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[Justin Bieber drives Lambo to six speeding tickets in Dubai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/justin-bieber-drives-lambo-to-six-speeding-tickets-in-dubai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/justin-bieber-drives-lambo-to-six-speeding-tickets-in-dubai/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/justin-bieber-drives-lambo-to-six-speeding-tickets-in-dubai/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Huffington Post and Gulf News are reporting that pop star (and by all accounts, terrible driver) Justin Bieber has racked up a number of speeding fines while driving past speed cameras at excessive velocities in Dubai. Piloting his Lamborghini Aventador on Dubai's Shaikh Zayed Road this past Sunday, Bieber racked up a reported six moving violations, according to the Dubai Police. Police apparently tried to make the singer stop, to no avail (it seems as though there's an interesting story not being told in there, somewhere).

Bieber was driving to and from a couple of concerts in Dubai on Saturday and Sunday, at least one of which he was reportedly late to. Fans should be heartened to hear that he was trying his best to make the show on time, we guess.

Interestingly, the Dubai police force has upped the firepower of its own motor pool recently. We know that the crew has an Aventador of its own, as well as an Aston Martin that should probably be good for giving chase in exotic infractions like this one. Keep your head on a swivel, Bieb.

Justin Bieber drives Lambo to six speeding tickets in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dubaidubai policejustin bieberlamborghini aventadorspeed camerasspeedingWed, 08 May 2013 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562383/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/justin-bieber-drives-lambo-to-six-speeding-tickets-in-dubai/20562383/article-detail.xml 20562383 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-bieber-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dubai-bieber-628.jpg <![CDATA[Notorious Ohio speed trap takes a hit as state laws change [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/notorious-ohio-speed-trap-takes-a-hit-as-state-laws-change-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/notorious-ohio-speed-trap-takes-a-hit-as-state-laws-change-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/notorious-ohio-speed-trap-takes-a-hit-as-state-laws-change-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Officer writing traffic ticket

Anyone who's ever lived in the Midwest or driven through Ohio probably knows that the Buckeye State is legendary for the strict speed traps along its highways. After March 22, motorists driving along Interstate 71 near Cleveland will have a little more breathing room. That's because new state legislation will be shutting down eight of the mayor's courts in Ohio, including one in Linndale, the state's most notorious and controversial speed trap city. According to The Cleveland Leader, Linndale has but one exit and a quarter-mile section of the interstate inside its borders, yet "in 2011, Linndale police issued 4,000 traffic tickets, which accounted for over $400,000 in revenue." That's eight times as many citations per 100 citizens as any other place in Ohio. In fact, if you take a Google Street View look at I-71 as it runs through Linndale, you can see a police officer camped out in the shadows of a bridge.

The outgoing mayor's courts system allow a mayor-appointed city employee - not a judge - to preside over traffic cases, and all of the ticket revenue would then be funneled to the city. All of this for a small town with fewer than 200 residents. With the new law, Linndale police will still be able to patrol the Interstate and ticket speeders, but the revenue from fines will then be split with other government entities.

Check out a video from a local news station below.

Continue reading Notorious Ohio speed trap takes a hit as state laws change [w/video]

Notorious Ohio speed trap takes a hit as state laws change [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>law enforcementlinndalelinndale speed trapmayors courtohio speed trapohio speed trapsspeed trapspeed trapsspeedingTue, 26 Feb 2013 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20474974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/26/notorious-ohio-speed-trap-takes-a-hit-as-state-laws-change-w-vi/20474974/article-detail.xml 20474974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/speeding-ticket-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/speeding-ticket-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mess of human bodies makes for good car crash sculpture]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/mess-of-human-bodies-makes-for-good-car-crash-sculpture/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/mess-of-human-bodies-makes-for-good-car-crash-sculpture/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/mess-of-human-bodies-makes-for-good-car-crash-sculpture/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Motor Accident Commission in South Australia says that speeding is the number one killer on the state's roads. The tally doesn't just come from hooligans flagrantly doing eight billion kilometers an hour over the limit, but so-called low-level speeding less than ten or even five kph over and which is especially harmful to pedestrians.

To make the case that even a few ticks beyond the posted limit is a deadly game, the MAC commissioned ad agency Clemenger BBDO to make a print ad, and the agency came up with a piece called Crash Puzzle: people painted and locked together in the shape of a wrecked car. Body painter Emma Hack, also known for her work with the Australian singer Gotye, spent eighteen hours applying five layers of paint to the seventeen athletes, bodybuilders and acrobats used in the piece.

Check out the making-of video below, and a televised Crash Puzzle ad that uses real auto parts instead of anatomies.

Continue reading Mess of human bodies makes for good car crash sculpture

Mess of human bodies makes for good car crash sculpture originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crash puzzlemacmotor accident commissionsouth australiaspeedingvideovideosyoutubeThu, 01 Nov 2012 08:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20366262/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/01/mess-of-human-bodies-makes-for-good-car-crash-sculpture/20366262/article-detail.xml 20366262 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/maccrashsculpture_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/maccrashsculpture.jpg <![CDATA[Japanese CEO busted for posting speeding Lambo vid on YouTube [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/japanese-ceo-busted-for-posting-speeding-lambo-vid-on-youtube-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/japanese-ceo-busted-for-posting-speeding-lambo-vid-on-youtube-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/10/japanese-ceo-busted-for-posting-speeding-lambo-vid-on-youtube-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lamborghini Speeding

Technology is making it harder and harder to get away with being an idiot. Just ask one Japanese executive. Mikami Tadao, the 38-year-old president of a manufacturing company based in Hiroshima who recently found himself behind bars for grossly exceeding the speed limit in his Lamborghini Gallardo two years ago. Tadao reportedly took his exotic through a local tunnel at around 97 miles per hour, which is around 60 mph over the posted speed limit. Odds are he would have gotten away with the stunt were it not for the fact that he recorded the antics for posterity and uploaded the clip to YouTube.

Hiroshima police arrested Tadao for the offense, and he now faces a slew of traffic violations. Officers have also seized his personal computer along with the videos he's taken. Tadao reportedly wrote in the video description that he wanted to enjoy the sense of speed and the sound of the Gallardo in the tunnel. Something tells us he'll grow to hate that cacophony when prosecutors play the clip in court. Check out the video for yourself below.

Continue reading Japanese CEO busted for posting speeding Lambo vid on YouTube [w/video]

Japanese CEO busted for posting speeding Lambo vid on YouTube [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestedgallardojapanlamborghinilamborghini gallardolegalMikami TadaopolicespeedingyoutubeTue, 10 Jul 2012 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20275326/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/10/japanese-ceo-busted-for-posting-speeding-lambo-vid-on-youtube-w/20275326/article-detail.xml 20275326 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/lamborghini-speeding-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/lamborghini-speeding-628.jpg <![CDATA[Want people to obey the speed limit? Pay them.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/want-people-to-obey-the-speed-limit-pay-them/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/want-people-to-obey-the-speed-limit-pay-them/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/want-people-to-obey-the-speed-limit-pay-them/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pulled over

Parents know that sometimes the chance for reward is a more powerful child obedience method than the threat of penalty. "Clean your room or your grounded" can be less effective than, "Clean your room and we'll go get ice cream."

A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study shows that when the stick is combined with the carrot, drivers behave much better. The study placed GPS trackers to measure speed in eight cars loaned to 50 different drivers for a week each. The drivers were told that, at the end of their week, if they kept their speed within the posted limits, they would be paid $25 each. Every time a driver went over the speed limit by five to eight mph, he would lose three cents. If the driver's speed exceeded nine or more ticks above the posted limit, he lost six cents.

If the drivers were caught speeding by the cops they got speeding tickets as usual.

Each time the car's ignition was switched off, drivers got a report showing how much their lead feet had reduced their rewards.

The results were promising, with one driver saying he had made a game out of trying to keep his $25. NHTSA officials involved in the study say insurance companies might be very interested in implementing the program for their customers.

"We found that the incentive system was incredibly effective in getting drivers to reduce their speeding," Ian Reagan, a traffic safety researcher at NHTSA tells NPR. "Egregious speed limit violations were almost eliminated - that's driving nine or more [miles per hour] over the speed limit."

Want people to obey the speed limit? Pay them. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insurancenhtsanprpaid+to+go+the+speed+limitpaidtogothespeedlimitrecent+study+on+speedingrecentstudyonspeedingsafetyspeedingspeeding penaltyspeeding rewardThu, 21 Jun 2012 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20263456/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/21/want-people-to-obey-the-speed-limit-pay-them/20263456/article-detail.xml 20263456 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/pulledoverbyredjar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/pulledoverbyredjar.jpg <![CDATA[Texas toll road to get 85 mph speed limit?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/#commentsFiled under: ,

80 mph speed limit

Oh, Montana, how we miss your speed-limitless ways of the mid-1990s. We were carefree and young then, driving a 10-year-old Chevrolet that in no way, shape, or form was designed to travel at its top speed for hours on end. But that didn't stop us, we the "reasonable and prudent," and neither did it stop our digital dashboard from just flashing "85" over and over and over again. We'll never know how fast we were really going, but suffice it to say, we were traveling at the speed of youth.

Today, the search for fast, legal roads pretty much starts and ends in Germany, with Texas a distant second. But the one-time Republic may have just cut the distance between it and the Autobahn-wielding Germans by five miles per hour. A new toll road, part of State Highway 130, is under construction near Austin, the state's notoriously traffic-clogged capitol, and it may have its speed set at 85 when it opens. The Texas Department of Transportation made the decision, according to the Fox News report, in the wake of the legislature passing a law in 2011 to raise the maximum limit from 80 to 85 mph on approved highways.

Texas toll road to get 85 mph speed limit? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80 mph speed limit85 mph85 mph speed limitautobahnspeed limitspeed limitsspeedingtexastexas department of transportationtexas speed limitThu, 07 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20253874/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/07/texas-toll-road-to-get-85-mph-speed-limit/20253874/article-detail.xml 20253874 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/speedlimit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/speedlimit.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes techs taking C63 AMG Coupe Black Series for joyride caught on video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/mercedes-techs-taking-c63-amg-coupe-black-series-for-joyride-cau/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/mercedes-techs-taking-c63-amg-coupe-black-series-for-joyride-cau/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/mercedes-techs-taking-c63-amg-coupe-black-series-for-joyride-cau/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series dealer abuse video screencap

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series is a whole lotta car. Not only is the name a mouthful, but the 510-horsepower German rocket can be a handful too, well, in the wrong hands. This wouldn't be the first time we've seen techs or valets getting their kicks behind the wheel of a vehicle that doesn't belong to them, but it seems some employees at one Ottawa-area dealer didn't get the memo.

Our tipster claims that a couple rogue techs at a dealership called Star Motors (formerly Carling Motors) decided to take out one of the 30 existing Black Series in Canada for a joyride. While we agree that some test drives of performance cars should be spirited to find performance-related problems, it's pretty clear these guys just wanted some kicks behind the wheel of this $115,000+ Autobahn assassin.

For over eight minutes they negotiate the streets of Ottawa near the Hunt Club Road dealership, breaking all kinds of laws, risking property and injury in the process. The police would gladly impound this Black Series for some of these speeds, and MB enthusiasts would gladly slap these guys in the face for redlining the motor for so long.

Why any tech would post this on YouTube is beyond us, as they're are only asking to be fired. The Internet has moved in for some e-justice and MBWorld.com has been set ablaze with nasty comments on the matter. Not only did they identify the location of the dealership, they have also sent the video, the original of which was removed from YouTube but then re-uploaded by a forum member, to Mercedes-Benz Canada HQ and are hard at work trying to find the possible owner to show him what's been done to his car pre-delivery. Check out the video by scrolling down.

Continue reading Mercedes techs taking C63 AMG Coupe Black Series for joyride caught on video

Mercedes techs taking C63 AMG Coupe Black Series for joyride caught on video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 mercedes-benz c63 amg coupe black seriesblack seriesc-classc63 amgc63 amg black seriesc63 amg coupe black seriesdealer abusejoyridemercedes-benzottawaspeedingstar motorsvideoFri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20215512/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/mercedes-techs-taking-c63-amg-coupe-black-series-for-joyride-cau/20215512/article-detail.xml 20215512 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mb1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mb1.jpg <![CDATA[JJ Lehto sentenced to jail for speedboat crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/jj-lehto-sentenced-to-jail-for-speedboat-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/jj-lehto-sentenced-to-jail-for-speedboat-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/jj-lehto-sentenced-to-jail-for-speedboat-crash/#commentsFiled under: , ,

JJ Lehto

You'd think that a professional driver's skills would be universal. You'd also think that the rules regarding drinking and driving would apply the same to the water as they would to the road. But as it turns out neither is necessarily the case.

The point is driven home by the conviction in Finland of one JJ Lehto. If the name sounds familiar, that's because it belongs to an accomplished racing driver. Although Lehto only managed a single podium finish over the course of seven years in F1, he also raced in CART (today known as the IndyCar Series) and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice.

Back in June 2010, Lehto and a friend were traveling at apparently high velocity via speedboat through a canal in Finland when their boat struck a bridge support. JJ was injured, but his friend was killed. While Lehto's defense attorneys claimed he was not driving the boat at the time, the courts evidently felt otherwise.

Ruling that he was both speeding and operating the powerboat while intoxicated, the courts sentenced him to two years and four months in prison. Lehto's lawyer is appealing the ruling, but if the verdict sticks, Lehto will be one of the few former grand prix drivers in history to be put behind bars.

JJ Lehto sentenced to jail for speedboat crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionduidwifinlandjailjj lehtolehtopowerboatprisonspeedboatspeedingFri, 16 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20128286/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/16/jj-lehto-sentenced-to-jail-for-speedboat-crash/20128286/article-detail.xml 20128286 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/jjlehtopetitlemans2004_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/jjlehtopetitlemans2004.jpg <![CDATA[Ohio woman leads police on triple-digit topless car chase]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/ohio-woman-leads-police-on-triple-digit-topless-car-chase/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/ohio-woman-leads-police-on-triple-digit-topless-car-chase/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/27/ohio-woman-leads-police-on-triple-digit-topless-car-chase/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Topless driver

God willing, you will never party this hard. Police in Bainbridge, Ohio were recently led on a high-speed chase that saw a renegade driver clocked at 110 mph. According to Cleveland's Fox 8 News, after officers deployed spike strips to bring the fleeing sedan to a halt, they were met with a mostly nude, very intoxicated woman. The driver was wearing nothing but a g-string, a pair of tennis shoes and the skin she was born with. Police were eventually able to get the 28-year-old unruly nudist into the back of a cruiser (with some more clothes on), where she proceeded to go ballistic, attempting to kick out the cop car's rear window.

Erin B. Holdsworth has since been charged one count each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, refusing a blood-alcohol test, fleeing and eluding, criminal damaging, driving on a suspended license, speeding and, our personal favorite, reckless operation. Holdsworth was later released and is set to appear in court on November 2. Hit the jump to see a video of the pursuit and detention of Ms. Holdsworth.

Continue reading Ohio woman leads police on triple-digit topless car chase

Ohio woman leads police on triple-digit topless car chase originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bainbridgedash camdriving while intexticatedduidwihigh-speed pursuitpolice videospeedingtopless drivertopless driver videovideoThu, 27 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20091974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/27/ohio-woman-leads-police-on-triple-digit-topless-car-chase/20091974/article-detail.xml 20091974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/topless-driver-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/topless-driver-628.jpg <![CDATA[Clerk tries to get deputy's son's citation fixed, accidentally faxes request to newspaper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/clerk-tries-to-get-deputys-sons-citation-fixed-accidentally-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/clerk-tries-to-get-deputys-sons-citation-fixed-accidentally-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/clerk-tries-to-get-deputys-sons-citation-fixed-accidentally-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,

fax machine

We're not sure what's more amusing about this story, the obvious and clichéd abuse of power or the retro charm of dialing the wrong fax number. C'mon, who even faxes anymore? We've gotten so used to people getting busted by accidentally e-mailing everyone in their address book or slipping up on Facebook that we almost feel sorry for the clerk in question, entangled by '90s technology. Almost.

Joann Reed, the records clerk for the sheriff in St. Clair County, Illinois, sent a three-page fax including a copy of a speeding ticket, with a handwritten note saying, "Dismiss this case" and "The guy is the son of one of our deputies." Ostensibly she meant to send the fax to the prosecuting attorney in the village that issued the ticket, but instead, she faxed the local newspaper, the Belleville News-Democrat, which is where we heard about the story.

Apparently unaware that karma already had her number, Reed's next move was worthy of the worst of Illinois politicians. Indeed, when the newspaper started asking questions, the one-time mayoral candidate pulled a Blagojevich, fabricating a story about trying to help a college student get out of the ticket and denying that she was currying favor for a deputy. Problem is, the newspaper did some more digging and discovered that, indeed, the $175 citation for doing 43 in a 20-mile-per-hour zone was issued to the 18-year-old son of a sheriff's deputy. Who says investigative journalism is dead?

Speaking of investigations, Sheriff Mearl Justus says he'll be launching one, telling the newspaper, "I'll take some action."

Clerk tries to get deputy's son's citation fixed, accidentally faxes request to newspaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corruptionillinoisspeedingst. clair countyThu, 13 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20080991/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/13/clerk-tries-to-get-deputys-sons-citation-fixed-accidentally-f/20080991/article-detail.xml 20080991 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/55305.jpg-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/55305.jpg-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Massachusetts Supreme Court upholds policy of charging $70 fee to innocent motorists]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/mass-supreme-court-upholds-charging-75-fee-to-innocent-motoris/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/mass-supreme-court-upholds-charging-75-fee-to-innocent-motoris/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/mass-supreme-court-upholds-charging-75-fee-to-innocent-motoris/#commentsFiled under:

Pulled over

Getting a ticket can ruin even the best of days, but at least American motorists have the ability to fight moving violations in court. Challenging a ticket at least gives drivers a shot at avoiding or reducing fines and/or points charged to their records.

In Massachusetts, however, a new state Supreme Court ruling means drivers have to pay, win or lose. The Newspaper details the case of Ralph Sullivan, who was charged $70 in non-refundable fees even after he successfully fought a lane violation ticket ($20 for appealing the summons to a clerk, then another $50 to get the case in front of a district court judge). Sullivan argued to the Massachusetts Supreme Court that the policy violates the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution, as motorists are saddled with fees that offenders in more serious cases are not required to pay. The court disagreed and ruled against Sullivan.

In the ruling, Justice Ralph D. Gants writes, "Where the legislature provides greater process that imposes greater demands on the resources of the District Court, it is rational for the legislature to impose filing fees, waivable where a litigant is indigent, to offset part of the additional cost of these judicial proceedings."

Yeah, we get it. The courts are busy and they're expensive to run, so the $3,678,620 Massachusetts courts received as a result of fines in 2010 is needed to keep the doors open. We're of the opinion that anyone found not guilty should never have been pulled over in the first place, so the fine is levied as punishment for no crime committed. Isn't wasting half a day in court punishment enough?

Massachusetts Supreme Court upholds policy of charging $70 fee to innocent motorists originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fineMassachusettsspeedingsupreme courtticketSat, 24 Sep 2011 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20050091/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/24/mass-supreme-court-upholds-charging-75-fee-to-innocent-motoris/20050091/article-detail.xml 20050091 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/pulledoverbyredjar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/pulledoverbyredjar.jpg <![CDATA[Kyle Busch loses license for 45 days for speeding in Lexus LFA [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/kyle-busch-reportedly-loses-license-for-45-days-for-speeding-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/kyle-busch-reportedly-loses-license-for-45-days-for-speeding-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/kyle-busch-reportedly-loses-license-for-45-days-for-speeding-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Kyle Busch

We said it once, and we'll say it again: it's a good thing racing drivers aren't required to hold a valid driver's license in order to race. We know it sounds funny, but if they did, some of our best drivers would be out of work.

The latest high-profile incident, as you may recall, revolves around Kyle Busch. The NASCAR driver was busted back in May behind the wheel of a yellow Lexus LFA, driving 128 mph in a... well, at those speeds, it hardly matters what the posted limit was, but it was a 45 mph zone. At the time, Busch received a citation, but now he's had his day in court.

So... how did it go for the current Sprint Cup points leader? Not all that well, we're afraid. Apparently instead of taking Busch's proven superlative driving skills into account, the judge opted to throw the book at Busch to make an example of him. The champ had his license revoked for 45 days, was fined $1,000, sentenced to 30 days of community service and put under probation for one year.

Do you think the sentence was fair and proportionate to the crime? Cast your vote in our poll below.


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Kyle Busch loses license for 45 days for speeding in Lexus LFA [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courtkyle buschlicensenascarspeedingsuspendedWed, 24 Aug 2011 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20024986/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/24/kyle-busch-reportedly-loses-license-for-45-days-for-speeding-in/20024986/article-detail.xml 20024986 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/nascarwatkinsglenautoracing.fa19049641254140b4481e55a905b9f5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/nascarwatkinsglenautoracing.fa19049641254140b4481e55a905b9f5.jpg <![CDATA[Venezuela issues its first-ever driver's license suspension]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/venezuela-issues-its-first-ever-drivers-license-suspension/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/venezuela-issues-its-first-ever-drivers-license-suspension/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/22/venezuela-issues-its-first-ever-drivers-license-suspension/#commentsBus in Venezuela

Venezuela might be seen as something of a hooner's paradise. Gas is free 12 cents per gallon, drivers' rights reign supreme, and traffic law enforcement is practically nonexistent. Maybe that's all changing, though. This week, Venezuela's national police chief, Luis Fernandez, held a press conference to announce the first-ever suspension of driving privileges for one of its citizens.

41-year-old Ramon Parra was found to be operating his bus in excess of posted limits. It also had too many passengers. Oh, and one of the rear wheels was in the aisle with the passengers instead of on its axle, where one normally might expect to find it. As for Parra, it'll be a year before he gets to climb behind the wheel again.

Venezuela issues its first-ever driver's license suspension originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 May 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buslicense suspensionluis fernandezramon parraspeedingtraffic law enforcementvenezuelaSun, 22 May 2011 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19946664/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/22/venezuela-issues-its-first-ever-drivers-license-suspension/19946664/article-detail.xml 19946664 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/venezuela-bus-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/venezuela-bus-630.jpg <![CDATA[PSA: If you're contesting a 144-mph speeding ticket, don't brag about your car's speed in a classified ad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/12/psa-if-youre-contesting-a-144-mph-speeding-ticket-dont-brag/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/12/psa-if-youre-contesting-a-144-mph-speeding-ticket-dont-brag/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/12/psa-if-youre-contesting-a-144-mph-speeding-ticket-dont-brag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 in orange

Getting out of a 144-mph speeding ticket is undoubtedly a very tough business. Unless you have some very compelling evidence that the radar gun failed or the authorities were out to get you, your chances are likely rather grim.

Getting out of a 144-mph speeding ticket by claiming your car can't go that fast, while simultaneously advertising said car for sale as a 420-horsepower turbocharged barnstormer, however, is a great way to guarantee you will lose. According to the Niagara Falls Review, a man from Canada has done just that.

Police say the 23-year-old was clocked at 144 mph on a public street on what they describe as bald tires. Judging by his speed and reported $25k worth of upgrades, we'd guess we were dealing with a Dodge Neon SRT-4, likely on racing-compound tires.

The alleged perp is trying to avoid the hefty $3,651 speeding ticket by claiming that his Dodge Neon is a crap can econobox incapable of such velocity. Problem is, he has the car for sale, advertising its $25,000 in upgrades, including a "Stage 3" turbocharged engine. The car also sports a fully-customized suspension and upgraded brakes. As many a weekend racer and enthusiast knows, the SRT-4 is one of the all-time great bargain-basement performers on the track and off, and we wouldn't doubt its potential to nudge well beyond 144 mph. Asking price for this dangerous Dodge? Try $9,900. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Niagara Falls Review]

PSA: If you're contesting a 144-mph speeding ticket, don't brag about your car's speed in a classified ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>144 mph speeding ticket2005 dodge neon srt-4canadadodgedodge neonneonspeedingspeeding ticketsrt-4srt4Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909405/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/12/psa-if-youre-contesting-a-144-mph-speeding-ticket-dont-brag/19909405/article-detail.xml 19909405 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2005-dodge-neon-srt-4_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2005-dodge-neon-srt-4.jpg <![CDATA[Video: German Veyron owner's crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/video-german-veyron-owners-crazy-220-mph-autobahn-blast/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/video-german-veyron-owners-crazy-220-mph-autobahn-blast/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/video-german-veyron-owners-crazy-220-mph-autobahn-blast/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bugatti Veyron speedometer
Ride along in a Bugatti Veyron as it pushes to 220 mph - Click above to watch video after the jump

Imagine, for a moment, that you own a Bugatti Veyron. Wouldn't you be curious to find out what it feels like to swing past 200 miles per hour? (Okay, stupid question.) While an abandoned runway à la Top Gear would be ideal, one German man decided to break the 200-mph barrier on the infamous Autobahn.

Running up to 353 kilometers per hour - just a hair over 219 mph - is insane on any public road regardless of the vehicle used. But if there's any car we'd want to push that hard on the Autobahn, the Veyron would be it.

In an effort to clear a path, this Veyron owner fixed a set of police lights to the car, so naturally, other motorists would move out of the way. If the excessive speed is legal on this stretch of German motorway, which we don't know for sure, the flashing lights are certainly not. While it's not as reckless as our favorite Russian commuter and his motorcycle ride through Moscow, it's high on the list of things we don't condone (yet enjoy watching as long as no one gets hurt). Follow the jump to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Marco!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: German Veyron owner's crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast

Video: German Veyron owner's crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahnbugattibugatti+autobahnbugatti+veyronbugattiautobahnbugattiveyrongermanspeedingveyronvideoWed, 02 Feb 2011 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19825286/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/02/video-german-veyron-owners-crazy-220-mph-autobahn-blast/19825286/article-detail.xml 19825286 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/veyron-speedo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/veyron-speedo.jpg <![CDATA[Study: Making roads safer has led to bored, risk-taking drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/study-making-roads-safer-has-led-to-bored-risk-taking-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/study-making-roads-safer-has-led-to-bored-risk-taking-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/study-making-roads-safer-has-led-to-bored-risk-taking-drivers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bored driver in traffic

A new study from researchers in Australia may have dug up one of the reasons why drivers exceed the speed limit on their way to work. According to the Toronto Sun, a new study has found that drivers who are bored behind the wheel are more likely to put the right pedal to the floor. Researchers at Newcastle University asked drivers to answer a few questions about their driving habits and found that 31 percent of those behind the wheel are inattentive and dangerous. More surprisingly, 35 percent of those polled were classified as enthusiastic and attentive. These are the motorists that enjoy driving, but go faster when their stimulus levels decrease. The study also found that 21 percent of those polled dislike driving and move slower, while members of the smallest group, just 13 percent of the total respondents, were branded slow and safe.

Interestingly, researchers concluded that the influx of devices designed to make driving easier has led to the impression that operating a vehicle is akin to a chore. Rather than making drivers safer, the gadgets have actually led to increased inattentiveness. Basically, the perception of safety has increased the likelihood of risk taking.

Sounds like it's high time that vehicles made drivers fear for their lives once again. In all seriousness, the researchers have apparently recommended adding more turns to roads and incorporating shared space to force drivers to pay attention, among other actions.

[Source: The Toronto Sun | Image: Alexander F. Yuan/AP]

Study: Making roads safer has led to bored, risk-taking drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>distracted drivingdriving safetyinattentive driversnewcastle universityspeed limitspeedingtraffic safetyWed, 05 Jan 2011 13:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19787815/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/05/study-making-roads-safer-has-led-to-bored-risk-taking-drivers/19787815/article-detail.xml 19787815 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bored-driver-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bored-driver-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Abu Dhabi using color-coded road surfaces to convey speed limits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/03/report-abu-dhabi-using-color-coded-road-surfaces-to-convey-spee/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/03/report-abu-dhabi-using-color-coded-road-surfaces-to-convey-spee/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/03/report-abu-dhabi-using-color-coded-road-surfaces-to-convey-spee/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Roadway Speed Limits

Abu Dhabi has updated the speed limits for certain roads in and around the city and to make sure everyone knows about the new limits, as well as to warn drivers that they've entered one of these changed sections, officials have come up with a unique solution - painting the speed limit on the road.

On select sections of road, bright red asphalt will serve as a warning that the speed limit has changed. The thinking: A driver might miss a sign on the side of the road but they (hopefully) won't miss the entire road.

[Source: Gulf News]

Report: Abu Dhabi using color-coded road surfaces to convey speed limits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abu dhabimiddle eastpainted roadsspeed limitspeedingunited arab emiratesMon, 03 Jan 2011 08:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19783696/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/03/report-abu-dhabi-using-color-coded-road-surfaces-to-convey-spee/19783696/article-detail.xml 19783696 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/2211501462-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/2211501462-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Texas man becomes human speed-trap warning sign]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/report-texas-man-becomes-human-speed-trap-warning-sign/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/report-texas-man-becomes-human-speed-trap-warning-sign/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/report-texas-man-becomes-human-speed-trap-warning-sign/#commentsFiled under: , ,

speed trap

Running into a speed trap is a gut-wrenching feeling. Regardless of whether you are going two or 20 mph over the limit, you always have to glance in your mirror to make sure Johnny Law isn't on your tail. In that spirit, a Lakeway, Texas resident is fed up with the traps in his town and has decided to fight back against them all by his lonesome. Lance Mitchell, co-founder of the website SpeedTrapAhead.org, is taking to the streets and warning other motorists about nearby speed traps.

If he's out on the road and spots a police officer in a speed trap, Mitchell will backtrack to a spot ahead of the trap, then don a bright orange "Speed Trap Ahead" t-shirt in order to alert other motorists of the waiting radar run around the bend. While the Austin American-Statesman notes that it's illegal to warn others of an enforcement action, it is not illegal to warn others when the enforcement pertains to matters of the traffic code. In fact, Mitchell believes he is doing the same work as the officers initiating the speed traps but also saving everyone money in the process. People slow down when they see him thus avoiding a ticket and a raise in insurance premiums.

Needless to say, the Lakeway Police Department doesn't exactly agree with Lance Mitchell's methods. It's fined him, jailed him and eventually the two went to court. Mitchell won and then turned around and sued the town and a few of its police officers. A confidential settlement was reached and the unemployed Mitchell can now breathe easy for a few months thanks to the cash infusion. We're guessing that it also gives him some more free time to wear his orange t-shirt...

[Source: Austin American-Statesman | Image: Corbis]

Report: Texas man becomes human speed-trap warning sign originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austin texaslakewaylance mitchellspeed trapspeed trapsspeedingspeedtrapahead.orgMon, 27 Dec 2010 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19777877/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/27/report-texas-man-becomes-human-speed-trap-warning-sign/19777877/article-detail.xml 19777877 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/speed-trap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/speed-trap.jpg <![CDATA[Slow Down app curbs music tempo when you speed [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/slow-down-app-curbs-music-tempo-when-you-speed-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/slow-down-app-curbs-music-tempo-when-you-speed-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/slow-down-app-curbs-music-tempo-when-you-speed-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Slow Down App
Slow Down app - Click above to watch video after the jump

For many of us, music and driving go hand-in-hand. A great song can complement a great road and the overall experience of piloting a vehicle can be raised a few notches. Of course, you might even get a little overeager behind the wheel when allowing yourself to get wrapped up in the cadence of the music instead of looking at the speedo (Metallica, anyone?). Well, now there's an app for that.

By way of the Belgian organization OVK, Parents of Children Killed in Road Accidents, comes an application in the iTunes App Store called Slow Down. Play music through your Apple iPhone while the app is running and it will keep an eye on the local speed limits. Should you exceed the posted limit, the music will quite literally slow down. Push that gas pedal even harder so that you are going more than 10 miles per hour over, and the tunes will go mute. All you have to do to get them back is slow down.

We wouldn't want this for ourselves because we love music and never, ever speed. However, we could see this being the perfect tool for quelling a newly licensed hot-shoe in your family. The best part about it? It's free.

Hop the jump to see the app in action.

[Source: OVK Slow Down via Engadget]

Continue reading Slow Down app curbs music tempo when you speed [w/video]

Slow Down app curbs music tempo when you speed [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappleiphoneiphone appitunesovkslow downslow down appspeedingvideoThu, 09 Dec 2010 14:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19753520/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/09/slow-down-app-curbs-music-tempo-when-you-speed-w-video/19753520/article-detail.xml 19753520 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/slow-down-app_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/slow-down-app.jpg <![CDATA[Report: UK moves to block Europe-wide speeding fines]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/report-uk-moves-to-block-europe-wide-speeding-fines/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/report-uk-moves-to-block-europe-wide-speeding-fines/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/report-uk-moves-to-block-europe-wide-speeding-fines/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Stop Sign Camera

Britain is stepping up to the man. The island nation is moving to stop a proposal that would allow member countries of the European Union to enforce traffic violations across international borders. The legislation aims to help law enforcement pursue unruly drivers for four major offenses: speeding, running traffic lights, drunk driving and not wearing a seatbelt. Mike Penning, Britain's road safety minister, said that while the UK is all for greater cooperation between the 27 countries in the EU, he feels there are still some wrinkles to be ironed out in the proposal.

Part of the conflict stems from the law requiring those caught speeding by traffic cameras to be held responsible for fines once they return to their native country. Penning is concerned about who pays the fine when someone other than the vehicle's owner is behind the wheel and how the appeal process would work. All told, around four million Britons use their vehicles outside of the country's borders.

[Source: The Daily Telegraph l Image: Reed Saxon/AP]

Report: UK moves to block Europe-wide speeding fines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritainEUEuropean Unionlaw enforcementspeed cameraspeedingtraffic cameraUKTue, 30 Nov 2010 08:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19736843/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/30/report-uk-moves-to-block-europe-wide-speeding-fines/19736843/article-detail.xml 19736843 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/stop-camera_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/stop-camera.jpg -1 2