Bye Bye Love

The best breakup spots in Austin: 7 places to consciously uncouple

Look, we've all sung "Summer Nights" at karaoke — we know how the story goes. Boy meets girl, boy and girl spend all summer together, awkwardness ensues come fall. And while it worked out for Danny and Sandy in the end (much credit goes to her liquid leggings), chances are the flame on your summer fling is soon-to-be-snuffed.

But which Austin locales should serve as the scene for instigating singledom? Fret not, conscious uncouplers, we've got you covered. Here are some of the best (and most Austin-y) places to break up.

ACL Fest

If you can hold out until October, this is a can't-miss. Sure, you probably bought the tickets together, and yes, it may make things a little awkward under your marijuana leaf-adorned flag, but there's a bevy of benefits here that can't be ignored. First, think of all the other fish in the sea! Your recent ex is sure to lick their wounds, but they won't be alone for long. Thousands of Austin's finest flock to this annual event, so the odds of staying single are slim. And then there's the alcohol! Drown your sorrows in $9 tallboys and all will be well. If that's not enough, take solace in the fact that at this point, there's a good chance you'll run into Ryan Gosling.

Whole Foods

It's hard to think of an attractive Austinite epicenter more concentrated than the healthy grocer's flagship Lamar store. Do the unfortunate deed at one of the store's several more intimate offerings — think the trattoria or Bar Lamar. Pick up a (vegan) frozen pizza for after.

Lala's

Because if you have to get dumped, at least you can bask in the Christmas spirit, right?

Romeo Rose's Birthday Party

Now infamous for his laundry list of musts, puffy shirt-loving Romeo Rose is ringing in his birthday on September 18 with a shindig at downtown locale Lanai. His promotional video (seen here) boasts free drugs, celebrity guests (Guns and Roses!) and more. What's not to like? Show up with your significant other and leave alone, creepier than ever. Ladies, remember that clothing is optional, and so is your dignity.

East Side Show Room

It's hard to make a scene at this swanky east side locale, so if things don't go your way after a few craft cocktails, all will be well. The National will be soundtracking your every word, and the dim lighting means no one will see the tears of the one you've jilted.

The Side Bar

This is a tricky one. You have to time this just right, because with "Side Bar pours" flowing freely, one drink too many and your soon-to-be-ex won't remember what happened. But if you do things one drink in, it might actually work out! Then you can console your former flame with some cheap drinks — and you may even reconcile before the night is through.

Fun Fun Fun Fest

Technically this keeps your flame burning past the summer months, but Austin's grungier fest is another option to sever ties. Think of this as more of a tough-love scenario. Between the metal from the Black Stage and the hip-hop from the Blue Stage, the breakup practically writes itself. And when it's all over, you can laugh it off with the cast of Silicon Valley. It's a win-win!

No go forth and prosper, and remember, there's always next summer.

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Defensive Driving

Austin-based Tesla faces new probe focused on remote driving feature

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 2.6 million Teslas.

Federal regulators have opened an investigation into 2.6 million Teslas after reports of crashes involving the use of company technology that allows drivers to remotely command their vehicle to return to them, or move to another location, using a phone app.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said Tuesday, January 7 that Austin-based Tesla did not report any of the accidents. Tesla is under order to report crashes on “publicly accessible roads” involving vehicles being operated through its autonomous driving technology.

The new investigation follows another probe launched in October looking into the company's “Full Self-Driving” system after getting reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian. That investigation covers 2.4 million Teslas from the 2016 through 2024 model years.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

One driver filed a complaint after a crash while using Tesla's “Actually Smart Summon” technology and NHTSA is looking into another three similar incidents based on media reports, the NHTSA said. The agency is looking into 12 total incidents reported by users of the technology.

Each of the vehicles failed to detect posts and other parked vehicles, according to the NHTSA.

Regulators say the vehicles struck objects because the users had "too little reaction time to avoid a crash, either with the available line of sight or releasing the phone app button, which stops the vehicle’s movement.”

Shares of Tesla Inc. slid more than 4 percent in late afternoon trading Tuesday.

Musk has complained that U.S. regulations are too onerous and are holding back the development of self-driving cars. Ethics experts are worried that once President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Musk will push him to ease oversight of Tesla, which just suffered its first decline in annual sales in more than a decade.

Musk donated an estimated $250 million to Trump's presidential campaign and is a frequent guest at Trump's Mar-a-Lago, vetting cabinet nominees and meeting with foreign heads of state. Trump has put Musk in charge of an advisory group, the Department of Government Efficiency, that will recommend where to cut government expenses and staff at federal agencies and reduce regulation.

The NHTSA said it will look into the top speed that Teslas can reach when users deploy its “summons” technology, as well as restrictions on public roads and line of sights requirements. It also said it expects to check for any “connectivity delays" with the app that could result in increased stopping distance.

Tesla’s Model 3 owner’s manual says that its “summons” feature is designed for use only in parking lots and driveways on private property and is disabled on public roads.

The new probe covers 2016-2025 Model S and X vehicles, 2017-2025 Model 3, 2020-2025 Model Y equipped with Tesla's Full Self-Driving driver assistance system.

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