Category Archives: safety

Elena Ford Guilty of Driving While Intoxicated in Detroit Suburb

Posted on 21 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Elena Ford, 44, of Birmingham, MI and New York City told the judge “This is a complete embarrassment to my family, especially having my son in the car. “I embarrassed my friends and the people I work with,” she said. Continue reading →

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ACLU Seeks Records about Alleged State Police “Secret Searches” of Driver Cell Phones During Traffic Stops.

Posted on 20 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is in an ongoing battle with the Michigan State Police (MSP) who refuse to release information regarding the use of portable data extraction devices (DEDs) that can allegedly secretly capture personal information from cell phones during routine traffic stops. Continue reading →

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NLRB Issues Complaint against Boeing for Unlawfully Moving 787 Airline Work to A Non-Union Facility in South Carolina

Posted on 20 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Specifically, the Machinists union charged that the decision to transfer the line was made to retaliate against union employees for participating in past strikes and to chill future strike activity, which is protected under the National Labor Relations Act. Continue reading →

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Truck Underride Guards Fail in Crashes so IIHS Wants New Rule

Posted on 20 April 2011 by Ken Zino

In 2009, 70% of the 3,163 people who died in all large truck crashes were occupants of cars or other passenger vehicles. Underride crashes makes death or serious injury more likely since the upper part of the passenger vehicle’s occupant compartment typically crushes as the truck body intrudes into the vehicle safety cage. Continue reading →

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GM India Hires Scabs to Break Chevrolet Cruze Plant Strike

Posted on 15 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The General Motors India strike by the Gujurat Kamdar Mandal union is reminiscent of UAW sit down strikes during 1936-37 in Michigan, which led to recognition of the Union and the right to collective bargaining by the world’s largest automaker. Thus far Solidarity House, the UAW’s international headquarters in Detroit has remained silent on the GKM strike, and refused multiple requests for comment. General Motors in the U.S. simply says it is working with local groups in India. Continue reading →

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Three Common Teen Driver Mistakes Lead to Fatal Crashes

Posted on 12 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Researchers analyzed a nationally-representative federal database of more than 800 crashes involving teen drivers and identified a few common “critical errors,” often one of the last in a chain of events leading up to a crash. Seventy-five percent of these crashes were due a critical teen driver error, with three common errors accounting for nearly half of all serious crashes. Continue reading →

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Electronic Devices Gain in Importance for New Vehicle Buyers

Posted on 11 April 2011 by Ken Zino

NHTSA – in a states’ rights argument that goes back to at least the Civil War during the 1860s – is forbidden by Congress from regulating drivers on a national basis, that power is reserved for the individual states, whose legislators show little interest in outlawing the demonstrably dangerous devices in automobiles. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Recalls Cruze for “Steering Wheel Detachment”

Posted on 11 April 2011 by Ken Zino

GM reported to NHTSA that upon investigation it was discovered that an incorrect steering wheel was originally fastened on the steering column of the Cruze during assembly. When the mistake was discovered, the wheel was removed and replaced but the steering wheel was not properly fastened to the column. The worker apparently left the bolt out. Continue reading →

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Microsoft and Toyota Partner on Next-Generation Telematics

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have formed partnership and plan to build on Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure or cloud platform. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 71,000 Jetta Sedans for Sudden Stalling

Posted on 4 April 2011 by Ken Zino

All Jetta models made in Mexico from March of 2010 unit March 21011 – an entire year of production – have a fuse box design that runs the engine management system, horn, wiper blades and theft alarm through one fuse. If the fuse blows for any reason, the engine quits without warning. Continue reading →

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Toyota Wins New York Unintended Acceleration Case

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. has won an unintended acceleration case where it was alleged that an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of Scion tC vehicle in August 2005. After deliberating for approximately 45 … Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 2011 Odyssey Again. Window Glass Can Shatter

Posted on 26 March 2011 by Ken Zino

American Honda is recalling 2,800 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the side window glass in one or both of the front doors. It was the second Odyssey recall of the month, following an earlier one to replace a front windshield wiper linkage rod that could break. Continue reading →

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Honda Reveals Indy Car Refueling Interlock System

Posted on 25 March 2011 by Ken Zino

American Honda has revealed a refueling safety interlock system designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries caused by drivers pulling out with the hose still attached. An accident that resulted in serious injuries during an American Le Mans Series race in 2008, prompted Honda Performance Development (HPD) to start development of a safety system that prevents engagement of first gear while the car is still refueling. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Elantra Air Bag Recall – More than 280,000 Affected

Posted on 22 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Company in the United States is recalling 2007 through 2009 Elantra models for two safety defects that interfere with proper air bag deployment. Electrical sensor problems are responsible for both potential safety defects. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today unveiled its Colorado Show Truck on the eve of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut.

The is said to be concept virtually identical to the next-generation Colorado mid-size pickup truck that goes on sale in Thailand later this year, and will eventually be on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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