Auto Trends

Absolutely-Funny-Bad-Crazy-Driving-Image, originally uploaded by Funny Driving

Officer: “Hi Sir/Madam, Do you know why I stopped here today?”
Driver: “Uh, no officer.”
Officer: “Well, it seems your truck is stuck here in this tree.”
Driver: “It is?”
Officer: “Yes, now may I see your license, registration, insurance, and any proof of gene variant exemption?”

Imagine a world where not only could we blame our parents for our smarts, body weight, addictive nature, and lack of hair on top of our head, but we can also blame them for being bad drivers. A group of researchers at the University of California in Irvine, have looked at several variants among good and bad drivers, and may have very well discovered a gene responsible for the coordination involved with driving a vehicle well.

The study was recently published in the journal, Cerebral Cortex, and is credited for looking at a particular gene variant that is identified by the property of blocking the protein, (BDNF), in the brain. This protein is known for its ability to aid in both memory function, and the proper coordination of the body.

Those who are missing the protein would obvious lack in the ability to do a number of tasks beyond driving if the research proves true, such as sports, video games, and riding a bike. It is believed that the variant may not only cause drivers to make more errors, but also forget what they have learned (say as in drivers school) more quickly.

The Study
The study looked at several drivers known to either have, or not have the gene variant. The drivers were then graded on their ability to successfully complete a series of driving tests. What was found, was the drivers identified with the gene, actually performed on average 20 percent worse than participants without.

Interesting, the researchers have predicted that somewhere around 30 percent of all American’s have the gene, which is presumably making them worse drivers. The next variation of tests may look at traffic accidents in correlation to the gene variants of the drivers involved, looking to identify if certain drivers really are more prone to accidents than others.

Think of what such research might do to your insurance rates?

For those of you who feel you would probably be included in with the 30 percent described as bad drivers, take heart. Additional research of BDNF, has shown that those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and multiple sclerosis, are effected less by the disease when the “bad driving” gene variant is accounted for in their body.

I guess you win some… and you lose some!

Source: Left Lane News

In case you have not been brought up to speed on the story is of the DWI Hot Rod La-Z-Boy, I’ll do my best to oblige. Last summer (2008), Dennis LeRoy Anderson, age 62, fashioned what would become one of the most famous Lay-Z-Boys in the history of, well, La-Z-Boys. He took your standard run of the mill recliner, threw an 8-horsepower lawnmower engine in the back, a stereo, headlights (in case you want to drive it at night), a cup holder (for your beer?), NOS bottle (not functional), custom blue flames, and the patented sticker on the rear which reads, “Hell Yeah It’s Fast.”

So far so good.

Mr. Anderson liked to bring his La-Z-Boy to the bars in his hometown, drink beer, and watch Vikings football. When the game was over, he mount up on his ride and head home. On this particular occasion (August 31^st, 2008), Anderson had about nine or ten beers, lost control of what I’d imagine to be a bit of a difficult “vehicle” to handle, anyway, and ran into a parked car. The police were called out, and despite of the unusual nature of the situation, Anderson was arrested with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge.

This past October 22, 2009, Anderson was finally brought to justice, pleading guilty to the charge, and his beloved La-Z-Boy was forfeited to the Minnesota police department. Well, the police chief had the choice of keeping the vehicle and using for trips around the office and in parades, or offer it up for sale. Well, they have decided to go the sale route, and the auction can be found here on eBay. The auction will run through this weekend, ending oTuesday Morning (November 3^rd).

At the time of writing, the bidding was already up to $37, 300.00.

The City of Proctor, Minnesota Police Department, has listed a bit more information about the vehicle under its description:

Known as the world famous DWI Motorized La-Z-Boy style Chair, year built unknown. This is a unique vehicle located in Proctor Minnesota.  The vehicle has been obtained from a DWI forfeiture and has not been restored. Engine: Briggs and Stratton Model # 19070 Type: 5641 with electric start.  Transmission type unknown and is sloppy. The vehicle has front lights, rear tag light, radio, cup holder, rear roll bars and other custom options, missing the seat cushion.  Curb weight of vehicle is unknown, length is 52” and width is 45”.  This is a great parade vehicle or a terrific business draw. Be the only one in town with a unique vehicle like this.  This is not a street legal vehicle.

SHIPPING INFORMATION

This vehicle is local pick-up only. This vehicle can be pick-up at the City of Proctor, Minnesota Police Department by you or a transport company that you arrange Monday Thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will not ship nor arrange shipping.

The Motorized Chair is the DWI Forfeit Vehicle that has been reported by the news media worldwide and is being sold as- is and ownership will be transferred on a bill of sale.

Happy Bidding (as they say)!

[Photo via Crime Scene KC]

Autowereld.com: Mitsubishi PX-MiEV, originally uploaded by iflavour

Continuing on with the Tokyo Motor Show, which opened to the public on October 21, 2009. Mitsubishi had a rather interesting plug-in hybrid concept to show, which got people thinking. What does my current vehicle smell like? Do those fragrance pine trees really do all that much good? Who thinks up this stuff anyway?

The Mitsubishi PX-MiEV is an electric hybrid vehicle that has taken some of its focus from performance and exterior appeal, and placed it on its smell. The entire interior package (called the “cocochi”) of the concept MiEV is dedicated to making the drivers experience in their vehicle, as pleasurable to the olfactory senses as possible.

Unlike the typical fragrance aids you can purchase for your vehicle, such as those pine trees, the MiEV does not try to cover over the chemical smell of your vehicle, but rather cancel it out from its source. To begin with, the interior is lined with a double layer of fabric, which serves two purposes:

Layer #1- An anti-allergy coating prevents the offensive odor and effects of pollens, organic compounds, and even those little bugs that live in our carpets and beds.

Layer #2- A second layer is designed to resist fragrant smells (chemicals) from being released into the cabin. The seats will also each feature internal air conditioning, which will help circulate the stagnant air around the passengers.

There are a lot of candle companies that claim they can change ones mood, simply by smelling a certain fragrance. The PX-MiEV is banking on this fact, as it introduces its new detection software, which is able to decipher the smell a driver most needs to remain comfortable, relaxed, and alert.

On a normal day, when the driver is detected as energetic and controlling the vehicle well, the MiEV will concentrate a very faint perfume and negative-ion oxygen, in order to keep them relaxed, while also helping to reduce any fatigue.

On a rough day, where the drivers concentration is off (wandering on the road), the MiEV will produce a slightly different fragrance meant to heighten driver alertness. For those really bad days, where the driver is actually nodding at the wheel, the MiEV will alert the driver with a series of visual, vibration, and audio warnings. Yes, having a back-up just in case the fragrance isn’t enough to do the job, is always a good thing!

To top it off, the glass will feature UV radiation blocking layers, to keep the dangerous rays of the sun off the skin during those really long days in rush hour. This vehicle is practically a mobile health-spa if you ask me, only without the masseuse.

But less we forget the true purpose of the PV-MiEV, which is to get its passengers from A to B. It also features a high tech, hybrid electric motor system, worth 118 miles to the gallon. Okay, now all that is left is a really good slogan:

At last, an automotive improvement that doesn’t stink!

Something smell a little fishy? Well it’s certainly ain’t your PV-MiEV!

Well, you get the idea…