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Pile-Ups Are Just Confirmation That We Are Driving Wrong

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Just read about a 30 or 50 car pileup.

"I couldn't stop," is basically what one person is saying.

OK.

So almost 30 cars, driven by humans couldn't stop.

It was snowing. It's not like it went from a clear LA day to midwest Winder snow in a nano-second, that perhaps might cause a pileup. Pile-ups are happening because people are driving too fast and not leaving enough distance.

They are just proof we are idiots while driving and we accept that. Go America.

On The LA Auto Show, Paul Walker & a Bit of Hopelessness in Regards to Car Crashes

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After visiting the LA Auto Show a few weeks back, going only with other media sources for three days before it was opened to the public I have slowed down by postings on Fix The Toaster.

Here is why.

I am feeling that nothing will change the way we drive until we are all driving, driverless in autonomous cars.

The vibe that I was getting and hearing at the LA Auto Show was that people are continuing to drive poorly. I went to a panel on distracted driving and there were about 5 men up there discussing the topic. One man said that more time needed to be applied towards studying how we can change the problem by the government and academia.

I had a question.

And so I stood up at the end in a sea full of men in suits in my skirt and Fry boots waiting as two other men asked their questions. I tried to calm my heart and right as it was my turn the music came on the they closed the Q&A.

I felt dis-heartened.

Here was my question:

What about common sense? Also, is there a car company here doing a massive PSA towards making driving safe look sexy and cool?

Yep, those were my questions.

I learned that people shop on Amazon, while driving. Sick.

There was too much talk about incorporating Apps into car dashboards.

I did get a sense that car companies realize things are changing drastically. But the epidemic of car crashes seemed to be met with head scratching.

I was told it will only get worse. Until we have autonomous cars. They will not be fool proof but they will prove much safer then we humans are currently.

I came home and told my 7 year-old about the autonomous car and I wish I had recorded his reaction. He was thrilled. I told him, you can sit and read, play on an iPad and your car will take you to where you want to go. He's there already. I just hope government bureaucracy and greed doesn't delay that much longer then I'm sure they already will.

I'm feeling like people just are not changing their ways. 

I don't understand why more moms in particular are not speaking out on this issue. Why it seems so little people are.

I allowed myself time on the last day to look at the cars, I'm not a car person but hey I like driving a nice car. I don't like to speed but I like the smell and feel of leather and I like stylish things.

I happened upon the Porsche portion and followed my nose to a delicious free lunch. The chef was flown in from Germany, I was told. The food was delicious. It felt sexy to be there.

Knowing that Paul Walker died in a Porsche, reportedly, in an excessively speeding car brought me back to reality.

The car industry thrives on sex appeal.

Speed, sex, danger.

I think it's fine if people want to do this on a track but there's nothing sexy about it on the streets.

The pervasive vibe in America in regards to our responsibility when we are behind the wheel is one of a fatalistic mindset.

I'm feeling a bit dismayed by the whole cause of make a change.

Just wanted to share.

CHP Reports No Deaths On LA's Roads Over Thanksgiving

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Nice way to start out a Monday.

No deaths on LA's roads, according to CHP, over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Pretty amazing. Go La-La Land. 

The California Highway Patrol reported Sunday that during the Thanksgiving holiday, no one was killed on Los Angeles County roads that it patrols, but 81 motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Statewide, the CHP reported two traffic deaths between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Friday and 401 DUI arrests.

There were also no fatalities on CHP-patrolled roads in Los Angeles County 2012, while a total of 118 motorists were arrested for DUI during the comparable year-ago period, according to the CHP.

Statewide, there were six traffic deaths in 2012 and 455 DUI arrests by CHP officers, the CHP reported.

Reports That "Fast & The Furious" Star Paul Walker Dies in Car Crash

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According to TMZ handsome actor Paul Walker has died at the age of 40 in a car crash.

The accident happened in Santa Clarita -- north of Los Angeles -- and according to multiple sources connected to Paul ... the actor was in a Porsche when the driver somehow lost control and slammed into a post or a tree ... and then the car burst into flames.

Several of our sources -- some who are still at the scene of the accident -- tell us Paul and another person in the car were killed. Law enforcement is still on the scene, and we're told the L.A. County Coroner's Office is on the way.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/30/paul-walker-dead-dies-car-accident-fatal-fire-crash/#ixzz2mBhIgD4I

 

Image(Photo from Wallpopper.com)

 

LA Auto Show: Day One

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Yesterday was pretty interesting at the LA Auto Show. I was at something closed to the public only open to media, that was me, woo-woo. Thanks to being able to represent She Buys Cars. It was called the Connected Car Expo.

In response to the rapid changes that new technologies such as driver assist and cloud-based infotainment are fueling in the automotive industry, the LA Auto Show organizers have created the Connected Car Expo.

The Connected Car Expo is a one-day conference and three-day expo for automotive and technology companies shaping current innovations and designing the future of the connected car space.   It also will serve as an open forum providing attendees with access to the personalities, key players and top media constructing the future of the connected car.

- See more at: http://connectedcarexpo.com/about-us/#sthash.JKGFtbWk.dpuf

The cars weren't shown yet.

It was discussion about cars and the future and distracted driving. All right up my alley.

We had a lunch and various business heads kept alternating tables and we'd tell them about ourselves and hear about them.

Lots of men in suits, not a lot of women and I don't think there was a person who knew less about cars then me in that room.

But I do know that I'm a mom who cares deeply that car crashes are the #1 cause of death to young people.

There was too much talk about tech, in my opinion, in regards to the dashboard, I wanted more talk about the autonomous car and way more talk about distracted driving.

The automotive industry knows things are changing.

I sat next to a very cool, beautiful Canadian, Emma and she said, "Young people see their phones as their freedom, not cars, like we did."

I of course long for the autonomous car as one automotive industry head said, humans are simply not driving well.

At the end of a symposium on "Distracted Driving" I stood up in my skirt and Fryes and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

In a room full of dark suits I did not fit in.

Two older men were allowed to ask their question and I was cut off by music.

My question was, you say that academia and government need to figure out how to better the distracted driving situation but what about common sense and what about the car companies?

Is there any car company here making a giant effort, like AT&T to spread the word about our need for better driving. A massive PSA effort?

Oh I wanted to ask that so badly.

Because it would help.

Stop making those irresponsible commercials where is small text at the bottom of the screen it says:

"Closed course, professional driver, do not attempt."

I had a lot of interesting conversations and I do look forward to checking out the cars tomorrow and I also realized I would love to attend a safety focused conference.

 

On Polly, Fear & Hope

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This is a video I made for my show Expressing Motherhood. It's about battling fear in regards to mothering. My fears and doubt skyrocketed when I lost my friend Polly in a car crash in 2008 in LA.

Thought I'd share on Fix The Toaster

http://vimeo.com/78887772

Mom Hit By Texting & Speeding Woman

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS8fbJh2H7Y

Please share this video.

Look at this woman's face and hear her story.

A speeding and texting woman killed her husband and severely injured her. It's insane that people still text/use their phones and drive.

Speeding and tailgating are so irresponsible as well.

Attitudes need to change about our role in preventing these tragedies. Because they are preventable.

I know I've posted her segment before but it's so powerful.

CDC

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I'm still surprised at how many people are surprised that car crashes are the number one cause of death to children. Here are facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please share this and like this, let's get it out there, we need to stop driving like barbarians.

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States.1 But many of these deaths can be prevented.