Today’s Drive: A $19M Bridge for Beasts, a Rally Heartbreaker, and a 13-Year-Old With Points

If you commute, wrench, race, or just rubberneck at car news over coffee, today’s trio tells you a lot about life behind the wheel: infrastructure that protects us without us ever using it, motorsport’s ruthless mechanical roulette, and a jaw-dropper about a kid who’s racked up license points years before he can legally hold one. Buckle up.

California’s $19M Wildlife Bridge Over US‑101: The Overpass You’ll Never Use (But Will Probably Benefit From)

Call it the best kind of road project: one designed not for us, but for everything that wanders on four legs. California is building a wildlife crossing over US‑101 with a reported $19 million price tag, a structure meant to funnel animals safely across a notorious barrier. You won’t drive it. You won’t walk it. But if you’ve ever white-knuckled the wheel at dusk, eyes hunting for movement at the shoulder, you know exactly why it matters.

I’ve driven long, lonely stretches of 101 at night—headlights carving up the chaparral—and you can practically feel the wild on the other side of the guardrail. Crossings like this typically pair an overpass with long runs of fencing and native vegetation to guide animals toward a safe route. The payoff is simple math: fewer animal strikes, fewer write-offs, fewer 2 a.m. calls to insurance, and fewer families shaken on the shoulder waiting for a tow.

• Project intent: Reduce animal–vehicle collisions and reconnect habitat corridors along US‑101.
• Reported cost: $19 million.
• Who benefits: Drivers (safety), wildlife (mobility), and, yes, taxpayers (fewer crash-related costs).
• Everyday impact: Less sudden-braking chaos at twilight; a quieter, safer commute.

He’s 13, He Took a Campervan for a Joyride, and Somehow He Already Has License Points

From the “wait, what?” desk: a report out of the UK-style playbook where penalty points can be assigned to a future license means a 13-year-old—caught joyriding a campervan—now carries points on a license he won’t be eligible for for years. I’ve chatted with a few traffic officers over the years, and their tone is always the same with these cases: the paperwork is dry; the reality is terrifying.

I remember teaching my own kid the weight of a car in an empty lot—the way a van lurches when you get ham-footed with the brakes. Now imagine that feeling in real traffic. This isn’t a scold; it’s a sober reminder that vehicles are wonderfully capable, terribly heavy machines.

• What happened: A 13-year-old allegedly took a campervan for a joyride and was issued license penalty points despite being underage.
• How that works: In some jurisdictions, penalty points can be applied to a person’s record and carried to their eventual license.
• Why it matters: Insurance implications down the line, potential court consequences now, and a teachable moment for every family.
• Real-world takeaway: Lock your keys, use steering locks in older vans, and consider a tracker—campervans are big, tempting targets.

Lia Block’s Sno*Drift Heartbreak: Timing Belt Gremlin Snatches a Near-Certain Win

Rally doesn’t care about your momentum. It doesn’t care about your split times or fan hopes—it cares about whether every last part is humming in angry harmony. At Michigan’s ice-and-snow Sno*Drift Rally, Lia Block was on for a statement result until a timing belt failure turned a near-win into a gutting DNF/defeat right at the sharp end.

I’ve chased Sno*Drift stages in media cars—no studs, no drama, just tiptoeing on frozen marbles—and even at spectator pace you hear what the belt is doing. It’s the metronome of the engine. Lose it, and in many setups the whole orchestra collides. That’s rally: one $40 part can vaporize a weekend of pace notes and perfection.

• Event: Sno*Drift Rally (Michigan, winter, snow-packed tarmac and ice).
• Key moment: Timing belt failure while fighting at the front.
• Why it stings: Mechanical DNF when the speed is there is the purest kind of motorsport heartbreak.
• Lesson for the rest of us: Belts and fluids don’t care how busy you are—service intervals exist for a reason.

Today’s Headlines at a Glance

What It Means If You Drive, Wrench, or Commute

• Watch for wildlife, even with crossings coming: Dusk and dawn remain peak animal movement. Ease off the right pedal in known corridors.
• Secure the van, teach the kid: Keys out of reach, immobilizers on older rigs, and honest driveway talks about consequences.
• Maintenance is cheaper than heartbreak: If your engine uses a timing belt, know the interval. If you don’t know, check the manual or a trusted tech. Interference engines can turn a skipped belt into bent valves—fast.

Conclusion

Today’s news is a tidy triangle: infrastructure that quietly keeps us safe, a cautionary tale that underscores the stakes of 3,000-pound toys, and a racetrack reminder that mechanical sympathy isn’t optional. Whether you’re braving US‑101 or braving a frosty school run, the theme holds: plan ahead, respect the machinery, and leave a little margin for the unexpected.

FAQ

Why is California building a wildlife bridge over US‑101?

To reduce animal–vehicle collisions and reconnect habitat so wildlife can move safely across a major roadway. It improves driver safety and ecological health.

How can a 13-year-old get points on a license they don’t have?

In some jurisdictions, penalty points can be recorded against a person and carried forward to their eventual driver’s license, impacting their record once they’re eligible.

What failed on Lia Block’s rally car, and why is that so serious?

A timing belt. If a belt fails—especially on an interference engine—it can cause immediate loss of power and serious internal damage, ending the run on the spot.

Do wildlife crossings really reduce crashes?

Yes. Crossings paired with fencing have been shown to sharply cut animal–vehicle collisions by guiding wildlife to safe passage points.

Should I replace my timing belt early?

Follow the manufacturer’s interval or your mechanic’s recommendation based on age, mileage, and use. If you track, tow, or drive in extreme temps, consider the conservative end of the range.