Autoblog Safety http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Safety http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Washington State bridge collapse victim talks about his ordeal]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/washington-state-bridge-collapse-victim-talks-about-his-ordeal/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/washington-state-bridge-collapse-victim-talks-about-his-ordeal/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/washington-state-bridge-collapse-victim-talks-about-his-ordeal/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Interstate 5 Bridge Collapse - CNN video screencap with truck in the water

Dan Sligh and his wife were headed for a Memorial Day camping trip yesterday evening when the Interstate 5 bridge over Washington's Skagit River collapsed ahead of his Ram pickup. Sligh said he saw a big puff of dust after a tractor trailer struck a portion of the bridge, and the roadway quickly vanished into the river below. While he applied the brakes, the momentum of his truck and trailer propelled the couple right over the edge. While speaking with reporters, Sligh said he held on as tight as he could before seeing a white flash and feeling the cold water of the river rush into the cab.

The impact dislocated the Navy veteran's shoulder, but he was able to push it back into place in time to pull his wife from the wreckage. Early reports say the collapse occurred when a tractor trailer struck the bridge's overhead girders. One other individual fell into the water, but no one was killed in the ordeal. Federal inspectors had previously rated the structure "functionally deficient."

The bridge, near Seattle, carries around 77,000 vehicles per day and was built in 1955. Interestingly enough, the bridge's "functionally deficient" rating doesn't necessarily mean that the span was deemed unsafe, just that that portions of it required monitoring or repair. You can watch Sligh's CNN interview below.

Continue reading Washington State bridge collapse victim talks about his ordeal

Washington State bridge collapse victim talks about his ordeal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bridge collapsedan slighi-5i5interstate 5interstate 5 bridge collapseseattleseattle bridgeskagit riverslighvideo Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20582885/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20582885/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/24/washington-state-bridge-collapse-victim-talks-about-his-ordeal/20582885/article-detail.xml 20582885 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/interstate-5-bridge-collapse-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/interstate-5-bridge-collapse-628.jpg <![CDATA[How Mercedes is using QR codes to help accident victims]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/how-mercedes-is-using-qr-codes-to-help-accident-victims/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/how-mercedes-is-using-qr-codes-to-help-accident-victims/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/24/how-mercedes-is-using-qr-codes-to-help-accident-victims/#comments Filed under: , ,

Mercedes-Benz Rescue Sheet QR Code

Mercedes-Benz is working on a system that may help emergency workers quickly and safely rescue trapped occupants in wrecked vehicles. The system pairs rescue sheets that show firefighters, police and paramedics information on exactly how and where to use rescue sheers to extract trapped passengers, the location of major hydraulic lines, air bags and electrical cables as well as other important vehicle data with QR codes. Using two stickers with the codes prominently displayed, rescue workers can scan the code and instantly pull up the necessary information quickly with an internet connection. The plan could reduce rescue times and help save lives.

Currently, rescue workers have to rely on hard copy rescue sheets or must look up the information online, assuming the sheets are available at all. Mercedes-Benz has waived the right to patent the system in the hope that other automakers will take advantage of the technology. You can read the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading How Mercedes is using QR codes to help accident victims

How Mercedes is using QR codes to help accident victims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> emergencyfirefightermercedesmercedes safety sheet qr codepoliceqr codesafetysafety sheet Fri, 24 May 2013 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20581419/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20581419/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/24/how-mercedes-is-using-qr-codes-to-help-accident-victims/20581419/article-detail.xml 20581419 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mb-qr-code-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mb-qr-code-628.jpg <![CDATA[IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/iihs-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-its-own-frontal-offset-crash-test/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/iihs-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-its-own-frontal-offset-crash-test/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/iihs-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-its-own-frontal-offset-crash-test/#comments Filed under: , ,

IIHS spokeswoman with dummy and crash test car - video screencap

It would be glib to say that safety equipment has had a huge influence on automobiles in the past 20 years. The result of cars being massively more safe than they were not long ago has made them bigger, heavier, more expensive, more challenging to develop, harder to fix and harder for emergency responders to deal with. That's just what it takes to try and keep people safe when they're wielding two-ton battle tanks in close quarters.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is one of the entities in the greyhound-and-rabbit jockeying that keeps pushing the bounds of safety. It uses its testing to confer the Top Safety Pick designation that carmakers seek and it launched the small overlap frontal crash test that tripped up a number of vehicles.

It has begun a video series demonstrating what it tests at its facility in Virginia and how, with its crash test dummies, it assesses the results. There are two videos so far, one detailing the front offset test, the other examining the specifics of the crash test dummies who do all the 'work.' There will be eight videos in total, with another released every Tuesday. You can watch the first two below. They're a short and fascinating six minutes of viewing.

Continue reading IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests

IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> auto safetycrash testcrash test dummiescrash testingiihsinside iihsinsurance institute for highway safetysmall overlap frontal crash testvideo Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20580148/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20580148/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/23/iihs-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-its-own-frontal-offset-crash-test/20580148/article-detail.xml 20580148 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/iihs-bts-videos_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/iihs-bts-videos.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac to recall 20,000 SRX models over wheels that could fall off]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/cadillac-to-recall-20-000-srx-models-over-wheels-that-could-fall/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/cadillac-to-recall-20-000-srx-models-over-wheels-that-could-fall/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/cadillac-to-recall-20-000-srx-models-over-wheels-that-could-fall/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2013 Cadillac SRX - front three-quarter view, silver

A potential issue with the lug nuts on 19,871 units of the 2013 Cadillac SRX in the US and Canada has lead to a recall of the luxury crossover. Those lug nuts that have a Teflon topcoat, identified by their bluish tint, could loosen and cause "creaking, rattling or grinding noises or steering vibrations." In the worst case scenario, a wheel could fall off, but there have been no reports of that happening, nor any reports of accidents or injuries due to the issue.

This is the second recall action on the SRX over the last few months. In March, Cadillac recalled 27,000 SRX models over a transmission programming issue. General Motors will begin notifying customers with the potentially faulty parts on June 3, at which time they can take their vehicles to dealers to have the tires rotated and new nuts installed. A further 7,397 SRXs exported from North America also face the recall action.

Cadillac to recall 20,000 SRX models over wheels that could fall off originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 cadillac srxcadillaccadillac recallcadillac srxcadillac srx recallcadillacsrxrecallgmlug nutnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarecallsrx recall Thu, 23 May 2013 10:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20580817/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20580817/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/23/cadillac-to-recall-20-000-srx-models-over-wheels-that-could-fall/20580817/article-detail.xml 20580817 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-cadillac-srx_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-cadillac-srx.jpg <![CDATA[Car emissions can turn good cholesterol bad]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/car-emissions-can-turn-good-cholesterol-bad/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/car-emissions-can-turn-good-cholesterol-bad/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/car-emissions-can-turn-good-cholesterol-bad/#comments Filed under: , ,

Auto emissions - exhaust pipe closeup

Before you head to the pharmacy to refill your Lipitor prescription, check this out. The American Heart Association's journal on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology has concluded that high levels of vehicle emissions can cause high cholesterol in mice, which could indicate that air pollution is a contributing factor in high cholesterol or vascular disease.

In the study, mice were exposed to diesel exhaust for two weeks "at a particulate mass concentration within the range of what mine workers usually are exposed to" (according to UCLA), which, not surprisingly, had a negative effect on the bloodstream. First, the air pollution altered the HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein, a.k.a. "good cholesterol") to the point that the positive properties of the protein were reduced and could lead to high levels of LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein, "bad cholesterol") and hardening of the arteries. While this seems like a study related to extreme pollution, it draws yet another linkage between our environments and our health.

Car emissions can turn good cholesterol bad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> air pollutionamerican heart associationcholesteroldieseldiesel emissionsdiesel exhaustexhaust emissionshdlhigh cholesterolldlvehicle emissions Tue, 21 May 2013 18:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576701/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576701/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/car-emissions-can-turn-good-cholesterol-bad/20576701/article-detail.xml 20576701 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/exhaust-pipe-emissions_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/exhaust-pipe-emissions.jpg <![CDATA[The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/the-list-0147-escape-a-car-underwater/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/the-list-0147-escape-a-car-underwater/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/the-list-0147-escape-a-car-underwater/#comments Filed under: , ,



Would you know what to do if your car crashed into the sea and began to sink? For every foot you descend towards Davey Jones' Locker, 850 pounds of pressure are being exerted on your car door, making the simple act of opening it and exiting an impossibility at the worst possible time.

For this episode of The List, we've brought our hosts, Jessi and Patrick, to the experts at Amphibious Medics to learn the various techniques for escaping a car underwater. That's right, there's more than one school of thought on the best course of action in these situations, and we're going to try them all. While our hosts express their preference for which technique worked best for them, we're no experts and encourage you to do your own research.

Of course, we set up a completely controlled situation wherein we could ensure the safety of Jessi and Patrick, so don't try this at home with your winter beater and a local pond. We found a location perfectly suited for dunking cars, hired some trained medics and divers to watch their backs, and enlisted the services of the show's trusty BMW 3 Series (see its other starring roles in Work as a Professional Stunt Driver and Buy a Used Car Online) to play the part of the hapless sinking auto.

Will this knowledge ever come in handy? About 400 people die from vehicle-related drownings in the United States each year, so the odds are ever in your favor on this one. But if you ever do find yourself slowly sinking underwater in your car, you'll be glad you scrolled down to watch.

Continue reading The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater

The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> amphibious medicsescape a car underwaterescape a sinking carescape car underwaterescapecarunderwaterhow to escape a car underwaterhowtoescapeacarunderwaterjessi combspatrick mcintyrethe-list Tue, 21 May 2013 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20578363/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20578363/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/the-list-0147-escape-a-car-underwater/20578363/article-detail.xml 20578363 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/the-list-underwater-escape-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/the-list-underwater-escape-car.jpg <![CDATA[Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/#comments Filed under: , , ,



A 20-year-old woman was killed in Edmonton, Canada on Satuday, reports CTV News, in a freak accident resulting from a rollover during a Jeep demonstration. As part of a fundraising enthusiast event called "Jeeps Go Topless," the driver of one Jeep Wrangler drove up and onto the top of the tire of another.

CTV reports that the owner of the topmost Jeep then switched the vehicle off, posed for pictures and then dismounted from his vehicle. His movement off of the Jeep apparently caused it to tip over, crushing a woman who was on top of an adjacent vehicle. Edmonton police are currently investigating more fully what caused the parking lot accident to occur. Scroll below to watch the CTV News video report about this tragic incident.

Continue reading Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal

Freak accident during Jeep demonstration turns fatal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> edmontonjeepjeep deathjeep rollover deathjeep wranglerjeeps go toplessvideo Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576377/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576377/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/freak-accident-during-jeep-demonstration-turns-fatal/20576377/article-detail.xml 20576377 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jeep-death-edmonton-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jeep-death-edmonton-628.jpg <![CDATA[Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Russian dashcam captures high-flying Opel Zafira fatal accident - video screencap

You just never know what your dash cam is going to capture on an average day in Russia. Take these drivers, who were motoring along in the Russian city of Dyatkovo, minding their own business, when out of nowhere, an Opel Zafira took off like a 747 leaving LaGuardia.

Reports stemming from the incident claim that the driver lost control of his vehicle after its front-left tire blew. He then drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a fence where the vehicle was launched high into the air, a rapidly escalating series of events caught on the video available below.

Unfortunately, we can't tell you that the driver miraculously escaped this remarkable accident with just cuts and bruises. The report translated from Russian tells us the 30-year-old driver died at the scene from his injuries, and his passenger is still being treated for life-threatening injuries at the Central Regional Hospital in Dyatkovo.

Continue reading Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident

Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dash camdashcamdyatkovoflying caropel zafirarussian dash camvideo Mon, 20 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576229/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576229/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/20576229/article-detail.xml 20576229 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dash-cam-flying-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dash-cam-flying-car.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai offers three free years of Blue Link safety tech [w/videos]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/hyundai-offers-three-free-years-of-blue-link-safety-tech-w-vide/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/hyundai-offers-three-free-years-of-blue-link-safety-tech-w-vide/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/hyundai-offers-three-free-years-of-blue-link-safety-tech-w-vide/#comments Filed under: , , ,



As of now, the Assurance Connected Care service that Hyundai introduced at the New York Auto Show with the 2014 Equus sedan is complimentary for three years on any vehicle equipped with the company's Blue Link telematic systems. It's the third service package to join the Blue Link suite, after Essentials and Guidance.

Assurance Connected Car provides owners with monthly vehicle reports, maintenance alerts, notification of diagnostic trouble codes and safety features like SOS emergency assistance and automatic collision notification sent to Blue Link agents. The service can also be transferred to new owners within the three-year timeframe. Owners who already have Blue Link can add Assurance Connected Care "at a reduced price," but Hyundai hasn't said what that price is yet.

There's a press release below with more details and four commercials to show you just what you could be missing out on.

Continue reading Hyundai offers three free years of Blue Link safety tech [w/videos]

Hyundai offers three free years of Blue Link safety tech [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> assurance connected careblue linkhyundaitelematicsvideo Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575039/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575039/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/hyundai-offers-three-free-years-of-blue-link-safety-tech-w-vide/20575039/article-detail.xml 20575039 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundai-assurance-connected_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundai-assurance-connected.jpg <![CDATA[Alfa Romeo 8C, Maserati Quattroporte and Granturismo models recalled over rust fears]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/alfa-romeo-8c-maserati-quattroporte-and-granturismo-models-reca/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/alfa-romeo-8c-maserati-quattroporte-and-granturismo-models-reca/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/alfa-romeo-8c-maserati-quattroporte-and-granturismo-models-reca/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Alfa Romeo 8C

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced Maserati and Alfa Romeo are recalling certain Quattroporte, Granturismo and 8C models over potentially faulty tie rod ends. According to NHTSA, 2005-2008 Quattroporte, 2008 Granturismo and 2008 8C units may have been assembled with tie rod ends that have insufficient corrosion protection. As such, the components may rust, weaken and potentially fail. If that happens, the driver could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.

Maserati and Alfa Romeo will contact owners and replace the tie rod end assemblies once the recall gets underway in June. All told, 7,438 vehicles are impacted by the recall. You can read the full NHTSA notice below for more information.

Continue reading Alfa Romeo 8C, Maserati Quattroporte and Granturismo models recalled over rust fears

Alfa Romeo 8C, Maserati Quattroporte and Granturismo models recalled over rust fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2008 maserati granturismoalfa romeoalfa romeo 8cmaseratimaserati recallrecall Mon, 20 May 2013 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575204/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575204/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/alfa-romeo-8c-maserati-quattroporte-and-granturismo-models-reca/20575204/article-detail.xml 20575204 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/alfa-romeo-8c_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/alfa-romeo-8c.jpg <![CDATA[Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/#comments Filed under: ,

Driverless car study

"Consumers Desire More Automated Automobiles." That's the title of one page of a new study published by Cisco Systems as part of its Customer Experience Report, which focuses on the "automobile buying and driving experience." The study specifically targeted technology and its integration into the cars and trucks of today and tomorrow, and, not surprisingly, roughly half of all those surveyed globally (1,500 consumers across 10 countries, says Cisco) "value the technology adoption reputation of a brand when selecting a vehicle." We also think it's of interest that "83 percent of global consumers prefer to research online for information on a car."

Perhaps the most intriguing bit of information gleaned from the study pertains to driverless automobiles. A full 57 percent "stated they would be likely to ride in a car controlled entirely by technology that does not require a human driver," with Brazil, India and China cited as the countries most willing to trust autonomous technology. When Cicso asked drivers if they'd let their kids ride in driverless cars, however, the figures dropped dramatically - just 46 percent found that idea acceptable.

In the United States, 60 percent of those surveyed said they would trust driverless cars, and that dropped to 48 percent when children were included. Japanese drivers were least likely to trust their lives or their children's lives to automated technology. Scroll down below for a press release from Cisco highlighting more of its findings.

Continue reading Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study

Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 May 2013 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autonomousciscocisco customer experience reportdriverlesstechnology Sun, 19 May 2013 08:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575000/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575000/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/20575000/article-detail.xml 20575000 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/driverless-cisco_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/driverless-cisco.png <![CDATA[Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



One driver in Portland, OR should make a hefty donation to his or her local wildlife conservation group after a family of ducks got the person out of a speeding ticket. A Portland police officer clocked a car going 52 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone, but when the officer went to pursue the speeder, a mother duck and her two ducklings ran some unintended interference.

Rather than just going around the ducks, the officer blocks the street to usher the waterfowl from the road. While the speeder got away, it's nice to see some compassion from the authorities. Besides, the gesture might've saved more than just the ducks from an unfortunate accident on the rain-slicked road. Scroll down to watch the video taken from the patrol car's dash cam.

Continue reading Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam

Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dash camdash camedashcamduckmallard duckpolicepolice campolice chaseportland policespeeding ticketvideo Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20573938/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20573938/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/20573938/article-detail.xml 20573938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks.jpg <![CDATA[Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/#comments Filed under: , , ,



The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its new small overlap frontal crash test last year, and while a number of cars have passed the test with an "Acceptable" rating, the 2014 Subaru Forester is the first vehicle to ace the test with a "Good" rating. A total of 13 small crossovers and SUVs were subjected to the more rigorous testing procedure, and only the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport drove off with the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Two of the worst-performing vehicles that were called out in this group were the Nissan Rogue and Jeep Wrangler, which were the only two not to receive a Top Safety Pick Rating. The Jeep Patriot did earn that distinction despite not performing well in the small overlap test. To be named a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn top ratings in front, side, rear and roof-strength tests, while a Top Safety Pick+ requires four out of five to be "Good" ratings with the fifth no worse than "Acceptable;" the Forester received "Good" ratings in all five tests. Scroll down for a video showing how the Forester and some of its competitors performed in the small overlap test, along with a press release.

Continue reading Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]

Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 subaru forester2014 subaru forester crash test2014subaruforestercrashtestcrash testiihsInsurance Institute for Highway Safetysmall overlap frontal crash testsubaru forestersubaruforesterTop Safety Picktop safety pick+ Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20572277/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20572277/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/20572277/article-detail.xml 20572277 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/forester-xt-lead-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/forester-xt-lead-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota sudden acceleration class action may cover 22 million owners]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-sudden-acceleration-class-action-may-cover-22-million-own/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-sudden-acceleration-class-action-may-cover-22-million-own/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/toyota-sudden-acceleration-class-action-may-cover-22-million-own/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Distorted Toyota logo

A total of 22.6 million current and former Toyota owners have been sent notices that they may be eligible to receive compensation from the automaker for damages related to the unintended acceleration fiasco that has dominated headlines in 2009 and 2010. The total payout may be as high as $1.63 billion, according to The Detroit News.

Steve Berman, a lawyer for the owners, calls the potential deal "a landmark, if not a record, settlement in automobile defects class action litigation in the United States." Still, there's some debate about whether or not Toyota's proposed settlement is fair, as it includes $30 million for safety research and driver education programs - in other words, Toyota seems to be suggesting that drivers need more education on how to drive their correctly working and fully functional vehicles. For those keeping track, Toyota would also be paying lawyer fees of $200 million.

A US District Judge in California is scheduled to hold a so-called "fairness hearing" on June 14 that could decide the fate of this particular settlement. Further courtroom wrangling will be required to hash out any wrongful death suits levied against Toyota stemming from unintended acceleration claims, as those are not part of this class-action suit.

Toyota sudden acceleration class action may cover 22 million owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> class actionsudden accelerationtoyotatoyota settlementunintended acceleration Thu, 16 May 2013 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568838/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568838/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/toyota-sudden-acceleration-class-action-may-cover-22-million-own/20568838/article-detail.xml 20568838 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyota-distortion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyota-distortion.jpg <![CDATA[NTSB proposes lowering blood alcohol limit on drunk driving laws]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ntsb-proposes-lowering-blood-alcohol-limit-on-drunk-driving-laws/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ntsb-proposes-lowering-blood-alcohol-limit-on-drunk-driving-laws/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ntsb-proposes-lowering-blood-alcohol-limit-on-drunk-driving-laws/#comments Filed under: ,



In an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired driving crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a set of recommendations, 19 in total, calling for more stringent laws and enforcement. "Most Americans think that we've solved the problem of impaired driving, but in fact, it's still a national epidemic," NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said. "On average, every hour one person is killed and 20 more are injured."

The most controversial of the recommendations has to do with the blood-alcohol level (BAC) that consitutes being legally drunk behind the wheel. As of today, all states consider the BAC threshold to be a limit of 0.08, but the NTSB is calling for it to be lowered to 0.05 (the agency points out that over 100 countries on six continents have BAC limits set at 0.05 or lower). The NTSB estimates that nearly 1,000 lives would be saved by the change.

In other recommendations, the NTSB has called for police to use passive alcohol sensors to help better detect alcohol vapor in the ambient environment, and it is suggesting giving authorities the power to immediately suspend or revoke driver's licenses at the time of DWI. It also maintains that states should employ measures to improve interlock compliance. To read the rest, check out the full press release below.

Continue reading NTSB proposes lowering blood alcohol limit on drunk driving laws

NTSB proposes lowering blood alcohol limit on drunk driving laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bacblood alcohol contentblood alcohol leveldrink drivingdriving under the influencedrunk drivingduidwilegal duinational transportation safety boardntsb Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570641/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570641/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/ntsb-proposes-lowering-blood-alcohol-limit-on-drunk-driving-laws/20570641/article-detail.xml 20570641 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/field-sobriety-test-getty-point_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/field-sobriety-test-getty-point.jpg <![CDATA[Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/#comments Filed under: , ,



Red light cameras don't appear to be going away, so it should come as no surprise that neither are the controversies around them. We're told again and again that they're about safety, not revenue collection, yet year after year, the studies and headlines compete to support and tear down those arguments. An investigative report by Florida's WTSP Channel 10 News gets the maelstrom whirling again, having found that various state municipalities have shorted yellow light times to below those recommended by the US Department of Transportation.

The retiming of yellow lights was precipitated by a change the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made to its guidelines for yellow-light durations. Until 2011, the regulations "mandated yellow light calculations factor in either the posted speed limit or 85th percentile of drivers' actual speed - whichever was greater." That year, though, the phrase "whichever was greater" was cut, and certain cities began resetting the yellow lights to illuminate for the shorter interval - either trying to ensure more safety or more revenue. The FDOT says the new language was only meant to establish a minimum time for yellow lights, not to dictate their exact duration.

Various US government studies and reports recommend not using a road's speed limit when determining the length of the yellow light because it increases violations and crashes, but instead using the traffic's 85th percentile speed or the speed limit plus ten miles per hour.

More than one study has found that people want red light cameras, studies have also shown that while major accidents have been reduced at intersections with cameras, smaller fender-bender accidents have increased, and that's not an isolated finding. And with so much money in play - the Channel 10 news report says Florida collect about $100 million in red light camera fines last year and could get to $130 million this year - it's no wonder cities shorten yellow light times below the minimum guidelines, manipulate accident data, robo-sign tickets with the names of dead police officers, and redesign their license plates to make them easier for the cameras to read.

Check out the news segment in the video below and head over to the WTSP site for all of the numbers and specifics, and if you're in Florida, you'll need to pay even more attention to the lights in front and the traffic behind.

Continue reading Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets

Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> department of transportationfloridaflorida dotred light cameratraffic camerastraffic lightsvideowtspyellow light Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569316/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569316/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/20569316/article-detail.xml 20569316 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-subaru-legacy-outback-recalled-steering-loss/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-subaru-legacy-outback-recalled-steering-loss/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-subaru-legacy-outback-recalled-steering-loss/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2013 Subaru Legacy sedan - front three-quarter view

Subaru today announced a recall that affects 5,379 Legacy sedan and Outback wagon models in the United States. All of the affected 2013 model-year vehicles were built between February 15 and June 15 of 2012.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another" in these vehicles. If that happens, the driver can lose the ability to steer the vehicle, which could obviously lead to all sorts of harmful things.

Subaru will notify owners of the problem, and affected models will have their steering columns replaced at dealerships, free of charge. Scroll down for the official NHSTA report.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss

2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback recalled over potential steering loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 subaru legacy2013 subaru outbackrecallsubarusubaru legacysubaru outbacksubaru recall Wed, 15 May 2013 10:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569881/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569881/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2013-subaru-legacy-outback-recalled-steering-loss/20569881/article-detail.xml 20569881 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/017-2013-subaru-legacy628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/017-2013-subaru-legacy628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Cars made in Brazil blamed for country's high death rate]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/cars-made-in-brazil-blamed-for-countrys-high-death-rate/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/cars-made-in-brazil-blamed-for-countrys-high-death-rate/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/cars-made-in-brazil-blamed-for-countrys-high-death-rate/#comments Filed under: , ,

Unsafe cars in Brazil

The Detroit Free Press reports the new generation of Brazil-built cars are to blame for the country's high death rate. Thanks to a booming middle class, Brazil is the fourth-largest vehicle market in the world, but four of the country's best-selling models have failed independent crash tests. Couple those machines with the country's notoriously dangerous roads and weather, and Brazil winds up with a traffic death rate nearly four times that of the US when weighted for the disparity in the size of both driving populations.

Automakers, meanwhile, say their products meet or exceed Brazil's safety laws - starting next year, manufacturers will be required to install front airbags and anti-lock brakes. Activists, meanwhile, say those changes aren't enough to make a meaningful impact on the country's death toll. Independent testing found that four of the country's top-selling cars from brands like General Motors, Volkswagen and Fiat received a lowly one-star crash rating.

Compounding the issue is the fact that manufacturers make more money on less safe, inexpensive Brazilian-made cars. The Detroit Free Press reports companies earn a 10-percent profit on vehicles built in Brazil compared to three percent from US-built models and an average of five percent from machines assembled elsewhere. Vehicles imported from other markets are more likely to have safety equipment that meets more stringent standards.

Cars made in Brazil blamed for country's high death rate originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> brazilbrazil traffic deathssafetytraffic deaths Wed, 15 May 2013 08:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567120/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567120/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/cars-made-in-brazil-blamed-for-countrys-high-death-rate/20567120/article-detail.xml 20567120 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/brazilunsafecars_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/brazilunsafecars.jpg <![CDATA[Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/driver-track-worker-survive-horrific-ferrari-458-crash-at-suzuk/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/driver-track-worker-survive-horrific-ferrari-458-crash-at-suzuk/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/driver-track-worker-survive-horrific-ferrari-458-crash-at-suzuk/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Ferrari 458 Challenge Crash - video screencap

Two people are lucky to be alive after a brutal crash during a recent Ferrari 458 Challenge event in Japan. Driver Shigeru Terajima lost control of his machine on the Suzuka Circuit start/finish straight, left the course at nearly 200 miles per hour and struck the inside wall where a corner worker was standing and monitoring the race. The 458 immediately disintegrated, sending bits of carbon fiber bodywork, suspension components, wheels and tires scattering into the infield and across the race course. The passenger cell spun through the air before coming to a stop on its roof.

Miraculously, both Terajima and the corner worker survived the incident. While the driver was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, he's expected to make a full recovery. The track worker, meanwhile, saw the incident coming and dove out of harm's way at the last possible moment, saving him from the brunt of the impact. You can watch an observer's frightening footage of the Ferrari crash by scrolling below.

Continue reading Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka

Driver, track worker survive horrific Ferrari 458 crash at Suzuka originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 458 challenge crashferrariferrari 458 challengeferrari 458 italiaferrari crashshigeru terajimasuzuka circuitvideo Tue, 14 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568146/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568146/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/driver-track-worker-survive-horrific-ferrari-458-crash-at-suzuk/20568146/article-detail.xml 20568146 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ferrari-458-challenge-crash-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ferrari-458-challenge-crash-628.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA opens investigation into Ford Super Duty trucks over steering woes]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nhtsa-opens-investigation-into-ford-super-duty-trucks-over-steer/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nhtsa-opens-investigation-into-ford-super-duty-trucks-over-steer/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nhtsa-opens-investigation-into-ford-super-duty-trucks-over-steer/#comments Filed under: , , ,

2008 Ford F250 Super Duty - front three-quarter view, red

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into certain 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks. The investigation covers some 340,000 trucks after the government agency received five complaints of steering box failures. Owners claim internal failures resulted in the complete loss of their vehicles' control. In one case, steering box failure is being blamed for an F-Series crashing into another vehicle at around 20 miles per hour, while another another driver said his truck left the road and impacted a guardrail at around 35 mph.

Ford says it is cooperating with NHTSA in the investigation. We'll keep tabs on the investigation and let you know if a recall results.

NHTSA opens investigation into Ford Super Duty trucks over steering woes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> f-seriesford f-250ford f-350ford f-350 super dutyford super dutyinvestigationnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsasteering box Mon, 13 May 2013 11:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566393/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566393/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/nhtsa-opens-investigation-into-ford-super-duty-trucks-over-steer/20566393/article-detail.xml 20566393 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2008-ford-super-duty-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2008-ford-super-duty-628.jpg -1 2