War on Cars Watch for November 6, 2019
The War on Cars Watch is a weekly feature of the NMA blog. The War on Cars Watch focuses on road diets, traffic calming and programs such as Vision Zero and Complete Streets as well as studies, court cases, and other news that affect motorists. Special commentary from NMA California Member Michael Jabbra is […]
Profound Privacy Risks without our Consent
By Shelia Dunn, NMA Communications Director Editor’s Note: This piece was first posted in June 2019 as NMA E-Newsletter #545. GeekWire posted last month that Portland, Oregon quietly launched a controversial mobile location data project with partner Sidewalk Labs (a subsidiary of Alphabet–which is the parent company of Google). In this year-long pilot program, the […]
Should The US Driving Age Be 18 As It Is In Other Countries Such As Germany?
While we debate the various new developments on our road, such as autonomous cars, an age-old question is: Should we raise the legal driving age to 18? In Germany, teenagers are only allowed to drive at 17, under the supervision of an adult, and at 18 without supervision. In the USA, the legal driving age […]
Massachusetts Has Laws on Tinted Windows, but Enforcing Them is Difficult
By John J. Sheehan car accident attorney at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan Many people in Massachusetts tint the windows of their vehicle, and they may be well within the law. However, many are not, and that is a problem not only for law enforcement but for other drivers, as well. Massachusetts law […]
A Better Way to Train Human Drivers and Test Autonomous Vehicles
By guest writer, Richard Goodwin, an NMA member The light turns green, and I start to move out when I see a car heading for the red light on my left. I hesitate, briefly touching the brake, and am treated to a horn blast from behind, so I start to go but the car approaching the light flies right […]
The Problem of Traffic Cameras in the UK
The traffic cameras in the UK were supposedly installed to increase roadway safety. Whether motorists consider them to be a positive influence or a negative one, they’re now a fixture on many roadways. Whether you spot them at traffic lights or see them while on the motorway, drivers today have to contend with the fact […]
A Quick Highway Driving Guide for Newbies
Warm wishes to you if you have recently received your driving permit. Now you are in the club of 227 million drivers in the United States! Getting a permit becomes a source of freedom and adulthood, but it also requires maturity and responsibility. The most critical aspect of driving is when you are driving recklessly; […]
Are Cyclists Vision Zero Zealots?
Eric Berg is an NMA director and life member since the Citizens Coalition for Rational Traffic Law days. Eric is an avid sport bicyclist as well as staunch defender of motorists’ rights. He is well positioned to provide observations from both vantage points. This thinkpiece first appeared in January 2019 as NMA E-Newsletter #524. One […]
Tougher Penalties are Here for Drivers Caught with a Phone in Illinois
By Chicago personal injury attorney Michael McCready of McCready Law Illinois has some of the toughest distracted driving laws in the country. While other states only ban texting and driving, Illinois is one of a handful of states that have made it illegal to hold your phone even while you drive. Lawmakers say that distracted […]
Predatory Towing Not Just an Inconvenience
This piece originally posted on the NMA website as an NMA E-Newsletter #539 on May 12, 2019. Cities tow cars for many reasons. They are often towed when doubled parked or left in front of a fire hydrant. If there are too many parking tickets, cities will often boot first, and if the driver does […]