Japanese Take Lead In Safety?

The year 2004 featured some significant milestones with regard to automotive safety, and the majority of these came from Japanese automakers, according to a new study from ABI Research.

“Japanese automakers have been aggressively rolling out a new generation of vehicle safety systems, while North American and European OEMs have been playing catch-up,” claimed Frank Viquez, ABI Research’s director of automotive research. “What is important to note here is that the introduction of these systems are just stepping stones towards a larger plan to integrate all these ancillary systems into one fully interactive and sophisticated safety system.” Read more . . .

Accidents Just Waiting To Happen

Falling asleep at the wheel is no laughing matter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 100,000 collisions are caused every year on U.S. highways by drivers who fall asleep. Of that number, 1,500 of the accidents result in fatalities and 71,000 cause physical injuries. Clearly driver fatigue is a major safety problem so Volvo Car Corporation has launched an extensive initiative to deal with the problem. The result of that effort is the new Volvo Driver Alert system, a decisive step in active safety. Read more . . .

Hot Car Accessories

There was a time not long ago when the hottest car accessories consisted of eight-track players and stick-on compasses. Thankfully, those days are long gone. But just because you drive a used car or truck, does not mean it can be outfitted to meet your own particular needs and desires.

DVD player in the car

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The automobile has evolved from a simple means of transportation. Today, cars and trucks serve as mass transit systems for carpooling entire departments, recreational centers for road-weary children, and portable offices for mobile executives. With these changing times has come the demand for more gadgets and gizmos to ensure comfortable and productive travel: from coffee cup warmers and shiatsu seat covers, to DVD players and video game portals. One of the best examples of modern accessorizing is the GPS or Global Positioning System, which allows users to view local maps and receive accurate directions. These gadgets are of particular value to fast-moving professionals trying to navigate urban city streets. And travelers love them, too. Read more . . .

Fatigue Not Just An Irritant

Drivers are often reminded about the seriousness of drinking and driving. Yet research now indicates that tired drivers can be just as dangerous. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently reported the top 10 driver errors and listed “drowsiness” at number two, just behind “distractions.” Based on a study conducted in Canada and the United States, the AAA report states that drowsiness, Read more . . .

Keeping Senior Drivers Safe

The headlines were all-too-real. In July 2003 an 86-year-old man plowed through a Santa Monica, California, farmers market killing 10 people. Now the American Automobile Association (AAA) has recommended that states improve their medical review boards by including provisions that evaluate whether motorists are physically and mentally fit to drive. The analysis coincides with the National Transportation Safety Board’s soon-to-be-released report about the Santa Monica incident. Read more . . .