The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is once again making it increasingly difficult for automakers to achieve top ratings for vehicle safety, by tightening testing criteria for the third time since 2006. The tests will evaluate two aspects of safety: crash worthiness – how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash – and crash avoidance and mitigation – technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity. Continue reading
Tag Archives: NHTSA
Government Shutdown Forces NHTSA Closures
Due to the federal government shutdown, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that they will be forced to close several branches of the agency and cut back on over fifty percent of their employees. While functions funded by the Highway Trust Fund will continue; defect investigations, field crash investigations, review of consumer complaints, and notifications of new vehicle and equipment recalls will all be suspended. Continue reading
Auto Backup Camera Debate Continues
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 300 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of accidents caused by vehicles backing up, with almost 45% of these fatalities involve children under five. A lawsuit filed in New York today, has the Consumers Union and the advocacy wing of Consumer Reports magazine hoping that it will force the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take steps in setting rear visibility standards for light vehicles. Continue reading
Honda Inadvertent Airbag Deployment
After an investigation started in June by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Honda has decided to recall certain 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans and 2003 Acura MDX sport utility vehicles because of a problem with airbags. Continue reading
Stalling Ford Focus Electric Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) have opened a preliminary evaluation (PE13-013) into certain 2012-2013 Ford Focus electric vehicles after receiving thirty complaints of the vehicles shutting down while driving. The complaints show an increasing trend, with most received within the past five months. Continue reading
Self Driving Automobiles And Roadway Safety
Automobile manufacturers around the world are at a historic turning point for automotive travel. Engineers predict that affordable innovative technology will change the motor vehicle and driver relationships, improving highway safety, increasing environmental benefits, expanding mobility , and creating new economic opportunities for jobs and investment. One of the most controversial technologies being debated is the use of autonomous vehicles. Continue reading
Automakers and Dealers Oppose Rental Recall Bill
A Tuesday meeting of the senate, automobile manufacturers, and auto dealers resulted in a negotiation stalemate with the proposed new rental recall legislation that would prohibit automobile rental companies from renting or selling vehicles that have recalls on them. Continue reading
NTSB Recommends Lower Blood Alcohol Levels
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 10,000 people die in drinking and driving related crashes every year. In an attempt to reach a goal of zero alcohol and impaired related deaths, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are recommending that states implement laws that will work toward that goal. Continue reading
