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In the fast lane

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 26, 2007

Do tire sales need stricter standards?

A leading auto safety group is calling for used-tire dealers and wholesalers to adopt stricter standards to inspect the millions they sell to motorists every year. The sale of used tires is largely unregulated, and each year, worn tires are the cause of countless accidents, many of them ending in fatalities, safety advocates say. "Without self-policing and a more transparent business model, used tire sellers are courting disaster," said Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies. "Regulators should examine how to ensure consumers are getting safe tires." Kane said used-tire sellers should "adopt meaningful tire inspections that combine visual reviews with internal exams." Americans discarded 300-million tires in 2005 and bought about 225-million replacement tires, spending more than $10-billion.

If you have a big heart, win a Benz

Do you know a Tampa Bay area resident who "has demonstrated outstanding dedication to improving their communities"? If so, they just might be rewarded for all that work with a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230. That's the prize in Lokey Motor Co.'s "Keys to Kindness" Humanitarian Award. Lokey also will throw in all maintenance for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles. Deadline to nominate someone is May 11. For more information, call 727 374-2465.

Bid on that parking spot if you want it

A startup company is betting it can transform the search for parking just as eBay Inc. changed auctions. SpotScout Inc. hopes to create an online marketplace where drivers armed with mobile phones can not only reserve private spaces in garages and driveways, but swap public parking spots in real time, with vacant spaces going to the highest bidder. "In the 21st century, you shouldn't have to look for a parking space anymore," said SpotScout CEO Andrew Rollert, a 32-year-old software engineer. "I hate the term, 'I have to go look for a parking space.' " SpotScout envisions drivers posting information about their planned departure times and offering the space to the highest bidder. Garages and owners of driveway spaces periodically left vacant will offer reservations by posting information about times when spots will be empty - a process the company calls "SpotCasting."

My First Car Walt Smith, 76, Tarpon Springs: '56 Ford Victoria

"I worked for the Ford factory in Mahwah, N.J., and was able to help build it. The wheel pants were stolen in three weeks."

Tell us about your first car. E-mail your name, city, age, description with make/model and photo to drive@tampabay.com

[Last modified February 26, 2007, 11:41:43]