The issue of distracted driving, specifically text-messaging while driving, has evoked a number of legal responses from different US states and Canadian provinces. Quite a few legislatures have yet to prioritize this widespread phenomenon, but it’s safe to say that the problem cannot be ignored anywhere for too long. No matter how minor anyone sees the problem, few can dismiss the fact that reading or composing texts behind the wheel increases danger to drivers, passengers, and anyone else on or near the road. Exactly how dangerous is subject to debate. This likely has a lot to do with why, of the states with text-messaging laws, some governments have enacted laws applicable just to younger drivers or those with limited experience, while others have outright bans on handheld cell phone use while driving. Some places have laws with narrow application, like Texas, where texting is banned in school zones and by school bus drivers transporting underage passengers.

No matter what your local legislators think, if you live in the US, the Federal government wants you to know how serious a problem texting behind the wheel is. With this aim, the Transportation Department has partnered with the National Safety Council to launch a campaign, modeled after Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), called FocusDriven. Below is list of resources I think you’ll find helpful in learning more about texting and driving. And, if you still don’t see what the big deal is, maybe this article about the dangers of walking while using cell phones can give you some perspective.

Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving
Transport Canada: Cell Phone Use and Other Driver Distractions
New York Times series: Driven to Distraction
Car and Driver: Texting While Driving: How Dangerous is it? – Feature
Hands-Free Info
Survey: Teens and Distracted Driving
Wikipedia: Texting while driving
Gizmodo: 89% of Americans Want Texting While Driving Outlawed
CNBC: Texting And Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving
Boston Globe: Conductor in Boston trolley crash was texting his girlfriend

Photo Credit: EVCO

I wanted to bring attention to an excellent organization dedicated to using clean energy to power their vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa is a group of like-minded individuals, based in the capital city of Canada, working to advance the cause of electric vehicles as a viable transportation alternative. We are dedicated to the principle of concern for the environment, and have fun building and driving electric vehicles that are economical, practical, efficient, ecological, and available now.

Car and Driver is planning a site re-launch. Its new and improved site promises to be much more interactive and user-friendly. With increased functionality, it will be even easier to navigate. Here is a screen-shot comparison of the old (top) and new (bottom) sites:

Although you may not be able to tell from these screen-shots, there is much more information and links on the new homepage, allowing for quicker, more efficient search. In addition, one of the best features of the new site is the increased functionality of the buyer’s guide, which allows you to more easily search for vehicles specifically tailored to your needs. For example, if you choose a make such as BMW, the new site instantly provides you with several links to the latest reviews, comparison tests, news, and advice on different BMW models. Below are views of this buyer’s guide search using both the old (top) and new (bottom) sites.

Then, selecting a model, such as the M3 allows you to view all of its top competitors in that class. With the ability to drill down on specifications and view tons of interior and exterior images, the new Car and Driver site is definitely more interactive and user-friendly.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

For those of you who have never heard of the Targa Newfoundland, it is not merely a challenging race, but moreover a celebration of fast cars. The spectacular scenery, local generosity, and great sportsmanship are accompanied by fierce competition. This event taking place from September 12-19 consists of a 2200-kilometer course around the island of Newfoundland. The Targa Newfoundland is not a prize-money event. However, it is still serious business for most of the racers, as they have a chance to win trophies and most importantly, bragging rights.

Participating in this extravaganza will be Road & Track Feature Editor Mike Monticello and race-car driving champion Steve Millen, hoping to race a Nissan GT-R to victory. Check out the performance tuning and upgrades that the engineers at Stillen are making to the GT-R to get it ready for the big race. Expecting about 175,000 spectators, the Targa Newfoundland promises to one exhilarating event.