All articles tagged with #driver safety
A federal jury in Arizona found Uber liable for a driver who raped a rider, awarding the plaintiff $8.5 million. The verdict, which hinged on Uber acting as an apparent agent and noted safety measures but did not award punitive damages or find design negligence, could influence thousands of similar lawsuits by guiding settlement talks and litigation strategy. Uber plans to appeal the decision.
A Phoenix federal jury found Uber liable for a driver’s sexual assault of a 19-year-old rider and awarded $8.5 million in compensatory damages in a bellwether trial among thousands of similar lawsuits, with Uber planning an appeal.
A Phoenix federal jury ruled Uber liable for a driver’s sexual assault on a rider, awarding $8.5 million in compensatory damages and denying punitive damages; the bellwether case, among more than 3,000 consolidated lawsuits, could influence future claims and settlements, with Uber planning an appeal.
Mercedes-Benz is launching a $60,000 luxury sedan in 2026 that features an in-car camera allowing drivers to join Microsoft Teams meetings while driving, with safety measures in place to disable video when the vehicle is in motion. The car aims to enhance in-car productivity but raises concerns about distracted driving, despite safety features and legal compliance. The update will roll out in Europe and the U.S. later this year.
A 9-year-old boy in Oroville, California, led police on a brief chase as he attempted to drive himself to school. The boy was stopped by an officer who found him behind the wheel after he backed into a patrol car. Despite the unusual incident, no one was hurt, and the boy was able to go to school after the situation was resolved. Officer Terry Dunn emphasized the importance of keeping car keys out of children's reach and educating them about driver safety and laws.
Tesla is addressing the NHTSA's Autopilot "recall" by rolling out a free over-the-air software update for over 2 million vehicles. The update includes improvements to Autosteer, such as increased driver monitoring warning alerts, simplified activation and disengagement of Autopilot features, stricter driver attentiveness requirements, and a suspension policy for improper usage. The release notes also mention enhancements to FSD Beta 11.4.9 and the cabin camera's ability to detect driver inattentiveness. Vehicles produced after midday December 7, 2023, are not covered by the recall as they already have the necessary software version.
Tesla is recalling over two million vehicles in the United States equipped with its Autopilot system due to safety concerns raised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall comes after a two-year investigation into whether Tesla vehicles adequately ensure driver attention while using Autopilot. Tesla stated that the software controls of Autopilot may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall will involve a software update to incorporate additional controls and alerts to encourage drivers to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility. NHTSA will keep the Autopilot probe open as it monitors the effectiveness of Tesla's remedies.
General Motors (GM) is standing by its decision to remove Android Auto and CarPlay from its future vehicles, claiming that it will improve driver safety by reducing distractions caused by cell phone usage. GM argues that stability issues with Android Auto and CarPlay, such as bad connections and slow responses, lead drivers to use their phones to restore the connection, taking their eyes off the road. GM believes that its built-in Android Automotive-based system will avoid these issues and offers enhanced voice controls for safer interaction. However, critics point out that GM's focus on its own infotainment system may be driven by the potential for revenue from subscriptions and purchases, which are not available in phone-based systems.
General Motors (GM) is phasing out Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicles, citing driver safety concerns. GM claims that issues like bad connections, slow response times, and compatibility problems with CarPlay and Android Auto can distract drivers from the road. GM plans to adopt an infotainment system co-developed with Google, which will have integrated Google apps and provide more control over driver data. The decision has been met with criticism from iPhone users, but GM believes that a built-in system will reduce the need for drivers to pick up their phones, leading to improved safety on the road.
General Motors (GM) is dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of developing its own in-house system called Ultifi, claiming that the phone-mirroring programs encourage cell phone use behind the wheel and pose safety issues. GM's new system will feature Google apps like Google Maps and Assistant for voice controls, and the company hopes to collect driver data and generate revenue through subscription services. The Ultifi system will debut in the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV, with more vehicles to follow next year.
Waze, the popular traffic navigation app, is introducing a new feature called crash history alerts. By combining historical crash data with road and traffic information, the app will warn drivers about dangerous areas on their routes. To minimize distractions, the alerts will not be shown on familiar roads and will be limited on unfamiliar roads. Waze, which was acquired by Google in 2013, has been integrating its features into Google Maps and continues to leverage its crowd-sourced traffic data to enhance driver safety.
Austin police are cautioning drivers after a woman was shot and killed in a road rage incident in north Austin. Homicide detectives have ruled it as a case of road rage, which they receive reports of on a weekly basis. The incident occurred when the victim got into a minor crash and pulled over to exchange information with the other driver. The suspect in the other vehicle shot and killed her. Road rage incidents have been on the rise in Austin, with an average of 11 cases per month in 2023. Police urge drivers to be respectful on the road and report any road rage incidents to 911.
NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney slammed into an unprotected concrete wall during Sunday's Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway, raising concerns about driver safety. Blaney was evaluated and released from the infield care center, but criticized the lack of an energy-absorbing SAFER barrier. The Next Gen car has proven not adept at absorbing hits, and three drivers have experienced concussion-like symptoms after accidents in the past 18 months. NASCAR said it will evaluate all available data and make any necessary improvements, but some drivers are questioning whether oversight occurred during Nashville's evaluation.
A multi-car crash during the Indy 500 sent a tire flying over the fence and past the grandstand, narrowly missing spectators. The crash resulted in no injuries to drivers or fans, but highlights the risks of auto racing to all involved. In the past, fans have been injured or killed by debris from crashes, leading to safety improvements such as raising the track's catch fence.
Four Craftsman Truck Series teams have been penalized for safety infractions related to the use of the driver's side window net, a critical piece related to driver safety. The North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series race in 1949, returns to the motorsports spotlight this weekend as host of the All-Star Race.