 270hp Impreza interceptors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trapster exposes speed traps on your mobile device

Michael Harley — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Technology, First Drives

"Your mobile phone alerts you as you approach speed traps." That's the idea behind Trapster, an innovative service that uses technology, not the age-old flashing headlamps approach, to notify other drivers of a police speed trap. Motorists who come across an enforced speed zone are encouraged to report the location via an application running on their cell phone, PDA, and other types of devices. The notification is then broadcast to other Trapster members who receive audio or text message warnings as they approach the area.

There are four default alerts: police, speed camera, red light camera, and usual hiding place. Each is displayed in a color that alters from green to yellow to red, based on the "confidence" of the trap (more reports on a single trap increase the confidence). In a helpful move, known traps can be viewed on a Google-powered map on the Trapster web site before you leave the house or office and jump behind the wheel.

According to the inventors, Trapster works with any kind of phone. However, it is optimized with devices that support GPS or WiFi. While you'd think law enforcement would oppose the exposure of their speed traps, it hasn't been met with much resistance, as it actually encourages motorists to slow down. Unfortunately, as others point out, it also requires drivers to take their eyes off the road as they fumble to send alerts with their electronic devices.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Trapster exposes speed traps on your mobile device originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 May 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tulsa police testing booty-shaking Rumbler sirens

Michael Harley — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Police/Emergency

In a move sure to please more than a few motorists, police in Tulsa, OK are testing new sirens on their patrol cars with a tone low enough to send vibrations through targeted vehicles and their occupants. It sounds strange, but as cars become more isolated from the outside world, it has become increasingly difficult for cops to grab the attention of wayward motorists. Locked in our motorized cocoons, a wailing siren just can't be heard over the din of cell phones, Sponge Bob and iPods.

This new and innovative (and non-sadistic) approach called the Rumbler is designed to blast a deep tone up to 70 yards away to alert drivers through vibrations in their backsides. The Tulsa police have three units in use, with three more expected within the next ten days. Law enforcement officials in Washington DC, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida are also trying the technology. Talk from the officers and the public indicates this apparently harmless approach works pretty well. If put into widespread use, it seems to us that the booty-shaking siren just could become the best part of being pulled over.

Follow the jump for video of the Rumbler in action and hear what the new sound of police sirens may soon be in your city. Thanks for the tip, Screwtape!

[Source: KTUL - Tulsa Channel 8 News]

Continue reading Tulsa police testing booty-shaking Rumbler sirens

Tulsa police testing booty-shaking Rumbler sirens originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10-year ban for popping a wheelie in Miami

Chris Shunk — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Motorcycle

South Florida has a motorcycle problem, and lawmakers are introducing legislation to show bikers that they'll go a long way to punish those who break the rules. Stunt riding (including wheelies), excessive speeding, and concealable license plates will get you a 10 year ban on your motorcycle license, mandatory jail time, and an impounded bike. If the punishment sounds like the medieval practice of cutting off the hand of a man for stealing, that's exactly how State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera wants it.

Lopez-Cantera witnessed firsthand a variety of incidents during which reckless behavior was on display, including bikers flying down the highway at 120 mph, high speed wheelies, and more. Police officers can't even run plates since bikers will often flip them up to avoid detection, and it's very difficult to catch a motorcycle on the open road with a squad car. We like motorcycles, even though our focus is on cars, and it's disappointing to see that things have apparently gotten so out of hand in South Florida that draconian enforcement policies are being seriously discussed.

[Source: Visor Down via Paultan]

10-year ban for popping a wheelie in Miami originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK's most senior cop in court for speeding

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Police/Emergency, UK

For years it seems there was an unwritten code among law enforcement officers stating that you didn't give a shield-wearing brother a speeding ticket unless his offense was really bad. Beyond bad, even. That doesn't appear to be the case in the UK, as the chief constable of South Yorkshire has been cold busted going 90 in a 60 mph zone. Britain's Med Hughes stepped down after the court hearing, but he states that his decision to walk away from his post of top traffic cop had nothing to do with his lead foot. To that we give a hearty, "Right-o, chap." Of course as the chief constable, Mr. Hughes preached stringent speed enforcement. The now-defunct top traffic cop even lobbied for hidden speed cameras, which would keep speeds down while racking up big fine money for the department. If Mr. Hughes feels slighted or embarrassed, we'd like to welcome him to our club. As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up. We're sure he'll find it all to be very novel.

[Source: Top Gear]

UK's most senior cop in court for speeding originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top five upcoming tech gadgets for cops

Chris Shunk — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:23:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Government/Legal, Technology, Police/Emergency

Many criminals today have tools to evade capture, and now tech companies are doing their best to help law enforcement catch up. License-reading cameras, infrared lights, GPS tracking, enhanced communications, and WMD sensors are just a few of the ways that cops are helping to get criminals, but law-breakers are constantly adapting their methods. Popular Mechanics analyzed all the new technology that is helping the good guys catch the bad guys, and they've come up with a list of the most cop-friendly gadgets. You can check them out after the jump.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Continue reading Top five upcoming tech gadgets for cops

Top five upcoming tech gadgets for cops originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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