Politics

Driving a fuel-efficient car might be great for the environment and even better for your wallet, but state and federal projects funded by gasoline taxes are starting to feel the pinch. It's a classic conundrum: we expect a safe and well-maintained infrastructure that relies on a tax system that...Read More»

America's roads and bridges are in terrible shape. The American Society of Civil Engineers assigned our roads a grade of D-minus, and Pew Research has rated a third of them substandard. At least 25 percent of our bridges are crumbling, desperately in need of repair, with more than 20,000 judged...Read More»

Americans sure don't research new cars—or even shop for them—in the ways that we used to. Why then should we have to buy them the same way? That has been one of the hot-button issues of the past year for those involved in the auto industry, and it's not going away any time soon. With...Read More»

Vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems will make automotive travel dramatically safer and more efficient. So, what's the big holdup? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has yet to determine when V2V will be required on new passenger vehicles. At long last, however, the...Read More»

Unless you've been living under a rock -- a rock without wi-fi -- you know that wearable technology is the Next Big Thing. From rings to running shoes to the fabrics in our clothes, we'll soon carry around a host of gadgets that record our lives, monitor our health, and, of course, pester us with...Read More»

Motor-vehicle laws are intended to keep everyone safe, without unnecessarily hindering or restricting. At least in the purest intent, that's how they're supposed to work. But as you've probably found, there are plenty of driving-related laws that can push drivers to fits—whether it's for the...Read More»

Well into week two of the federal government shutdown, we're noticing some inconsistencies in what's truly been shut down and what's still up and running. In the latter category: the military, medical facilities for veterans, and gyms for U.S. Senators and Representatives (but sadly, not their...Read More»

Like many other states, New Jersey is a study in contrasts. It's the birthplace of the working man's hero, Bruce Springsteen, and the appallingly self-entitled cast of Jersey Shore. It's home to some of America's finest educational institutions and the glittery, mindless joys of Atlantic City. It's...Read More»

Honestly, Tesla can't catch a break. First, it had to make a fully electric car that didn't look like a doorstop or a computer mouse from 1997. No small task, that. Then, it had to find a few backers, which caused consternation in some corners. And then it had to jump perhaps the biggest hurdle of...Read More»

Since President Obama launched Petitions.WhiteHouse.gov in 2011, scores of Americans have filed petitions with the federal government. Some have been fairly straightforward, like the one hoping to raise the minimum wage to $11 per hour, and another asking the U.S. to formally condemn the Turkish...Read More»

Generally speaking, America's roads are safer than ever. Traffic fatality rates have hit historic lows, and that's due in part to the vehicles we drive -- vehicles that may soon become even safer if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has anything to say about it. Countless...Read More»

Here's what we know about autonomous cars: A. They're coming. B. They'll wreak havoc among automakers, with upstarts like Google emerging as viable competitors. C. They'll have an effect on related sectors, too -- like auto insurance. What we don't know about autonomous cars is when they'll arrive...Read More»

If you're worried about personal privacy in the digital age, keep reading: there may be some good news ahead. Cell phones, laptops, and other modern conveniences have been a boon to civilization, but they've also put our lives on display. Sometimes we're active participants in that process, like...Read More»

After 20 years, we may finally be getting a raise -- and by "raise", we mean "an increase on the federal gas tax". A growing number of voices suggest that, though not perfect, an increase on the tax that motorists pay for gasoline is the best way to bring America's infrastructure up to snuff and...Read More»

When gas prices go up, what happens to auto sales? You might have a few hunches -- and a couple may be correct -- but according to Experian Automotive, you'd likely find some surprises, too. Experian looked at gas prices over the last five years, paying attention to the way that fuel-price...Read More»

In Virginia, controversy is a-brewin' over Governor Bob McDonnell's plan to eliminate the state's gasoline tax. The funds generated from that tax have traditionally been earmarked for maintenance and construction of Virginia's roads. To replace gas tax revenue, McDonnell plans to do three things...Read More»

Whew! It's finally over. Almost. When Election 2012 gets filed away in some extraterrestrial media-storage device, we hope the rest of the universe looks on us with a sense of pity--because this year's silly season has been sillier than usual. Especially when it comes to cars. At times, it seemed...Read More»

In America, many voters are focused on tonight's presidential debate at Hofstra University. But some are already thinking ahead to November 6 and wondering, "How the heck am I going to get to the polls?" Zipcar could be the answer they're looking for. Zipcar has announced a one-day program called...Read More»