traffic

Traffic cams on school buses catch drivers running stop signs

First it was traffic lights and stop signs--now cities are outfitting school buses with cameras to catch drivers ignoring the rules of the road.

Getting caught behind a school bus is another ring of hell for many drivers. And the later you are to that morning meeting, the more likely it seems you will end up behind one that stops every hundred yards or so to pick up another gaggle of kids. Driving around the stopped school bus would be against the law, but that doesn't stop many drivers from doing it, putting the lives of children at risk. … Read more

Red light citations spike before traffic cameras turn off

Albuquerque police say more motorists are blowing through red lights than the previous year.

Bowing to citizen complaints last year, New Mexico state legislators banned the contentious "red light" cameras that were installed throughout New Mexico seven years ago. All cameras in Albuquerque were scheduled to go dark on December 14.

But motorists may have gotten their dates mixed up or thought Christmas was coming early. Police say they've observed a 12 percent increase in traffic light citations between the period of November 7 and December 12 compared to the previous year, according to an article in Albuquerque Journal. … Read more

Sync Destinations app updated with Ford Sync AppLink compatibility

LAS VEGAS--You'd think that Ford's own Sync Destinations app would be among the select few that offer connectivity with the automaker's voice-controlled Sync AppLink technology, but oddly it wasn't...until now.

Ford has announced an updated version of the Sync Destinations app for iPhone that gives drivers voice control over the app when connected to an AppLink-enabled vehicle. Like the original app, users will be able to save favorite destinations and access driving directions and traffic reports to them utilizing their cloud-based Sync Services account. However, now users can simply speak the commands "Mobile Apps,&… Read more

BBM, BlackBerry Travel, and BlackBerry Traffic power up

LAS VEGAS--BlackBerry OS 7.1 wasn't the only thing RIM announced today. Three of the most popular apps on the BlackBerry platform also got some major work done.

First, BBM 6.1 is here, and it adds some sexy NFC flavor to its feature set. Now, friends can invite each other to connect on BlackBerry Messenger by simply tapping their NFC-enabled phones together, which, let's face it, is a hell of a lot easier than inputting those crazy BBM PINs. Also, BBM 6.1 gets the powerful message and profile customization options--animated avatars, emoticons, and colored chat … Read more

Fisker Karma recalled over battery fire risk

Although there have been no reports of problems so far, Fisker is recalling 239 Karma plug-in hybrid sports cars due to a high-voltage battery problem that could result in a fire.

The problem with the luxury plug-in hybrid is that certain hose clamps may have been positioned incorrectly during assembly, which could cause a coolant leak near the battery compartment.

According to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: "If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possible resulting in a fire."

Fisker plans to notify customers, and dealerships will replace the high-voltage battery with … Read more

Get a 5-inch GPS with lifetime maps and traffic for $69.97

Stand back, folks, I think we've got ourselves a record-breaker here.

While supplies last, TigerDirect has the refurbished Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM 5-inch GPS for $69.97 shipped. That's after applying coupon code AXX51184 at checkout.

That's not only the lowest price I can recall for a 5-inch GPS, it's definitely the best deal I've seen on a 5-inch GPS with lifetime maps and traffic.

It's true: in addition to a nav system with a nice, roomy screen, you get a forever subscription to realtime traffic conditions and the latest North American maps. All for … Read more

Get a 4.3-inch GPS with lifetime maps and traffic for $99.99

Just yesterday I was discussing the merits of standalone nav systems with my brother-in-law Charles (who's as savvy a cheapskate as there ever was--and I mean that in the best possible way).

I said, "Hey, look, here's a GPS with lifetime traffic for under $100." His response: "I'd rather have lifetime maps."

Well, sir, how about both? Today only, Staples has the TomTom VIA 1405TM 4.3-inch GPS for $99.99 shipped (plus sales tax in most states). It comes with free traffic data and map updates for life.

The Via 1405TM is … Read more

Flying bot could save firefighters' lives

Highly sophisticated robots are being used in a variety of ways: think tsunamis, earthquakes, and land mines, to name a few. In the case of wildfires, though, they wouldn't survive long in the heat of battle.

So a team of graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Cincinnati is testing a tiny new aerial system designed to fly above fires to calculate the scope of damage and the anticipated path the fire will take.

"What we are designing is a complete system," says Kelly Cohen, associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics, in a news release. &… Read more

CNET Roadside Assistance 027: iTunes and the goat

Welcome to Roadside Assistance, in this week's show, a user has some insight into our issues with the Bluetooth streaming in a VW, we help one of you add new tunes to a goat, and we explain just what's so "HD" about TomTom's HD traffic.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 027 SHOW NOTES

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