Moral of the story is clear as a crystal: Never mess with folks on Brazilian roads. These are some crazy drivers who will go to any extent to prove a point..Scary stuff! Glad neither party did not have a lorry or a freight truck (for that matter a gun) else this could have turned into a nightmare for many involved. Interestingly, the driver of the car is a woman, a fact that I did not even realize until I started reading the comments below the video. Drivers of Brazil, spare the poor motorcyclists.
Interesting to know how Chilliwack, Canada enforces its no-cell-phone-use-behind the wheels law. True story! Redditor mlane201 shared this picture and reading through the comments he shared, I came to know how it is done – Constable Martell will be on the watch holding this sign by a roadside, looking for drivers using their cellphones while operating the vehicle. Once Constable Martell spots an offender, he will radio in his colleagues who are sitting a little father up the road and they will comfortably pull over the offending driver and issue the tickets. Pretty nifty strategy there, right?
Seriously, TSA should exercise some discretion when it comes to these pat downs. Interestingly, the video shows it was filmed during Spring 2010 at O’Hare in Chicago, and let’s hope TSA has changed some of its invasive procedures at least when it comes to kids. The look on the little boy’s face is really disheartening and the parent is doing all he can to assure the kid that it is all okay. Not sure what prompted the swabbing for explosive residues but it seems a bit too excessive given the age of the toddler. One may argue that TSA is simply doing their job and is just ensuring the safety of the flying public by subjecting everyone through the same batter of tests. But I think the swabs for a 3 years old is still a bit too much. The only saving grace here is that the TSA officer was as nice as he can be to the little kid and was not rushing or doing things that will spook the kid more upset/terrified than he already is.
No technology in the transportation domain gets the general public in a tizzy as much as the red light enforcement. Though the technology has been in use for over a decade and raked up some impressive stats in terms of lives saved, the sight of cameras at the intersection continue to remain a point of contention in many communities across the country. For the naysayers, here comes an infograph highlighting the dangers of red light running and how enforcement technology has helped address this problem. Also check out the one-page Get The Facts (PDF document) that accompanies this infographic.
Blogger Jonathan Corbett is upping the ante in his protracted fight against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) much criticized Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In the video below, he demonstrates the flaws in the nude body scanners widely deployed at US airports. Amazing to see how simple yet effective his strategy is as he clears the security check points at multiple airports with hidden materials completely undetected. TSA is going to have some serious explaining to do soon as this video is starting to go viral. It is already generating a brick ton of comments on Reddit.
A local news agency’s investigation shows countless red light violations by Metrobuses plying the streets of Washington, DC. Some of the incidents caught on camera show how crazy these bus drivers are to do what they do on the roads. This video below should become an integral part of WMATA’s training for bus drivers, esp. for repeat offenders.
Too bad WMATA’s communications team now looks like a deer caught in the headlights. They really do not have a strategy in place to handle this PR nightmare and could not come up with even a single example of how it reprimands such careless drivers when asked what disciplinary measures they undertook to stem this problem.
And here is the funny road safety campaign video featuring the sign above. How much I wish America adopted this blunt, yet funny style of conveying the message. Our American campaign signs are boring compared to the Aussies’. PERIOD!
After what seemed like an eternity – roughly five years and 23 extensions later – the 112th United States Congress finally got through with the FAA Modernization and Safety Improvement Act of 2012, aka the FAA Re-authorization Bill. Apart from the usual aspects of the $63Billion four-year re-authorization bill, there are a lot of significant inclusions that will affect your travel in the days ahead… in a good way! Thanks to the tireless advocacy by FlyersRights.org, a non-profit that advocates for passenger rights, many of these demands from the passenger community has now found their way into books of law. The table below shows what the organization was fighting to achieve and what they managed to get. Seriously, if you are an airline passenger this law makes sure you have to be treated like a human being who deserves dignity and respect.
FlyersRights Goal
Bill Provision
Three-Hour Tarmac Rule
“Excessive delay” tarmac rule. DOT Secretary to determine definition of “excessive”
Food and Water Available
Food and water ALWAYS available (deletes DOT “after 2 hours” provision)
Medical Treatment Available
Medical treatment ALWAYS available (deletes DOT “after 2 hours” provision)
Airline Contingency Plans
Airline contingency plans for eachairport where carrier has flights (removes DOT’s minimum annual enplanement restriction)
Airport Contingency Plans
For the first time, airport contingency plans required (no such provision in DOT rules)
DOT Consumer Hotline
Implementation of a DOT consumer hotline, number published on internet, prominently displayed by carriers on ticket counter signs and ticket e-confirmations
Smoke-Free Environment
Smoke-free rules consistently enforced on scheduled and now unscheduled flights, domestic and international
No Child Left Unbuckled
Carriers must post on their web sites the maximum child safety seat size for each type aircraft they operate so passengers can determine which seats will work with which aircraft
Carry Musical Instruments On-board Without Additional Charge
Instruments that can be safely stowed will now be treated like any other carry-on item
Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection
Creation of a DOT advisory committee, comprised of members from air carriers, airport operators, state, local governments, and non-profit public interest groups with consumer protection experience
Realistic Scheduling to Minimize Delays
If aircraft operations exceed an airport’s capability, the FAA and airlines will meet to develop an appropriate schedule reduction. If no voluntary agreement is reached, the FAA will take unilateral reduction action
Passenger Awareness of Insecticide Use
Air carriers will now refer passengers to the DOT web page with a list of countries that may require in-cabin spraying for flights to those countries
Good Information on Delays
Added reporting requirement for diversions and cancellations
Consideration for Military Members
“Sense of Congress*” that carriers should be flexible and generous with active duty military members. They seek reduced airfares, elimination of change fees/penalties, ability to purchase, modify or cancel without time restrictions, and the elimination of fees (including baggage fees), ancillary costs, and penalties
Defined Compensation for Lost Luggage
Comptroller General to study the issue, including how added baggage fees should improve service
Click here to read more. Thank you USDOT and Flyersrights.org for all your hard work to get this done.
