Category Archives: safety

Department of Transportation Wants Tougher Pipeline Regs

At its heart, the proposed rule will update decades-old federal leak detection and repair standards that rely solely on human senses in favor of new requirements that add an additional layer of safety by deploying commercially available, advanced technologies to find and fix leaks of methane and other flammable, toxic, and corrosive gases. These health and safety improvements will advance environmental justice in communities where gas pipeline infrastructure is disproportionately sited. Continue reading

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NHTSA – Wheels Falling Off 2023 Ford Bronco, Ranger Trucks

In the required federal filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said the lug nut tightening machine was out of service and that a manual – translation human – backup was in place. Continue reading

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Tesoro Refining to Pay Penalty for Consent Decree Violations

“Tesoro did not meet the consent decree pollution limit because it did not install adequate pollution controls,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “As this settlement shows, EPA will seek substantial penalties when companies delay installing appropriate pollution controls to meet environmental obligations.” Continue reading

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Marijuana – Feel Different Then You Drive Different

“High, stoned, or wasted, zonked – doesn’t matter what term you use, if you are impaired, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” suggests AutoInformed. “We are asking our readers to use decent judgement, obey the law, and above all make safe choices before your get behind the wheel of any type of vehicle.” Continue reading

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Illegally Towed Vehicles – DOJ Helping Service Members

Under the proposed consent order, which awaits approved by the court*, Steve’s Towing will pay $67,500 to the seven SCRA-protected service members referenced in the United States’ complaint, up to $12,500 to compensate additional SCRA-protected service members whose vehicles Steve’s Towing may have sold without first obtaining court orders and a $10,000 civil penalty. Steve’s Towing will also be required to provide SCRA training to its employees and to develop new policies and procedures consistent with the SCRA.This of course comes at a time when local, state and nationally elected Republicans are trying to de-fund and disrupt the US justice system. Continue reading

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EPA Proposes to Reduce Toxic Chemical Plant Air Pollution

EPA’s proposal would modernize several regulations that apply to chemical plants, including plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, and regulations that apply to plants that make polymers such as neoprene. The proposed updates would reduce 6053 tons of air toxics emissions each year, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Those reductions include a 58 ton per year reduction in ethylene oxide (EtO) and a reduction of 14 tons per year in chloroprene. Continue reading

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EPA Orders Valero Refining to Improve Chemical Safety

“This settlement sends a clear message that EPA will prosecute companies that fail to expend the resources needed to have a compliant, well-functioning Risk Management Plan to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Recall for Bad Atlas Front-Passenger Airbags

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling more than 143,000 2018-2021 model year Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles because the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may have a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied. According to the required filing, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public today, owners are advised not to use the front-passenger seat until the recall has been completed.

At this time, however, the repair that will be required is unknown by Volkswagen. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 26 May 2023. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Continue reading

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Friends, Families Can Change Distracted Driving Behaviors

“It may come as a surprise, but many drivers still don’t realize how dangerous it is to check a text message or glance at their Instagram feed while they’re zipping along the road,” said IIHS Research Associate Aimee Cox, the lead author of the study. Continue reading

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Seattle Streets Safer Because of Lower Speeds

“When we talk about the Safe System approach, we always stress that nobody should have to die because of a mistake,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “These results illustrate the value of rethinking speed limits. Crashes still happened after Seattle’s changes, but they weren’t as dangerous.” Continue reading

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NHTSA Prompts Expansion of Hyundai, Kia Fire Recall

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued expanded recalls for unexpected fires on more than 570,000 vehicles. The Korean companies are urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes and other structures until the recall fix is applied, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a rare “critical recall alert,” the second one for this life-threatening safety defect. This safety recall is a direct result of NHTSA’s monitoring of recall NHTSA 22V-633, NHTSA said. Continue reading

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More Ford Recalls Published – Millions of Vehicles Involved

According to the latest safety defect recalls made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aka NHTSA, Ford Motor Company is also recalling numerous vehicles that have not been published by AutoInformed. These include recalls for windshield wipers, brake calipers, brake hoses, and towing trailer tail lights. In some cases millions of vehicles are involved. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalling Bronco SUVs Again

Affected Bronco SUVs are equipped with 8-inch low-level SYNC infotainment screens and have had a previous Ford safety recall 22C27 performed. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles “can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database,” Ford said in the filing. Continue reading

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American Honda Recalls 450,000 Vehicles for Bad Seat Belts

Registered owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. The vehicles covered by the safety defect recall are: 2017-2020 model-year CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Steering on Bronco Wildtrak, Bronco Raptor

Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall on 3 March 2023. There have been no reports of accident or injury associated with this safety defect.However, owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 27 March 2023. Nexteer Automotive in Auburn Hills Michigan is the supplier of the steering gear. Continue reading

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