Your GPS Is Probably Evil

No age limit for bad behavior behind wheel

(NEWSER) - One-third of 16- and 17-year-olds say they have written text messages while behind the wheel. Despite that, young drivers are actually more responsible than many adults: 48% of respondents aged 12 to 17 say they’ve been in the car with a driver who was texting. One boy said his dad “drives like he's drunk. His phone is just like sitting right in front of his face, and he puts his knees on the bottom of the steering wheel and tries to text." 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»

Developers finally realize personality as important as function

(NEWSER) - GPS voices, for all their helpfulness to drivers, are still obnoxious and humorless. Now, after years of focusing on packing “navbots” with information, developers are realizing that friendliness counts, too, the Washington Post reports. “Personality, from an engineering perspective, is still an afterthought,” one says. “But every day it's becoming more and more important.” More»

Comedy sketches make traffic jams a little funnier

(NEWSER) - The world's first satellite navigation comedy has British drivers chuckling up and down the country's busiest highway, the Guardian reports. The "satcom," called 230 Miles of Love, features audio comedy sketches set to play when drivers reach certain points along the country's 230-mile-long M6 highway. More»

Just in time for the northbound express

(NEWSER) - When the GPS in his rental car told him to turn right as was driving over a railroad crossing, a New York area driver obediently followed directions—right onto the tracks. The car got stuck and he abandoned it minutes before a train slammed into it. No one was hurt, but the driver will be billed for the damages. More»