US Driving Continues to Brake

Cars, bikes, public transit can coexist: Justin Davidson

(NEWSER) - Driving has become a sin, "demoted to a form of depravity": Holier-than-thou car-haters remind motorists that they're destroying lives, wrecking the planet, and boosting our dependence on foreign oil. But there's a time and a place for driving, even in New York City, writes Justin Davidson in New York . "Cars are too useful, too profitable, and too enjoyable to vanish." More»

$200 Handpresso Auto likely headed to US soon

(NEWSER) - Busy caffeine-lovers, rejoice. You can now save time by brewing espresso while... cruising the highway. The Handpresso Auto, available only in France for the moment, plugs into a car's cigarette lighter and delivers up a steaming cup of espresso. All you have to do is add water and insert a pod of coffee grounds. The flashlight-sized device retails for $198, reports Bloomberg BusinessWeek . Brewing while driving is legal in France, but Handpresso helpfully encourages users to pull over before blending and drinking their espresso. More»

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»