Archive for the ‘California’ Category

Many police departments around the U.S. impound the cars of drivers caught behind the wheel without a license.

But starting Sunday, San Francisco plans to abolish that policy, calling it unfair to illegal immigrants.

Mayor Gavin Newsom, police chief George Gascón, and supervisor David Campos (himself a former illegal immigrant) all agree that impounding cars is particularly punitive for undocumented aliens, who are unable get licenses under California law.

Instead, police will give any license-less driver time to call a friend or relative to come drive the car away. The driver will still be cited for driving without a license, however, and...

Arnold Schwarzenegger has led a charmed life: he's been a world-class bodybuilder, a Hollywood star, and apparently, an amateur cryptologist. He's also an auto enthusiast, so it's only natural that he's given a big thumbs-up to Vision Industries' new hydrogen fuel-cell big rig called the Tyrano. The name's a little strange -- with echoes of "tyrant" and "Tirana", take your pick -- but that's easily overlooked given the truck's range of 200 to 400 miles, depending on tank size. Of course, high-tech vehicles like this don't come cheap, and given the state of America's hydrogen infrastructure, the Tyrano will be limited to California roadways...

Speaking of advertising campaigns, Porsche might have found fodder for a new one, if it's looking to promote the safety its vehicles. In Los Angeles, a 15-year-old kid swiped his father's Porsche Boxster, grabbed a buddy, and set out for a joyride. The fun abruptly ended when the driver lost control of the vehicle, plowed through a chain-link fence, and plunged 70 feet over a cliff. Amazingly, the kids walked away from the wreck with scratches and bruises, but little else -- apart from a dire sense of foreboding about their upcoming punishments. [Carscoop]