Autoblog

LA Times details Toyota history of concealing safety issues

Chris Shunk — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota

The unintended acceleration issue has reached critical mass for Toyota, but is it an isolated incident for an automaker with an otherwise stellar record for being frank with its customers? A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times shows that Toyota may have concealed safety issues on several occasions in an effort to keep its name clean. The newspaper is reporting that it uncovered several incidents in which Toyota concealed defects or delayed recalls even after several complaints were made.

For instance, there was an issue with a plastic panel that could be dislodged, potentially leading to unintended acceleration issues in some 2003 model Toyota Sienna minivans. Engineers reportedly discovered the problem and fixed the issue after 26,000 units were made. Toyota didn't announce a recall until six years later. Then there was a steering issue with 2004 Toyota 4Runner models. Toyota recalled the vehicles in Japan but insisted that no recall was necessary in the U.S. even after there were dozens of complaints that showed the problem was real. The Japanese automaker finally recalled the SUVs in 2005. More recent was a suit filed by Dimitrios Biller; the ex-Toyota lawyer who alleges that his former employer hid safety data and evidence in rollover cases.

And that's not nearly all. Click past the break to keep reading about more possible safety defects the LA Times suggests may have been concealed by Toyota.

Continue reading LA Times details Toyota history of concealing safety issues

LA Times details Toyota history of concealing safety issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Australian Transport Accident Commission celebrates 20 years of disturbing commercials

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:23:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Australia

Don't drink and drive - Click above to view the video after the jump

Years ago when we were in drivers ed watching either Blood on the Highway or Red Asphalt -- the two gore-filled negative education films from the early 1970s that tried to scare us stright -- the cheerleader seated in front of us cold passed out. Just flopped right on the floor. It had to have been the scene where the camera arrives on the scene of a motorcycle wreck and, well, let's just say the poor rider needed an new knee. But as blood and guts infused as those films were, they can't even hold an emergency room candle to the carnage taking place on Australian television.

This film is a "best of" from 20 years of Transport Accident Commission films. And man... Notice how we didn't pass out during drivers ed? We have an iron stomach. That said, this video gets to be a little much. There's just so much non-stop carnage... The video almost makes us care less about drinking and driving than it does the perils of watching blood-infused video clips. Almost.

Here's what our Aussie tipster Casey had to say about the video, "Celebrating' 20 years of TAC TV advertisements, this once-only three-minute clip was shown on all free-to-air TV networks once on December 10 2009. It's a collage of their work over the 20 years and the graphic scenes put to air. It's an excellent (and chilling) viewing." Agreed, you're going see high production values and even higher casualty rates. Watch the video - if you have the stomach for it - after the jump.

[Source: Colorbus]

Continue reading VIDEO: Australian Transport Accident Commission celebrates 20 years of disturbing commercials

VIDEO: Australian Transport Accident Commission celebrates 20 years of disturbing commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota forced to submit data on Tundra frame rust to NHTSA

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began a preliminary evaluation last month of rusting Tundra frames from the 2000 and 2001 model years. Around 200 complaints had been registered before the NHTSA commenced its investigation, with upwards of seventy more complaints coming in since then.

As with the rusting Tacoma frames, the Tundra members in question were made by Dana. Importantly, though, the Tundra examination is focused only on "the cross member that supports the spare tire -- not the entire frame." Still, that area has been blamed by consumers for the spare tire coming loose, and for brake system failures due to corrosion at the brake line mounting points.

Toyota ended up buying back Tacomas or extending warranties to settle the rust issue, but Tundra frames were built at different Dana plants and to different specifications, so the Tundra issue is not assumed to be the same as the Tacoma issue. Toyota had until last week to submit its information on the frames, now the NHTSA will need to decide what to do next.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Toyota forced to submit data on Tundra frame rust to NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again announced the winners of its Top Safety Pick award - all 27 of them. This time out, 19 cars and eight SUVs made the all-important grade. To break it down a bit for you, Subaru is the only make to earn top marks in each of the classes in which it competes (four), winning a total of five awards. Ford and Volvo combined to take home six Top Safety Pick awards (the most of any automaker), VW/Audi comes away with five and Chrysler gets four. Added to this year's safe list in the small car segment are also two new competitors, the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul.

New for 2010 are more stringent rollover standards used in the evaluations by the IIHS, a tweak which is apparently responsible for keeping Toyota, the world's biggest automaker in terms of sales, from receiving a single award - even though last year, between Toyota, Lexus and Scion there were eleven winners. BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Saab were also absent from the list for the same reason, as the was the Ford Fusion. The Toyota Camry, meanwhile, didn't make the cut because of a marginal rear crash rating. All 27 winners - and a full press release - can be found after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading 2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota may offer to fix 4 million accelerator pedals

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

While Toyota maintains its position that recent accelerator issues have only to do with floor mats, the company has reportedly agreed to "make changes to gas pedals in certain U.S. models under an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration." That means that 3.8 million Toyota products - among which are the Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350 - will be recalled to address the accelerators.

With negotiations said to be ongoing between the NHTSA and Toyota, the automaker hasn't said what those changes will be, nor has it stated exactly when the recall will begin. According to Reuters, Toyota has a $5.6 billion slush fund to pay for recalls so the repair costs, while sure to be intergalactic, shouldn't affect earnings. The company can only hope now that the rumors, current lawsuits, other current lawsuits, yet-to-be-filed lawsuits, and the 24-hour news cycle don't do the kind of damage that is much worse than merely financial.

[Source: Reuters, MarketWatch]

REPORT: Toyota may offer to fix 4 million accelerator pedals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: NHTSA upgrading investigation into Honda Odyssey brakes

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Safety, Honda

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has upgraded their preliminary probe into an issue with the Honda Odyssey to an engineering analysis. The agency has received more than 500 complaints about a braking problem, with drivers saying the pedal gets soft or spongy. According to reports on ten crashes that have been submitted, the van in some cases hasn't stopped as it should.

The years in question are the 2006-2008 Odysseys. The problem being looked at is whether air entering the brake lines is degrading brake performance. Honda says air might enter the lines, but that wouldn't change the operation of the brakes. This is not a recall, merely an analysis, and there is no indication yet that a recall will be necessary. Later model vans are being looked at most closely, and NHTSA should release its findings soon.

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: NHTSA upgrading investigation into Honda Odyssey brakes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Nissan

2010 Nissan Altima -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2009 and 2010 Nissan Altima and Maxima are being recalled over a suspension issue. The problem is the upper front strut insulators on some cars, which might not meet specified tolerances and therefore crack. Nissan is notifying owners this month and the repair will be taken care of by dealers, who will replace the strut insulators on both sides. Follow the jump to read the notice from the NHTSA. Hat tip to Art G

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue

Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford widens cruise control recall by 4.5M vehicles - now biggest in company history

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford

For the past ten years, Ford has been doing a dance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and consumers over the issue of leaking cruise control switches in certain company vehicles. As of 2008, it had recalled some 9.6 million vehicles to repair a faulty Texas Instruments cruise-control deactivation switch, and now after a NHTSA investigation, the Blue Oval has added 4.5 million more Ford and Mercury vehicles to the recall.

The latest action covers these vehicles:

1992-2003 Ford Econoline
2000-2003 Ford Excursion
1995-2002 Ford Explorer
1993-1997, 1999-2003 Ford F-Series Super Duty
1994 Ford F-53 chassis
1995-1997, 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
1995-2003 Ford Windstar
1995-2002 Mercury Mountaineer

According to NHTSA, the switch can leak and overheat, which can lead to smoking and, in some cases, fire. In fact, The Detroit News notes that the switches have been faulted in more than 550 fires - some of which led to fatalities - many of which have led to lawsuits. A Ford statement declared, "Aside from the Windstar, the additional vehicles addressed in this action have different system parameters and do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety. However, Ford is taking this action on all of these vehicles to address possible ongoing customer lack of confidence in vehicles with the affected switch."

The recall begins on October 26. Anyone with an affected vehicle can take it to a Ford dealer and have the switch repaired with a fused harness. Owners can get more information directly from NHTSA by calling the government agency's hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Ford widens cruise control recall by 4.5M vehicles - now biggest in company history originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo buys full-page ads to pledge support for distracted driving legislation

Chris Shunk — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Volvo

Volvo has publicly stated that it would like to eradicate accident-related injuries and deaths per year by the year 2020; an extraordinarily lofty goal that would obviously save countless lives. But in the next ten years, hundreds of thousands of drivers will die in traffic accidents in the U.S. alone, and Volvo feels that anti-distracted driving legislation passing through Washington right now could save quite a few.

To support the legislation, Volvo took out full-page ads in yesterday's Washington Post and USA Today. Volvo points out in the ads that it has long been committed to avoiding distracted driving accidents, and safety tech like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning are evidence of the Swedish automaker's track record. The ads are purposely being run at the same time law makers, safety advocates, law enforcement and transportation officials converge in Washington for a distracted driving summit.

Volvo Cars North America President and CEO Doug Speck underscores his company's commitment to distracted driving laws, stating the need for "reasonable laws that help focus a driver's attention on the road will help reduce collisions, just as laws to enforce seat belt use have helped save lives." And when Volvo is talking about distracted driving, it's not just worried about text messaging and cell phones. The Swedish automaker also counts passengers, rubbernecking, driver fatigue, reading newspapers, books, and maps, adjusting the radio and looking at scenery as potential driving hazards.

We're definitely with Volvo with the book reading and the rubbernecking, but we'll take majestic scenery wherever we can get it. And if Volvo wants to eradicate map reading in the car, it can start by improving its own cloyingly contrived navigation system interface. Hit the jump to read the Volvo press release.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo buys full-page ads to pledge support for distracted driving legislation

Volvo buys full-page ads to pledge support for distracted driving legislation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Safety, Motorcycle

There's a bit of controversy going on in the helmet world, and it has a direct impact - pun intended - on every motorcycle rider trying to protect his or her head while looking for the best helmet to buy. All helmets approved for sale in the United States are tested and approved by the Department of Transportation, and wear a DOT sticker to certify the fact. The issue is with the additional SNELL Memorial Foundation certification that some helmets have.

According to The New York Times, in order to attain the SNELL M2005 certification, a helmet needs to be able to withstand that impact of a small steel sphere, twice, with the headform inside the helmet experiencing less than 300 times the force of gravity (300 g's). That's a huge amount of force, and it has led to SNELL M2005 helmets being so exceptionally rigid that some head injury researchers believe riders are suffering brain damage because of it. Also, SNELL doesn't use headforms of different weights, so riders with small heads can especially disadvantaged because of the disproportionate forces they'll encounter in such a firm helmet.

Some helmet companies and doctors and the U.S. and European helmet certification authorities believe that the SNELL M2005 test is obsolete, and that helmets should be "softer, softer, softer." SNELL has admitted to the need to update its test, and will be unveiling the M2010 standard shortly. The problem is that the M2005 standard helmets will continue to be sold in America until 2012. They won't be able to be sold in Europe until SNELL re-engineers its test to allow for more forgiving headgear. For you riders out there, do your homework, ask around, and make sure to buy the helmet that's right for you. A cranium is a terrible thing to waste.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: SNELL Memorial Foundation]

NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Safety, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Subaru

Four 2010 model year vehicles have just been awarded Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Subaru's Outback and Legacy, the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler's Sebring. Top Safety Picks are given to those vehicles that come equipped with electronic stability control and receive front, side, and rear crash test ratings of 'Good' in IIHS testing.

The Legacy has boasted a 'Good' rating for a few years now, while the all-new Outback takes the cake on its first try. The Sebring and Avenger continue their runs of 'Good' form in their current generations.

[Source: IIHS]

Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to Blood on the Highway

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Safety, Videos, UK

Wales PSA against texting while driving - Click above to watch video

It looks like Wales hired Danny Boyle or Quentin Tarantino to create a PSA to showcase the dangers of texting while driving (it was actually Peter Watkins-Hughes). As these things do, it starts off with a couple of teenagers doing what teenagers do -- in this case, sending text messages from behind the wheel. The accident is cinematic in its graphic detail, trauma, and blood. Just when you think it's over... well, we won't spoil it, but let's just say it ain't short and it ain't pretty. All that's missing are the zombies. Follow the jump to watch the video - but fair warning, it's far more gory than the average PSA. Thanks for the tip, Tim!

[Sources: BBC]

Continue reading VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to Blood on the Highway

VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to Blood on the Highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Party Time: Volvo celebrates 50 years of the three-point belt

Chris Tutor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Volvo

Volvo's three-point seat belt - Click above to watch the video after the break

Back in 1958, most Americans wouldn't have been caught dead wearing a seat belt. That was mostly because safety belts were optional equipment in every car sold in the U.S. and drivers were suspicious of the things.

Just one year later, though, Nils Bohlin of Sweden invented and patented a three-point safety belt system that Volvo immediately made standard on its Amazon model. Variations on that system are still being used today in virtually every modern car.

Volvo, as you might expect, is pretty proud of itself, bragging that Mr. Bohlin is personally responsible for saving a million lives and that the three-point safety belt is Volvo's most important innovation and "almost certainly the most important invention in the whole history of traffic safety." Hmm. Maybe, but what about the, um, stop sign? Or double yellow line? Just saying. Then again, Volvo says the German patent office called the three-point belt one of the eight patents that had the greatest importance to mankind between 1885 and 1985. Surely that's now been trumped by 24-7 cable news networks.

Regardless, if you want to celebrate 50 years of safer driving with Volvo, chill the beer, fire up the grill and watch the video after the break. There's some great historical footage including one of a crash test with a live person as well as, more importantly, gratuitous footage of a girl in short shorts. Hit the jump to watch the video and read the full press release from Volvo.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Party Time: Volvo celebrates 50 years of the three-point belt

Party Time: Volvo celebrates 50 years of the three-point belt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transportation Secretary LaHood calls for September 'distracted driving' summit?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

A recent study from Virginia Tech showed that texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to get into a crash and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is looking to address the problem head-on with a September summit to study distracted driving. LaHood plans to to use the summit with law enforcement, safety advocates and transportation officials to come up with a series of concrete steps to curtail distracted driving. The Los Angeles Times reports that LaHood would like to ban text messaging, though the Secretary says enforcement and education is key.

The Senate is already looking at the possibility of a nationwide ban on text messaging while driving. Since states typically mandate such laws, the federal government is looking to enact a set of restrictions that states will have to enforce, or risk losing 25% of their federal road improvement funding.

While a ban of text messaging would likely curtail such behavior, we're wondering how such a law could be properly enforced. It would likely be difficult for officers to know definitively if a driver was text messaging while driving, unless the phone is confiscated or phone records are checked. Of course, the same could also be said for areas in which talking on the phone while driving is illegal (without a hands-free device), and we haven't heard of any major legal challenges issued on that front.

[Source: The Los Angeles Times | Source: Michael Smith/Getty]

Transportation Secretary LaHood calls for September 'distracted driving' summit? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo, Reviews

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has seen better days. Just a few short years ago, the Swedish automaker was the lone bright spot in Ford's European luxury operation, boasting impressive sales and actual profits. Fast-forward to 2009, and the situation couldn't be more different. Sales are downright depressing, revenues are worse, and the automaker has a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn, yet nobody has bothered to show up for the open house. For Volvo to have a legitimate chance of survival, all future products have to be home runs, beginning with the XC60 crossover.

The XC60 slots below the XC70 wagon and the XC90 crossover, finally giving Volvo a player in the lucrative entry-level luxury crossover realm. The stalwarts of the segment - the Lexus RX and Acura MDX - play to consumer's needs and desires, offering superior reliability, inoffensive looks, maxed out interiors, and top-notch tech options. Looking at the XC60 from afar, the newest Volvo passes the appearance and interior test, but does it have enough to get customers back into Volvo showrooms? Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Continue reading Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

2001 Honda Accord - click above for high-res gallery

Honda began a recall campaign last November to repair overpressurized airbag inflators in 2001 Honda Civics and Accords. The excessive pressurization could cause the metal inflator casing to explode on the driver's side, potentially resulting in fragments that would pierce the airbag material and injure drivers.

That recall has now been expanded with the addition of 440,000 cars that include the 2002-2003 Acura TL. Honda says affected owners will receive a recall notice in the mail, or you can check your car's recall status on Honda and Acura's sites. Barring that, you can get all of the information in the press release after the jump or check out our galleries of the 2001 Accord and Civic models below.

Gallery: 2001 Honda Accord

Gallery: 2001 Honda Civic

Continue reading Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall

Honda adds 440,000 more cars to airbag fragment recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SURVEY: Drivers feel 35% less safe than they did five years ago... do you? [w/POLL]

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released new survey results stating that over one-third of the motorists it polled are driving scared. More specifically, they feel less safe than they did back in 2004. Thing is, 2008 was the safest year to drive a car since 1961, and adjusted for population growth, the safest year in American motoring history. Yet Americans feel less safe. Why? Yakking on cell phones and texting while behind the wheel were cited as the main reasons. In other words, distracted driving.

The question, then, is why? Well, cell phones are quite visible. In other words, just by looking you can't tell that the dude next to you poured a pint of tequila into his Big Gulp or that the woman next to him has been awake for the last 37 hours. But you can see that they're yelling at their spouse through the phone. Texting's worse because they're always looking down and sometimes have both hands off the wheel. Just our theory.

Another theory is that as the belt line of cars continue to rise and resemble armored cars, visibility plummets. Not being able to see out of a vehicle probably makes one feel unsafe. Another theory? Now that manufacturers talk about safety all the time (think: those Volkswagen commercials - SMASH!) people are starting to think about safety more and more. And finally, maybe the recession just has people singin' the blues. Full press release after the jump.

View Poll

[Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty]

Continue reading SURVEY: Drivers feel 35% less safe than they did five years ago... do you? [w/POLL]

SURVEY: Drivers feel 35% less safe than they did five years ago... do you? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: NHTSA withheld results of studies on cell phone use while driving because of Congress

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

As always, it ain't the crime, it's the cover-up. In what looks to be Congress protecting its turf, a planned study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on driver distraction - specifically, drivers using cell phones - was put on hold. The reason, according to The New York Times, was allegedly a fear of upsetting the Capitol body. The reason, according to an ex-head of NHTSA, was "to avoid antagonizing members of Congress who had warned the agency to stick to its mission of gathering safety data but not to lobby states."

In 2003, NHTSA already had "hundreds of pages" of research on the effects of multitasking while driving. And yes, as many Autoblog commenters have surmised, the research does indeed point to people using their cell phones being "as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol content." NHTSA officials also felt that hands-free systems weren't a safe enough solution - drivers were still too distracted.

But when the safety agency drafted a letter to then Transport Secretary Norman Mineta that included policy recommendations, the head of the agency began hearing complaints about NHTSA overstepping its bounds. Congress, it was said, "warned the agency not to use its research to lobby states." As the story goes, the threat to NHTSA was that if it upset Congress, it "could jeopardize billions of dollars of its financing."

So instead of going forward with a focused study of cell phone usage that would include 10,000 drivers, the agency shelved everything and stayed quiet. Due to Freedom of Information Act requests, the research gathered up to now is being revealed. But there is still the issue of Congress holding back information that, frankly, could save lives.

What do you think? Do you use your mobile phone while driving? Do you think doing so should be illegal? Drop your fellow reader a line in 'Comments.'

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty]

REPORT: NHTSA withheld results of studies on cell phone use while driving because of Congress originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Raising national speed limit has resulted in 12,500 deaths

Chris Shunk — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

In 1995, highway speed limits increased from a nation-wide 55 mph to 65, 70 or 75 mph, depending on the state, and most Americans were thrilled. The obvious benefit of the change was people could legally get to where they wanted to go, but according to a new study, the downside has been an alarming increase in accidents and deaths.

The University of Illinois School of Public Health studied accidents from 1995 to 2005 to determine the impact on the speed increase on accidents. The study examined deaths and injuries in fatal car crashes on rural interstate highways, urban interstates and non-interstate road, and found the speed increase resulted in 2,545 deaths and an additional 36,582 injuries.

All told, the study found that deaths and injuries increased by 3.2% over the ten-year period, while rural road deaths increased by an alarming 9.1%. Lead researcher Lee S. Friedman says the easy way to solve the increases in deaths and injuries would be to drop the speed limit back to 55 mph, adding "Researchers have demonstrated that lower travel speeds and death tolls usually follow lowering of speed limits, and higher travel speeds and death tolls follow increases in speed limits."

Naturally, Friedman points out that the drop in speed would result in decreased fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gasses as well. Studies show that decreased speeds lead to higher volume capacity on freeways as well, as drivers require less distance between vehicles to safely drive.

Not all agree with Friedman's hypothesis, though. Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, says that while deaths will decrease with a lower speed limit, it'd also gum up everyone's schedule. Others point out that the bulk of the added deaths happened in areas where limits are 70 and 75 mph, and where the limits were 65, the impact was far less severe.

[Source: US News | Image Source: Ian Waldie/Getty]

STUDY: Raising national speed limit has resulted in 12,500 deaths originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Recently, the U.K. began to consider a law that would address drivers under the influence of drugs, and was looking at using a device that would act like a breathalyzer for narcotics instead of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration might want to make the same recommendation after finding that while just 2.2% of drivers have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, a startling 16.3% of drivers were on some sort of narcotic.

Marijuana came in first among drug positives at 8.6%, with cocaine and over-the-counter meds following at 3.9% each. NHTSA plans further studies to find out how drugs affect driving impairment, since some narcotics aren't flushed from the body for weeks. If the research shows the effects are as bad as drunk driving, we can probably expect 'drugalyzers' to make an appearance at checkpoints soon.

You can read the full results of the study in the press release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA | Photo credit: Web420.com]

Continue reading NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs

NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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