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Driving

John Stossel is seen in front of the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty | Stossel TV

Central planning

Anarchy in Central Park

New York politicians got out of the way for once, and something beautiful happened.

John Stossel | 7.26.2023 12:30 AM

horn attached to car | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@mimithecook?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Milivoj Kuhar</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/YiUWEeBuydo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Free Speech

No Constitutional Right To Honk Your Car Horn, Court Says

Plus: DeSantis does better than Trump in swing-state poll, majority say abortion pill should remain available, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.17.2023 9:30 AM

rideshare driver | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/es/@plhnk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Paul Hanaoka</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/D-qq7W751vs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Courts

Ride-Share and Delivery Drivers Are Independent Contractors, Says Court

Plus: College says abortion art runs afoul of state law, the politics of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.14.2023 9:35 AM

Michael Friend standing on the sidewalk holding a sign that reads 'cops ahead' | ACLU of Connecticut

Police Abuse

Federal Appeals Court Upholds First Amendment Right To Warn Drivers of Police Ahead

Michael Friend was arrested in 2018 for holding a sign that read "Cops Ahead" near a police checkpoint. That arrest violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, a federal appeals court has ruled.

C.J. Ciaramella | 3.3.2023 2:40 PM

The front of trucks in line in a parking lot. | Photo 140082526 © Vitpho | Dreamstime.com

Surveillance

The Federal Government's Plan to Track Truckers' Every Movement Is a Privacy Nightmare

This surveillance would be unconstitutional—and there’s no reason to believe it will make anyone safer.

Jared McClain | 11.28.2022 12:10 PM

Suffolk County Long Island police officer David Mascarella | Suffolk County Police Department

Police Abuse

A Cop Rear-Ended a Car, Sending a Toddler to the Hospital. The Car's Driver Was Breathalyzed. The Cop Wasn't.

Plus: Twitter whistleblower reports, court says FDA must reconsider vaping products, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.24.2022 9:43 AM

Speeding car | H368k742 / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: No Need for Speed

Charles Oliver | 7.18.2022 4:00 AM

Long-haul trucks idling at a truck stop | Mirko Vitali | Dreamstime.com

Transportation Policy

A California Law Regulating Ride-Share Apps Leaves Truckers in Limbo

The state's trucking industry fears drivers will quit or work out of state.

Joe Lancaster | 7.12.2022 1:55 PM

dreamstime_l_5495061 | Photo 5495061 © Natalia Bratslavsky | Dreamstime.com

War on Drugs

The Drug War Is Keeping Truckers Off the Road

Federal regulations make it more likely that a driver can be suspended or fired for drug use, regardless of whether they ever drove unsafely.

Joe Lancaster | 5.24.2022 11:40 AM

topicscivilliberties | Photo: Absecon 49/Wikimedia

Civil Liberties

Drivers Successfully Challenge Debt-Based License Suspensions

Civil liberties groups argue that debt-based license suspensions are unfair and illogical since they deprive people of transportation, preventing them from earning money to pay off debts.

C.J. Ciaramella | 5.24.2022 6:00 AM

spnphotosten607978 | Gilbert Dembo / SplashNews/Newscom

Roads

The Traffic Death 'Crisis' Isn't What Bureaucrats Claim

Politicians overstate the situation, and to the extent there is a problem, it’s their doing.

J.D. Tuccille | 5.20.2022 7:00 AM

chicagopolicecar_1161x653 | Cafebeanz Company / Dreamstime.com

Civil Liberties

Illinois Appeals Court Rules Chicago Slapped Drivers With Illegally High Fines for Years

A plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit says he had to declare bankruptcy after Chicago dumped $20,000 of ticket debts on him.

C.J. Ciaramella | 5.9.2022 4:33 PM

topicslifestyle | Photo: 1970 Jeep Wagoneer advertisement; SenseiAlanFollow/Creative Commons

Lifestyle

Driving Means Freedom

Rising expenses and regulatory hurdles limit Americans' mobility.

J.D. Tuccille | 4.19.2022 6:00 AM

denny-muller-PulU3AxfJtQ-unsplash | Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

Speed Cameras

Chicago's More Aggressive Speed Cameras Issued 2.8 Million Tickets Last Year

The city's army of 160 speed cameras issued a ticket every 11 seconds during 2021 and generated $89 million in revenue.

Eric Boehm | 4.6.2022 12:50 PM

dreamstime_xxl_117166668 | Photo 117166668 © Viorel Margineanu | Dreamstime.com

Police

Every Year, Police Pull People Over To Give Out Turkeys Instead of Tickets. That Could Be Illegal.

There are better ways to build trust in the community than by violating the Fourth Amendment.

Billy Binion | 11.26.2021 4:50 PM

dreamstime_m_16541567 | Photo 16541567 © Krzysztof Kruz | Dreamstime.com

Nanny State

Your Next Car May Refuse To Start if It Thinks You've Had a Drink

Get ready to pay for new nanny-state technology and for bypassing the unwelcome intervention.

J.D. Tuccille | 11.15.2021 7:00 AM

grabbed_1161x653 |  Elena Frolova / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: What's in a Name?

Charles Oliver | 9.6.2021 4:00 AM

mauro-sbicego-PnhEJJ6lwvo-unsplash | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@maurosbicego?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Mauro Sbicego</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Police

How Louisiana Perfected the Speed Trap

Want to fight your ticket? Welcome to mayor’s court, where your accuser is also your judge.

Daryl James | 7.19.2021 2:20 PM

DUI-Marijuana-sign-AAA-enlarged | AAA

Marijuana

A Study Finds That Crash Injuries in 5 States Rose After They Legalized Marijuana Use but Not After They Allowed Marijuana Sales

Adding to the puzzle, another study from the same organization found "no increased crash risk" associated with cannabis consumption.

Jacob Sullum | 6.23.2021 4:00 PM

carjacking_1161x653 | Andrianocz / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Grand Theft Auto

Charles Oliver | 5.11.2021 4:00 AM

motorcyclecops_1161x653 | RightFramePhotoVideo / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: I Don't Think Jon and Ponch Did It This Way

Charles Oliver | 4.30.2021 4:00 AM

arizona-drivers-license | Illustration: Lex Villena; Photo 140451756 © Axel Bueckert | Dreamstime.com, Arizona Motor Vehicle Department

Criminal Justice

Arizona Legislature Votes to End License Suspensions for Ticket Debts

Advocates say the legislation would restore an estimated 30,000 driver's licenses.

C.J. Ciaramella | 4.6.2021 2:48 PM

DUI-Marijuana-sign-AAA-enlarged | AAA

Marijuana

These DUI Laws Are an Irrational Hangover From Pot Prohibition

States should stop treating sober cannabis consumers as public menaces.

Jacob Sullum | 10.28.2020 12:01 AM

byrd | Institute for Justice

Overcriminalization

Chicago City Council Votes To Partially Reform Its Notoriously Harsh Vehicle Impound Program

A 2018 Reason investigation showed how Chicago's impound program ensnared innocent owners, stripped them of their cars, and soaked them in debt.

C.J. Ciaramella | 7.23.2020 10:25 AM

chicago-building | Institute for Justice

Criminal Justice

Chicago Mayor Introduces Major Reforms to Punitive Vehicle Impound Program

Reason showed how Chicago's impound program traps innocent owners in thousands of dollars of debt in 2018.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.18.2020 6:16 PM

10ways1 | Katarzynasurman/Fiverr

Police

10 Ways a Roadside Police Stop Can Go Wrong

What could happen—and what to do about it—if you get pulled over by the cops

Jacob Sullum | 5.17.2020 6:00 AM

drive-baked-get-busted-FDHSMV-bigger | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Marijuana

After a State-Authorized Medical Marijuana Patient Had an Epileptic Seizure and Crashed Her Car, Police Arrested Her for Driving With 'Marjuana in Her System'

The case illustrates the injustice and irrationality of Pennsylvania's "zero tolerance" approach to stoned driving.

Jacob Sullum | 3.13.2020 6:30 PM

topicslaw | Joanna Andreasson. Source image: wagnerm25/iStock

Law & Government

The Supreme Court's Next Fourth Amendment Showdown

In November, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Kansas v. Glover.

Damon Root | 1.30.2020 6:30 AM

driverslicenses_1161x653 | Alexander Raths / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Your Data Are Safe with Us

Charles Oliver | 12.5.2019 4:00 AM

A federal judge rebuked the Kansas Highway Patrol for waging a "war on motorists" through pretextual traffic stops. | dwightsghost/Flickr

Fourth Amendment

Cops Don't Need Another Excuse To Hassle Innocent Drivers

The Supreme Court should not let police stop cars solely because they’re registered to people with suspended licenses.

Jacob Sullum | 10.30.2019 12:30 AM

drive-baked-get-busted-FDHSMV-bigger | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Marijuana

Sober Cannabis Consumers in Utah Already Can Be Convicted of Stoned Driving. This Legislator Thinks the Law Is Too Lenient.

His bill would authorize felony prosecutions of drivers with THC in their blood even when they are not impaired.

Jacob Sullum | 9.16.2019 7:23 AM

Screen Shot 2019-07-30 at 3.24.06 PM | Screenshot via ABC

Free-Range Kids

New York Dad Should Not Face Homicide Charges for Accidentally Killing Twin 1-Year-Olds in a Hot Car

Laws criminalizing the act of leaving children in cars are misguided.

Lenore Skenazy | 7.30.2019 3:29 PM

filingcabinets_1161x653 | Benjamin Haas / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Filed Away

Charles Oliver | 7.10.2019 4:00 AM

drive-baked-get-busted-FDHSMV-bigger | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Marijuana

New Car Crash Study Highlights the Irrationality of DUI Laws Based on THC in Drivers' Blood

The researchers found no statistically significant relationship between testing positive for THC and contributing to accidents.

Jacob Sullum | 5.31.2019 1:35 PM

redlightcamera_1161x653 | Ian Mcdonald / Dreamstime.com

Speed Cameras

Texas Poised To Ban All Red Light Cameras

The oft-abused tool is used more to raise revenue than to protect public safety.

Scott Shackford | 5.20.2019 1:35 PM

topicslifestyle | RUSSELLTATEdotCOM/iStock

Lifestyle

Kids Aren't Rushing To Get Their Driver's Licenses—and That's OK!

Eric Boehm | 5.14.2019 6:00 AM

byrd | Institute for Justice

Chicago

Chicago Impounds Innocent People's Cars and Soaks Them in Fines. Now It's Getting Sued

Following a Reason investigation into Chicago's punitive vehicle impound program, a new lawsuit alleges the practice violates Chicagoans constitutional rights.

C.J. Ciaramella | 4.29.2019 10:45 PM

earbuds_1161x653 | Antonio Guillem / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Forget the Hands, Here's a Finger

Charles Oliver | 4.17.2019 4:00 AM

Large image on homepages | Screenshot via WBBM

Chicago

Chicago Seized a Disabled Woman's Van. Now It's Scrap Metal.

The city decided her van was an abandoned vehicle, even though it clearly wasn't.

Joe Setyon | 10.26.2018 4:15 PM

Large image on homepages | Jim Weber/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Courts

Federal Judge Says Tennessee Shouldn't Punish Poor Drivers for Being Poor

The state can no longer suspend poor people's driver's licenses over unpaid traffic tickets, Judge Aleta Trauger ruled.

Joe Setyon | 10.18.2018 12:15 PM

Large image on homepages | Vladimirs Poplavskis / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Scoot Along

Charles Oliver | 8.6.2018 4:00 AM

Large image on homepages | Ingram Publishing/Newscom

Permit

More and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission

The granting or withholding of that approval is a powerful lever over our lives.

J.D. Tuccille | 7.24.2018 12:00 AM

Large image on homepages | Screenshot via YouTube/ Leesa A

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Woman Rapper Drops the Mic on Driving Ban Repeal

Leesa buckles her seatbelt across her abaya to celebrate the end of the female driving ban.

Zuri Davis | 6.29.2018 5:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Terrence Antonio James/TNS/Newscom

Chicago

Chicago Has Raked in $114 Million in Vehicle Impound Fines Since 2012

Drug violations generated more than $36 million of that.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.28.2018 1:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Wikimedia Commons

Driving

Punishing Low-Income Drivers for Being Poor

A judge says Michigan's license suspension scheme is probably unconstitutional. But the state government wants to keep it.

Alec Ward | 1.8.2018 1:10 PM

Large image on homepages

Marijuana

Stop Pretending Sober Drivers Are Stoned

States with legal pot should not define DUI based on a "mythical link" between THC blood levels and impairment.

Jacob Sullum | 1.3.2018 12:01 AM

Large image on homepages | Tracy Carroll, YouTube

Drugs

Cops Who Claim They Know When Drivers Are Stoned

Even when blood tests say they're not

Jacob Sullum | 12.28.2017 5:45 PM

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