Automobile manufacturers around the world are at a historic turning point for automotive travel. Engineers predict that affordable innovative technology will change the motor vehicle and driver relationships, improving highway safety, increasing environmental benefits, expanding mobility , and creating new economic opportunities for jobs and investment. One of the most controversial technologies being debated is the use of autonomous vehicles. Continue reading
Tag Archives: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NTSB Recommends Lower Blood Alcohol Levels
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 10,000 people die in drinking and driving related crashes every year. In an attempt to reach a goal of zero alcohol and impaired related deaths, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are recommending that states implement laws that will work toward that goal. Continue reading
NHTSA Click It Or Ticket Seatbelt Safety Campaign
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. Continue reading
New Safety Rules For Buses And Trucks
The 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. Continue reading
Mandatory Back Up Cameras
The Department Of Transportation has delayed a ruling proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to make backup cameras mandatory on all passenger vehicles. The NHTSA was hoping the ruling would be finalized today, but the DOT has decided that further studies are needed in order to ensure the most protective and efficient rules possible. A law to improve and standardized rear visibility for vehicles was first introduced in 2008, but the deadline has been extended several times. The new rule requirements would see 10% of new vehicles equipped with backup cameras by the end of 2012, 40% by the end of 2013 , and 100 % by the end of 2014.
According to the NHTSA, over 17,000 people are injured and approximately 230 people die in backup accidents involving cars, trucks and SUVs. Statistics show that most on these accidents involve children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. It is estimated that using a camera to eliminate the rear blind spot could cut that number in half. Unfortunately, it could also add up to $200 more per vehicle for a total of approximately $3 billion to the auto industry, most of which would be passed on to the customer.
The NHTSA provides a 60-day comment period on this rule making that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws-Regs
NHTSA Accused Of Chevy Volt Cover Up
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being accused of trying to keep the Chevrolet Volt battery fire a secret in an attempt to protect the government’s investment in the car company. Members of the House Committee for Government Reform released a report that states that the bailout of GM, creates business and political reasons for the government to sacrifice public safety. They criticize the time it took for the investigation to begin and the conclusion that the vehicle was safe, just two weeks into the investigation.
The NHTSA defends their position on the Chevy Volt investigation, saying that the agency is still developing protocols for dealing with battery powered vehicles. In the case of the Volt, they do not see the fire as a highway hazard because the problem could only be reproduced after impaling the battery with a steel rod. Still, it took at least a week for the fire to start. They added that GM was quick in responding to the problem, and developed protocols to drain the battery after a Volt has been in an accident.
NAS Recommends Improvements To The NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being urged by the National Academy of Science (NAS) to refine its investigative techniques and add technical help to meet increasingly complex automobile technology. The academy feels that the NHTSA lacks the understanding of hardware and software automakers are installing in their new vehicles, which became prevalent during the NHTSAs investigation into unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles in 2009/2010. Members of the NAS said that the NHTSA did all they could during the investigation, but a lack of understanding of the technology slowed down the process.
Some of the recommendation made by the NAS include:
- A push to have automakers install “black boxes” on all new vehicles to record crash data.
- The federal agency form an advisory panel of specialists who can assist both in regulatory reviews and specific vehicle investigations.
- Review of how the agency’s investigators share data with its researchers.
The safety agency says it has already taken steps to strengthen its expertise in electronic control systems, and will continue to work with the National Academy of Sciences to do more to ensure the safety of consumers.
Nissan Investigated For Brake Problems
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating brake problems with the 2007-2008 Nissan Altima, after receiving twenty complaints of loss of braking power. Altima drivers complained that the “brake warning” light would come on intermittently while driving, and after taking in the vehicle for service, were told that the brake master cylinder was leaking and needed replacement. If the investigation should lead to a recall, almost 440,000 2007-2008 Altimas could be affected.
In 2008-2009, Nissan recalled over 160,000 2007-2008 Sentra vehicles for the same problems.
