AAA Tests Remind Us Cars Still Can’t Drive Themselves
As we go into one of the busiest weeks of the year in terms of traffic, AAA has released results of tests that remind us all that systems like Autopilot or ProPILOT Assist aren’t self-driving vehicle tech. AAA warned not to think that these systems will drive for you—they are only a kind of assistance. […]
IIHS Study Finds That GM’s Front Crash Prevention Systems Really Do Work
Vehicles equipped with GM's front crash prevention systems, such as forward collision warning and autobrake, experienced 43 percent fewer front-to-rear collisions
Unsurprisingly, automakers continually state that their front crash prevention systems keep drivers safe on the road. Still, evidence from independent organizations has begun piling up in support of these statements. Most recently, a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded that the front crash prevention systems installed in various General Motors vehicles […]
New Reports Link Legalized Marijuana To More Car Crashes
In driving school, we all learned about the dangers of drinking and driving. For most of us, however, that education happened well before marijuana was legalized in select states, so the official message to not drive after using weed is fairly new. While there are pros to legal marijuana, one of the big cons is […]
How to Handle a Staged Car Crash
Not all collisions are caused accidentally. In some cases, the collisions are carefully staged by individuals seeking to make money from fraudulent claims. If you own a luxury vehicle, new car, or work vehicle, you’re more likely to be a target for this scam. Learn more about the different types of staged crashes as well […]
Scientists Are Developing a Blood Test to Detect Drowsy Drivers
We're a step closer to developing a roadside test for driver sleepiness thanks to new research from our scientists: https://t.co/oJONkU8NhV pic.twitter.com/quVZs4ePoU — University of Surrey (@UniOfSurrey) October 3, 2018 Drowsy driving contributes to 100,000 crashes (and 80,000 injuries, 6,500 deaths) each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Despite the severity of this roadside […]
How to Handle a Test-Drive Accident
Testing out a new vehicle at a dealership is a fun and important part of the car buying process. But what happens if an accident occurs during the test drive? Will your auto insurance policy cover the incident? Will the dealership make you pay for the damages out of pocket? Discover how to calmly navigate this […]
IIHS Runs New Passenger Small-Overlap Test on Mid-Size SUVs, Reveals Major Problems
Back in October last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced that it would be introducing a new crash test to its bevy of trials, after noticing that automakers were beefing up protection on the driver’s side to pass its drivers-side small overlap crash test but generally ignoring the passenger side. This new test […]
Lessons From Tesla Autopilot Crashes Reveal Weaknesses for Whole Industry
Self-driving vehicle technology has come under some heavy scrutiny following the fatal self-driving Uber crash, but it had already been held in suspicion thanks to some Tesla crashes where the car, with self-driving mode engaged, ran into stationary objects like traffic barriers. However, as more details emerge on the crash, the primary lessons for the […]
Toyota Building Test Track for ‘Dangerous’ Self-Driving Car Tests
After a fatal collision between an autonomous Uber SUV and an Arizona pedestrian raised concerns about the safety of self-driving technology, some car companies seemed unfazed. The Google-owned Waymo, for instance, is still racing full-steam-ahead to be the first to market a mass-production autonomous car. Toyota, on the other hand, has had a different response. […]
Self-Driving Ruling Bill Stalls After Uber, Tesla Crashes
Self-driving cars have been happily puttering along for some time until recently, reassuringly waving off the few collisions that occurred because, after all, they were usually at low speeds and often caused by people rear-ending the meticulously law-following (and therefore granny-driving) self-driving cars. Taking Care: These preventative car maintenance tasks could save you from future […]
2018 Volkswagen GTI Makes U.S. News & World Report’s List of Fastest Cars for the Money
A powerful car isn’t out of reach if you’re working with a budget. According to U.S. News & World Report Writer John M. Vincent, the 2018 Volkswagen GTI, which scored an 8.9 out of 10 in the pub’s rankings, “continues the tradition of bringing excellent performance and nimble handling to a versatile hatchback — without […]
High-Tech License Plates That Alert First Responders in the Likelihood of a Crash
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority claimed that it will start testing out smart license plates equipped with technology to automatically notify police and paramedics in the event of a crash. The item would also enable drivers to communicate with others on the road about any accidents they witness on the road or traffic spots they […]
Uber Settles Out of Court With Self-Driving Car Crash Victim’s Family
Uber has reached a settlement with the family of Elaine Herzberg, who died after a self-driving Uber struck her as she crossed the street with her bicycle in Arizona. Travel Carefully: Follow these tips for travelling with your pets The crash, which occurred late on Sunday, the 18th, has been under investigation ever since, and […]
Uber Declines to Renew California Self-Driving Testing Permits
Uber seems to be continuing its removal from the self-driving car testing market after the Arizona governor nixed the company’s license to test within its borders. This time, though, Uber is making a choice to do so, by declining to renew a permit to test the autonomous cars in California. At first glance, this would […]
Waymo Defends Self-Driving Cars in Wake of Fatal Uber Crash, Says Its Cars Could’ve Handled It
Tensions are running sky-high among self-driving vehicle operators in the wake of a crash by a self-driving Uber that killed a pedestrian in Arizona, as people are wondering whether self-driving cars are a good idea, after all, particularly since the Uber reportedly didn’t even brake significantly before hitting the woman. Be Safe: Follow these good […]
Arizona Officially Cuts Off Uber’s Self-Driving Testing in the State
Arizona has been something of an open sandbox for self-driving vehicle companies, as the government instituted a policy of regulatory openness to encourage testing. However, this was done with the understanding that the self-driving vehicle producers weren’t biting off more than they could chew, and had vehicles that could avoid collisions. Collisions, that is, like […]
Investigation Shows Uber’s Self-Driving Vehicle System Was Far Behind Competitors Before Fatal Crash
An investigation by the New York Times has found that Uber’s self-driving vehicle project was far behind the competition, having problems with things like maneuvering through construction or driving next to tall vehicles, before one struck and killed a woman in Arizona. Safety First: Take care of the most important safety feature on your car, […]
Velodyne Denies LIDAR System To Blame in Fatal Self-Driving Uber Crash
In the aftermath of a fatal collision between a self-driving Uber and a bicycle-pushing pedestrian, priority seems to be given to the matter of finding out who is to blame. And, after many, many people speculatively said, “Shouldn’t the Uber’s LIDAR sensors have been able to see her before the crash?” LIDAR sensor producer Velodyne […]