10 brightest ideas of the week: Nov. 8, 2009

Muni has installed DriveCam, a $1.2 million interior and exterior camera system that will record collisions and unsafe driving by Muni vehicle operators. (Courtesy photo)

SAN FRANCISCO — America gets behind texting ban, Muni drivers monitored by camera ­system, state lawmakers finally work together, and police chief highlights racial disparity in promotions.

1. Arresting development

Woman tells cops: ‘I’m drunk’

The details: A small-town Wisconsin woman called 911 to report a drunken driver — herself. While driving home Oct. 24, Mary Strey called 911 after suddenly becoming concerned for her safety and those around her. “I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’m drunk,” she told a dispatcher, who told her to pull over and turn on her blinkers. As if the police needed any further evidence, the 49-year-old from the central Wisconsin town of Granton told the dispatcher that she had been “drinking all night long.” Her blood-alcohol level of 0.17 was more than twice the legal limit.

2. R-U-Texting?

Texting-while-driving law liked by nearly all Americans

The details: While those on the road may have long ago gotten used to the sight of a female putting on makeup while behind the wheel, they’ve drawn the line at texting while driving. According to a New York Times/CBS News poll, 97 percent of Americans want it to be against the law to send a mobile message while operating a moving vehicle. Fifty percent said texting while driving was just as bad as driving under the influence.

3. High-flying hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel cell powers record-setting flight

The details: The Ion Tiger, an unmanned air vehicle, has completed a flight of 23 hours and 17 minutes, an unofficial record for a hydrogen fuel-cell powered flight. The 550-watt fuel cell system, developed by the Naval Research Laboratory and other agencies, has about four times the efficiency of a similar-sized internal combustion engine and provides about seven times the energy in the equivalent weight of batteries.

4. Not-so-cyberspace

Legislation would ban laptops in cockpits

The details: A United States senator is moving quickly to keep pilots’ eyes trained on the friendly skies and not on their favorite Web sites. Following the weird tale of a Northwest Airlines flight that overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles in which the pilots said they were working on a laptop, legislation was introduced that would ban cockpit crews from using laptops and other personal electronic devices during flights. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t forbid the use of MP3 players, DVD players, laptops and other devices while in flight.

5. Safety first

School moves to tighten security after gang rape

The details: Richmond High School officials moved to buy surveillance cameras and install new lighting and fencing in an effort to improve security following the shocking gang rape of a 16-year-old girl after a school dance. School officials had planned the purchase of cameras for some time but had struggled to find the money.

6. Candid cameras

New ­DriveCam ­monitors Muni drivers, tapes collisions

The details: Muni drivers, beware. The transit agency has installed DriveCam, an interior and exterior camera system that will record collisions and unsafe driving by Muni vehicle operators. The $1.2 million system is separate from Muni’s internal cameras and will allow the agency to review accidents, determine collision liability and reduce excess expenses, including workers’ compensation claims. It will also help Muni point out exemplary driving techniques.

7. Splish, splash

State lawmakers approve historic water deal

The details: After a long night of debate, both California legislative houses passed an $11.1 billion overhaul of the state’s antiquated water system, hoping to supply the conflicting needs of a soaring population while preserving a fragile environment that suffers periodic droughts. Democrats and Republicans spent months hammering out a five-bill water package and a bond measure to fund the bills. New dams, groundwater cleanup, conservation and habitat restoration are intended to refurbish the crucial Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

8. Waterfront exploration

City supervisors approve lease for new Exploratorium

The details: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 66-year lease for the Exploratorium at its planned new site on the waterfront. The popular interactive science museum, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week, plans to move from the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17 on the Embarcadero. Officials hope to begin construction next spring and open in 2012.

9. Diversity at the top

Police chief calls on civil rights expert for help

The details: Police Chief George Gascón is putting together a group to look at the department’s promotional process, including bringing in some high-profile help. Constance Rice, a civil rights attorney in Los Angeles known for fighting police misconduct and race and sex discrimination, could be leading that team. The goal is to have a different testing process for the next promotional exam in October 2010. Some officers have long complained that promotions at the SFPD don’t encourage racial diversity.

10. Yum-o

Rachael Ray offers dinner to jobless Ohioans

The details: Thanksgiving is coming early to an Ohio community hit hard by unemployment after the delivery company DHL Express moved out of town, leaving thousands of people unemployed. TV queen Rachael Ray is offering the residents of Wilmington a free dinner at the local convention center tonight. All they have to do is sign up online and show ID proving they live in the Wilmington ZIP code. A message to Wilmington on Ray’s Web site says her show can’t fix the economy but can do its part through Ray’s area of expertise: food.

Bright light of the week: Carly Fiorina

What: The former Hewlett-Packard CEO announced Wednesday that she will seek the Republican nomination to run for a U.S. Senate seat against Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Why: Fiorina’s entrance into the race sets up what could be a hard-fought primary against state Assemblyman Chuck Devore, who has already described himself as the only “true conservative” running. The mere threat of her candidacy has already prompted Boxer to boost her own fundraising and prepare for a tougher campaign than she has previously faced.