Decriminalized Pot: How California Cured Road Rage, Cut The Gas Tax And Changed A Nation
LOS ANGELES, California, October 8, 2016 -- It's been a whirlwind six years since California Senate Bill 1449 was signed into law by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, followed soon after by passage of Proposition 19. In that brief time, California has undergone radical change. Not plunging, as the pundits feared, into moral, legal, and economic chaos, but rising instead into a golden age of friendly streets and courteous drivers.
Within weeks after S.B. 1449 became law, the California Treasury was on its way out of the red thanks to billions in increased tax revenues on expanded prescription marijuana sales. The number of road rage incidents each day fell precipitously. Interviewed on October 24, 2010, Officer Jason Sargeant said, "It's so weird. The last few weeks we've only had 2 calls for shots fired on the 405. One was a pickup backfiring. It's like everyone just chilled out all of a sudden."
It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Californians. Productivity is down across all sectors. Average high school and college test scores have dropped, as has per-capita income. Despite these negative indicators, however, most of California's service-based economy is soaring, particularly the movie, fast food, and video game industries.
By September 2011, the gas tax was halved to popular acclaim as the State recognized the people's 44 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and the concomitant reduction in road repair costs and the state's carbon dioxide footprint. California now boasts both the largest number of car owners in the United States and the lowest carbon emissions. When asked why VMT had fallen so sharply, Transportation Secretary Nell Hartwood responded, "It seems many drivers are simply forgetting where they want to go by the time they find their keys."
California's legalization of marijuana garnered national attention. Initially politicians in many states, particularly those in the Midwest and South, issued dire predictions for the fate of California's social fabric. But after witnessing the first two years of decreased crime, increased revenue, and a more malleable body politic, even the reddest of states were on board.
"California sets a model for what the rest of the country should be doing to protect our environment. Beyond that, it is a model for enhancing our national energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil. Those states not legalizing marijuana have become a threat to not only our freedom, but to our very way of life," said Secretary of Defense Bloomhopple in February, 2013. After that speech, Congress took up the cause, and over the last two and a half years, has crafted a national solution. The bill to federally legalize marijuana, commonly known as the Puff And Take Responsibility In Our Times Act, or the New PATRIOT Act, is expected to arrive on the President's desk within the week.
When we look back on this six-year period of California's history 30, 50, or 100 years from now, will we in fact be looking at a turning point for the nation? A nation of happier, slower-paced, more ecologically efficient, and domestically tranquil citizens? From the six-year vantage point, it certainly looks that way.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Today at High Gear Media: Volt, Camaro, Verano, Eos, SRX…Whew!
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt could join the Feds' fleet of vehicles. Now, where to plug it in? Lincoln Bedroom? Perfect. [AllCarsElectric]
This afternoon, we'll know for sure if GM will build the 2012 Buick Verano in Michigan, or if it has plans to do something else with the space. Our idea: Burning Man East. [AllSmallCars]
Volkswagen is shedding more light on the 2011 Eos, fitting since it's named for the break of day. [TheCarConnection]
Cadillac will recall about 4500 SRX crossovers for a power-steering problem. Owners, fret not--here's an 800 number to call. [FamilyCarGuide]
Shock and awww!: the 2011 MINI Countryman comes in way below where we thought, and makes the Clubman even a bit less easier to figure out. [MotorAuthority]
The 2011 Dodge Durango's been in the wild for some time, but no one's clambered inside for a shot. Now, Dodge's agency folks have...from the roof? How do they get these interior shots, anyway? [MotorAuthority]
The next Volkswagen New Beetle (or will it just be Beetle?) looks more square and more squished, like a baseball cap brim. We like, at least on screen. [MotorAuthority]
Hennessey Motorsports' upcoming HPE700 Camaro just might be the definitive cure for a mid-life crisis, and for a D.C-sized budget surplus. [InsideMuscleCars]
Which two automakers hit the list of worst social-media screwups of all time? [SocialCarNews]
Why can't you get a straight answer from a car salesperson? If it seems like an easy question, maybe you're not completely aware of the back-room antics. [BestCarBuyingGuide]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2011 Scion xD Release Series 3.0 Will Cost You At Least $17,625
Toyota's Scion brand has released its first special edition of the 2011 model year into the wild--and it's safe to say if you like teensy hatchbacks and the color brown, you're in luck.
The new xD Release Series 3.0 may sound as if it needs an engineer to write a bug ticket, but it's the long-ish name attached to the special version of the 2011 xD. This version gets body add-ons front and rear, and side skirts to match. The color? It's "xPRESSO," which violates all sorts of capitalization and spelling rules, all by itself. It's also unique to this model. Carbon-fiber stickers on the B-pillars finish off the cosmetics.
Pricing starts from $17,625 including destination charges, for a manual-shifted version. With the automatic, the price rises to $18,425.
The current Scion xD scores a rating of 7 out of 10 from TheCarConnection's editors. It rates most highly with an 8 for available features--Scion dealers let customers have free rein to tweak their cars--and lowest for comfort and utility, with a score of 6 reflecting its small, inexpensively finished interior.
For more information, specifications, pricing, photos and related news, head over to TheCarConnection's 2011 Scion xD page.
[Scion]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Volkswagen Eos Surfaces Before L.A. Show Debut
The first photos and product details of the 2012 Volkswagen Eos have surfaced, a few weeks before its official debut at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show.
The new hardtop convertible goes on sale early next year with moderate updates to its styling and its interior. The front end now wears the slimmer grille seen on the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and the updated Golf hatchbacks; LED running lights and new fog lights are fitted. At the back, the Eos' taillights have been squared off.
The interior has been revised to play up the center stack of controls. New materials are said to give the Eos a higher sense of quality. A new steering wheel has been specified, too.
The 2012 Eos adds parking assist and pushbutton start. The hardtop roof can be lowered through the keyfob.
The slow-selling Eos (the name is from ancient mythology's goddess of the dawn) will keep its turbocharged, 207-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four and its dual-clutch transmission.
VW has yet to confirm options and pricing for the U.S.--so stay tuned @carconnection on Twitter or at TCC's Facebook page for updates.
[Autocar]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2011 Volkswagen Eos Surfaces Before L.A. Show Debut
The first photos and product details of the 2011 Volkswagen Eos have surfaced, a few weeks before its official debut at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show.
The new hardtop convertible goes on sale early next year with moderate updates to its styling and its interior. The front end now wears the slimmer grille seen on the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and the updated Golf hatchbacks; LED running lights and new fog lights are fitted. At the back, the Eos' taillights have been squared off.
The interior has been revised to play up the center stack of controls. New materials are said to give the Eos a higher sense of quality. A new steering wheel has been specified, too.
The 2011 Eos adds parking assist and pushbutton start. The hardtop roof can be lowered through the keyfob.
The slow-selling Eos (the name is from ancient mythology's goddess of the dawn) will keep its turbocharged, 207-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four and its dual-clutch transmission.
VW has yet to confirm options and pricing for the U.S.--so stay tuned @carconnection on Twitter or at TCC's Facebook page for updates.
[Autocar]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2007-2008 Aston Martin Models Recalled For Suspension Issue
Aston Martin dealerships might be a little busier over the next few months, as the British sports-car maker, which was long owned by Ford but sold to a Kuwaiti financial services company last year, moves to recall a total of 1,090 cars in the U.S.
The recall includes 2007-2008 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante, V8 Vantage Coupe, V8 Vantage Roadster, and DBS Coupe models.
In the affected models, a bolt securing the front suspension arm could crack, causing the lower control arm to move. "Movement of the lower control arm will influence the driver's control of the steering of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash," states the official NHTSA summary report.
In Aston Martin's notification letter to NHTSA, the automaker says, "Dealers will be instructed to replace the front suspension lower control arm cam bolts with cam bolts of a known quality assured specification."
According to the automaker, a supplied bolt from a UK supplier was out of spec for hardness and thus prone to snap off. Less than one percent of the vehicles recalled actually have the condition, according to Aston, and it only affects cars built from March to September 2007.
Aston adds that the issue could also lead to suspension knock or, as it says in the letter "unusual steering response accompanied by metallic rattling."
It's been quite the season for luxury-car recalls. Just last week, BMW announced a recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles in North America, for a potential brake-system issue; and in July, Jaguar announced a recall of 2010-2011 XF and XK models for a potential stalling issue.
Aston Martin will begin notifying owners by October 18, 2010, or owners may call 888-923-9988 with any questions.
[NHTSA]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Toyota Acceleration Claims Down, But Allstate Launches Suit
Toyota earlier this week provided an update on progress regarding its accelerator-related recalls, and it's now more confidently pushing back on assertions that the automaker's electronic throttle controls might have caused unintended acceleration.
The automaker said that it's reviewed about 4,200 vehicles whose drivers had claimed instances of sudden acceleration, finding no evidence of an electronic flaw.
The rough going isn't altogether over for Toyota. The auto-insurance giant Allstate—after failing to reach a satisfactory settlement with the automaker—alleges that a number of accidents were caused by the recall-related defects, and it's sued Toyota Motor Corp., in an attempt to recoup damages for acceleration-related claims that it has already paid.
Allstate says that it has paid about $3 million in all toward claims that were caused, allegedly, by sudden acceleration—including 270 claims, going back to January 2007, and one for more than $60,000, involving a 2009 Lexus ES 350 in Beverly Hills. Allstate blames sudden acceleration for a total of 725 accidents, 304 injuries, and 18 fatalities, reports Bloomberg.
According to the LA Times, the suit charges that "certain of Toyota's cars and trucks have a defect that causes sudden uncontrolled acceleration to speeds of up to 100 miles per hour or more," as well as "defective electronics and the absence of a fail-safe, such as a brake-to-idle override system."
All of Toyota's 2011 model-year vehicles—including the Toyota, Lexus, and Scion brands—with so-called Smart Stop Technology, which allows the brake pedal to override the throttle. Also for 2011, enhanced Event Data Recorders (EDR) will be included on all vehicles from the automaker.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
New NHTSA Crash Ratings Drop Scores Across the Board
The 2011 BMW 5-Series and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata are the only vehicles to retain five-star crash-test safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under new testing rules and scoring for the 2011 model year.
The safety agency publishes a new Web site today, which is coming live in sections. The new site details the new policy for scoring cars for crash safety, and explains that,
"Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and rigorous new 5-Star Safety Ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crash avoidance technologies. Because of the more stringent tests, ratings for 2011 and newer vehicles should not be compared to ratings for 1990-2010 models."
Under the new ratings system, an overall score is determined from a combination of front and side-impact tests and the rollover-resistance tests. The score also is arrived at by comparing results to the injury risk for the vehicle.
The Detroit News has obtained the results and scores for the first 20 vehicles rated under the new system, though the information does not show up on SaferCar.gov. The paper reports that the BMW and Hyundai sedans have earned a five-star rating for the new blended ratings, while most vehicles scored four stars.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid saw its overall score drop from a mix of four- and five-star ratings to an overall three stars.
The Nissan Versa had scored five stars in some tests for 2010, but the 2011 rating published by the News is two stars.
The NHTSA plans to publish another 20 ratings for vehicles in the near future, but critics are concerned the new scores do little to enlighten vehicle safety for consumers. Of the 34 vehicles with scores published today, the News adds, 29 received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Ford Hopes Limo Companies Will Replace Town Car With Lincoln MKT
Ford Motor Co. [NYSE:F] is looking to its Lincoln MKT crossover luxury wagon to replace its long-serving Lincoln Town Car for the limousine and livery market, the automaker has announced.
The new Lincoln MKT livery edition will include a bolstered chassis that will support wheelbase increases—read stretch limos—of up to ten feet. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions will be offered for a livery version, but all stretch versions will include all-wheel drive.
Interior appointments will be better than the outgoing Town Car. The back seat in the livery-edition MKT has been repositioned for more legroom, and a switch allows the front passenger seat to be pushed forward for more legroom. There's also a USB charging port and 110-volt AC outlet for the second row, in addition to Wi-Fi hot-spot capability.
Ford says that the proportions should allow easier ingress and egress, while the “high-tactile quality” of the interior surfaces and trim should give passengers positive impressions compared to the aging Town Car.
And to help the driver, all MKT livery cars will include standard Sync hands-free navigation, a rear-view camera system, and Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, which warns the driver of vehicles in blind-spot zones.
Also included will be puddle lamps for the rear doors, map and newspaper pockets behind the front seats, extra vanity mirrors, and a continuous floormat. The MKT will provide 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is much more than the Town Car or other sedans currently used, according to Ford.
“The new solutions from Lincoln will be the best available, working off a solid base as the perfect way to achieve the versatility needed for executive transportation or a night out on the town that customers are looking for,” said Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, in a release that went out to livery companies last week.
Ford says that it's worked with the Limo Livery Advisory board to make sure that the vehicle's attributes meet what operators need for quality, reliability, and durability. The company also went straight to owners, drivers, and passengers to test the market.
The stretch version of the MKT will come with heavy-duty components, including an upgrades to the suspension, transmission, brakes, and electric power steering. All sorts of other upgrades, like special wheels and tires, and even wheel bearings, will be included.
Pictures aren't yet available. But Ford says that the livery-edition Lincoln MKT will be produced at the company's Oakville Assembly Complex in the first quarter of 2012. Town Car production is slated to end in August 2011.
[Ford, via Autoblog]
Ford Motor Co. [NYSE:F] is looking to its Lincoln MKT crossover luxury wagon to replace its long-serving Lincoln Town Car for the limousine and livery market, the automaker has announced.
The new Lincoln MKT livery edition will include a bolstered chassis that will support wheelbase increases—read stretch limos—of up to ten feet. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions will be offered for a livery version, but all stretch versions will include all-wheel drive.
Interior appointments will be better than the outgoing Town Car. The back seat in the livery-edition MKT has been repositioned for more legroom, and a switch allows the front passenger seat to be pushed forward for more legroom. There's also a USB charging port and 110-volt AC outlet for the second row, in addition to Wi-Fi hot-spot capability.
Ford says that the proportions should allow easier ingress and egress, while the “high-tactile quality” of the interior surfaces and trim should give passengers positive impressions compared to the aging Town Car.
And to help the driver, all MKT livery cars will include standard Sync hands-free navigation, a rear-view camera system, and Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, which warns the driver of vehicles in blind-spot zones.
Also included will be puddle lamps for the rear doors, map and newspaper pockets behind the front seats, extra vanity mirrors, and a continuous floormat. The MKT will provide 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is much more than the Town Car or other sedans currently used, according to Ford.
“The new solutions from Lincoln will be the best available, working off a solid base as the perfect way to achieve the versatility needed for executive transportation or a night out on the town that customers are looking for,” said Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, in a release that went out to livery companies last week.
Ford says that it's worked with the Limo Livery Advisory board to make sure that the vehicle's attributes meet what operators need for quality, reliability, and durability. The company also went straight to owners, drivers, and passengers to test the market.
The stretch version of the MKT will come with heavy-duty components, including an upgrades to the suspension, transmission, brakes, and electric power steering. All sorts of other upgrades, like special wheels and tires, and even wheel bearings, will be included.
Pictures aren't yet available. But Ford says that the livery-edition Lincoln MKT will be produced at the company's Oakville Assembly Complex in the first quarter of 2012. Town Car production is slated to end in August 2011.
[Ford, via Autoblog]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
