As one of the most effective automobile safety features invented, seat belts save thousands of lives every year. Unfortunately, one in five Americans fail to regularly wear their seat belt while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘NHTSA’
NHTSA Click It Or Ticket Seatbelt Safety Campaign
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013Better Communication Results In Automobile Safety
Thursday, January 31st, 2013According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), improvements in the automobile recall process is the direct result of better communication between the regulators and manufacturers. He also added that substantial increases in fines for not reporting a recall promptly was also a big factor in encouraging manufacturers to be more pro active with recalls (more…)
Consumer Complaints Play Big Roll In Auto Recalls
Friday, January 18th, 2013The United States has one of the most effective automobile investigation and recall programs in the world. Because of the hard work of the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) team, every day millions of drivers can feel safer on our roadways. (more…)
New Safety Rules For Buses And Trucks
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) main function is to prevent injuries, deaths, and reduce expensive costs due to traffic accidents. Their mission also includes issuing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to contribute to energy security and address climate change. (more…)
Toyota Fined For Recalls
Friday, December 21st, 2012Toyota will be fined the maximum penalty of $17.4 million for the second time since 2010, for failing to report automobile defects in a timely manner. In June of this year, Toyota announced a recall of over one hundred and fifty thousand 2010 Lexus RX350 and 2010 Lexus RX450H vehicles for problems with floor mats that could interfere with the accelerator pedal. (more…)
NHTSA Warns Of Dangerous Lemon Airbags
Thursday, October 25th, 2012The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning car owners to get their vehicle inspected for potential lemon airbags. This includes any airbags bought online, used vehicles where the owner is unsure if the airbags have been replaced, and any owner who has had their airbags replaced by an independent repair shop not connected to a new car dealership. It is estimated that only 1% of U.S. vehicles may be affected by the problem, but that equals to tens of thousands units. (more…)
Teen Driving Safety
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012Automobile accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States. Statistics show that in 2010, approximately 2,700 teens were killed and almost 282,000 were treated for injuries, giving them the highest average annual crash and traffic violation rates of any other age group. What causes teenage drivers to be such risky drivers? According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there are several risk factors. They include:
- Poor hazard detection
- Low risk perception
- Higher risk taking
- Lack of seat belt use
- Lack of skill
- Alcohol and drugs
- Distractions
- Carrying passengers
- Night driving
The NHTSA believes there are proven methods to help teens become safer drivers, and have developed strategies to prevent motor vehicle related deaths and injuries. In July 1998, California enacted a new law that requires all new teen drivers to obtain drivers licenses through a three-step process. Research suggests that these graduated drivers licensing (GDL) programs can reduce accidents by up to 40%, by allowing teens to get their initial driving experience under low risk conditions. Under the program, step one includes:
- The student must drive with an adult over 25 years of age or with a licensed instructor.
- New drivers must complete a 6 hour drivers training course.
- He or she must keep a clean driving record.
- A zero tolerance towards alcohol must be followed.
- Effective July 2008, a ban on all devices, with or without hands free capability, must be followed by drivers under 18 years.
Once the student is ready to move on to the second step, they will receive a provisional license. Under the provisional license the driver must be older than 16 and have passed a behind the wheel driving test. For the first 12 months, or until the driver is 18, they are not allowed passengers under the age of 20 or to drive between the hours of 11 P.M. – 5 A.M. unless a licensed driver 25 years or older is present.
A full-privilege license may be granted after the driver successfully undergoes the first two steps for the proper amount of time and there are no outstanding DMV or court-ordered restrictions, suspensions, or probation’s on the driver’s record. The NHTSA encourages parents to work with their teenagers and monitor their driving to ensure their safety and the safety of everyone on the road.
Mazda Tribute Problems Same As Ford Escape
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012Safety advocates encouraging a recall of certain 2002-2004 Ford Escape vehicles are also asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to include the 2002-2004 Mazda Tribute in their investigation. According to the group, both sport utility vehicles (SUV) are similar vehicles built on the same assembly line. In 2004 Ford and Mazda issued identical recalls for unintended acceleration caused by an accelerator cable that may not return to the idle position. Ford later issued a technical service bulletin that warned dealers that an improper repair could lead to an adjacent cruise control cable being damaged and snagging on the engine cover causing unintended acceleration. The Center for Auto Safety say that because the vehicles are so similar and there is no way of knowing whether the recalls were carried out correctly, Ford and Mazda should issue a recall to ensure the safety of the vehicles.
Ford Escape Investigated
Monday, July 16th, 2012The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is encouraging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into certain 2002-2004 Ford Escape vehicles that could be susceptible to unintended acceleration after being repaired for another recall. According to the consumer safety group, the original recall involved accelerator cables snagging on the accelerator pedals, preventing the engine from returning to idle. The group says that almost a year later, Ford issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) which cautioned dealers to take extra care when correcting the recall because the adjacent cruise control cable could be damaged in the process. The damage could allow the cable to snag on a ridge in the engine cover causing unintended acceleration. There have been over 130 complaints from owners claiming they experienced sudden acceleration before and after the original recall was performed. The recall petition also mentions a case in Payson, Ariz., where a 17 year old died in a crash that was blamed on a snagged cruise control cable. According to Ford, they are currently working with the NHTSA to investigate the problem.
Fire Investigation Adds 2012 Chevy Cruze
Monday, May 28th, 2012A recent investigation into engine fires in some 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles has been widened to include some 2012 models. The investigation was open last March after complaints of engine fires was reported in two 2011 Chevy Cruze vehicles, but additional reports of fires in some 2012 vehicles has lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to include the newer models. According to the investigation reports, the probe is focusing on electrical wiring and the transmission control module. If the probe leads to a recall, over 370,000 vehicles could be involved.
Tweet