US Driving Continues to Brake

Walkers, bikers healthier than drivers: study

(NEWSER) - Whether you drive, ride the train, or catch the bus, commuting to work could be hurting your health, a study suggests. In a survey of 21,000 workers ages 18 to 65, Swedish researchers found that car and public transit commuters cited worse health, more stress and exhaustion, and more missed workdays than did "active" commuters—that is, those who bike or walk to work, ABC News reports. The study did not directly identify the more passive methods of transportation as a cause of health issues. More»

For starters, a Netflix model on ownership

(NEWSER) - Google's big idea to put self-driving cars on the road someday could be a game-changer. Three quick opinions:

• Netflix for autos? "Cars that don't need drivers also may not need private owners—since they could be summoned remotely and returned once their journey is complete," writes Doron Levin at Fortune . "Why take on a lease if you can purchase a subscription to a car instead? ... Car owners who never want to spend a Saturday under the hood or in the waiting room of a mechanic's shop again might quickly adapt to a car subscription model."

Environmentally-conscious motorists also drive more, study says

(NEWSER) - Owners of hybrid vehicles tend to drive more, have higher repair bills, and get more tickets than their gas-guzzling counterparts, the Car Connection reports. A study of the behavior of 360,000 motorists found insurers pay 17% more for comprehensive coverage of hybrid owners compared to owners of conventional models. Toyota Prius owners specifically committed 0.38 violations per 100,000 miles driven, compared to an average of 0.23. More»

(NEWSER) - As the US moves away from a gasoline-only auto culture, researchers and the government are investigating alternative taxes to fund road-building and maintenance, the Kansas City Star reports. The leading idea to supplant the gas tax is a by-the-mile approach endorsed by a federal commission. “If you’re committed to the system being improved then it was a no-brainer,” the chairman said. More»

(NEWSER) - If you think that pricey speeding ticket is unfair, just look at Finland, where fines are based on income. Mental Floss takes a look at five doozies:

• In 2002, a Nokia exec on a Harley got hit with a whopping $103,600 fine for cruising at 47mph in a 31mph zone.
• A young dot-com entrepreneur, Jaako Rytsola, had to shell out $71,400 for driving his Beamer 18mph over the limit.