You're more likely to die in a car accident if you're obese

Fact, obesity is dangerous. Not because you'll have a bazillion health problems and be taking insulin shots until you pass away but... you're more likely to die in a car accident. 

80 percent more likely.

Why do fat people in cars suddenly become a death trap? Well you see, the safety features for the car aren't exactly designed for bigger occupants. Seat belts can't tighten properly and fat people are also propelled further in the event of a crash.

Report author Dr Tom Rice of the University of California told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Findings from this study suggest that obese vehicle drivers are more likely to die from traffic collision-related injuries than non-obese occupants involved in the same collision. 

Education is needed to improve seat belt use among obese people. Clinical intervention could inform obese patients of the additional traffic injury risks and potential benefits of losing weight."

In the meantime, the AA advises drivers to adjust their seats according to their size to allow the air bag to protect them properly in the event of a crash.

(Seriously people, buy a weight loss book.)

New Dodge Charger SRT-8

Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles introduces "Never Neutral" and the 2011 Dodge R/T lineup at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show.

Fast forward to 19:45 and check out the all new Dodge Charger SRT-8.

It is one tough looking car. Or as Ralph Gilles puts it, "the car that was never hugged as a child."

Epic Video: LA with no cars

I saw this and thought that it was pretty neat.

Running on Empty from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

Man Card Rules - That import car guy

Hey nothing against import cars. They're fine (in fact I drive an import car) but you wont exactly see me riding dirty in it.

Here's the thing, if a guy thinks he's hot "you know what" in an import, somebody needs to take keys to the side of his car and take away his man card.

There's nothing wrong with taking care of your car and I know there are many proud import owners out there - BUT - be aware there is "That Import Car Guy" buzzing around the highway as well.

1. Keep a lookout for him at high schools, because at age 24 - he has the pick of the litter at his old high school after his job at the local Jack-in-the-Box allowed him to afford a $15,000 car. The count of illegitimate children is so many that at any given traffic stop he usually gets rear-ended by the fathers of the 15-year old mothers.

2. Got to keep passing people, even if he is on a residential street and there are small children crossing the road. Then he's got to tailgate the nearest car and come crashing into their bumper when a squirrel comes running across the road. Always on the run this man is, from the cops (for the fore mentioned reason above), from the people he crashes into (who needs insurance man) and from his dad (he makes the car payments!)

3. For some reason, he's either wearing Tapout gear or a Yankee hat. Can't explain this except for the fact that I think along with the Yankee hat, he likes to wear Seattle Mariners gear as well since you know, they're at .500 at the moment.

4. He doesn't quite know what that ticking noise from his engine is from, but who cares?!?! He's revving that thing up the entire way so the valves are a floatin'

5. "Slim Shady" is blaring on the stereo system that was actually stolen from a mom's minivan. That's the only song that is blaring.

6. Neon Lights. Lots of them.

7. He always flashes gang signals out of the window, even though Chewelah, Wash. has no gangs whatsoever and he is certainly not a member of a gang. In fact, he never has touched a gun and tries to avoid staying out past 10 pm unless Rule No. 1 is in play.

8. He's training to be an MMA fighter even though he's 110 pounds and has as much muscle as Kate Moss.

9. His favorite movie is "2 Fast 2 Furious."

10. Just what every you do... make sure you drive as slow as possible in front of this guy just to piss him off.

Army gets a new vehicle, and it's only slightly nicer than my car

We like cars here at JustSON.

Actually Casey likes cars and drives a nice car. Meanwhile, I like the hot girls driving the cars and I drive a rig that can't do over 40 mph going up hills (Ask the Collegiate Handyman and his trip with me to Yakima, let's just say we were getting passed by tumbleweeds). However, when the military busts out a new vehicle, we have to take notice.

Say hello to the Baby MRAP - this thing will take your everyday Hummer driving down Division Street on Spokane and beat the everliving crap out of it.

The Baby MRAP is described as being made for “mobility and survivability.” The four-wheel all-terrain vehicle is being designed specifically for the rough conditions in Afghanistan. BAE Systems, the company creating the M-ATV, calls the vehicle a lighter and more mobile version of its first-generation MRAP. It matches the MRAP’s protection level while adding in the mobility of a Humvee, the company says.

The Baby MRAP weighs less than 9 tons and is said to provide better dash and slope speeds than any ground vehicle currently in the U.S. military’s fleet. It also boasts a low center of gravity to make off-roading easy and the risk of rolling over minimal.

I can't wait until I see every 40-something year old going through a mid-life crises buzzing down the street in one of these bad boys. Now if the Army could make Batman's Tumbler be standard issue, I'm pretty sure Osama Bin Laden would be headed for the hills.

Wait, he's already in the hills. Well, anyways...

Cars cheaper than mine

Tato Motors has release the world's cheapest car - at just over $2,000 - allowing impoverished people to experience the joy of owning an automobile.

The Nano, a pint-sized vehicle designed to make car ownership accessible to millions of the world’s poor, finally goes on sale in India next month. Whether it will revolutionize the global auto industry — or turn around its manufacturer’s fortunes — has yet to be seen, and other automakers will be watching closely to see how consumers respond to the car. So will environmentalists.

“We can do what most countries felt could not be done,” Ratan Tata, chairman of the sprawling Tata group of companies, said at a launch ceremony Monday, as the swelling strains of the theme song to “2001: A Space Odyssey” died away in the warm night.

While not available in the US, otherwise I'd be buying one right now, automobile makers have got to be slapping their heads now. Is this the new face of the auto industry? Who would shell out $20,000 for a gas-guzzler when all you need is this thing for the morning commute. Any thoughts?