THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL PLANS TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 2014 AS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH
According to the National Safety Council, 21% of 2012 crashes (or 1.2 million) involved talking on handheld or hands-free cell phones. The non-profit advocates that “hands-free is not risk-free” and as such, plans to recognize this upcoming April 2014 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
TEXAS THIRD IN NATION FOR BOATING DEATHS
Each year the US Coast Guard releases a study on recreational boating statistics for registrations, accidents, deaths and injuries.
STUDY PROVIDES EVIDENCE THAT NEW RESTART PROVISION FOR HOURS OF SERVICE FOR TRUCK DRIVERS HELPS TO MITIGATE FATIGUE
As part of a new Hours of Service Rule published in December, 2011 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are now required to have at least two nighttime periods in their 34-hour break to “restart” their hours of service week.
HANDS-FREE APPLE CARPLAY RAISES DISTRACTED DRIVING CONCERNS
On Monday, March 3, Apple unveiled its new “CarPlay” system at the International Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland.
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OPENS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF GM RECALL
As reported by Reuters, New York Federal Prosecutors are investigating whether GM – the nation’s largest automaker – may be criminally responsible for failing to disclose model defects prior to the recall initiated last month.
GM UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECENT RECALL OF MODELS WITH FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH
Last month, General Motors recalled the 2007 Pontiac G5 and Chevrolet Cobalts manufactured from 2005-2007 due to faulty ignition switches – which according to the New York Times caused these models to shut off in cases of “a heavy key ring or a ‘jarring event’ such as running off the road.”
FMCSA PROPOSES RULE FOR NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING CLEARINGHOUSE
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has required truck drivers to submit to drug and alcohol testing for almost two decades now.
CONSUMER REPORT FINDS CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS RECALLS LARGELY INEFFECTIVE
According to Chicago-based group Kids in Danger (KID), only 10% recalled children’s products were ever fixed or destroyed after the recall in 2012.
FMCSA AND STATE WAIVE HOURS OF SERVICE RULES FOR CERTAIN DRIVERS
In light of the rash of severe weather conditions the country has been experiencing, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and many states have waived hours of service requirements for truck drivers carrying certain freight, including propane, de-icing materials, food, medicine, water and some livestock.
US DOT MOVES FORWARD WITH V-2-V COMMUNICATION
What is V-2-V communication? Vehicle-to-vehicle communication. That’s right, your car will be “talking” to the cars all around it in an effort to avoid crashes and alert drivers of issues.