The automotive industry is facing an exciting and optimistic future. Predicting what is to come is not an exact science, but there are plenty of signs that manufacturer offerings will continue to be technological marvels of change. Prognosticators concur that the next ten years of…
During winter, a driver is likely to encounter every possible road condition. Learning to properly assess those conditions will improve one’s ability to adapt to them for successful, efficient motor vehicle travel. The vehicle and how it’s equipped plays the biggest role in winter driving…
When we usher in a new year, we often review our behavior, identify areas of desired improvement, and resolve to make changes. Concerning driving, an annual appraisal can enhance safety for all of us. Here are some reminders for a 2016 checkup: 1. Know the…
When I wrote of the surprise that the magnesium chloride used by the City of Spokane was found to contain PCBs, I did not want to short-sell its corrosive properties. Besides now learning that those carcinogens exist in the mix, I’ve always known how tough…
A recent article published by Automotive News, written by Mike Colias, reported of a General Motors program honoring America’s discharged military. The mission, named Shifting Gears, aims to train civilian soldiers in automotive repair and place them as technicians at GM service departments around the…
Last year, I wrote of my disdain of the caustic liquid brazenly spread on our roadways for melting snow and ice. One hundred percent of the record email respondents echoed my apprehension of its toxicity, corrosive properties, effectiveness and overuse. Now, a recent Spokesman-Review article…
Discussion of making turns seems to generate more discussion of making turns. After the last column on the topic, reader S.R. wrote, “I have a question about what the law allows for the two right turns lanes coming off of I-90 to Sullivan Road. I…
Two weeks ago, I wrote of drivers making left turns in heavy traffic at signal-light intersections with no left turn provision. Two factions exist: 1) drivers who pull into the intersection upon green indication to make a swift left when the oncoming traffic stops upon…
There’s some relatively new lingo being applied to the auto industry lately. A few of those terms that are bandied about — autonomous, self-driving, driver assist, adaptive and connected — prognosticate the future of automotive features and design. Recently, Toyota has made a big bet…
I’ve written of the gray areas of driving lately, and two readers have just sent questions regarding another one. In fact, this gray area arguably allows drivers to break the law. J.D., a driver new to Washington, wonders, “In Spokane, I notice that when a…
Last week I wrote that good driving requires knowledge of road rules and adherence to them. Many readers sent email in support of that premise, especially when it comes to making proper turns. Readers, who evidently care about proper driving, wrote to report of drivers…
The categories of emails I receive are quite varied. Some of those reader inquiries have definitive answers, whereas others give rise to “grayer” discussions. An inquiry representing that latter group came from reader J.S., asking, “Who is responsible for cleaning up the vehicle debris from…
For reasons I don’t fully understand, some drivers fail to conform to regulations governing simple driving procedures. Whether it’s ignorance of those laws or simply a refusal to follow them, many drivers regularly operate their vehicles in non-compliance with basic rules of the road. Some…
Reader G.K. offered some additional data about buying bigger diameter wheels by writing, “In reading your article this morning regarding tire/wheel sizes, you neglected to point out one very important consideration. For two wheel sizes with the same overall tire diameter, the larger wheel will…
The defensive driving concept is not new, but many drivers have not adopted it. A defensive driver is adept at continually scanning for potential hazards and spotting them in time to accommodate them without incident. A good defense includes anticipation of mistakes by other drivers…
When I wrote of lesser-known rules of the road, reader M.S. took note. In an earlier column, I described the Washington law forbidding embrace of another while driving. It reminded M.S. of another behavior he feels should be prohibited by law. M.S. wrote, “Your column…
I have an opinion of today’s new automobiles: It’s hard to buy a bad one. Healthy competition, modern engineering and high manufacturing standards have influenced current car and truck offerings in a good way. Automobile manufacturers have now been working to improve their offerings for…
Stephen Stills’ song lyric suggests loving the one you’re with, but while driving, Washington law cautions against showing it. Amorous relationships may “make the world go ‘round,” but a Revised Code of Washington traffic law reminds us to curb the distraction of affection while in…
You likely caught a report last month about some computer whizzes hacking an automobile computer. As detailed in Wired magazine and endlessly reported elsewhere, cybersecurity researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek controlled a Jeep Cherokee’s onboard computer from their laptop. The skilled hackers spent years…
Road rage exists everywhere. Searching related news stories on the Internet regularly reveals the tragic outcomes of such events. Just last month, a Florida man was slain in front of his family when an outraged motorist followed him to his residence after an “aggressive interaction”…
It’s open to discussion if their solutions are viable, but readers regularly send me their ideas for improving highway safety. For example, regarding phone distraction, R.B. suggested, “After reading your column today I had a thought; why can’t we get cell phone makers to make…
Whether one calls it performance, muscle, throttle response, or something else, fast vehicles are making a comeback. Though it was predicted that the early 1970’s marked the beginning of the end for “muscle cars,” the specs and performance of many current production models belie that…
When I wrote of driver distraction ten years ago, the “playing field” was different. Then, the most prevalent attention grabber for drivers was “rubbernecking” at roadside sightings like disabled vehicles, accidents, or police traffic stops. At that time, cell phones were not even among the…
Readers regularly comment on the topics presented here. And those remarks are often the impetus for column content, including: dissecting rules of the road, examining driver behavior, discussing local traffic issues and touting safety reminders. The majority of reader commentary is positive, and it’s encouraging…
I regularly receive reader concerns over the inadequacy of certain Spokane freeway interchanges. Indeed, some of the entrance and exit ramps to and from Interstate 90 here lack safe and efficient flow. Those design shortcomings may be partially blamed on delays and objections taking place…