Watch out! Fifty-two percent of people who participated in an online survey admit to reading or writing e-mails or text messages while driving in the past year. The CarGurus survey polled nearly 2,900 people. CarGurus officials are surprised so many people fessed up to driving while texting, because it’s widely known that distracted drivers are more dangerous drivers.
Program aims to boost sales of energy-efficient appliances: The Cash for Clunkers program may be ending today, but federal officials are preparing the next effort aimed at boosting sales for American manufacturers and encouraging the use of green products. The Energy Department will launch a program this fall to give rebates of $50 to $200 to consumers who buy energy-efficient household appliances, reports BusinessWeek. Details are still being developed by the states, and the bulk of money should be awarded by the end of November. The program should provide some comfort to companies that make refrigerators, washers and ovens; sales of household appliances are down 15% through July, on top of a 10% sales drop in 2008.
