2010 March Archive
Toyota Responds to Runaway Prius Case, Contends No Safety Issue Found
New reports from Toyota on a landmark “runaway Prius” case illustrate how tense relations are between the giant car company and some of its drivers who are reporting problems on the road.
Amid many claims of “sudden or unintended acceleration,” Toyota has issued a recall of over six million vehicles. They are investigating any causes of faulty acceleration in its product line including many different models such as the popular Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon sedans as well as larger vehicles like the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and RAV4. The Toyota Prius is subject to its own recall information with debate on safety issues regarding braking.
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Government Eyes Mandatory Data Recorders for All U.S. Vehicles
How about a black box for your car?
U.S. government officials are now looking at proposing mandatory electronic monitoring systems for cars that are similar to the “black box” tools used in aircraft in order to know more about what happens in a car accident. The devices would record information like braking and other events from 5 to 30 seconds before a crash.
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Toyota Recall News: Older Toyotas Had Problems Too
By now, almost everyone has heard about the huge Toyota recall involving more than six million vehicles that centers on the safety issue of sudden or unintended acceleration, but not everyone knows the entire story. A recent New York Times report shows that acceleration problems are more widespread and more common in the industry than some auto experts make them out to be.
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U.S. Government Workers Go To Work For Automakers as Toyota Recall Situation Escalates
Many Toyota owners are already concerned about what is behind the huge recall of several million Toyota vehicles this year, and new reports just add fuel to the fire. A recent Washington Post article points out what is becoming increasingly clear about the relationship between companies like Toyota and government offices tasked with handling automotive safety issues.
Nissan Recalls Vehicles: Major Safety Issues Revealed
Though the majority of mainstream media attention has recently gone to Toyota for its massive 2009-2010 floor mat and gas pedal recalls, Toyota is not the only big automaker to be issuing large recalls for its North American market. New reports show that Japanese automaker Nissan is set to recall over half a million vehicles worldwide in March and April.
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Toyota Recall News: White House, Legislators Talk Brake Overrides for Toyotas
The U.S. government is currently looking at what is, to many, a common-sense proposal for modern vehicle safety: brake override systems on all new Toyota vehicles equipped with electronic throttle systems.
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Dangerous Dog Case Provides Study for Orlando Dog Bite Law
A recent finding by animal control officials in Florida’s Lake County shows why dangerous dog laws are necessary to protect the public from injury.
A 3-year-old American bulldog named Goliath has been labeled dangerous by the municipal Animal Service department after biting and injuring a 7-year-old on January 9, according to reports in the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper. This victim was the second person bitten by the dog within three years. The injuries were not as severe as some other local cases but they were significant enough to get the attention of local public officials.
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SeaWorld Trainer Dies during Contact with Whale
An Orlando SeaWorld trainer died in an accident while handling one of the park’s trained killer whales on Feb. 24. According to official reports, 40-year-old Dawn Brancheau was standing in knee-deep water, interacting with the performing whale known as Tilikum, when she was pulled into the water and subsequently drowned. Brancheau was an experienced trainer, and officials are still looking at exactly how the tragic incident unfolded. Witnesses reported that staff could not assist Brancheau immediately because the animal could not be effectively controlled.
New Admissions in the Wake of the Sudden Acceleration Toyota Recalls
When Toyota staffer James Lentz went before a Congressional oversight panel Feb. 23, the public got some new information on what’s really going on with the massive Toyota recall involving million of vehicles that has led to halted sales of some new models.
Specifically, it was the first time, according to industry reports, that a Toyota employee went on record as saying that the sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles could have come from an electronic issue.
