autoMedia Auto News Blog : Safety

IIHS Names 2010 Top Safety Picks – Fewer Than Before

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced 19 car and eight SUVs as Top Safety Picks for 2010—far less than the 94 vehicles that earned the accolade for 2009. The IIHS has made the requirements to be named a Top Safety Pick more stringent by adding a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover accident. In addition, the Picks also factor performance in front, side, and rear crashes the Institute performs, as well as the availability of electronic stability control. Subaru again shines in IIHS tests, being the only manufacturer that has winning products in all four categories for a total of five awards. Ford and subsidiary Volvo have six winners, and Volkswagen/Audi has four. Chrysler earns four awards, continuing recent trend of improving the crashworthiness of its vehicles. This marks the second time the Institute has raised the bar for Top Safety Pick status since the awards were introduced in 2005. As with its other tests, it is expected that the rollover rating will push automakers to improve their vehicles ahead of federal mandates. And there is good motivation; The Institute estimates rollovers kill more than 9,000 people in passenger vehicles each...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 11-06-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

It's the week ending November 6, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. ...(read more)

Ford Introduces Inflatable Seat-Belt Airbag

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:03:00 GMT

Today, Ford introduced an to provide rear passengers with airbag protection. The airbags are concealed within special shoulder belts. Once deployed, the disperse the force over a wider area than a conventional belt, thereby reducing injury risks. Ford points to the benefits for children and the elderly, two groups that commonly ride in the second-row and are especially vulnerable to injury. (Read “ The Dilemma of Older Drivers .”) In the event of a crash, the airbag deploys in 40 milliseconds. This is notably slower than a traditional front airbag, since the device does not need to close a gap between the belt and the occupant. After all, it is already in contact with the passenger. As it expands, the rear seat belts spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts; this helps reduce pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck. The seat-belt airbag system will be first offered on the redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer, and it will be made available on other FoMoCo vehicles after that launch. See the top-10 car safety systems . Learn more about car safety ....(read more)

NHTSA Sets Record Straight; Toyota Investigation Not Over

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:32:00 GMT

Toyota Motor Sales seems to have been too enthusiastic in its response to a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report when it issued a press release Monday stating “No defect exists in vehicles with properly installed floor mats.” Toyota had claimed that NHTSA had completed its investigation into unintended acceleration with certain models, finding that " ... the only defect trend related to vehicle speed control in the subject vehicles involved the potential for accelerator pedals to become trapped near the floor by out-of-position or inappropriate floor mat installations." (See our post “ NHTSA Says No Defect In Recalled Toyota, Lexus Vehicles .”) NHTSA has come out with a strong rebuke, calling the Toyota release “inaccurate and misleading.” In its own statement, the government safety organization said: “NHTSA has told Toyota and consumers that removing the recalled floor mats is the most immediate way to address the safety risk and avoid the possibility of the accelerator becoming stuck. But it is simply an interim measure. This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator...(read more)

NHTSA Says No Defect In Recalled Toyota, Lexus Vehicles

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:29:00 GMT

Toyota was strapped in the national hot-seat after a tragic accident in August involving a Lexus ES 350 was blamed on sudden, unintended acceleration. A floor mat from a Lexus RX 400h SUV was wrongly fitted to the sedan and suspected as being a key factor in that incident. Toyota Motor Sales has begun mailing letters to owners of certain Toyota and Lexus models regarding the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide-open position. (Read " Toyota, Lexus Recalling 3.8 Million Vehicles to Inspect Floor Mats .") More significantly, Toyota reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) has completed its investigation and found that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver's floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured. After conducting an extensive technical review of the issue, including interviews with consumers who had complained of unwanted acceleration, NHTSA concluded that " ... the only defect trend related to vehicle speed control in the subject vehicles involved the potential for accelerator pedals to become...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-30-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 30, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. First, it's too obvious to forget, but this weekend is Halloween, and there are sure to be lots of kidlets swarming the roads in costume on Saturday evening. AskPatty knows Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk and offers up a selection of tips to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Love this one: "Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds" The facts in the case of the White House versus Edmunds are essentially indisputable - but they are open for interpretation. Thanks to AutoBlog for summarizing this excellent -- and entertaining -- case of "He said, They said." Daylight savings time ends this weekend, be sure to take extra care when driving in residential neighborhoods and approaching intersections and stop signs as you adjust to the added darkness along your familiar roads. Automotive Traveler advises your children to be extra careful if they're walking in a parking lot or crossing the street as the sun sets...(read more)

Toyota, Lexus Floor Mat Saga Continues with NHTSA Insights

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:35:00 GMT

Findings from a federal investigation into the fatal car crash that led to Toyota recalling 3.8 million vehicles point to a possible link between floor mats and accelerator pedal design, according to the Los Angeles Times . The Times reports that analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “draws no conclusions” about the August accident that was the catalyst for the safety advisory and the automaker's largest-ever recall, but it does make key observations highlighted below. The report surfaced by the LA Times is an important milestone, but the investigation continues. The agency has not yet reviewed information stored on the electronic data recorder, which should provide further insight into the operating conditions at time of time at triple-digit speeds. That said, the findings thus far do paint clearer picture of the conditions that lead to this tragedy and even suggests a possible solution, should the pedal design be officially named a causal factor. What we know thus far: The Lexus ES 350 driven by an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer, with three family members as passengers, had been a dealer loaner. The Lexus was fitted with all-weather...(read more)

Teen Driver Safety Week Focuses on Distracted Driving

Brandy Schaffels — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:36:00 GMT

Held each year during the third week of October, Teen Driver Safety Week focuses on educating teens about the risks associated with driving and encourages them to drive more safely...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-16-09: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:24:00 GMT

It is the week ending October 16, and we have browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each....(read more)

Teens in Automotive Jeopardy

Editor — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Let’s play Automotive Jeopardy. “Driving for $800, Alex.” “This country is one of the few to license drivers at a younger age than the United States.” “What is Zimbabwe?” “Correct.” “Safety for $8000, Alex.” “Drivers of these two age group were involved in about 8,000 of the 39,000 fatal accidents that occurred in the U.S. in 2008.” “What is 86 and 87?” “No, sorry.” “What is 16 and 17?” “Correct!” “Driving for $1,000, Alex.” "This is the minimum driving age for most of the European Union.” “What is 18?” “Correct!” If we had half a scarecrow's brain, we'd raise the minimum driving age to 18. If the ages 86 and 87 (or 76 and 77) were involved in the same number of wrecks as teens, we'd yank Granny's license immediately. The problem: Parent of teens have grown tired of being a taxi service to surly, ungrateful brats. They want the kids to drive almost as anxiously as the kids want to drive. To quote the fetching Mrs. Demere, "We spent 13 years trying to keep them from killing themselves and the next five trying not to kill them ourselves." Ours are now in college, driving cars titled to my name. I told both of them, "I'll sign the title over to you...(read more)

Automotive Recalls: They happen to imports AND domestics

Brandy Schaffels — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:52:00 GMT

So, CNN Money is reporting that Ford is recalling more than 4 million vehicles due to a potential fire hazard that can be created by a faulty cruise control deactivation switch. A friend of mine sent me an email that said " See? This is why people don't buy American. " The recall covers 1995-2003 Windstars, 2000-2003 Excursion diesels, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-Super Duty diesels, 1992-2003 Econolines, 1995-2002 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Rangers and 1994 F35 motorhomes. This is the eighth recall that involves a specific faulty switch manufactured by Texas Instruments, and brings the total to more than 16 million Ford vehicles recalled because that switch. The article at CNN Money advises that "Ford drivers should look for warnings of possible imminent fires, including malfunctioning cruise control systems and brake lights and antilock braking system and brake light warnings on the dashboard. The safety agency also said difficulty in getting the vehicle out of the park mode should be treated as a warning." Ford says it has not used that switch in any model years after 2003. It's disappointing that this is what people think...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-09-09: This week in auto blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:15:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 10, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each....(read more)

Toyota Advises How to Stop Your Car in an Emergency

Brandy Schaffels — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:01:00 GMT

As Toyota and Lexus brace its mechanics to inspect the floor mats on more than 3.8 million vehicles, it is also offering the following advice to drivers of who might be concerned about what to do in case of unintentional acceleration: ...(read more)

autoMedia CARnival 10-2-09: This week in the auto blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 2, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Toyota is recalling 3.8 million vehicles to check the floor mats and Cash for Clunkers makes it back into the headlines, but we've also got plenty of unusual news sure to entertain the automotive fan.

Cash for Clunkers might be over in the United States, but it lives on in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. AutoBlogGreen says European buyers who trade in their cars to purchase something else offering reduced CO2 or powered by compressed natural gas or electricity receive rebates ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 Euros. That's about 2200 to 5000 US dollars!

The first complete month of sales after the Cash for Clunkers has been tallied up and the predicted result - that auto sales would drop once the government stopped giving free money in exchange for clunkers - didn't exactly happen. In fact, according to John Neff at AutoBlog, nine brands posted positive sales in September versus the same period in 2008 with another three posting only single-digit losses.

Penske backed out of its agreement to buy Saturn, and as a result General Motors has announced it will kill the brand. As GM struggles to sell off languishing vehicle divisions, the latest rumor from LeftLaneNews says Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation is pursuing the tooling and design rights to produce the outgoing Saab 9-5 in one of its Chinese factories. Meanwhile, there's still no word on the status of the sale of Hummer to China's Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company.

Auto show season is upon us! Last month was Frankfurt, later this month will be Tokyo, and in early December, Los Angeles will launch the domestic events. It seems clear that alternative fuel vehicles will be hot concepts this year, and HybridCars has a preview of two plug-in hybrids promised to be on display by Suzuki and Mitsubishi, though I can't wait to see all the far-out and freakish displays that make Tokyo so iconic.

Next week is the inaugural "Heads Up Driving Week," in which the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is urging us all to drive distraction-free for the week. What bad habits will you give up? Coincidentally, this week, According to The Detroit Bureau, President Obama signed an Executive Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging or using cell phones while driving government-owned vehicles or while driving privately owned vehicles when they are on official government business. Todd Lassa has more on the topic of distracted driving in his blog here at Motor Trend.

In a disappointing twist of fate, I couldn't find anything that made me ROFL at Jalopnik this week, so in order to present some silly entertainment, I'm giving you a link to a video of some "Candid Camera" style automotive pranks. Have a great weekend!

Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

Drivers Support a Texting Ban

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:11:00 GMT

A national survey released by Ford Motor Company shows 86 percent of U.S. drivers describe handheld texting while driving as “very dangerous,” with 93 percent supporting a nationwide ban on texting. Yet only 42 percent of respondents believe drivers would stop texting behind the wheel if the practice was banned. This study underlines the challenges that more than 200 government officials, safety advocates, researchers, cell-phone companies, and automakers are wrestling with in Washington, D.C., this week at the Distracted Driving Summit. (Read "Automakers Support Texting Ban.")

“We must act now to stop distracted driving from becoming a deadly epidemic on our nation's roadways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This Summit will give safety leaders from across the nation a forum to identify, target and tackle the fundamental elements of this problem.”

According to a 100-car study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver inattention that may involve looking away from the road for more than a few seconds is a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents. (Read “Cell Phones Quadruple Chance of Crash.”)

While there is agreement on texting risks, the greater challenge will be how to curb such a prevalent behavior. One direction is highlighted by more than 75 percent of the Ford survey respondents saying they would be able to adhere to a ban if hands-free or voice-activated technologies were widely available. (Coincidently, Ford offers just such a technology with its Sync system.) However, several recent studies have shown that it isn’t just the act of texting that is dangerous, but the cognitive distraction of communicating – the attention is split between driving and carrying on a remote conversation. Of course, scanning radio station, eating a cheeseburger, or entering an address into a GPS device can also be risky.

Clearly, this cultural trend will not be easy to address. All corners of the automotive world will be watching the summit for signs of how this will be addressed down the road. Until then, be sure to focus on driving when behind the wheel. If you do, then you’ll have the rest of your life to text.

Also read:
Driving While InTEXTicated: Put Down Your Device & Drive!
AAA Study Shows More Than a Third of Drivers Feel Less Safe