Autoblog

Man given ticket after getting run over by his own truck

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet

Let it be noted that the best way to stop an out-of-control car with no brakes is to try engaging the parking brake. That being said, it's also a terrifying occurrence, so logic is sometimes thrown out the window in lieu of more of a reflex-oriented response. Brian Reynolds, 40, found himself in the latter scenario when the brakes on his Chevrolet pickup failed near a park in Salem, Massachusetts. While it isn't clear whether Reynolds attempted to engage the parking/emergency brake, at some point he opened the door and tried pulling a Fred Flintstone, using his foot to try and stop his truck.

At some point after opening his door, the Salem Patch reports that Reynolds fell out of his still-moving truck. The pickup ran over his leg before continuing down the street, only to crash into a fire hydrant. Although the specific injury wasn't reported, Reynolds was hospitalized, and adding insult to injury (in the most literal sense of the phrase), the local police reportedly ticketed him for operating a vehicle with defective equipment.

Man given ticket after getting run over by his own truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA investigating 2013 Infiniti JX over e-brake concern

George Kennedy — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

An investigation has been opened by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration into the 2013 Infiniti JX over possible issues with the emergency brake.

Specifically, the probe is looking at improper application of the e-brake, according to a Reuters report. While the investigation of 8,000 new Infiniti crossovers is not a recall, it could eventually trigger one if the government agency doesn't like what it finds.

The probe was launched after a pair of owners reported to NHTSA that "the intelligent brake assist system inappropriately activated emergency braking autonomously bringing the vehicle to an immediate and complete stop." One can see the potential danger in a vehicle that stops unintentionally and without warning.

No word yet on what might have caused the issue, but we'll keep our eyes peeled for more information.

NHTSA investigating 2013 Infiniti JX over e-brake concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Safety, Technology, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

The new 2011 BMW 530d has easily passed its first crash test evaluation while using active emergency brake intervention. Like a number of other cars to come to market recently, the 5 Series is available with a radar-based active cruise control system that can use the brake system to manage vehicle speed and keep the car a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Recently these systems have been enhanced with emergency brake intervention that allows full braking force to be applied if crash is imminent - even when the cruise control is not being used.

However, current crash test procedures don't allow for the activation of such systems. For example, in the European 40 mile per hour frontal offset test, the vehicle is expected to crash at 40 mph. In the real world, active braking would reduce the speed of the impact, likely reducing severity as well. However, applying full brakes also causes the nose to pitch down and the cars occupants to shift position can alter the test's results.

As more cars get these types of systems, they need to be accounted for in crash testing, and BMW is working with German testing agency DEKRA to develop new procedures. Check out the official press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention

BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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