Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Car Culture

Flouting Traffic Laws: The Gateway to Lying to Police

atodd.jpgEveryone following the blow-by-blow of the presidential race is now familiar with Ashley Todd, the undergrad campaign volunteer who falsely claimed that a black man carved the letter "B" in her face after seeing her McCain bumper sticker. Before Todd's story was proven to be a total fabrication, her Twitter feed surfaced on the Smoking Gun, revealing a preoccupation with traffic, reckless driving, and weaseling out of traffic tickets:

atodd_twitter.jpg

joe_mcc.jpgSeveral tweets about traffic ensue. Meanwhile, the candidate's younger brother, Joe McCain (right), got himself into trouble by calling 911 to complain about a traffic jam in northern Virginia.

It's tempting to think that this behavior is the natural outgrowth of a campaign that responded to rising energy prices by making "Drill, Baby, Drill" its mantra, but the truth is that plenty of drivers -- belonging to both parties -- feel so entitled.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Deranged Driver Blows Through Brooklyn Open Streets Barriers

An unhinged motorist plowed through open streets barriers on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn seconds after volunteers set them up earlier this month.

July 26, 2024

Analysis: Can Hochul Be Sued into Overturning Her ‘Unlawful’ Congestion Pricing Pause?

Will either suit win — or, more important, force Hochul to settle?

July 26, 2024

Eric the Relic: In Blaming Dead Pedestrians, Adams Seizes Long-Discredited and Hateful Messaging

It's a time-honored car culture tactic: If you can’t or won’t protect pedestrians, make them take the rap.

July 25, 2024
See all posts