Feds Ready to Propose National Distracted-Driving Guidelines
Photo: Doug Newcomb
Not extended after the feds issued voluntary recommendations final February instructing automakers on how factory-put in infotainment and navigation methods ought to operate to reduce distracted driving, NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Strickland acknowledged that the nonbinding guidelines left a “regulatory doughnut hole” in the kind of brought-in devices like smartphones. Right now, Strickland’s boss, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, announced that his agency needs to close that gap by drafting more recommendations to cover mobile gadgets and even voice-activated controls in vehicles.
“I’ve met with each and every car executive and talked with them about what they can do to support us with technologies they’re putting in cars that might become a distraction to drivers,” LaHood stated at a press conference in Washington, D.C. “We hope to examine voice commands for hands-free functions also.”
The recommendations advise that tasks needed of drivers do not consider longer than two seconds, and that autos be stopped and shifted to park ahead of drivers can enter navigation commands or use social networking sites this kind of as Facebook and Twitter. A couple of systems permit entering nav destinations on the fly, while the BMW Apps characteristic enables reading Facebook and Twitter posts even though the auto is moving.
“We want to make positive they comprehend, and that’s why we put out the voluntary suggestions that we did, that the ability to download Facebook, the capability to access info whilst you’re driving the car is not specifically a safe way to drive,” LaHood stated. “There have to be approaches for automobile businesses to tackle these concerns.”
But automakes already have. Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Makers, informed Wired, “The recommendations that NHTSA is getting prepared to finalize, the Alliance took the lead a decade ago functioning with the Insurance coverage Institute for Highway Security.” Bergquist adds, “The automakers came together and started out sharing their individual research on distracted driving. They spent a great deal of time making an attempt to work via what would be distracting and what is usually not, and how extended you could look away from the road. We determined it was two seconds. When NHTSA announced that they would be adopting voluntary guidelines a number of months ago, I mentioned it is usually great when you get a shout out from the agency that regulates you that you took the lead in establishing individuals.”
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Volt Owners: Here’s Why Your Delayed Charging Failed
2011 Chevrolet Volt plugged into Coulomb Technologies 240V wall charging unit
We have significantly enjoyed our 2011 Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric auto because its delivery early in January 2011, and it has witnessed a lot much more use than the Nissan Leaf battery electrical car that arrived about a month later on.
Audi Confirms U.S. Launch of New A3 Sedan for late This Year, Asks if it Should Bring Hatch and Cabrio
We already knew that Audi has plans to construct the initial ever sedan version of its A3 series and that it would come to North America. What we weren’t confident about was the timing.
In a posting on its Facebook web page these days, the German automaker exposed that the A3 Sedan “is confirmed for U.S. release late this year“.
What this implies is that we will probably see the 4-door version of the new A3 creating its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September, and/or at the 2012 Los Angeles Car Show in November, with revenue to begin all around December.
The A3 Sedan will be based mostly on a stretched version of the newest A3 hatchback’s new MQB modular platform architecture, with the two designs also sharing the very same interior design and style and engine lineup.
Audi has previewed the appears of the A3 sedan twice in the past year the initial time at the 2011 Geneva Salon with the sporty looking and very close to production A3 Concept sporting a 402bhp (408PS) 2.five-liter turbo’d inline-5, and the second time with the A3 e-Tron gasoline-electric hybrid study at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.
200 Natural Gas Fueling Lanes Network Underway
Published June 8, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
TravelCenters of America LLC announced yesterday that it has entered a memorandum of knowing with Shell Oil Items US and its affiliates to construct and operate a network of organic gasoline fueling lanes at TA spots along the U.S. Interstate Highway System.
The memorandum of understanding contemplates that Shell will construct and TA will operate at least 200 all-natural gas fueling lanes on at least a hundred TA areas.
Far more TA spots might be extra depending upon buyer demand. The places will be jointly selected by TA and Shell with the intention of developing the infrastructure required to let normal gasoline powered trucks to travel across the United States.
Mitt Romney Weighs in on GM, CAFE, and EVs
Published June 8, 2012
By Jeff Cobb
If elected president, presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney said he would quickly sell off the government’s 26-percent share in General Motors, take a long hard look at pending fuel efficiency mandates, and presumably electric vehicle subsidies as well.
The U.S. Treasury has held onto post-bankruptcy GM stock for 35 months now, and if it were sold today at $ 21-something per share, well below its $ 33 IPO price, the country would lose around $ 16 billion, but Romney said there was no good reason to hold on.
Instead, he said President Barack Obama wants to avoid an embarrassing financial loss that stands to be a political check against him, thus Obama is not in favor of selling GM stock. But this Romney said he would do in short order, if he won the White House.
Video: 2013 Scion FR-S gets its first ever TV ad spot
The anticipated Scion FR-S eventually gets some media time as it drifts through corners noticed in its 1st commercial ever.
White smoke, loud engine noise, and flashy light fill the screen as Scion attempts to pound in their core mission: “Bringing Sport Back to the Auto.” I just hope the auto lives up to its hype. What do you think? Verify out the commercial and allow us know in the comments area.
- By: Moe Adawy
Mercedes SLS AMG Matte Editions for Japan
Mercedes Benz has lately announced that it will be offering 3 matte special editions of the SLS AMG for the Japanese market place.
The matte editions incorporate a Matte Black Roadster, Matte White Roadster and Matte White Coupe.
With only 5 Matte Black Roadsters scheduled for production, the car is anticipated to be something unique to account for its exclusivity. The Matte Black Roadster sports a designo Magno Night Black exterior with black soft best and red accents on the grille, wheels and fuel-filler cap. The interior shows-off two-tone red and black leather upholstery, a sport steering wheel and special floor mats.
Similarly, only five units of the Matter White edition will be made that also characteristics a designo Magno Cashmere White exterior with contrasting black accents. The leather upholstery is accompanied by porcelain and the interior also sees an AMG steering wheel and particular floor mats.
As for the Matte White Coupe, it is virtually identical to the Roadster except for the fact that ten units, instead than 5, will be developed.