Summertime!  Is it finally here to stay?  I love having more daylight hours to enjoy outdoor activities, backyard barbecues, picnics, boating, hiking, swimming...and pedal pushers.  Say what?   No, not those short pants from days gone by....pedal pushers of a different type. 
 
Here is the latest in the automotive world:  we are getting throttle pedals that push back when we drive too aggressively, seriously!  The goal of these subtle reminders is to increase fuel economy.  Or I guess you can use it for a little workout.  Infiniti offers such a system in the new M sedan.  Fortunately, there is an override button. 
 
Continental has developed a system to help you out in accident avoidance situations.  The approach is to apply more back pressure on the throttle if there is someone following you too closely.  This system can also vibrate the throttle to warn you.  Continental says the goal is to get the driver to slow down when someone is following too closely.  I don't know about you, but I am usually fully aware when someone is on my tail.  And, if I do slow down, the person behind me is likely to express his or her displeasure by giving me the "California welcome" when he or she passes me.  I like the idea of a flame blast out the tail pipe as a better solution to tailgating.  I wonder if Dan can make one for me.