DOT
Automakers Enter Joint Safety Venture with US Government
1
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a new enhanced safety initiative in collaboration with 18 of the world’s major automakers.
Feds Pledge $4B to Accelerate Self-Driving Car Development
The U.S. Government has pledged to offer around $3.9 billion over the next 10 years to help get self-driving cars into the hands of American consumers.
Connected Cars Raise Privacy Concerns: DOT Secretary
The U.S. Department of Transportation is keeping a close eye on driver privacy as more automakers begin developing wireless connectivity in vehicles.
DOT Sued Over Delay in Backup Camera Mandate
Consumer groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for its delay in making backup cameras mandatory by law in new vehicles.
NHTSA Issues List of Common Baby Seat Installation Mistakes
To kick off Child Passenger Safety Week, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has teamed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids to address common mistakes parents make when using car seats and booster seats.
NHTSA, Glee Team Up Against Distracted Driving – Videos
Ray LaHood is all about stopping distracted driving, and has recently teamed up with Fox’s hit television show Glee on some promotional videos aimed at young drivers to “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.”
‘Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving’ Unvieled by US Government
Referring to distracted driving as an “epidemic,” transportation secretary Ray LaHood has been the Obama administration’s boisterous champion of fighting the dangerous practice, most recently releasing a plan to combat cell phone use behind the wheel.
Car Communication Technology gets ‘Thumbs Up’ from Drivers
The United States Department of Transportation just released data suggesting an overwhelming majority of drivers who experience connected vehicle technology respond to it favorably and perceive it as an important safety measure.
Turn Signal Neglect Causes 2 Million Crashes Annually: Study
With all the attention surrounding distracted driving these days, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) wanted to remind the world that one of the most basic driving rules is being neglected, causing twice as many crashes as distracted driving.
Data Recording Black Boxes Likely in All Cars by 2015: Senate Passes Bill
Black boxes in cars? We’ve reported on it before, but a bill requiring such devices has recently passed the U.S. Senate and is expected to fare the same in the House. If it goes all the way, cars built after 2015 will all have tattlers to give specific information on a car’s activity. If implemented,…
DOT Proposes Distracting Driving Guidelines for Automakers
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines for in-vehicle electronic devices to automakers, hoping to limit how distracted drivers can get by these new devices. The proposed voluntary guidelines affects communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safety operate a vehicle. The National Highway…
DOT Proposes Data-Recording Black Boxes For All Light-Duty Vehicles
The United States Department of Transportation has proposed a plan to require all light-duty vehicles to be equipped with data-recording black boxes. The 197-page proposed document was released yesterday by the White House. NHTSA is also considering the meausure for heavy-duty trucks. The electronic data recorders(EDR) are equipped to many vehicles already. GM began using…
Updated Fuel Economy Window Sticker Unveiled: Video
An updated U.S fuel economy label was unveiled today aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and exhaust emissions. These new stickers will be required on all 2013 models, allowing consumers to quickly glance at fuel consumption. The sticker will also display estimates of fuel or electricity required to drive 100 miles as well as time needed…
NHTSA Reports 2010 As Record Low For Traffic Deaths
The United States Department of Transportation reported that 2010 was a record low for traffic fatalities, besting the previous record of 2009. While that year saw 33,808 deaths, 2010 saw a drop to 32,708. Both the DOT and NHTSA credit public awareness campaigns and stricter law enforcement, with programs against impaired driving, distracted driving and even…
Toyota Unintended Acceleration Report Exonerates Electronics
An investigation by NASA has cleared Toyota‘s electronics systems of causing the unintended acceleration phenomenon that was widely reported in 2010. The Department of Transportation, who oversaw the investigation, released a statement claiming “NASA engineers found no electronic flaws in Toyota vehicles capable of producing the large throttle openings required to create dangerous high-speed unintended…
Department of Transportation Looking At Cell Phone Jamming Technologies
The U.S. Depart of Transportation (DOT) is looking towards new technologies that can prevent drivers from using their cell phones while driving. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood went on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Breakfast Show and said, “There’s a lot of technology out there now that can disable phones and we’re looking at that. That’s one way….
Study: One in Five Drivers Drink and Drive
You’d think that with all of the public service announcements, all of the shocking statistics and all of the cringe-worthy footage you can find on YouTube, drivers would think twice about getting behind the wheel drunk. Does it surprise you that almost 12,000 people are still killed annually from alcohol-related accidents? Just as surprising is…
Driver Error to Blame in Most of Toyota’s “Unintended Acceleration” Cases: Report
As early leaked reports indicated, Toyota is being exonerated after Congress pushed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reveal the preliminary findings of its investigation into the cases of “unintended acceleration” of Toyota vehicles. A Department of Transportation investigation of the black box recorders in 58 Toyota vehicles involved in “unintended acceleration” crashes…
Report: Toyota Could Face More Fines from DOT
Last week the Department of Transportation announced a $16.4 million fine for Toyota after it declared the automaker acted too slowly in informing the government about a problem with sticking accelerator pedals which later led to a recall. That might not be the end of it, however, as according to a report by Automotive News…
Report: Toyota Could Face Government Fine for Delayed Recalls
As though Toyota needed any more to deal with right now, the automaker could face a fine from the Federal Government for not acting quickly enough in issuing recalls. Legally, automakers that don’t issue recalls in a timely manner can be stuck with a fine for as much as $16.4 million. That amount, however, pales…
Report: Toyota Corolla Tops Cash-for-Clunkers Purchase List
With the Cash-for-Clunkers program officially ending last night, the U.S. Department of Transportation has now released its top 10 list of the most purchased vehicles under the program, with the most popular car purchased being the Toyota Corolla. Toyotas actually took three of the top 10 spots, with the Camry placing third and the new…
Report: Cash for Clunkers Program Results in 690,114 Deals Worth $2.88 Billion
The Cash for Clunkers program has come to an end and its impact can now be evaluated. According to U.S. Department of Transportation, dealers submitted 690,114 transactions under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), more commonly known as Cash-for-Clunkers. Those rebate applications account for $2.877 billion out of the $3 billion approved by Congress. That…
