Category Archives: safety

Laser Attacks on Airplanes Double in 2010

Posted on 19 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that the number of laser strikes on airplanes in 2010 nearly doubled from the previous year to more than 2,800. This is the highest number of incidents since the FAA first began keeping track of this new safety threat in 2005. Continue reading →

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OnStar Presidential Shakeup. Preuss Out. Marshall In

Posted on 18 January 2011 by Ken Zino

As a lifelong public relations professional, Preuss was likely much more sensitive to the growing distracted driving problem than Wall Street and other executives who emphasize growth with little or no concern for the social problems that the growth might cause. Continue reading →

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General Motors Recalls Pickups, SUVs for Rear Wheel Lockup

Posted on 17 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling almost 27,000 pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles from the 2011 model year because the rear wheels can unexpectedly lock, possibly sending the trucks out of control and causing an accident. Continue reading →

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OnStar Starts Voice Application Student Competition

Posted on 15 January 2011 by Ken Zino

OnStar is looking for new in-vehicle voice-enabled applications through a contest at five U.S. universities.

The growing telematics subsidiary of General Motors is a leader in the controversial area of in-vehicle electronics OnStar is interested in working with students who are studying voice application development. The voice platform allows OnStar to provide more connectivity to subscribers.

This also might enable more distracted driving accidents, currently responsible for 6,000 deaths and more than 500,000 serious injuries each year, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. A total of 33,808 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2009. Another 2.22 million people were injured. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Administrator Strickland Visits NAIAS Show Promoting Jobs, Not Safety? The Endless Partison Political Campaign Continues

Posted on 14 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The man responsible for traffic safety in the United States, David Strickland, visited the North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – this week promoting the Obama Administration’s jobs agenda – or at least the let’s talk, but do little, part of it, with nary a word about traffic safety. Continue reading →

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American Honda Recalls 2010 Accord, CR-V Models for Stalling

Posted on 13 January 2011 by Ken Zino

While most of the attention during the past year has been on Toyota’s quality and recall problems, Honda has also been recalling large number of vehicles for safety defects. In the latest instance, thousands of 2010 Honda Accord cars and … Continue reading →

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Red Light Cameras Approved in Missouri. Arizona Murderer Destories Serving Time for Speed Camera Shooting

Posted on 12 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today gave the go ahead for the statewide use of cameras mounted on traffic lights to automatically record and catch red-light runners. It also approved the ongoing use of speed cameras in restricted circumstances. … Continue reading →

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Toyota Announces a New Safety Research Center in Michigan

Posted on 9 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota said in a statement that during the next five years about $50 million in funding will come from the Japanese company, roughly the same amount as the fines accessed against Toyota in 2010 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failure to promptly act on safety defects. Continue reading →

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Toyota Prevails Against Former In-House Attorney Biller. Self Proclaimed Whistle Blower Ordered to Pay Toyota Millions

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales in the U.S. has won a key legal battle against its former in-house attorney, Dimitrios P. Biller, who accused Toyota of withholding evidence in product liability cases. An arbitrator has found in Toyota’s favor on all of … Continue reading →

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Toyota U.S. Sales Troubles Continue as 2010 Sales Results are the Same as a Depressed 2009. Overall the Market Grew 11%

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today reported annual sales of 1,763,595 vehicles – the same as Toyota posted during 2009 in an auto market that grew at double digit rates for most other major makers, including 19% at Ford Motor … Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls F-Series, Edge, Lincoln MKX for Fires. “Toyota Effect” at NHTSA as Makers Now Rush to Recall Defects

Posted on 30 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company in the U.S. is recalling thousands of 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles for fires. A Mexican-built control computer from Lear Corporation can burst into flames without warning. At least two of … Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls Accord, Pilot Models for Suspension Failures

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Ken Zino

American Honda will recall model year 2010-11 Accord and 2011 Pilot vehicles in the U.S. to prevent a potential front suspension failure. The machinery used to tighten the spindle nuts on the front axles of both vehicles, and the damper … Continue reading →

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Korean Hankook Recalls Defective Tires for Blowouts

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Hankook Tire America Corporation (HTAC) is recalling imported P256/70R17S replacement tires because they failed Hankook tests for sidewall wear, which can lead to blowouts.

In a series of lawyer-written filings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Korean tire maker said even though the imported tires conformed with U.S. Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Hankook considers the tires’ failure of internal standards that were deliberately set higher, a safety related defect. As a result, Hankook will conduct a safety recall, according to Dae-Ki Min, HTAC’s lawyer. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Fined Another $32.425 Million for Safety Defects

Posted on 21 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corp. will pay $32.425 million in civil penalties as the result of two Department of Transportation Investigations into safety defects it was announced late last night by DOT. The additional penalties are on top of a previous fine … Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 377,286 Jetta, Beetle and Rabbit Models for Fuel Leaks and Potential Underhood Fires

Posted on 20 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen is initiating a recall of hundreds of thousands of Mexican built Jetta, Beetle and Rabbit models for fuel leaks that could lead to underhood fires. Model years 2006-2010 are affected. The affected models all have 2.5-liter engines with design … Continue reading →

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