Information retrieved
from Tesla Model S in Utah crash confirms car was in autopilot mode.
USA Today (5/16, della Cava, 9.97M) reports
that according to police, information retrieved by Tesla engineers from a Tesla
Model S that crashed in Utah last week corroborates the account the driver gave
to investigators that the car was in Autopilot mode. According to USA Today,
the driver also told investigators said that she was distracted by her phone.
USA Today says that the May 11 accident is a “textbook case of distracted
driving exacerbated by technology that, despite providing visual and audio
warnings to drivers, is easy for humans to abuse.”
More than two dozen
people died from keyless ignitions since 2006.
The New York Post (5/14, Eustachewich, 4.39M)
reports that a new report found that 28 people were killed and 45 were injured
by carbon monoxide from keyless cars. In all of the cases, “drivers
unintentionally filled their homes with toxic fumes by leaving their cars on
inside attached garages.” The article notes that while keyless ignitions are
standard in over half of the new cars sold in the US, “there are no federal regulations
on automatic engine shutoffs or beeping sounds to warn drivers the car is still
running.” The article adds that NHTSA “failed three times to adopt regulations
that would require car manufacturers to install external and internal warning
beeps.”
Tesla driver says
vehicle was in autopilot mode when it crashed into Utah fire truck.
The AP (5/14, Hattem) report that a Tesla vehicle
was in Autopilot mode when it crashed into the back of a fire truck in Salt
Lake City over the weekend. The driver told police that the Autopilot system
was on and that she was looking at her phone prior to the crash. A Tesla
spokesperson did not comment on the disclosure. Meanwhile, on Twitter, Tesla
co-founder Elon Musk said it was “super messed up” that the incident was
received public attention, while thousands of accidents involving traditional
vehicles “get almost no coverage.” NTSB said it has not yet launched an
investigation of the crash but it may decide to do so. The article mentions
that NTSB and NHTSA are already looking into Tesla’s Autopilot system and its
role in a fatal crash on a California highway in March.
Auto makers fail to meet
NHTSA deadline on Takata repairs.
The Wall Street Journal (5/14, Spector,
Subscription Publication, 6.17M) reports National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Deputy Administrator Heidi King sent a letter on Monday to 12 major auto makers
stating that the agency is “concerned that certain higher-risk vehicles with
defective Takata air bags remain unrepaired” despite NHTSA imposing a December
2017 deadline to have the “highest-priority vehicles” repaired. King requested
the auto makers to provide details and a timeline on how they plan to repair
the affected vehicles. The Journal reports that auto makers have fixed about 23
million of the 39 million vehicles recalled, but some car manufacturers have
expressed concern that some vehicle owners have chosen to not have their
vehicles fixed despite the urgent nature of the recall.
Tesla Model S crashes
into truck stopped at red light, reportedly without braking.
The AP (5/12) reports from South Jordan, Utah,
where “a Tesla sedan with a semi-autonomous Autopilot feature has rear-ended a
fire department truck at 60 mph (97 kph) apparently without braking before
impact, but police say it’s unknown if the Autopilot feature was engaged.”
According to the story, the Model S crashed into the mechanic truck while the
latter was stopped at a red light, injuring the driver of the Tesla but not the
driver of the truck. The AP adds that the Tesla driver is not suspected to have
been under the influence at the time, although the roads were wet from a slight
rain. A spokesperson for the NTSB, Keith Holloway, “said he didn’t know whether
the agency would get involved with the crash,” but the Safety Board and NHTSA
are already working on at least two other Tesla-related crash investigations.
Keyless cars can
inadvertently lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The New York Times (5/13, A1, Jeans, Kamp,
Subscription Publication, 18.33M) reports that more than two dozen people have
been killed by carbon monoxide nationwide since 2006 after a keyless-ignition
vehicle was inadvertently left running in a garage. “Dozens of others have been
injured, some left with brain damage,” according to a Times report. The Times
says, “Weaned from the habit of turning and removing a key to shut off the
motor, drivers – particularly older ones – can be lulled by newer, quieter
engines into mistakenly thinking that it has stopped running.” The article
mentions that NHTSA “released a video two years ago that highlighted the risks
of keyless vehicles, including carbon monoxide poisoning.” However, at the same
time NHTSA “has postponed adoption of the keyless ignition regulation three
times.” In a statement, NHTSA said in March, “Once NHTSA has finished its
review and determined the best path forward, NHTSA will take appropriate
action.”
Hyundai issues recall
for 2017 Ionic hybrids, Kia recalls 2017 Niro hybrids.
Consumer Reports (5/10, 14.13M) reports that
Hyundai will be recalling 27,029 of its 2017 Ionic hybrids, and Kia will be
issuing a recall of 10,156 of its 2017 Niro hybrids.
Cars (5/10, 931K) reports that the reason for
the Hyundai recall is the discovery that the “hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA)
inner oil seal may leak” which may result in an electrical short and lead to a
fire. Cars advises owners to call the automaker and the NHTSA.
Cars (5/10, 931K) reports that the Kia recall
was also an HCA related issue. Cars says that owners of the Kia vehicle will be
notified by the company by June 15, and they should call the automaker and the
NHTSA.
