June 12, 2007

[Redwood]

-First Drive: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX
-Texas DOT to Install Federally Funded Highway Speed Cameras
-New Subaru Impreza WRX Goes on Sale in Japan, 2008 WRX STI Details Emerge
-Chickens or Goats? - Two Zetas for Pontiac?
-GM putting designers in the driver's seat
-2007 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage v 2008 Audi R8 v 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
-eBay find of the day: Bullrun-winning Trans Am
-New Saab 9-3 Range Officially Unveiled - 280hp combined with AWD, not too shabby
-Running on Fumes - Ford makes a big stink over its latest fuel cell
-How Cerberus snagged Chrysler: Speed, all-star team, resolve put firm on top
-'2006 was a year of major progress': General Motors
-Whacked out Ford cameo - Firm's Hollywood boss gives thumbs up to SUV's grisly role in Sopranos series finale
-(F1) Kubica hopes to race at Indy
-Henrik Fisker, former Aston designer unveils new wheels for BMW, Mercedes

[Dean!]

Re: June 12, 2007

[b]
-Texas DOT to Install Federally Funded Highway Speed Cameras

The first two are targetted for El Paso and then one on Hwy 6 near College Station - dang....

I wonder how long they last before Blinn Motorsports pelts them with unknown objects, etc.

[Fair!]

Re: June 12, 2007

It is time to write a letter.

Texas DOT to Install Federally Funded Highway Speed Cameras
Despite the opposition of the state legislature, the Texas Department of Transportation proposes a federally funded speed camera test.

Despite the near-unanimous opposition in the state legislature to the use of speed cameras, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward on a proposal to deploy photo radar on state highways using federal gas tax funds. Legislation awaiting Governor Rick Perry's signature prohibited only municipalities -- like Marble Falls and Rhome -- from installing automated speeding ticket systems. It was silent on the possibility of a state-run system (read legislation).

TxDOT began searching in April for a vendor that, using federal funds, would allow the agency "to assess and evaluate all elements of an automated speed notification system." Once selected, the vendor would operate an average time speed camera test for at least six months on Interstate 10 near El Paso and State Highway 6 near College Station.

Time-distance ticketing systems use multiple cameras spaced far apart on a freeway. Each car is photographed once as it enters the first section of road. Miles later a second photograph is taken that allows the vehicle's average speed to be calculated from the time it took to travel between the two locations. In use in Britain under the trade name SPECS, these cameras are commonly referred to as "yellow vultures" and are among the most lucrative in the country.

In its request for proposals, TxDOT cited success of speed cameras in the UK, which generated £120 million (US $240 million) in revenue in 2003, and in Washington, DC, which has generated $217 million in revenue with its red light and speed cameras since 1999. TxDOT's vendor will send notices -- warnings at first -- to motorists driving just 5 MPH over the limit with an accuracy level of +/- 2 MPH, meaning those driving just 3 MPH over the limit could receive a photograph and letter in the mail.

The River Cities Daily Tribune, which first reported the story last week, noted that TxDOT also ordered Marble Falls to remove its speed camera van from state highways in April citing safety concerns.

"How hypocritical is that?" Marble Falls Mayor Raymond Whitman told the Daily Tribune. "I have a bit of a problem with it, not because they're using the camera, but because if it's unsafe for us to use, how can it be safe for the state to do it?"

This is total BS. We will NOT become the United Kingdom of Texas!!! They tried this with the photo radar trailers in Texas before and they all ended up shot, burned or at the bottom of a lake. I suspect the same fate awaits these speed cameras. Every redneck with a shotgun will start blasting away. Its going to be a waste of the Federal fuel tax funding in the end...

[Teucci]

Re: June 12, 2007

hmmm.. first thing that I thought of is if they are "testing" the system for at least 6 months mailing out warnings...

might turn into a contest to see who can get the fastest warning in the mail???? 170 in a 70 perhaps?? You'd get proof in the mail and even a photo!

[Paul]

Re: June 12, 2007

hmmm.. first thing that I thought of is if they are "testing" the system for at least 6 months mailing out warnings...

might turn into a contest to see who can get the fastest warning in the mail???? 170 in a 70 perhaps?? You'd get proof in the mail and even a photo!

Oh I like the sound of this.

[Oversteer]

Re: June 12, 2007

-New Subaru Impreza WRX Goes on Sale in Japan, 2008 WRX STI Details Emerge

Apparently the STI will have to wait for a trick transmission until a new twin-clutch design from Aisin arrives in time for a mildly updated Impreza in 2009.

So I'm keeping my current car until at least 2009. That's good to know.

Does this mean there's a hot-rod diesel in the Impreza's future?

Oh man... That would be GREAT!