The Politics Of Car: Has Mike Jackson Defined The Car Guy Consensus?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

AutoNation boss Mike Jackson has long been the front runner to inherit Bob Lutz’s mantle as the most opinionated guy in the car business, and recently he’s been moving to lock up the distinction. Jackson recently gave the world the concept of the gas price “freak-out point” as well as delivering memorable quips on “green car” demand (while calling for higher gas prices), and has been outspoken about the industry’s struggles with “push” production, oversupply, fleet dependence and more. And now he’s laid out what may very well be the basis for a solid “car guy consensus” for political progress on safety issues. Autoobserver reports:

The main points of Jackson’s outline to improve road safety: 1) Make text-messaging illegal – and since that’s unlikely to make much difference, install technology to block text messages in moving vehicles; 2) Raise the gasoline tax to fund safety-enhancing and congestion-reducing traffic-management technology, including intelligent road signals and total automation of toll collection; 3) Get serious about lane discipline by restricting trucks to right-hand lanes and passing only in the left lane.

Can I get an “Amen”? Politics are one of the most divisive issues in American life, and TTAC struggles with the inevitable polarization caused by political topics every day… so hats off to Jackson for solidifying a non-partisan agenda that all (or at least most) car guys can get behind.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Bryanska Bryanska on Jun 02, 2011

    Speed limits and passing lanes are diametrically opposed. Enjoy the neverending argument!

  • Manu06 Manu06 on Jun 02, 2011

    We should raise the tax on imported oil but lower the FICA to compensate. This would encourage conservation, put less wear and tear on the roads, and possibly put more money in a workers pocket.

  • Joe_thousandaire Joe_thousandaire on Jun 03, 2011

    If we are putting techno-nannies in for texting and toll-collecting anyways, we might as well go pay-per-mile to raise the funds instead of a gas tax. I'd honestly just be happy with lane discipline, seeing a left-lane bandit get pulled-over would be the happiest day of my motoring life.

  • Morea Morea on Jun 03, 2011
    Raise the gasoline tax to fund safety-enhancing and congestion-reducing traffic-management technology, including intelligent road signals and total automation of toll collection This is naive to say the least. The money will quickly be siphoned off to pay for other wholly unrelated purposes. Just like bridge tolls are claimed to be for maintaining bridges, yet nine times out of ten the vary same bridge you are paying to go over clearly needs repairs.
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