NTSB Most Wanted List For Transportation Safety

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In order to combat the high incidences of motor vehicle accidents the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has put together a “Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements and notable “Most Wanted” successes of last year. While most items are related to aviation, operator problems for truckers, and motor coaches, there are several issues that may affect the every day driver. Below is a list of problems the NTSB hopes to improve.

  • Child Occupant Protection:
    • Review existing laws and bring in legislation that would require children up to 8 years old to wear child restraints and use booster seats.
  • Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws:
    • Strengthening the law by allowing officers to ticket drivers for not wearing seat belts without having to observe another offense first.
    • Implementing fines and driver’s license penalty points.
  • Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers:
    • Prohibit the use of interactive wireless communications devices by young novice drivers.
    • Restrict the number of teen passengers traveling with young novice drivers.
    • Enact graduated driver licensing legislation.
  • Reduce Drinking and Driving:
    • Frequent, statewide sobriety checkpoints.
    • More effective measures for first time arrests with high blood alcohol concentration and repeat offenders.
    • Zero blood alcohol requirement for those already convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
    • Administrative license revocation for refusing to take or failing an evidential test for alcohol.
    • Vehicle sanctions for DWI offenders to separate drinking from driving.
    • Elimination of plea-bargaining DWI offenses and programs that divert offenders and purge offense records.
    • DWI offense records retention for at least 10 years to identify repeat offenders.
    • Special sanction court-based programs such as DWI courts for hard core DWI offenders.
  • Improve Motorcycle Safety:
    • Require that all persons shall wear a Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while driving or as a passenger on any motorcycle.

NHTSA Investigates Honda Unintended Acceleration

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing a request for an investigation into unintended acceleration in Honda’s 2005 Accord hybrid. This request comes after a July 2005 crash that killed one and permanently injured another. The driver alleges that the vehicles brakes were ineffective and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably.

Twenty two other similar complaints involving Honda Accord Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles were found in NHTSA’s database. In each incident, there were complaints of inadequate braking performance while driving over bumpy road surfaces.

The auto supplier, Indiana-based CTS Corp., is the supplier of Honda’s pedal assemblies and is the same company that supplies Toyota’s assemblies. Other customers include Ford and Nissan. CTS has pointed out that their units, while used by many different auto manufacturers, all have different designs and specifications.

Faulty Windshield Wiper Motor Urges Jeep Recall

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Chrysler is recalling almost 17,000 2008 Jeep Liberty Suv’s for a faulty windshield wiper motors. The motors have been improperly manufactured allowing moisture to enter and short it out. If this happens, the driver could experience reduced visibility which could lead to an accident. Owners can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

Camry Accident In Utah Questions Toyota Recall Fix

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A recent car accident in western Utah is making government official and safety advocate groups question the repairs done to Toyota vehicles recalled because of unintended acceleration. Two people were killed and two injured when a 2008 Toyota Camry sped out of control and crashed into a rock wall. The vehicle was believed to have experienced unintended acceleration even though the owner of the Camry was said to have had the vehicle repaired by Toyota for unintended acceleration.

Based on statements from witnesses and those that survived the crash inside the car, investigators are led to believe that the pedal was stuck, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Johnson. Tire skid marks showed that the Camry’s driver tried to stop the vehicle as it exited Interstate 80. The car ended up going through a stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting the wall.

LA Auto Show Speeds Into The Electric Car Era

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The sales of electric cars may not be doing as well as first hoped, but the displays at this years Los Angeles Auto Show hopes to change that. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Green Car of the Year, is one of several displays that hope to spark interest in the sales of green cars. The Volts rival, the Nissan leaf, along with Tesla’s Toyota RAV4 EV, the Fisker Karma, the Mitsubishi I-MiEV, and every other car maker’s electric or hybrid car will be there vying for the green consumers interest.

This year’s show will feature a record of debuts with fifty new vehicles unveiled on press day. This year’s show features more elaborate and interactive exhibits and more manufacturers, making it one of the most dynamic LA Auto Shows in years. The annual event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will be open to the public November 19-28.

Engine Failure Recall For Nissan Sentra

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Nissan has announced that they will be recalling almost 14,000 2010-2011 Sentras for a problem that could lead to engine failure. The problem is being blamed on the positive terminal of the battery not making good contact with the battery cable. The problem could lead to the engine stalling, difficulty starting, and could cause damage to the engine control unit (ECU).

The vehicles recalled were built between May and July of 2010. Owners can contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261 for further information.

Demand For GM Stocks Increase Offering

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A perceived demand for GM stocks has led the company to bump up the price of its upcoming share offering. The previous estimate of $26-$29 has increased to $32-$33. The automobile manufacturer has also increased the size of its preferred shares offering from 60 million to 80 million. At the current pricing, GM could raise nearly 18 billion dollars, which would help repay some of the 50 billion dollar taxpayer bailout.

According to Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Edmunds.com, “The increased share pricing is a vote of confidence in the company and in the stock it is offering. It is a sign that the management of General Motors has done an extremely good job pitching the stock to investors and highlighting its positives over its challenges.” Strong sales on new cars and trucks helped General Motors earn $2 billion in the third quarter. Boosted by higher prices from newly introduced models and from overseas sales, the third quarter earnings nearly matched the first two quarters of the year combined.

Not everyone feel that the stock offering is ready. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and two other consumer groups are asking that the government delay the offering in hopes of getting a better return. They say the offering is oversubscribed and a plague of accounting errors by GM, pose a risk factor to the IPO.

According to an Automotive News source, Chinese companies are among a handful of firms looking for a stake in GM. Others include European industrial groups, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds. GM CEO Fritz Henderson acknowledged talks are ongoing between GM and six Opel/Vauxhall suitors, but couldn’t reveal any names because of a confidentiality agreement.

Buick And Cadillac Recalled For Engine Fires

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General Motors is recalling almost 14,000 2010-2011 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS automobiles in the United States for a problem with the power steering. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there have not been any injuries related to the problem but there have been four reported fires.

After investigation, GM found that the starter and alternator cables were installed too close to the power steering conduit. The contact between the cables wore the conduit and wire insulation, resulting in an ignition source for the leaking steering fluid. The worn lines could also lead to a battery short.

Dealers will inspect and re-route harnesses in the recalled vehicles, as well as hold any unsold cars under the recall until the inspections and rectification can be made.