Gizmodo 
Enter your username and password.
-
more about #safety Turkieshooter: There could be an inexpensive thermometer in these lights that turns on a heating element similar to the rear de-fogger on a car when the temperature ... more » Denver_80203: Oh guys everyone is talking about the shields BUT, just look at the sign next to the light....... Sticky snow will stick. Shields or not more » shooter: People - just use the standard "Rules of the Road"... If the light isn't working -- or you can't see the colors -- revert to actions required for a 4-... more » JayD16: Isn't the problem easily fixed by cutting out the bottom of those light shields around each light ? more » Noobs-R-Us: Very easy solution: just redesign the damn things so that it won't collect snow. There, problem solved! more » Fractal the Meek: So if one of the solutions are heating elements, why not just go back to regular lights? Yeah you waste some energy when it's not snowing, but the ad... more » PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:: I think if the weather is that severe, you probably should think twice about getting in a car anyway. Also, this would probably only happen if the sn... more » dry-roasted-peanuts: I vote that we solve this with fire. Big ass, Mad Max style flamethrowers on all traffic signals. Not only would it melt the snow, but it would make w... more » badhatharry: They could just run heaters to the enclosures and melt the snow. They could use all that energy they saved by switching to LEDs. more » BergenCountyJC can't beat MW2: DoH! more » Joe Valasek: They're obviously missing the real problem: The shades on the lights catch the snow. Why do they catch snow? Because wind blows in and stops, then d... more » infinitemonkeys: And how many deaths were (and still are) caused by a burned out incandescnet light? LEDs at least don't fail all at once. You can even shoot a bulle... more » OMG! Ponies!: This has budgetary consequences as well. Municipalities are responsible for the selection, installation, and upkeep of traffic lights. A defective l... more » armyofchuckness: So...we would add a heating element to a light system designed to use less energy? Genius. more » Monty: We were talking about this particular pitfall on tree-hugging web sites years ago when they first started rolling out LED traffic lights. It is has b... more » ochee_: I wonder if adding a clear, non-reflective cap of sorts to the end of the light shields would help any. more » lolbrbnvm: I was pretty sure a non-functioning light was just a 4 way stop. How did someone die? more » Rescue9: Swine Flu or Blockbuster..... Swine Flu it is. more » bustedchain: Benjamin Button was okay. Once. Only once. I bet Jack didn't like Big Fish either. more » prochobo: Six samples? How scientific! more » -
#leds
Energy-Efficient LED Traffic Lights Are Backfiring In a Deadly Way
Oops. It appears that old fashioned, power hungry incandescent lights have one major advantage over LEDs—they get hot enough to melt snow. Unfortunately, cold weather cities are discovering this glaring oversight the hard way. More » -
#netflix
Are Netflix Discs Going to Kill Me?
If I were to tell you that Netflix sleeves and discs were hotbeds of contamination and disease because they were handled by so many people from delivery to DVD player, you know what I'd be? A filthy liar, that's what. More » -
#safety
Specialized DVR For Cars Could Make Teens Better Drivers
Technological progress is amazing. Case in point: When I was learning to drive, my safety monitor was a "mom." It barked orders at me as I navigated Massachusetts streets, oftentimes recklessly at high rates of speed. In the future? Computers! More » -
#airplanes
Your Next Plane Seat May Well Have an Airbag
This week, a long-brewing FAA regulation requiring planes to protect passengers from 16 G crash forces will come into full effect. What does this mean for you? Well, your next seat—or more accurately, seat belt—could have an airbag. More » -
#simulators
Who Needs Training Wheels When You Have Ridiculously Elaborate Bicycle Simulators?
Back in my day, a Huffy and some training wheels were all I needed to learn how to ride a bike. Honda thinks today's kids need something more—like a ridiculously elaborate and expensive bicycle simulator. More » -
#clothing
A Truck Driver's Baseball Cap Could Be The Difference Between Life and Death
The new SmartCap could be the only thing that saves you from being hosed out of the grill of a semi. Originally designed for miners, the hat monitors a driver's brain waves for signs of fatigue. More » -
#headphones
MyPhones Protect the Virgin Ears—But Not Innocence—of Our Youth
Headphone-related hearing loss is no joke, which is probably why these MyPhones from Griffin Technology top out at 85dB. Little Tommy can still melt his face off to Death Metal, sure, but his tiny eardrums will be safe and sound. More » -
-
#safety
Feet First Ladder Safety System Keeps You From Hitting The Pavement Head First
There doesn't seem to be a damn bit of level ground around the outside of my house, which makes climbing a ladder a truly frightening experience. I could definitely use something like Feet First. More » -
#dysonaward
Automist Turns Your Kitchen Faucet Into a Fire Hydrant
The winner of the 2009 James Dyson Award is the Automist, a faucet fitted with a high pressure pump. When heat is detected, it fills the room with a mist, suppressing the fire. More » -
#crime
Thief Steals Laptop, Taunts Victim Using Her Facebook Account
Not content with stealing a UK woman's laptop, iPhone, Nintendo DS and handbag—a shithead burglar has logged into her Facebook account, leaving messages like "on my new laptop", "listening to music on my new phone feels so good." More » -
#safety
Scorpion EXO 900 3-in-1 Transforming Motorcycle Helmet
This is probably a bit of overkill for my bicycle, but on a motorcycle the EXO 900 is the king of versatility. It can quickly flip from a full face helmet to a flip front modular to a 3/4 helmet. More » -
#ipod
A Photo of a Burn From a Flaming iPod
By now have probably heard a story or two about flaming iPods. After a lengthy investigation, a Seattle TV station managed to score documents from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that shed light on how common this problem really is. More » -
#gps
SPOT GPS Tracking Device Now a Smaller, More Powerful Lifesaver
The Survivorman approved SPOT GPS tracking device is now 30% smaller and lighter than the much beloved original version. More importantly, the chipset and the antenna have been upgraded to improve performance. More » -
#safety
Disturbing Billboard Bleeds When It Rains
The local government in Papakura, New Zealand isn't screwing around when it comes to road safety. Their new bleeding billboard campaign takes a Red Asphalt approach that they hope will creep out reckless drivers. More » -
#panasonic
Panasonic Locks Out Third Party Camera Batteries With Latest Firmware
If you've got a Panasonic digital camera and you're using a third party battery pack, DON'T UPDATE YOUR CAMERA FIRMWARE. Your battery will get locked out by the authentication scheme Panasonic just implemented. More » -
#recall
HP Recalling 70,000 Laptop Batteries Over Fire Hazard Concerns
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of 70,000 lithium-ion batteries used in Hewlett-Packard and Compaq laptops. Apparently, there have been at two reported cases where the batteries caught on fire. More » -
#safety
Falling Flat Screen TV Injuries and Deaths On The Rise Among Children
A new study reported this month revealed that 17,000 children were admitted to emergency rooms in 2007 for injuries related to falling furniture. Of those incidents, nearly half involved falling TVs. More » -
#tgif
10 Gadgets That Can Protect You From The Swine Flu Pandemic
According to the CDC, the regular flu has killed 13,000 people since January—but the Swine Flu kills like 1% of that and everyone is freaking out. These gadgets can bring you peace of mind.
More »
-
#safety
Demon Motorcycle Helmets: A Cheap Way To Terrorize Motorists
So the Hell's Angels laughed at you for pulling up to the roadhouse on a moped with a basket. Ok, you're not biker material—but you can still look the part with these spooky helmets. More »
