"drive" news and stories

Even though it is dangerous to drive while eating or drinking, most morning commuters still want to have their coffee on the way to work. Car designers know this, which is why they install cup holders that are easy for the driver to reach. Audi took the idea a step further and designed their concept Roadjet with a fully-functional espresso machine (above left) on the arm rest between the driver and passenger seats. This enables the driver to get his or her caffeine fix without having to pull into a Starbucks, though hopefully they will wait until the car stops before pulling a shot.

One enthusiastic Audi fan couldn't resist making a mod with his own Audi and installed a Capresso 1500 (above right) in the back seat. It is securely tied down to the seat and is powered with an inverter that is mounted on the dash. It's also a bit safer than the Roadjet model because, since the machine is in the back seat, the driver cannot operate the machine while behind the wheel.

Have you ever mentally shaken a fist at someone driving recklessly, chatting on his or her cell phone instead of watching the road? Probably. Have you even done that while sipping a shake or eating a snack-sized bag of chips, still sitting in traffic? If so, you were no better off than that other guy.

After extensive testing on car simulators, researchers in England concluded that eating or drinking while driving seriously impairs your reaction time and increases the likelihood of getting into an accident, despite the fact that many drivers actually drive more slowly while eating.

The simulation involved driving through a city environment and, at some point, being confronted with a pedestrian stepping out into the street. 9 out of 10 eating drivers had an accident. Some say that this is proof that eating in the car should be regulated, but if so, will changing the radio station be next?

Your best bet is to drive with your own safety in mind and try to take a sip or two of your coffee while stopped at a red light, not while merging onto the highway.

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Road trips are the best way to go outside of your comfort zone and dig up some new eats. It's hard to be choosy when there is only one dining option for 50 miles, but how do you know which one of the last 50 diners is the best one for lunch? And is fast food really your only dinner option? Because the Michelin guide is too conservative to take on the whole United States, New York Times writer Christine Muhlke decided to do it herself. With her boyfriend and a 1978 Porsche 911 Targa, they hit the road to eat burgers and fries and to see what local chefs are doing across the country.

Aiming for good food at the rather extreme price points, Muhlke compiled lists of low priced and expensive eats from magazines, chefs, friends and the Zagat guide before hitting the road. On the low side, highlights included a stop at the Cheeseboard Collective in Berkeley, CA and Shotgun Bubba’s BBQ in California, MO. Pricey favorites also popped up at every stop, from Metropolitan in Salt Lake City, UT to 40 Sardines in Kansas City, KS.

The short list won't make it into book form any time soon, but it's still a nice resource if you're traveling.

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I far prefer to stop at a Starbucks than a fast food restaurant when I am on a long drive because, most of the time, I will pack my own snacks are simply want to get a drink. I'd rather have the extra caffeine of a coffee versus a soda and prefer the far-better taste of freshly prepared coffee than the "coffee" that comes out of a dispenser at the gas station convenience store. Starbucks also generally tend to have well-maintained bathrooms, which I appreciate.  But unless I really need to stretch my legs, I will find myself pulling up to the drive-thru window at many highway-side Starbucks. Driving thru takes about the same amount of time as going inside the store, with the added benefit that you do not have to get up. This is especially useful when it is cold outside and you don't want to put on several layers to walk a few hundred feet to the door.

Canstruction is charity that invites designers to create works of art using--you guessed it--cans. The creations range from giant hotdogs to castles to Snoopy. Some of these constructions look truly amazing, and not to mention highly unstable (my personal favorite is the shark jumping out of the water). All the cans are donated to food banks in New York.

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