HitAndRun
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Boy killed by texting driver
According to a report from the Boston Globe, a man claims that he was typing a text message into his cellphone when he lost control of his SUV and fatally struck a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle. In a stark and sad reminder of the cause for recent laws put into effect governing texting / phoning while driving, it appears the man was so distracted that he didn't even realize what had happened until later that night. Ironically, the friend of the boy who had been walking with him attempted to call 911 on his phone, but was unable to get through. The driver is being charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and driving without a license. A tragic story -- and unfortunately not the first we've seen -- but hopefully a cautionary tale for anyone who regularly juggles driving and texting. Don't.
Mercedes-Benz 'ignores' court order to activate suspect's GPS
For all the tracking equipment that Mercedes-Benz crams in its motorcars, it's apparently mighty tough to get the company to tap into any of it if you're not the owner. Reportedly, the automaker has "refused to comply with a court order to activate a car's GPS" after authorities tried in vain to track down a hit-and-run suspect the easy way. Police were able to pinpoint the owner of a 2003 S430 as a "prime suspect" for striking and killing a 24-year old jaywalker in California, and while chasing him down the old fashioned way would seem a good bit more entertaining, Glendale police were looking M-B's way for a shortcut. Apparently, no comment has come from the firm, even as those involved with the case have continued to fume over the lack of assistance, and while we'd assume Mercedes-Benz is just looking out for the privacy of its customers, hasn't GPS tracking (much less the court ordered variety) been deemed legal anyway?[Via GPSTrackingSystems]
TruScene TS-1L keeps watch over your vehicle
If you've ever been the victim of a hit and run, particularly one where you weren't there to see it happen, you'll immediately appreciate the TruScene TS-1L. This in-car camera can be mounted on the front or rear (or both) of your ride and comes with a drop-down LCD to get things aligned and installed correctly the first go 'round. This eagle-eyed camera keeps a constant watch on what's happening around your vehicle when you're not there to bear witness, so you have a license plate and mug shot of the screeching bandit should an accident occur while you're away. The TS-1L constantly records 30 second loops of footage where non-essential clips (i.e. periods where nothing happens) are deleted to make room for the next clip. If someone jolts your whip by, say, ramming into you or clipping your side mirror, TruScene saves the recording, encrypts it, and stamps a digital watermark on it for later use. The video can be used for insurance or court purposes by uploading the file to TruScene's database where it's properly decrypted for playback. The seriousness of this device carries right over to the pricetag, so we'd recommend having a vehicle truly worth protecting -- and make sure your deductible is over a grand to begin with, because the peace of mind provided by the TS-1L requires $1,000 out of pocket. [Via OhGizmo]
