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 […]
Red Bull Crashes F1 Car during Film Day
Yesterday, Red Bull Racing unveiled the RB14, its 2018 Formula One challenger, before putting Daniel Ricciardo in the car for a few shakedown and promotion laps around the wet Silverstone circuit. The team was limited to 100 km of running, but before they could reach that limit, Ricciardo crashed into the barriers at low speed. […]
San Francisco Motorcyclist Sues GM After Crash with Self-Driving Bolt
Any time a self-driving vehicle gets into a crash, the incident becomes the object of great scrutiny – the state of California even requires operators of self-driving test fleets like Google and GM to report every single collision, no matter how minor. Up until now, the few crashes that have happened have been blamed on […]
Deadly Car Crashes Reach Highest Level Since 2007
Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 2016 as the highest year for deadly crashes in the United States since 2007. In 2007, the United States had 41,259 fatal car accidents. While car-related deaths have been below that for the last decade, 2016 reported the highest rate since then, with 37,461 fatal car accidents—a […]
Romain Grosjean Crashes After Drain Cover Comes Loose in Malaysia Practice
Romain Grosjean was involved in a strange crash today during the second free practice session of the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. It’s not unusual to see Formula One drivers lose control of their car during practice as they explore the limits of adhesion in preparation for qualifying and the race, but when a driver crashes, […]
IIHS Study Confirms That Yes, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warnings Help Prevent Crashes
Automakers have, over the past few years, been feverishly equipping their new vehicles with driver-assist active safety features—some of the basic of which are lane departure warning and blind spot detection systems. However, when I channel my inner curmudgeon, the first question that comes to mind, after a number of skeptical harrumphing noises, is “Do […]
Cartoon Car Spotlight: Falling to Pieces over ‘The Incredible Crash Dummies’
Computer-generated animation wasn’t always the dazzling art form it is today. It suffered growing pains for decades before reaching its current level of refinement. Television was often the testing ground for new animation; combine that with the many passing fads over the years, and television archives become a treasure trove of forgotten animated curiosities. Those […]